Energy Capital The Magazine-January 2022-Edition 08

FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPERS, INVESTORS AND INDUSTRIAL USERS

The Data Center’s path towards sustainability

• Energy harvesting, the new source that will shape the industry through 2026 • Hydropower to grow double digit its market size

• Air Liquide, championing gender equality

Calling out for more RNG development, GHD

• The new Lockout/ Tagout system that saves lives

Energy Capital Magazine OPINION 8 | Rubi Alvarado Hydropower will become more sustainable in the future and that will drive substantial project development growth by 2026, worldwide. Companies are investing to increase the efficiencies of hydropower plants to make them compatible with the environment.

10 | Aldo Santillan Energy harvesting systems will be required in various industries, particularly in clean technology, automotive and the healthcare industry, according to a new market research report.

ANALYSIS 14 | Energy Capital The Data Center in the US will significantly grow over the next years. Sustainability and technology adoption will be the main drivers for investment. Major companies like AWS spearheaded the Data Center growth in the US, during 2021.

INDUSTRIAL CONSUMERS 20 | Maerix Maerix, a Quebec-based company has developed a unique lockout-tagout management software that will improve efficiency and safety of industrial operations. Cadlock was developed entirely in Quebec by the Maerix team, leveraging decades of expertise and talent.

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24 | Energy Capital Interview Maerix Cadlock is a new lockout/ tagout system developed by Maerix that features several functionalities that allow safety for workers and efficiency at the production and also cost level. Read what Maerix CEO has to say about the matter.

DOWNSTREAM 30 | Energy Capital Interview GHD GHD is on a mission to advance the most viable solutions in RNG projects and waste-to-energy, to reach the goal of not only net-zero, but net-negative.

Read our interview with Margaret Zuckweiler, Waste Management Service Line Leader for the Americas, GHD.

WEN (WOMEN’S ENERGY NETWORK) 36 | Sabrina Kristobak, Air Liquide Women Leaders in the energy industry are increasingly advancing awareness about the relevance of gender equality and diversity in companies as a vital element for a deep and meaningful transition.

Table of Contents

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Energy Capital Magazine

UPSTREAM 42 | Energy Capital, Vantage Vantage Market Research provided quantified research on 4Q 2021, regarding the expectations about the 2028’s demand for Floating Production Storage and Offloading Market; its size would reach USD 33.61 billion, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.29%.

POWER 46 | Energy Capital, Eneti Eneti’s main activities are to invest in the next generation of wind turbine installation vessels. This commitment was demonstrated by the recent announcement that it entered into a binding agreement for the construction of a Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV).

MIDSTREAM 50 | Energy Capital, Targa NGL On November 18th, Targa Resources Corp. announced that Targa NGL Pipeline Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, submitted an open season, started in December 9th and closed Dec 17th.

Contact Information MANAGERS Rubi Alvarado – General Manager Aldo Santillan – Managing Director & Editor in Chief Noe H. Saenz – Editorial Board Chairman DESIGN Gonzalo Rivas – Senior Designer Aleysa Sanchez – Senior Designer Cristian Martinez – Digital Strategy Ivan Ledezma – Digital Strategy EDITORIAL STAFF Eduardo Medina – Editorial Analysis Saul Olvera – Editorial Analysis Paola Sanchez – Editorial Analysis Elizabeth Garcia – Editorial Analysis EDITORIAL BOARD Christine Spiro – Member (Our Energy Manager) Todd C. Frank – Member (Burns & McDonnell)

Energy Capital The Magazine is published

by Capital Media Group LLC © 2020. All rights reserved. Digitalized and distributed

by Capital Media Group LLC. We accept no responsibility in respect of opinions, products or services obtained through advertisements carried in this magazine. www.energycapitalmedia.com

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Editorial Letter

Sustainability, the major driver for growth in 2022 and beyond Across the energy and the digital technologies industry, safety, efficiency and sustainability will be the major players for growth. Particularly for the energy harvesting and hydro power industries.

Dear reader: We start a new year and we are really thankful for all the path we’ve come along together. In this issue, we analyze the new energy trends that will shape the industry for 2022 and beyond. One of such trends is the energy harvesting systems. Energy harvesting is the process of converting ambient energies present in the environment into electricity for use in various technologies, including powering autonomous electronic devices.

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hese systems will have a substantial growth for the next year, mainly due to the increased demand from the health industry, automotive and aerospace.

Nevertheless, the Covid-19 pandemic will continue to be a major challenging factor for this technology.

On the other hand, sustainability will be a major driver for growth among hydroelectric power projects. The fact that sustainability is a player among renewable energy project development could surprise some, as renewable sources, such as solar, wind, and even hydroelectricity have been heralded as “green”. However, more recently the industry has been discussing how much of the green energy is not that green at all.

READ ABOUT CADLOCK, A LOCKOUT/TAGOUT SOFTWARE FROM MAERIX, AND NO TIME TO WASTE, AN RNG STRATEGY FROM GHD.

In that regard, hydro power projects will become increasingly sustainable due to major investments from companies and developers to make this technology more ambient friendly. In particular, hydro power projects can have a substantial environmental impact, as an expansion of an existing plant could include the clear-cutting of forest areas to bury pipelines, such is the case of the Atlin Hydro Power expansion project, that would greatly impact the Yukon.

In this issue you will also deep-dive into how the Data Centers are becoming greener. From the direct or virtual power purchases, to the development of renewable energy plants next-door, big players like Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft are increasingly demanding renewable power to feed Data Centers.

Such a trend would continue all the wat through 2026 and will drive major market growth for the Data Center industry worldwide, but particularly in the US, where big names like the AES Corporation and Microsoft are already spearheading a new kind of Data Center in Virginia. Furthermore, on this January issue we include some interesting interviews with major players in the fields of renewable natural gas and software development. These are GHD, a company that is calling out for more RNG production in the US, particularly through the use of organic waste from landfills or dairies.

The other is Maerix, a Quebec-based company that developed a unique lockout/tagout system that is truly disrupting the health and safety practices in companies of all sectors. Cadlock, the software that Maerix developed, has topnotch features that take safety to another level, preventing the loss of human lives.

Finally, you will be informed of the advancements of Targa NGL, a midstream company, particularly regarding its pipeline expansion and use of greener sources of fuels. Eneti, a company that offers top-level offshore wind installation services also had a strong 2021 and is already drawing major growth for 2022. Discover all of these and more on this January issue! Be sure to subscribe to our social media outlets to be informed of the latest state of affairs in the energy sector.

Opinion

Hydroelectricity to be more sustainable in 2022

By Rubi Alvarado General Manager, Energy Capital Magazine

Hydropower will become more sustainable in the future and that will drive substantial project development growth by 2026, worldwide.

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ustainability will continue to be a major player in most of the energy subsectors. From oil and gas to renewable energies, dropping down and tackling greenhouse gas emissions will be a must for developers and operators.

The fact that sustainability is a player among renewable energy

project development could surprise some, as renewable sources, such as solar, wind, and even hydroelectricity have been heralded as “green”. However, more recently the industry has been discussing how much of the green energy is not that green at all.

For example, solar arrays and wind turbine manufacturing require a lot metal, sometimes rare metals. As demand for these devices has boosted over the years, also the demand for metals that many times are mined with solvents and other technologies with a considerable environmental footprint.

That is also the case of hydroelectricity. Hydro project development has faced several environmental issues. In Canada, the Atlin Hydro Expansion project is creating major concerns as the plant’s expansion would severely impact surrounding wetlands and would devastate the habitat of birds and other wildlife.

Particularly in the Yukon.

Moreover, the expansion would require the trespassing of private properties and the cutting of forest to dig the pipelines. However, according to a new report by ReportLinker, the trend for 2022 is that hydro power will become increasingly sustainable, as companies are upgrading their technologies.

Companies are investing to increase the efficiencies of hydropower plants to make them compatible with the environment. In fact, during 2021 there was some examples of such trend. For instance, in 2021, companies such as EPCG and ERS introduced the construction on hydropower plant (HPP) Sutorina to increase their performance and making them more environmentally friendly.

13.6% OF

MARKET GROWTH EXPECTED FOR 2022

As reminder, hydropower generation consists of sales of hydropower energy and related services.

