the Men Behind ChainMule
Dave Kutinsky
A veteran engineering designer with more than four decades of experience in the oil and gas industry, specializing in downhole drilling tools and equipment used around the world.
A graduate of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Engineering Design & Drafting (1980), Dave began his career as a draftsman with Dreco Energy Services, where he developed detailed drawings for oilfield equipment. Early in his career, he built a strong technical foundation that would evolve into a leadership role in tool design and engineering innovation.
From 1983 to 1991, Dave worked closely with industry pioneer Ken Wenzel at both Wenzel Downhole Tools and Griffith Oil Tool. During this time, he contributed to the design of advanced downhole drilling technologies, including the first Adjustable Bent Housing and Gear Reducer for downhole motors—innovations that helped shape modern drilling operations.
Dave went on to serve as Engineering Manager at Black-Max Downhole (NQL) from 1991 to 2000, where he led a team of engineers and continued to design specialized drilling tools for global oilfield applications. He later worked on strategic projects in collaboration with Houston-based industry professionals, further expanding his technical and operational expertise.
From 2005 to 2008, Dave held the role of Engineering Manager at Cougar Tool, overseeing engineering operations and team development. In 2008, he co-founded Nighthawk Energy Services, growing the company into a successful venture focused on downhole tool innovation before its sale in 2015.
Today, Dave operates as a private contractor, providing specialized design services for clients worldwide. His career is defined by hands-on expertise, leadership in engineering teams, and a long-standing commitment to advancing downhole drilling technology.
Sandy deWaal
Bringing more than 40 years of experience in drilling operations, downhole tools, manufacturing, and oilfield facility management. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles across engineering support, operations management, sales, and manufacturing for some of the industry’s most recognized companies.
Sandy began his career in the early 1980s with Special Drilling and Sedco Drilling, gaining hands-on field experience in drilling operations. In 1985, he contributed to the development of SAGD underground drilling technology for the Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority (AOSTRA), helping support early advancements in thermal recovery methods that would later transform oil sands production.
Over the following decades, Sandy held a variety of operational and management positions throughout the drilling and downhole tool sector. His experience includes Yard Manager for Sedco Drilling, Tubular Manager for Precision Drilling, and sales leadership roles with BlackMax Downhole Tools and NQL Drilling Tools, where he advanced to Regional Manager.
From 2006 to 2017, Sandy worked with NOV in progressively senior leadership positions. As Regional Manager responsible for multiple service and manufacturing facilities across Grande Prairie, Edson, Saskatoon, and North Dakota, he oversaw operations supporting revenues exceeding $75 million. He later served as Facilities Manager with Ensco Directional, where he designed and developed shop layouts focused on servicing downhole tools and directional drilling equipment.
Between 2016 and 2017, Sandy worked with Waalking Engineering on the design and development of torque wrench systems for making and breaking downhole tools. Following Rubicon’s acquisition of Waalking, Sandy became General Manager for Rubicon’s Topco Cementing Products division, overseeing day-to-day operations of a 132,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility and leading a workforce of approximately 170 employees until the company’s acquisition by Innovex Oilfield Solutions.
Today, Sandy continues to work in product development and international supply operations through Xpand Inflatable Products, supporting both domestic and global markets. In 2024, he collaborated with Dave Kutinsky on the design and patent development of the Chainmule system, continuing his long-standing involvement in oilfield innovation and tool development.