Energy, Oil and Gas Issue 122 July 2015

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issue 122 JULY

Rethinking

strategies A look at the material implications of the fall in oil prices for the major natural gas markets

Getting the max What can operators do to maximise the performance of both staff and business?

How safe is your rig?

The industry has recognised the need to address the main safety risks for oil rigs

Also in this issue:Grid parity • Seismic technology • Talent sustainability • German renewables

Editor Editors Chairman Andrew Schofield Editor Libbie Hammond libbie@schofieldpublishing.co.uk Profiles Editor Andrew Dann Staff Writers Jo Cooper Ben Clark Art Editor Gérard Roadley-Battin Production Manager Fleur Daniels Business Development Director David Garner Corporate Advertising Sales David King dking@schofieldpublishing.co.uk Sales Joe Woolsgrove Head of Research Philip Monument Business Development Manager Mark Cawston Research Managers Ben Richell Natalie Griffiths Editorial Researchers Jeff Johnson Wendy Russell ­Office Manager/Advertisement Administrator Tracy Chynoweth Digital Subscriptions Iain Kidd digital @schofieldpublishing.co.uk

Though it may be surprising, the industry has demonstrated the ability to be innovative and to lower costs when necessary

Welcome

to the summer issue of Energy, Oil & Gas! And what an exciting selection of companies we have in this issue, all sharing their stories of success and innovation.

The latter point is especially important as companies recognise the need to embrace new technology and ways of working to address the lower oil prices. As a PwC’s Strategy& article on 2015 market trends pointed out: ‘Though it may be surprising, the industry has demonstrated the ability to be innovative and to lower costs when necessary. Producers and refiners have harnessed new technological advances, such as digitization, robotics, and analytics, to squeeze out higher volumes with less investment…’

Nevertheless, the authors stress that more needs to be done alongside reducing costs – what steps are you taking to survive?

editor LIBBIE HAMMOND © 2015 Schofield Publishing Limited all rights reserved 10 Cringleford Business Centre Intwood Road Cringleford Norwich NR4 6AU T: +44 (0) 1603 274130 F: +44 (0) 1603 274131

@EOG_magazine please note: The opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers within this publication do not necessarily coincide with those of the editor and publisher. Every reasonable effort is made to ensure that the information published is accurate, but no legal responsibility for loss occasioned by the use of such information can be accepted by the publisher. All rights reserved. The contents of the magazine are strictly copyright, the property of Schofield Publishing, and may not be copied, stored in a retrieval system, or reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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Regulars

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Natural Gas

Iván Martén asks – how will low oil prices affect natural gas markets??

8,14,15 News

Some of the recent developments within the oil and gas industry

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Energy

What is the impact of falling oil prices further down the value chain?

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The TALENT model

Paul Taylor thinks its time to go back to basics and adopt the skills lifecycle methodology

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Lead two

Technology from Androk promises to make the mapping of the Earth’s substructure more accurate

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Employee performance

Shirley Barnes discusses how the right employee performance framework can bring productivity gains

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Renewables

Henry Edwardes-Evans takes a look at the German renewables market and how this energy can be integrated into conventional markets

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Profiles

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36 Northland Power 44 Plexus Group 49 Triyards 55 Atlantic Gulf & Petroleum Company 58 Workships Contractors 60 Combifloat (Flexifloat BV) 66 Odjfell Drilling 69 Sulzer 72 JDR Cable Systems 80 Volstad Maritime 82 Mirage Machines 82 85 Technip India 87 Wilton Engineering Services 90 CS Combustion Solutions 92 Tomoe Valves 94 MKW Group 96 Frese 98 Euskal Forging 100 Datalink Electronics 102 K2 Specialist Services 104 Caledonian Petroleum Services 112 Bearwood Engineering 118 Whessoe Engineering 124 Total

Contents

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128 Ocean Installer 130 Huawei Marine Networks 132 IHC IQIP 136 Nordic Maritime 138 Welltec 142 Fenelon Storage Tanks 144 SRP Subsea 148 AB Klaipedos Nafta 152 Scandinavian Tank Storage 156 Altec Engineering 158 Arc Energy Resources 160 Lamons UK 164 Pressure Tech 166 PV Drilling 168 Loops Automation 170 Synectics 170 172 Radley Engineering 175 VTTI Fujairah Terminal

178 Byelkamit 181 BST Supplies 185 Apache North Sea 188 OceanMaster Engineering 190 Amora Industries 192 Cryonorm 194 Koso Kent Introl 200 Kuantan Port Consortium Sdn Bhd 202 Promar Shipping Services 204 Seismotekhnika 206 Array Training 208 Master Marine 201 Mermaid Subsea Services 212 Flexiflo Corp 216 Leask Marine 218 VTTI 220 220 SMFR 222 Trelleborg Offshore 224 Technica 228 PPS Pipeline Systems 231 Magnox 234 Globe Air Motors 236 Midroc Rodoverken 238 Remøy Shipping

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Rethinking

strategies Iván Martén asks: How will low oil prices affect natural gas markets?

G

lobal natural gas markets have already felt some impact from the slide in oil prices.

But they will be affected to a much greater degree if oil prices remain in the $50-to$60 range for an extended period. Below we examine the US, Asian, and European markets to gauge their potential responses.

The US In early 2014, the U.S. Energy Information Administration projected that US demand for natural gas would reach 770 bcm in 2020. Given the extent to which oil prices have fallen subsequently, however, that projection, especially its assumptions regarding exports and demand from the transportation sector, is likely far too ambitious. For US LNG exports to appeal to Asian and European buyers, spreads between US Henry Hub prices and prices in Asia (which are indexed to the price of oil) and Europe (which are indexed mainly to hub prices) must be sufficiently wide.

But spreads have narrowed considerably as oil prices have fallen. Demand from transportation, meanwhile, stands to be dampened significantly by narrowing price differentials between natural gas and oil products, which will likely reduce substitution of the former for the latter. All told, we expect US demand in 2020 to be well below the EIA's projection.

The fall in oil prices will also weigh on US production of Below Iván Martén, natural gas, since oil and gas companies are likely to scale senior partner and back development. A major reason for this is that, with cash managing director flows from their currently operating oil fields shrinking, of The Boston Consulting Group these companies have less cash to invest. This will force them to be increasingly selective in the investments they make, and projects with relatively high break-even prices, which would include some gas-development projects in the current environment, could be delayed or canceled. Coupled with this, the economics of many ‘wet’ gas fields - those with a high liquids content - have been eroded by the oil price fall,

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which could further reduce investment.

Given the above, we believe that a prolonged period of low oil prices would lead to a smaller US natural gas market. It would also limit the US’ role as an LNG exporter, retard the development of natural gas’ role in the transportation sector, and reduce the price competitiveness of US-produced natural gas on the global market.

Asia By region, Asia has had the world’s fastest growth in demand for natural gas in recent years, with demand rising by more than six per cent annually for the past five years.

Historically, Asia has relied heavily on imports to satisfy its

Natural gas

demand, given relatively limited local production. To ensure security of supply, Asian buyers have relied principally on long-term contracts, largely indexed to oil prices.

Given the linkage of Asian gas contracts to oil prices, the recent fall in oil prices will directly impact Asian gas prices, pushing them significantly lower. Indeed, northeast Asian LNG spot prices have already fallen significantly. Another factor that will put downward pressure on prices in Asia is planned LNG development projects in Australia and Papua New Guinea. These could introduce a large volume (roughly 90 bcm per year) of new supply to the market.

A key near-term effect of lower oil prices - and one that could remain in place over the longer term if oil prices stay

low - is a reduction in the perceived need among Asian LNG buyers for index diversification. Over the past few years, Asian buyers have looked to broaden the basket of indices they use when securing LNG supply, with a particular push to move away from oil in favor of Henry Hub–indexed volumes, whose prices became increasingly attractive compared with prices for oil-indexed volumes when oil was about $100 per barrel. With oil prices now well below that, and with more uncertainty over the competitiveness of US LNG, Asian buyers have to review their diversification strategies.

Over the medium to longer term, it seems likely that, if the current oil-price environment persists, it will enhance the

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sustainable development of Asia's natural gas market.

Europe Europe's natural gas market has evolved into one with significant liquidity. In 2013, for example, the volume of gas traded in all of the region’s hubs combined exceeded natural gas demand in those countries by a factor of ten.

Today, most volumes in Europe are indexed to hub prices, which are decoupled from oil prices. This decoupling was quite evident in 2014, when oil prices and European natural gas prices moved in largely opposite directions for much of the year. (See the graph above.)

The relationship between oil prices and natural gas prices has changed significantly in Europe in the past decade, reflecting an evolution of the indexation structure of gas contracts in the region. In 2005, about 70 per cent of European natural gas volumes were indexed to prices of oil and oil products; by 2013, almost 80 per cent of volumes

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were indexed to hub prices.

This change in European market structure is a direct consequence of several rounds of renegotiations between European midstream players (including E.ON, RWE, and GDF Suez) and their main natural gas suppliers (such as Gazprom, Statoil, and GasTerra). This effort was undertaken several years ago by midstream players with the goal of adapting their supply portfolios to the prevailing gas-market environment. The effort remains in progress, thus we expect hub-based indexation in Europe to continue to increase.

For European natural gas contracts that remain indexed to oil prices, the decline in the price of oil has had a direct impact on contract prices. Hence holders of these contracts have less pressure to renegotiate them. We believe, however, that oil indexation will remain a risky strategy for midstream players over the longer term, given the enormous potential for margin volatility.

The risk of an oil indexation strategy to relevant European

Natural gas

The fall in oil prices has material implications for the major natural gas markets. In Asia's market, the effects will be direct; in the US and Europe, they will be largely indirect. Players in all markets will need to think through their strategies carefully if they hope to capitalise fully on the opportunities that emerge

midstream companies could prove even greater in the near to medium term, given the indirect effect of falling oil prices on the European market. Europe acts as a sink for surplus international LNG volumes. In a scenario of low LNG prices in Asia, some LNG-supplying countries, such as Qatar, and LNG portfolio players could redirect part of their volumes to the European market, thus fostering competition in Europe between traditional pipeline suppliers (namely, Norway, Russia, and Algeria) and core LNG sellers. This could push gas prices in European hubs to levels below the prices of natural gas contracts that are indexed to oil and oil products at current prices.

The fall in oil prices has material implications for the major natural gas markets. In Asia's market, the effects will be direct; in the US and Europe, they will be largely indirect. Players in all markets will need to think through their strategies carefully if they hope to capitalise fully on the opportunities that emerge.

The Boston Consulting Group Ivån MartÊn is a senior partner and managing director of The Boston Consulting Group and the global leader of the firm's Energy practice. The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world’s leading advisor on business strategy. It partners with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highestvalue opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 81 offices in 45 countries.

For further information please visit: bcg.com bcgperspectives.com/energy_and_environment marten.ivan@bcg.com.

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News

Challenging pipeline installation The ongoing Corrib gas project in Mayo, Ireland, has been advanced by the employment of Newport-based large diameter plastic pipe manufacturers, Asset International. The landmark project, anticipated to be operational this summer, is estimated to harvest 5940 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

The Shell owned Corrib gas field is located about 52 miles off Erris Head in County Mayo in an area known as the Slyne Trough at a depth of around 355 metres.

The gas is originating from a Triassic Sandstone reservoir 3000 metres below the seabed. Asset International provided 4.9km of 750mm 4k Weholite pipe, which was used to create an air duct for part of the marine section of the large-scale project. The Weholite pipes were installed onsite by Murphy International, wholly owned subsidiary of J. Murphy & Sons Limited, for the project, overseen by principal contractor BAM Construction.

Paul O’Regan, Technical Engineer at Asset International said: “Being involved in a project of this scale and standing has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. We needed to ensure that nearly five kilometres of Weholite pipe was completely airtight, as the tunnel it occupied was to be filled with grout once completed. Despite a challenging brief, the job was well executed, and delivered on time.”

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Substantial orders Bentec, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of drilling rigs and oilfield equipment, has won three major multi-million dollar contracts, as well as confirming its further expansion into the substantial offshore market.

The highlights of the wins include the first complete drilling rig to be built by Bentec for Caspian Sea offshore operations, a contract award for three 320 ton Cluster Slider rigs and indications of further demand from Russia with an order for 13 Top Drives, bringing the total number to 63 sold in Russia so far.

Dirk Schulze, Chief Executive Officer of Bentec said: “We are delighted to have secured such substantial orders in these difficult times for our industry and are very much looking forward to working with these clients. These new contracts send out a strong signal to the market, not only in Russia but beyond, and are testament to our strategy of concentrating on providing premium quality at competitive prices, whilst reducing the total cost of ownership for our clients.”

Powerful and versatile Renewable NRG Systems (RNRG), a designer and manufacturer of decision support tools for the global renewable energy industry, has launched a new data logger that is specifically engineered to improve the performance of wind and solar measurement campaigns.

Building on RNRG’s well-known Symphonie series of user-friendly loggers, the SymphoniePRO logger brings significant upgrades in terms of capability and flexibility. “This is the data logger our wind and solar energy customers have been asking for,” said Michael Fisher, product manager. “It’s powerful, versatile, and as always, it comes with the great support and ease-of-use expected from a Symphonie logger.”

SymphoniePRO is a low-power, industrial-grade data logging system that is specifically designed for conducting resource assessments for the renewable energy industry. Each of the 26 channels’ statistical values are calculated from continuous one-second data samples and averaged over a userselectable interval (ten-minute default). Collected data is stored efficiently as binary *.RLD files on internal Flash memory with a redundant copy on an external SD card, if installed.

Data is communicated and the system is powered via Symphonie iPackGPS communications devices, which only require a firmware upgrade for compatibility with the new data logger. In addition to SMTP email data delivery, SymphoniePRO allows remote, real-time connection capability over RNRG’s MetLink protocol for tasks like automated or manual data download, firmware upgrades, live data viewing, or configuration changes.

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competitive Cost

A setback for grid parity?

By Stephen Nash

T

he impact of the recent fall in the oil price on O&G investments has been well covered, but what is the impact further down the value chain? What is the impact on the power sector, and on the quest for grid parity for renewables?

In recent years the costs of renewable generation have been falling and the prospect of grid parity has seemed increasingly within reach.

The Holy Grail for the development of renewables has for a long time been the goal of reaching grid parity, that is being cost competitive with conventional power generators on a $/MWh basis. Until a few years ago that target seemed a long way off and to date most renewables capacity in Below developed markets has been subsidised. This has normally Stephen Nash, meant receipt of some form of Feed-In Tariff (FIT) or Green senior manager at Baringa Partners Certificates (GCs), with the cost of the subsidy being funded by electricity consumers and/or taxpayers.

More recently, cost reductions have raised the prospect of grid parity becoming a reality. Fig 1 illustrates the rapid fall in installed capex for wind and solar PV since the start of this decade. For solar PV, this has resulted in the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE, a measure of the annuitised cost of generating

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each MWh of energy) falling by c.50 per cent between 2010 and 2014. Solar PV modules have actually fallen by more (c.75 per cent), but the same savings have not yet been seen in balance of plant costs. During this same period the total installed capacity has increased to more than four times 2010 levels. Costs have also fallen significantly for wind generation, although the quantum has been less dramatic.

The LCOE achieved varies widely by project, depending on resource availability, the commercials struck by the developer, and the cost of finance. But, in summary, it is increasingly common for LCOEs of less than 0.1 $/kWh to be achieved. This is below the retail cost of energy in many markets, and below the wholesale cost of power in many less developed markets, where the wholesale cost of electricity is determined by relatively expensive oil-fired generation.

However, the correct benchmark, at least for utility-scale renewable generators, is against wholesale prices in more established more liquid markets, meaning that grid parity is still some way off.

As small-scale distributed generation (e.g. rooftop solar) plays an increasingly significant role, the comparison against retail energy prices becomes increasingly relevant. Some network costs can also be reduced through greater use of

Energy

e 0.8

8,000 350 GW

3.2 GW

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39 GW

179 GW

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193 GW

Weighted average installed cost ($/kW) High Weighted average installed cost ($/kW) Low Weighted average LCOE ($/kW) High Weighted average LCOE ($/kW) Low

Left : figure 1 Source: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA): Renewable Power Generation Costs, 2014

Solar PV (utility scale)

distributed generation, but on balance the cost of these smaller scale projects is, at least currently, much higher. The International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) latest analysis of renewable generation costs quotes a LCOE range of 0.14-0.47 $/MWh for residential solar PV projects, versus 0.11-0.28 $/MWh for utility scale projects in 2014.

Power prices are now lower, reflecting falls in the price of oil and other commodities, pushing back the prospect of widespread grid parity.

For grid parity to become common in more developed markets, either further cost savings are required, or there would need to be an increase in wholesale power prices.

120 MWh (power)

100 80 60

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$/kW (real 2014)

6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000

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An increase in power prices has become less likely over the past few months as the price of oil has fallen, and as the market response to the announced withdrawal of European 0.8 carbon allowances (EUAs) from the market later this decade 8.6 GW 350 GW 179 GW 193 GW 3.2 GW 39 GW has been muted. In many power markets it is the price of 0.7 natural gas that often determines the short run cost of the marginal generation plant, and hence the wholesale price of 0.6 power. Natural gas pricing, at least in Europe and in markets dominated by LNG, is often indexed to oil, although this is0.5 gradually becoming less prevalent. In less developed markets, 0.4 the marginal plant is often diesel-fired resulting in a more direct link to the oil price.

0.3 Fig 2 shows how power prices in GB and Germany have dropped as the oil price has fallen, as a result of this 0.2 relationship between oil and power prices. For ease of 0.1 comparison, the power forward curves are presented in $ terms using the spot exchange rate on the quote date. If 0 2014 2010 2010 2014 to other 2010 we were 2014 to extend this analysis power markets, the impact vary by wind country. The oil prices Solarfall PV in (utility scale) will Onshore wind wouldOffshore generally have less impact in markets where coal dominates the generation mix, since coal prices do not always move with the oil price in the same way that gas prices do, especially in domestic coal markets that are not well connected with international hubs. Conversely, the impact of oil prices is more direct in many less developed markets where the marginal power generator is oil-fired.

Weighted average installed cost ($/kW) High Weighted average installed cost ($/kW) Low Weighted average LCOE ($/kW) High Weighted average LCOE ($/kW) Low

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80 60 40 20 Jul-18

Brent ($/bbl) 04/03/2014

Brent ($/bbl) 02/03/2015

UK power (£/MWh) 04/03/2014

UK power (£/MWh) 02/03/2015

DE power (€/MWh) 04/03/2014

DE power (€/MWh) 02/03/2015

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100

Above: figure 2. Source: ICE.com, Platts, Baringa analysis

The fall in commodity prices could have a negative impact on the renewables capacity developed in the coming years, and could also have a negative impact on existing investors in the sector.

So what will the impact of this fall in power prices be on renewables? In markets (e.g. in Europe) where renewables are supported by subsidies, and in particular where those subsidies guarantee a fixed price for the power generated by renewables, the cost of those subsidies will rise.

The UK is a good example of this. The amount of subsidy that can be granted under the new Contracts for Difference (CfD) mechanism is capped through the Government’s Levy Control Framework (LCF). The LCF allows for c.£1.6bn in annual funding for renewables supported by CfDs by fiscal

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year 2018/19. To illustrate, if the power price were to fall from 50 £/MWh to 40 £/MWh then that would increase the subsidy paid to a renewable generator. For example, for a generator with a strike price of 100 £/MWh (in reality the strike price varies by technology) and a load factor of 30 per cent the implied subsidy would increase from 131 £/kW p.a. to 158 £/kW p.a. This in turn could reduce the amount of renewable generation capacity that could be funded within the LCF cap in the period to 2018/19 by 2.1 GW. In less developed markets, the principles are similar. Even in markets where the wholesale price of power remains very high, a drop in this price may lead to the business case for investment in renewables appearing less attractive. A lower power price increases the risk that an appropriate level of return on up-front capex investments is not earned.

A more immediate concern for existing investors in renewables may be impairment risk (i.e. the risk that the ‘fair value’ of their assets falls below the book value). The decline seen in forward power markets may lead to lower

Energy

In summary, the recent fall in the oil price has a number of consequences for the renewables sector, and could push back the prospect of grid parity. But will these effects persist? Achieving grid parity would require further reductions in the cost of renewable generation and/or a recovery in power prices

power price assumptions being used in evaluating asset book values. This could lead to those book values being revised downwards, especially where the subsidy received is in the form of an adder to the power price, but also for the equity tail of assets receiving a fixed price subsidy.

In summary, the recent fall in the oil price has a number of consequences for the renewables sector, and could push back the prospect of grid parity. But will these effects persist? Achieving grid parity would require further reductions in the cost of renewable generation and/or a recovery in power prices.

However, there are several reasons to believe that one or both of these requirements could be met. On the former, the very factors highlighted in this article could increase competitive pressure on renewable technology providers, potentially speeding up the rate of cost reduction. At the same time, capital costs could fall as reduced demand brings down the price of key commodities – a factor that has been partly responsible for the decline in the oil price. On the latter, the

cyclical history of oil pricing suggests that low prices will not persist forever. It is also possible that a comprehensive agreement at the Paris climate change talks could lead to a more robust carbon price, in turn generating higher power prices. There is no doubt that falling oil prices put pressure on developers of renewables projects in the near term, but in the long run could they be a blessing in disguise?

baringa partners Stephen Nash is a senior manager at Baringa Partners, an award-winning management consultancy specialising in: energy; financial services; telecoms and media, in the UK and continental Europe. It partners with organisations when they are developing and delivering key elements of their business strategy, as well as working extensively with government and regulators providing policy and advisory services.

For further information please visit: baringa.com.

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£500m green power deal Haven Power, the specialist electricity supplier to UK businesses and part of Drax Group plc, has signed a deal with Thames Water to supply their electricity requirements in a deal worth more than £500m over five years. There is an option for two further five-year renewals that could increase the overall value of the contract to more than £1.5bn over 15 years.

Haven Power is the UK’s largest independent electricity supplier to businesses and sources its power from the Drax power plant in Selby, Yorkshire, which, as a result of its world leading biomass transformation, is now the UK’s single largest supplier of renewable energy. The deal will enable Thames Water, which already sources about 20 per cent of its electricity through self-generated renewables such as solar, wind, hydro and biogas, to meet all of its electricity needs from renewables.

Peter Bennell, Haven Power CEO, said: “It’s an exciting time for Haven Power and Thames Water – this contract shows a real dedication to a sustainable future. Thames Water’s use of renewable power is a fantastic example for other businesses to follow. From SMEs right up to large commercial and industrial businesses, our Renewable Power option is an excellent way for companies to improve their sustainability credentials – and it doesn’t cost the earth.”

Success for consortium Subsea cable and connector specialist Hydro Group, alongside its French regional partner Wenex Equipments, last year formed a Franco-Scottish consortium, which has led to the group successfully securing a £2.5million contract.

The project involves manufacturing and installation of the array cabling infrastructure on the SEM-REV marine renewable energy project 16 nautical miles offshore the city of Le Croisic on the French Atlantic coast.

Awarded by Ecole Centrale Nates (ECN), the six month contract, that commenced earlier in 2015, brings together a group of highly skilled companies led by ETPO (contract’s owner) comprising of Hydro Group, ETPO, Assystem, PSM, Tetis (ETPO subaquatic subsidiary) and Flowline Specialists. Hydro Group will install its marine renewable connectors, Hydro Bond Renewable Connector (HRC), and Power Distribution Hub (PDH) at the site later this year.

Graham Wilkie, Sales Director at Hydro Group, said: “The project is a key offshore wave energy test site, and the consortium brings together first-class equipment, technology and expertise, all recognised by ECN as offering significant benefit and flexibility to its facility.”

The highly experienced consortium will supply and install the array cable, multi connection hub and interconnection necessary for the deployment of a network of floating and wave energy generating devices, with Hydro Group specifically supplying and supporting the installation of the array cable and connector subsystem for the wave energy test facility.

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News

Quick turnaround Schlumberger is now using Exception EMS’, fast turnaround PCA ‘On-Demand’ service to improve costs, and efficiencies with rapid prototyping.

As an oilfield services company, Schlumberger employs more than 100,000 people and provides oil companies with every aspect of drilling assistance from preliminary data collection to crews, construction, maintenance, and data collection on reservoirs. With a need to achieve greater efficiencies in its build and assembly of PCA’s for its proprietary communications card - used to communicate with downhole tools on oil sites across the globe - Schlumberger approached Exception EMS in 2014 about its On Demand service. Due to time and cost issues in the past with previous contract manufacturers, the company was looking for a CEM that could provide a quality PCA turnaround service in less than the typical six to eight weeks they had been experiencing.

Schlumberger was impressed with the services provided

by Exception EMS and in January 2014 the company began working together. Using Exception EMS’ On-Demand service has meant that Schlumberger gets access to 24/7 availability from a technology driven manufacturing team, with enhanced flexibility to support rapid and complex PCB assembly services.

Importantly, Schlumberger also gets full transparency during the quotation and fulfilment cycle.

Trio of contracts Applus+, a global testing, inspection and certification company - through its division Applus+ RTD, the global leader in the provision of integrity technology services, has been awarded a trio of contracts worth AUS$22.5million for work on the Ichthys LNG Project’s onshore LNG facilities.

Herman Quakkelsteijn, Applus+ RTD manager major construction projects – Asia Pacific commented: “The contracts are a huge accomplishment for Applus+ RTD, especially given the scale of the Ichthys Project’s onshore LNG facilities. Our Darwin branch has played an integral role in our development in the region and these projects represent further growth for us here.”

The contracts were awarded by Laing O’Rourke Australia, Monadelphous Engineering Associates (MEA) and UGLKentz JV. The contracts will see Applus+ RTD provide inspection engineering, asset integrity management and advanced non destructive testing (NDT) services on two LNG tanks, one LPG tank, one butane tank and two OBSL and ISBL mechanicals.

Applus+ RTD’s Rayscan Tankscan will be used throughout the three-year contracts, which is the first time the technology will be deployed in Australia, and only the second time worldwide.

The system provides a digital radiographic inspection system that can complete a full inspection of LNG storage tanks in a single scan, producing a high-quality image of each weld.

The contract will also see Applus+ RTD provide maintenance for the anticipated 40-year life cycle of the plant, with an expected team of 60 working on the project at peak times, a combination of new and existing staff.

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your rig?

How safe is

In this piece Stuart Turnbull reviews the main risks for oil rigs and how they can be addressed

O

il and gas production is a hazardous business. The combination of physical demands and extreme working environments creates unforgiving conditions where mistakes can cost lives.

Collectively, the industry has recognised the importance of worker safety and placed significant effort into reducing safety risks on rigs, as evidenced by the sharp reduction in incidents over the last decade. The latest offshore safety figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)1 show that of the 5.5 million days worked by more than 33,000 operatives in the North Sea in 2013/14, there was just one fatality and only three fatalities in the past five years.

However, accidents do still happen.

Everyday activities such as maintenance, construction and deck operations account for 70 per cent of major injuries on rigs, with ‘struck by’, slips, trips and falls, handling and working at height being the main causes2. The result can be fractures, sprains, strains and lacerations, mainly on the upper

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and lower limbs, many of which are preventable. Major injury levels have not decreased over the past ten years, whilst rates for over three- and seven-day injuries rose for the first time in five years in 2013/1433. Although the cross-industry focus on reducing the amount of major Hydrocarbon Releases (HCR) has achieved positive results, in 2013/14 minor releases still increased by about 20 per cent4.

How should those responsible for health and safety on oilrigs address these ongoing issues?

Hitting back at ‘struck by’ injuries ‘Struck by’ injuries encompass the whole body, but some of the most serious relate to the eyes, face and head. Typical eye and face injuries can include metal splinters from cutting wire rope or hydraulic fluid sprays. Where eye hazards exist, ensure protective eyewear is compliant with EN166 and associated eye protection standards covering protective spectacles, goggles and visors. Safety spectacles with extended wraparound frames improve protection and

Health and Safety

peripheral vision. Comfort is essential so look for added wearer features such as flexible width sizes, adjustable nose bridge and ratcheting temple hinges, enabling fit and lens angle to be customised by the wearer. Anti-fog lenses help preserve vision when exertion, heat and humidity exist.

For high-hazard jobs with increased risk from flying particles or hot liquid droplets, workers will need protection from full-face visors. Heavy mechanical work will require polycarbonate visors; chemical contact will require acetate visors; electrical work will require polycarbonate visors and welding tasks will require a polycarbonate visor with an Infrared (IR/UV) level 3.0 or 5.0 lens.

When it comes to head protection, hard-hat performance is obviously the number one concern. Hard hats must conform to the EN 397: 2012 standard for industrial helmets, complying against impact and penetration tests.

User acceptance is also vital, so a snug, comfortable fit is essential and a good quality suspension (the support frame) within the hardhat is important. For a hard hat, the higher the number of suspension points - which, improves comfort and spreads the energy of an impact to the hat - the better.

Finally, ensure there are no interoperability issues when the selected head, face and eye protection need to be used simultaneously.

Out-maneuvering slips, trips and falls With rig floors frequently wet – either from weather conditions or the fluids used to wash them down – slips and subsequent trips and falls can be common hazards. In addition to physical protection, comfort, flexibility, stability, abrasion and high slip resistance are important selection criteria when selecting safety footwear. Uppers should be manufactured from a water resistant or waterproof material – ideally using smooth leather. Additionally, it is essential to select shoes featuring protective toecaps – e.g. metal-free – as well as steel or textile midsoles while ensuring good levels of ankle support and protection. And given the potential for cold environments, consider thermal linings.

Check coefficient of friction (CoF) test values. The higher the coefficient, the better the slip resistance, which ideally should be higher than the minimum requirements set out in EN ISO 20345/6/7. Footwear passing the EN slip resistance test is marked with a specific code, SRA (tested on ceramic tile wetted with dilute soap solution), SRB (tested on smooth steel with glycerol) or SRC (tested under both conditions). Shoes marked with SRC thus ensure the highest level of safety and should be selected when working in harsh environments such as rigs.

Breathe easily with protection from hydrocarbon exposure Respiratory protection is critical when it comes to hydrocarbon exposure, but what type of devices should you opt for? For those stored in deck areas, ensure they are compliant with EN1146:2005 and ISO 23269-1:2008 setting

out the performance specifications for emergency escape breathing devices (EEBD) in marine environments.

Where oxygen levels are acceptable, the contaminant is known and filterable, and the area being worked in not an immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) atmosphere, consider filtering apparatus that includes a mask and filtration device for ambient air purification. Where oxygen levels are unacceptable or unknown and the risk uncertain, opt for a compressed air isolating device with full mask, a hood or a chemical oxygen re-breather solution.

Where the risk to the worker comes from both gases and particulates a combination filter with both activated charcoal and mechanical elements is required. Other respiratory considerations will include the type of face piece according to the level of protection required and the length of time needed to escape.

For workers carrying their own protective respiratory equipment, consider their operational environment – confined spaces for example – and ensure equipment is light, compact, easy to use and quick to put on.

Getting to grips with handling hazards Rig workers’ hands are exposed to a range of mechanical, thermal and chemical hazards. Even common tasks such as holding cat line ropes - which can experience sudden and erratic load movements - require suitable protection.

Ensure gloves meet EN 420-2003 for general duties, EN388-2003 for mechanical risks and EN 374-3 for Cat 3 chemical risks (irreversible risks) in addition to offering comfort, dexterity, flexibility and grip.

Besides ensuring specialist chemical protection, which often requires support from the glove manufacturer, protecting workers’ hands against mechanical hazards is a top priority. The latest gloves combine physical protection with comfort and flexibility, are fully dipped with a nitrile foam coating for enhanced grip in both wet and dry applications and specialist cut protection from EN388 level 1 to 5. For enhanced impact protection look for products with added ‘rubberisedarmour’ on the back of the hand.

Arresting falls from height Workers at height are exposed to some of the greatest dangers on rigs, for example when climbing derrick or offset ladders. When considering Personal Fall Protection Equipment (PFPE) there are three main considerations. Firstly ‘avoidance’: can work at height be avoided, even work carried out at low height levels

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8 Guidance Marine

Guidance Marine coMpletes acquisition of arteMis froM cHl netHerlands Guidance Marine (GM) has successfully completed the full acquisition of the ARTEMIS product and brand from CHL Netherlands. ARTEMIS, first introduced to the offshore market in 1972, is the undisputed, world leading, long-range microwave position reference sensor typically used for dynamic positioning of tankers against major infrastructure at sea.

Jan Grothusen, CEO of Guidance Marine said: “This is a strategic acquisition for Guidance Marine. It extends the reach of our existing product portfolio of market leading local position reference sensors. Guidance Marine has extensive expertise in laser and microwave technology and a customer centric attitude. This makes us the right people to build on more than 40 years of successful ARTEMIS history. We will bring our technical and commercial skills, processes and innovation to an exciting new generation of ARTEMIS products.�

Guidance Marine continues to work with CHL Netherlands in close partnership to best support ongoing manufacture and development of the ARTEMIS product and wide-reaching transition arrangements are in place to ensure minimum market disruption during the process. With immediate effect GM can offer ARTEMIS with a standard three-year warranty and its worldwide customer service.

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Health and Safety

where falling may not be considered an issue? Secondly, ‘prevention’: using collective fall protection to secure a group of people. Thirdly mitigation: using PFPE as the last resort to minimise the effects of a fall. The goal here is to reduce the potential of a fall (restraint) and the effects (fall arrest).

Select PFPE designed and manufactured by a company that understands the risks faced by rig workers. Also bear in mind that the PFPE system includes three physical parts – an anchor point (permanent or temporary), body wear (harness, restraint belts) and connecting device (self-retractable lifelines, shock-absorbing lanyards, rope grabs).

Systems should be designed and installed to reduce both the swinging effect and free fall, avoiding interference with the draw-works or elevators during operations. Ensure tie off at all times when workers are transferring from the derrick ladder to the board or basket.

Before selecting fall arrest equipment, consider the user, their environment and specific application. The service life of PFPE varies greatly depending on factors like frequency and conditions of use, so ensure pre-use inspections are undertaken before every use.

Blocking out noise induced hearing loss For high-noise zones such as drilling or plant rooms, reliable communication and safety are life-critical necessities.

Solutions will depend on the working environment, noise levels and length of exposure.

Rig-relevant hearing solutions include intelligent hearing protection and communication systems offering features such as automatic fit check to ensure the ear plug is properly fitted and warning the wearer if it isn’t. These systems also include real-time monitoring of the worker’s protected and unprotected noise exposure levels, digital noise reduction technology and adaptive hearing protection that changes with changing noise levels.

Ultimately, rig workers are exposed to many different

hazards, from slips, trips and falls to extreme noise. Statistics show that there is room for improvement when it comes to ensuring their health and safety. With this in mind, taking a fresh look at the latest innovations can help drive accidents and injury levels down further. We recommend that all safety programmes – both the overall safety strategy and the solutions deployed – are regularly reviewed for the protection of workers. By being proactive in testing and using the latest PPE technology and solutions, regularly reviewing training and reinforcing the message about the importance of head to toe protection, safety managers are able to gain worker insight, feedback and buy in.

All references: http://www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/statistics/hsr1314.pdf

honeywell safety products Stuart Turnbull is interim European sales director at Honeywell Safety Products (HSP), a global manufacturer of leading personal protective equipment (PPE) and provider of safety solutions. HSP helps company employees make safer decisions on their own and build an enduring culture of safety. With world class brands such as Honeywell, Howard Leight, Miller, North, KCL, Salisbury, Otter, and Timberland Pro, HSP offers a full range of quality PPE. For further information please visit: honeywellsafety.com

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rewards Reap the

Paul Taylor offers the essential guide to talent sustainability

O

rganisations are reliant on their ability to embrace expertise and achieve competitive differentiation. However, the process industries are sitting on a ‘demographic time bomb’. Veterans with comprehensive knowledge and vital skills either in engineering, project planning, scheduling or operations management are soon to disappear from the workplace through retirement. So, what steps can companies take to mitigate skills shortages and help sustain their long-term future?

It is time for businesses to go back to basics and adopt the skills lifecycle methodology. This is an integrated system Below Paul Taylor, of T.A.L.E.N.T. (Training, Academia, Legacy, Evaluation, senior vice Networking, Tools), whereby companies can implement best president, practice to mitigate the loss of important skills and ensure international sales, the talent pipeline remains robust for the long-term. While EURA, APAC, MENA, AspenTech some organisations are good at certain aspects of human resourcing, there is still disconnection between all the vital areas of the business. This is not a linear process – it is an on-going dynamic practice that helps improve operational efficiencies and maximise profitability.

