The radial drilling technology was developed by the Rad Tech International Inc., an American company established by Henk Jelsma, its permanent head and the technology patent holder. First introduced in the New World, the radial drilling technology acquired wide recognition in the USA and Colombia and later on found its application in Canada, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and the Middle East.

The leader in the radial drilling services market is the Radial Drilling Services Inc. (RDS), international service company with its headquarters in Houston.

This breakthrough technology first appeared in Russia in 2002. Its application was initiated by JSC Tatneft which has always been eager for innovations. The pilot tests being successful, the RVPlast joint venture was incorporated in Tatarstan in 2005. JSC Lukoil was next to turn to the promising technology. For the moment, most of the major Russian oil and gas production companies are willing to put the technology to practice use. The radial drilling technology demonstrated impressive performance in Kazakhstan. Belorusneft has put it to test, too.

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