Our History

The business that became Sondex was founded by Robert Hunt-Grubbe in the mid-1970s at Reading University and was incorporated in 1997 as Sondex Ltd. Through ongoing technical development, by the early 1990s, Sondex had developed an integrated system of downhole Production Logging instruments and surface data acquisition software and hardware.

The integrated system enabled the larger international service companies to outsource their requirements to Sondex. Sondex further enhanced the Production Logging range by designing a cost effective memory system that gave customers additional operational and competitive advantages.

2007
  • GE acquires Sondex.
  • As a result of the acquisition, GE's product portfolio expands to include both Drilling and Wireline product lines, and provide a more complete, global coverage.
2006
  • Sondex acquires:
    1. Applied Electronic Systems (AES) - An innovator in the design and manufacture of electric Wireline tools and electronics, and a leader in design of downhole Wireline tools
    2. Ultima Labs Inc. – Complements the development capabilities of both the Drilling and Wireline divisions
    3. Sondex Drilling Tools Inc (formerly known as Blue Star Tools Inc) – A Canada-based company known for the design, manufacture and supply of instrumentation and tools for drilling operations in oil and gas wells. It complements the Geolink range of products and forms part of the Drilling Division business within the Sondex group.
2005
  • Wireline’s Hampshire production, customer services and sales activities relocates to a new facility in Blackbushe.
  • R&D funding from leading oil companies and the EU leads to technology which can take Wireline into new, high potential business segments.
2004
  • Sondex acquires Geolink International Ltd in June
  • Post-acquisition, Sondex reorganized into two divisions – Wireline (comprising the products and brand names of Sondex and CSS) and Drilling (incorporating the interests and brand identity of Geolink)
2003
  • Sondex is listed on the London Stock Exchange in June
  • Sondex Wireline Ltd. is incorporated as the UK operating company for Sondex’s downhole instrumentation activities
  • In December, Sondex acquires Computer Sonic Systems (CSS), a Calgary based developer and manufacturer of cement bond logging tools, products which complemented the existing Wireline product range
2002
  • Bank of Scotland finance enables Bridgepoint Capital to exit the business in October
2001
  • GE acquires Tensor from Honeywell. Acquisition grows revenue tenfold over a period of seven years, and permits GE to offer MWD systems to oilfield service Independents, as well as the industry’s leading orientation modules to oilfield service Majors.
1998
  • Buy-out of Sondex backed by Bridgepoint Capital and Bank of Scotland
1995
  • Driven by the business need to improve understanding of casing conditions, Sondex introduces its first casing inspection product
  • Tensor acquires Quantum, an engineering group located in Santa Clara, which allows expansion of Tensor’s innovation efforts to include gamma and resistivity research
1990
  • Tensor integrates its own fluxgate magnetometer into a full MWD system for the North American directional drilling market.