Hydropower stations convert the kinetic energy of flowing or falling water into electrical energy and which is provided to power transmission systems. The main types of products in hydropower generation are dike type, diversion hydropower station, mixed type, tide, pumped storage.

As sustainability increases efficiency, and then profitability, the hydropower market will grow substantially. According to the report, the global hydropower generation market is expected to grow from

$261.97 billion in 2021 to $297.49 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6%.

Finally, companies recovering from the hit of the pandemic, and the rearranging of operations after the restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities will also be factors for the growth. The market is expected to reach $480.76 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 12.7%.

Opinion

The new energy trend that will grow double digit through 2028 Energy harvesting systems will be required in various industries, particularly in clean technology, automotive and the healthcare industry, according to a new market research report.

By Aldo Santillan Managing Director and Editor in Chief, Energy Capital Magazine

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he Covid19 pandemic brought a lot challenges to the energy sector. From supply chain disruptions from operations with reduced personnel, the pandemic created a state of affairs that, nevertheless, set the table for innovative trends of harvesting energy, or making more efficient the energy available.

Particularly, and in regards to the former, there is a new energy trend that will grow double digit all through 2028: energy harvesting systems. Energy harvesting is the process of converting ambient energies present in the environment into electricity for use in various technologies, including powering autonomous electronic devices.

Some of ambient energies are solar, thermal, piezoelectric, radiofrequency, and kinetic. These sources are captured and stored to charge low-power devices used in wearable electronics and wireless sensor networks.

THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY WILL BE ONE OF THE DRIVERS FOR GROWTH, AS IT WILL CREATE DEMAND FOR ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEMS FOR MEDICAL DEVICES USED TO MONITOR BLOOD SUGAR, HEART RATE, ETCETERA.

26,3%

As a result, many companies are starting to use energy harvesting systems across various industries, such as consumer electronics, military & aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. Additionally, the development of advanced energy harvesting systems contributes to the industrialization of energy harvesting technology.

Therefore, according to a new market research report from the firm Meticulous Research, the energy harvesting system market will grow at a CAGR of 26.3% by value to reach $15.01 billion by 2028.

Some of the factors for this growth will be the rising adoption of energy harvesting systems (EHS) in rural areas; growing demand for safe, power-efficient, and durable energy systems; increasing trends for green energy, and, as outlined above, the rise in adoption of ocean energy harvesting and sensors in wearable electronics.

Other factors that will challenge the growth of these systems will be reduced production rates, the closure of manufacturing sites, and the slowdown of R&D investment. All of those have negatively impacted the growth of the energy harvesting system market globally.

The challenges

The opportunities

According to the report, the main challenge for this growth will be the Covid-19 pandemic. Indeed, it has caused a major impact on energy systems worldwide, curbing investments and threatening to slow the expansion of key clean energy technologies worldwide.

In fact, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the nationwide lockdowns reduced electricity demand by over 20%, with smaller effects for partial lockdowns. The complete lockdowns reduced daily electricity demand by at least 15% in countries such as France, India, Italy, Spain, the UK, and the US.

Despite everything, the rise of energy harvesting systems will have a true ally through these years: the healthcare sector. As we know, it has witnessed a positive impact during the pandemic as it created huge demand for accurate, safe, and instant medical testing and diagnosis systems. Consequently, energy harvesting systems will have a lot of demand from the health care industry.

Finally, much of the medical devices used to monitor blood sugar, heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure oftentimes use energy harvesting systems to convert waste energy into electricity.

Therefore, those will drive steady demand and growth for energy harvesting systems.

OF GROWTH AT CARG FOR ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEMS THROUGH 2028

$15 BILLION OF

USD

MARKET SIZE BY 2028

Opinion

The People Side of Capital Project Management

By Noe’ H. Saenz Energy Capital’s Editorial Board Chairman

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here is an evident and increasing need for improving the people side of project management, mainly the communication and alignment of stakeholders -which are the most critical drivers of project success.

This is especially true for capital infrastructure projects where many people from many organizations (everyone with a different culture, agenda, and priorities, etc.), and surely with a different contractual agreement, must come together as “a team” in a very short time – to make the project happen.

This is where things typically go south. The reasons are many. For starters, by the time the project is approved to start (after a long development phase) everyone is already in a rush, so there is little or no time to communicate with all your stakeholders.

Oftentimes, the project management team does not even know who their stakeholders are…” who has time to sit down to do stakeholder analysis?”…let alone contact them, or to meet with a clear agenda to communicate the project objectives, agree

on expectations, ask for feedback and lessons learned from other projects. Very few teams make the time for this….and this is -in my experienceone of the main reasons projects fail. Because we fail to pay attention to the people side of project management.

Why do leave the people side for “later”?

In most cases, because the project team is always in a rush and we (typically engineers…me included) prioritize the things that need to get done, or I should say the things that require approval, to keep the project moving. When was the last time you heard a project requiring a review/approval of the project’s ‘people plan’? And am not talking about simply showing an Org Chart or a list of names and titles? I am talking about a plan that at least defines project stakeholders (internal and external), their roles and responsibilities, the project’s communication plan, and a projectspecific onboarding and training plan so as people come into the project, they are quickly brought up to speed on what is what, the project objectives, who is who, roles and responsibilities, etc.

This is a high-level summary of the Project People areas which greatly complement and improve the management of a capital project.

Project People Areas Team readiness assessments Stakeholder mapping and interviewing Roles and responsibilities alignment Teambuilding activities Professional Facilitation of key meetings Team & Stakeholder Communication plan Project-specific Training & Coaching plan

Project Management Areas Statement of work Project charter Work breakdown structure Budget estimations Resource allocation Cost control Schedule and tracking

Who is then accountable for the people side of the project?

The easy and most common answer: the project manager. After all, s/he is ultimately accountable for the results of the entire project. This is partly true, but would we say the same thing for every project discipline? Would we hold the PM accountable for the environmental studies, civil design, or mechanical drawings? No. Because for every business and project discipline we’ll have a lead, someone accountable (at least part-time) for the deliverables and activities necessary to get things done in that discipline, according to the project execution plan.

So, what not have someone accountable for making sure that all People related plans and activities are co-actively planned with the project leadership and performed -and communicated- on an ongoing basis in alignment with the project plan and as changes occur?

Every Capital Project Must Have an Unbiased Project Facilitator I firmly believe that this People-focused Lead must be a person acting as a Facilitator and as a Coach. Someone who co-actively works and brings together the project leadership, starting with the executive sponsor(s), the project management team, and key stakeholders, from the project owner, the EPC, and key suppliers, to put plans and activities in place to enable their people to succeed in their project roles. Helping these stakeholders to behave as an integrated team versus everyone acting as a misaligned collection of teams that don’t communicate and align regularly and that, at the end of the project will say: “why did the project fail?” “We should’ve communicated better” “We should’ve, could’ve, would’ve…” “Well, we’ll do better in the next project…which by the way has already started and we need to rush, rush.”

This Project Facilitator role should be ideally someone unbiased who can impartially facilitate people-centric planning and stakeholder alignment, a communication plan (including listening to their people), project-specific training, and team coaching, not just at the beginning, but on an ongoing basis until the project completed and turned over to the end-user as an asset.

“But how much would this cost?” A good PM would ask. “I am not sure our project budget can support this”. Then the question to the PM should be: “How much will it cost, to not have the plans in place to enable our people to be successful in their project roles and to behave as an integrated team?”

Noe’ H. Saenz, Editorial Board Chairman, Energy Capital Media.

Analysis

Sustainability, the main driver of the Data Center market in the US for 2022 The Data Center in the US will significantly grow over the next years. Sustainability and technology adoption will be the main drivers for investment.

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combating climate change and setting an example of how an industry can progress environmentally.

As the Data Center industry is one of the top energy-consuming sectors, setting and reaching ambitious climate goals proves a positive force in this direction.

The Data Center industry is no different and has a genuine opportunity to play a vital role in

Indeed, much progress has been made in recent years, and more so during 2021. However, there is still more work to do. In fact, many Data Centers still rely on carbon-intensive energy, especially for backup power. Setting a bridge from these energy

BY: ENERGY CAPITAL

s we have discussed in previous issues, sustainability and climate action are the main drivers for growth in many industries right now. From upstream activities to the development of super-clean fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental footprint is a must during these times.