Best practice for talent development, retention and utilisation: 66 Implement continuous Training

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66 Build relations with Academia 66 Safeguard the skills Legacy 66 Enforce the disciplines of Evaluation 66 Encourage the art of Networking 66 Provide cutting-edge Tools The T.A.L.E.N.T. methodology revolves around core integrated disciplines, which companies can simultaneously manage and easily apply to their business, either regionally or internationally.

Training In order to address the skills shortage, several companies are taking greater measures to conduct their own in-house training and graduate programmes. For example, MOL PIMS Academy makes it possible for young graduates to quickly acquire the key technical competences and practical experience necessary to become effective supply chain professionals in the petroleum industry. Other examples include, Exxon Mobil who set up the Sakhalin Technical Training Centre, running internationally accredited training programmes to allow it to raise the share of Russian nationals working on the Sakhalin-1 project to 90 per cent by 2012.

The cost of training new or existing engineering talent is often a point of contention. On the one hand, this requires

The TALENT model

time and investment, which comes with high employer expectations for immediate business returns. On the other hand, the loss of expertise due to the inability to develop skills has far wider implications. Companies need to keep pace with new techniques, product upgrades to systems and demonstrate market understanding in order to meet customer expectations. Training is a crucial part of nurturing and retaining talent. This needs to be an on-going process – if you don’t train, there’s no gain.

Academia Developing close links between industry and academia is a vital pipeline to ‘turning on the talent tap’. Many companies have successfully sponsored graduate programmes or initiatives to encourage engineering talent. For example, TOTAL created its own university in 2005 followed by an education department in 2010. In the United Arab Emirates, where it is a requirement to employ 75 per cent local nationals by 2014, the company created the Total Academy and the first group of students graduated in 2012.

AspenTech, a leading provider of optimisation software, recently established the AspenTech Academy, a corporate advisory group of world-renowned university professors. Its charter is to advise and guide AspenTech on the development

of future aspenONE software products and is a catalyst for interaction between the world's leading process industry software company and top researchers and educators in the chemical engineering academic community.

Helping university professors educate students to better understand engineering technology and gain insights to overall operational challenges and market trends will make the transition from academia to industry much easier for graduates. If companies take the lead to work with academia more closely then the next generation of engineers will be prepared for key roles and have a head-start when entering the workplace.

Legacy A crucial strategy for process industry companies is to establish effective ways of capturing and retaining knowledge with the ability to pass it on to the next generation. The market has for some time recognised the growing issues of a skills gap where veteran engineers have retired or on the verge of leaving the profession.

According to international trade body the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the average age of a petroleum worker is 51. Nearly 60 per cent are 45 or older. This represents a peak in the profile of existing workers and indicates that

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There is a clear need for a sustained approach to capturing, nurturing and retaining knowledge for the long-term future of the process industries. T.A.L.E.N.T. is a model that is scalable and can be used as a guide to address skills issues that exist in the industry today. This is not a linear journey – it is an on-going dynamic process that helps improve operational efficiencies and maximise profitability

approximately 40 per cent of the workforce will be lost over the next decade. In the E&C market, larger companies are growing either organically or via acquisition. The combination of experienced engineers retiring and younger talent being poached means the stronger are becoming stronger – the weaker are becoming weaker.

Employers continually drive organisational performance to deliver high return on investment, but it is remarkable how little is done to legislate for the loss of expertise due these retiring personnel. Handing down skills efficiently allows younger engineers to learn quickly and avoids ‘the wisdom walking out of the door’. It’s time to legislate for a better system of talent legacy. Therefore, make plans to retain the knowledge, secure the expertise and maximise business growth potential.

Evaluation Engineering excellence is a crucial business differentiator for many small to medium sized companies. Large operators are under enormous pressure today to meet tighter project timetables. However, the process of evaluating staff performance and setting clear goals is often an under estimated discipline. Sometimes the practice of establishing clearly defining targets and reviewing career goals can be conducted with little attention in a highly pressured, time

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constrained environment. Evaluation is a two-way process.

It is an opportunity for the employer to assess performance and acknowledge added-value achievements and for the employee to express viewpoints and benchmark their skills against the industry standards to identify areas for improvement. Evaluation also builds loyalty. Implementing comprehensive programmes across the main areas of the business and assigning key business performance indicators helps to assess results. Through transparent metrics and realistic goal setting, both employers and employees can set clear expectations to best manage career aspirations.

Companies need to constantly measure workforce performance and analyse measurements to keep talent strategies aligned to business goals and deliver results.

Crucially, the process of evaluation ensures staff are adding immediate value to projects and maintaining safety standards that deliver reliable, quality engineering to tackle complex projects.

Networking Many companies succeed in business by building strong networks with industry leaders and professional institutions.

Greater interaction brings greater benefits. Both individuals and employers will gain at all career stages. Ultimately, it is the proactive engagement of companies with eminent

The TALENT model

aspects of life. The use of intuitive optimisation software, for example, helps to improve decision-making and provides younger engineers with easy-to-use functionality including, state-of-the art visual analysis and powerful process design to reduce energy usage, minimise capital operating costs and improve product yield.

Many companies have adopted AspenTech’s aspenONE software to achieve operational excellence increasing capacity, improving margins, reducing costs, becoming more energy efficient, ensuring safety and shrinking their carbon footprint. With aspenONE, new and occasional users have become proficient faster and experienced users can do more. This is critical for process industry companies facing workforce development and skills shortages.

Process optimisation software helps to build efficiencies in the processes undertaken by engineers, so the development process of less skilled operators can use the tools to achieve the necessary tasks.

Conclusion

leaders, government and industry bodies that will help to nurture and reward chemical engineers across oil and gas, chemicals, manufacturing, engineering, construction and much more. Industry bodies, such as IChemE for example, build and sustain an active international professional community, united by a commitment to qualifications and standards that foster engineering excellence.

Networking helps connect the right people to discuss how to develop innovative ideas and feasible solutions that will address the increasing needs of the oil, gas and petrochemical industries and strengthen a collaborative approach to developing professional talent within the industry. From trade associations to industry events, trade communications to social media, networking nurtures positive interaction and entrepreneurialism.

Tools Investment in technology is a strategic basis for harnessing talent and building expertise in key disciplines. Essentially, providing staff with the appropriate tools will enable individuals to demonstrate their skills and efficiently meet the tasks aligned to the company goals.

Today’s generation of engineers embrace technology having witnessed a world where the use of software, mobile devices and cloud-based solutions are prevalent in all

There is a clear need for a sustained approach to capturing, nurturing and retaining knowledge for the long-term future of the process industries. T.A.L.E.N.T. is a model that is scalable and can be used as a guide to address skills issues that exist in the industry today. This is not a linear journey – it is an on-going dynamic process that helps improve operational efficiencies and maximise profitability.

If we are to mitigate a skills shortfall across the process industries, then we need to apply best practice to the process of talent sustainability – from developing skills that will model our plants, through to operational management of highly technical and complex projects.

The next generation of talented engineers will build our communities, develop infrastructure, design and construct new roads, inspire creativity in chemicals and manage our manufacturing industries.

Executing an integrated T.A.L.E.N.T. model and aligning it with the overall business strategy will allow process industry businesses to reap the rewards of enhanced loyalty and productivity, establishing a clear vision for transforming the way companies optimise their biggest asset – people.

ASPENTECH Paul Taylor is senior vice president, international sales, EURA, APAC, MENA, AspenTech, and is a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team. AspenTech is the world's leading supplier of software that optimises process manufacturing.

The company’s software tackles the most complex process manufacturing challenges, creating value and improving profitability for our customers.

For further information please visit: aspentech.com

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innovation Pioneering

As our push for tapping new reserves of oil and gas increase, a new scanning device promises to make the mapping of the Earth’s subsurface more accurate and reliable than ever before and mitigates risk of non-essential hole drilling. Gordon Stove explains

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Below Gordon Stove, managing director of Adrok Limited

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ime-honoured methodology exploring the potential for new oil and gas fields remains expensive and time consuming with accurate pinpointing of a mineral rich reserve still not widely available. There is, however, a general consensus that a need for a less disruptive method of exploration would minimise risk and increase the likelihood of successful exploration. For oil and gas, and other minerals, this means a suitable technology whereby sites can be dismissed without the need for expensive and time-consuming techniques and only places with a higher probability of successful recovery can be focused on.

Today’s society is heavily reliant on energy and natural resources that drive the technological innovation of our planet.

Whilst there is an urgent need to develop reliable, affordable and effective energy sources, we still have an ever-increasing demand for the discovery and efficient use of current known resources, such as oil and gas, in a more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective manner, by using

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remote sensing technology.

We are becoming more reliant on remote sensing techniques, ranging through various spectrums, to assist in the discovery and delineation of such resources. The field of remote sensing is broad and has a variety of applications, from environmental monitoring to military imaging and use by civilian businesses.

For example: 66 Acoustic: Seismic to explore deep into the subsurface to help map rock layers 66 Electromagnetic: low frequency measurements of dispersion of electrical current into the ground 66 Infrared: remote monitoring of temperature change 66 Visible: imaging of earth’s surface 66 v-ray: down hole mapping of uranium depletion used to map sand and shale formations 66 Gravity: measurement of subtle changes in the Earth’s gravitational field.

With respect to mapping oil and gas, and in terms of

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our ability to coarsely map vast volumes of the Earth’s subsurface, seismic and electromagnetic techniques are typically used. The data acquired can be used to find anomalous regions that, combined with other sensor outputs, can be used to predict, say, the potential for an oil reservoir. Adrok has based its technology – Atomic Dielectric Resonance (ADR) on being able to provide more accurate mapping of the subsurface.

However, although these technologies are widely accepted across the industry, they do suffer from certain downsides, such as poor depth resolution, difficulty in interpretation, large costs and environmental issues with regard to acquisition of data.

A very wide part of the electro-magnetic spectrum is available to remote sensing scientists, giving access to information on scales from the ‘cosmic’ down to the ‘micro’.

However, the study of the earth’s sub-surface has generally been left to low technology techniques such as seismic or physical coring of areas of interest.

The ADR scanner works by sending a narrow beam of energy into the ground using microwaves and radio waves.

As it travels downward, the energy character of the beam is altered by the various rock layers it encounters. The beam is continually reflected back by these same rock layers and is recorded at surface.

The recorded data quantify how rocks and minerals, including hydrocarbons, interact with the beam as it passes through them and pinpoints their composition.

The technology measures the dielectric permittivity of the subsurface as well as characterising the nature of the rock types based on analysis of both the spectroscopic and resonant energy responses.

A key driver in pursuing development of ADR technology is to reduce the number of drill holes required to delineate a subsurface mineral or hydrocarbon reserve. To do this, laboratory analyses of rock specimens and data from training holes are used to guide the interpretation and analyses of the ADR results. As more samples are entered into Adrok’s

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Commercially, Adrok’s survey service could help reduce exploration budgets by assisting in the decision-making process of drill locations. Adrok’s technology has great potential in helping oil energy service companies mitigate risks of drilling ‘non-essential’ holes

proprietary library, the confidence in the results will increase.

Another benefit to this approach is that ADR requires no land-use permitting as use of the technology offers a non-destructive, environmentally friendly way of remotely deducing subsurface geology. Since 2007, this ADR methodology has been successfully deployed as a geophysical service by Adrok in the exploration and appraisal of subsurface geological structures and targets (platinum group metals, zinc, nickel, copper, massive sulphides, uranium, and hydrocarbon deposits).

Commercially, Adrok’s survey service could help reduce exploration budgets by assisting in the decision-making process of drill locations. Adrok’s technology has great potential in helping oil energy service companies mitigate risks of drilling ‘non-essential’ holes.

Both seismic and borehole cutting are potentially environmentally disruptive, requiring the use of percussive forces for seismic and road infrastructure for bringing drilling rigs onto a site of interest for cutting cores. And for delicate sites in need of preservation, such as perhaps, areas of archaeologically importance, or as part of the built environment, physically damaging technologies are less than ideal for investigating such areas.

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Adrok’s scanning device has been fully designed with a strong ‘passion for innovation’, which has grown from the founding inventor Dr Colin Stove’s vast experience in a variety of remote sensing techniques (from seismic, photogrammetry, through to both microwave and visible satellite imagery). Through many years’ use of these methods, Dr Stove saw a need to design and develop a new technique that could provide both penetration through and identification of materials.

Although the ideas behind ADR have been developing over the past 40 years, Adrok has been working on commercialisation of the technology during the past 15 years, the company being set up on the back of a patent application.

The first few years of Adrok’s life were spent further researching, consulting and developing the best application for the technology and it was soon realised that the best route to market was mapping of the earth’s subsurface – ie, geophysics.

Identifying the need to produce better, more detailed maps/logs of the earth’s sub-surface, Adrok combined this need with its technology design to produce an entirely new concept – the ‘Virtual Borehole’ – to provide nondestructively from the surface, a classification of the rock layers and fluid content of the subsurface.

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A Virtual Borehole is generated by acquiring data over a localised area of the Earth’s surface. The data captured is then analysed, and the energy, frequency and permittivity calculated.

In order to compare the gathered sensor response to what is found in the ground, Adrok utilises one or both of the following methods: 66 Correlation of gathered signal against known borehole 66 And/or by taking rock cores from the ground and placing them in its laboratory chamber and interrogating them with an ADR beam.

66 A database of these rock types is generated, and can then be compared and correlated against the field acquired data.

The output is a set of logs that can be used by the client to reduce the amount of physical drilling, thus reducing the client’s energy and monetary expenditure.

Complex theoretical modelling has also been developed in-house to model the ADR beam’s properties and to predict how it penetrates the subsurface and interacts with different materials. Combined with physical prototyping, technology improvements are generated and rigorously tested prior to becoming part of the ADR system.

In terms of geothermal energy sources, Adrok is currently conducting a collaborative research project with

scientists at the University of Glasgow’s department of engineering, funded through the UK Technology Strategy Board. The project aims to develop a methodology and tool for mapping possible sources of geothermal energy, typically from finding temperature gradients in granites at great depth.

adrok limited Gordon Stove is MD of Adrok Ltd. Adrok was founded by Dr. Colin Stove, the inventor of the technology. Since then, in addition to government funding, Adrok has invested over £3 million to advance and commercialise the technology. Adrok launched its first commercial services offering, called “Predrilling Virtual Logging”, in the summer of 2007. Adrok’s Atomic Dielectric Resonance (ADR) Scanner uses radio waves and microwaves to locate, identify and map subsurface natural resources including oil and gas, metallic ore deposits and industrial minerals.

Unlike other 3D seismic technologies, ADR uses spectroscopy to measure the wavelengths and identify minerals and rock types in the subsurface.

For further information please visit: adrokgroup.com

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performance Maximising

What now for training and employee performance management, following retrenchment? By Shirley Barnes

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Below Shirley Barnes, client relationship director, Dinamiks

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ith ongoing volatility in the price of oil and gas and retrenchment in the industry, what can operators do to maximise the performance of staff and therefore the performance of the business, while reducing risk caused by human error?

Or, after the axe has fallen, what next? Productivity rises of several percentage points [sometimes much more] are achievable across industry sectors where improvements in productivity have been implemented and then maintained after year one.

A formal framework that tracks an individual employee’s performance [and, optionally, attitude and behaviour] - and ability to meet objectives and targets - is a starting point, particularly where it highlights where training is required and ensures it supports the employee in meeting those objectives and targets.

The same framework can incorporate a competency framework, which is a specific set of competencies (covering

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how good staff are at given tasks) that relate to a job and the goals of the business. A competency framework can be used to define the blueprint for the best employee performance a business wants to achieve, and will comprise a number of competencies applicable to job roles. Hand in glove with it must be a clear understanding among staff of what best performance is. That understanding is the benchmark used for assessing, or measuring and analysing, the performance of an individual, team, project, department - or the entire user organisation.

A business that does not specify an expected standard of performance to its employees will be one where judgement by managers may be more subjective than fact-based, possibly leading to reduced, not enhanced, productivity. An industry standard competency framework provides a basis for performance appraisals and the development of staff, by training, mentoring or coaching.

A competency framework can play a pivotal role in disaster prevention, including incidents leading to death,

Employee performance

own server. Whichever the organisation uses, the solution can produce analysis in real-time and pinpoint areas of weakness that require urgent or medium (and perhaps longterm) attention.

If a company uses the integrated route, thereby linking training to objectives and performance and other targets, what does it involve and what is at the heart of it? It should involve annual or more frequent employee performance appraisals, which can be ongoing for a time if the business wants to get the most detailed current picture of the performance of its workforce and see where, or if, performance needs to be improved and training introduced.

Where an organisation has a geographically dispersed workforce it may prefer an ‘always on’ cloud-based (online) system over an approach located on its own servers. Being online, a cloud-based system can be accessed from anywhere in the world via an internet connection, and at any time.

Using industry best practice tick box questions, the system should aim to use as little time as possible of the person delegated with the management of it and by the employees answering the questions.

The answers are analysed automatically by the system to give the manager an instant snapshot of the workforce’s performance and competencies, and training requirements, if any.

Employee Development Planning

injury, shutdowns and punitive financial actions. If training is to be implemented, should it be delivered as a standalone activity or part of an integrated employee performance and talent management approach that supports a competency framework? The standalone route can be useful for plugging glaringly obvious gaps in skill sets, but, medium to longer term, a full overview of employees’ performance - and training needs - offers the most well-informed and robust route to optimal business performance and ROI.

Paperless Even short-term, using paperless ways of measuring and analysing employee performance, a comprehensive picture can be built up of a workforce’s capabilities and whether those capabilities are meeting the requirements of the business or need to be developed. Results also quickly show if staff have the required understanding of what best performance is.

Those ways are either cloud-based or on an organisation’s

Employee Development Planning, or EDP, can operate at the heart of the system if the user organisation chooses and is particularly effective where the integrated approach is utilised.

EDP requires more activity than simple box ticking, and therefore, being interactivity-based, helps to reinforce training.

What makes EDP interactive and therefore a useful addition to the training toolkit? It has a ‘notes’ function where employees undergoing training can comment on it at any stage of the training. The manager can view the comments and adjust the training accordingly, if necessary, and hold a meeting (face-to-face, in person or by video link) with any employees if there is a disconnect between expectation and result, or what the employees think of the training and how they are progressing with it.

Feedback by employees on training can also help them to ‘buy-in’ to training and give them a sense of ownership and control over it, which between them can also help with its reinforcement.

In addition to employees keeping a record about their training received, including their own rating of it and the results they attained - and why they rate it as they have their manager can also comment. The objective of such activity by both employee and manager in the notes function is to ensure the benefits of training are realised as fully as possible and the performance of staff (and therefore of the

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Training will benefit an organisation the most where there is a clear understanding among staff as to what best performance is, because that understanding is the benchmark by which the performance of an individual/team/project/department or entire organisation is assessed

business) optimised to the maximum.

The notes, with appraisals, can also show where, in the organisation, employees who are underperforming are likely to perform better in a different job role (see below).

With EDP, and the competency framework of which it is part, an important difference arises with traditional training - focusing more on employees’ performance rather than time spent in traditional training, i.e. EDP and the framework are learner, as distinct from delivery, focused.

nature and therefore able to handle different jobs – a crucial factor, perhaps, during times of retrenchment.

In addition to being embedded throughout employee performance management, EDP can link seamlessly to talent management objectives, giving a truly dynamic, real time and more holistic approach to the management of employee performance, upskilling, talent and competencies - and conformance to standards, regulations and new legislation.

Self service High performers Research shows that there is a tendency for people in classroom training to progress at the speed of the slowest member. The opposite applies in competency-based learning, where those of a higher ability progress more quickly, thereby either reinforcing their stature as high performers or helping them become high, or higher, performers.

Some staff might underperform because they are unsuited to their job role and/or have a resistance to change, while still being valuable employees, willing to be making a contribution to the business and progress within it. EDP not only helps identify them and the sort of roles they are best suited to, it can also identify those staff who are adaptable in

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To make optimal use of EDP (and the integrated approach) the culture of the user organisation needs to be attuned, or synchronised, to its self-service approach.

In the past, training and other organisational initiatives were seen as being ‘top down’ activities, led by management.

Management was proactive, employees, anticipating instructions from management, passive. That is changing, as self-service evolves and gathers pace and employees take more responsibility for their actions including training and the overall contribution they make to the business.

User organisations of the EDP approach to training say they place great emphasis on training (or ‘learning’) because it enables them to meet all the specifications of

Employee performance

their existing contracts - while future proofing contracts and framework agreements by being prepared in advance with the competencies and skills that might be required.

I.e. those users train staff in advance of contracts expected to be awarded and keep a full record of the training within EDP, while linking the training to the corporate objectives, including those regarding compliance.

In addition to ensuring all contracts are met to spec, EDP similarly addresses contracts that are subject to change by ensuring employees are up to speed with all skills and competencies required by a contract – actual, possible and changing. The emphasis therefore is on closing all possible skill gaps and prioritising employees who demonstrate flexibility/adaptability and a continuous willingness to learn.

In conclusion In parallel with a competency framework and deliveryfocused learning, EDP helps to align staff, management included, to the objectives and business goals of the user organisation. Each aspect of an employee’s performance can be attended to (and optimised, if necessary). As well as an individual’s attitude and behaviour being analysed, if required, their competencies and level of conformance to

the organisations values can be addressed in order to further improve performance and compliance.

EDP is particularly useful in those organisations when, at year end, a performance appraisal is carried out among staff to see, in easily assimilated graphical form, how individual employees or teams have progressed over the previous 12 months (or however long it has been since the last appraisal) and how they have responded to any training provided.

Training will benefit an organisation the most where there is a clear understanding among staff as to what best performance is, because that understanding is the benchmark by which the performance of an individual/team/ project/department or entire organisation is assessed.

Although EDP is part of a generic but customisable performance and competency framework solution, its capabilities are unique to each user organisation; they are created from requirements specific to the organisation’s business goals and deployed to ensure employees’ personal development plans are met - and that those plans meet those goals. Goals should not focus solely on business performance and related targets. They might also involve an understanding of an operator’s values and, of course, risk; failure in these areas can lead to costly financial penalties in addition to injury and death and impacts on share price.

An integrated and paperless approach to training gives clarity in addition to producing a raft of data that can be viewed as internal business intelligence; the more of that there is, the better it can help the organisation, provided it is deployed intelligently.

If the markets are correct, operators in oil and gas face an uncertain few years (or months, if optimists are to be believed) during which they will face the challenge of how to maximise the efforts of depleted workforces, retain shareholder value and seek to improve margins still further.

Time perhaps, to see how a competency framework can best be introduced, or enhanced if one is already in place, and then how the potential of operators’ human capital can be realised?

Dinamiks Shirley Barnes is client relationship director, Dinamiks Ltd. Established in 2010, Dinamiks Ltd was an early adopter of cloud computing for corporates and SMEs. Shirley has extensive experience of managing software and IT projects and liaising with customer organisations both nationally and globally. As customer relationship director of Dinamiks Ltd she oversees all elements of customer support for Dinamiks, the company’s cloud-based offering for managing the performance, appraisals and training (via employee development planning, or EDP) of customer employees.

For further information please visit: dinamiks.com shirley@dinamiks.com

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31

European A moment of truth for

power

Henry Edwardes-Evans takes a look at the German renewables market, and how this form of energy could be integrated into conventional energy-only markets – giving gas-fired units some hope of a future balancing role

I

Below Henry Edwardes-Evans, associate managing editor, Platts Power in Europe

32

t is fair to say that Enel chief executive Francesco Starace is not a fan of Brussels’ energy policy. Facing the press at the Italian utility’s investor day in London on March 18, Starace said current distortions in wholesale and renewable electricity markets ruled out any investment that carried a hint of merchant risk.

Enel likes to do things in style, flying in dozens of assistants and foreign correspondents to its investor presentation, laying on breakfast and lunch for the assembled journalists and analysts. This year, however, there was a spectre at the feast in the form of a six billion euro impairment loss. The black hole in Enel’s 2014 accounts included a €3 billion cut in the value of up-for-sale Slovak utility Slovenske elektrarne, and a €2 billion hit in the value of Enel's conventional generation assets in Italy, nobbled by low power prices, waning demand and growing wind and solar output. No surprise, then, that Starace said Enel would not be building any new fossil-fired power plant in Europe

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while there was an absence of long-term price visibility.

Similar messages from Europe’s big utilities this year have all sought to placate investors tired of the sound of the shutters coming down on conventional plant assets.

Irsching shock While the sector is used to this by now, it still came as a shock when German utility E.ON announced March 30 that it planned to close its 550-MW Irsching-4 and 846-MW Irsching-5 combined cycle gas turbine plants in Bavaria in 2016. These units came on line in Q3 2009 and Q2 2010.

They are top-of-the-class 60 per cent efficient peaking generators, representing €500 million-worth of Siemens’ best kit with an operational life of 25 years.

Two points are worth making. Firstly, the timing of this announcement is significant. Germany is looking, reluctantly, at the need for capacity payments, a strategic reserve or some way of compensating controllable, quick-response back-up plants. The government favours a re-designed energy-only

Renewables

wholesale market with sharper pricing signals, but in the meantime a whole raft of distressed German generators are threatening closures. E.ON’s announcement underlined that even new, flexible assets are at risk.

Which brings us to a second point: this is no bluff, on an economic basis and under existing market design, these plants should indeed close. German forward power prices do not warrant a strategy of toughing it out until nuclear and lignite plants close in the early 2020s, when it is reasonable to assume tighter capacity margins might start to inflate prices again.

As for the prompt market, this is where renewables are truly laying waste to returns. On March 31, German dayahead baseload power prices dropped to their lowest level for a working day in over ten years.

A windy, sunny Spring has seen record wind and solar output levels, rising close to 40-GW on the last day of the month. The result was a day-ahead price of €15.75/MWh for baseload and €20.75/MWh for peak.

Platts German Forward Assessments (Eur/MWh), March 30, 2015

Baseload

Peak

Cal 2016

32.05 - 32.55

40.55 - 41.05

Cal 2017

31.50 - 32.00

40.25 - 40.75

Cal 2018

31.15 - 31.65

40.00 - 40.50

Source: Platts

Stellar growth for renewables German solar capacity additions may have slowed to a trickle in recent months, but total installed capacity stands at 38.46 GW – it’s a huge dispersed fleet now, larger in aggregate than any other power source in the country. In April the country starts trialling its first capacity auctions for the technology, before rolling out the concept for other renewable technologies. This should set solar on track to hit a target ‘corridor’ of 2.4-2.6 GW of new plant every year.

Renewables’ combined generation accounted for 26.2 per cent of gross German electricity generation in 2014, beating

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33

lignite-fired generation into second place. Biomass, wind and solar power are established big hitters. Coal, lignite, nuclear, gas – the conventional techs are increasingly playing a supporting role.

German wind goes from strength to strength, defying expectation last year with 4,750 MW in capacity additions, 58 per cent more than in 2013 and the biggest annual gain on record. Wind output last year met almost ten per cent of German consumption.

The sector is fully mature, illustrated by the fact over 1,100-MW of the additions related to re-powering of existing wind farms with more powerful turbines.

The outlook for 2015 is for a net increase in wind capacity of 3.5 GW-to-4 GW, followed by a decline in 2016, albeit remaining at a high level, according to a Deutsche Windguard report.

Coming late to the scene, German offshore wind capacity has reached the one GW mark as installations in the North Sea and the Baltic more than doubled in 2014. Over two GW of offshore wind projects are in advanced stages of construction, but grid connection is progressing slowly and the expense of this form of generation is definitely a drawback – making it the preserve of the larger utilities.

Scarcity pricing With renewables growth comes volatility. Transmission system operators are understandably nervous about grid stability and want sufficient backup.

The question is how best to provide this. As noted, conventional generators want capacity payments. The German government is far from convinced, and is minded to improve current energy-only market design, augmented perhaps by a limited ‘strategic reserve’ system of around four GW of new, quick-response generation (most likely gas-fired) and demand response (consumers ramping down).

Capacity markets are essentially a national response to perceived wholesale energy-only market failure. By contracting capacity to be on standby at all times, these mechanisms drain risk and so price volatility from short-term power markets. With no volatility there is no signal to invest, prompting further intervention and all the unintended consequences that follow.

Speaking in London, Enel’s Starace characterised capacity markets as ‘aspirin to treat the fever, not the disease.’

“We have overcapacity now because ten years ago there was no long-term signal telling investors to stop building,” he said. “And we are going to suffer in ten, 12 years’ time because

German electricity generation 2013-2014

2013 TWh

2014 TWh

2013 % share

2014 % share

Lignite

160.9

155.8

25.4

25.4

Nuclear

97.3

97.1

15.4

15.8

Coal

121.7

109

19.2

17.8

Gas

67.5

58.3

10.7

9.5

Oil products

7.2

6

1.1

1

Renewables

152.4

160.6

24.1

26.2

Other

26.2

27.2

4.1

4.3

Gross generation

633.2

614

Gross electricity consumption 599.4

578.5

Share of renewables in electricity consumption

25.4

27.8

2013 TWh

2014 TWh

2014 % share of total renewables

% change on previous year

Wind onshore

50.8

54.7

34

7.6

Wind offshore

0.9

1.3

0.8

45.1

Hydro

23

20.5

12.8

-10.9

Biomass

41.2

43

26.8

4.5

Solar photovoltaic

31

34.9

21.7

12.6

Household waste

5.4

6.1

3.8

12.7

Geothermal

0.1

0.1

0.1

50

Total

152.4

160.6

100

5.4

Source: BDEW

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ENERGY,oil&gas

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Renewables

nobody is building now for the same reason - no signal.”

Wholesale power markets themselves need sharpening, Europe’s big utilities argue. First and foremost renewables need to be integrated, accepting balance responsibility and losing the privileges of priority dispatch and priority access.

Then the role of grid operators contracting capacity to balance the system needs to be rolled back, allowing the market to respond to scarcity pricing much closer to realtime. Regulators need to focus on implementing the cross-border intraday markets that will help this happen.

It’s a huge ask – but Germany appears to be listening and a moment of truth approaches: will Berlin re-boot the German wholesale power market and give scarcity pricing a chance to work?

Traders argue that the market can deliver security of supply more efficiently than top-down, belts-and-braces regulation. Policymakers seem to agree but are unlikely to

resist intervening with some form of capacity support to make absolutely sure that the lights don’t go out.

Platts Henry Edwardes-Evans is associate managing editor, Platts Power in Europe. Platts is a leading global provider of energy, petrochemicals, metals and agriculture information and a premier source of benchmark prices for the physical and futures markets.

Platts' news, pricing, analytics, commentary and conferences help customers make better-informed trading and business decisions and help the markets operate with greater transparency and efficiency. A free trial of Platts’ Market Data Direct can be accessed via http://trial.platts.com/market-data-direct.

For further information please visit: platts.com

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35

lean Clean, green and

Below John Brace, CEO Northland Power

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With over 25 years of experience

as a successful power producer, Northland Power develops, builds, owns and operates sustainable power generation projects within Canada as well as internationally. The business was established as Canada’s first independent power producer in 1987 and has since achieved a remarkable growth trajectory. Northland Power has been publicly traded since 1997 and today operates more than 20 facilities in Canada and Europe that produce electricity from cleanburning natural gas and renewable resources such as wind, solar and biomass. energy-oil-gas.com

Since its inception Northland Power has grown into a market-leader in sustainable power generation, under the stewardship of its senior leadership and management team, which embodies over 200 years of combined experience within the energy industry.

Operationally, Northland Power has remained lean despite revenues of approximately $760 million, with its core team of 115 staff based at its Toronto headquarters and a further 190 operations personnel across its facilities working to ensure the company’s vision of sustainable development. Today Northland

PROFILE

Power owns or retains a net economic interest in 1313 MW of operational generating capacity with a further 972 MW (682 MW net to Northland) of generating capacity presently under construction.

Historically, Northland Power has produced the majority of its energy through the efficient combustion of natural gas. Today the bulk of the energy generated by the company is produced by the combustion of national gas in gas turbine plants, including district generation plants, cogeneration and cogeneration with biomass. As the company has continued to grow and expand

Northland Power

its global presence it has diversified to increase its capacity in renewable technologies including solar and wind, both onshore and offshore.

Presently Northland Power is heavily involved in the development of the Gemini and Nordsee One offshore wind farms, both located in the North Sea. Located some 85 km off the coast of Groningen, Netherlands in a location that features highly favourable seabed conditions as well as a strong reliable wind resource, once operational the Gemini project will represent the largest offshore wind farm in the North Sea ENERGY,oil&gas

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37

Marine ingenuity

Offshore Wind Projects In just two words, marine ingenuity, we express that we are passionate dredging and marine contractors with a worldwide innovative approach to meet your challenges.

Our people - who manage a versatile fleet - specialise in dredging, marine engineering and offshore projects (oil, gas and wind).

www.vanoord.com

Sustainable EPC and Marine Contractors

Dredging

Offshore Oil & Gas

PROFILE

as well as one of the largest in the world. “We are the majority owner of Gemini, as we own 60 per cent of the project. Gemini is a 600mW project with a capital cost of €2.8 billion and our partners include Siemens at 20 per cent, and Van Oord at ten per cent. Van Oord also happens to be the contractor that is building the project and Siemens is supplying the turbines for it. Finally the Dutch utility company, HVC owns the remaining ten per cent,” explains

Northland Power

Northland Power CEO, John Brace. “The project is well advanced now. We are currently building the connection to the grid on land, which means that we have to build two 100km long export cables. These are largely manufactured and installation is under way. We also have to build two offshore high-voltage platforms to collect the energy from the wind farm and manufacturing of those is well underway and they are due to sail out for installation in August ENERGY,oil&gas

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PROFILE

2015. The in-field cables and transition pieces are under construction and the monopiles are almost all fabricated. The turbine production has just started and the first blade came of out of its mould during May 2015.”

With work progressing well on the Gemini offshore wind farm, installation of the monopiles is due to commence during July 2015. Gemini is expected to open in 2017 and will generate 600MW of power, meeting the needs of 1.5 million people and reducing the annual CO2 emissions of the Netherlands by 1.25 million tons. The project also supports the Netherlands EU mandate for the provision of 20 per cent

Northland Power

renewable energy by 2020, as such a 15-year power purchase agreement is currently in place with the Netherlands government.

In addition to the impressive scope and scale of the Gemini project, Northland Power is proud of its groundbreaking precedent in financing within the offshore sector, as John elaborates: “On the financing side, the original financing package had 22 separate entities involved in it. These included commercial banks, external credit agencies, a multi-lateral bank and there was some subordinated dept, which Northland was also part of. There were also the four equity sponsors, of which we were the largest. It was

Stemat For 12 years Stemat has been active in the offshore wind industry. Due to its years of experience it has been selected to deliver jointing barge Stemat 89 on the Gemini project together with the MPV Fenna B. Onboard Stemat 89 accommodation is available for up to 60 pax. Scour protection, survey and PLGR works are also within the company’s scope. Its DP2 Multicat Anna B was built especially for these activities. With its fast crew tender the Liz V, Stemat is able to deliver 24 highly trained personnel to the needed places at a possible speed of 30 knots.

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41

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PROFILE

Northland Power

VBMS

put together quickly and well and the financial close of this was 14th May 2014. I think we set a new bar for what is achievable in offshore financing. One of the key features in that was the contract structure for the execution; we have only two contracts with Siemens to supply, install and commission the turbines and with Van Oord to procure, supply and install everything else.”

Also in construction is the Nordsee One offshore wind farm, located in the North Sea 40km off the coast of Germany. Once completed near the end of 2017, Nordsee One will encompass 54 turbines and a total capacity of 332MW. Northland Power owns 85 per cent of the €1.2 billion project and will again play an active role throughout construction and operations. In addition to Nordsee One, Nordsee Two and Nordsee Three are in the early stages of development, with a projected future combined capacity of 670MW and will be completed over the coming decade as offshore wind tariffs are extended and additional grid infrastructure becomes available. “We own 85 per cent of Nordsee One and the German utility RWE owns the remaining 15 per cent. The project received financial close on 19th March 2015,” John says.

“It is early days for the project, which has a fivecontract structure; all of these have now been set. Work is underway and the actual in-water construction activities will commence next year after many most of the components have been manufactured.”

