Category: News

LAFAYETTE, La. (June 14, 2012) – Variable Bore Rams, Inc. (VBR), one of the largest original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of blowout preventer components and ram providers in the world, has added a distribution center in Yoakum, Texas, announced President Hines M. “Chip” Marshall, Jr., P.E.

The new distribution center will reduce response time in West and South Texas by more than 20 hours. The distribution center’s equipment will include a large and diverse inventory specifically selected for these regions, along with a complete selection of spare elastomers. The location will make it easier to rotate inventory from VBR’s headquarters in Louisiana.

“With a strong demand in West and South Texas, we felt it necessary to make our inventory more accessible for our customers there,” said Marshall. “We can now replace tools at a more rapid pace, avoiding potential downtime on the job; all while maintaining quality service and products.”

VBR intends to grow its customer base in this area by offering a wide variety of blowout preventer rams and elastomers manufactured by Cameron, GE Hydril, and NOV (Shaffer). The stock includes, but is not limited to: variable bore, dual bore, straight bore, multi-bore, dual string shear, casing and blind rams; all available at a quick response time.

Click here to view pictures of Variable Bore Rams, Inc.’s new facility.

LAFAYETTE, La. (May 1, 2012) – Variable Bore Rams, Inc. (VBR), one of the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ram providers in the world, has named Jared Primeaux Operations and Logistical Coordinator and Mathew Brocato Assembly Technician, announced President Hines M. “Chip” Marshall, Jr.

Primeaux’s responsibilities will include quality control for all active jobs and customer inquiry response. Brocato will manage warehouse inventory and maintain quality control of all BOP rams in VBR’s vast inventory.

Primeaux holds a certification in Cameron BOP type “U”, advanced safety tracking management, basic rigger training, and operation safety. Prior to joining VBR, he served as Quality Control Supervisor for Quail Tools. Primeaux has five years of experience in the oil and gas industry.

Brocato holds certifications in overhead crane and forklift equipment operation; and advanced safety tracking management. He has held positions with Whitco Oilfield Supply and Southern Steel Supply. Brocato joins VBR with four years of experience in the oil and gas industry.

“Jared’s experience made him the perfect choice for this position. He is a great representative for VBR and will work hard to ensure our customers’ needs are met on a daily basis,” said Marshall. “Mathew has proven that he has the skill-set and knowledge required to manage our facility’s inventory with a focus on safety and quality control.”

LAFAYETTE, La. (Dec. 12, 2011) – Variable Bore Rams, Inc. (VBR), one of the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ram providers in the world, has exceeded Occupational Safety & Health Association (OSHA) industry standards by meeting a total recordable incident rate (TRIR) of .93 in 2011, announced President Hines M. “Chip” Marshall, Jr.

VBR’s dedication and commitment to provide quality products safely played a vital role in securing a verified frequency rate below the OSHA standard of 1. This year’s frequency rate is an improvement from the .94 rate recorded in 2010.

OSHA bases safety records on recordable incidents and total man hours. The TRIR (sometimes referred to as the Total OSHA Recordable Rate) uses the number of OSHA recordable injury and illness cases. TRIR is the number of OSHA incidents multiplied by 200,000 and then divided by the number of hours worked.

The 200,000 hours in the formula represents the equivalent of 100 employees working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks per year, and provides the standard base for incidence rates.

“It is easy to talk about the importance of safety, but at VBR we take pride in practicing what we preach – our numbers are the proof,” said Marshall. “We look toward 2012 with the continued intent to incorporate health, safety and environmental responsibility into our goals and plans to better serve our customers.”

Click here to read more about Variable Bore Rams, Inc.’s commitment to quality and safety.

LAFAYETTE, La. (Oct. 12, 2011) – Variable Bore Rams, Inc. (VBR), one of the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ram providers in the world, will celebrate the grand opening of their Broussard office with an open house from 2 -8 p.m. on Oct. 25.

The open house will showcase the 26,654-square-foot shop and warehouse; 3,000-square-foot climate controlled elastomer storage room; and the 7,671-square-foot office where all administrative and operational duties will be performed. Scheduled in conjunction with Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Expo (LAGCOE), the open house will feature facility tours, live music, food and drinks.

The new centralized location of the facility in Broussard, Louisiana’s oilfield corridor, will allow for easier access to clients and space for equipment with room for inventory expansion. With their clients in mind, VBR has also added more maintenance equipment to their facility – allowing for additional customer service options. Clients will be served locally and internationally from this facility.

“We opened our doors more than 30 years ago and have since become one of the largest OEM ram providers in the world; our inventory is our pride and joy and now we have the facility to match it,” said Vice President of Sales, Kenny Lee.

LAFAYETTE, La. (Aug. 31, 2011) – Variable Bore Rams, Inc. (VBR), one of the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ram providers in the world, in conjunction with Cameron, will begin offering 11” 3-1/2” – 5-1/2” variable bore rams, announced President Hines M. “Chip” Marshall, Jr.

The new variable bore ram closes on 3-1/2” to 5-1/2” casings, allowing customers to catch most pipe sizes without changing rams. The 11” 3-1/2” – 5-1/2” variable bore ram will be available internationally in October and include types U, UL and UM 3/10M.

This new variable bore ram size joins the already available Cameron variable bore, dual bore, dual flex bore, flex bore, straight blind, and straight bore rams distributed by VBR.

“At Variable Bore Rams, Inc. it is a priority to offer dependable products that improve our customer’s bottom line,” said Marshall, “We’re thrilled to offer one of the most efficient products in the industry that will play a significant role in using 5-1/2” casings in shale gas exploration and production.”

Click here to read more about Variable Bore Rams, Inc.’s Cameron blowout preventer rams.

LAFAYETTE (June 22, 2011) – Variable Bore Rams, Inc. (VBRI), one of the largest OEM ram providers in the world, has built a new facility in Broussard, La., President Hines M. “Chip” Marshall, Jr. announced. In addition, Kenneth P. “Kenny” Lee has been promoted to Vice President of Sales and Ernest “Ernie” Bennett promoted to Regional Sales Manager.

Bennett and Lee each have more than 30 years of oilfield experience and are members of the American Association of Drilling Engineers (AADE) and the American Petroleum Institute (API). Bennett has been with VBRI for 14.5 years and Lee for 17.

“Growth at VBRI has been made possible by our hard-working employees and the increased demand for our quality products. Our new facility provides an innovative work environment for our staff and the capability of meeting client requests worldwide,” said Marshall.

The new facility will allow VBRI to better serve their domestic and international clientele. All administrative and operational duties will be performed out of the 7,671-square-foot office; 26,654-square-foot shop and warehouse, and 3,000-square-foot climate controlled elastomer storage room.

The centralized location of the facility in Broussard, Louisiana’s oilfield corridor, will allow for easier access to clients and space for equipment with room for inventory expansion. With their clients in mind, VBRI has also added more maintenance equipment to their facility – allowing for additional customer service options.