MAJOR COMPANIES LIKE AWS SPEARHEADED THE DATA CENTER GROWTH IN THE US, DURING 2021

sources to cleaner ones also represents a challenge that will require technological innovation to overcome.

Nevertheless, today, more than ever, the path is clear, and the more sustainable solutions there are, a lot of positive changes will be pushed in the business and technology realms. More so, potentially, these changes would provide green sources of energy and positively impact the communities in which projects operate.

The main drivers According to Chris Pennington, Director of Energy and Sustainability at Iron Mountain Data Centers, one of the main drivers for sustainability in the Data Center industry are customers themselves. Firstly, since 2018 many companies have implemented climate goals or targets to achieve in the future. As this practice becomes a trend, those companies that have disregarded climate action face not only pressure from stakeholders and investors but also from their customers.

In fact, a recent survey conducted by 451 Research found out that almost a third of multi-tenant data center (MTDC) representatives said all their customers

wanted contractually binding commitments to efficiency and sustainability. Consequently, companies with sustainability commitments can simply no longer afford to use MTDC providers that don’t prioritize carbon-free energy solutions.

Data Center sustainability in context According to Pennington, Data Centers’ journey to sustainability has more than 10 years now. It began in 2007, when the largest data center operators, from Google to Facebook to Amazon, started to improve the efficiency of their equipment and data center facilities. As a result, other Data Center providers began to notice, especially as efficiency yielded considerable savings in electricity and slashed the carbon impact of these businesses.

Consequently, renewable energy procurement to power Data Centers’ operations became a common practice amongst operators. In fact, this industry pioneered other large industries in making renewable energy accessible for their operations.

Moreover, companies like Pennington’s Iron Mountain provided a new piece of the puzzle.

They developed a protocol under the moniker of Future of Internet Power which offers

Analysis customers the ability to recognize that the electricity they consumed from their Data Center provider was clean. Protocols like this are now common ground for many other companies.

work together to develop both green energy projects and next-generation Data Centers.

These facilities would include environmentally friendly technology and renewable energy provided by NextEra Energy Resources.

A 2021 overview During 2021 we saw a tremendous number of initiatives to lower the environmental footprint of Data Centers through the procurement of renewable energy. In fact, major utilities and technology companies came together to develop strategies to achieve this.

Firstly, Cyxtera, a global leader in Data Center colocation and interconnection services, announced in July that NextEra Energy Resources would be its renewable energy partner for delivering green electricity to its Data Center footprint across North America.

As a result of the agreement, the companies would

On the other hand, in that same month, Energy Solutions Group, the sustainable energy investment and development firm launched a $100 million financing facility for the rollout of renewable energy projects; with a special approach on green data centers.

According to the companies, about $28 million of the $100 million facility would go to develop a top-notch Data Center in the Midwest of the United States, particularly in the greater Chicago area. The facility is actually located in a site where the largest powerplant polluter in the U.S. was.

The whole site is currently under repurpose and will hold the high-technology data center that will carry data for global hyper-scalers, national companies, and blue-chip telecommunication carriers.

Top companies go green on Data Centers Nevertheless, maybe the greatest example of the effort of technology companies to ‘green’ Data Centers came from major companies like Microsoft, Google, Facebook, and Amazon.

Particularly, Microsoft announced in mid-2021 a strategy dubbed as 100/100/0, which stands for delivering 100% energy, 100% of the time, from 0 carbon sources.

USD$101,45 BILLION MARKET SIZE BY 2027

The goal of Microsoft’s strategy is very clear: to operate with 100% carbon-free energy 100% of the time by 2030. As a result, the company signed many power purchase agreements to

“AS WE MOVE INTO 2022, DATA CENTER OPERATORS AND SUPPLIERS WILL ACTIVELY PURSUE STRATEGIES THAT CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN ADDRESSING THE CLIMATE CRISIS.” VERTIV CEO, ROB JOHNSON.

achieve this goal. In total, those PPA’s accounted for around 5.8 gigawatts of renewable energy across 10 countries around the globe, including 35 individual deals, 15 of them in Europe, spanning Denmark, Sweden, Spain, the U.K., and Ireland.

corporate offices, fulfillment centers, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Data Centers.

Moreover, Microsoft partnered with the AES Corporation in November to further expand its green energy efforts. Under the agreement, AES would deliver around-the-clock renewable energy to Microsoft’s Data Centers in Virginia for 15 years.

According to the statement, the agreement would both utilize existing renewable projects under a long-term contract to Microsoft while also adding additional renewable resources in the region.

All of this growth in sustainability also leveraged growth in the Data Center market as a whole.

According to advisory and intelligence firm Arizton, the Data Center market in the U.S. saw a growth of 110 new or expansion projects in 2021 alone.

The western U.S. dominated the market with an investment share of over 30%.

Finally, Amazon became the most significant corporate buyer of renewable energy in the world after engaging in renewable energy projects across the globe to power the company’s operations.

Many of those projects are located in the U.S. In early December, Amazon reached a total of 5,6 gigawatts of procured green energy capacity in 2021. Such green energy would supply Amazon’s

What’s next for the Data Center market in the US?

Moreover, hyperscale operators, including Facebook, Microsoft, and AWS, were major investors in the U.S. market during 2021 and accounted for over 60% of the investment received during the year. During the past 12 months, the market also witnessed the entry of several new entrants, including Cirrus Data Services, DāSTOR, Novva, and Yondr.

Consequently, with major investment and new players in the market, Arizton forecasts that the

Analysis

U.S. Data Center market will grow at a CAGR of 2% from 2022 to 2027, and will reach a $101,45 billion size by the end of that year.

In addition, new technologies like the cloud, big data, and IoT will be the main triggers for investment and infrastructure development. To further attract investment, many local governments will offer investment and sales tax incentives focused on effective data center operations and renewable energy procurement.

As an example, Prince Edward County in Virginia has lowered the data center tax on the equipment used in Data Centers. Of course, sustainability will also be the primary driver for growth and investment. As outlined above, AWS was a primary driver of growth.

It announced 11 renewable energy projects in the U.S., with the first set of solar projects in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania, and additional projects in Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.

Nevertheless, according to Arizton, the increased demand for renewable electricity for Data Centers

will increase power consumption and, therefore, electricity prices. Consequently, increasing power capacity will propel the demand for data center power infrastructure throughout the forecast period.

What to expect and conclusions As a result, power infrastructure for Data Centers will have a lot of demand in the coming years. Devices like generators, transfer switches, power distribution units, etcetera will be the most sought devices for Data Center development. Cooling systems and their associated installation services will also thrive during the forecast period.

Finally, according to Vertiv, the Data Center market around the world will scale its sustainability efforts aggressively, particularly regarding the use of renewable energy, but also in the efficiency and utilization realms. Vertiv CEO Rob Johnson said about the matter. “As we move into 2022, data center operators and suppliers will actively pursue strategies that can make a real difference in addressing the climate crisis.”

Industrial consumers Using outdated procedures for lockout/tagout can have serious consequences.

Cadlock, an innovative Lockout/Tagout Management Software that can save lives Maerix, a Quebec-based company has developed a unique lockout-tagout management software that will improve efficiency and safety of industrial operations.

BY: MAERIX or many years, employers have been legally bound to ensure their staff’s safety while they work in the danger zone of an equipment.

Equipment must be shut down and inoperable until maintenance or repair work is completed, according to the minimum requirements for controlling hazardous energy outlined by the OSHA standard.

The most common and efficient way to implement this is the use of lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, where each employee ensures his or her own safety using a personal padlock that uses a unique key.

Annually, vast sums are invested in creating these complex procedures which are often stored on paper, which causes them to quickly become outdated and inefficient. Using outdated procedures for lockout/ tagout can have serious consequences leading to injuries.

According to OSHA, compliance with the lockout/ tagout standard prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year. As a reference, in 2020, 3,970 workers suffered lost-time injuries from being caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance or cleaning, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. Further, in 2019, there was 93 fatalities from similar exposures.