Within its native Canada, Northland Power manages the operation of several facilities, including six natural gas facilities in Ontario and Saskatchewan, several solar farms located

across Ontario; the McLean’s Mountain wind farm in Ontario as well as two wind farms in Quebec. It also has projects under development in Canada, including the Marmora Pumped Hydro Storage project located in Marmora, Ontario. As such, Northland Power remains at the forefront of sustainable power production through the application of advanced technologies that encourage the proliferation of renewable power sources. As the company continues into the second half of 2015 and beyond it will seek to increase its presence globally as well as technologically and Gemini and Nordsee will represent a cornerstone of the company’s future strategy. “By 2018 we expect that just from Gemini and Nordsee One, over one-half of the company’s total adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) will come from Europe. We do currently have two onshore small wind farms in Germany, but these are very small so we are basically going from almost nothing to more that half of our Adjusted EBITDA coming from the European market,” John concludes. “Over all we spread our focus across all of the sectors in which we operate.

We like to describe ourselves as clean and green - clean, with the efficient and intelligent use of natural gas and green in wind, solar and hydro technologies. We continue to pursue projects in our home base of Canada and for expansion of our European off-shore footprint. In addition, we are now pursuing projects in Mexico and Chile and Columbia. It is early days for those projects, but they will be a continuation of wind, solar and thermal projects.”

VBMS to assist with export cable installation. Cabling specialist VBMS will support Van Oord with a part of the export cable installation for the Gemini Offshore Wind Park. The scope of work for VBMS includes the installation of two cable sections with a total length of 22 km in the transition area between the shallow and deep water sections on the route. VBMS will deploy CLV Stemat Spirit for this particular job as she has the unique capabilities of working on anchors in the shallow part of the route as well as transforming to dynamic positioning for operations further offshore.

Van Oord Van Oord is a family business and operates worldwide as a pre-eminent contractor for dredging, marine engineering and offshore and energy projects (oil, gas and wind). The company devises innovative solutions for marine engineering challenges.

Northland Power and Van Oord are both shareholders in the Dutch Gemini wind park, one of the largest offshore wind parks in the world. As the majority shareholder Northland Power is taking a leading role. Van Oord is playing a key role in executing Gemini as an EPC contractor. In Northland Power Van Oord has found a reliable partner and appreciated client.

Northland Power northlandpower.ca

Services Sustainable power generation

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Tightening the

Above POS-GRIP 15ksi HPHT exploration wellhead system

Below POS-GRIP wellhead with HG™ seal

44

ENERGY,oil&gas

With its POS-GRIP ® friction method of engineering, Plexus Holdings plc is known for challenging the wellhead market through the delivery of ground breaking equipment that significantly enhances safety and minimises costs through time savings and operational efficiencies. Designed, developed and commercialised by founder and CEO Ben van Bilderbeek, the proprietary POS-GRIP friction grip method of engineering was first patented in 1997 and has since allowed Plexus to become a major force in the North Sea oil and gas industry with an ever expanding global presence. Today the company continues to operate throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia.

Key to the success of Plexus and POS-GRIP is the technology’s ability to deliver instant casing hanger lock down and a true metal to metal seal based on real and verifiable science employing Hertzian Contact Stress principals that can withstand movement and which delivers a large seal contact area. Such features are uniquely beneficial for HPHT and corrosive drilling conditions, and allow wellheads

energy-oil-gas.com

for the first time to be tested to the same standards as premium casing couplings.

Not only is POS-GRIP the market leader within the general jack-up exploration drilling wellhead market with a near 100 per cent market share in the North Sea, but it is now proving crucial for clients drilling in more extreme and unconventional environments.

With over 40 years of industry experience Ben van Bilderbeek and the company’s directors believe that through the application of POSGRIP technology in wellhead systems, their clients are able to access significant advantages over conventional wellhead design solutions.

Depending on the application of the technology, these can include enhanced safety; larger metalto-metal surface areas; the virtual elimination of movement between sealing parts; fewer components; simplified design and assembly; enhanced corrosion resistance; simple manufacture; reduced installation cost; lower unit cost and increased reliability, all of which can be achieved ‘through the BOP’.

“During the last 15 years we have been able to acquire a very large market share for the HP/ HT sector in the North Sea on the back of POSGRIP technology, which is assembled without the need to remove the blowout preventer (BOP) from the well, even in HPHT situations where metal sealing is an absolute necessity,” Ben explains. “Furthermore owing to the fact that

PROFILE

it is not necessary to remove the BOPs, which are heavy and complicated pieces of equipment, which must be re-tested once they have been moved, it is possible to save between 32 and 48 hours every time casing is landed in the wellhead. Rig rates are and continue to remain high, meaning that in addition to improving safety by keeping the BOPs on the well, we also provide massive operational savings for the operator, which can exceed the cost of renting our equipment. This has translated into us gaining a disproportionately large market share for a company of our size.”

The many operational and safety advantages of POS-GRIP technology and its successful use on jack-up applications, led to Shell in Houston in 2011 asking Plexus to form a Joint Industry Project (‘JIP’); to adapt the company’s surface wellhead designs and know-how from the surface to subsea. The JIP's objective was to develop and commercialise a new and safer subsea wellhead system, based on Plexus' patented friction-grip technology, to address key technical issues and challenges highlighted by regulators following the Gulf of Mexico incident in April 2010.

The JIP members now include BG, ENI, Maersk, Oil States, Senergy, Shell, Total, Tullow Oil and Wintershall. The engineering and test stages of the Python™ subsea wellhead system are well advanced with the prototype being launched in Aberdeen in September this year at OE2015 (Offshore Europe). The wellhead is designed to be safer, has fewer parts, and delivers instant casing hanger lock down whilst avoiding the use of lock rings and lock down sleeves as required by conventional subsea designs. It has rigid metal-to-metal annular seal technology qualified to match the standard of premium casing couplings and in due course will incorporate annulus monitoring and bleed-off capability to address sustained casing pressure

situations, together with diagnostic and remedial capability. The inclusion of these key features and capabilities in a subsea wellhead will be an industry first.

Most importantly, in an industry which is reluctant to embrace disruptive technologies even for technical and safety reasons, the Python subsea wellhead system reduces the number of installation steps needed to assemble the system subsea by as many as ten stages, which offers the potential to generate major savings, particularly when the system is used in deepwater applications where a single 'trip' can cost as much as two million dollars.

The advantages and adaptability of POSGRIP technology, which does not involve the use of threads and rotation were further demonstrated in March 2015, when Plexus announced the award of a purchase order to supply its new POS-SET Connector™ to be used by Centrica in abandonment operations off the coast of Holland. The wells were originally drilled in 1982 and this agreement represents the first purchase order secured by Plexus in the potentially lucrative abandonment market. Plexus believes that the abandonment market has significant growth potential as a large number of aging wells reach the end of their operational life in the North Sea and other regions of the world.

The total value of the contract, including engineering and testing work undertaken by Plexus is estimated at £0.8 million.

The proprietary POS-SET Connector was developed and qualified by Plexus to allow operators to re-establish connections onto rough conductor casings that have been previously cut above the seabed to facilitate abandonment operations. Testing of the connector has demonstrated that the POSSET Connector can achieve 80 per cent of the bending and tensile strength of the parent pipe, which is far in excess of the performance of conventional alternatives. Furthermore the POS-SET Connector can be deployed in a number of additional applications; including subsea completion operations using subsea tie back wellhead and surface wellhead tie back platform completion.

Commenting on the project, Ben said: “This latest order with Centrica represents another major milestone for Plexus, as it sees us enter a new and growing abandonment market where regulation is increasingly focused on the best available equipment solutions. According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change

Plexus Group

Left Plexus test bay facility Below HGSS Subsea wellhead

Below Pos-set connector

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45

PROFILE

Plexus Group

(DECC), out of the 11,000 plus wells that have been drilled offshore UK, 5000 remain active.”

While Plexus has enjoyed globally recognised success with its POS-GRIP technology, the company remains both passionate about its technology and ambitious to grow in to new markets and sectors. As such Plexus is currently targeting China and the wider Asian market, and has made significant steps in this direction in recent months, as Plexus finance director Graham Stevens elaborates: “As part of the Plexus China and Asia strategy we recently announced the signing of a significant framework agreement with a major Chinese company. As a framework agreement it hasn’t completed yet, but it expands on the company’s Asian strategy, which extends to Australia, Brunei, China, Malaysia and Singapore. These are all regions that Plexus identified two years ago as areas of activity that are expanding and can be of major importance to Plexus in the coming years. This latest Chinese framework agreement is designed to accelerate that strategy and as part of this global strategy we are also looking at Russia and CIS market opportunities.”

The China framework agreement was signed with Yantai Jereh Oilfield Services Group Co., Ltd. (Jereh), the major Chinese oil services provider of integrated solutions of oilfield equipment and services. The two parties will now work together to formalise a binding license agreement to enable Jereh to manufacture and sell Plexus' wellhead equipment to the Chinese and wider Asian oil and gas markets. Jereh is a public company listed on the Shenzhen stock exchange with a market capitalisation of over $5.8bn and 5000 employees. The agreement was made jointly by Kunxiao Wang, president and co-founder of Jereh and Ben van Bilderbeek, at a signing ceremony at the 15th China International Petroleum and Petrochemical Technology and Equipment Exhibition (CIPPE) in Beijing during March 2015. “I am delighted that Plexus and Jereh have entered into the Agreement, which we hope will enable us to bring Plexus' POS-GRIP technology to the important and growing Chinese market and other relevant Asian territories,” Ben says. “We view China and Asia as one of the key global market opportunities for Plexus and we believe that our POS-GRIP wellhead equipment will deliver operational time savings and safety benefits to the oil & gas companies operating in the region, many of whom will be facing HPHT conditions that POS-GRIP technology is uniquely able to address.”

46

ENERGY,oil&gas

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In line with the company’s continued expansion, it was announced in September 2014 that Plexus had expanded the size of its Aberdeen operational headquarters. Through the acquisition of a 36,000 sq. ft workshop and office facility at the cost of £2.4 million, Plexus effectively doubled the size of its Dyce base.

The new facility lies immediately adjacent to Plexus’ existing 36,500 sq. ft site in Aberdeen and was previously occupied by leading oilfield services company Baker Hughes. Commenting on the acquisition Ben said: “This is a significant milestone for the company, which sees Plexus effectively double its working facilities at its headquarters in Aberdeen. Importantly, Plexus was able to achieve this with minimal disruption to daily activities around on-going operations.

We believe this investment will play an important role in the company’s future strategy as an innovative technology-led business that is committed to making significant inroads into the global oil and gas wellhead equipment market.”

Following on from a history of market-leading design and impressive market penetration, the future looks equally as bright for Plexus as it continues to extend the benefits and advantages of it POS-GRIP technology to clients in new markets and regions across an increasing range of applications. “The strategic vision for Plexus is to expand the POS-GRIP method of engineering for the betterment of the quality and safety of wellhead and related equipment used on land and in offshore and subsea drilling for oil and gas around the world,” Graham concludes. “We believe that this is a very clear objective. We are focused on doing business where we can make a real difference with our superior technology and become a new wellhead standard. We are confident that the scope of what is possible is so sizeable that it will be many decades before we run out of POS-GRIP product development opportunities - if at all.”

Above Aberdeen facility

Ferrisweld Engineering Ferrisweld Engineering Ltd is an engineering, fabrication & machining company that has been manufacturing and delivering high quality and specification oil & gas projects for over 18 years.

Its previous projects range from basic equipment fabrication to high specification manufacturing built to Standards such as DNV and ranging from drilling equipment, topside & process equipment to subsea structures.

Ferrisweld Engineering has worked as a key supplier to Plexus for a number of years on manufacturing projects for their service market and also on several R D projects, which have consistently been delivered on schedule and to the highest standards.

Plexus Group plexusplc.com

Services Engineering wellhead solutions

PROFILE

TRIYARDS

Dynamic, distinct and

Headquartered in Singapore

RAPID Marine RAPID Marine HVAC (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd is one of Singapore’s leading and trusted service providers for HVAC & Refrigeration systems in the global marine and offshore industry.

With an established manufacturing facility in Vietnam; RAPID Marine has been an integral partner in providing turnkey design, procurement, installation and commissioning of HVAC & Refrigeration system for TRIYARDS. RAPID’s first experience with TRIYARDS began with the construction of pipe laying vessel ‘Lewek Constellation’ and thereafter with a series of other Teras and Montco liftboats. RAPID strives to be a strategic partner with TRIYARDS in providing HVAC & Refrigeration services.

, TRIYARDS began operations in 2005 when the first facility was acquired. Since then the company has gained a strong reputation as a leading integrated turnkey service provider for the global offshore, industrial and marine industries. Focused on shipbuilding, ship conversions, medium to heavy fabrication and ship repair, the company’s dedication to delivering sophisticated platforms and equipment that can handle the most challenging of offshore shipbuilding projects has resulted in fast growth for the firm.

To meet the growing demand for quality assets and strong expertise, TRIYARDS’ original facility in Ho Chi Minh City was developed from a piece of swampland and a second fabrication facility in Vung Tau was also acquired in

2007. Following this development, TRIYARDS acquired its third facility in Houston in 2011, with all three facilities rebranded as TRIYARDS. Today TRIYARDS HCMC, based in Ho Chi Minh City, is a 100,000 sq m facility, with 50,000 sq m covered fabrication facilities and an industrial activities yard of 80,000 sq m. It has quayside access of 340 m, and is 60 km to the South China Sea. TRIYARDS VUNGTAU boasts 134,000 sq m of space, with 96,000 sq m covered fabrication facilities and an industrial activities yard of 80,000 sq m; it also has quayside access of more than 347 m along the Dinh river. Following major investments, TRIYARDS SM VUNGTAU was created at a size of 147,000 sq m; it is fully equipped with three slipways and is adjacent to a heavy fabrication area of 30,000 sq m.

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PROFILE

Despite the impressive number of contracts under its belt, TRIYARDS is committed to continuous development and divestment of its services and, as such, acquired aluminium shipbuilding company Strategic Marine in October 2014

“TRIYARDS has been on a sustainable growth trajectory, especially since our listing in October 2012. We have developed a strong track record in delivering quality offshore vessels, and we are well known now in Asia for our liftboats.

However, we are not content staying still – with the acquisition of Strategic Marine, we now venture into the Aluminium craft business,” explains Chan Eng Yew, CEO of TRIYARDS. TRIYARDS further enhanced its reputation with the delivery of a multilay offshore construction vessel with ultra deepwater pipelaying and heavylift capabilities, the Lewek Constellation in late 2014. The ship boasts an overall length of 178.27 m, moulded breadth of 46 metres, moulded depth of 15.6 m and maximum draft of 10.5 metres; net tonnage capacity is 14,636 tonnes and gross tonnage capacity of 48,786 tonnes. Furthermore, the

TRIYARDS

deck area is 4200 m2 and has a deck strength of ten tonnes for each square metre; the vessel is also equipped with a K-POS DP3 system that is integrated with position reference and environmental sensor systems. The Lewek Constellation has accommodation capacity for 239 people in one-berth cabins, with additional facilities including offices, recreation rooms, a gymnasium and smoking room.

Discussing the project, Chan states: “This unique project involved the construction of a one-off ice class multi-lay vessel over the period of 2009 to 2014. 2009 was the conceptualisation stage, with fabrication beginning six months later before delivery in December 2014.

The Lewek Constellation, costing a total of $650 million, is the single most expensive vessel to ever be exported out of Vietnam.

“The challenges of developing such a unique ship are two-fold. For my predecessor, the former CEO, the challenge was not only building the vessel, but also dealing with the development of the yard at the same time.

Another issue was that nothing in terms of magnitude of size or complexity had ever been attempted in Vietnam before so we needed to find the right supporting contractors to ensure the project was successfully brought to fruition.”

Proving itself wholly capable of handling the most complex of projects, Chan notes ENERGY,oil&gas

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PROFILE

TRIYARDS began operations in 2005 when the first facility was acquired. Since then the company has gained a strong reputation as a leading integrated turnkey service provider for the global offshore, industrial and marine industries

that TRIYARDS is currently riding a wave of successes with approximately $275 million worth of new projects announced since January 2015: “Predominantly these projects are for self elevating units, sometimes known as liftboats.

We have delivered eight units and have another eight under construction at the moment, one of which, at 450 feet, has the longest legs in the world. In addition, we are involved in the construction of a pair of Ice-Class multipurpose support vessel for an Indian based client as well as the fabrication of a turret for an FPSO. Everything we build is built to order, due to the specialised and customised nature of the product, we don’t build speculatively.”

Introduced to the market in 2013, TRIYARDS BH 450 design stands at approximately 450

TRIYARDS

feet and can operate in water depths up to 105 m; it can accommodate up to 250 personnel and is suitable for a broad range of offshore and renewable energy projects. Alongside the BH 450, the company has a range of specialised offshore vessel designs, including the TDU-400, a premium class 400 HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) jack-up drilling rig and the TSU 475, a thirdgeneration, high-specification liftboat.

Despite the impressive number of contracts under its belt, TRIYARDS is committed to continuous development and divestment of its services and, as such, acquired aluminium shipbuilding company Strategic Marine in October 2014. “This well-established shipbuilder was originally Australian owned but we have acquired the Singapore and Vietnamese ENERGY,oil&gas

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TRIYARDS

Everything we build is built to order, due to the specialised and customised nature of the product, we don’t build speculatively

subsidiaries. With Strategic Marine operating as part of TRIYARDS, we will be able to cover most of the materials used in any fabrication or shipbuilding activity; this is mainly in aluminium and steel, the only materials we don’t handle are composite materials such as fibre glass,” says Chan.

“With our fabrication capabilities in Vietnam increased by more than 15 per cent we are more than able to continue to capitalise on our track

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record and build specialised vessels for the oil and gas and renewable energy markets as well as industrial fabrication for power plants or offshore projects.”

Having secured a number of major contracts throughout 2015, TRIYARDS is certain to flourish as its continues to deliver rigorous standards in design, fabrication and safety that result in sophisticated engineering, fabrication and ship construction solutions.

TRIYARDS Holdings Limited triyards.com

Services Integrated service provider for the offshore, marine and industrial sectors

PROFILE

Atlantic Gulf & Pacific Company

demand In

Established in 1900

, the Philippines headquartered Atlantic Gulf & Pacific Company (AG&P) has grown over the years to become synonymous with the country’s construction industry and a recognised pioneer in benchmark design, engineering, fabrication and construction services. Having built the country’s first steel bridge and other major infrastructure, such as Manila’s water and sewage system, which still exists today, the company enjoyed decades of steady growth before it was purchased by its current investors in 2011.

Following this development, AG&P has witnessed a period of aggressive growth and modernisation, resulting in it becoming the only multi-national organisation in this sector with headquarters in the Philippines. As part of this growth strategy, AG&P expanded its module fabrication yard capacity from one million

square metres to 1.5 million square metres.

On top of this, the company’s Bauan Yard, one of the largest fabrication and assembly yards in Southeast Asia, is in the process of being upgraded to enable multiple and much larger contracts; by the end of 2015, the yard will have a handling capacity of 10,000 tonnes, in comparison to the current handling capacity of 6500 tonnes. Meanwhile, AG&P’s second yard, located in Batangas City, is located less than ten kilometres from the Bauan yard; it measures over 500,000 square metres and can support two major projects at any time, with up to 25 modules being worked on simultaneously.

Speaking with Energy, Oil and Gas magazine in October 2014, AG&P’s chairman, William Ottiger said: “AG&P’s growth is a testament to the hard work of our outstanding people and is an example of the confidence the world is showing toward the Philippines. AG&P looks forward to building complex and exciting modules to the highest levels of safety and quality in our state-of-the-art yards outside of Manila.”

Demand for AG&P’s services stems from the company’s long-term experience of serving a comprehensive range of blue chip companies within the oil and gas industry, all of which have benefited from AG&P’s mission to accelerate construction through the delivery of its purposedesigned Modstruction solutions. Moreover, the company also provides holistic, competent ENERGY,oil&gas

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personnel who are highly trained and thus capable of executing optimum quality services for the most complex of projects.

Over recent months the trend for workforce expansion has continued for AG&P, with the company announcing in May 2015 that it is to hire more than 2000 local workers to service major LNG projects in Russia and Australia. No stranger to the LNG market, the company has worked on major projects in the past, such as the $152 million contract that it was awarded in October 2012. For the vital project, which involved providing the ‘electrical backbone’ of the Inpex Corp led Incthys LNG project in Australia, AG&P was contracted to build 26 local electrical rooms (LER) as well as local instrumentation rooms (LIR) to support the largest private investment in Australia’s history.

During this major project, the company was also working in partnership with ALE through Australian-based consortium, AG&P ALE Ventures Pty Ltd., to create a world-first mobile port solution that is capable of delivering combined loads of up to 22,000 metric tonnes, regardless of tidal conditions. After extensive research, AG&P, in partnership with ALE, an

Atlantic Gulf & Pacific Company

international heavy transportation and lifting company, developed and constructed the Hydro Deck. The Hydro Deck uses a proprietary water ballast and air tank system to provide buoyancy control, which allows it to compensate for both rapid tidal variations and load balancing as massive modules move across its deck.

Following a competitive tender process in October 2014, AG&P was awarded one of the largest export contracts in the history of the Philippines to deliver among the biggest LNG modules ever built.

With AG&P announcing this major contract win, it is anticipated that the company will create thousands of jobs for both local and overseas applicants ranging from structural welders, quality inspectors, engineers, electrical technicians, structural fitters, project engineers, safety personal and project managers. Moreover, the company’s Filipino workers who are currently working overseas will have the opportunity to come back to their loved ones while working on one of the world’s largest LNG undertakings.

As the innovative company continues to work with global organisations to develop critical construction solutions for challenging infrastructure projects, AG&P looks set to flourish over the coming years thanks to its stringent commitment to operational excellence, quality and safety. To complement this strong focus on innovative, safe and efficient operations, the company will also provide world-class training to its ever-growing workforce, which will thus further establish AG&P, and indeed the Philippines, as leaders in advanced industrial process outsourcing services.

Atlantic Gulf & Pacific Company (AG&P) agp.ph

Services Fabrication, assembly, modularisation and asset management

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future Investing in the

Above Newly painted crew transfer vessels (in Acta Marine Wind Services colours) Top right Vessel: Offshore Waddenzee Right Diving support and multipurpose vessel Offshore Beaver Below Vessel: Offshore Provider

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A leading asset manager

with a strong global presence and 25 years experience in the management of drilling and service platforms, vessels, crewing, procurement, vessel audits, logistics and concept development, Workships Contractors BV is well reputed for its ability to provide reliable and competent services to the offshore oil and gas and renewables sectors. Today the organisation boasts 11 high quality vessels within its wind as well as oil and gas business segment, all of which receive regular investment to ensure customer satisfaction through the optimum delivery of services.

Proud of its diverse portfolio, the company has developed expertise in all aspects of the offshore industry since its foundation in 1988; a strength that has naturally led to the provision of services to the offshore wind industry via its subsidiary Offshore Wind Services BV (OWS).

Having cemented its reputation through the provision of over 400,000 safe transfers since 2006, Workships Contractors was keen to continue growing OWS into a complete vessel solution provider. To do this, the company focused on enhancing safety activities within OWS’ operations and increasing its fleet of dedicated crew transfer vessels (CTVs) from one to ten over a period of two years. Moreover, OWS further boosted its presence within the offshore wind market through the acquisition of Offshore Wind Power Marine Services (OWPMS) in 2012; a pioneer in safe crew transfers to the UK based offshore wind farms.

In March 2015 OWS was acquired by Acta energy-oil-gas.com

Marine and in line with this change, renamed to Acta Marine Wind Services. Despite the change in ownership, Acta Marine Wind Services is still managed by Workships Contractors and is today able to offer clients a range of ten high quality wind farm services vessels and the wellknown diving support vessel Offshore Beaver.

As part of the acquisition, Offshore Wind Power Marine Services Ltd (OWPMS), one of the most well reputed, in the UK based operators in the offshore wind crew transfer industry, also became part of Acta Marine Wind Services.

Based in Den Helder, The Netherlands, Acta Marine boasts a fleet of 50 vessels that operate across the globe and its acquisition of OWS is part of a strategy to increase growth in the offshore wind market. The deal will result in a combined network and a merging of strengths that will generate synergies in the future, while also benefiting clients who receive an expansion in fleet options and services.

In May 2014 Workships acquired the multipurpose/diving support vessel, Offshore Beaver, which has 32-pax accommodation capacity, a 25 tonne crane, salvage winches and a four-point mooring system, which makes her a truly multipurpose vessel. The ship is capable of laying her own anchor pattern, acting as mother

ship and can provide oil spill response solutions.

She is a known vessel in the offshore industry and has been doing various works, including anchor recovery, oil spill support, diving support and mattress laying in the North Sea. The ISM code and ISO9001:2008 accredited Workships Contractors, has already adapted a conscious Health & Safety approach in its operations and is now also in the process of being OHSAS18001 certified.

In addition to the above associations, Workships Contractors has also developed

PROFILE

a positive working relationship with BMOOffshore, a designer, developer, constructor and operator of integrated measurement solutions for the offshore (wind) industry. Used in all stages of offshore wind projects, the company’s integrated measurement solutions include the VesselBlackBox, a flexible, integrated and robust vessel motion monitoring system for CTVs. In addition to motions the measurement equipment also measures and records positions and speed, combined with video footage. Through utilising innovative sensor solutions from the aerospace industry, the VesselBlackBox offers superior

Workships Contractors

performance and a significant cost reduction in comparison to other conventional sensors in the offshore industry. Installed as a stand-alone unit by BMO, the system is directly operational and easily transferrable. Attracted to the Vessel BlackBox’s ability to deliver automated daily reporting on vessel movements and automatic video recording of accidents and near misses, most vessels have been equipped with the Black Box. Depending on customers’ requirements and business processes BMO’s technology can also be beneficial on various other vessels in the offshore industry. BMO’s services enables clients to increase its reporting accuracy and customer services. Next to their sophisticated technology, BMO also delivers consultancy services based on data analysis of any kind.

Through mutually advantageous co-operation with its associates as well as continued investment in its ships, staff and safety, the future looks positive for Workships Contractors as it maintains its strong reputation for optimum reliability.

EELSING EXPERTISES TAXATIES Eelsing Expertises & Taxaties is a dynamic firm of surveyors with experienced staff in the field of technical surveys and inspections. The company ensures customised service with regard to their principals. Short lines of communication characterise the collaboration between office and clients. This organisational structure guarantees the prompt handling of assignments and an optimum utilisation of its 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready, responsive specialists. Therefore its service can be without any delay, focused and with close regard to details.

Workships Contractors BV workships.nl

Services Marine asset manager and vessel operator

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standard Raising the

With a history dating back to the mid-1950s, Flexifloat B.V. has established a proven track record in the provision of floating construction systems. The company was originally founded as a subsidiary of Houston based Flexifloat Construction Systems, owned by Robishaw Engineering Inc. and was later taken over by its current shareholders during 1999.

Today from its base in Rotterdam Flexifloat Systems B.V. is the exclusive supplier of Combifloat pontoons – flexible modular floating and elevating construction systems, suitable for coastal and inland water. Since

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1999 the company has diversified its operations and increased its scope to enable it to reach further clients in more regions, as managing director Bas de Jong explains: “When the present shareholders took over the company there was a change in focus for the business. We had previously operated primarily in the marine construction sector and harbour related industries, whereas we are now increasingly focused on the oil and gas market and related industries.”

With fabrication facilities located within the Middle East, Poland, China and Holland the company is well placed to meet the needs of its

PROFILE

clients. Flexifloat B.V. was previously featured in Energy, Oil and Gas magazine during September 2009 and has since continued to develop the proven concept of its floating modular platforms and grown the business from around eight staff in 2009 to 16 fulltime employees as of 2015.

As a result of the increase in staff Combifloat will move on September 1 to its new headquarters in Capelle aan den Ijssel, conveniently located just one mile away from its present location in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

At the same time the company name will be changed into Combifloat Systems BV. The design of the Combifloat floating construction system makes it an ideal solution across a diverse spectrum of applications and projects including, self-elevating platforms for marine construction or offshore projects; selfpropelled work/push boats; oil and gas drilling barges; transport barges; hoover platforms; crane pontoons; ferries; bridges; jetties; exhibition platforms and so on. The Combifloat modular pontoon was originally designed in response to the fact that marine working environments are never the same and equipment requirements vary with local conditions and with the type of job to be performed. Indeed, with every marine operation there is the challenge of finding the ideal equipment and transporting it to its destination.

Further elaborating on the design and application of the Combifloat system, Bas reveals that: “Essentially, our modular floating construction system is like a Lego system that slots together. The product is a rigid steel pontoon with a 15 tonne per square metre deck load, and is used to assemble jetties, bridges, jack-up platforms, drilling barges, pipe and cable lay barges. It is ideally suitable for near shore or coastal and inland water operations and it’s built under Germanischer Lloyd rules and regulations.”

Previously Bas discussed the exciting addition of the C9 class jack-up to its existing fleet of existing designs. Today C9 platforms are joining Combifloat C5 and C7 designs in taking part in operations around the world and further reinforcing the benefits of the Combifloat system. “We have recently deployed a C9 class construction jack-up in Iraq and we are in the process of mobilising a similar structure for well workover activities within the Caspian Sea. A lot of our traditional C5 and C7 platforms are busy

Combifloat (Flexifloat B.V.)

undertaking Combifloat’s traditional services, including jetty construction work and survey operations all over the world,” Bas says. “The C9 class jack-up is becoming a very popular vehicle with our clients and we will begin to produce more of these designs over the months to come.”

The C9 Self Elevating Platform Jack-Up has hull dimensions of 36.6 metres lengths by 27.4 metres breadth and a depth of 2.91 metres. Four hydraulically controlled units power its jacking system, each providing 600 tonnes of lifting capacity at a speed of 14 metres per hour. The platform is lifted on four 58 metres spuds, with a diameter of 1.9 metres. These are split into three sections to allow for ease of transportation. As such the design incorporates a maximum free spud length underneath the hull of 48 metres.

The C9 class of jack-up represents a significant step forward for Combifloat and its clients in that prior to its development modular jack-ups where only capable of supporting payloads of around 450 tonnes, where as the C9.5 can carry a maximum deckload of 1200 tonnes in an elevated position with a deck point load of 15 tonnes per metres squared.

All Combifloat pontoons are easy to assemble and offer extreme levels of durability. They can be assembled by inexperienced crews of as little as two employees, using no tools other than a hammer, pry bar and short sections of rope. Furthermore, all mating female couplings are opened using a crowbar while the floats are pulled into position using ropes threaded through elbows mounted at intervals in each pontoon. The couplings are then mated until the upper and lower components are near contact

The design of the Combifloat floating construction system makes it an ideal solution across a diverse spectrum of applications and projects including, self-elevating platforms for marine construction or offshore projects; self-propelled work/ push boats; oil and gas drilling barges; transport barges; hoover platforms; crane pontoons; ferries; bridges; jetties; exhibition platforms and so on

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The production of LSAW pipes for the offshore oil and gas industry is the traditional strength of EEW. With more than 75 years of experience in the steel branch, we are able to fulfill our customers’ highest requirements.

Apart from standard steel grades used in conventional jacket constructions, the fabrication of high-strength steels for racks and chords for jack-up rigs or low-temperature steels for the use in arctic environments is our daily business. As a special service for our customers in the construction branch, we offer our Point-to-Point Construction Service. This service involves the prefabrication of ready to assemble piping components and saves both, time and money.

www.eew-group.com

PROFILE

Today from its base in Rotterdam Flexifloat Systems B.V. is the exclusive supplier of Combifloat pontoons – flexible modular floating and elevating construction systems, suitable for coastal and inland water

Combifloat (Flexifloat B.V.)

at which point, the locking bar is driven into place using a hammer until the unit is seated.

The locking bar also performs a wedging action that pulls the pontoons into the final mating position. Once assembled Combifloat pontoons are proven to have a lifetime of more than 25 years and also require little or no maintenance.

Presently Combifloat is active all over the world with clients operating within a host of industries and across several applications.

“When we took over the ownership of Flexifloat Systems B.V. the company was predominantly doing business inside Europe,” Bas details.

“Today 95 per cent of the business is in export to locations all over the world. We have also seen

some change in demand as far as specifications are concerned, with clients moving into slightly deeper waters and module units being required carry larger cranes for pile driving and so on.”

During December 2013 Combifloat successfully delivered a modular self-propelled ferry for the French client VINCI Construction Grands Projets on behalf of the Panama Canal Authority. VINCI was tasked to operate the ferry during the Panama Atlantic Bridge project. Combifloat was awarded the contract to deliver a modular ferry during July 2013, to be used in the construction of a bridge spanning the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. With the construction of the bridge ENERGY,oil&gas

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slated to be completed by autumn 2015, it was clear that VINCI required a rapid solution.

The Combifloat system was able to offer the most flexible and economical solution according to the clients’ unique, project-specific configuration. A further important factor was the ability to reuse the modular Combifloat pontoons after the completion of the project in a variety of applications.

The ferry, named 'Concepción', incorporates ten modular Combifloat C7 class pontoons with a total combined length of 48 metres, a width of 12 metres and a deck capacity of 150 tonnes. In order to allow the vessel to make beach landings in the shallow water banks of the Panama Canal, two 160kW built-in Ballegooijen bow thrusters have been positioned in the pontoons on each side of the ferry. This resulted in the necessary maximum allowable draft of only 80cm, maintaining excellent manoeuvrability of the ferry. Due to the simple design of the Combifloat coupling and locking system, the ferry can be rapidly assembled in less than ten days of delivery.

Commenting on the project Bas stated: “This contract award demonstrates the flexibility and versatility of Combifloat modular pontoons.

Completing this project from concept to delivery in only ten weeks is a major accomplishment of everyone involved. Due to the excellent performance of our subcontractor, Groeneveldt Marine Construction and Saltwater Engineering in Papendrecht, we were able to overcome the challenges accompanied by a fast-track project like this. This successful project execution

Combifloat (Flexifloat B.V.)

will create future business opportunities for Combifloat, as this modular concept can be adapted for a wide variety of applications. We are proud to be able to deliver a high-quality product in such a very short period.”

Over the years Combifloat has demonstrated the advantages and versatility of the Combifloat floating pontoon system. Despite the financial crisis of 2008 and the current low cost of oil, the company has continued to grow through a combination of innovation and excellent client service. “We are very client orientated and service oriented. We can respond very quickly to customers and we maintain large inventories so that our lead times in starting projects are very small. Furthermore we also have a wide variety of products available to the market and we are just about to complete the design of a new semi modular platform with hull dimensions of about 45 metres by 60 metres and a spud length of over 80 metres, The deckload capacity will be in the 1500 tn range,” Bas reveals. “We will continue to grow the business and make sure that we cover its interests in both the oil and gas sector and the maritime construction market. To do this we will also look to increase our portfolio by adding different sizes of platforms as well as looking at new manufacturing facilities in South East Asia and South America. As a start to facilitate and accommodate this we will move to our new office as mentioned earlier.”

Over the years Combifloat has demonstrated the advantages and versatility of the Combifloat floating pontoon system.

Despite the financial crisis of 2008 and the current low cost of oil, the company has continued to grow through a combination of innovation and excellent client service

Combifloat (Flexifloat B.V.) combifloat.com

Services Floating construction systems

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Discovering

With a strong foundation of competence supported by a rich engineering history, Odfjell Drilling Ltd. has earned a proven reputation as a trusted drilling and well service provider. Although the business was officially incorporated in 1973, its maritime roots reach back as far as 1914 and the company first began to gain experience within the petroleum industry during the mid 1960s. As such Odfjell Drilling has demonstrated an impressive ability

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to conduct successful drilling operations in some of the most demanding environments on the planet. “Odfjell Drilling has developed as an integrated drilling and well service provider with a strong position in the North Sea market,� elaborates senior vice president of communications, Gisle Johanson. “Over the years it has further developed an international presence with a fleet of six harsh-environment and ultra-deepwater drilling units, platform

PROFILE

drilling, engineering and well services. The company was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2013.”

