Process Transformation: Amazon Filters Launches Coalescer for Oil and Gas Industry

Running an efficient oil and gas company post-Covid is going to require the tightest control of operational costs in a generation. Already reeling from price levels at 30-year lows, the industry is grappling with rock-bottom demand, excess refining capacity and headaches over storage availability. Finding ways to innovate will be key to ensuring a sustainable operating model that combines transformation with health and safety, process efficiencies, cashflow preservation, environmental issues and compliance with regulatory standards.

Filtration and separation: a critical factor

One of the most critical processes in worldwide oil and gas production is filtration and separation. It’s a pivotal contributory factor to protect process equipment and guarantee the final purity and specification of output. Implemented and managed successfully, a welldesigned purification system can help to avoid costly unscheduled downtime by solving many complex challenges. They include the removal of liquids and solid contaminants, protection against liquidaerosol contamination and the safeguarding of machinery and equipment. The UK filter maker Amazon Filters, one of the leading manufacturers of meltblown depth filters, has long supplied the oil and gas industries with bespoke water filtration solutions. These involve filter housings, depth and pleated cartridge filters and other essential products. Client demand over many years has made the 35-year-old company adept at applying its expertise in fibre technology to the development of polymer fibre-based coalescing.

SupaSep LG

Both liquid/liquid and liquid/gas polishing processes are heavily dependent on high quality coalescing cartridges for optimal performance, along with appropriate design and sizing of the separator vessel. Key to this is the relationship between filter design and housing configuration. Amazon Filters has long added value here by creating solutions tailored directly to each customer’s application. These prevent the risk of an otherwise highly efficient coalescer being rendered useless because of inappropriate, off-the-shelf or poorly designed housings. Amazon Filters is now launching the latest evolution in its liquid-gas coalescer range, SupaSep LG. Product development has been based directly on the experience of working with oil and gas operators and process package providers. The launch follows the recent completion of a rigorous laboratory testing programme conducted in partnership with the worldrenowned Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering at Warsaw University of Technology. Experts there are at the very forefront of meltblown fibre technology and coalescer research and design. Among its many applications, SupaSep LG is ideal for protecting gas turbines and natural gas compressors, lube oil recovery, and protection of catalyst beds. It also supports the recovery of fluids involved in the sweetening and dehydration of natural gas.

Applying industry knowledge

Neil Pizzey, Amazon Filters Managing Director said: “Our extensive knowledge in designing pressure vessels for the oil and gas sector means we are fully conversant with the appropriate regulations and approvals

allowing us to streamline the manufacturing process. “Between us, our team has more than 100 years’ experience in coalescer design. By working in parallel with industry customers and our academic colleagues in Warsaw, we are pooling a range of market-leading insight to achieve the very best combination of performance and cost.” SupaSep LG is underpinned by a £0.75 million investment in manufacturing capacity at Amazon Filters’ international production centre in Camberley, Surrey. Processes there are all governed by a range of ISO-accredited Quality Management Systems. Neil adds: “Our investment programme is all about creating and maintaining a quick and able capacity to meet customer need for innovative, bespoke and highly cost-effective solutions. “SupaSep LG is a prime example. We can manufacture both pleated and meltblown depth configurations, selecting the most appropriate by application. “The ability to vary filtration efficiency throughout the filter depth, as well as conferring additional properties such as oleo and hydrophobicity, further enhances our capability to develop high performance coalescers such as SupaSep LG. “Manufacturing technologies allow us to vary filtration fibre diameters, providing us with additional tools to improve coalescing performance. The financial impact of Covid is set to mean challenging times ahead for oil and gas producers and contractors. Every day a project implementation date is delayed, potential revenue will be lost. We stand ready to play our part by providing the oil and gas industry with reliable products such as SupaSep LG as part of bespoke solutions that drive efficiencies and transform operational performance.” For more information on SupaSep LG and other Amazon Filters’ solutions for the oil and gas sectors, visit www.amazonfilters.com/ coalescers or call +44 (0) 1276 670 600.

Aramco completes its acquisition of a 70% stake in SABIC from the Public Investment Fund (PIF)

Aramco today announced the successful completion of its share acquisition of a 70% stake in Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, for a total purchase price of SAR 259.125 billion (US$ 69.1 billion), equating to SAR 123.39 price per share.

The completion of the transaction enhances Aramco’s presence in the global petrochemicals industry, a sector expected to record the fastest growth in oil demand in the years ahead. Combined, in 2019 Aramco and SABIC recorded petrochemicals production volume of nearly 90 million tonnes, including agri-nutrient and specialty products. The acquisition of the SABIC stake is consistent with Aramco’s long-term Downstream strategy to grow its integrated refining and petrochemicals capacity and create value from integration across the hydrocarbon chain. It specifically enhances Aramco’s chemicals strategy by transforming Aramco into one of the major global petrochemicals players; integrating upstream production with SABIC feedstock; expanding capabilities in procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, marketing and sales; complementing geographic presence, projects and partners; and increasing the resilience of cash flow generation with synergistic opportunities. SABIC expects also to benefit from Aramco’s Downstream chemicals feedstock production, and ability to invest in and execute major growth projects at a very large scale. H.E. Yasir Othman Al-Rumayyan, Governor, Public Investment Fund (PIF) said: “This is a significant milestone for three of Saudi Arabia’s most important entities. It provides capital for PIF’s long-term investment strategy as it drives the economic transformation and growth of Saudi Arabia, further benefitting the people of our country; it supports Aramco’s continued growth in Downstream and enhances

its international footprint; and, it provides SABIC a new strategic energy industry focused shareholder with the ability to support growth projects.” Amin Nasser, President & CEO, Aramco said: “We are excited to complete this transaction. It is a significant leap forward which accelerates Aramco’s Downstream strategy and transforms our company into one of the major global petrochemicals players. The strategic integration of our Upstream production and Downstream chemicals feedstock production with SABIC’s chemicals platform is expected to create opportunities for selective integration synergies that support growth and add value for shareholders.” “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many companies to rethink or revise their long term strategies, our long-term focus,

financial strength and resilience have enabled us to complete this historic deal. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of both companies and is an important marker in delivering our long term Downstream strategy.” Abdulaziz Al-Gudaimi, Senior Vice President of Downstream, Aramco said: “The completion of this transaction marks an important step in Aramco’s continuous drive to develop a global integrated Downstream business designed to add value across the hydrocarbon chain. As SABIC joins the Aramco family of companies, we expect to create synergies and add value through integration in procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, marketing and sales.” Yousef A. Al-Benyan, Vice Chairman and CEO, SABIC said: “SABIC’s relationship with PIF and Aramco goes back to our inception in 1976. SABIC is grateful to His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan for the strong and constant support we have received from both him and PIF. The global scale and presence of SABIC, one of the world’s most significant diversified chemicals companies, brings significant enhancements to Aramco. As the chemicals growth platform, SABIC expects to benefit from the additional scale, technology, investment potential, and growth opportunities Aramco will bring in integrated energy and chemicals production. We look forward to contributing to global chemicals growth, while continuing to support Saudi Vision 2030.”

THE ANALYSIS IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE SAMPLE

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