FMC Technologies acquired Galaxy Oilfield Services, a market-leader in providing thermal wellheads for heavy oil applications, on September 1, 2006 to compliment our traditional surface wellhead product line. Based in Edmonton and Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada, Galaxy services oil sand environments around the world.  Oil sand is a mixture of sand, water, and heavy crude (bitumen), which must be separated in order to distill the oil into a usable form.  The bitumen is recovered through either a dilution or heating processes and brought to a less viscous state to refining qualifications.   

The largest deposits of oil sands are found in northern Canada, making it the second largest oil reserve to the Middle East.  In order to obtain these reserves from beneath the Earth’s surface, operators may either excavate or drill using a thermal wellhead system.  Canadian regulations limit excavation to 250 feet, 80% of oil sand reserves must be obtained using thermal wellheads.  With over 30 years in thermal wellhead engineering, Galaxy gives FMC Technologies proven equipment and a legacy of outstanding performance; having emerged as the market leader in thermal wellhead technology. Galaxy thermal wellheads exemplify innovative technology, utilizing steam valves with temperature ratings up to 650F.  In addition to wellheads and steam valves, Galaxy also manufactures Blowout Preventers (BOPs), flowline equipment, and connectors.