Building on over four decades of experience, Odfjell Drilling is dedicated to the services, expertise and exceptional quality that its customers require and today subdivides its service offering across three technologically advanced business units. These are comprised of its mobile offshore drilling units division;

Odfjell Drilling

a drilling and technology unit and its well services division, all of which deliver genuine value and reliable results. “The company’s services are focused on offshore drilling and well services,” Gisle says. “The Odfjell Drilling service portfolio encompasses mobile offshore drilling units, platform drilling, engineering and project management services and well services.

As such the company’s main clients are wellrespected blue chip exploration and production companies like BP; Statoil; BG Group; Shell, operating within the North Sea, Middle East, Africa and Brazil.”

To enable the business to effectively serve its clients in the field, Odfjell Drilling operates a fleet of semi-submersible rigs and drillships through its mobile offshore drilling units division, with units operating in both full and joint ownership. The latest addition to the Odfjell Drilling fleet is the enhanced GVA7500 harsh environment design, Deepsea Aberdeen semi-submersible rig. The sister ship to the Deepsea Atlantic and Deepsea Stavanger is designed for operations in harsh environments and at water depths of up to 3000 metres and was build by DSME yard in Korea. The Deepsea Aberdeen includes a state-of-the-art, highly efficient drilling system, which incorporates a dual derrick with a main and auxiliary work centre to facilitate a number of simultaneous operations. Furthermore its drilling system is equipped with dual active heave compensating drawworks, allowing for increased performance, efficiency, safety and redundancy. The unit is designed to be able to operate globally and is highly suited to developmental drilling. Indeed all of Odfjell Drilling’s sixth generation semisubmersibles have a high degree of logistical independence, ensuring that they are custombuilt to deliver cost-effective operations in the world’s most challenging drilling environments, such as remote North Sea areas.

The Deepsea Aberdeen was completed in November 2014 and quickly found work with some of the world’s leading oil majors. During April 2015 the vessel commenced drilling operations under a seven-year contract with BP on the Quad 204 field development project, West of Shetland UK. “The start of drilling operations of Deepsea Aberdeen marks another step in the development of Odfjell Drilling’s activities in the UK and harsh environment offshore regions. The rig design is based on our more than 40 years’ experience of drilling in the North Sea,” comments Odfjell Drilling CEO,

Below Gisle Johanson, senior vice president of communications, Odfjell Drilling

Building on over four decades of experience, Odfjell Drilling is dedicated to the services, expertise and exceptional quality that its customers require and today subdivides its service offering across three technologically advanced business units

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Odfjell Drilling

Simen Lieungh. “Our offshore crew and our onshore organisation in UK are looking forward to working collaboratively with BP over the next seven years on the Quad 204 development.”

Alongside the successful deployment of the Deepsea Aberdeen, Odfjell has enjoyed the award of prestigious contracts, despite the challenging market conditions experienced by the oil and gas market over the past 12 to 18 months. During February 2015 for example, it was announced that Odfjell Drilling had been awarded the Drilling engineering sub contract for the Johan Sverdrup drilling platform topside.

Throughout the project Odfjell Drilling will represent one of Aibel’s major subcontractors for its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the drilling platform topside for Johan Sverdrup in the Norwegian North Sea. The contract will run until 2018 and will involve around 50 Odfjell Drilling engineering professionals working on the project to various degrees. The contract itself has an estimated value of 100 million NOK. The full project is being delivered to Statoil as operator of the Johan Sverdrup license. In all the project will involve in the region of 3000 associates at its peak and is estimated to run for three years. The handover of the completed platform topside is planned for the second quarter 2018, with a total value of the Johan

Sverdrup project estimated at NOK eight billion.

Although Odfjell Drilling has enjoyed great success with the award of several high profile projects in recent months, the global market in the oil and gas industry remains challenging in the face of the falling oil price and reduced exploration and production operations. To ensure that the business is able to weather the storm, Odfjell Drilling will focus on its core competences to deliver efficient and costeffective operations. “The company’s main competitive force is in its integrated service portfolio, a strong operational experience and

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not least, its high QHSE standard, culture and performance,” Gisle concludes. “The top priority for Odfjell Drilling is to deliver safe and reliable services under the current market conditions and to reduce our cost base to stay competitive in a low margin market.”

Odfjell Drilling odfjelldrilling.com

Services Drilling, well service and engineering

PROFILE

Sulzer

ahead Full stream

Sulzer

is a global industry leader with reliable and sustainable solutions for performancecritical applications. From its beginnings in Winterthur, Switzerland back in 1834, Sulzer has developed to become a leading player in its key markets.

“We have acquired quite an extensive history in pump development throughout many decades, but in 2006 we started to look at subsea applications, driven by customer enquiries and requests for new competition in the market place but also our ambition to push research and development onto the next level,” highlights Matt Bourne, subsea business development manager. Having advanced its programme of works, complete with a team of specialists, the

business embarked on a journey to enter the subsea pump market.

As part of its specialism is a range of services that includes mudline pumps for well stream boosting, water injection injection, as well as hybrid style pumps capable of handling gas entrained liquids. “The pump selection is derived from the actual process conditions to determine the best fit for not only steady state but also transient conditions; this ensures maximum maximum yield from the well whilst also maintaining uptime and reliability,” explains Matt as he goes on to discuss current trends.

“The subsea market has tracked the topside market, which has been driven by the decline in oil price, and in that climate, looking after costs becomes much more important. These costs extend beyond the actual CAPEX and include OPEX.” With the intervention cost to retrieve the equipment being high the requirement to keep focused on all areas particularly reliability has increased in importance. “The demand for energy isn’t going away, albeit there is a slight lull in the price. We expect the market to come back up and when it does there will be an increasing demand to exploit the subsea oil fields,” he adds.

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Sulzer

As part of its specialism is a range of services that includes mudline pumps for well stream boosting, water injection injection, as well as hybrid style pumps capable of handling gas entrained liquids

Africa, Gulf of Mexico, and Brazil, working in the pre-salt province, the company also holds a firm grip on shallower waters such as the North Sea, where the introduction of subsea processing on Brownfield sites, can not only extend the life of the field but can put production back up to its best efficiency point. “Imagine a Brownfield site where if you are able to process the water out of the process stream before it gets to the topside facilities. This frees up a lot of the space, and allows you to use the topside space to make money instead of handling water which you want to get rid of,” highlights Matt.

It is this close alignment in thinking with what benefits the client that stands out as one of the company’s greatest strengths, combined in an approach to research and development that sees the company working with the ultimate end users and partnering with the right people.

“It is in this sense that we have a very close partnership with FMC Technologies, working on the integration of the subsea pump into the field.

Through this approach we have strengthened throughout our history in the oil and gas market, constantly pushing the boundaries.

The global service network that we have has equipped us with a welcome knowledge that allows us to build just the right package for the customer,” explains Matt.

The time and effort spent reviewing the technology and work with the engineering teams and numerous clients has helped to ensure a final product that meets the most stringent criteria. “It is a two-way street in these frontier markets, and where new technology is being

developed it is important to align with the ultimate end user throughout development.

Isolated engineering does not work for either party in the long run,” he adds. The challenge of ensuring budgets are kept to, in an environment where high specifications are driving the product for long term reliability, is increasingly difficult, as Matt comments: “It is important to make sure that those factors don’t build up to a point where eventually the project is on hold due to cost escalation. It highlights the necessity for the vendor and the end user to work together to understand what is needed and how we can develop a product that meets the standards of reliability and other requirements without the addition of cost.”

Bringing together all parties to harmonise the requirements within the frontier markets, with new technologies, and specifications is also key for the purpose of standardisation across the market. “Single standards help lower the cost for everyone. As soon as you start to modify individual components of those specifications, vendors are no longer able to standardise their offerings and therefore the costs go up. The long term vision is realising the potential that is out there but harmonising the way that the players work together,” says Matt, concluding: “Geographically our focus for the next 12 months is on Brazil as well as the West coast of Africa. However, as we look more into the future, the arctic environment is interesting with the moving sea ice all year round defining the importance of operating on a subsea level.”

Sulzer sulzer.com

Services Pump and process solutions

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connection Providing the vital

Established during 1994 through the merging of the UK business Jacques Cable Systems and De Regt Special Cables of the Netherlands, JDR Cable Systems (JDR) incorporates over 75 years of combined industry experience in the design and manufacture of bespoke subsea cable and umbilical products.

Today JDR operates as a privately held UK company. Through its history JDR has enjoyed continued targeted investment, with new facilities opening in Littleport, UK and in Houston, Texas. Following the purchase of the business by Vision Capital and its partners, JDR received further investment to allow the company to expand within the market and reach new clients: “In 2009 JDR opened its main factory in Hartlepool, UK for the manufacture

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of power cables for the offshore renewable wind energy market and control umbilicals and cables for oil and gas sector,” elaborates Chief Operating Officer, Richard Turner. “Upon opening the facility, the company received two large contracts for the design and manufacture of inter-array subsea power cables for two of the world’s largest wind farm projects at that time.”

JDR has grown into an industry-leader in subsea power cables, umbilical systems and intervention workover control systems and presently offers services in both the offshore oil and gas and in renewable energy applications.

Within each of these market sectors, JDR provides flexible and innovative technologies that enable vital control and power delivery to offshore and subsea assets. JDR’s products

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and services are an essential element in subsea infrastructure that enables energy to reach end-users in a cost-effective, safe and environmentally responsible way. To facilitate the effective operation of offshore assets, JDR has developed robust technologies that maximise the efficient delivery of power, control and communications. Utilising its world-class design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, JDR is able to develop and deliver bespoke, quality systems for subsea installations at ever increasing water depths and distances. JDR approaches projects in partnership with its clients, which enables them to deliver reliable products that meet even the most complex and demanding project requirements.

Furthermore, through its comprehensive

JDR Cable Systems

knowledge relating to inherent lifecycle and reliability design challenges, JDR has developed an extensive portfolio of products and services to support a broad spectrum of operational

JDR has grown into an industryleader in subsea power cables, umbilical systems and intervention workover control systems and presently offers services in both the offshore oil and gas and in renewable energy applications

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JDR Cable Systems

Within the renewables sector, JDR employs a similarly dynamic approach, taking a pioneering role in the development of inter-array cables for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy projects

oilfield, offshore wind, wave and tidal energy requirements. Its highly regarded engineering expertise allows the company to partner with clients throughout the design phase, offering complete dynamic analysis, fatigue analysis and seabed stability analysis capabilities to fully support and prove the suitability of its product designs. JDR is focused on innovations that improve long-term product performance and address future industry requirements, including the company’s medium to high voltage field

joint products, which are qualified to the most stringent international standards and even exceed the current qualification of levels of other commercially available products.

Through the combination of manufacturing excellence and strategic regional bases located in the UK, US, West Africa, Germany, Singapore, Brazil and Thailand, JDR is able to act as a truly global partner. As such, JDR is well known throughout the market and has delivered projects to customers all over the world. Within the offshore oil and gas sector its clients include respected operators such as Saipem, Subsea 7, ConocoPhillips, Shell, Chevron, Technip, Maersk, Exxon Mobil, Total, Statoil, Halliburton, GE and BP to name a few.

During November 2014 for example, JDR won a prestigious order for the manufacture of a 1.55km hybrid steel tube and thermoplastic umbilical to be delivered to a West African deep-water field (Abo 12). The JDR-designed umbilical included a combination of hydraulic control and chemical hoses, low voltage signal cables and a central bundle of steel tube chemical supply lines.

Within the renewables sector, JDR employs a similarly dynamic approach, taking a pioneering role in the development of inter-array cables for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy projects.

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JDR Cable Systems

Indeed the company has led the development of inter-array cable design and manufacture, creating comprehensive product systems that have been delivered to some of the world’s largest renewable energy projects. These range from the Greater Gabbard and London Array wind farms and Wave Hub marine renewables infrastructure project in the UK to the Meerwind

performance and support the future growth of the industry. These range from its zeroin-service cable-failure rate to research and development into high-voltage inter-array cabling that will make offshore wind a more competitive source of power and improved installation support. Operationally, JDR offers renewables operators a full turnkey package

wind farm in Germany.

Mirroring its service offering within the offshore oil and gas market, JDR is able to provide proven experience and expert solutions in the renewables sector that focus on innovations to improve long-term product

from the design of inter-array cable systems to manufacture and field service support. The organisation’s experienced subsea power cable engineering team provides in-depth industry knowledge of inter-array cable design and accessories, including pulling grips; hangoffs; connectors and fibre optic splice boxes.

Through partnership with its clients during the design phase, JDR is able create some of the most reliable products in the renewables industry. To date, JDR has proven to be a trusted partner to renewables clients globally including, Reef Subsea, Boskalis, Van Oord, Centrica, DONG Energy, E.ON, Vattenfall, RWE and others.

Recently JDR has been awarded two interarray and service contracts in the European offshore renewables market. E.ON recently ENERGY,oil&gas

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JDR Cable Systems

With its on-going projects globally in both the offshore oil and gas and offshore renewables market, JDR will continue to distinguish itself as a market-leader in these sectors

selected JDR to supply subsea cabling technology and services for the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm. Additionally DONG Energy awarded JDR a contract to supply subsea power cables for the Race Bank offshore wind farm. Furthermore, both companies have collaborated on a comprehensive frame agreement for offshore wind farm cable and accessory supply.

With its on-going projects globally in both the offshore oil and gas and offshore renewables market, JDR will continue to distinguish itself as a market-leader in these sectors. A key strategy going forward is to remain close to clients. Although the oil and gas market has suffered recently due to the global decrease in oil price, JDR has remained highly active and shows no sign of slowing

down. Chief Operating Officer, Richard Turner, concludes: “Some areas of the O&G market have certainly slowed down and we have seen some projects being re-assessed or delayed as you would expect, however we are relatively well insulated from this as our renewables side of the business is seeing a great deal of growth and we have been very successful in securing large projects in the UK & German markets.

“It is because of this growth and also because of our firm belief in the near term opportunities we have to grow market share in the subsea umbilical and flying lead markets that we have just announced an ambitious expansion plan for our Hartlepool factory. This multi-million pound investment, supported by the RGF, will bring a considerable increase in the footprint of our facility in Hartlepool with a new building housing a high capacity, high capability horizontal helix machine and sheathing processes with 6000Te of additional indoor carousel storage.

“Hartlepool will become our centre for excellence in Cable and Umbilical manufacturing…probably the best of its kind anywhere in the world. We are ready to serve the current and future needs our customers.”

JDR Cable Systems jdrglobal.com

Services Subsea power cables, umbilical systems and marine cables

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fleet A strong

Located in the

maritime hub of Aalesund on the western coast of Norway, Volstad Maritime AS built its first fishing vessel in 1952, and remained in the market of Norwegian and international fisheries until 2007. Today the privately owned Norwegian firm both owns and operates vessels in sectors such as seismic exploration, diving, offshore IRM and construction, with all vessels operated and managed by its subsidiary, Volstad Management AS. Volstad Maritime’s history is paved with milestones as it entered new markets, such as seismic exploration in 1982 with the construction of Geco Tau, which was built in a joint venture with Geco AS and the subsea market in 2005 with the delivery of the dynamically positioned multi-role construction vessel Bibby Sapphire. Geco Tau worked for Western Geco until March 2014 before changing its name to Tau in April 2014; the vessel was then converted to support AUV operations in

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Brazil. The company again worked with Geco AS when it took delivery of Geco Bluefin, a DP-II Q-Seabed seismic exploration vessel that is on long-term charter with Western Geco.

The company also undertakes activities within oceangoing fishing vessels and built-topurpose offshore vessels, including ROV/DSV. The company took delivery of its ROV/DSV new build vessel, the Bibby Sapphire, in 2005. This vessel operated on long-term charter with Bibby Offshore Ltd. up to April 2010, when it was then sold to Bibby Offshore.

Volstad is always looking to expand its operations, and accordingly, at the beginning of 2008 the company took delivery of the Volantis from Fosen Shipyard. Volantis is a multi-role subsea support vessel, which is operating under a long-term time-charter with CTC, a subsidiary of Deep Ocean ASA and supports CTC’s latest trenching developments.

A recent development for Volstad is news that Bergen Group Fosen, a yard that Volstad has used in the past several times for vessel construction, had sold its shipbuilding contracts for newbuilds 90 and 91 to Kleven Maritime. The vessels are sophisticated offshore construction vessels and sister vessels of the Grand Canyon, a 128 x 35 m DP III multi-role subsea construction vessel that was delivered from Fosen Shipyard to Volstad in 2012. The Grand Canyon is equipped with a 250 tonne heave compensated offshore crane and boasts capabilities for cable laying from carousel, ROV operations, trenching and various IMR work.

The outfitting will be performed at Kleven Myklebust and Volstad Maritime was part of the negotiations and is very satisfied with the outcome. There will only be minor changes to the shipbuilding contracts, and as Kleven is a highly competent yard the company is confident that the vessels will be delivered at the highest quality. So far, one vessel, Grand Canyon II, a 128 x 25 metre DP III multi role subsea construction vessel, has been delivered from Kleven Myklebust in 2015, with sister vessel Grand Canyon III anticipated for delivery from the yard in 2016.

The naming ceremony of the Grand Canyon II, a ST259L Skipdesign, took place in Alesund, with more than 2000 local community members the first to board. The 126 metre long vessel can accommodate 104 persons, has a swimming pool, libraries, saunas, a cinema with 50 seats and a gym. Moreover, Norwegian Electric Systems, the company that previously delivered

PROFILE

the DE system for Grand Canyon, also delivered the complete DE system to the Grand Canyon II; it will also supply the DE system for the Grand Canyon III. All three vessels are designed to perform a wide range of subsea operations, with DP-3 class station keeping to ensure work can take place in the most challenging of conditions.

Another development for Volstad Maritime took place in October 2014, when Nimrod Sea Assets Ltd announced it has acquired a 17.5 per cent stake in Volstad Maritime II DIS, a partnership that has ownership of the MV Oceanic Endeavour. The seismic research vessel is equipped to tow up to 16 streamers and eight gunstrings; she is equipped with integrated geophysical and data acquisition systems and can hold a crew of up to 70 persons in single high standard cabins. MV Oceanic Endeavour’s current charter period is until 2018.

Thanks to the versatility and diversity of this fleet, Volstad Maritime is able to work in a broad range of fields, with its vessels operating in a number of different regions, and subsequently

Volstad Maritime

environmental conditions. Bearing this in mind, the company firmly states that the health and safety of its employees, both on and offshore, is its first priority regardless of the type of operation or project in question. As would be expected, the company complies with all of the latest national and international regulations, as well as all relevant industry standards and guidelines.

In fact, Volstad Management has implemented the International Safety Management Code (ISM), as well as the International Ship and Port Facility Code (ISPS) and both ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004. While it strictly monitors all its own safety aspects, Volstad Maritime’s management systems are approved according to the requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the latest Norwegian requirements relating to in-house quality, health, safety and environmental management.

With all of its ten vessels operating under longterm charters for the foreseeable future, the future looks positive for Volstad as it awaits the delivery of its latest vessels and seeks new opportunities.

With all of its ten vessels operating under long-term charters for the foreseeable future, the future looks positive for Volstad as it awaits the delivery of its latest vessels and seeks new opportunities

Volstad Maritime AS volstad.com

Services Owner and operator of seismic exploration and offshore vessels

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A clear

Founded in 1993 by George Silk and his son Richard, Mirage Machines combined a team of highly skilled engineers with vast experience in design and manufacture to develop a range of portable machine tools. Following more than a decade of success, Mirage Machines joined the Acteon Group, a global subsea services business, which provided the company with the foundations for international growth.

Discussing the company’s developments, managing director and co-founder Richard Silk begins: “Mirage’s engineering pedigree originates from the design and manufacture of the Silk 700S motorcycle, which was designed and built as a UK manufactured motorcycle in the 1970s.

George Silk went onto design the Silk range of portable machine tools before establishing Mirage Machines in 1993. Today, Mirage is still run by the Silk family; I am responsible for the day-to-day operations. Since joining Acteon Group we launched Mirage Subsea Inc in Houston as a subsidiary company in June 2013, which enables us to better service our customers, particularly those involved in subsea operations, in North America.”

Keen to remain at the forefront of on-site machining technology, Mirage Machines strives to ensure its global client base, which

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operates across sectors including energy, nuclear, offshore, subsea and renewable, to perform on-site operates in an efficient, safe and effective manner. Examples of applications that can be undertaken with Mirage Machines include flange facing, hot tapping and line stopping, orbital milling, drilling, linear and gantry milling, tapping, line boring and pipe & casing cutting.

“We work for both national oil companies and their maintenance teams along with the global service contractors who carry out the shut down or maintenance services for the oil majors.

“Through an agile and responsive service, Mirage provides standard specification products but can also design, manufacture and test bespoke solutions with short lead times. Our oil and gas offering is centred around maintenance of pipelines and flange integrity management, with our products able to return flanges to original specification in-situ or to enable the flange to be cut off and weld prep applied to the pipe to accept replacement flanges.”

Able to provide full CE certification for all of its products, the ISO 9001:2008 manufacturer became a finalist in the Excellence in Manufacturing category at the Derby Telegraph Business Awards. This recognition was followed by the innovative company winning the

PROFILE

Outstanding Export Award in the EEF/Aldemore Future Manufacturing Awards in February 2015.

Celebrating the achievements of manufacturers that have successfully developed and implemented a new export strategy, the award is testament to the hard work Mirage Machines has put into expanding its customer base. Today more than 80 per cent of the company’s products are exported across 69 countries, with its main client base active in Australia, South East Asia, the Middle East and North America.

“After several years of having a distributor in Australia, we decided we needed a constant presence in the region with technical capability to expand and support our growing customer base,” confirms Richard. “The market we serve is primarily the LNG plant fabrication and commissioning phases for Gorgon, Wheatstone, Curtis Island and Icthys. Once the plant has been commissioned there is then ongoing maintenance over its lifetime with the service companies. This decision led to us recently setting up a new base in Perth, Australia; we will also further expand our business in the latter half of 2015 in Singapore to service the demand in South East Asia, and particularly China.”

One reason behind the company’s growth in China is its innovative development of a unique hot tapping machine range, which is specifically designed for use in any pipeline and wellhead maintenance project, as Richard highlights: “For a number of years, hot tapping pipelines has been carried out with equipment designed to carry out the process in pipelines of up to 600 (1480 psi working pressure). We have developed a hot tapping machine to work at pressures up to 5000 psi as we see the pipelines increase working pressures and can cause difficult operating conditions. Through this patented technology, we have now expanded our client base from Houston to China.”

Despite the current challenges within the oil and gas market, Richard notes that Mirage Machines has remained successful through innovation, a focus on customer satisfaction and diversification of its product portfolio: “Our portfolio covers the life span of assets from fabrication and installation of offshore and subsea assets through its life with ongoing maintenance through to its decommissioning at the end of its life. We have also diversified the industries we work with over the course of growing the business; the renewable energy sector is the latest industry that we have developed solutions and products for.”

Mirage Machines

Over the coming years, the future looks positive for Mirage Machines as it continues with expansion plans in Australia and Singapore throughout 2015 to service increasing sales in each region. Looking further ahead, Richard states: “Our company vision is to be an independent global supplier of portable machine tools that is renowned for best-in-class quality and service. Expanding this vision geographically with bases in Europe, the Middle east and Canada are within our five-year strategy.”

Mirage Machines Ltd miragemachines.com

Services Design and manufacture portable machine tools

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PROFILE

Technip India

together Stronger

Operating as a

Below Samik Mukherjee, country head and managing director

100 per cent wholly owned entity of Technip France, Technip brings in strong competency in the field of onshore refining, petrochemical, LNG, fertilisers, oil & gas; offshore process platforms and subsea engineering in India.

Technip Group was founded in 1958 in Paris as an engineering company with a workforce of just 100 people and over the course of a little over 50 years the business has grown into a global company with a workforce totalling 38,000 people across 48 countries in five continents. Today Technip is listed on Euronext Paris (EURONEXT: FR0000131708) and traded in the US on the OTCQX marketplace (OTCQX: TKPPY). Throughout its history Technip has demonstrated a keen ability to anticipate and adapt to the needs of its clients as well as the changing demands of the energy market.

Within India the company has a strong presence and offers a wide spectrum of services from licensing, PMC services, FEED, basic engineering to full EPC projects covering everything from ‘concept to commissioning.’

These activities are supported by a broad portfolio of technologies that were further strengthened by Technip Group’s acquisition of Global Industries Ltd. and Stone & Webster Process Technologies during 2011 and 2012 respectively, giving Technip India a broad base within the energy market.

Technip India recently took the decision to

merge all of its existing entities in India under One Technip umbrella, which was successfully completed in April 2014. “Technip’s different entities in India underwent a corporate restructuring by way of a court approved merger to become one legal entity as Technip India. In a further step, the merged entity Technip India Limited moved its country management headquarters to Mumbai and it remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Technip France SAS. The aim of the merger was to provide a consistent value proposition to all our customers/stakeholders in India as One Technip, enhance the collaboration between Technip India and other Technip group entities and to leverage the synergies of combined operations of three centres – Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. Today Technip India has a 3200 strong workforce, based across three locations in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, led by a single country management team,” explains country head and managing director, Samik Mukherjee.

“This integration has helped each operating centre to enhance their capabilities with the support of the other centres, thus resulting into increased growth in terms of business volume/portfolio and more opportunities for all employees of Technip India,” he continues.

“There are three aspects of this integration – legal, people and process. We have completed the legal integration part but people and process integration are an on-going process. Integration of multiple ENERGY,oil&gas

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Technip India

entities to One Technip reaffirms Technip Group's strong commitment for the growing domestic market to deliver challenging and exciting projects for the energy industry in India.”

Technip India has built a strong reputation for delivering first-class service and as such has developed an equally impressive client base, including highly regarded industry players such as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL); Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC); Reliance Industries Limited; Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited (IPCL); Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL); GAIL (India) Limited; Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited; EIL; Kochi Refineries Limited; Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T); Gujarat State Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited; JBF Industry; Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL); Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Limited and National Fertilizers Limited.

“Our structural alignment will help us to deliver tailor-made service to our respective clients with a focus on value added services and extended product portfolio in the local and international market,” says Samik. “Currently in addition to domestic EPC projects and engineering services for the Technip Group, we are concentrating on the high value added services (for both domestic customers/Group) by entering the areas of conceptual studies/feasibility reports/FEED (front end engineering)/procurement services/ project management consultancy (PMC).”

Amongst its recently completed projects Technip India can count a number of highly successful and widely publicised operations, including the notable installation of the Heera Redevelopment (HRD) process platform for Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC).

“The HRD installation was completed using our proprietary Unideck integrated topside floatover installation system for the first time in the Indian waters,” Samik explains. “The unique feature of this installation method is that it performs the integrated production deck (topsides) installation in a single operation, thus saving installation time and lowering risks compared to some other traditional methodologies of multiple lifts of smaller modules. The HRD platform will help in increasing field exploration and development activities, thus improving domestic hydrocarbon production.”

Furthermore, Technip India is further demonstrating its expertise through highly technical projects for Reliance and JBF

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Petrochemicals. “We are proud to be associated with setting up an ethylene gas cracker for Reliance Jamnagar in India. In terms of size and complexity, this is truly the biggest and world class Gas Cracker Project using Refinery Off Gasses as the main feed. The scope of work includes a license for steam cracking, supply of basic engineering package and engineering and procurement services. The ROGC plant will utilise Technip’s ethylene technology, including its proprietary SMK furnaces technology, one of the major cornerstones of Technip's ethylene know-how. The products from this plant will be utilised as feedstock for the new downstream petrochemical plants,” Samik reveals.

“We are also working with JBF Petrochemicals, a wholly–owned subsidiary of JBF Industries Ltd for 1.25 million tons per year latest-generation purified terephthalic acid (PTA) unit, to be located in the Special Economic Zone in Mangalore, India,” he continues. “PTA is the primary feedstock for polyesters used in textiles and packaging. The contract covers the basic engineering, front-end engineering design, detailed engineering and procurement services for the ISBL (inside battery limit) and the OSBL (outside battery limit) of the unit. The scope of work also includes supply of materials and construction management services for the ISBL. The plant will feature BP’s leading-edge proprietary PTA technology.”

Currently, under the leadership of the stable India Government, the country is at the inflection point to see the transformation of the energy sector, driven by favourable policy framework, focus on deep water development, operational excellence in manufacturing to reduce energy consumption and enhanced skill-sets to achieve scalability and pace for execution of mega-projects. Technip India relies on its highly skilled personnel to steer the company further in the right direction, as Samik concludes: “Our strengths are our people – a key pillar for our success. Recently, Technip in India has achieved the exclusive Top Employers Asia Pacific 2015 certification as a mark of its dedication to the development of the people.

Technip Group has also been certified as one of the first five companies in the world as a Global Top Employer 2015. Our global Top Employer title combined with the certification at country and regional level demonstrates the quality and consistency of the company’s human resources policies and practices across the group’s worldwide network in 48 countries.”

Onshore Construction Co. Pvt. Onshore Construction Co. Pvt. Ltd headquartered in Mumbai, India, is immensely proud of its nascent association with the engineering conglomerate, Technip, on the build-own-operate contract for two 110 MTPD Hydrogen Plants for Air Products, US at the Kochi Refinery in India. Critical mechanical work encompassing structural, piping and equipment erection entrusted to the care of Onshore Construction is progressing satisfactorily meeting the highest international standards on quality, safety and project control set

by Technip.

Bilfinger As an engineering and services group, Bilfinger develops, sets up, maintains and operates plants and buildings for infrastructure, real estate, industry and the energy sector.

Like no other company, Bilfinger brings together two complementary characteristics: engineering competence and service mentality. High quality, technological competence and extensive experience are the foundations of the company’s success. By taking care of everything else, Bilfinger ensures that its clients can concentrate on what they do best: their core business.

Technip India technip.com

Services Project management, engineering and construction

PROFILE

Wilton Engineering Services

Expertise and

co-operation

Extension Support Structures and Load Out Grillages, all of which are supported by its highly experienced Technical, Operational, Project Management and Quality Health Safety & Environmental (QHSE) teams.

Its quayside facilities incorporate an extensive fabrication capability consisting of four large 2500 sqm construction halls fed by a cut profiling and preparation shop, dedicated and segregated clean pipework fabrication shops and storage facilities. The company’s turnkey fabrication facilities are further enhanced by the presence of its sister company Universal Coatings and Services, which is based on the same site and includes a large blast pen and open plan painting shop of approximately 8000 sqm.

WESL has developed strong relationships with clients both in the UK and overseas. These relationships are further strengthened by the company’s impressive portfolio of completed projects, including operations for clients such as Subsea 7, Saipem and ConocoPhillips. “Since we first established the business during 1994 we have targeted complex fabrications to give

Operating from a

50-acre site at its Port Clarence Offshore Base by the River Tees in Middlesbrough, North-East England, Wilton Engineering Services Limited (WESL) specialises in complex fabrication and multi-discipline solutions serving the onshore and offshore energy industry.

WESL organises its portfolio into four specific business streams made up of subsea hardware; equipment; decommissioning and topsides, respectively delivering specialist scopes such as Subsea Structures, Manifolds, Towheads and Mid-water Arch Systems; Onshore and Offshore Umbilical and Pipe Handling Equipment; Decommissioning Heavy Lift and Transportation Frames and Topside equipment ranging from Modules, Deck Sub-assemblies, Flare Booms, Link Bridges, Helideck Structures, Module

us an edge, by taking on projects that others wouldn’t because they are such a challenge. We pride ourselves on being able to build some really quite large and complex structures, often under significant time constraints. That is what I think really sets us apart from most companies,” reveals chief executive, Bill Scott.

“Another important strength for the company is our ability to very strongly integrate with our clients and work closely with them to get projects over the line,” adds proposals director, Duncan Warriner. “Obviously the projects we target are very challenging and the more we can work with our clients, the better the result for everyone.”

During 2013 WESL carried out a significant group reorganisation built around a robust business plan focused on longevity and sustainability. This saw a change in focus from higher-risk, one-off larger projects to greater volumes of smaller specialist and diverse scopes.

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PROFILE

visibility, the company is now stronger than ever and continues to progress well despite the current low price of oil. Bill elaborates: “Dependency on very large projects brings with it peaks and troughs which create additional challenges that can get in the way of WESL’s core belief of building long term teams, relationships and providing unrivalled customer service.”

Core to the group’s success over the years has been its policy to inspire client confidence and ensure an excellent level of service through the development, documentation and maintenance of an effective quality management system to guarantee that all of its projects conform to the client’s specified contractual requirements. WESL therefore operates a quality management system that is set up and certified by Lloyds Register in accordance with BSEN ISO 9001:2008.

Furthermore WESL is dedicated to providing a safe working environment for all of its staff and visitors. To this end its safe working practices and procedures are documented and maintained within a QHSE manual and its fully documented health and safety management system. “One thing that is certain in our marketplace is that QHSE is an absolutely critical part of the business. The culture that we foster here is again fundamental to being able to achieve the necessary standard. One side of it is having all of the standards and procedures in place, which we do, but the other side is the continual growth and development of the strong QHSE culture in the business,” Duncan says. “This also relates to our decision to restructure the business, as it allows us to operate at a level where we are able to maintain a high level of activity while continuing to develop our people and nurture the right QHSE culture. There are a number of things that we do to grow this culture, for example we share information very openly, employing what we call a ‘good spot system’,

Wilton Engineering Services

where somebody might spot something that can be improved and we listen to and communicate that suggestion. We also reward our employees on QHSE performance by making donations to local charities.”

Although market conditions have proven to be challenging in recent months, WESL has again proven that it is able to adapt and co-operate with industry partners to not only survive, but to also deliver the best possible service to its clients. “Certainly the main market that we have traditionally operated in UK, North Sea via Aberdeen, has been hit by the oil price reduction and I would say that the same applies in the Norwegian sector,” Bill says. “We have focused on broadening our global horizons, which has helped to minimise the impact of this on our operations. We’ve broadened our approach in terms of the main contractors extending into Europe, who have a much more global footprint looking at projects in Canada, Africa and further afield. The Middle Eastern market is really quite buoyant presently and Dubai is an area that is using UK expertise to enhance its productivity and calibre of work and is a market in which we can continue to grow.”

As the business seeks to expand, it will target new markets while retaining its traditional focus in the critical North Sea region and seek new partnerships to increase the scope of complex services available to clients, as Bill concludes: “We truly work with the client as one – we do not believe in ‘us’ and ‘them’ as we all have a common goal to deliver the project safely, on time and to budget. We are actively speaking to partners where we can offer better solutions to our clients and are in talks at present to formalise arrangements that will give clients a much stronger solution.”

Electrical & Instrumentation Solutions Established in 2013 Electrical & Instrumentation Solutions Ltd (EIS) is an engineering contractor with an annual turnover in excess of £2m. EIS provides excellent E&I engineering services, and these include project management, design, procurement, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, maintenance as well as ATEX Hazardous Area Inspections of E&I installations.

EIS set out in 2013 winning a small contract for Wilton Engineering (Varg PLEM & PLET) 2No sub-sea manifolds. EIS was contracted to install the Autoclave and Instrument Tubing, this was a significant project for EIS and started a relationship with WESL. EIS remains focused on the opportunities in the oil and gas sector both onshore and offshore. Its plan is to continue to grow the business in the oil and gas sector, relying on the competence and strength of its workforce and the continuing relationships with its clients, many of whom it has served continually since the creation of EIS to the present day.

Wilton Engineering Services Limited wiltonengineering.co.uk

Services Multi-discipline engineering services

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A hot

Managed by a dedicated team of senior specialists in the field of combustion technology, CS Combustion Solutions has a proven track record of innovation and dependability in the provision of burners, combustors and injection systems across a host of industrial applications, which are fully supported by its turnkey engineering and service solutions.

As such CS Combustion Solutions is a company that specialises in combustion systems that are applied within the refining, chemical and petrochemical industries through the development of bespoke solutions for burning by-products. Within the chemical industry for example, this could be waste gas and waste air or solvents at any level of concentration, including both corrosive and non-corrosive gasses. The same applies to burning or combustion of liquids. Additionally in the refinery sector, CS Combustion Solutions has extensive expertise in the thermal oxidation of liquids, gases and powdered solids that are produced as by-products of the refining process.

Based in Vienna, CS Combustion Solutions moved to a new office during April 2014 to allow it to better serve its clients and maintains manufacturing facilities within Austria and

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the Czech Republic. Today the company’s team of 25 engineers continues to offer tailormade combustion services to its core markets throughout Europe, Russia, China and Brazil while also continuing to expand into a new market in India. Throughout these markets CS Combustion Solutions has established a proven track record with successful deliveries with clients including Bayer, Phillips66, Fluor, BASF, Lonza, Conoco, Lukoil, Jacobs and others.