F SARAH HILL DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

ANDRÉANNE LEFEBVRE MARKETING COORDINATOR

CADLOCK WAS DEVELOPED ENTIRELY IN QUEBEC BY THE MAERIX TEAM, LEVERAGING DECADES OF EXPERTISE AND TALENT.

3,970

WORKERS SUFFERED INJURIES FROM RUNNING EQUIPMENT IN 2020

“

THE COMMENTS I’VE RECEIVED FROM THE FIRST CLIENTS ARE UNANIMOUS: THE CADLOCK SOLUTION WILL SAVE LIVES, MAKE BUSINESSES SAFER AND IMPROVE THEIR PERFORMANCE – M. ÉRIC VEILLEUX, PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF MAERIX INC.

A call for help from the field

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Over more than 20 years, Maerix was able to secure a strong position in the market at both the national and the international level with its unique and innovative solutions in health, safety, environment, production, and human resources management that meet the evolving needs of their clients.

Among other factors, the onset of the pandemic forced many of our clients and other companies to overhaul their business model by accelerating the use of digital technology to remain efficient in this new work environment. Maerix heard their needs and leveraged this opportunity to invest in the development of a new solution that is easy to use and, most of all, affordable, while also ensuring regulatory compliance and a substantial efficiency gain. It took two years to develop this unique software, Cadlock, in collaboration with some of our clients who were able to provide us with feedback and expertise.

A unique technology With the development of state-of-the-art technologies, Maerix sweeps away the old approaches by offering a safer, better alternative.

The integration of QR codes to identify equipment, hazardous energy sources and even employees allow the user to access information instantly on any mobile device.

Employees are therefore always ready to perform a LOTO procedure no matter where they are on site.

The integration of multimedia content (e.g., video) facilitates the understanding of equipment-related risks, adherence, risk of errors and autonomy of the employees.

The Maerix team has also enabled the development of functionalities such as real-time production equipment status and performance indicators to measure production gains. This makes it a complete solution that can not only be used by employees such as maintenance and production workers,

120 electricians, or subcontractors, but also by managers.

The use of technology is now embedded in our daily lives and should also be applied in our workplaces.

More and more companies tend to make that important turn in their workplaces so that timeconsuming tasks are alleviated, which is playing a big part in the gain of efficiency. Technology also plays an important role in the standardization of the information transmitted to our employees.

Whether they are related to work procedures, training, documents shared or drafted from our Cadlock software, our customers are assured that everything

FATALITIES PREVENTED EACH YEAR FROM THE USE OF LOTO PROCEDURES

complies with the requirements of their company and the regulatory standards in place.

The added value Quicker creation and amendment of LOTO procedures, fast access to information via QR code technology, simplified and compliant procedures that are user friendly and real-time performance indicators are examples of how Cadlock can save time, diminish costs, and improve worker safety all within one software.

Industrial consumers Maerix will add more functionalities to Cadlock in the near future

Cadlock, the softwa the industry asked f and is eager to work Cadlock is a new lockout/ tagout system developed by Maerix that features several functionalities that allow safety for workers and efficiency at the production and also cost level.

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ware for k with

By Energy Capital

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s outlined by Maerix in the previous article, a lockout/tagout system is a system that prevents workers from getting injured every time they work nearby energy equipment. Particularly when machine guards or electrical doors or covers are opened, or anytime a person is potentially exposed to injury from the unexpected start up or energization of equipment.

Consequently, to help prevent injuries during operations, companies develop or use a control program to enable personal access to facilities, and updates any changes in equipment the operator needs to be aware of. However, oftentimes these programs have the form of a sheet of paper that quickly becomes outdated, therefore posing a danger for the worker.

Cadlock comes precisely to reinvent these lockout/tagout systems by integrating these procedures into a software that allows real-time updates and keeps track of any changes in the equipment. About the matter, Sarah Hill, Director of Customer Experience of Maerix, told us on an exclusive interview.

“Usually a lockout/tagout system is known as a folder where you can keep paperwork relevant to either your equipment, your energy sources and how to have control over them so you can always work safely.” What Maerix did was truly different, she said, adding that “we added these systems 25

Industrial consumers

CADLOCK IS AN INTELLIGENT APP AND DATABASE SOFTWARE THAT COMPLETELY MODERNIZES LOCKOUT/TAGOUT PROCEDURES, ALLOWING TOP LEVEL SAFETY, COST AND PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY.

CADLOCK IS

100%

MADE IN QUEBEC BY THE MAERIX TEAM

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an intelligent software to help our customers, while making the process much simpler that it was before.”

Moreover, Cadlock replaces the paperwork that quickly becomes outdated, with QR codes as keys and access to the software from any mobile device. These features alone have a strong impact on security, potentially saving lives. “All of the available information is controlled by the system administrators, therefore if an important change is made to a piece of equipment, or to a work procedure ih some type of machinery, in real

”

time employees will be notified so they are up to date with the information they need to operate,” she added.

Cadlock also features tons of multimedia content on its platform. Mostly to train users on certain equipment’s usage. These additions allow less contact between maintenance personnel and training personnel from third parties, delivering extra security in regards to social distancing and other measures related to the pandemic.

“We have customers saying they can work with half their staff. They can train people, but they can also bring new personnel to work on pieces

CADLOCK HELPS NOT ONLY IN THE SAFETY PART, BUT ALSO IN THE PRODUCTION PERSPECTIVE.

ERIC VEILLEUX, PRESIDENT AND CEO, MAERIX.

”

Infrastructure

of equipment that need repair without having other employees from third parties by the side having contact with each other,” Sarah Hill commented.

All of these features made Cadlock the perfect solution for many industries as it allows to solve urgent needs in a variety of industry sectors. “Actually, we have a lot of success stories,” Sarah Hill said to Energy Capital Media. “Many of our customers had requested a new lockout/tagout solution.

But we have also new customers eager 28

to work with Cadlock, some of those are Leclerc Foods, they have facilities in Canada and the US as well; another is Danon, that is currently working with Cadlock. People are eager to work with us, so we are really happy with the results,” she said.

Furthermore, the software was developed 100% in Quebec. In fact, it does not use any Microsoft templates or Oracle databases; all of it was developed by the Maerix team. “The main features that people will talk about is the QR codes that can trigger information on an energy source, or an employee or an equipment,” Ms. Hill commented.

CADLOCK TOOK

2 YEARS OF

DEVELOPMENT

Eric Veilleux, President and CEO of the company, commented on the matter further. “Cadlock helps not only in the safety part, but also in the production perspective. There is a lot of dashboards built into the software that gives a lot of information on how customers can save money, and how they actually save money.

As a result, our customers are really liking how we built the software for them, listening to them and not only the health and safety perspectives.”

Finally, the executive remarked that the software took around two years to develop. “It was a really fast developing schedule; however, we gathered all the information from our existing customer base. That’s why we were able to fast-pace the development. He also commented that in the near future Maerix will add some more functionalities to the software. Cadlock users can expect more features to their already powerful solution.

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Downstream The Company is also working in advancing hydrogen solutions

GHD, calling out for a greener future through RNG and waste-to energy solutions GHD is on a mission to advance the most viable solutions in Renewable Natural Gas projects and waste-to-energy, to reach the goal of not only net-zero, but net-negative.

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BY: ENERGY CAPITAL

s the world strives to become more sustainable and reduce the environmental footprint of industrial activities, innovative solutions that allow green sources of energy and tackle a global problem like waste management are more relevant than ever.

In this regard, solutions like Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and Hydrogen are becoming vital elements of the energy transition and cross-sector solutions.

These energy sources can deliver clean fuels for transportation, heating, power generation, and other industrial activities.

Consequently, projects like producing energy from landfills and dairies are becoming central to governments’ and municipalities’ strategies to reach net-zero. However, developing projects like these can be costly and frequently faces many hurdles in regulation, policy, and financing.

That’s why GHD, a leading company offering engineering services in the markets of waste water treatment, waste-to-energy, buildings, etc., is advancing No Time to Waste, an initiative and call for governments to act on this matter and harness a golden opportunity in today’s global economic panorama. To speak about it, Margaret Zuckweiler, Waste Management Service Line

Women in energy

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GHD IS QUESTIONING IF NET ZERO IS ENOUGH, OR THE REAL GOAL SHOULD BE NET-NEGATIVE, WHERE WE IMPROVE THINGS INSTEAD OF LEAVING THEM AS THEY ARE.” MARGARET ZUCKWEILER, WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICE LINE LEADER FOR THE AMERICAS, GHD.

