TUBACEX PEOPLE – Ángel Flores
Chief Field Engineer – Tubacex Upstream
Ángel, tell us briefly about your background and how you arrived at Tubacex.
I am a mechanical engineer specializing in thermal systems. I began my career in 1993 at a pipe manufacturing company in Mexico, where I was in charge of supervising operations in the tube threading area. That’s where I first entered the world of premium connections within the same company, eventually overseeing premium connection operations on a global scale.
My international experience in field services began in Qatar, where I spent six years representing the company in the development of its premium connection line. During that time, we laid the groundwork for the creation of a field services department, and I began traveling directly to wellsite operations to supervise field execution. Upon returning to Mexico, I was assigned to create and develop that same service line for the company’s products nationally.
Later, I moved on to other companies in the oil and gas sector, including Qatar Gas, Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), and Baker Hughes. After the pandemic and the shutdown in Mexico, the opportunity to join Tubacex came up. I started at TXUT, working alongside the great team led by Damián Ward, Ernest, and others, providing technical support. Later, I took on the challenge of leading field operations in the Middle East with ADNOC, as Global Field Services Manager.
As the leader of the Field Service Engineering team at Tubacex Upstream, you’re at the forefront of deploying Sentinel® Prime in real well environments. What would you highlight about its operational performance to date?
The performance of Sentinel® Prime in ADNOC’s wells in Abu Dhabi has been outstanding. We’ve already surpassed 250,000 linear feet of threaded pipe installed without incident, which validates not only the technical design of the connection but also its reliability under highly demanding operating conditions, even in extreme climate environments. From the very first well, it was clear that Sentinel® Prime is a robust, precise, and fully scalable solution.
What sets Sentinel® Prime apart from other premium connections in terms of value for the end user?
The key differentiator lies in its engineering design. It features an optimized geometry to reduce stress, outstanding sealing capability, and a thread form specifically developed to enable safe and efficient operations. But Sentinel® Prime goes beyond just the product itself. It is backed by a comprehensive value proposition that includes validation in accordance with the most demanding API standards, 24/7 technical assistance, on-site support during installation, and full product traceability—all of which contribute to complete operator confidence.
Tubacex has launched the “By Your Side” value proposition as an end-to-end approach for OCTG—a true solution from mill to well site. What does that mean in practice, in an operation like the one you’re leading with ADNOC?
“By Your Side” is far more than a slogan—it’s a real operational commitment. In the case of ADNOC, it means being present at every stage of the project: from the engineering and design of the solution, through manufacturing, to the technical support provided on-site during installation. As Field Services Manager, I see first-hand the value for the customer of working with a technical partner that deeply understands both the product and the operational demands of the environment.
From a field perspective, how has Sentinel® Prime been received by ADNOC’s technical teams during operations?
The reception was very positive. ADNOC’s technical teams particularly highlight the ease of installation, the precision of the make-up, and the excellent mechanical performance under high-load conditions—both in onshore and offshore environments. We’ve worked closely with ADNOC’s various technical and operations departments to ensure a smooth rollout, and the results are building strong trust in the solution.
What’s the next step for Sentinel® Prime within Tubacex’s OCTG strategy?
The next step is to establish Sentinel® Prime as the premium connection of reference for non-CRA applications, particularly in the Middle East. Our objective is clearly: to expand its use to new fields and operators, leveraging its proven field performance and our ability to offer a truly integrated OCTG solution. Sentinel® Prime is a mature, field-validated technology, fully qualified under API 5C5 (2017) CAL IV across all sizes, and it’s ready to become the new industry standard in the premium connection segment.