The company is a member of the UnithermCemcon Group, which was founded in 1946 and today continues to operate as a successful producer of burners, kilns and furnaces. As such, CS Combustion Solutions is able to call on the resources and experience of its parent company, as managing director Thomas Bartonek elaborates: “We can exchange resources in terms of services and service staff and can work together in-house on burner management; even though we are in different markets we speak the same language and both specialise in burning systems.�

CS Combustion Solutions introduces a unique approach to the design of its combustion systems. It employs high-intensity mixing technology at the beginning of its combustion process, which in turn forms the basis of all

PROFILE

of the company’s process burners. The mixing characteristics of its burners and cambers result in an extremely high level of reliability and allow clients to achieve the lowest possible emissions.

Furthermore through the introduction of several unique innovations in its incineration processes, CS Combustion Solutions is able to provide increasingly economical designs.

Indeed whatever the process, CS Combustion Solutions is dedicated to the provision of technology that offers significant advantages relating to both operation and cost including low emissions; excellent flame stability; high turn-down ratios; the ability to cope with upstream upset conditions; low maintenance; low lifetime cost and energy cost savings. “We are particularly focused on the refinery sector and on applications for waste gases and waste liquids that contain some sulphur or sulphuric acid, which is due to refineries desulphuring all of the crudes that need to be removed, which is where our combustors come in,” says Thomas. “As sour gases increase it is causing an issue in the oil and gas industry; we are doing more gas incineration in relation to sulphuric acid compound and are continuing to develop and design high turbulence combustors or combustion systems.”

The range of products and auxiliary services provided by CS Combustion Solutions can broadly be divided into four categories comprising burners, combustors, injection systems and engineering and service. Through a trusted network of agents and partners it is able to deliver a full turnkey service, which includes everything from engineering, design and manufacture through to commissioning and start-up.

All of the burners supplied by CS Combustion Solutions are built according to EN, ASME and GOST standards and are delivered to handle special applications with performance ranges of between one and 90 megawatts. Customised and designed to specific requirements, the SWB Burner for example, operates on a range of standard and special fuels, such as NG, diesel fuel, HFO, H2S-gas, Tailgas and coke gas, which can be injected directly and simultaneously into the burner. Fields of application include industrial boilers, rotary kilns, combustors, static incinerators, O2 applications and furnaces.

As a bespoke solutions provider, CS Combustion Solutions is dedicated to enhancing its existing systems as well as finding new solutions across every market application. As

CS Combustion Solutions

such, the company manages its own in-house research and development capability and presently has new patents pending and several new projects in the pipeline. This expertise and commitment to innovation has led to the company becoming one of the preferred suppliers of burner and combustors for Haldor Topsoe, a Danish catalysis company that develops process technology for petroleum refining and other industries.

Through the combination of its advanced combustion solutions, technical expertise and growing partnerships, CS Combustion Solutions is keen to expand its presence and increase its standing as a preferred supplier to a growing customer base. By combining the strengths of its partners it is able to increase its customers’ ability to reduce operating costs and achieve compliance with environmental legislation, reinforcing the reputation of CS Combustion Solutions as a market leader in combustion technology.

CS Combustion Solutions comb-sol.com

Services Combustion technology

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future Sealing the

Established in Japan over 60

years ago, Tomoe Valve, with its European Headquarters in Newport, Wales, has established a strong reputation producing high quality butterfly valves. Operating out of four manufacturing sites, in the UK, Japan, China and Indonesia the company serves the oil & gas, petrochemicals, steel, power and other general industries, with specific applications suited to gas, oil, seawater, steam & refining. Supporting this is an extensive network of sales offices and agents across all five continents.

Last featured in September 2014, business development director, Clive Johns outlines the developments taken in the period since: “Business grew last year, with good orders for application on FPSO’s in the Brazilian market plus steady business from the North American market.

We have also grown our business in Europe and are expanding our office in Singapore as the Far Eastern market grows.”

With the oil and gas industry representing a portion of Tomoe’s customer base, it has experienced some of the effects from the recent industry downturn. “The market is weak at the moment,” explains Clive. “However, spares for the maintenance, repair and operations sector is good and luckily we have a wide product range that we sell into other industries across the

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globe. Anyone selling into the oil and gas market knows that we have peaks and troughs, and we just need to stay focused and we will come out the other side.”

Becoming more focused very much defines Tomoe’s current strategy, as it makes improvements to its customer facing business.

“Tomoe has always had a good product range, but we have not communicated this as well as we could have to the market place. We are currently building a new website linked to social media and focusing more on marketing,” notes Clive.

The strength of the company’s product range is clear when coupled with the service it is delivered alongside. As a market leader Tomoe’s products are often class leading with low torque, leak tightness and extended seat life benefits inherent across the range. “Our rubber lined valve is arguably the best valve on the market,” highlights Clive. The company’s Tritec triple offset valves are designed with high pressure and high temperature applications in mind, utilising an ellipsoidal sealing geometry to ensure zero leakage performance in a range of situations.

Service wise, Tomoe’s strengths are in its flexibility and availability. “We have nearly £1m of stock in the UK that we can deliver in a variety of materials, quickly,” points out Clive.

Take this into account with the company’s strong

PROFILE

supplier relationships and worldwide network of sales offices and agents, and it is clear to see why the company prides itself on its service. It means that wherever a customer may be in the world, they have accurate and local knowledge on hand to supplement any Tomoe products used.

Manufacturing knowledge and experience within the industry have also been key to continuous development: “We recently manufactured bespoke double block and bleed valves for a customer in Ireland,” indicates Clive, illustrating Tomoe’s ability to listen to its customers and provide the best solution.

Despite market challenges, the attitude within Tomoe remains positive and with a customer base extending into other industries, the company has been able to maintain growth through recent times. This has been complemented by a move towards expansion in reaction to favourable market conditions.

Recent expansion of the Singapore office to accommodate the developing market in the Far East demonstrates this, as does its future strategy.

“The market will certainly challenge us over the next 12 months,” admits Clive. “Yet with the support from our sister companies and agents we will continue to expand our business across the world. We are currently reviewing our short and long term business plans in reaction to changing market conditions but we will concentrate on our strengths as a global business.”

By remaining aware and reactive to ever changing market conditions Tomoe puts itself in a sensible mindset to secure success in the future. Steady growth is present and when the oil and gas industry picks up the company looks ready to take advantage of new opportunities.

Clive is clear about what Tomoe’s strengths are and making the most of these strengths will be valuable to the company’s future performance.

However, equally as important in an increasingly connected world is its customer facing presence.

Therefore Tomoe’s focus on improving its website and marketing strategy will put it in a stronger position in presenting to the world those strengths.

Tomoe Valve

Despite market challenges, the attitude within Tomoe remains positive and with a customer base extending into other industries, the company has been able to maintain growth through recent times Tomoe Valve Ltd tomoeeurope.co.uk

Services Manufacture butterfly valves for on and offshore applications

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player A team

Since the company

was established in 1976, the MKW Group has established itself as a market leader in the provision of engineering solutions including design, manufacturing, testing, installation, maintenance and project management. Today the group is comprised of four companies comprised of MKW Engineering; Gazelle Wind Turbines; Stargate Precision Engineering and Total Maintenance and Engineering. Presently all of the group’s businesses are based at Stargate Business Park located at Ryton, Gateshead and employ a combined total of around 150. Across the business the MKW Group enjoys an annual turnover of around £9million.

Following its inception, the MKW Group has continued to increase it engineering base and has established itself as a reliable partner to blue chip clients operating within the oil and gas, subsea, defence and other sectors.

MKW believes that there are no problems in engineering; only challenges and solutions and with its turnkey engineering capability the company is on hand to address even the most complex engineering undertaking. Throughout its history MKW has invested heavily in cuttingedge technology to ensure that it is able to deliver the highest quality bespoke solutions to specific customer requirements.

Typically MKW Engineering creates bespoke

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solutions in response to client enquiries and as such the company prides itself in delivering turnkey capabilities across the entire engineering process ranging from design, manufacture and assembly to installation, which are all managed and undertaken from on site. While MKW does not take any of its own products to market, it is frequently required to manufacture products for clients in significant quantities. MKW Engineering accounts for around £4million of the group’s total turnover and maintains stateof-the-art machinery including the first five-axis vertical machining centre of its kind in the UK. Its other on-site capabilities include assembly, fabrication, inspection and welding of carbon steels, aluminium and stainless steel, sheet metal working and painting.

During 1995 the MKW Group strengthened its presence and service offering with the introduction of Total Maintenance and Engineering Ltd, which later became TME Hydraulics (TME) and Stargate Precision Engineering Ltd (SPE). TME was originally founded in July 1995 as a member of MKW Group to carry out on-site installations and has since expanded its operations to provide a full project planning and installation service.

Furthermore its 1000 square metre workshop is equipped with three ten-tonne overhead cranes, which enables fabrication and heavy equipment

PROFILE

overhauls on-site. In 2009, managing director Jerome Dardillac sparked a shift in focus to hydraulics, which led the company to adopt its current working name of TME Hydraulics.

“Once this had been identified as the correct direction for the company there was then a need to train and recruit hydraulic specialists, and to make ourselves known to the target customer base,” Jerome explains. “This was helped by the involvement of MKW in the fabrication of subsea equipment, and the association allowed TME Hydraulics to propose a complete hydraulic package.”

Presently TME employs a workforce of 40-plus mechanical, electrical and fabrication engineers that currently serve around 30 clients through tasks ranging from vessel maintenance in the defence sector to equipment over-haul for major blue chip clients. This allows TME to account for more than £1million of MKW Group turnover.

TME has also played an important role in the development of the MKW Group’s innovative training programme. During the programme apprentices and other staff are trained in France,

by the specialists in renewable energy, North Energy Associates indicated a market niche for small to medium sized wind turbines. The MKW Group responded with the incorporation of Gazelle Wind Turbines Ltd (GWT), while also completing a prototype machine with assistance provided through a Department of Trade and Industry SMART grant. The Gazelle is designed to provide an elegant power solution for medium-sized users including schools, small businesses, rural companies, water works and eco-centres. The design includes an 11metre carbon fibre epoxy rotor that generates 20kW of electricity, offering scope for users to supply energy back to the National Grid and offset charges for power.

With its growing presence across a varied base of industry sectors, the MKW Group is set to remain a strong industry player for several years to come. Furthermore, its specialisation in areas such as hydraulics and renewable power will ensure that the business is able to navigate the turbulent oil and gas market while continuing to supply clients that require niche solutions.

MKW Group

With its growing presence across a varied base of industry sectors, the MKW Group is set to remain a strong industry player for several years to come

MKW Group mkw.co.uk

Services Engineering solutions

where they learn a language as well as receiving an excellent engineering grounding.

Stargate Precision Engineering was spun off from MKW Engineering Ltd in response to the requirement of a reliable supplier of complex medical and other precision components within the wider group. As such SPE uses the latest CNC (computer numerically controlled) equipment to manufacture precision-machined components across a range of applications including defence, subsea and offshore, power generation and transmission, oil and gas, machinery manufacture and process industry.

By 2004 SPE had grown to employ a workforce of 20 highly skilled engineers and reached a turnover of around £0.75million. Its CNC turning and milling now covers up to five axes and the ability to convert drawings to electronic format to machining programmes ensures minimal delay in fulfilling orders.

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Cool runnings

Frese’s history began in 1944, when Borge Frese acquired a modest foundry in a Slagelse basement, the town in Denmark where the company is still headquartered today. Beginning with local customers in need of small machined metal products, Frese soon began to develop a strong reputation and an increasingly wide customer base as clients came from all over Denmark for products such as aluminium pots and pans, door knockers and bronze candlesticks. From these humble beginnings, Borge began to extend the foundry, and soon made space for the production of valves; from that moment, development was rapid, with the company becoming a specialist in the supply of valves and components for industries such as commercial HVAC, shipping and offshore.

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Frese is a combination of a high-tech foundry facility producing castings in stainless steel and nickel-aluminium bronze and an innovative valve manufacturer, focusing on the development and production of dynamic balancing valves. Today, still under the helm of Borge Frese’s descendants, Frese AS is the global leader in manufacturing dynamic balancing valves for the HVAC market; this includes heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. An innovative alternative to traditional hydronic balancing methods through the use of static balancing valves, dynamic balancing valves provide a system with efficient and accurate flow limitation as well as differential pressure control, which means design flow conditions are achieved at all times, regardless of pressure fluctuations.

Frese has been operating within the marine industry since 2002 as a provider of dynamic balancing valves for heating and cooling systems used on various applications, including submarines, cruise ships and shipyards. One notable product within the Frese range is the Frese ALPHA high corrosion resistant (HCR) wafer dynamic balancing valve, which has been developed for utilisation in a number of arduous systems to deliver the distribution of accurate and efficient flow. Suitable applications include seawater cooling, filtration and water treatment.

To minimise the flow and maintain a constant differential pressure, the ALPHA HCR flow cartridge is installed inside the valve housing, which thus ensures the design flow rate is achieved, regardless of fluctuating pressure conditions. Moreover, the ALPHA HCR is silent during operations when the system is live and is removable for easy maintenance and system flushing. Other benefits include an improved response to water hammer, ease of installation, and a quick and easy selection for customers, as only flow data is required. Applications for the Alpha HCR dynamic balancing valve include seawater district cooling (SWDC), ballast water treatment (BWT), seawater air conditioning (SWAC), seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC).

Although Frese is a leader in its field, the company does not rest on its laurels, and instead operates with a commitment to continual improvement, resulting in the development of new and improved products that simplify installations and make service work increasingly easier. Fully in control of its own resources, the company works in-house on

PROFILE

all processes, from research and development to production. Key to the company maintaining its world-leading reputation as a pioneer in automatic balancing is R&D, which ensures it will always be prepared for future requirements and world patents for its unique solutions. In addition to R&D, other operations carried out at its production facilities include the production of prototypes, tool production, casting of larger sized products, assembly of finished products, pre-shipment testing in its certified laboratory and packing and labelling.

With a reputation for excellence, Frese has worked on major projects in a range of business segments, such as airports, commercial buildings, hotels, shopping malls and residential areas. However, the company is keen to offer its expertise and high quality range of HVAC systems to ship owners and operators within the maritime industry. One example of the company’s strengths in this business segment is its work with Royal Caribbean International’s 2500 passenger cruise vessel, Jewel of the Seas.

With an enormous atrium, rising 11 decks, the vessel also features a full day spa and gym, lounge entertainment, conference facilities and the highest number of outside cabins in the RCI’s entire fleet.

Because the cruise ship was travelling between areas that face extreme temperatures, such as Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and St Petersburg, Russia, Frese was required to deliver a perfect heating/cooling system that was unproblematic, noiseless and maintenance free. To meet this demand, Frese selected automatic balancing valves to ensure the hydraulic balance of the heating/cooling circuit and the right temperature was in place on board at all times.

With the introduction of the ALPHA HCR wafer and flow cartridge to the market, Frese is certain to increase its customer base in the shipping industry, as customers not only benefit from the advantages of this new product, but also the company’s commitment to meeting future market demands through continuous innovation.

Frese

Frese has been operating within the marine industry since 2002 as a provider of dynamic balancing valves for heating and cooling systems used on various applications, including submarines, cruise ships and shipyards

Frese frese.eu/en-GB

Services Foundry and valve manufacturer

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forge Use the

Founded in the early 1970s

SMS Meer SMS Meer offers customised solutions for demanding applications in ring and wheel production. The portfolio extends from individual machines, such as ring blank presses, rolling machines and ring expanders, to complete and fully automated plants. With over 550 single ring roll machines and more than 100 fully automated lines, SMS Meer is a worldwide leader in ring and wheel rolling.

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by Mikel Redín, the current president of the company, Euskal Forging began ring-rolling operations in the 1980s. Originally operating with one manufacturing plant that produced seamless rolled rings up to 1.5 metres and 400 kilograms, Mikel gradually increased the range to 10.2 metres and 80 tonnes by 2015. With three different manufacturing locations, taking up 47,000 m2 in space in Northern Spain, and five ring rolling machines, Euskal Forging today has one of the broadest ranges in the world, going from 0.4 metres to 10.2 metres in the outer diameter and from 30 kilos to 80 tonnes.

The diversity of its portfolio and its long-term experience in the market has resulted in a strong customer base in a broad spectrum of industries, as José Luis Azurmendi, Sales Director begins: “Euskal Forging exports the majority of the volume it produces to more than 22 countries.

Our customer base varies from large, globally operating multinational organisations to medium and small companies that act as tier two and three suppliers locally. The large corporations we work with are heavily involved in the energy sectors, such as offshore and onshore wind, nuclear, oil and gas, hydropower and tidal. We are also heavily involved in other industries such as defence, mining, cement, power transmission, marine, food processing and capital goods.”

To ensure customers receive high quality products, Euskal Forging employs the finest raw materials, including the highest quality vacuum degassed steels in carbon, alloy, stainless, duplex steels and super alloys. Discussing the company’s manufacturing process, Sabino Otaegui, Production Director states: “With an extensive

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variety of raw materials in place, the heating process is carried out in ten gas furnaces that are programmed to automatically execute heating curves. The manufacturing continues with an automatic punching process, which is considered to be the most innovative design within the sector today. Lastly, the heat treatment, perhaps the most critical process, is carried out within Euskal Forging’s facilities with the use of further advanced technology to provide different treatments, such as normalising, annealing, quenching and tempering.

“Within the oil and gas industry, Euskal Forging supplies seamless rolled rings that can have multiple applications depending on the level of added value requested. In this area we provide a one-stop-shop solution where added value is provided in the way of machining, gear cutting, induction hardening or welding; it is essentially anything that the customer may need to save time and money to avoid costly and difficult transportation from one subcontractor to another.”

Having defined itself as part of the customer’s supply chain, the customer centric company is focused on reducing costs that will enable clients to win orders, make their product more competitive and adapt deliveries to their production needs so stocks can be reduced. “In addition to valuable customer service, innovative machinery and plant location are amongst our competitive attributes. In fact, in 2014 we did a full study of the rivers in Europe that can be used for transport and we have found that our ability to reach customers that use very large rings by barge is 90 per cent,” says Josu Ortego, Deputy Head of Sales.

To maintain its leading reputation for quality

PROFILE

and punctual delivery, Euskal Forging ordered its fifth ring rolling machine from SMS Meer in September 2013. The machine is currently being commissioned and is set to be the second most powerful ring rolling machine that SMS Meer has built to date. “This machine will help to ensure Euskal Forging continues to meet the ever-increasing demands of the industry for larger rings, as coke drums, rotating machines or autoclaves become bigger, wind turbines become taller and larger generators are needed up to at least eight megawatts, particularly within the offshore sector,” highlights José Luis.

The Raw 1000/1000 machine will be fitted with modern ancillary equipment so products such as tower and foundation flanges built for wind turbines can be produced on a cost efficient basis. Moreover, the machine’s location by the harbour, alongside the company’s ability to load directly into a barge from its facility is to be a key factor in Euskal Forging’s ongoing success in the future, particularly when it comes to the transportation of large rings reaching up

Euskal Forging

to seven metres. “This is a special and unique service as no other company in Europe has this availability; we can essentially make projects feasible that would otherwise be too risky due to transport conditions,” says José Luis.

Currently the world leaders for flanges in the offshore wind industry, Euskal Forging won five of the six projects it bid on in 2014, a success trend that is certain to continue as the company finds new and innovative ways to continue improving its services. “Over the next 12 months we will focus on new areas at our Irura plant, namely super alloys and more demanding steel grades. The super alloys are mainly used by the oil and gas and aerospace sector; to meet the needs of our customers within these sectors we have carried out investments and increased our engineering headcount. On top of this, we have received the EN9100 accreditation and are investing to get the approvals from the end customers and OEMs. We are currently running a number of trials with them to get their homologations soon,” concludes Josu.

Euskal Forging euskalforging.com

Services Manufacturer of seamless rolled rings and free forged parts

ENERGY,oil&gas

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A complete Working within

Below Dr Jim Allen, Technical director, Datalink Electronics

heavily regulated industries, Datalink Electronics is using its extensive knowledge to design and manufacture certified electronic solutions.

Founded in 1984 with an electronics manufacturing capability by four Hawker Siddeley engineers, Datalink Electronics has developed over the years to offer complete electronic design and manufacture solutions for a wide variety of applications. Work at the beginning of the millennium on MRI systems prompted the company to employ greater engineering capabilities and shortly after that the decision was made to start building a design team. Technical director, Dr Jim Allen explains: “Over the years we have established our design team with the intention to develop products for other people. We have found that having a strong design team, backed by our manufacturing facilities, gives us a very capable business.”

What sets Datalink apart from its competitors is its unique approach to regulation. With the depth of knowledge and expertise present within upper management, particularly within the oil and gas, and medical sectors, the company is well placed to deliver its services within highly regulated industries. “We have found that by working within these two areas we can establish

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a strong business,” highlights Jim. “Other people don’t like to touch these areas because they can be very complex and very heavily regulated because of safety.” In terms of the oil and gas industry the company is specifically set up to manufacture according to ATEX certification for the use of products in environments with an explosive atmosphere. “ATEX certification not only covers the design of the products but also the quality management that has to be put in place for manufacturing that product,” says Jim. “We’re currently building 30-40 different products for a number of customers that are all ATEX certified.”

Extensive experience in design and manufacture has also given Datalink a strong position in the market. “With a strong design team and a manufacturing capability behind us, once we have designed equipment we can rapidly get it to market because we can do everything in-house under one roof,” expresses Jim. “Our specific focus on electronics also means we can rapidly develop instrumentation for any application from existing frameworks.

We have a deliberate policy of handing over the IP generated during a project so that our customers are free to exploit the knowledge and know-how that has resulted from the development process.”

PROFILE

Datalink clients range from pipeline inspection and cleaning companies, to valve suppliers and ATEX certified PC products. “We design a lot of instrumentation devices that go onto, or into, pipelines in order to monitor and track pigs, log data to assess integrity, or monitor other equipment that’s being used within,” adds Jim. One particular system, which is now being used worldwide, is a patented sensor for assessing the thickness of debris on the inside of pipes. The device is ATEX certified, and is scalable to be used within pipes from eight inches upwards.

Jim explains: “It’s an essential tool in that when a pipeline has been cleaned by a pig, or chemically, you can never be fully sure that all the debris has been taken out. The equipment allows our customer to assess whether the pipeline has been adequately cleaned for it to operate at its optimum.” Other systems developed for the oil and gas industry include acoustic and ultrasonic tools for detecting leakage from valves in highpressure pipework, pipeline mapping systems and handheld monitoring tools to diagnose faults or assess the condition of plantwork.

The nature of the business operating in the development of instrumentation to support plant maintenance has protected it from the recent decline in the oil industry. Despite noticing significant effects on employment in the areas it is working in, Jim notes that: “The projects we’re working on are carrying on, perhaps because people have realised that with lower demand for oil and gas they can take a breather and start looking at the condition of the plant & pipework.” Challenges come from other directions for Datalink. As Jim continues: “Working in electronics there is the ever present challenge of the rate at which technology is advancing. Whilst presenting challenges however, it also opens up a number of opportunities. When I began my career in pipeline inspection, data would be stored on large tape recorders, with long download and processing times, now a USB stick can save it all and information can be processed far quicker.”

With the rate that the technology is moving, Datalink has opportunities opened up to it that weren’t even available a short period ago, and this ongoing process is a major driving force for the company.

Looking forward, Datalink is very much focused on maintaining its current strategy and position in the market. “We want to continue engaging with the industries that we work in to make sure we are always working on a number

Datalink Electronics

of innovative and creative projects,” highlights Jim. “Looking even further ahead, we are thinking about other highly regulated markets where we may be able to apply our knowledge.”

With extensive experience in electronics design and manufacture within highly regulated markets Datalink has established a strong business. By making a habit of fully understanding not only industrial, but also geographical legislature the company looks set to achieve further success in those areas which demand increasingly high standards.

We design a lot of instrumentation devices that go onto, or into, pipelines in order to monitor and track pigs, log data to assess integrity, or monitor other equipment that’s being used within

Datalink Electronics Ltd datalink-electronics.co.uk

Services Design and manufacture electronic solutions within highly regulated industries

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A flexible

approach

Founded in 1998, and becoming part of international Velosi Group (now Applus Velosi) in 2007, K2 Specialist Services has grown to become a leading supplier of inspection, repair and maintenance services throughout the oil and gas industry. The company provides asset life cycle services including periodical inspection and survey repair and maintenance, upgrade services and engineering. However, with the drop in oil prices across the global market, K2 has been forced to shift its focus and demonstrate its flexibility in order to remain successful.

“As a measure, we are pleased to report that our revenues haven’t dropped at nearly the same percentage as the price of oil,” highlights managing director, David Griffin. “The bread and butter contracts will continue to carry us

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through and support our baseline. However, we have had some projects taken off the table in areas that we were expecting to see more revenue. We have had to respond in a number of ways, we have had to reduce our headcount, push a number of full time employees into freelance roles, whilst at the same time ramping up areas where we have had some slow projects ongoing for supporting infield services. We’ve also taken some product development off the table, and shored those projects until we think the time is right for them.”

It is the company’s flexibility that gives it the strength to adapt to challenging market conditions successfully. One thing that facilitates this is the breadth of services K2 has in its offerings. “By being focused on the lifecycle of the assets we can move our area of focus

PROFILE

and influence within the offshore industry to different parts of the cycle when demand requires it,” explains David. “For instance, significant capex investment has driven construction demand in the industry. Where K2 have had a heavy focus on construction in the last five years or so, as this declines we have the ability to re-focus our personnel and capabilities in the construction sector and push them into infield service support roles, and we’ve been very successful at this.”

The other strength is the level of scale the company has built up in order to compete on international contracts. With areas of growth within West Africa and the Gulf of Mexico, K2 has been able to positively react. As David says: “In preparation for supporting more of the infield services, we set up a US office last year to focus on the Gulf of Mexico, which was set up at the right time and we have seen a pleasing increase in opportunities there. We have also been able to develop our capability with our sibling companies from the parent company in Africa, which again is allowing us to tap into opportunities there.”

This relationship with the parent company, Applus Velosi, is something David points out is becoming increasingly important to K2 as a growth initiative. Being spread across five continents in every major oil and gas hub it gives K2 access to local manpower, finance and office support wherever it needs to operate. “It gives us much faster access to establishing opportunities and gives us more capability on the ground so we can be up and running faster,” adds David.

The shift in focus at the moment has been very much refocused on the training part of K2. The company’s training services broadly encompass a breadth of safety focused courses including working at height, confined space, first aid, DROPS and rigging and lifting training, amongst many others. “One of the real positives we’ve seen in the Gulf of Mexico is a focus on offshore safety and competency,” expresses David. “There are a number of opportunities driven by majors like Shell, BP and Chevron who are continuing to drive a very proactive line in terms of requiring safety standards from suppliers. So we are seeing an increased opportunity in terms of supplying competency training, safety training and delivering more safety orientated periodical safety surveys offshore. The ongoing commitment to offshore safety is a very positive sign in these tough times.”

Looking forward, K2 is very much focused on positioning itself to take advantage as soon as the

K2 Specialist Services

market picks up again, and its flexible range of services allows it to do this. “Our key objective that we are pushing at the moment is to keep our eyes open for any opportunities. Now is also the time to be looking at the quality of service, and how we are looking after our clients in a time when we are all vulnerable and can’t afford to make mistakes,” David concludes. “In the longer term, it’s really about being really focused on delivering the safety and quality services we claim to stand by, and delivering those standards through our staff. Now, more than ever, is a great time to consolidate our position in the industry ready for the upturn.” The oil and gas industry is going through a particularly challenging period at the moment and success within it depends on a company’s ability to find opportunities within it. K2’s breadth of services, and large geographical footprint has put it in a good position to do this, and a continued commitment to safety and the quality of service it provides will help ensure it is not only able to survive, but come out the other side a strong player.

In the longer term, it’s really about being really focused on delivering the safety and quality services we claim to stand by, and delivering those standards through our staff K2 Specialist Services k2velosi.com

Services Inspection, repair, maintenance and training services for offshore oil and gas industry

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The educated

Celebrating 25 years

in operation during 2014, Caledonian Petroleum Services (CPS) has performed impressively since its inception, which has resulted in a strong reputation for the company as a leading supplier of support services for the offshore industry. Able to deliver superior quality and experience when its comes to fabrication, project management and manpower services, the company’s capabilities have been further strengthened since it was acquired and became part of the Global Energy Group (GEG) in 2010. Today the CPS brand is able to offer complete turnkey solutions, from dimensional control, 3D laser scanning surveys, vessel design, integrity engineering and construction to its already established fabrication business.

CPS has further expanded its facilities through the acquisition of S&D Fabrication, in early 2014. “CPS has always been known as a premier fabrication company, ” explains business development manager, Raff Celentano.

“However we have also created and developed

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the other services to deliver a truly seamless repair order execution service to support the asset integrity market.”

With unrivalled modern fabrication facilities located in Aberdeen (3 off) and Dunfermline, with all the facilities consisting of structural workshops, piping workshops (carbon steel and exotics) both internal and external secured storage facilities, means that CPS can deliver to the most demanding of schedules.

“From our point of view the company’s price point and cost structure has always been set in a market where we may have to compete against a number of competitors regularly for fabrication scopes,” he continues. “This means that even at a high oil price we are always proactive in addressing our cost-base and processes.”

In a competitive market, CPS has differentiated itself through the development of a niche service that targets, supports and delivers solutions for mature assets in a cost effective and efficient manner.

“CPS’s ‘vanilla’ integrity service, a plain,

PROFILE

simple and no frills service, is aimed at the repair order market rather than large turnkey projects. The oil and gas market is presently all about maintaining asset platform integrity while maintaining safety standards. That is one of our strengths as we are in a prime position to support our clients in the low cost asset integrity market.

“Presently the oil and gas market is all about maintaining asset platform integrity and production protection through integrity and reliability scopes rather than production creation through new large projects,” Raff says.

“A lot of companies are looking for cost reductions in the current climate, but we have always operated in a very competitive sector and have never been at the behest of oil price.”

As the UK offshore industry faces the challenge of supplying to the mature asset market at a lower cost, CPS has focused on meeting the needs of its clients through a more specialised approach, as Raff discussed with European Oil and Gas in August 2014: “CPS

Caledonian Petroleum Services

are the mechanics supporting our clients’ MOT rather than designing and building the car from scratch, which the larger EPC’s perform.

“It’s about doing what you need to do to maintain integrity safely. We provide focused construction driven practical solutions to the mature asset market and have added rope access construction personnel to enhance our offering.

In the current climate a number of operators are engaged with CPS to realise over 20-30

A staunch supporter of innovation, the company believes the delivery of an unrivalled service stems from forwardthinking

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Tested Technology

Proven Performance ONSHORE, OFFSHORE AND SUBSEA

VECTOR Techlok® Clamp Connector

Unitized Seal-lok™

VECTOR Duoseal™

WellProtek™ Spherical Element

Flexlok MTM™ Seal

® VECTOR SPO Compact Flange

VESTPAK Test Gasket

VECTOR Optima® Subsea Connector

Freudenberg Oil & Gas Technologies is a global provider of innovative sealing solutions that meet the challenges of the oil and gas industry Petroleum Elastomers

Metal Sealing Solutions

Our extensive, proprietary portfolio includes natural and synthetic compounds tailored to application demands for a wide range of products, to include cement plugs, BOP products, FS seals and swellable packers.

Our innovative solutions include the Vector Product line of connectors and flanges which utilize proprietary metal seal technology. Our Flexlok MTM™ seal excels in high temperature, highly corrosive downhole applications.

Advanced Thermoplastics

Materials Development & Product Testing Lab

We offer a wide range of custom sealing solutions made from high performance thermoplastics. Our patented, bi-directional Unitized™ seal is suited for extreme HPHT applications, successfully tested to 600°F and 13,000 psi.

Designed for material development and verification, the lab’s capabilities include proprietary elastomer development, evaluation of physical properties, and performance testing of designed solutions.

www.fogt.com

PROFILE

Caledonian Petroleum Services

To develop its other services, CPS, in partnership with Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework (SCQF) established an industry first with the CPS Academy

per cent cost savings not through cuts but working within the CPS model compared to the conventional models.”

People pioneers Spear headed by Bob Steel, MD, the company’s impressive customer base and ongoing success, is its adherence to parent company GEG’s four core values, which ensures CPS continues to deliver an unrivalled service. These integral values include the building of 360 degree trust through the demonstration of care, transparency and fairness with all stakeholders; operating as a global team. CPS works with sister firms to

deliver successful results, without compromising its own unique strengths; it also supports, develops and inspires personnel to develop and succeed on a personal and professional level while also delivering innovation, safety, quality and service to the best possible standard. A staunch supporter of innovation, the company believes the delivery of an unrivalled service stems from forward-thinking, in addition to a focus on health and wellbeing and a positive ‘can do’ attitude.

Indeed, as CPS has grown over the years, it has always ensured that it has the right resources. It has recently engaged with the Global Energy Group’s Graduate training scheme to complement its existing degree qualified personnel operating in its commercial, business development and welding service functions to support their already strong operations team.

Bob Steel has always promoted investment in the technical skills of its staff with an apprenticeship scheme in place since its early days in operation, the people pioneering company has also developed a strong relationship with The Prince’s Trust, which resulted in its involvement in the ‘Get into Oil and Gas’ programme.

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Applus RTD UK Ltd Wellheads Way Wellheads Industrial Estate Dyce, Aberdeen AB 21 7GD Sean Pirie - Aberdeen Business Manager Phone: 01224 772161 E Mail: sean.pirie@applusrtd.com

www.applusrtd.com

The Applus Group is a world leading testing, inspection and certification company recognized as a reference point for quality and integrity.

Applus RTD is the group’s specialist for non-destructive testing and inspection and delivers cutting-edge technologies to the oil, gas, energy and petrochemical industries.

We provide the full range of conventional inspection techniques together with bespoke solutions using advanced methods – many of which we have pioneered for industry over the past 76 years.

As a UKAS 17020 Type ‘A’ fully accredited inspection body, we offer the highest quality service with our dedicated specialist staff always aiming to exceed our client’s expectations.

Our local base at Wellheads Industrial Estate in Aberdeen has been recently refurbished to increase capacity and help us provide the North East of Scotland with the full range of NDT & ANDT Inspection techniques and customer support at short notice; • ToFD • Ultrasonics (UT) • Eddy Current • Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) • Permanent Monitoring • Liquid Penetrant Inspection (LPI) • Pulsed Eddy Current • Radiography (Gamma or X Ray) • Tank or Vessel Inspection • Phased Array Additionally our Technical Centre can provide PCN or ASNT Level 3 specialists to support the most complex of inspection tasks as well as producing client specific Procedures.

We look forward to being of service!

PROFILE

Bob has ensured that CPS regardless of the climate, invested in the training of people through its four-year apprenticeship scheme and has been involved with the Prince’s Trust for two and a half years, through its ‘Get into Oil and Gas’ programme. It has maintained a regular recruitment of five to six apprentices a year, though it incurs a cost it ensures the future requirement on the fabrication side is delivered.

As Raff elaborates: “If you look at the industry, it was only a year and a half ago the sector was

Caledonian Petroleum Services

lamenting about the shortage of manpower, whereas today many companies are making redundancies and reducing the workforce. To develop its other services, CPS, in partnership with Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework (SCQF) established an industry first with the CPS Academy; a notable development as it is the first and, so far, only company to have a training programme accredited by a university as a third-party partner. We have been in development of our Oil and Gas Survey ENERGY,oil&gas

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PROFILE

Caledonian Petroleum Services

The company’s progressive attitude towards training and career development has earned it a retention rate of 92 per cent amongst its staff Academy over the past year and a half and this supplements our survey offering,” Raff reveals. “This has been done in association with the SCQF – the body which manages Scotland’s national qualifications framework.

This means that the qualification has a value that is transferable and is accredited by Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University.”