Leader for the Americas, GHD, sat with us on an exclusive interview.

Can you please describe in general the services that GHD offers?

MZ: Our services strategy is focused on five pillars, in which RNG is under our Environmental pillar, but it also crosses over our Energy & Resources pillars.

The five pillars of our strategy are Transportation, Environment, Buildings, Energy & Resources, and Waste Water. Each of those pillars addresses different industries, but they also crossover.

These five pillars are all working in decarbonization in some way?

MZ: Environment does. But I think all pillars do that where it’s applicable. In our case, the RNG space is an obvious connection with decarbonization strategies.

But when we are doing remediation activities, we are trying to bring those facets that can advance these initiatives, when applicable. Sometimes the work doesn’t necessarily bring itself to decarbonization.

Women in energy But when talking about Energy & Resources, for sure it does. However, we also do traditional work in the oil and gas space.

In GHD’s experience, what is the most difficult part of decarbonization of energy systems?

MZ: We have been in the landfill gas business for quite some time, decades… We have also been handling organic waste management for over 15 years. Those two meet in the middle with RNG. Four years ago, we started doing quite a few feasibility studies to determine whether or not it made sense for a particular entity to develop an RNG project.

And what we have seen as fundamental barriers are economics: whether it is economically feasible

for a specific company in its particular geography to develop the project. The feedstock is another potential barrier.

Also, sometimes RNG projects require a lot of existing infrastructure. Sometimes, in particular cases, that infrastructure is not there and needs to be developed; that is also a barrier. If the infrastructure is there, that makes it much easier.

How do Renewable Natural Gas fits into the energy transition?

MZ: Let me start with what RNG is.

Renewable Natural Gas is essentially methane that’s cleaned up and acts just as natural gas in your pipeline. However, the RNG source can come from multiple

Women in energy different areas. For example, landfill gas can be cleaned up to be upgraded to RNG. Animal waste can also become RNG through anaerobic digestion. Specifically, from dairies, there’s a lot of RNG coming through. Yet another source is biosolids from wastewater treatment facilities. All of those things that we take as waste go through anaerobic digestion for decomposition. All of that resource if it is not collected, is lost. But if you collect it and upgrade it, and put it in a pipeline, that becomes a resource. And that is where RNG meets decarbonization efforts by using a resource that would otherwise be wasted. Also, the methane that would otherwise go into the atmosphere is collected, gathered, and used as an energy resource.

Why is it important to develop waste-to-energy solutions?

MZ: We all produce waste in multiple facets. If we just let it go as the population increases, we would have a

severe waste issue. But if we collect it and use it as a resource, we essentially complete the circular economy model. We generate, take, and put it back into what we use, versus leaving the waste over a landfill. Ultimately, that is a real benefit for us regarding climate change and decarbonization.

On the other hand, RNG is a solution because of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and other credits available to develop those projects.

RNG projects can be expensive, but when you have funding, and returns like the LCFS provides, you have an available resource to reduce the environmental footprint of certain industries.

How do GHD is collaborating with the industry to unlock the potential of RNG? MZ: We work with developers, technology providers, municipalities, and private entities interested in working and building these types of projects. What they are asking us to do is, first of all, do feasibility studies. What feasibility shows is whether or not a particular project will be profitable. We also work with technology providers. GHD is technology-agnostic. So what we do is match the technology to the type and specific needs of a certain project. We determine what will work; we ask developers to bring their prices to us, then present it to the client. We also develop projects along with partners. One of our partners right now is the city of Toronto, where we are developing RNG projects. We design, help build, and overall support the project through commissioning and operation.

Is there any success story of GHD in regards to the relevance of RNG in a decarbonized economy?

Women in energy

MZ: As I mentioned, the city of Toronto has been a partner for us. We have been helping the city to develop anaerobic digestion facilities, where the city will be able to process organics to produce biogas.

The biogas will then be collected and upgraded through the RNG technology to put it back in the pipeline for use.

What are the main hurdles or challenges right now in regards to launching wide projects to harness or produce power from waste?

MZ: When you are talking about RNG development, cost is definitely one of the main challenges, as I said before. Regulation can also be a big hurdle.

But it can also be an enabler if regulations and

policies encourage these projects. The specific project requirements can also be a challenge, as these projects are new and sometimes people are not necessarily well versed in what they need.

When we are talking about something like dairies, the animal waste typically goes to lagoons, or wide-open spaces that hold the waste. When you have a project to use that waste you got to have a covered lagoon or a facility, which can be expensive.

Sometimes, to make a project viable, you need more than one dairy farm to have an anerobic digestor installed. Then you put those pieces together with the pipeline, the biogas upgrading system. Then you have to install the pipeline to the location where the RNG is going to be used.

Can you explain what the No Time to Waste Strategy is?

MZ: No Time to waste is really a white paper that combinates all of our experience with organics management and anaerobic digestion, and biogas into RNG; our experience with developing these projects long term, and also our experience with waste water treatment plants that propose co-digest, which means bringing different feedstocks. The purpose of No Time To Waste is essentially a call to say: this is important, this is what we can do to use waste as a resource, and these are steps and the things to consider when you want to develop a project. The ultimate thing to consider is why you want to. No Time To Waste is fundamental Why. Why you want to use waste as a resource. The aim is that fundamental decarbonization piece where is important to use our existing resource to reduce our impact on this earth.

Can you explain how this strategy will seize opportunities coming out from new regulations, and the COP26’s goal of wide-decarbonization?

MZ: Decarbonization is one of the main goals of the COP26. You take waste that is not carbonfriendly, waste that generates a lot of methane… but you then flip the script and you make that waste a decarbonization source. That is ultimately the fundamental reason why you want to do this.

RNG is part of the net zero goals. A lot of municipalities, a lot of entities across the globe are making decarbonization and net zero by 2050 a goal. I think that GHD is questioning if net zero is enough, or the real goal should be net-negative, where we improve things instead of leaving them as they are. In this regard, RNG is a piece of several others. Hydrogen is another way. In fact, GHD has also a hydrogen group that is doing research and moving forward projects of this sort. Hopefully soon we will reach the net negative goal.

WEN (Women´s Energy Network)

Air Liquide, championing diversity and gender equality in parallel to energy transition Sabrina Kristobak, Business Development Manager - Large Industries at Air Liquide shares with us her insights about the relevance of diversity and gender equality in the energy industry.

25%

OF WOMEN IN ALL STEM FIELDS

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he energy transition is a multi-factor event that requires not only the shifting to cleaner energy sources but a complete change of paradigms to harness true creativity and new perspectives for the future. Women Leaders in the energy industry are increasingly advancing awareness about the relevance of gender equality and diversity in companies as a vital element for a deep and meaningful transition. To speak about the matter, Sabrina Kristobak, Business Development Manager - Large Industries at Air Liquide, sat with us to highlight what leaders can do to maintain and strengthen their workforces in this transitioning context and her role in the Women's Energy Network (WEN).

Energy Capital: You started early in your career as an intern at Air Liquide. Could you tell us more about it and also about the ALLEX program you attended?

WOMEN REMAIN DRAMATICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY WOMEN OF COLOR Sabrina Kristobak: Of course, what drew me to Air Liquide and a big part of what keeps me here are the opportunities. In my experience the company takes an active role in developing its employees and pushing them to take on new challenges. As you mentioned, I started with Air Liquide as an intern.I was outside of San Francisco with our electronics business working specifically in the semiconductor precursor industry.

I then finished my Chemical Engineering degree from Penn State and joined Air Liquide in the ALLEX program. Which is a 2 year leadership development program designed for recent graduates to move to a different position and geography every six months.

WEN (Women´s Energy Network) During that program I worked for four different Air Liquide entities and gained experience in both engineering and business roles. My roles were in Philadelphia, Houston which is our US corporate office, and Paris, France our global head office.

