Asset management for Colombia’s transitioning energy sector

February 4, 2025

Alberto Padilla, founder and general manager of Tecna ICE, talks to The Energy Year about the company’s primary business, how it has evolved over time and the main asset-integrity-management services and technologies it offers. Tecna ICE is a technology, maintenance and management company providing services primarily in the oil and gas sector.

What is Tecna ICE’s primary business focus, and how has it evolved over time?
Tecna ICE’s journey in the energy sector is a testament to its adaptability and forward-thinking approach. The company’s roots go back to manufacturing explosion-proof accessories and grounding materials for the oil and gas industry under the name Tecna. As the industry evolved, so did we, as we recognised the growing importance of asset integrity in ensuring not just safety but also operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
This realisation led to a significant expansion into pipeline integrity services, a move that positioned us as a key player in asset health management. The firm’s commitment to innovation is evident in the development of our proprietary software tool, PIDT [Pipeline Technique Data Tools]. This sophisticated system integrates all integrity-related asset information to determine risk levels, providing clients with invaluable insights for decision-making.
In recent years the company has further diversified its portfolio from the oil and gas industry by venturing into technology services for agriculture and transportation.

What are the main services and technologies you offer in asset integrity management?
We have developed a comprehensive suite of asset-integrity-management services that covers the entire lifecycle of oil and gas infrastructure. At the core of our offering is a data-driven approach to asset health assessment and risk management.
The process begins with meticulous data collection, utilising a variety of advanced methods. Field inspections form the backbone of this data gathering, with trained professionals conducting on-site assessments of pipelines, tanks, valves and other critical infrastructure.
This is complemented using cutting-edge drone technology, which provides high-resolution imagery and sensor data, allowing for the inspection of hard-to-reach areas.
We also employ advanced sensing equipment to gather detailed information about the condition of assets. This includes ultrasonic thickness measurements, corrosion mapping and other non-destructive testing methods that provide insights into the structural integrity of equipment without causing damage.
Once collected, this data is processed and analysed using our PIDT software. This powerful tool integrates various data points to create a comprehensive picture of asset health and risk levels. It considers factors such as material properties, environmental conditions, operational history and inspection results to generate detailed risk assessments.
Additionally, we offer specialised expertise in cathodic protection. This technique is crucial for preventing corrosion in metal structures, particularly in pipeline systems. By applying electrical currents to counteract the natural corrosion process, cathodic protection significantly extends the lifespan of assets and reduces the risk of failures.

 

Who are your major clients, and what projects are you working on?
We have established ourselves as a trusted partner for several major players in the Colombian oil and gas sector, demonstrating our capability to handle large-scale, complex projects. One of our most significant ongoing contracts is with Ecopetrol, which was initially awarded for five years and subsequently extended for an additional two more. The contract generates USD 10 million in annual revenue.
This project focuses on the Orinoco region, which covers four of the firm’s major production fields: Apiay, Chichimene, CPO-9 and Castilla. We are responsible for a wide range of tasks, including data collection from pipelines, tanks, valves and so on.
We are also working with TGI [Transportadora de Gas Internacional] on both integrity and technology services. This engagement involves the application of our PIDT software and other technological solutions to manage TGI’s extensive gas transportation infrastructure.

What challenges and opportunities do you face in the current market?
We are navigating a complex and rapidly evolving landscape in the energy sector, facing both significant challenges and promising opportunities. The most pressing challenge comes from the uncertain future of oil exploration and production in Colombia. These policies have raised concerns about the long-term viability of the sector, potentially impacting the demand for our traditional services.
However, this challenge has also spurred us to explore new opportunities, demonstrating our adaptability. We are actively investigating the potential for applying our expertise in integrity management to the renewable energy sector, with a particular focus on solar panel systems.
A significant opportunity for us lies in the expansion of our technology services division. This area has already grown to represent 25% of our sales, a testament to the increasing demand for digital solutions in the energy sector.

What is Tecna ICE’s growth strategy for the upcoming years?
Our main focus lies in the continued development and expansion of our technology services division. We believe this will represent 40% of our sales, which means 15% more than what it currently does.
We also remain committed to maintaining and strengthening our position in the gas sector, a market which is essential for the energy transition. The natural gas market offers more stability than oil in the current political climate, and our established expertise in this area provides a solid foundation for ongoing business.
We want to provide high-quality integrity management and technology services to gas infrastructure operators while looking for opportunities to introduce new, innovative solutions.
Peru is a market in which we see potential for further expansion. This international growth strategy allows us to diversify our geographical risk and tap into new opportunities.

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