The company’s progressive attitude towards training and career development has earned it a retention rate of 92 per cent amongst its staff, and the CPS Academy is an industry-defining first that is sure to influence the direction of

offshore training in the future. This combined with its determined approach to efficient operation will differentiate CPS as a unique service provider for years to come, as Raff concludes: “CPS has over 80 per cent staff to contract ratio, so we don’t have the tool to cut contractor rates, instead we ensure that we operate efficiently to reduce costs rather than through cuts. The key for the CPS management is that we continue to invest in training as we don’t believe in a ‘boom and bust’ way of thinking, instead we continue to keep our costs competitive and take a long-term view.”

Caledonian Petroleum Services cpsaberdeen.co.uk

Services Survey, integrity & vessel design engineering, fabrication, installation and site services

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control Comfort

Built upon

decades of experience and heavy investment in technology, the Wabtec owned company, Bearward Engineering Ltd is one of the largest producers of industrial radiators in the world.

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Founded in 1958, the business has been subject to enviable growth each year, and today operates out of a 40,000 square metre site in Northampton, UK. Supplying to the world generating set market, as well as supplying

PROFILE

radiators for pumping and construction equipment, off highway, and other specialist equipment sectors, the company manufactures over 35,000 radiators a year with a turnover of ÂŁ50 million.

Delivering into an industry that has seen increasing requirements in the reduction of noise and emissions pollution has ultimately led the business into placing great emphasis on innovation and technical expertise. Leading the way for the industry, it has developed a new range of sectional radiators, providing customers with the most advanced range of

Bearward Engineering

cost effective material, backed by worldwide and immediate after sales support. The applications and installations of the products are many and varied, from engine mounted power modules, to purpose designed low airflow, high-pressure reserve units for high acoustic applications. The result of this is that Bearward manufactures a complex range of radiators to cool engines from 500 KW to 3MW, including conventional jacket water radiators and water/charge-air configurations.

The company works closely with a large customer base that includes many of the ENERGY,oil&gas

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Bearward Engineering

Leading the way for the industry, it has developed a new range of sectional radiators, providing customers with the most advanced range of cost effective material, backed by worldwide and immediate after sales support

main manufacturers in the power generation and construction market such as Caterpillar, Cummins, MTU, Mitsubishi and SDMO. Recognised as a leader in innovation, the success of the business is attributable to a combination of modern thinking and a base of traditional experience, as UK sales manager Matthew Eggleton explained in his previous interview with European Oil and Gas: “Bearward has a number of old-school engineers, combined with modern technology, which allows us to be very quick to bringing to market new designs

and bespoke applications. We have developed a product, which allows on-site serviceability for any size of engine, and which is also designed to eliminate the failures associated with thermal expansion within cooling systems – this is our innovative sectional core solution.”

Belonging to the Wabtec Group, the business benefits from the ability to expand globally, setting up facilities in the local regions as it does.

By enabling local serviceability and manufacture, the total cost of the product can be reduced.

As part of the cooling division within a bigger organisation, Bearward has the ability to share technology and resources with sister companies, such as Young Touchstone and Unifin. Whilst the biggest threat to Bearward is the many lower cost producers of cooling systems, which are coming to the forefront on a global scale, it is the company’s trusted sectional product and global manufacturing ability that ensures it can keep such threats at bay.

Ultimately the success, which Bearward Engineering has experienced, is a result of the huge benefits that its sectional radiators bring to end users for all markets. The sectional cores principally split one large cooling surface into many smaller modules, and the sectional product is designed in such a way that they can be individually removed whilst the cooling ENERGY,oil&gas

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PROFILE

system remains in situ for maintenance or replacement. In essence, a cooling system that is maintained will provide superior cooling performance against one that is not.

With Bearward’s design, section removal can be completed by hand without the need for heavy lifting equipment and in circumstances of critical applications or sites; spare sections can be kept locally for quick changes. The sectional core removes all gasket joints associated with traditional cooling systems, and is designed to float within rubber seals removing the thermal stress to the cooling surface and isolating from heavy vibration. If a radiator is damaged, sections can be replaced on site making repairs much quicker and easier, additionally assisting cleaning if the radiator is operating in dirty conditions.

Renowned globally for its customer service, Bearward remains focused on its clients beyond the point of purchase, offering its comprehensive world-wide aftercare service. As part of its fast and efficient response to all service and repair

Bearward Engineering

issues on an international level, all parts are supplied with full warranty promoting the quality and reputation the company has worked hard to build. Boasting state-of-the-art R&D facilities, which are continually sharing data within the group, the support given to new developments is at a top level. Some of the company’s most recent introductions are the aluminium sectional radiators that have a direct cooling performance and dimensions to the copper brass sectional product.

Manufactured with the aid of the latest automated processes, quality is absolutely consistent, and Bearward’s sectional radiators give the highest levels of process control. Beyond the continuous and targeted developments of the product line, the company maintains a clear focus on the future. Its strategy is destined to ensure that the next five years will be as positive as the last few decades, aiming to keep a heavy focus on pushing its global presence, setting up local sub assembly and service locations, which effectively complement and support its continually improving portfolio.

Bearward Engineering Ltd bearward.com

Services Manufacturer of industrial radiators

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pedigree A true

With a history that dates back over 200 years, over the last 40 years Whessoe has developed a specialist expertise in the storage and handling of liquefied gases in cryogenic, low temperature, and pressurised forms. Building on its position as the first company in the world to build an LNG import tank, it today has global involvement in a range of cryogenic (liquid) gas storage tanks and terminals.

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As a well-established, vastly experienced and multi-disciplinary contractor, Whessoe combines proven technology, quality and safety with global capabilities in studies and concepts, FEED, basic design, engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning, to deliver comprehensive and value-engineered solutions to customers in the hydrocarbon and energy industries. “We’ve been directly involved in more tank projects

PROFILE

globally than most other organisations, reflecting the scale of our involvement in the industry,” says interim CEO, Len Taylor, adding: “As a business we have moved on from high integrity, quality assured systems and structures for cryogenic and low temperature service with a purely LNG focus to include ethane, ethylene, propylene, LPG and ammonia.”

Originally founded in 1790 in the UK,

Whessoe Engineering

Whessoe established a successful foundry and engineering works to take a significant role in the nascent railway, gasworks and steel construction industries throughout the 19th century. In 2013, Whessoe was acquired by Samsung C&T Corporation, keen to bolster its offering of fully integrated solutions and include LNG storage and design. That drive has seen Samsung commit to investments totalling ENERGY,oil&gas

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KSB increases investment in LNG Valve production The KSB Group is investing 12million euros in its cryogenic valve production facility located in South West France.

The new building, measuring 4,400 square metres, is designed to accommodate new machining and welding equipment as well as test facilities for the production of triple offset butterfly valves.

These valves are mainly used on platforms or factory ships, both in offshore and on shore production facilities. Almost 60% of the globally operating LNG tankers are equipped with valves from the KSB Amri production site.

• KSB Limited • 2 Cotton Way • Loughborough • Leicestershire • LE11 5TF • 01509 231872 • www.ksb.co.uk

Danais TBT

Triodis

Our technology. Your success.

Pumps Valves Service •

•

AD_Valve_TBTDanais.indd 1

09/04/2015 13:34:41

PROFILE

Whessoe Engineering

KSB KSB are proud to have long a standing relationship with Whessoe Engineering.

Valves manufactured by KSB are of the highest quality which is a prerequisite of Whessoe Engineering. KSB have successfully supplied their AMRI range of high performance double offset cryogenic butterfly valves to Whessoe for the Dragon LNG project. KSB valves have proved themselves time and time again for reliability and longevity in service. KSB are continually developing their range of valves to satisfy increasing demand of the market place and hope to continue their good working relation with Whessoe into the future.

millions into the business in a deal that saw Whessoe becoming the latest company beneath the Samsung umbrella. “We have grown significantly over a very short period of time, more than doubling the size of the company in just over two and a half years.

As a result, we have acquired additional skills into the business, better positioning ourselves to explore the overall ambition of Whessoe and Samsung,� points out Len. Calling upon a workforce, which has become renowned for its skills in providing technically and commercially

strong project solutions, it has been able to build on that position, developing its level of involvement in the value engineering process, taking responsibility for full EPC projects as part of the Samsung C&T family. Whilst immediate opportunities are hard to predict, the close alignment between Whessoe and its parent group will be further demonstrated in April, when its leaders meet to address how, from a global perspective, it can realise the best leverage from the market.

Extending from its roots, the business is well ENERGY,oil&gas

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into the construction phase of an ethane import terminal in the UK, but as part of a global brand, Whessoe has been able to weather market downturn through its far reaching recognition, and has been responsible for more than 120 projects on all five continents. “There is an insatiable demand for energy in developing parts of the world, and complementary to Samsung’s overall ambition to grow within the cryogenic gas tank markets, we are actively entering those markets,” says Len. One of the strengths of the Samsung business is that it is able to take on a project through its full life cycle, from concept, scoping studies and front end engineering design (FEED), through to full EPC, commissioning and readiness for operation, as Principal Contractor under CDM or in a PMC role.

As the demand for LNG continues to expand, one particular economy that is notably growing is that of India, as Len explains: “India is a very important part of the world for the Whessoe organisation, and we have a number of contracts there, all of which are within the key centre of LNG, in Gujarat, just north of Mumbai. Our most recent contract is with one of the largest Indian manufacturing companies who are building an import terminal in Dahej.

Operating as a PMC, we are effectively acting as the owners’ engineer, over-viewing the design on our customer’s behalf. India is a country that has big ambitions in terms of its economic growth, and alongside that has a big demand for energy, for which the government sees LNG as a natural route to gaining that energy.”

With a significant amount of infrastructure both planned and established, fuels such as

oil and gas are required to fire it, and storage solutions offer a reliable solution that ensures a readily available supply. Additionally the manufacture of materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene are reliant on the cost effective energy and raw materials such as Ethane. Through increasing the company’s involvement in the movement it is backing that growth as well as fulfilling its ambitions of being part of a solution to the economic growth

Whessoe Engineering

in the area, as Len adds: “We are still looking at a number of geographical areas, including the expansion of our capabilities into mainland Europe, particularly within the Benelux region.

Additionally, symbolic of our growing focus within South East Asia, we are currently executing projects in Malaysia and Singapore as well as targeting other areas such as Indonesia and the Philippines.”

Extending from its interests in cryogenic storage of gases, the company looks to the future actively interested in other opportunities that involve gas processing, gas compression and gas distribution. Operating in a portfolio of market sectors with Samsung C&T and actively interested in the power sector, in which there is a clear link with gas management and gas processing, such as CCGT, IGCC and CCS. “Samsung sees Whessoe as being a very key part of its growth ambitions, and in playing that role we recognise the importance of maintaining the customer focus that we have within the business, delivering the service our customers expect, combined with responsiveness and flexibility.

Our aim is to add value for our customers, rather than just doing a piece of work, and as such we already offer consultancy/advice to customers on how to best exploit opportunities, and as a result, those relationships have already begun to secure a significant amount of repeat business,” concludes Len.

Whessoe Engineering Ltd whessoe.co.uk

Services Engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning

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A total

upgrade Founded in the 1920’s as a French oil producer in the Middle East, Total has grown to become the fourth ranked publicly traded integrated international oil company in the world. Now employing over 100,000 employees in 130 plus countries across the world, last year the company brought in revenues of 177.7 billion euros. Operating across the oil and gas, renewables and specialty chemicals sector, the company is split into a number of divisions all serving the company’s vision to responsibly enable as many people

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as possible to access energy in a world where demand is constantly growing. The vision is to meet these energy demands without abandoning the environment by placing sustainable development squarely at the centre of its strategy, to better serve its customers around the world.

Alongside its efforts into innovation and production within the energy sector to create a more sustainable solution, is Total’s commitment to social and environmental issues around the world. Set up in 1992, the Total Foundation has dedicated time and resources to public health, community engagement, cultural and environmental initiatives to secure the future for all involved. Running parallel to its commercial operations, the programmes involved in the foundation involve fighting pandemics, helping young people into employment, improving cultural relationships and dialogue and preserving marine biodiversity.

Testament to its commitment to these causes, the company invests 30 million euros a year into the foundation.

Total’s oil and gas business is split into exploration and production, refinery and

PROFILE

petrochemicals, trading and shipping, and marketing and service divisions. A closer look at the company’s refinery and petrochemicals division reveals some of the ways Total is working to achieve its over arching vision.

In 2013, the company announced plans to modernise its refinery in Antwerp, Belgium to meet the growing demand for lighter, ultra-lowsulphur diesel and heating oil. The one billion euro plan includes the OPTARA (Optimisation of the Antwerp-Rotterdam-Amsterdam area) project, and ROG (Refinery of Gas) project.

Speaking in the initial press release for the project, president of Total Refinery and Petrochemicals, Patrick Ponyanné highlights the significance of the project: “It is a milestone for the further development of the Antwerp facilities into one of the most profitable platforms of the refinery and chemicals business of Total.”

Employing approximately 1700 people, the complex at Antwerp currently produces a variety of petrochemical products including fuel oil, gasoline, LPG, chemicals, diesel, jet fuel, C4 fractions and aromatics, and is the company’s biggest refinery in Europe.

The OPTARA project began construction in 2013 and is due for completion in 2016, and involves building two new units and upgrading an existing one. As the first of its kind for Total it represents a very large and complex project.

The two installations will be a new solvent deasphalting unit and a mild hydrocracking unit to convert heavy fuel oil into desulpurised diesel and ultra-low, sulphur heating oil. The ROG project is a synergy project between refinery and petrochemistry taking current fuel gas from the refinery and converting it into valuable raw materials for the thermal crackers.

Main contractors for the project are KBR, Technicas Reunidas and GE Oil and Gas. The engineering, procurement and construction contract for the project was awarded to Technicas Reunidas, one of the leading engineering and construction companies in oil and gas development. US engineering, procurement and construction company KBR is to supply its ROSE (Residuum Oil Supercritical Extraction) technology to provide the solvent deasphalting systems to the project. The technology will be able to split 48,000 barrelsper-stream-day of residue from a mix of crude oil in to deasphalted oil and asphaltene. The deasphalted oil will then be upgraded in a mild hydrocracking unit. Amongst others, one of the most important benefits provided by KBR’s ROSE technology is the lower cost and higher yield advantages in the deasphalting process of crude oil.

For the ROG expansion project, GE Oil and Gas will supply compressors to convert low-value refinery off-gases into low-cost petrochemical feedstock. Part of a trend to lower costs of production and improve operating efficiency, the process recovers significant amounts of valuable hydrocarbons that would other wise be burned as fuel. Importantly, this replaces the need to use expensive oil-based naptha feeds in naptha crackers.

The project at Antwerp is part of a continual drive for Total to ensure maximum safety and efficiency across its refinery and petrochemicals division. It forms just one part of a global effort, which includes further upgrades in the US, and the building of a full-conversion refinery and expanding capacity in Asia and the Middle East. Significantly, the project will help reduce costs within the Antwerp refinery, whilst maintaining efficient, high levels of fuel in order to meet growing demands for lighter, more environmentally friendly fuels. It is hoped

Total

The project at Antwerp is part of a continual drive for Total to ensure maximum safety and efficiency across its refinery and petrochemicals division. It forms just one part of a global effort, which includes further upgrades in the US, and the building of a fullconversion refinery and expanding capacity in Asia and the Middle East

Franki Foundations In December 2013 Franki Foundations Belgium started piling works for the Optara project at the Anwerp Total refinery. By now approximately 2500 piles have been installed on this site.

Depending on the specific job site conditions a wide variety of pile types was opted for: Omega and Atlas displacement screw piles, micropiles and driven tubed piles.

Franki Foundation Belgium’s clients are Tecnicas Reunidas (Spain), Amec Foster Wheeler (Italy) and Kinetics Technology (Italy).

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that the upgrade will also boost competitiveness, save jobs, improve the company’s industrial performance and shrink its environmental footprint in an industry continually the centre of world environmental focus.

According to Total, global energy demand is forecast to be 25 per cent higher in 2030 than in 2010, with fossil fuels making up 75 per cent of that demand. The increase in demand is mostly driven by demographic and economic growth in emerging economies. This coincides with an international focus on environmental impacts and the need to reduce the effects of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions.

Ultra-low sulphur diesel is part of this continual drive to reduce emissions, as the reduced levels of sulphur make diesel a much cleaner fuel to use, particularly in the automotive industry.

With more and more people turning towards diesel powered cars, the ability to produce more on a much more efficient scale is a significant step for Total at Antwerp.

At end of 2013, Total completed 13 projects to build, revamp and replace units at its Normandy refinery. Part of the projects’ objective was to shift the production focus of the complex towards diesel, an indication that the company is responding to the rising demand for the fuel. As in the Antwerp terminal, the project was designed to improve energy and environmental performance to reduce the company’s environmental footprint. Similar objectives were present in the company’s Port Arthur refinery upgrade in the US between 2009

and 2011. It is clear that Total is taking large and significant strides to achieve its vision of meeting increasing energy demands, whilst reducing the environmental impact it has on the world.

The OPTARA and ROG projects at Antwerp are the latest steps in the company’s mission and the heavy capital investment of over one billion euros that is going into the project highlights

Total

Ultimately, by increasing production of cleaner fuels in a much more efficient and environmentally friendly way, Total is positioning itself to remain a strong player amongst the top of a globally competitive market Port of Antwerp

how seriously Total takes it. With ongoing projects in Asia and the Middle East it also clear that the continuous drive to achieve its vision will continue into the future as demand climbs and international pressures tighten regulations within the energy sector. Ultimately, by increasing production of cleaner fuels in a much more efficient and environmentally friendly way, Total is positioning itself to remain a strong player amongst the top of a globally competitive market.

In its oil refinery in the port of Antwerp, the Total Group is busy constructing two new units: a solvent de-asphalting unit and a mild hydrocracking unit.

For the implementation of this huge project, 29 modules with high-tech assembly parts are transported from Tarragona in Spain to the Port of Antwerp. One of these modules even weighs up to 1000 tonnes.

Total total.com

Project Upgrade and modernise Antwerp refinery

ENERGY,oil&gas

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rise On the

Since its foundation in January

Below Steinar Riise, CEO Ocean Installer

2011, Ocean Installer AS has experienced rapid growth thanks to its in-depth industry experience and market ambition, swiftly progressing from a fledgling business to an internationally recognised and successful industry player. Following a prosperous three years, the company has grown to approximately 300 employees and boasts an annual income of $200 million alongside a backlog that is nearing $400 million. “Ocean Installer has experienced rapid growth along all key parameters – in terms of organisation, geographic presence, backlog, assets and operations. We currently have six established offices in Stavanger, Norway; Aberdeen, UK; Houston, US, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Perth, Australia; Dubai, UAE and Mexico City, Mexico, as well as operations in a number of regions,” begins Steinar Riise, CEO of Ocean Installer. “This carefully balanced, yet rapid growth has placed Ocean Installer in a position where it now bids on and wins, as well as successfully executes, subsea projects in competition with the major global subsea contractors.”

Boasting strong SURF (subsea structures, umbilicals, risers and flowlines) expertise, the technical staff at Ocean Installer have an average of more than ten years experience within this subsea segment. The company also provides full EPCI (engineering, procurement, construction and installation) services within the marine and subsea sectors, offering turnkey solutions in

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SURF, inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR), surveying and trenching and rock dumping.

To ensure the delivery of the highest possible quality, efficiency and sustainability, Ocean Installer has invested in a fleet of three first-rate, robust construction support vessels (CSVs) that promote environmentally cutting edge operations and solutions. Built in 2002, Normand Clipper was extensively upgraded in 2005 and is today a global capacity vessel that is suitable for both shallow and deepwater operations. The vessel has a 250 tonne crane capacity and 1700 m2 deck and a DP class two system. Meanwhile, the Normand Mermaid, a light construction support vessel (LCSV), was built in 2002 and is equipped with a DP class three system, a 100 tonne crane capacity and 765 m2 deck; the vessel can perform general subsea construction, installation of smaller structures and ROV intervention.

The most recent addition to Ocean Installer’s fleet is Normand Vision, which was introduced to the market in the second quarter of 2014.

Built for heavy construction work, the high capacity CSV is equipped with a 3000 tonne carousel, a 150 tonne vertical lay spread system (VLS), a 400 tonne active heave compensated (AHC) crane and launch system for ROVs. Highly advanced in station keeping, efficiency and performance, she is designed to operate in demanding conditions and has been purpose built for SURF projects. In November 2014, following Ocean Installer’s award for an

PROFILE

umbilical installation project with Oceaneering for LLOG on the Delta House Project, the Normand Vision began its first SURF project in the Gulf of Mexico, having previously taken on a number of projects in the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

As expected, Ocean Installer has continued to enjoy success since it was previously featured in EOG’s sister magazine, Shipping & Marine in April 2014; other key developments for the firm include the establishment of an office in Australia in October, followed by the opening of an office in Brazil in December, two strategically important areas that offer further opportunities for carefully executed growth, as Steinar notes: “The Asia Pacific and Oceania region represent significant growth opportunities in the years ahead, and we saw a need to meet client demand for subsea construction services. Mr Bijan K. Mahapatra is leading the office in Perth and with his local knowledge and network we are well positioned to expand our operation and business in the region. In addition, we saw the need to establish an office to serve the Brazilian oil and gas market. The company has seen an increasing demand of targeted vessels in the region and the short time frames in which accurate engineering solutions are demanded. We have already introduced our high capability vessel Normand Clipper to the region working for Saipem, with very promising initial client feedback. We were very fortunate to hire the highly experienced Mr Marcelo Mendonca. He has done an excellent job promoting Ocean Installer in the region.”

Other projects that the company has been involved in include the installation of umbilicals for BP on its Thunderhorse project, which was a milestone for Ocean Installer in the Gulf of Mexico; it has also recently secured further work with Statoil for an umbilical marine installation at the Visund field, as Steinar highlights: “The work scope at the Visund field will include load out and transport of new umbilical riser, installation of a new umbilical riser system including vertical anchor and mud mat for supporting umbilical

Ocean Installer

termination assembly. The content of the work includes all activities necessary for installation of the pliant wave umbilical riser. Furthermore, we have also signed contracts for various installation services on the Troll and Åsgard field for Statoil.

This underlines the importance of the ‘home’ market for Ocean Installer.”

Through a combination of experience, skills and high capability vessels, Ocean Installer is certain to flourish as it continues to build longterm relationships with clients by delivering excellence in the short and long term. “The key to further success relies on our ability to fulfill and exceed our client’s expectations on existing projects. Our overarching vision is to become a key service provider in the global SURF market, and this will be our guiding objective also over the next five years. In more concrete terms it implies further consolidating our position in the regions we currently have operations,” concludes Steinar.

Through a combination of experience, skills and high capability vessels, Ocean Installer is certain to flourish as it continues to build long-term relationships with clients by delivering excellence in the short and long term

Ocean Installer AS oceaninstaller.com

Services Subsea construction

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flow Data

Huawei Marine Networks Co., Limited (Huawei Marine/HMN) is a joint venture established by Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. and Global Marine Systems Limited.

Bringing together the industry leader in optical transmission and over 160 years of marine engineering excellence of the two parent organisations, Huawei Marine integrates innovative products and state-of-the-art technologies to provide highly reliable, costeffective fibre-optic network solutions to the telecommunications and oil and gas industries.

Headquartered in Tianjin, China, with a manufacturing base and research and development facilities in both Beijing and the United Kingdom, Huawei Marine has grown rapidly, with over 280 employees and a substantial customer base incorporating sovereign governments and global blue-chip multi-national organisations.

“The joint venture structure allows us to leverage the expertise of both parent companies including the substantial R&D resources of Huawei. The strength of their advanced optical transmission technology coupled with Global Marine’s mechanical design, marine engineering and subsea installation expertise is crucial to delivering cost-effective solutions with a design life of 25 years,” says Mike Constable, chief executive officer.

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Aligned with HMN’s full turnkey network solutions philosophy, the business offers system design and engineering, procurement, manufacturing installation and comissioning services all under one contract. “Our turnkey approach mitigates project risk and maximises customers return on investment,” adds Mike.

“Since 2013 our addressable market has expanded significantly and that has, in part been driven by the development of our new optical amplifier or repeater and branching unit. With this second generation repeater we are able to provide a higher fibre count in our system design, up from two-fibre to six-fibre pair systems, which substantially increases system design capacities.”

The development of HMN’s secondgeneration repeater, is a culmination of over three years of product qualification and testing, ensuring that the repeater units are capable of flawless operation over a design life of 25 years. Having maintained a strong focus on the engineering quality of the mechanical, optical and electrical parts at component level, this translates into a substantial increase in reliability and performance.

“We have built in significantly more redundancy to increase the performance parameters. The new design allows us to transmit more light even greater distances. This

PROFILE

is a product differentiator compared to our competitors, in that it has a titanium housing so is lighter and smaller, and therefore can be laid and buried simultaneously, so that the repeater is not left on the seabed and exposed to risk until a secondary ship is available to post lay bury them. This reduces risk and constitutes a significant cost saving that we are able to pass on to our customers,” explains Mike.

With completion of a comprehensive product qualification and testing regime, HMN’s second generation repeater is due to be deployed in a telecommunications system in Africa shortly; with system loading onto an installation ship commencing in a few weeks.

“We have a number of other contracts ready to be executed incorporating this new, product, so by year end, we expect have more product and systems going into the water,” Mike adds. “As a result, we have increased our market share. Today, we are currently constructing projects with both our first, and second generation repeaters in Africa, Russia, and Asia, with potential in the Middle East to follow. We are the only supplier with two repeater products, each bringing unique, innovative benefits to address a niche space in the market.”

Telecoms research indicates the provision of high-speed data transmission connectivity has a direct impact on a nation’s economic growth, while driving the transformation of the business landscape through the development of the internet and other associated applications such as cloud services. In a similar manner, the economic benefits of reliable broadband connectivity, already realised on a global scale are replicated on a micro-scale for the oil and gas industry.

“It’s essentially about eliminating the digital divide, whether that is on a global scale as we have seen with the internet, or at micro level by seamlessly integrating offshore oil and gas platforms with onshore communications networks,” states Mike.

As the world continues to become even more connected and the flow of data increases exponentially every year, the telecom sector is exhibiting strong growth, however it has taken some time for the oil and gas industry to begin to understand the benefits of submarine cable fibre to platform connectivity. This infrastructure is a key enabler for the oil and gas industry, particularly as the digital oil field gains momentum.

Huawei Marine Networks

“It’s not just oil that is flowing out of reservoirs but data too, and that data has to be gathered, tracked and analysed to be used effectively. There is a lot more instrumentation going into the oil fields that collect and monitor all manner of data, but leaving that data stranded offshore doesn’t make sense and it won’t provide the benefits that can be realised by enhancing field automation, reducing operational costs and enabling faster inproved decision making,” highlights Mike.

Fibre-based communications infrastructure also facilitates other technologies, including emerging big data applications such as Permanent Reservoir Monitoring (PRM) systems.

“I believe that the oil and gas industry is starting to view high-speed broadband connectivity as fundamental to its field developments. As a result, we are working alongside our customers on some bespoke opportunities, in Africa and other regions,” says Mike.

Fibre-optic submarine cable systems can be deployed retroactively to link platforms and assets in existing brown field developments or in conjunction with other infrastructure development such as the platforms and pipeline networks on greenfield sites.

“We are active all over the globe, delivering solutions to any customer, anywhere in the world,” points out Mike. The ability to provide turnkey network solutions, and the upgrade of existing submarine cable systems by expanding original design capacities have proven to be the company’s two primary revenue streams.

“We were born out of the desire to change the face of the industry that had been without innovation for almost two decades. That vision remains. We have a product road map, where we are actively developing specific new subsea hardware for the oil and gas industry. Innovation is a big part of our culture,” Mike adds.

Looking to the future, HMN is focused on expanding its existing business and customer base by developing and implementing more systems in the water to bring secure broadband connectivity for both the telecoms and oil and gas sectors.

“There are a number of regions which are quite active in driving forward fibre to platforms and other advanced data applications, however there are still other regions that need this investment and hold great opportunities for HMN,” summarises Mike. “It’s an exciting time for us, and for our customers.”

The ability to provide turnkey network solutions, and the upgrade of existing submarine cable systems by expanding original design capacities have proven to be the company’s two primary revenue streams

Huawei Marine Networks huaweimarine.com

Services Fibre optic sub marine cable solution provider

ENERGY,oil&gas

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feet Giant

March 2015 saw a major development

Below Marc Doorduin, commercial director of IHC IQIP

for the on- and offshore installation, foundation and decommissioning market, when Royal IHC launched IHC IQIP – a new organisation that integrates four of IHC’s business units – IHC Hydrohammer, IHC Handling Systems, IHC Sea Steel and IHC FUNDEX Equipment. Through this merger, IHC is taking the next step in offering a fully integrated solution for customers in the oil and gas, offshore wind, and coastal and civil markets.

“With the inspiration to serve in a more efficient way, we found that combining what had historically been separate business units into just one, not only was of great benefit to our existing customers, but has furthermore encouraged learning and a closeness between the units that is already helping the business to grow,” explained Marc Doorduin, commercial director of IHC IQIP. “Over the years we have seen our customers evolve with a higher demand for services, and in responding to that demand we have combined our businesses into one single cohesive unit.”

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With many of its customers already working with one or more of the four IHC businesses now integrated under the IHC IQIP umbrella, the merger was the next logical step in its desire to respond to clients’ requirements to reduce interfaces, costs and risks and create room for further growth as it continues to contribute substantially to IHC's overall proposition for its onshore and offshore customers.

Drawing on almost two centuries of combined experience and an unbridled passion for innovation, the service driven business is able to meet the demands of its broad customer base. This includes oil and gas corporations, installation contractors, engineering agencies and government authorities, on a global scale.

Focusing on quality, and building upon an impressive track record in various markets, it is its progressive and continuous search for improvement through innovation that has resulted in the ongoing success with tailor-made solutions and a strong global and local presence.

“Our intention is to develop into a true international company, using our footholds in

PROFILE

Singapore, Australia, the US, China, France and Germany to be as close to our customer base as possible,” said Marc. “Additionally we are setting up a hub in Brazil, highlighting our drive to provide a local service on an international scale.” As its existing customer base grows to include clients that operate all over the world, the demand to be served locally also increases, ultimately requiring equipment and servicing to be available locally. “By dividing our rental equipment between our international hubs we are able to fulfill those demands, not only in supplies, but also in maintenance of both equipment and customers own assets,” he adds.

Offering rental, sales, and leasing of its own equipment across the business platform is a dominant factor in IHC IQIP’s annual turnover, but equally important is the company’s specialism in servicing. “We can offer maintenance to customers’ equipment, either of our own brand or from other manufacturers.

Furthermore we have set up an advisory service, providing consultancy on foundations and equipment and how that can be used in specific projects such as deep water pile driving or noise mitigation in offshore wind, as well as one-off engineering projects, custom making equipment that helps the customer to solve installation challenges,” he adds.

To maintain the profitability of operations, companies in the oil and gas, offshore wind, and coastal and civil markets are increasingly looking for ways to lower their costs, decrease risks and maximise project efficiency, which has inevitably led to a growing demand for integrated solutions. Approaching the market as one organisation ensures its customers will only have to deal with one point of contact, with benefits that support both project management and efficiency.

Together IHC IQIP is a reliable partner for onshore drilling and piling solutions, offering multifunctional foundation rigs and hydraulic pile driving hammers for a broad variety of coastal and civil works. Offshore, IHC IQIP is able to offer its clients a wide range of handling, lifting and deep-water lowering equipment for the installation of all types of offshore facilities, including fixed and floating structures, subsea pipelines and subsea infrastructures. Designing equipment, which is often dedicated and custommade to withstand extreme conditions and heavy loads, it encompasses the safe movement of large piles and pipes, as well as complete

IHC IQIP

platforms in a safe, efficient and controlled manner. As the oil and gas industry has moved from shallow to deeper, and even ultra-deep waters, IHC continues to support its customers by designing and producing equipment capable of withstanding deep-water conditions.

A result of its long history in the oil and gas industry is that the business has a strong connection with the installation of structures.

With customers facing the challenges of tougher operating conditions, the need for the design and fabrication of dedicated equipment has continued to grow. “Innovation, especially in

engineering is important, bringing together techniques and equipment parts to develop prototypes as well as designing solutions from scratch. It is something we also drive forward with standard equipment, such as the noise mitigation system that we have developed to control the integrity of the pile during installation of Offshore Windfarm foundations.

Besides noise mitigation we can also use that equipment to control the positioning, verticality and orientation of the pile. So while we started developing the device to mitigate the noise, we soon found we were able to use it to create a lot of additional value,” explains Marc.

The challenge of noise reduction is constantly encouraging the business to develop additional installation methods and innovative solutions.

Next to its well-known Noise Mitigation System, new piling methods such as High Frequency Low Energy (HiLo), SMART Pile Driving (SPD) and efficient pile driving (EPD) have been successfully introduced.

The business has developed as a onestop shop for the rental and purchase of all equipment relating to its specialism in piling solutions for onshore foundations and offshore

Innovation, especially in engineering is important, bringing together techniques and equipment parts to develop prototypes as well as designing solutions from scratch

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PROFILE

installation of conductors, anchor piles, jacket skirt and/or leg piles, monopiles and start-up piles at sea. “We are involved in major offshore windfarm development that has an ever increasing demand for larger foundations, such as the Monopile XL. Because of our investments in big hammers that can cope with the high energy demand we are able to deliver the right solution,” says Marc. Through its pile guiding and handling solutions, the business aims to further reduce the installation and total cost of offshore projects and to extend the possibilities of the Monopile XL in offshore wind projects.

Whilst Governments and authorities are now starting to force oil companies to remove production facilities once resources have been depleted, IHC IQIP has already built up an impressive track record in what is a relatively young market. The demand for dedicated and custom-made tools is increasing, which is something that IHC IQIP is able to deliver.

“We have a good record in decommissioning projects, focusing on the removal of structures, jackets, subsea templates and pipelines, but we want to bring that further, and by adding

equipment to our product portfolio we can offer more solutions to our clients,” highlights Marc.

This service requires specialised and customised equipment or, in other cases, equipment that is a ‘spin-off’ from existing tools.

“As we move forward that will be a major focus, but one that will be shared with concentrating on the development of our service aspect. We see customers have an ever-growing need to have a partner that is able to ensure that maintenance is completely covered. By servicing the market with add-ons we can take away the headache of maintenance of fleet management, essentially being closer to the customer,” concludes Marc.

IHC IQIP

Fischcon In close dialogue with IQIP (former IHC), Fischcon supplied more than 500 diesel/hydraulic driven power packs over the course of a few years.

Fischcon designs and constructs these custom built/containerised power packs ranging from 175L/min @ 320 barg up to 4800L/min @ 320 barg whilst complying to DNV offshore regulations. For offshore applications the units are deployed by IQIP to e.g. drive piles, whilst for onshore locations the sets are used to drive applications for construction and infrastructure purposes.

Holland Hydraulics Holland Hydraulics is a Dutch company, specialised in engineering, production, installing and servicing hydraulic systems in business sectors such as building & construction, heavy duty machinery, defense, offshore and shipbuilding. The company is well known for its unique and tailor made solutions. For IHC IQIP the hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control systems for the ‘Noise Migration System’ were engineered and installed. The NMS, that positions the piles, and limits the noise of driving piles into the sea bottom, has first been used for the Riffgrund offshore windmill farm in Germany.

Holland Hydraulics thanks IHC IQIP for a pleasant and constructive co-operation.

IHC IQIP iqip.com

Services Intelligent equipment and smart solutions for foundation, installation and decommissioning

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Seismic and subsea With several years

Below Kjell Gauksheim, Nordic Maritime’s executive director

of industry experience, Nordic Maritime PTE Ltd. has garnered a respected reputation as a Singapore based ship owner and management company.

The business was founded by Morten Innhaug during 1999 and began operations as a ship manager for 2D and 3D seismic survey vessels on behalf of the Russian geophysical company Dalmorneftegeophysica JSC (DMNG). From this base Nordic Maritime continued to develop and gradually grew from a ship management company to a fully fledged vessel owner and operator in its own right, with its prime areas of operation including Southeast Asia; West Africa; the Middle East; India; Brazil; China; Australasia and Russia. Presently the company is headquartered in Singapore and also manages a further office in Jakarta, Indonesia from where it specialises in the operation of vessels flying the Indonesian flag.