This exposure so early on in my career allowed me to grow my network and quickly develop an in-depth understanding of the company. The structure of the program challenges you to learn quickly to become a valued added asset.

EC: Currently, what is your role at Air Liquide, and what activities does this position involve?

SK: I am currently a Business Development Manager for Air Liquide Large Industries. I am responsible for developing large-scale business across the US with chemical, petrochemical, refining, cement, and metals customers to build new Air Liquide facilities. Along with identifying new business and working with prospective customers, this role includes negotiating contracts and getting the project approved internally. I am also actively involved in developing solutions to support our customer’s energy transition goals.

EC: Part of your work includes supporting Air Liquide’s customers to achieve their energy transition goals. In this sense, what is the relevance of boosting female participation in the industry in this transitioning context?

SK: Yes, almost every active project I’m on is related to the energy transition in some capacity. This is both an exciting and challenging time. We are facing new situations that require us to think differently.

In that sense creativity and differing perspectives are critical for developing innovative solutions.

For the energy transition to be successful it will require a collective effort and engagement of the best talent from all backgrounds. I think it’s

not just gender diversity but diversity in all forms that will enable companies to adapt by bringing their unique perspective to the conversation.

EC: What do you think about the number of women in your workspace and industry?

SK: Similar to my response from the last question, I really believe it is important to champion diversity in a variety of forms, not just gender diversity. However, from a gender diversity perspective there is still a significant amount of work to be done. The US Department of Labor data shows that only 15% of full time engineers are female and that women make up just over 25% of all STEM fields. McKinsey’s “Women in the Workplace 2020” article echoes this same message with statements that “At the beginning of 2020, the representation of women in corporate America was trending in the right direction. This was most pronounced in senior management: between January 2015 and January 2020, representation of women in senior-vicepresident positions grew from 23 to 28 percent, and representation in the C-suite grew from 17 to 21 percent. Women remained dramatically underrepresented— particularly women of color—but the numbers were slowly improving” “Before 2020, research had consistently found that women and men leave their companies at comparable rates.

However, due to the challenges created by the COVID-19 crisis, as many as two million women are considering leaving the

Employees Who Believe Senior Leaders Are Supportive Of Their Flexibility Needs Are Less Likely To Considering Downshifting Their Carriers Or Leaving The Workforce.”

workforce. If these women feel forced to leave the workplace, we’ll end up with far fewer women in leadership—and far fewer women on track to be future leaders. All the progress we’ve seen over the past six years could be erased” EC: From your perspective, what could companies do to increase female participation, especially in leadership positions? (policies, programs, initiatives) SK: I really appreciate this question because I think it is extremely important that we don’t just dwell on the numbers as they stand today but that we shift the conversation to focus on what we can do to bring about change. In this context, I feel extremely grateful to work at a company like Air Liquide where we have programs and initiatives that address these types of issues. For example,

- We have business resources groups, one of which is our women’s resource group. That holds events and organizes a mentoring program.

- We recently had a company wide survey called ‘women in the workplace’ to gauge our experience as a female employee and how Air Liquide can improve.

- We also have a strong number of talented and driven women in leadership positions which is extremely encouraging.

That being said, going back to the McKinsey article I referenced earlier, we are in unprecedented times and some of the most critical things that companies can do are: support employees facing burnout, eliminate the stigma around flexible work arrangements, minimize gender bias through bias training, and adapt or educate on resources available to employees.

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WEN (Women´s Energy Network) McKinsey states: “Even when these flexible options are available, some employees worry there may be a stigma attached to using them.

To mitigate this, leaders can assure employees that their performance will be measured based on results—not when, where, or how many hours they work. Leaders can also communicate their support for workplace flexibility. Better yet, leaders can model flexibility in their own lives, which sends a message to employees that it’s OK to take advantage of flexible work options. When employees believe senior leaders are supportive of their flexibility needs, they are less likely to consider downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce.”

In my opinion, these practices not only impact gender diversity but companies that adapt this mindset and flexibility will far outperform their competition in the long run because they will attract and maintain the best talent from all backgrounds.

EC: Could you tell us about your work as Co-Director of Educational Programming at Women’s Energy Network Houston Chapter?

Only 15% Of Full-Time Engineers In The Us Are Female

SK: Of course! Our work at the Women’s Energy Network also known as WEN is something I am very proud of and passionate about.

WEN is an international organization with 20 chapters across the US and Mexico. We have over 6000 members. Of those 6000, ~2000 are here in Houston. Our mission is to develop unique programming that provides networking opportunities and fosters career & leadership development to women who work in the energy value chain. For the past three years I’ve led a team to organize ~20 educational luncheons per year. Our luncheons feature industry speakers that can provide

WEN (Women´s Energy Network)

insights into energy trends, emerging strategies and technology, global energy outlook, market influencers, etc.

We have featured women like Helen Currie, Chief Economist at ConocoPhillips; Lees Rodionov, Global Director Sustainability at Schlumberger; Robin Fielder, President, CEO & Director at Noble Midstream; and Kimberly Watson, President of Interstate Pipelines for Kinder Morgan. We aim to highlight companies that are committed to diverse work forces and promoting professional women in the energy industry.

EC: In your opinion, how do organizations like WEN help increase gender equality awareness and advancement?

SK: Organizations like WEN increase gender equality awareness and advancement by creating a space for women to learn and ask questions about topics they may not be exposed to in their current role.

What attracted me to WEN was the caliber of the events. It is a highly intellectual group and their events provide a broad exposure to the energy industry to support the development of business acumen. I’ve been to talks on what makes a good deal for a private equity firm, the business of pipelines from a midstream company, and the similarities of skill sets required for deep sea and space exploration. These topics are not necessarily tied to industrial gases, the business I’m in, but they help me to better understand my customers and the markets they’re a part of.

WEN also creates a network of peers and establishes mentoring relationships with women who are more advanced in their career. These personal connections help us to navigate difficult situations and know that we have champions in the industry that want to help us succeed. Which can be invaluable when we are moving through challenging times in our professional and personal lives.

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Upstream

Increasing Global Demand for Floating Production Storage and Offloading Market Vantage Market Research (VMR), provided a quantified research on the last quarter of 2021, regarding the expectations about the 2028’s demand for Floating Production Storage and Offloading Market; its size would reach USD 33.61 billion, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.29% during the forecast period.

By Saul Olvera

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MR considers this is attributable to the increase in deep and ultra-deep-water oil & gas production coupled with technological advancements of FPSOs over other production systems. In addition, increasing oil & gas demand, especially in the power generation and transportation sector, is expected to change the global market for floating production, storage, and offloading.

It’s known that the COVID-19 outbreak has affected various industries worldwide, which implied totally new measures, as the strict lockdown and social distancing norms in order to avoid the spread of the pandemic.

Around the world, production facilities were shut down during the initial stages of the health crisis, resulting in an economic downturn that could lead to a significant delay in the commercial deployment of floating production storage and offloading production in the upcoming years.

Nevertheless, for technology providers whose revenues have dropped since the emergence of the pandemic in 2020, things will improve in the second half of 2022 as more supplies will come online.

VMR’s overview of the Offshore Market Offshore production currently accounts for one-third of the world's crude oil production and one-quarter of the world's gas production, playing a crucial role in the world's energy demand. Oil & gas exploration and production continue to be carried out by developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands.

In their research, VMR states that in Europe, 178 exploration wells were estimated to be drilled in 2018 which was slightly more than 169 in 2017, and in 2016, 137 exploration wells were projected to be drilled. Furthermore, in 2019, CNOOC Company discovered large volumes of gas/condensate in the Central Graben Glengorm well; around 250 MMboe recoverable resources were estimated.

Thus, the increasing production and exploration activities are expected to open new opportunities for floating production storage and offloading market.

Global Energy Demands: shift for the Floating Production Storage and Offloading Market It is important to emphasize that the emerging demand from developing economies is the main driver of the floating production, storage, and offloading market, as such energy demand is critical to economic and social development and, consequently, to the improvement of a country's economic conditions.

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Upstream

According to the IEA's World Energy Demand report, global energy demand was estimated to increase by 4.6% in 2021, more than offsetting the 4% contraction in 2020; it forecasts that most of the increase in electricity demand would come from China and India.

