Oct 16, 2023 | Access Mats, News
Edmonton’s oil and gas industry is no stranger to the challenges posed by rugged terrains, extreme weather conditions, and the need for efficient operations. In this context, GFI Solutions’ rig mats are a significant advantage, offering companies economic benefits beyond their immediate functionality. Next, we will explore the economic benefits of GFI Solutions’ new and used rig mats for Edmonton’s oil and gas industry; we will showcase how these innovative access solutions contribute to operations’ cost savings, enhanced productivity, and long-term profitability. Continue reading to learn more about GFI Solutions’ rig mats.
Enhanced Efficiency and Time Savings
One of the main economic benefits of rig mats from GFI Solutions is their improved efficiency in oil and gas operations in the Edmonton area. Our rig mats provide a stable and secure platform, enabling the seamless movement of heavy equipment and machinery across rugged terrains. Our rig mats expedite project timelines and reduce downtime by eliminating the need for extensive and disruptive ground preparation or constructing permanent roads. This time savings increases productivity and cost-effectiveness, allowing companies to maximize their output and revenue.
Minimized Equipment Damage and Maintenance Costs
The rugged terrains and adverse weather conditions common to the Edmonton region pose significant risks to oil and gas operations‘ expensive equipment and machinery. GFI Solutions’ rig mats act as a protective barrier, preventing damage and wear to these valuable assets. By creating a stable work foundation, our rig mats minimize the risk of heavy equipment sinking, shifting, or sustaining potentially costly damage. Consequently, by utilizing our rig mats, companies can save on maintenance and repair costs, ensuring that their equipment remains operational and productive throughout their projects.
Flexibility and Reusability
GFI Solutions’ rig mats offer a high level of flexibility and reusability, resulting in significant cost savings for Edmonton’s oil and gas industry. Our new and used rig mats can be quickly installed, removed, and relocated as needed. That way, they can be used across multiple projects and sites efficiently. By reusing or investing in used rig mats, in particular, companies eliminate the need to purchase brand-new rig mats for every project, reducing capital expenditures and enhancing their bottom line. Additionally, GFI Solutions’ rig mats are manufactured to withstand challenging conditions, ensuring durability and a longer lifespan, improving their return on investment.
Environmental Responsibility and Compliance
In today’s oil and gas sector, environmental responsibility and compliance are crucial in maintaining a positive reputation and avoiding potential fines or penalties. GFI Solutions’ rig mats contribute to sustainability by minimizing soil erosion and protecting sensitive ecosystems during oil and gas operations. By adopting environmentally friendly solutions like investing in GFI Solutions’ rig mats, companies in Edmonton’s oil and gas industry can demonstrate their commitment to responsible resource extraction and environmental preservation, improving their standing with stakeholders and potential investors.
Find the Rig Mats You Need at GFI Solutions
Rig mats are an essential asset for the Edmonton region’s oil and gas industry, as they provide substantial economic benefits to companies operating in challenging terrains and difficult weather conditions. At GFI Solutions, we recognize the economic advantages of rig mats for the oil and gas industry. That’s why we provide innovative access solutions that cater to this industry’s evolving needs. Contact GFI Solutions today to learn more about our offering of rig mats and other access solutions.
Sep 15, 2023 | Access Mats, News
In the oil and gas industry, operational continuity is of the utmost importance. Any interruption or downtime can result in significant financial losses and potential delays in project timelines. That’s why companies operating in challenging terrains and remote locations rely on GFI Solutions’ innovative access solutions, like our offering of rig mats. Next, we will explore the critical role of GFI Solutions’ rig mats in ensuring operational continuity and minimizing downtime in the oil and gas industry. Keep reading to learn more about our inventory of rig mats.
Enhanced Safety and Stability
The primary function of rig mats is to provide a stable and secure surface for heavy equipment, vehicles, and workers. Operating in uneven or unstable conditions poses risks like accidents, machinery damage, and injuries. Fortunately, GFI Solutions’ rig mats create a solid foundation, enabling the safe movement of equipment and personnel across rugged terrains like marshes and muddy areas.
By using GFI Solutions’ rig mats, oil and gas companies can mitigate the risks associated with traversing uneven landscapes, preventing accidents and potential equipment damage. This enhances safety and reduces workplace injuries, ultimately contributing to operation continuity by maintaining safe working conditions.
Swift Mobilization and Demobilization
Oil and gas operations often require quick mobilization and demobilization of equipment and personnel, especially in remote locations or temporary sites. GFI Solutions’ rig mats provide an access solution that allows for rapid setup and removal. Our mats are designed to be easily transported, installed and dismantled, enabling swift deployment and minimizing downtime when transitioning projects.
Moreover, the efficient mobilization and demobilization facilitated by GFI Solutions’ rig mats contribute to operational continuity by ensuring that the project can start right away and be concluded in a timely manner. By purchasing or renting rig mats from GFI Solutions, companies can avoid extended setup times or delays associated with building access roads or stabilizing the ground, leading to increased productivity and overall cost savings.