As the company has grown so too has its service offering, which has expanded and developed inline with the changing demands of the offshore oil and gas sector, as executive director for business development and marketing, Kjell Goran Gauksheim explains:

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“Today we essentially operate two departments in Nordic Maritime, one of which is seismic survey, while the other is subsea and offshore support. Over the years we started to acquire our own vessels, enabling the company to not only provide seismic management but also sail its own ships. We acquired our first 2D seismic vessel in 2007 from there on we have further expanded with 3D and ocean bottom node (OBN) capabilities, which have remained a core part of the business since 2007.

“We have also invested into a totally different market in subsea support vessels and we have now built a DP2 subsea vessel in India with a sister vessel arriving later this year. This means that we had a new vessel for 2014 and we have another coming in this year, as well as a further new build seismic support vessel.”

Indeed despite the uncertainties within the market generated by the falling price of oil, Nordic Maritime has remained proactive in ensuring that it maintains a modern fleet and in winning contracts across the globe. The DP2 VS470 MKIII subsea service vessel, Mokul Nordic was built and delivered during March 2014 at the Tebma Shipyard in India. Following

PROFILE

Nordic Maritime

Although Nordic Maritime has proven itself to be an effective and reliable partner to clients throughout the world, it remains a company that is very much focused on the Asian market and that is also interested in developing local content

this the vessel was sailed to Norway, where it received its 100-tonne active heave compensated offshore knuckle-boom crane before beginning offshore support operations in the North Sea. “We took delivery of the first of two new IMR/ ROV support vessels during March 2014 and at the time we still had to install the crane, which was located in Norway,” Kjell elaborates.

“We took the decision of rather than sending the crane to India, to instead sail the vessel to Norway and have a strong summer operating in the North Sea. This was highly successful, as against strong competition from high-quality tonnage we were able to secure work for the entire summer even with a major as Statoil.”

The performance of Nordic Maritime and its new vessel continued to impress culminating with the announcement of the renaming of the Mokul Nordic to the Nordic Prince during December 2014, as well as the award of a five-year charter for the vessel on behalf of Noble Energy in Haifa, Israel. Commenting on the award of the contract at the end of 2014, Kjell exclaimed: “We are glad to announce that our vessel, Nordic Prince had arrived at Haifa Port and on-hire for the highly reputable international oil company, Noble Energy. This marks a good start to what we believe will be a strong collaboration between Nordic Maritime and Noble Energy. Nordic Prince is now installed with a WROV and is all ready for the new project.”

During the course of its charter for Noble Energy, the Nordic Prince will perform ROV operations as well as environmental and field development surveys. The contract was won in the face of stiff competition from several

strong candidates and following the award of the contract Nordic Maritime has committed to develop local content through a training programme aboard the Nordic Prince in close co-operation with the company’s local partner and agent K&H Maritime Ltd. “We started on the contract during November 2014 and are working on the project now. I am pleased to say that the work is progressing very well – Noble are a great client,” Kjell says.

Although Nordic Maritime has proven itself to be an effective and reliable partner to clients throughout the world, it remains a company that is very much focused on the Asian market and that is also interested in developing local content. As such, its Indonesian base will increasingly be an important hub for the company over the coming years as it looks to capitalise on the impressive success that it has enjoyed over the past months. “We are a Norwegian owned but Singapore based business and very much an Asian market player,” Kjell concludes. “Within our Indonesian office we have already re-flagged three vessels with the Indonesian flag to comply with local Cabotage and we did this to test the waters of flying a local flag. We have all the necessary shipping and agency licenses for operating in Indonesia, which is the biggest market in Asia at present and we have a good foothold there so we hope to gain more business out of being a local operator. Over the next three to four years growing the business and our fleet will certainly be our main target.

Asia and especially Myanmar in particular will be a main target going forward but we are also bidding in West Africa, India, the Middle East and other areas of the region.”

Nordic Maritime PTE Ltd nordic.com.sg

Services Seismic and subsea support services

ENERGY,oil&gas

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robots Revolutionary

The result of

Below Jørgen Hallundbaek, Founder and CEO of Welltec®

one man’s vision to improve existing practices within the oil and gas industry, Welltec® has grown from its inception by Jørgen Hallundbaek to become a globally operating, innovative developer of groundbreaking solutions. Indeed, since inventing the Well Tractor®, Jørgen maintained a strong belief in his pioneering technology and established Welltec® in 1994. The Well Tractor® is a unique product that is run on an electric line and can be transported by helicopter for swift mobilisation to ensure significant cost savings and increased recovery from wells. It was developed as part of his university thesis in 1987.

Since its incorporation and subsequent roll-out of the Well Tractor® in 1996, the dynamic firm has gone from strength to strength as it has continuously created innovative technologies that ensure safety, increased sustainability and delivered higher recovery. In fact, Welltec® has caused something of a revolution in the industry with its solutions, which have made previously impossible operations achievable.

“Welltec® is a global provider of solutions for oil and gas wells from vertical to horizontal – offshore and onshore. Our solutions are tailored

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to allow operators in the oil and gas industry to produce more cost effectively with improved recovery while achieving significantly higher returns. For 20 years we have been driven by the belief that the industry can be more efficient and safe while delivering higher recovery and overall sustainability. Our offering of unique intervention solutions and groundbreaking completion technologies has proven time and again that it is possible. Safety and higher recovery are no longer contradictions,” begins Jørgen Hallundbaek, founder and CEO of Welltec®.

“Our game-changing solutions allow our customers, some of the world’s largest national and independent oil companies, to optimise production through ground-breaking flexible well completion solutions (WCS) and innovative well intervention services (WIS). Our disruptive innovations challenge the conventions, maximising production, increasing oil recovery and improving well integrity and safety, with faster and less intrusive solutions in environments that are becoming increasingly complex, remote and hostile. In an industry characterised by maturing fields and increasing depletion, the premium attached

PROFILE

to technology, which aids in reversing these trends is continuing to gain momentum. Our value proposition is compelling; our technology enables clients to unlock more production from their assets and to address reservoir complexities and uncertainties with a greater number of options, which are cleaner, safer and more sustainable,” he adds.

With ~1000 employees operating in 59 locations in 29 countries, Welltec® is on a mission to meet the world’s demand for oil and gas in the most efficient way possible.

Committed to the development and provision of well technologies and solutions for oil and gas organisations, the company has invested in new facilities that will have a core focus on its latest development, the Welltec® Annular Barrier (WAB®). “The Transformation Center in Esbjerg, Denmark, is one more step on the path towards achieving our vision of transforming the upstream oil and gas industry such that it becomes safer and more sustainable. The new facilities will help enable that,” says Jørgen. “The 77,500 square foot facilities will be producing our expanding fleet of unique completion products, including the WAB®. Introducing our Flex-Well® concept we have opened up a whole new way of integrating well design and interventions. With the Flex-Well® it is possible for operators to design their wells to achieve optimal production for the life of the well. In short, Flex-Well® enables operators to produce oil and gas safer, more sustainable and with higher recovery.”

Following its launch into the market, the WAB® has achieved a number of breakthroughs in the industry; for example, since 2012 it has been utilised for zonal isolation in wells completed without cement. And on 16th January 2015, a press release announced that it had been installed as a primary, standalone well barrier element for the first time in the industry.

Discussing the ground-breaking qualities of the WAB®, Jørgen states: “The Welltec® Annular Barrier (WAB®) was developed for well integrity applications and for zonal isolation within the reservoir section or between reservoir units. It is an expandable metal annular barrier delivering a surface controlled, rugged, reliable, large expansion annular barrier with high-pressure capability covering a wide range of hole sizes (full Delta P capability from in-gauge to washed out holes).

“The 9 5/8 inch WAB® is both qualified in

Welltec

accordance with the IS014310 V3 standard and more recently qualified to the V0 leak criteria for application in cased hole environments. As mentioned above the WAB® has been deployed by a major NOC as a standalone primary well barrier (no cement required) in compliance with NORSOK D-010 Rev 4 standard. These qualifications permit the WAB® to replace cement in eliminating a fundamental problem within the industry, surface annular pressure (SAP). SAP is present on a large population

of well stock currently and may result in corrosion to the B-annulus, requires undesired governmental approval and unnecessary rig and workover resources to repair. The WAB® offers a new, fast and more cost effective way to challenge this problem which to date has seen very few feasible approaches for its elimination.”

This highly innovative equipment has been selected as the winner of the OTC Spotlight on New Technology Award in 2015 ; this is the fourth time that Welltec® has received the prestigious award, following a win in 2013 for the Well Cutter®, 2009 for the Well Cleaner® PST and 2008 with the Well Cleaner RCB. The company will receive the trophy in May 2015 during the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). Upon winning the award, Jørgen said: “We pride ourselves on being a transformational company, one that develops technology with real, immediate impact. The WAB® is another perfect example of our vision. Its universal application can significantly improve safety and efficiency in our industry, providing a reliable, effective annular barrier while eliminating the need and cost of cement.”

In addition to the highly effective and

Sandvik As a long-term partner, we at Sandvik have for more than 20 years supplied advanced corrosion resistant alloys and high performance materials to Welltec.

We use our expertise in tube, pipe, bar, wire, welding products and hot isostatic pressed (HIP) products to open up new possibilities.

Your goals, our focus.

When we say, ‘we help you get there’ it captures our commitment to help you overcome challenges and achieve your goals. It's part of our long-term investment in bringing you safe and reliable solutions that safeguard your productivity.

We regard safety as our guiding star.

Wherever our products are handled, be it in our own mills, the fabricator’s manufacturing facility, or in the end user’s environment, accidents and environmental hazards must be avoided at any cost.

Our ‘zero accidents’ ambition applies to our staff, customers, suppliers, strategic partners and the environment.

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THINGS CAN GET UGLY AT DEPTHS OF 10,000 FEET WE SEE A BEAUTIFUL OPPORTUNITY It’s clear that the days of easy oil and gas are over. As you explore further offshore in deeper and more harsh conditions, you’re certain to face many challenges. Like higher pressures, higher temperatures, corrosion and safety issues. Or maximizing your reservoir recovery from older reserves. One thing is certain: extreme conditions demand extremely reliable materials. Having supplied the offshore industry for more than 50 years and being present in all the major energy hubs, we understand your needs. So as you go deeper, we’re at your side, working to help you get there.

SMT.SANDVIK.COM/OILGAS

PROFILE

successful WAB®, the company has been gaining market attention for its Well Stroker® XXS, which offers the first surface controlled, e-line tool that has the capability to latch and then pull or push objects in a well with up to 100,000 lbs of force. Selected as a finalist for the ICoTA Intervention Technology Award, the Well Stroker® XXS is a game-changing piece of technology that promotes safety and efficiency, while also significantly reducing costs.

“We are honoured to be a finalist for this important industry award,” said Jørgen. “We believe that the Well Stroker® XXS truly has the potential to change how the industry operates by replacing much larger equipment with a nimble e-line tool. In fact, an 18 ft Well Stroker® XXS is able to perform the same work as a work-over rig, which has incredible prospects for how we plan and execute operations. This is the fifth time we are selected as a finalist for the ICoTA Intervention Technology Award. We have won it the last two years for our WellLIT® and Well Cutter®.”

As uncertainty in the oil and gas market continues due to low oil prices, companies are increasingly focused on finding ways to reduce costs while increasing production. With its highly efficient and innovative solutions, Welltec® is in an enviable position to meet the needs of its clients to achieve their goals through the delivery of safe, sustainable and high quality approach that boosts recovery at a lower price.

“We want to transform the upstream oil and gas industry such that it becomes safer and more sustainable while achieving higher recovery.

Our mission, therefore, is to develop and deliver game-changing solutions, which allow our clients to optimise the management and development of their assets,” concludes Jørgen.

Welltec

Welltec® welltec.com

Services Provider of robotic well solutions

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base

A firm knowledge

Founded in 2004, Fenelon Storage Tanks Ltd was established as an Irish registered company focused on maintenance projects within the Republic of Ireland. Although the company remained busy for several years within the Irish market, it increasingly took on contracts within the UK, which would go on to become the company’s main source of revenue.

Following a management buyout in 2013, Fenelon is today a UK registered business that provides design, construction and maintenance solutions for structures including storage tanks, vessels, silos and steelworks. The business is headed up by managing director Dean Sheldon, who brings with him 30 years of experience in the construction and refurbishment of storage tanks. “When I joined Fenelon in 2006 it was a fairly new player in the market and was building up a reputation as a provider of good quality tank design, repair and build,” Dean reveals.

“However it was obvious that if the company wanted to have a greater impact on the market it would need to put things in place that would allow the business to continue to grow while maintaining its reputation for providing good quality, well managed tank projects.”

Indeed the business has continued to grow and further develop the service offering that it delivers to clients. A unique selling point for Fenelon is that provides its own in-house design service that allows it to work closely with clients to deliver truly bespoke storage solutions to projects, both nationally and internationally.

“Fenelon is unusual within the tank industry in that it operates its own design department,” Dean says. “This allows us more control over tailoring design to take account of client requirements, site conditions and ‘designed in’ safer construction. Having our own design department also allows our clients to have instant access to our design team from project

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inception to completion of tank build.”

Traditionally the roots of the business have been within Ireland and the UK, where the market continues to remain strong for the company, however as it continues to grow Fenelon is strengthening its global presence by exporting its design expertise and storage solutions in kit form. “Over recent years we have been involved in several projects for overseas companies who require tank design and supply in kit form. This involves designing the tanks to client requirements, fabricating all components and loading from our headquarters into containers for installation by others,” Dean explains. “This type of work requires a great deal of attention to detail as to miss something as apparently minor as a couple of roof bracings could have serious consequences to the programme at a remote site. Throughout contracts of this nature we cannot be of the mind-set that once the materials are loaded for shipment then that is the end of our involvement. We need to think ‘who will be unloading this container and what equipment will they have?’ etc. For example, whenever we load shell plates for erection overseas we always leave the lifting shackles in place on the last plate to ensure that they are available at the other end as soon as the container is opened. We believe details like this make all the difference to the end user.”

Historically around half of the work undertaken by Fenelon are new builds, while the remainder is comprised of repair and maintenance contracts. As such the company’s workforce has ample experience in all major aspects of tank work. This is a vital component in the success of Fenelon at home and abroad.

“The quality of our workforce is critical to the success of our business,” Dean says. “We have worked hard over the past decade to cultivate

PROFILE

a culture within Fenelon Storage Tanks where every individual feels part of a team.”

To date Fenelon has delivered kit-form storage tanks to clients in Nigeria and Burkina Faso and is in talks with clients in other regions including the Middle East. Within the UK the company continues to undertake any and all projects ranging from values of £10,000 to £10.5 million, including on-going maintenance projects with clients such as Phillips 66. “Some of the company’s current live projects include a long-term maintenance contract in a large Humber Refinery, a major tank refurbishment project in Essex, two new build tanks in Plymouth and a new build tank in Tyneside,” Dean reveals.

As the business continues to grow, Fenelon places great emphasis on the training of its current and future employees through apprenticeship schemes and other in-house training programmes. The result is a company that delivers a high level of professionalism, while taking advantage of the personalised client

Fenelon Storage Tanks

interface and rapid lines of communication of a smaller business. “We have been likened to a ‘family business’ by many of our main customers. While in meetings with management I heard on several occasions that they liked to work with Fenelon for this reason.” Dean notes: “At first I didn’t like the comparison as I thought it sounded unprofessional. Then after thinking about it I realised that this was not how the comments were intended. In fact it is a great compliment to our company that we can provide the service that we do and still maintain such a personal and friendly relationship with our clients.”

During the coming years Fenelon will combine its strong market reputation, proven track record and firm knowledge base of tank design to export kit-form tanks as well as design solutions to global clients, while continuing to supply UK clients with both design and construction services. As such, Fenelon Storage Tanks can be considered a reliable partner in an occasionally uncertain market.

A unique selling point for Fenelon is that provides its own in-house design service that allows it to work closely with clients to deliver truly bespoke storage solutions to projects, both nationally and internationally

Fenelon Storage Tanks fenelontanks.com

Services Storage tanks design and fabrication

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pressure

Withstanding

Formed in 2008

as a spin-off from the globally successful 2H Offshore company, which carries out global riser analysis, Acteon company Subsea Riser Products (SRP) set out to develop and produce high pressure risers. The company has a range of skills and capabilities in subsea engineering and procurement with experience in mechanical and structural engineering, fatigue, remotely operated vehicle equipment, metalsealed equipment and coated and corrosion-

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protected equipment. Its expertise lays strongly in high-strength steel forgings, machining and welding, fatigue-loaded connections, highly pressurised components, high-pressure subsea and surface drilling riser joints and completion and workover risers. This extensive knowledge and expertise has allowed SRP to become known for developing innovative and bespoke solutions for the offshore industry.

Based in the UK, SRP has grown to become a

PROFILE

global company, with supermajor oil companies, tier one EPIC and service and equipment contractors forming its client list. Not only is it the high quality products the company produces that draws clients to SRP, but also the attitude and level of service it offers. Speaking to Energy, Oil and Gas back in September 2014, head of business development Mike Ridgeway highlighted the company’s strengths in such a competitive market: “We have a straight-talking approach, which I believe our customers respect, and a real desire to deliver what our customer really wants – cost efficiency, on-time delivery and best-in-class quality. On top of this, our size allows us to be agile and responsive to requests, whether simply for information or for changes to project requirements; we also look to continuously improve in all areas. We recognise that we are a niche supplier that is operating in a specialised field; however, our very strong track record for delivering technically challenging projects is allowing us to develop highly strategic supplier relationships with some of the major players in the oil and gas industry.”

Where the company also excels is in its innovation to meet specific demands within the industry. One particular example of this is the Rocksteady Mooring Connector, an auto-latching subsea structural connector designed with long-term reliable performance in mind. Advanced locking mechanisms within the Rocksteady give it unparalleled fatigue performance. Combining the simple design with the company’s commitment to service leads to a product that is easy to install, less expensive to operate and quick to deliver. Following successful qualification and fatigue testing in 2013, the SRP Rocksteady was first delivered to Carnegie Wave Energy (CWE) for its CET05 project off Western Australia.

The project provided a wealth of engineering challenges due to demanding load conditions, as SRP was required to provide three Rocksteady connectors with a breaking load rating of 2000 tonnes at a depth of 30m. Successful completion of the project, however, served to demonstrate the company’s ability to respond to key criteria and customer demands, as well as illustrate its commitment to developing innovative solutions.

Following on from the success of the Rocksteady subsea connector, SRP has developed the Rocksteady handling tool using the same high capacity collet locking mechanism to lock into machined grooves in the bore of the riser. The mechanism gives a more efficient

SRP Subsea

load path, and offers higher load and pressure testing capabilities. The tool can be used for shallow water subsea wellhead jack up drilling, dry tree systems and marine rise deployment, with advantages coming in the form of fast and reliable horizontal and vertical installation, and a robust and flexible design adaptable to a range of bore diameters and operations.

SRP’s core business lays in the design and manufacture of risers. Its central portfolio includes the Nimway connector for highcapacity, quick-make-up completion and workover riser applications, riser flanges, handling tools and spiders. The Nimway connector eliminates the need for traditional bolted flanges by using a preloaded sleeve. The system thus eliminates the need for torque leading to high reliability with high make-up accuracy and enhanced fatigue life. In simple terms the Nimway provides the security of a flange with far fewer components and simplified

make-up. In the spirit of the company’s focus on innovation and continuous improvement, the connector is subject to further development for high pressure and dynamically loaded permanent subsea connections.

As a member of Acteon group SRP is a key part in a team of companies that are able to work together and integrate to offer worldclass subsea services. Synergies occur across the group, and with SRP’s development of the Rocksteady Mooring systems, a natural collaboration has formed between it and sister company InterMoor which provides innovative mooring and installation technologies. Acteon’s approach is to bring together the best-in-class expertise, products and services and tailor its capabilities to the customers needs. Its group of branded services include survey, monitoring and data systems, risers and moorings, seabed foundation technologies and wide ranging project support. By bring these

Following on from the success of the Rocksteady subsea connector, SRP has developed the Rocksteady handling tool using the same high capacity collet locking mechanism to lock into machined grooves in the bore of the riser. The mechanism gives a more efficient load path, and offers higher load and pressure testing capabilities

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SRP Subsea

We can offer people a much wider experience than larger organisations because we don’t put our personnel in one area of the business and instead actively encourage crossteam working, movement and promotion within the organisation

together the group is able to share innovation and expertise, which ultimately reduces cost, risk and complexity for operators, drillers and contractors. Being part of such a group puts SRP in a strong position to achieve its goal of becoming the ‘go-to’ company for high-pressure riser projects and subsea products.

Working within the offshore industry, maintaining a safe working environment is a top priority for SRP. The company sets its own commitment to preventing any injury or harm to anyone working in conjunction with the

company, which conforms to the ISO 18001 health and safety management system. Quality also sits at the heart of the businesses operations under ISO 9001. The certification manifests itself in the company’s focus on continual improvement of every product or process, ensuring each product is fit for purpose and meets clients’ needs for reliability, safety and product longevity.

Over the years SRP has established itself as a strong player in the riser industry. Whilst being part of Acteon has been a contributor to this success, the company’s own commitment to quality and service is fundamental to achieving this position. Equally as important is its strong engineering ethic and resourcing the right people ensuring it is fully prepared for demands in the industry both now and in the future. “We can offer people a much wider experience than larger organisations because we don’t put our personnel in one area of the business and instead actively encourage crossteam working, movement and promotion within the organisation. This results in a varied, and unusually high, workload, but it means we have the flexibility to move personnel to support projects when they spike in activity,” explained Mike in the last feature. Ultimately, with its sights set clearly on continuous improvement and innovation whilst remaining equally committed to its people and clients, SRP look set to enjoy more of the growth and success it has experienced over the last few years.

W. Maass (UK) W. Maass (UK) Ltd is pleased to have served SRP over several years in technical support and provision of special forged products, with successful supply of several major projects.

It was particularly pleased to be able to assist with the recent qualification of material and the manufacture of the Total Moho Nord 80 KSI Riser Flanges to an exacting standard in accordance with SRP design and development requirements.

SRP Subsea srpsubsea.com

Services Design and manufacture subsea risers for drilling

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Delivering

independence The development of

Marimatech The last couple of years have shown a trend in replacing the traditionally land based LNG terminals with Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRU).

During the spring of 2014 Marimatech successfully delivered to Klaipeda LNG FSRU a complete approach and mooring system comprising a laser docking system, a large display system, Viking quick release hooks with remote release and mooring load monitoring system, an environmental monitoring system, a ‘Portable Pilot’ system for the pilot on the LNGC, as well as Marimatech’s Dockmaster Software for the complete solution.

Lithuania’s first LNG terminal was completed in December 2014 and has already had a major impact on the country’s energy industry. “There were two primary reasons why the project was initiated,” LNG department director, Tadas Matulionis explains. “The need to ensure the security of gas supply, and to diversify the country’s sources of gas; to have an alternative.” Throughout Lithuania’s independent history up until the end of last year, the gas industry was monopolised

by Russian gas supplied from the east, and the country’s consumers were paying the highest prices in Europe despite being closer to the source than many. “Consumers in 2013 were paying 38 euros per megawatt hour,” says Tadas.

“Within a couple of months of the terminal’s operation we were already seeing deals in the gas

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market of just over 18 euros.” Beyond financial implications, Tadas notes: “Ultimately, in terms of security the terminal can supply as much as would be needed if supplies from the pipeline were stopped. Before the terminal a report showed that the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland were 100 per cent vulnerable to any supply disruptions, but now with the terminal Lithuania is fully secured, and the rest of the Baltic is significantly more secure.”

With construction of the terminal beginning in 2012, the state established a deadline of December 2014, a short time period that to the great extent determined the technology that could be used for the project. “Land based technology can take significantly longer to build, so FSRU (Floating Storage and Regasification Unit) technology was chosen,” explains Tadas.

PROFILE

“The contract for the FSRU was signed in March 2012.” The 294 metre long FSRU vessel ‘Independence’ was supplied to Klaipedos Nafta

by Norwegian company Hoegh LNG, and was completed last year by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea. It finally moored at Klaipeda port in October 2014. The vessel has a capacity of 170,000 cubic metres of LNG, can regasify four billion cubic metres of gas a year, and is the most northerly of all FSRU units in the world.

Amongst other reasons, Klaipeda was chosen as an ideal location for the project as it only ice free port on Northern Baltic coast. Operating in cold waters means that the unit has been specialised to operate within harsh temperatures with a dual cycle system, and a number of winterisation elements to ensure safe and efficient operations.

As a major commercial port, Klaipeda was

AB Klaipedos Nafta

already well suited in terms of economic activity to situate the terminal. The layout of the port also protects the terminal from one of the harshest sea climates in the world ensuring complete operation throughout the year. To accommodate the FSRU a marine jetty and transmission to the main grid had to be constructed. Despite the tight schedule all the workhad been carried out in such a short time frame. Not only did the choice of technology facilitate the speed of construction for the terminal, but the nature of the project in terms of national interest was also a factor. “The project was received as a strategic one for the country,” highlights Tadas. “There was great support on all governmental levels, even involving the Prime Minister’s supervision. This has helped significantly to streamline all permissions, consents and co-ordination of all activities.”

However, despite strong support from the government and the technology available, being the first LNG terminal in the country created a number of challenges that had to be overcome by Klaipedos Nafta. Tadas points out: “It is also the first in the broader region, so unlike in other countries where they have existing terminals, we had to very quickly attract and develop competencies for the project teams and future operators to make the project operational.” Existing infrastructure also posed a problem as the grid was only set up to receive gas supplies from the East, so the grid had to be reworked and strengthened to enable flow from two directions. Legal and administrative modifications were also needed so that from how customs deal with the new commodity, right down to the consistent use of energy units all had to be managed. “The biggest challenge for any project manager when all work streams are parallel is managing so many interfaces without making mistakes,” adds Tadas.

Implementation of the project was carried out with careful consideration of environmental impact. “We did a very thorough evaluation before starting construction both on the strategic environmental assessment level and on a detailed environmental impact assessment level,” assures Tadas. “We have recently had confirmation from UNESCO that the terminal has had no adverse impact on the world heritage landscape, the Curonian Spit, which is nearby.”

Now operating, the terminal at Klaipeda has been successful in opening up the gas market for Lithuania and the region. “One of the aspects from the commercial structure of the terminal

Below Tadas Matulionis, LNG department director

We are a completely open terminal and offer our capacities to every player on the market on exactly the same terms. This enables there to be alternatives and, critically, competition in the market

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PROFILE

is that Klaipedos Nafta is only an operator and is not involved in gas trading at all,” discusses Tadas. “We are a completely open terminal and offer our capacities to every player on the market on exactly the same terms. This enables there to be alternatives and, critically, competition in the market.” Its main customers at the moment are energy producers in Lithuania, who use the natural gas to produce heat, electricity or both for the consumer market. Alongside its regasification service, which is the primary purpose of the terminal, it is also able to provide an LNG reloading service and in the near future - a number of smaller scale LNG activities along the Baltic coast. Tadas notes: “We have seen a huge number of these smaller terminals, which have less than 30,000 cubic metres of storage capacity, and we feel that we are very well positioned for these terminals.”

Looking forward for the terminal, Tadas sees a positive future defined by further development and exploring new market opportunities.

“First of all we are looking to streamline our operations to become the most efficiently managed LNG terminal in the world, this was set by ourselves and our shareholders. Secondly, we are currently developing, and are due to start construction of an additional land based reloading station, the primary function of which will be to load LNG onto road tucks. We see a market in the broader region to supply a number of industrial customers and towns who are off grid or are willing to use an alternative source.

We are aiming towards the end of 2016 as an operational date for this project.”

A wider strategic vision is to become a regional hub for natural gas for grid and smallscale supply. The geographical position and open market attitude gives Klaipedos Nafta a strong starting point to achieve this. In terms of the applications of LNG, Tadas concludes: “We are also trying to look beyond the traditional services of regasifying or supplying LNG. We are looking at LNG as a potential source for broader applications where it can be more convenient and cost efficient than current methods. We are working in parallel with a number of potential customers in relation to this.”

Ultimately, the development of Klaipeda LNG terminal has had a major impact on the state of Lithuania’s energy industry. With significant benefits already emerging only months into operation, and high profile support from the government, the future of the

AB Klaipedos Nafta

terminal looks bright. The next few years look set to extend these benefits to neighbouring countries, and Klaipedos Nafta’s open approach to supply and efficient operations puts the terminal at the forefront of the whole region’s gas industry.

AB Klaipedos Nafta www.sgd.lt

Services LNG Terminal

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partner A secure

Below Leif Larsson, CEO of Scandinavian Tank Storage

Founded in 1993

, Scandinavian Tank Storage (STS) is Sweden’s largest independent storage company offering storage in both caverns and tanks. Through its six international ports, including a 600,000 m3 crude storage facility in Gothenburg, STS is able to offer flexible and innovative 24-hour solutions to its clients’ storage needs. Its flexibility allows STS to store a range of products and quantities across its facilities located in Arendal, Gothenburg, Malmö, Karlshamn, Norrköping and Gävle.

Furthermore through its subsidiary company, Atlantic Tank Storage (ATS), STS is able to offer the storage of clean products in Iceland at its Helguvik, Hvalfjordur – Litli Sandur and

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Hvalfjordur – Midsandur facilities.

Through both acquisitions and long-term disposition agreements STS is able to offer large storage capacity for a host of products at competitive prices. Within Sweden and Norway for example, it offers storage solutions for bitumen, fuel oil, vacuum gas oil (VGO), gas oil, kerosene, jet A1, naphtha, gasoline and crude oil. Its Icelandic operation on the other hand encompasses 250,000 cubic metres of storage and is focused on clean products such as gas oil, kerosene, jet A1, naphtha and gasoline. “Originally STS was operated as transit storage company,” explains CEO, Leif Larsson. “As time went on we changed the

PROFILE

Scandinavian Tank Storage

Its flexibility allows STS to store a range of products and quantities across its facilities located in Arendal, Gothenburg, Malmö, Karlshamn, Norrköping and Gävle overall strategy so that today we have a good mix of regular deliveries. While some of our business is still in transit storage, we also have distribution, arbitrage and strategic storage.”

Throughout it history STS has worked with both clients and local authorities to ensure that it is able to deliver the right solutions for its customers’ needs. On the 1st January 2015 the EU’s sulphur directive came into force requiring all vessels within the sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA), which includes the North Sea, Baltic Sea and English Channel, to use lowsulphur marine diesel. According to the new regulations the maximum permitted amount of sulphur in marine fuel is now as low as 0.1

per cent by weight. To assist vessel operators to bunker in the area Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP) and STS have jointly invested in the port of Malmö to create a dedicated bunkering quay with an associated terminal facility. Furthermore, Statoil will act as the fuel supplier for the new venture. “Malmö is strategically located for this type of activity, since more than 40,000 vessels a year pass through Öresund. We are naturally delighted that Statoil has chosen Malmö and ourselves as the strategic location and partner for fuel distribution,” Leif says.

Scandinavian Tank Storage places great importance on undertaking all of its operations in a safe and sustainable manner, while ensuring ENERGY,oil&gas

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PROFILE

that its facilities are equally environmentally responsible. The conditions through which STS governs its operations are determined through a permit granting system in accordance with current legislation. Further to this the company continuously adapts its working methods in tandem with the latest findings within the

environmental sciences. As such STS maintains a philosophy of corporate responsibility and a holistic view encompassing best practice, environmentally responsibility and basic trust between all parties, which represents one of the company’s core values.

This dedication to responsible operation was recognised in 2013 when STS was awarded the prestigious Gothenburg environmental award, which was presented at the annual Energy Port Day. Each year the Port of Gothenburg hands out the Energy Port’s environmental award, with STS being awarded the accolade, among other things, because of its ability to work proactively with improvements based on customer needs.

“It is one of the company’s main focuses to be

Scandinavian Tank Storage

environmentally responsible and to comply with all the rules and regulations,” Leif elaborates. “In Sweden as well as the other Nordic countries, there are very strict environmental regulations and we are at the forefront of those. In Malmö for example we do work that is not yet necessary to comply with regulations as well as some cleaning up of the local area. We also carry out a lot of research to stay ahead of the curve regarding these issues and have regular contact with environmental authorities.”

Presently STS controls a total of around three million cubic metres of storage capacity across Sweden, Norway and Iceland. Through a broad range of flexible storage solutions and a dedicated focus on environmentally responsible and sustainable operation the company has earned a trusted reputation among its clients.

These include the major operators and trade houses within the oil and gas industry and beyond. As the company continues to grow it will reply on its dedicated workforce to enable it to seek new opportunities throughout Europe, as Leif concludes: “We are a well known company in the market and we have a good reputation, because our staff are dedicated and very professional and have a personal attitude to the market. Traders and businesses like to do business with STS, because we take a personal approach where we care about customers and take care of them. Within the coming year we will do a lot of upgrading in our current terminals and over the next two to three years we will look at further expansion through the acquisition of new companies and terminals in Sweden and its neighbouring countries.”

Scandinavian Tank Storage places great importance on undertaking all of its operations in a safe and sustainable manner, while ensuring that its facilities are equally environmentally responsible. The conditions through which STS governs its operations are determined through a permit granting system in accordance with current legislation

KSB In close co-operation with KSB Sweden and KSB’s German experts, STS designed the pumping systems for large oil storage in Gothenburg, Sweden.

KSB’s solid know-how in the area of oil cavern pumps, with hundreds of installations worldwide, together with a local presence, were essential when STS appointed their partner for pumping equipment in their storage systems.

KSB’s local service was responsible for the installation of both crude oil cavern pumps as well as the booster pumps.

Scandinavian Tank Storage AB scandinaviantankstorage.com

Services Independent tank storage

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future

Ready for the

Founded in 1978 by Ron Waite, Altec Engineering Ltd originally began operations as tool makers, but quickly progressed into the design, manufacture and build of special purpose equipment. Elaborating on the company’s history, a spokesman for Altec begins: “Out of the strong links he had developed with Durham University, Ron Waite began two companies: Altec Engineering and Bead Scientfic. After a number of years the two successful companies went their separate ways and Altec Engineering has continued to develop positively since then. Today our majority shareholder is Ron’s son, Alistair Waite, and our work revolves around the delivery of total solutions. For example, if a company required a machine for its production line, we will design it, create all of the parts, buy other parts, put the machine together, ensure it works and put the newly built equipment on our client’s line. Every piece of equipment we make is unique; this is how we grew.”

Offering a comprehensive range of engineering support services that are tailored to suit the unique needs of each client within its broad customer base, Altec Engineering’s six departments consist of engineering support, CNC precision machining, special purpose equipment, toolmaking, specialist coatings and system integrators & partners. “It was approximately seven years ago that we decided to put more effort into the CNC side of the

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business, which has proven highly fruitful. Ten years ago we had one or two small machines, but in 2014 CNC was the biggest segment of Altec Engineering. To further strengthen our success in this area we have invested a huge amount over the last six months,” he adds.

Having witnessed growth in all areas of the businesss, Altec Engineering invested £105 million on expanding its two factories, with factory one receiving a 30 per cent extension for clean building and factory two getting a 150 per cent extension to allow for new machines and all CNC operations to go under one roof. Today Altec’s CNC department is renowned for world-class capability, quality and cost effectiveness as its engineers focus on delivering solutions to complex customer specifications. As a provider of a full contract machining service, the department is approved to AS9100 Rev C and boasts a range of innovative machinery; this includes three axis high speed turning, multi-axis high speed milling, spark and wire erosion and surface and cylindrical grinding.

“The extension took six months and also involved the purchase of two new machines for specific contracts and clients. On the milling side, we have a Mazak VCT 800/30 SR5, which is a five axis milling machine that is used for highly detailed work. This equipment is used a lot for our customers in the oil and gas industry and cost approximately £340,000 when bought

PROFILE

in November 2014. Meanwhile, on the branding side, we brought a Studa S33 Universal Grinder; this is a flagship machine and we are the only subcontractor to own one. It will grind right down to two micrones and that includes thread grinding as well, which makes the grinder highly suitable for customers operating in the arctic or colder, deeper locations. As rubber seals can perish quickly in these areas, with threads we can offer the best finish possible for metal to metal sealing. This piece of equipment cost £500,000 and was bought in December.”

This ability to provide complete engineering support to industries such as oil and gas, nuclear and renewable, energy, aerospace, space science, automotive, medical science and defence has resulted in significant growth for the company, most notably within the oil and gas industry, as Altec’s spokesman highlights: “We specialise in low volume, high

Altec Engineering

level tends to be quieter.”