Speaking of the North American region, unlike Canada and the United States, Mexico lacks abundant coal generation, but the country's emissions intensity is higher than other countries in the region, as there are more fossil sources to produce energy.

On top of that, the current economic outlook for global GDP is expected to exceed 2019 levels, which will further increase global energy demand.

Advancements in Technologies to Support the Growth of the Market The world is facing a context in which digital transformation is becoming a real and tangible necessity.

In this regard, the oil & gas sector is embarking on the digitization of operating procedures to boost efficiency and reduce costs.

Increased integration of technologies such as big data, analytics, and IoT has led to improved efficiency.

This is why it is important to look for solutions that facilitate connectivity for facilities and information monitoring, which helps to create analytical data that plays an essential role at the decision-making levels for corporate and manufacturing operations.

To VMR’s view, analytical tools and predictive analytics can be used to determine success rates, range, and also estimates of topside components. Likewise, technological advances in FSPO have helped extend the service life of many older vessels and also help measure vessel fatigue.

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GLOBAL ENERGY DEMAND WAS ESTIMATED TO INCREASE BY 4.6% IN 2021, MORE THAN OFFSETTING THE 4% CONTRACTION IN 2020.

To wrap up this topic, VMR asserts that with the use of data technologies, companies can have data on mooring systems, hulls, processing equipment, and other components; taking into account that companies are adopting drone technologies to reduce costs, which will result in accelerated market growth.

World's prominent regions in the floating production, storage, and offloading market in 2028 The Middle East & Africa is expected to be the largest region in the global floating production, storage, and offloading market during the forecast period.

This is reinforced by the fact that 65% of the world's proven reserves are located in the Middle East. Furthermore, the region's reserves of natural gas, the energy with the highest growth potential, are also significant, accounting for 36% of the world's proven reserves.

Considering that other producing countries have fewer reserves and more mature fields, it is clear that the trend for the coming years is for the Middle East to gain market share in oil supply.

In addition to the evident increase in investments in oil and gas exploration and production and the discoveries of deep-water oil fields in the region, it is also clear that the Middle East will gain market share in oil supply in the coming years.

On the other hand, Brazil also shows significant lucrative growth in the coming years. This is due to government measures and initiatives to support the development of exploration and production operations, including energy and electricity.

According to the country's Ministry of Energy, the estimated 12 billion barrels of oil contained in the Sepia and Atapu fields are equivalent to Brazil's current proven reserves and one-eighth of the country's probable reserves, which are estimated at 100 billion barrels.

With this tender, this nation could become the fifth largest hydrocarbon producer in the world. "This auction will raise our oil reserves by about 12%, which is not little for a country that is already the seventh-largest crude oil producer in the world, and that will allow us to enter among the five largest world producers in 2030," said Brazil's Minister of Energy.

VRM estimates that, during the forecast period, due to growing energy demand from economies such as China, Japan, and India, Asia-Pacific and Europe are likely to register substantial growth in the floating production, storage, and offloading market.

In conclusion, this type of research, such as that provided by VMR, helps to put on the table some of the factors that could determine the course of the markets in the coming years, and, no doubt, to be forewarned with different action plans that can solve, to various levels, the coming challenges.

FOR TECHNOLOGY PROVIDERS WHOSE REVENUES HAVE DROPPED SINCE THE EMERGENCE OF THE PANDEMIC IN 2020, THINGS WILL IMPROVE IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2022 AS MORE SUPPLIES WILL COME ONLINE. 53

Power Wind Power

Eneti’s commitment with environment: Wind Turbine Installations Vessels Eneti’s main activities are to invest in the next generation of wind turbine installation vessels. This commitment was demonstrated by the recent announcement that it entered into a binding agreement for the construction of a Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV).

By Paola Sánchez

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neti Inc. (previously called Scorpio Bulkers Inc.), was incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands on March 20, 2013.

The Company’s principal executive office is in Monaco with an executive office too in New York, NY. In December, 2013, the Company completed its underwritten first public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE. Following the Company’s change of name in February 2021, its common

shares were listed for trading on the NYSE, under the ticker “NETI”.

Eneti’s transition to marine-based renewable energ On August, 2020, Eneti announced its intention to transition away from the business of dry bulk commodity transportation. This to move towards marine-based renewable energy, including investing in the next generation of wind turbine installation vessels. As the name suggests, the WTIVs are

dedicated equipment for installing wind turbines.

With wind farms moving further out to sea and increasing in size, WTIVs are getting larger, with a need for advanced dynamic positioning to make sure vessels stay in place in demanding conditions.

Depending on the application, WTIVs can be either jack-up or floating, with weight considerations critical for jack-up vessels. As they are working in the renewable energy sector, the environmental footprint of these vessels is a key consideration with high-efficiency and low-carbon emissions.

These ships should also be fully digitized, connected and highly automated to be ready for the challenge of the future.

For this new strategy, the Company has exercised an option it held with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering for the construction of one WTIV. The contract price is $326.0 million, and the Vessel will be delivered early in the second quarter of 2025.

The Vessel is an NG-16000X design by Gusto MSC and includes a 2,600 Ton Leg Encircling Crane from Huisman Equipment B.V. of the Netherlands. This ship is capable of installing up to 20 Megawatt turbines at depths of up to 65 meters of water, and it can be adapted to work on the alternate fuels of LNG or Ammonia.

New alliances for Eneti In the same sense, Eneti Inc. reports that Seajacks UK Limited has signed a contract with Dutch marine contractor, Van Oord. Seajacks UK is a whollyowned subsidiary of Eneti and a leading provider of installation and maintenance vessels to the offshore wind sector.

As for Van Oord, it is a Dutch family-owned company with more than 150 years of experience as an international marine contractor. Their roots go back to 1868 in the Netherlands. Its history is entwined with the country’s biggest marine engineering works, including the Nieuwe Waterweg Canal, the Delta Works, and the Port of Rotterdam Maasvlakte II expansion.

Van Oord has selected the Seajacks Scylla, the largest and most capable vessel in the Seajacks fleet. Currently employed through 2022 in Taiwan, the vessel will move to Europe upon completion of its existing turbine installation contract with Orsted on the Greater Changhua Offshore Wind Farm.

Power Orsted is a renewable energy company that takes tangible action to create a world that runs entirely on green energy. They’re “fighting climate change by transforming the global energy system”, through energy solutions like offshore wind, renewable hydrogen, onshore wind, solar and storage, bioenergy and work in markets.

The duration of the Van Oord contract will generate about $60 million of revenue in 2023.

Eneti’s leading perspectives For Emanuele Lauro, CEO of Eneti, “securing this charter will bring the Scylla back from the AsiaPacific to the European market by the end of 2022”.

For a large and highly capable installation vessel like Scylla, “we are seeing many opportunities in the UK and Europe in 2024 and 2025 as wind turbines increase in size and weight and are located further offshore”, he commented. In the same way, Arnoud Kuis, Managing Director, Van Oord Offshore Wind, talked bout how they are delighted with this constructive collaboration with Seajacks. “This cooperation gives us the ability to make real our growth ambitions in the offshore wind market both in, and outside, Europe”.

Additionally, Blair Ainslie, CEO of Seajacks, says “All of us here at Seajacks UK are once again thrilled to be working alongside Van Oord. The Scyllla was previously chartered by Van Oord in 2019 to install monopile and transition pieces at the Deutsche Bucht Offshore Wind Farm in Germany”.

She also mentioned that they had a positive experience there, and they look forward to another safe and efficient installation project. To date, Seajacks have installed over 500 offshore wind turbines in Europe and most recently in Taiwan.

Seajacks UK owns and operates a fleet of 5 GustoMSC designed vessels: Seajacks Kraken, Seajacks Leviathan, Seajacks Hydra, Seajacks

Zaratan and the above-mentioned Seajacks Scylla; all capable of installing and maintaining offshore wind farms in harsh conditions.

Challenges for vessels operations Eneti also pointed out that these forward-looking statements are based on the most updated information available to the date; as well as current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties.

“Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible

“

SECURING THIS CHAR SCYLLA BACK FROM TH EUROPEAN MARKET B

EMANUELE LAURO

Power to predict and are beyond our control”, they said; “we cannot assure that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections”.