Durability and Longevity
GFI Solutions’ rig mats are built to withstand the demanding conditions of the oil and gas industry. Constructed from high-quality materials and using a 3-rail or 4-rail steel frame, these mats are designed to endure heavy loads, extreme weather conditions, and frequent usage. The durability and longevity of our rig mats contribute to your business’s operational continuity by reducing the need for frequent mat replacements or repairs.
By investing in GFI Solutions’ robust and long-lasting rig mats, oil and gas companies can reduce downtime due to mat maintenance or replacements, ensuring an uninterrupted flow of operations. This ultimately results in improved project efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced productivity.
The Rig Mats You Need at GFI Solutions
By investing in GFI Solutions’ rig mats, oil and gas companies can ensure their operations run smoothly, reducing the risk of accidents, equipment damage, and workplace injuries. By relying on GFI Solutions’ innovative access solutions, companies can achieve operational continuity, minimize losses due to downtime, and optimize productivity in even the most challenging environments. Contact GFI Solutions today to learn more about our inventory of rig mats and other access solutions.
Aug 28, 2023 | Access Mats, News
Drilling operations in various industries, such as oil and gas, mining, and construction, often occur in challenging terrains and environments. The heavy equipment and machinery involved in these operations can significantly impact the ground below them, leading to soil compaction, erosion, and damage to the underlying surfaces. Ground protection measures, such as GFI Solutions’ rig mats, are vital to mitigate these risks and ensure long-term sustainability. Next, we will explore the importance of ground protection in drilling applications and how GFI Solutions’ rig mats play an essential role in preventing damage while at the same time maintaining operational efficiency. Keep reading to find out more.
Preserving Ground Integrity
When drilling, the weight and movement of drilling rigs and support equipment can significantly impact the ground below them. GFI Solutions’ new and used rig mats act as a protective barrier, distributing the weight of this heavy equipment across a larger surface. By spreading the load, our rig mats help to minimize soil compaction and prevent excessive damage to the ground.
Soil compaction can have long-lasting effects on the ecosystem, affecting plant growth, water drainage, and soil health. GFI Solutions’ rig mats act as a safeguard, ensuring that drilling operations can proceed without compromising the integrity of the ground below.
Preventing Soil Erosion
Drilling activities typically disturb the topsoil layer, leaving it vulnerable to erosion and other damage. This erosion can lead to sediment runoff, polluting nearby bodies of water and causing further environmental damage.
GFI Solutions’ rig mats play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion by stabilizing the ground surface. Our rig mats provide a solid foundation that prevents soil particles’ displacement and reduces the risk of erosion. By protecting against erosion, GFI Solutions’ rig mats help to maintain the ecological balance of the surrounding environment.
Minimizing Environmental Impact
The importance of minimizing the environmental impact of drilling operations cannot be overstated. At GFI Solutions, our rig mats are designed with environmental considerations in mind, helping to preserve fragile ecosystems and sensitive natural habitats. Our rig mats minimize the disturbances caused by drilling activities, protecting local vegetation and reducing the impact on wildlife. Moreover, our rig mats offer a temporary solution that can be easily removed once drilling operations are complete. This reduces the overall environmental footprint of the project by leaving the land in a relatively undisturbed state.
Ensuring Operational Efficiency and Safety
Ground protection measures, such as GFI Solutions’ rig mats, also contribute to drilling operations’ overall efficiency and safety. By providing a stable and safe working surface, our rig mats enable heavy equipment to operate smoothly, reducing the risk of machinery getting stuck or sinking into the ground. A stable working surface also enhances worker safety by minimizing the risk of slips, trips and falls. GFI Solutions’ offering of new and used rig mats creates a secure environment for workers and equipment to carry out their tasks, ensuring that drilling operations proceed with optimal efficiency and without unnecessary delays or breakdowns.
Your Source for Rig Mats and More
Ground protection is a critical consideration in many drilling operations. At GFI Solutions, we understand the importance of minimizing your project’s environmental impact. Our high-quality rig mats are designed the provide the necessary stability and protection for various drilling operations. By investing in ground protection measures like our rig mats, drilling companies can protect the environment, minimize damage, and promote sustainable practices in their operations. Contact GFI Solutions today to learn more about our new and used rig mat inventory!
May 9, 2023 | Access Mats, News
It’s no secret that Canada’s terrain is no stranger to the challenges brought on by the changing climate all year round. The fluctuating temperatures and freeze-thaw cycle can cause significant disruptions on the foundation of your work site, resulting in muddy, icy, snowy, and uneven ground that makes it hard for your crew machinery to navigate across. That being said, there are many solutions that will keep your site safe while also allowing you to stay within your budget.
At GFI Solutions, we’re proud to be Canada’s leading provider of site-safe matting solutions, including drilling mats, rig mats, swamp mats, access mats and more! When it comes to meeting the heavy-duty needs of our drilling industry customers, we offer lightweight, robust and cost-effective drilling mats that ensure the safety of your crew, equipment and resources. Learn more about our CLT mats below!
Innovative Manufacturing
Our CLT mats are engineered to be up to 40% lighter and 3-5 times stronger than standard bolted mats, which makes them incredibly durable and reliable in even the most demanding conditions. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are manufactured by adhering perpendicular layers of wood together to create a solid structure with a lifespan of 3-5 times longer than traditional bolted mats. Even under heavy loads, our CLT mats provide durable and robust access solutions that make them well-suited for a range of applications and job sites.
There are many matting solutions available, and our most common ones are the 500-series and the 300-series. The 500-series, our 5-ply CLT mat, and the 300-series, our 3-ply CLT mat, are ideal for supporting heavy-duty trucks and tracked equipment. They’re also used for general ground protection, access roads, drilling equipment and staging platforms. Our extensive inventory also carries both CLT mats and traditional rig mats available for rental or sale!
Should You Choose CLT or Bolted Mats?
While bolted mats are the traditional choices for access solutions, that doesn’t mean they’re the best option available in the market. Bolted mats are typically made from Douglas Fir or other wood compositions that don’t offer the same strength or lifespan as CLT mats.
CLT mats, on the other hand, are made from Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine wood, which is 33% stronger than Douglas Fir, making them better suited for heavy-duty jobs and challenging terrain. At GFI, our CLT mats offer several advantages, including:
- High impact resistance and durability.
- 3-5 times the lifespan of bolted mats.
- Environmentally safe structural adhesive and wax sealed on all four edges of the mat, resulting in a mat less prone to moisture.
- Solid top, which reduces tripping and puncture hazards on the worksite
- Decreased shipping costs (up to 60%) as GFI can ship more CLT mats than bolted mats in one load!
GFI Solutions – Canada’s Leading Source for Access Solutions
Whether you need heavy-duty access solutions like rig mats, drilling mats, or custom-sized mats for your unique project, GFI Solutions is here to help you build the temporary solutions you need. We also offer a range of matting services, including mat washing, planning and consulting, installation and removal, and more.
Contact our 24/7 service and support team today to learn more about our durable, lightweight, cost-effective matting solutions!
Mar 21, 2023 | Access Mats, News
Are you looking for a rig mat that can outlast and outperform traditional steel-framed rig mats? If so, GFI Solutions has the access solutions you need! From access bridges and matting to mat washing, delivery, installation, rentals and sales, GFI Solutions is your one-stop shop for access solutions and services. In particular, our offering of Site Safe CLT rig mats is incredibly durable and high-performing compared to traditional rig mats. Continue reading to learn more about how CLT rig mats compare to traditional mats!
How are Rig Mats Different from Access Mats?
When it comes to access solutions, access mats and rig mats are two different types of access solutions. Access mats are 8′ x 14′ and are manufactured using 3-plys of 2′ x 8′ lumber which is either bolted together or cross-laminated to one another. Rig mats are an access solution explicitly manufactured and used to transfer and manage heavy loads. Traditional steel frame rig mats come in two common sizes, 8′ x 20′ and 8′ x 40′. Traditional rig mats are manufactured using a 3 or 4-rail steel frame configuration with cross beams. This creates pockets which are filled with timbers. CLT Rig mats from GFI Solutions are manufactured using five perpendicular cross layers of solid wood, eliminating the need for a steel frame. Like other access solutions, Rig mats provide your workers and equipment a safe way of operating in your project’s remote site regardless of the environment. GFI Solutions has both traditional rig mats and access mats, along with CLT access and rig mats in our fleet, available for rental or sale.
Comparing CLT and Traditional Steel Frame Rig Mats
Traditional steel frame rig mats are common access solutions for many projects; however, lighter, more cost-effective options are available on the market. Site Safe Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) rig mats are an industry-leading product for a good reason! They’re manufactured through an innovative and environmentally sustainable process, which allows these CLT rig mats to outperform the competition. Below are a few ways CLT rig mats stand out from the competition:
- Made from sustainably sourced Southern Yellow Pine which is 33% harder than Douglas Fir.
- Adhered with eco-friendly adhesive, all four edges are sealed with a wax solution repelling moisture.
- Greater flexibility to withstand heavy loads and conform to uneven ground.
- Lighter weight means you can transport more mats per load.
- Lighter weight makes them easier to install and move around your job site.
With all these benefits and more, CLT rig mats are a great option when you need access solutions that can withstand the heaviest loads. Our team of access solution experts can help you determine the optimal number of CLT rig mats for your project. In addition, GFI Solutions also offers a range of turn-key solutions, so our team can assist you with your access solutions from the start of your project to the end. We are available 24/7 to support you with your CLT and traditional rig mat and access solution questions. Feel free to reach out anytime; GFI Solutions is here to help!
Rig Mats, Access Solutions, and More!
In addition to our access matting and bridge inventory, GFI Solutions provides various value-adding services like mat inventory management, delivery, rentals and more. When you need high-quality access solutions, let the team at GFI Solutions assist you in finding the right solution for your project. Contact us today to learn more about our CLT rig mats, other access solutions, or services!