Among the main factors that may influence the results are their future operating or financial results; changes in demand for WTIV capacities; the strength of world economies and currencies; and the length and severity of the recent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Other elements to consider are the pandemic effects on demand for WTIVs and the installation of offshore wind turbines.

This includes Eneti’s capacities to successfully use their existing and newbuilding vessels, and the availability and suitability of their equipment for customer projects. In legal and financial matters, this situation implies a strategy to determine a

RTER WILL BRING THE HE ASIA PACIFIC TO THE

BY THE END OF 2022,

O, CEO OF ENETI.

”

successful plan for achieving Jones Act Compliance and securing Jones Act vessels; and their ability to compete successfully for future chartering and newbuilding opportunities. Equally, the agreement and its activities will need to be adapted to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates, early termination of customer contracts, the difficulties to win new contracts for the vessels or the failure of counterparts to fully perform the contracts.

Enetis commitment on sustainability For Eneti, the concept of sustainability is not new.

Their concern for the environment, for robust governance, and for social empathy are part of its history and its future.

With the disposal of their dry bulk fleet and acquisition of Seajacks International, Eneti Inc. defines itself as a “now fully engaged [company] in marine-based renewable energy”. In making this significant green shift, they’re committing to the enablement of low and zero-carbon energy systems to meet global climate goals.

For example, some of their commitments are to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) of their fleet operations; to add ballast water management plans in all the vessels in accordance with the IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention; and finally, the commitment for sustainable and socially responsible recycling of ships in accordance with their proper Environmental Policy and, in the future, with the Hong Kong Convention.

In order to keep up an efficient network for their activities, Eneti have offices in different countries like Monaco, New York, Houston, London, Riga, Istanbul, Athens, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Manila and Vladivostok.

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Industrial consumers Midstream, Logistics and Transportation

Targa Resources Corp., overview of their financial and sustainable operations in Midstream segment.

On November 18th, Targa Resources Corp. announced that Targa NGL Pipeline Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, submitted an open season, started in December 9th and closed Dec 17th.

BY: ZYANYA ELIZABETH GARCÍA

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his open season was launched for test support for natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline transportation capacity in Stephens and Grady counties, Oklahoma, to Mont Belvieu, Texas. This auction supplied the chance for shippers to secure firm capacity for NGL transportation related to the terms of their transportation service agreements. In addition, the final results in the open season resulted the final volume of capacity for committed and uncommitted service as determined

by Targa.

According to Targa's website, it was recommended that interested potential shippers submitted a

Non-Disclosure Agreement ("NDA") on November 23, 2021, so that the open season documents could be properly evaluated. Targa Resources Corp. is a leading provider of midstream services as one of the largest independent transport infrastructure companies in North America. This sector covers transportation, storage, and trading of crude oil, natural gas, and refined products. In its unrefined state, crude oil is transported by pipelines, ships, road and rail.

Gathering and Processing segment The Houston firm links NGL gathering and processing infrastructure in the Permian Basin, Bakken Shale,

Barnett Shale, Eagle Ford Shale, Anadarko Basin, Arkoma Basin, onshore Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. Gas gathering is collecting gas from the wellhead and moving it to a processing plant or to a major transmission line. From the well, the natural gas goes into gathering pipelines. The gathering lines become larger in diameter closer to the central collecting point. This application uses either small, individual wellhead compressors or large central units handling several wells or an entire field.

The search for new supplies of natural gas and crude oil enables the company to increase production volumes. As a result, Targa obtains these extra hydrocarbon supplies by contracting production

from new wells or by capturing existing production currently being gathered by others.

Natural gas processed in this segment is delivered through its gathering systems, which collectively consist of approximately 28,700 miles of natural gas pipelines. And also include 42 by their owned and operated processing plants.

Downstream Business: Logistics and Transportation Similarly, Targa operates in the Logistics and Transportation segment, called "Downstream Business". This segment includes the activities and

assets necessary to transport and convert mixed NGLs into NGL products as well as other value-added assets and services. The Logistics and Transportation segment includes Grand Prix, as well as its interest in GCX. Downstream Business include approximately 2,100 miles of company-owned pipelines to transport mixed NGLs and specification products.

In this regard, Targa Resources Corp. is widely known in the country for its reliable and efficient operations that ensure a greater supply of hydrocarbons in the USA and the world. Its assets connect natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) to domestic and international markets with growing demand for cleaner fuels and feedstocks.

Grand Prix NGL pipeline One of its massive tools used to transport crude over long distances is the Grand Prix NGL pipeline,

10% OF REDUCTION IN EMISSIONS OF ALL CRITERIA POLLUTANTS IN 2020: TARGA RESOURCES CORP.

which connects G&P to the Mont Belvieu fracking and export volumes. This pipeline began service in 2019, moving liquids from West Texas' booming Permian Basin to the Houston area.

Grand Prix helps to relieve pipeline shortages from the Permian. Natural gas liquids include products like propane, butane and ethane, which is a major petrochemical feedstock. The NGLs are separated into their individual components at processing facilities, called fractionators, in Mont Belvieu.

This pipeline transports NGLs from the Permian Basin on a 24-inch diameter pipeline with a capacity of 410 MMBbl/d, expandable to 550 MMBbl/d.

And from North Texas and Southern Oklahoma via pipeline of varying capacity, which both connect to a 30-inch diameter segment into Mont Belvieu.

The final segment has a 450 MMBbl/d capacity, which is expandable to 950 MMBbl/d.

Importantly, Targa has a 50% interest in Cayenne Pipeline, LLC. As such, the company owns the Cayenne Pipeline, which transports mixed NGLs from VESCO in Venice, Louisiana, to an interconnection with a thirdparty NGL pipeline in Toca, Louisiana.

Program, the company is committed to reducing the methane intensity to 0.08% by 2025 in their boosting segment. And a reduction of methane intensity to 0.11% in their processing segment by the same year.

Financial Results Working for sustainable operations One of Targa's major objectives is to develop midstream oil and gas operations that provide cleaner energy.

To achieve this, the U.S. company publishes an annual Sustainability Report, in which it indicates its main objectives to carry out less polluting tasks.

In 2020 Sustainability Report, there are three main goals of cleaner operations: 1. lowering their GHG intensity, and in particular lowering our methane intensity, and 2. reducing flaring. On this point, the results of achieving greater corporate sustainability are positive. Targa achieved an overall reduction of 10% in emissions of all criteria pollutants.

Also that year, the midstream firm has achieved a 34% decrease in emission event combustion volumes and a 16% decrease in the total number of combustion incidents. This result represents its commitment to reduce polluting emissions and work towards building a better country.

Another of its goals achieved was the investment in more than 130,000 horsepower of electric compression.

The result was 77% of the installed power in 2020, avoiding 263,350 Tm/year of CO2e compared to gas compression. Methane emissions are 84 times more polluting than carbon dioxide. Since 2000, Targa has been a member company of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Natural Gas STAR Program, a voluntary partnership between the EPA and oil and gas companies to reduce methane emissions. As a member of this

Similarly, Targa’s financial results were really satisfactory.

Third quarter 2021 net income attributable to Targa Resources Corp. was $182.2 million compared to net income of $69.3 million for the third quarter of 2020. It represents a more than doubling of revenue growth for the first quarter of 2021 compared to last year.

As for its forward financial projections, TRC expects to continue to grow at satisfactory levels through growth in its midstream projects. The company now estimates that average Permian natural gas inflow volumes in 2021 will exceed the upper end of its previously disclosed 5 to 10 percent growth range with respect to average Permian natural gas inflow volumes in 2020. According to Matthew J. Mellow, Chief Executive Officer of Targa Resources Corp., the company's positioning was excellent during the first quarter of 2021. In August 2021, Mathew increased 2021 EBITDA estimate to between $1.9 billion and $2 billion. "2021 EBITDA is estimated to be 19% higher than last year, based on the midpoint of our new guidance range”, he told.

There is no doubt that the firm will continue to lead the market, not only in the United States, but also internationally, for gathering, processing, logistics and transportation in oil & gas segment. Committed to driving the energy transition, Targa Resources Corp. transports and stores cleaner energy, reducing the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

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