Despite the current challenges in the oil and gas industry, the future looks positive for Altec Engineering as the subsea sector is anticipated to be a core investment areas over the next five years: “Around 75 per cent of the work we do in the oil and gas market is within the subsea sector, so we will continue operating in the subsea market as it is where we have previously been successful and also anticipate ongoing growth. If those in the industry are going to build less rigs on the surface and more underwater, we have the experience to work with them and help bring new products to the market.

“Ultimately Altec Engineering is looking to grow; we had a turnover of £8 million in 2014 and we aim to grow to £25 million over the next five years. Our intention is to continue building a secure company that is the cutting edge of new technology through design, research and development and working with our diverse client base,” he concludes.

We specialise in low volume, high complexity components such as chassis that goes in the middle of a control system for subsea electronic modules

Altec Engineering Ltd alteceng.co.uk

Products General tools and special purpose equipment

complexity components such as chassis that goes in the middle of a control system for subsea electronic modules. We also produce blow off preventers, which are also difficult components; these are created in Durham where we work with designers and help them produce a component that is suitable for manufacture. Oil and gas is the largest market that we operate in currently, however, it is also a market that we are keeping a close eye on. Although we still have a strong client base and can offer a high quality, innovative and competitive service, without investment for putting new wells in our work ENERGY,oil&gas

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service A bespoke

Founded by

international and European welding engineer Alan Robinson in 1994, Arc Energy Resources began its first year of trading with four staff and resulted in a turnover of £1,148. Since then the highly efficient and quality conscious firm has developed into a multi-million pound organisation with 70 competent and knowledgeable staff and regular contracts with blue chip companies across the globe. Having achieved its ISO 9002 accreditation in 1995, Arc Energy witnessed rapid growth over the coming years, which resulted in a relocation to new 15,000 sq ft premises in Eastington, Gloucestershire, in 1999. With more capacity to grow, the company continued its trend for success, achieving ISO 9001 and ISO 3834-2 certification in 2002 and hitting sales in excess of £2 million for the first time in 2004. In 2008 turnover exceeded £5 million and the environmental standard ISO 14001 was achieved in 2010, followed by OHSAS 18001 accreditation in 2012; one year later, the company achieved the Investors in People Bronze award and became one of only seven UK firms to offer ASME U2 services.

Today recognised as specialists in the supply of corrosion resistant weld overlay cladding and the manufacture of specialist fabrications for industries including oil and gas, nuclear, renewable, water & waste water and naval, Arc Energy is renowned for its expertise and bespoke attitude towards customer requirements, as Andrew Robinson, director at Arc Energy, notes: “The core of our business is weld overlay cladding, a process that deposits a layer

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of corrosion resistant alloy onto traditional carbon steels and other steels. It can be used on the inside of pipelines, valves and seals of various components. It is a niche market, with approximately six other companies offering the same service in the UK, but we are well recognised and do a great deal of work in the oil and gas industry.

“As quality is no longer a competitive edge, but more of a standard expectation, we no longer use our focus on quality as a differentiator and instead deliver a bespoke service to our customers. Because contract specifications are becoming increasingly stringent, we treat every order as a new order and go through it with a fine tooth comb to ensure we do exactly what the customer wants. This is integral to allowing our clients to serve their clients properly.”

Although 80 per cent of its market share is within oil and gas, Arc Energy is keen to further diversify its customer base and take advantage of the estimated £60 billion investment in the UK’s next generation of nuclear power plants, becoming one of the first SME manufacturing firms in the south west to earn ready-to-supply status via the Fit for Nuclear programme. Having received guidance from the Manufacturing Advisory Service and Nuclear AMRC on meeting standards within the nuclear sector, the company has boosted production efficiency and created a code of continuous improvement in advance of EDF Energy’s plans to build two new reactors at Hinkley Point, Somerset.

“Being in close proximity to Hinkley Point is a major bonus for us; our closest competitor

PROFILE

is in Middlesbrough and they want to use a local supplier where possible. Because the UK hasn’t built a power plant for more than 20 years there is confusion with regards to where companies will fit in the supply chain at the moment, however we believe there is going to be quite a lot of cladding and pipework involved; we view this as a massive potential growth area, right on our doorstep.

Furthermore, Hinkley Point is supposed to be a template for a further 11 plants in the UK, so we anticipate there will be an additional growth market there,” highlights Andrew.

Celebrating its 20 year anniversary in 2014, Arc Energy looks set to continue thriving as it maintains a diverse customer base and focuses on significant investments in machinery, premises and people, as Andrew notes: “We are currently looking to further expand our premises in response to how full our order books are, which puts us in a strange position considering the oil price has plummeted and the oil and gas industry has slowed down with projects.

However, we are absolutely rammed with work

Arc Energy Resources

and expect to be until the end of 2015 so we decided this was the prime time to expand as the space we have is full. A planning document is being worked through for new premises, which will be a new building on the site we currently operate on; it is anticipated to be up and running by the end of this year.”

The additional space is certain to come in handy as Andrew, who is set to take over as managing director when his father steps down in 2015, has created a five-year plan that is targeting 15 per cent growth year-on-year. “It is an exciting time for Arc Energy and I am looking forward to implementing my plans over the coming years. It will be a challenge, but we have a number of strings to our bow that will make this possible, such as diversity in the market and a new focus on nuclear, defence and power generation. With these industries in our sights we are investing in new machinery, which will allow us to implement the next generation of welding technology and stay ahead of the game with regards to quality, fast turnaround and efficiency,” concludes Andrew.

The core of our business is weld overlay cladding, a process that deposits a layer of corrosion resistant alloy onto traditional carbon steels and other steels. It can be used on the inside of pipelines, valves and seals of various components

Arc Energy Resources arcenergy.co.uk

Services Corrosion weld overlay cladding and specialist fabrications

ENERGY,oil&gas

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forward Driving

With roots reaching back to 1947 Lamons has established itself as the world’s largest gasket and bolt supplier, with a unique business model that incorporates direct interface with the end user as well as an active role in assisting customers with a personalised, local service. The development of strong relationships with end user clients allows them to work closely with Lamons engineering, purchasing, reliability and maintenance personnel at their own facility. This has led to Lamons extending its global reach to some 32 locations across the US, Canada, South America, the UK, Europe, India, China and the Far East, through a network of manufacturing facilities and sales offices. Presently Lamons is headquartered in

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Houston, Texas with a turnover of around $220 million. The business is part of the $1.6 billion TriMas Corporation, currently trading as TRS on the NASDAQ stock market.

Lamons currently operates two locations within the UK located in Grimsby, which opened in March 2010 and Lamons Wulfrun Specialised Fasteners in Wolverhampton. During March 2013 it was announced that TriMas and Lamons had purchased the specialist bolting systems and CNC machined parts manufacturer Wulfrun Specialised Fasteners for the sum of $9.6 million.

Since that time operating as part of Lamons, the company has enjoyed continued investment and development, as general manager Peter Uttering reveals: “Following the purchase of Wulfrun

PROFILE

Lamons UK

the oil and gas industry as well as gaskets and ring joint gaskets. We have branched into the power generation market, where we supply Alstom Power, which is one of the major power suppliers in the UK. We also supply Magnox - a leading UK nuclear power company.”

As the company has continued to expand it has incorporated new equipment into its facilities, which enables it to provide a truly

Specialised Fasteners the business was moved to a 64,000 square foot facility close to junction two of the M54. Today we produce high integrity fasteners for the oil and gas industry and we are looking to further diversify into European standard nuts and bolts and thread rolling.

We want to take Lamons Wulfrun Specialised Fasteners from a turnover of £7 million to a £20 million turnover over the next four years.”

Presently Lamons UK predominantly, although not exclusively, produces components for both the subsea and topside oil and gas market, as European QHSE manager, Brad Collins further explains: “We currently supply bespoke manufactured bolting and fasteners and we also supply engineered components to predominantly

unique range of machine products at an exceptional level of quality. “We have bought a number of state-of-the-art CNC machines at an investment of around half a million pounds over the past two years,” Peter says. “These include two sliding head machines, three new CNC machines and a 120 tonne thread rolling machine. We have also invested in 5S and lean manufacturing processes.”

“The new thread rolling machine gives us the capacity to thread three inch Inconel components and we are the only company in the UK that has that ability that we know of,” Brad adds. “That is why we purchased this machine, as it gives us a huge range of capability to thread roll compared to other companies.”

Delivering to the oil and gas and power generation markets places great demands on suppliers to ensure the highest levels of quality and service, which is something that Lamons treats with the upmost importance, as Brad details: “This is something that is integral. It’s part of our business and is mandatory. The quality requirements in our business and the quality controls that we have include a robust quality review process that is embedded into every employee and every system that we operate.

Delivering to the oil and gas and power generation markets places great demands on suppliers to ensure the highest levels of quality and service, which is something that Lamons treats with the upmost importance

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PROFILE

I would say that one of our biggest strengths is that we are used to this type of intensive industry and we have highly skilled people in various positions within the business, for example I have been in fasteners for 17 years, while Peter has been in engineering for 28 years. He actually comes from an aerospace background and so has quality engineering embodied into his mindset when he is running the business. Really the biggest strengths of our business are its systems and procedures and over the course of the last two to three years we have had zero major nonconformities and only one minor non-conformity.

We have been audited over 120 times to gain these figures and as a result we can be confident in our exemplary quality.”

In recent months the oil and gas sector has proven to be an uncertain market, however despite the current low price of oil and the impact this has had on the development of new projects, Lamons UK remains confident that it retains the level of quality necessary to earmark

it as the supplier of choice for bespoke fastening components. “We provide both topside and subsea clients and most of our products are integral fasteners,” Brad says. “There are only certain companies our clients can approach to obtain these fasteners because of the quality requirements within the oil and gas market.

With our quality being so good, we are able to drive our business, because customers are coming to us due to the level of quality and service that we supply.”

“I think that we have gained an increased market share, especially last year through better service and better delivery performance. We set ourselves quality and business objectives for every year,” Peter concludes. “The first for this year being to halve the number of customer concerns that we received from 2014.

Furthermore we intend to maintain 95 per cent on-time delivery perforce in 2015 and increase sales by 20 per cent. As a business we are always trying to be more efficient at what we do.”

Lamons UK

INTOCO Special steels and alloys stockholder INTOCO based in Cheltenham, UK, has announced additions to its comprehensive oil and gas based product range.

From July 2015, the business will stock highly certified Nickel Alloy 718 round bar in both API and AMS specifications.

API material will be from diameter 12.70 to 355.60 mm (1/2” to 14”) and AMS 5663 from diameter 101.60 to 254.00 mm (4” to 10”).

Lamons UK lamons.com

Services Gasket and bolt supplier

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regulation Rapid

Since its formation

in November 2000, Pressure Tech has developed an extensive range of high quality stainless steel pressure regulators for use on gas and liquid applications.

“Having started the business 15 years ago as a one man operation, we have expanded to a 30-strong team that is well positioned for future growth,” says managing director, Steve YorkeRobinson, adding: “The ability to work closely with our customers, and listen to their specific needs, has helped ensure we design products that provide accurate control, with long term reliability in service.”

Growing recognition as a market leader ensures its range of quality pressure regulators, predominately for the oil and gas market, occupies a share equivalent to 80 per cent of its business. “We have developed products that have unique features designed to make them not only last longer in the field, but also easier to service, effectively reducing down time,” points out Steve. As the first company in the market to incorporate ceramic seats into hydraulic regulators, its innovative thinking highlights its commitment to not simply re-engineer products, but actively evaluate customer application and product design to create a better-suited product.

“The ceramic material itself is designed to withstand wear and tear and cavitation issues, which are often encountered, particularly on water – glycol systems,” adds Steve.

With a large investment in CNC machinery

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in 2008, its in-house machining ensures control over production to maintain flexibility with minimal lead times, and a business model that is able to provide a rapid response to develop unique product designs. Having been involved in the market for much of his career, Steve was able to call upon a core understanding of mechanical principles and an aptitude for sales, establishing a successful combination of working with the customer and designing the products around them. Demonstrable of this commitment to customer-focused designs, Pressure Tech has worked closely with numerous clients to developing products. “We have a subsea pressure regulator, capable of being used down to 3000 metres as a pressure control device, and whilst still in the development stage, we also have a high-flow pressure regulator, which is unique in that it fits, as a unit, inside the pipework. It is a lot more compact than other products on the market, with fewer working components and a simpler design, and is therefore less likely to have any kind of failure issues,” says Steve, whose regulators are manufactured within the UK and covered by ISO-9001 accreditation.

Another product; the new flow control valve has been designed as a manifold concept, providing the option of filtration and block and bleed valves built into the assembly, as Steve continues: “We have incorporated all these features into a manifold block that can be connected up to the flow control valve itself.

PROFILE

With an emphasis on engineered solutions; our core range of products each have unique selling points, and importantly from design to final product, everything is manufactured in-house.”

The expansion into a new 5000sqft facility, coinciding with the investment in another four CNC machines, bringing its total to 11, allowed the business to not only increase the volume of production, but also reduced the need for subcontracting components, effectively minimising lead times. “One of these machines holds 90 tools, which is sufficient to manufacture several of the pressure regulator bodies eliminating the requirement for using a range of other machines. We identified that 40 per cent of the time spent on the machines was setting-up, so we have improved our throughput by eliminating that inefficiency,” explains Steve.

With a quarter of its customer base within the UK, and an additional 40 per cent from within Europe, the business also holds a strong export customer base with panel and system builders for hydraulic control units, ultimately used by companies such as FMC, Aker Solutions and OneSubsea. Commenting on the market, Steve highlights: “We have enjoyed continual expansion, but it is an uncertain period ahead, particularly with concerns over oil pricing.

However, this does create opportunities for us with end users looking for cost reductions up to 25 per cent. As a smaller company with a proven and accepted product we are able to attract the attention of major players as they look for competitive alternative options.”

It is the flexibility and the size of the business

that equips Pressure Tech with an added strength, capable of delivering contracts valued at €500,000, whilst being flexible, responsive, and quicker to react to customer requests. Moving forward, Steve provides an insight into the direction of the business as it faces a potentially challenging phase: “We are looking at a direct sales approach to the market, simultaneously launching an e-commerce website that will allow customers to receive quotations and pricing information as well as placing orders directly via the website, which we believe will open up the door and accessibility to our products, internationally. As part of this sales drive, the business recently recruited a sales engineer based in Aberdeen to solely focus on the markets in Scotland, Norway and Holland. We want to double our turnover in the next two to three years, as well as extend the product range into offering a complete solution, diversifying into new areas outside the pressure regulators, through internal development and acquisition.”

Pressure Tech

With an emphasis on engineered solutions; our core range of products each have unique selling points, and importantly from design to final product, everything is manufactured in-house

Pressure Tech pressure-tech.com

Services Manufacturer of stainless steel pressure regulators

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explorer Modern

Established in 2001

, PV Drilling has worked tirelessly to develop the position it holds in the market today. Originating from the formation of PTSC Offshore – a division of PTSC, the establishment of PV Drilling was based on the strategy of building and developing oil technology.

Formed with a clear strategy of becoming the leading drilling contractor in Vietnam, as well as serving the global market, the ISO 9001:2008, OHSAS 18001: 2007, ISO 14001: 2006 certified company has diversified its portfolio to provide customers with a wide range of services.

At present, the main role of PV Drilling is the management and operation of onshore and offshore drilling rigs, which yield significant income for the corporation, contributing to 60 per cent of its total revenue and 70 per cent of its net profit. In 2004, the business successfully began implementing high-tech services such as mud logging, slickline and well testing, contributing to the common goal of its strategy. With its vision to be an internationally reputable and reliable drilling contractor and drilling-related services provider in the oil and gas industry, it continues to create value added opportunities for clients by delivering premium services at competitive prices. To ensure the provision of integrated, optimum solutions, PV Drilling acts both independently and via its reputable partners such as Baker Hughes and BJ Services.

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After more than a decade of development, PV Drilling is in a phase of expansion across areas that include drilling services, the provision of professional human resources, oil and gas wells and pipeline inspection. It is the delivery of these important services for the industry that the company credits for much of its development.

While many sectors have been faced with the economic woes brought on by the financial crisis, the global drilling market has until recently been resilient thanks to strong exploration and production (E&P) activities, which has resulted in a number of medium and long-term contracts for rig operators.

Simultaneously, numerous older-generation rigs are being gradually replaced due to stricter safety requirements. The construction capacity for new and high-tech rigs is currently limited to meet both replacement and higher drilling demand, which has led to increased competition in the search for high-spec rigs, creating opportunities for prestigious and capable drilling contractors.

Furthermore, through its professional competence and long experience in the field of drilling and wells, PV Drilling is one of the leading suppliers to be able to take on the oil spill treatment services levels one to three.

Not only is the company operational as an effective business unit, it is also playing a role in contributing to the protection of the marine environment in Vietnam. Taking advantage of its position and the promising activities still available in the market, the business looks to expand its operations overseas. Developing both steadily and sustainably, PV Drilling is strongly aware of the importance of effective risk management; integrating management systems to ensure each operation’s safety; the importance of financial management and human resource development; and in building a working environment which encourages employee commitment. Furthermore, ensuring transparency between the corporation, shareholders and the public is essential.

As its vision suggests, the corporation is keen on developing drilling services as its core business, as well as encouraging its competitiveness in drilling-related services, distinguishing itself a first-class provider of full-scale packages for upstream activities.

Accompanying the company’s services is its fleet of three high quality jack-up rigs, one land rig in operation in Algeria and one semi-submersible tender assist-drilling (TAD) rig.

Through providing five of its assets on hire

PROFILE

to international drillers in offshore Vietnam, PV Drilling currently occupies more than 50 per cent of the local drilling market; this percentage is likely to grow in the coming years as the company looks to add several advanced jack-up rigs to its fleet, as well as an additional semi-submersible rig. The acquisition of further assets reflects an ongoing response to the rapidly moving market and the company’s intention to realise a strategy of expansion in the near future. Included within this strategy was the delivery of a new 400 ft jack-up rig from Keppel Fels, received in March 2015. The unit is based on Keppel’s standard B class jackup rig design, able to operate in water depths of 400ft and drill down to a maximum depth of 30,000ft. In January 2015, PV Drilling announced that the unit has been contracted for two years by PetroVietnam Exploration Production Company (PVEP) to carry out drilling operations in Vietnam. A prime example of the company’s commitment to continuous investment and improvement

of its assets, the rig, named PV Drilling VI, is furnished with the most advanced technology in its field, primarily serving the global market operating from Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the Gulf of Mexico.

Despite the current climate, the business looks set to continue flourishing in a market with strong exploration and production (E&P) activities, and as older-generation rigs are gradually replaced following stricter safety regulations coming into effect, the quality conscious company is in an enviable position as the market searches for high-spec rigs.

Supported by a wealth of determination, proven track record of success and technical knowhow to carry it forward, PV Drilling moves into the future offering an energetic outlook and is keen to demonstrate its talents to new customers.

Whilst building an image of PV Drilling as a young and dynamic drilling contractor, the corporation differentiates itself from competitors by optimising the operational cost and diversifying its scope of services.

PV Drilling

Drilling Services Drilling Services Ltd is proud to have been associated with PV Drilling and Well Services Corporation for over ten years, sourcing, procuring and distributing a wide range of essential equipment and consumables, from OEM and alternate sources of the highest quality.

Utilising many years of knowledge in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, Drilling Services has a proven ability to meet customer requirements, including tailor-made supply packages from single items to full projects, worldwide.

PV Drilling pvdrilling.com.vn

Services Drilling and well services

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More brownfield In taking advantage

of the surge in oil and gas project activity in the Middle East, Loops Automation LLC was formed in 2000, establishing itself as a leader in the supply of specialised engineering packages, metering skids, and process controls.

Early in the company’s history it considered Iraq a strategic market and developed a

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strong reputation through several projects in collaboration with Iraqi oil and gas companies and refineries establishing itself as a reliable partner in the ‘Rebuilding Iraq’ programme between 2005 and 2009. The company now is a major supplier of metering skids and control systems to the projects of Iraq’s Ministry of Oil. “Despite our regional growth in many countries in the Middle East and North Africa, we still view Iraq as a strategic and important market,” says Nidal Sabbah, business development manager.

Whilst maintaining its commitment to the Middle East oil and gas market, the business has had to diversify its interests over the last 12 months as a result of regional politics, particularly in Iraq and in Syria, as well as the drop in oil prices. “It is situations such as this that have led us to targeting more brownfield projects in Abu Dhabi, as well as pushing for more business in Saudi Arabia. Under a vendor agreement with Aramco we are also opening a

PROFILE

new branch in Nigeria.” explains Nidal.

“However, one of the main challenges we are facing this year as a result of the drop in oil price is that it has changed the way our customers are doing business. Some customers are not replacing whole metering skids, instead looking for maintenance or repair solutions, as well as looking for improvement on the electronics side in the metering process,” he adds. Not only trading as suppliers of skids but integrators too, Loops Automation is highly capable of interfacing on existing control systems.

“This has resulted in us being more heavily involved in projects where we are working on metering control panels, as well as the repair of the mechanical parts. Such ‘brownfield’ work improving existing facilities is really the growing area for us at present, and we have been successfully undertaking this type of work in Abu Dhabi, updating old assets by adding new technologies on the electronic side. Our experience in both the metering side and the control side makes us attractive to operators,” continues Nidal.

From its Dubai base the company is able to serve clients throughout the Middle East, and as such Loops Automation is ambitiously working to establish itself as the premier supplier of turnkey engineered solutions to the oil and gas industry based in the region, despite certain challenges. “New technologies are now available, and we are always required to keep up with the increasing complexities of engineering and integration work needed for specific scenarios in brownfield projects,” according to Nidal.

One trend that has been growing is the number of projects where metering skids are being supplied for pipelines feeding power stations. In this case, adding pressure reduction & metering stations has been increasingly occupying the company’s time. Another trend is the increased use of green energy by oil and gas companies. Loops Automation is now working on a couple of projects where solar energy and wind turbines are involved.

Heavily involved in enterprise resource planning (ERP), Loops Automation is well aware of the importance of streamlining its business when faced with uncertain times. “The ERP provides information that allows us to simulate and implement processes that will improve efficiency and save time and labour. Each project is handled through the ERP, including finances, scheduling and resource allocations,” says Nidal.

In summary, Nidal looks to the future adding:

Loops Automation

“We want our company to be viewed as a local business with local knowledge when customers are looking for solutions in automation and flow metering. We have gone a long way to establish a good name for Loops Automation, and I think it is now working. Our plan is to continue the good work, as well as to expand a little more regionally in other countries.”

Loops Automation loopsautomation.com

Manufacturing & Services Engineering packages, metering skids, and process controls

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expertise Three decades of surveillance

2015 represents an

important milestone for global surveillance business Synectics - the company’s COEX brand of cameras have been protecting assets related to oil and gas, marine and critical infrastructure projects for three decades.

Energy, Oil and Gas Magazine talks to Synectics’ CEO Paul Webb and engineering director, Darren Alder about the business and to find out how the company’s COEX brand has evolved to become one of the most recognisable names in oil and gas surveillance.

“The COEX brand first launched in 1985 and became part of the Synectics portfolio in 2004.

The range’s reliability, flexibility, and ability to perform in extreme conditions, has been pivotal to the brand’s success, as has our commitment to ongoing product development in order to meet evolving customer needs,” Paul explains.

Indeed, the inclusion of the COEX brand within the Synectics product portfolio has enabled the company to diversify and increase its market share.

Today Synectic Systems operates regional hubs within the UK, North America, Europe, UAE and Singapore with some 250 employees and a yearly turnover that has increased from around £4 million to around £40 million. Its COEX camera stations are presently deployed on numerous key oil and gas projects including Kashagan, Shell Pearl GTL and Gorgon and during the past ten years alone, over 10,000 Synectics COEX camera stations have been delivered to customers across the globe to protect and safeguard vital industrial operations.

The business has always focused on robust design and on pushing the boundaries of what has traditionally been possible within the surveillance industry, as Darren elaborates: “Our

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cameras are deployed in highly demanding environments that include very high and very low temperatures, strong vibration, extreme weather conditions, corrosive materials and impact potential.

“Our cameras are compliant to international standards including ATEX, IECEx, CSAus and EAC-TR CU, which allow us to provide clients with reassurance of product quality and safety. As well as the certification procedures we are also diligent about our own, in-house testing - we submit our products to a rigorous test regime that includes pressure, functional and systems testing.

Attention to detail like this gives our customers full peace of mind that our cameras can and will perform in the harshest of conditions.”

Synectics recently launched a new breed of rugged High Definition IP COEX C3000 camera stations, which include on-board compression technology that delivers IP output directly from the station, removing the requirement of separate encoder units.

These units are designed to operate at temperatures of as high as 70ºC and as low as -55ºC, as Darren reveals: “These camera stations do not just power on and start recording – they actually have a pre-heat mode which allows them to mitigate the cold environment before they go into operation. We’ve provided COEX cameras to a client operating in Kazakhstan where the temperature can be as low as -45°C and as high as 60°C. We’ve spent a great deal of time developing solutions that can cope with such extreme change in temperature.”

With three decades of proven industry performance, and the HD IP camera station continuing to raise the bar of what is possible, demand for Synectics’ innovation is higher than ever, and not just for its camera technology.

The need for reliable surveillance solutions in demanding and often critical environments is a challenge that Synectics readily embraces.

Drawing on expertise gleaned from a broad base of industries the company is able to develop tailored turnkey solutions that meet clients’ unique requirements. Synectics camera systems are based on the same proprietary software and are supported by the company’s advanced Synergy 3 command and control platform, a flexible, open architecture platform designed to provide operators with the ability to control and manage integrated safety and security edge devices (visual, audio and data) from a single unified platform.

“The core technology of Synectics is softwarebased security management systems – which

PROFILE

started off as video recording, playback and review, and has grown into a broader capability in command and control.

“As the market moves more and more towards integration, the company’s capability and its in-house group development allows us to provide a product that integrates into other systems and meets the needs of the customer,” Paul elaborates. “We are able to tailor systems to the requirements of the customer’s operation because we deeply understand what they do – we deliver more than just a software platform, we provide turnkey integrated systems.”

Synectics solutions, with COEX camera stations, can be integrated with several technologies including radar, allowing for the tracking of vessels and ongoing works, and thermal imaging, which can be used in equipment monitoring or even to locate personnel who have fallen overboard.

Within the oil and gas market, Synectics is able to draw on its proven success in other areas to offer a technology that is already well established, as Paul reveals: “We are able to adapt

to different industries at different points in their life cycle. In gaming for example, we developed high definition video very early on, but within the oil and gas industry adoption has been at a slower rate. Now that interest is building in high definition our oil and gas clients benefit from our experience in other markets – they avoid the challenges that can be associated with the implementation of a new technology as we have already deployed and proven it elsewhere.”

As Synectics continues to innovate and reach new milestones in technology and operation, it will seek to further develop its solutions for this market to deliver advantages its clients may not have previously thought possible, as Paul concludes: “Around the world we have seen a desire to get more integration into subsystems and we are working with end-users and consulting engineers to demonstrate that the software platform behind the COEX camera stations has evolved to such a point that this integration is entirely possible. The fact that it is on IP-based systems means that integration aspirations can be fully realised.”

Synectics

Over 10,000 Synectics COEX camera stations have been delivered to customers across the globe to protect and safeguard vital industrial operations

Synectics synecticsglobal.com

Services End to end surveillance solutions

Engineering

opportunities Radley Engineering Ltd

was founded in 1972 by brothers John and Thomas Radley in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. Today, Radley Engineering Ltd employs 255 people, and is one of Europe’s leading specialists in the design, manufacture, fabrication and site installation of high quality stainless steel, carbon steel and exotic materials.

Vision, mission and value proposition: The company’s vision is to be a leading global provider of specialised engineering solutions that will bring value to its clients.

The success of Radley Engineering has been driven by a set of core values: 66 Safety - The safety and health of all employees is the most important value held by the company and will never be compromised.

66 Integrity – The company will behave ethically, honestly and will work together to achieve organisational goals. It will honour its commitments and accept responsibility for its actions.

66 Environment - A commitment to sustainability and to acting in an environmentally friendly way.

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66 Teamwork – it works to inspire, support and assist each other’s efforts towards individual and shared goals.

66 Respect – It treats individuals with respect and sensitivity and values their contribution.

66 Performance – It is dedicated to satisfying its customers’ needs and exceeding their expectations.

Greg Conaty, Technical Director, outlines the companies’ value proposition to their clients: “At Radley’s we create value for our clients by playing a key role in transforming ideas and inventions into innovations that, by definition, create value for all our customers and supply chain partners. Our market sectors include Oil & Gas, Mechanical, Pharmaceutical, Bio Pharma, Power Generation and Special Architectural Projects.”

Greg goes on to outline the Radley Engineering Ltd mission statement: 66 To safely and consistently deliver specialised engineering solutions for its targeted market sectors.

66 To deliver a high quality, comprehensive, professional service and take full responsibility for the realisation of customers’ investment plans.

PROFILE

radley engineering

66 It will deliver operational excellence in every corner of the organisation and meet or exceed its commitment to the communities it serves.

66 It is dedicated to creating an atmosphere of optimism, teamwork, creativity, resourcefulness and its dealings with everyone will be conducted in an open and ethical manner.

66 All of its long-term strategies and short term actions will be moulded by a set of core values that are shared by each and every employee.

Site Facility: The state-of-the-art site facility, in Dungarvan, is set against the backdrop of the Comeragh Mountains on a ten-acre site that consists of: 66 Carbon Steel Pipework Fabrication Dedicated 2,000 Sq. Metre workshop c/w 4 overhead gantries.

66 Stainless Steel Pipework Fabrication Dedicated 1,400 Sq. Metre segregated compound for pipe & fittings.

66 High Purity Pipework facility – Dedicated 2,000 Sq. Metre Cleanroom to ISO Class 10/1000/10,000 servicing the pharma, bio pharma and medical market sectors.

Radley’s purpose built facility is also capable of: 66 Welding (Automatic & Manual Processes) 66 Machining 66 Polishing 66 De-Greasing & Cleaning 66 Passivation 66 Shot Blasting & Priming 66 Painting & Powder Coating 66 Heat Treatment 66 NDE 66 Vessel Repair & Refurbishment

in new technologies and welding techniques.

This commitment to research and continuous improvement has resulted in Radley Engineering successfully achieving approval for weld procedures for Subsea drilling risers.

Approval of its weld procedures has been granted by some of the largest exploration companies in the world. Greg explains: “We have now secured several subsea welding contracts for 2015. The tubes which are free issued to Radley Engineering by the pipe manufacturer are welded in a tightly monitored and controlled environment. The tube material grades are highly specified chrome martensitic, F22 and 4130, both manufactured to client’s specification and working to extremely high pressures on the seabed. Radley’s are the first company in Ireland to achieve this welding

At Radley’s we create value for our clients by playing a key role in transforming ideas and inventions into innovations that, by definition, create value for all our customers and supply chain partners

Products include: 66 Pressure Vessels 66 Subsea Drilling Risers (Approved/Qualified welding procedures) 66 Storage/Heating/Cooling Tanks 66 Pipework Systems and Installations 66 Heat Exchangers 66 Condensers 66 Reactors 66 Process Columns 66 Modular Design for Skids & Structures

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PROFILE

radley engineering

Special Architectural Projects:

procedure approval. All weld procedures are completed by our highly qualified and experienced coded welders.”

Radley Engineering Ltd is committed to future investment in new equipment and machinery for the production of the units and hopes to expand its client base in the Oil & Gas market. Existing clients include Phillips 66 / ConocoPhillips, Shell, Statoil and Worley Parsons.

Welding Capabilities & Materials: Radley Engineering Ltd is also one of Europe’s leading specialists in the welding of exotic materials. Its welders are fully trained certified specialist welders in various materials including: 66 Stainless Steel (Austenitic) 66 Carbon Steel 66 Low temperature Carbon Steel 66 Hastelloy alloy (C22 / C276) 66 Aluminium 66 Monel 66 Duplex 66 Super Austenitic Duplex 66 Titanium (Grade 2) 66 Incoloy 66 Cupro Nickel

Design & Documentation: Radley Engineering is the industry leader in computerised vessel design and modelling using both 2D and 3D applications including Auto Desk Product Design Suite (Inventor and Autocad), Autodesk Plant Design Suite, PV Elite and Finglow. This allows Radley’s to design vessels to ASME VIII, PD 5500, EN13445, API650 and TEMA standards.

Radley operates a Quality Management System certified by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) under ISO 9001:2008. Radley’s commitment to quality, inspection documentation and design standards ensure that client’s specification requirements are continuously met in full.

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Radley Engineering is proud to be associated with a number of high profile projects including ‘The Spire of Dublin’, ‘The Heron Tower’ in the heart of London and the Waterford City Suir Cable Stay Bridge. This is a clear indication as to the flexibility of its workforce and its design capabilities.

Greg concludes: “As the company looks to the future, we will continue to maintain our excellent relationships with the existing supply chain from client, EPCM and contractor in our current market sectors. We will forge ahead to develop new relationships within the subsea oil and gas markets as well as the UK nuclear power market where we are talking with EDF. This is an exciting time to be working at Radley Engineering Ltd and with the next generation of Radley’s, now in key positions within the company, the future looks bright.”

Radley Engineering Ltd radleyeng.ie

PROFILE

VTTI Fujairah Terminal

up Tanked

Founded in 2006 by energy and commodities organisation, the Vitol Group, VTTI currently offers eight million cubic metres of combined storage space across five continents, an impressive number that is anticipated to rise to more than ten million as more projects come into play. Under co-ownership since 2010, following a deal with global leading international shipping and maritime conglomerate MISC Berhad, VTTI benefits from the firm foundations and strong expertise of its parent companies (Vitol owns 50 per cent and MISC owns 50 per cent) as well as direct access to unique market intelligence. Today VTTI operates in 11 countries, with terminals in strategic locations such as the Netherlands, Russia, the US, and the UAE, the latter of which being the home of the VTTI Fujairah Terminals Limited.

Located outside the Straits of Hormuz and sitting in the heart of the bunkering market, VTTI Fujairah Terminal is a major Gulf Terminal that already boasts close to 1.2 million cubic metres of storage. Serving as part of VTTI’s wider network of terminals, it has grown year-

on-year since its formation through significant expansion. “Since September 2013 we have had several medium and small projects to improve our flexibility and maintain our competitive edge,” explains general manager, Siavash Alishahour. “There have been huge expansions in the storage tank terminals via new market entrants that made the terminalling business in the region very competitive and we have also seen significant expansions at the Port of Fujairah in order to cater for the booming storage capacity in the area.”

Having trebled its storage capacity since its

formation in 2007, the terminal is now looking to find various opportunities to capitalise on its unique position on the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. Moreover, it is directly adjacent to the shared oil berths of the Port of Fujairah within the port, which enables efficient product-handling operations at the terminal, in comparison to any other terminal in the port.

Another benefit for customers is the terminal’s jetty flexibility and deep waters, which allow VTTI to accommodate all sizes and types of vessel; it has seven berths, with a maximum draft ENERGY,oil&gas

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Located outside the Straits of Hormuz and sitting in the heart of the bunkering market, VTTI Fujairah Terminal is a major Gulf Terminal that already boasts close to 1.2 million cubic metres of storage

of 54 feet at lowest low tide. The terminal can also offer facilities for all different types of products, which means the terminal’s core activities are transportation, storage, loading and offloading of oil and petroleum products for its wide customer base. For the pipeline inter-terminal transfers, the terminal provides a direct connection to VHFL, GPSChemoil and GPC terminals, however the VTTI terminal is connected to all other terminals via the Port Manifold.

Connected to the Fujairah Refinery Limited (FRL) refinery and serving the refinery, which processes up to 80,000 barrels per day of a combination of heavy crude oil and condensate, the terminal operates 47 tanks and boasts a total available storage capacity of 7.4 millionbarrels/1,180,000 m3. Products handled at the terminal include crude oil, condensate, jet fuel, naphtha, gas oil and fuel oil.

Keen to maintain a high quality service, VTTI regularly undertakes maintenance projects around its terminals, and announced the completion of overhauling and refurbishing of 21 tanks and has recently managed an upgrade of refinery unit – 700 at VTTI Fujairah Terminals Limited in November 2013. At its peak the 46 day Unit-700 task required close to 500 people from 12 contractors, all working to stringent safety standards in a plinth area of 4500 m2. Work at the Refinery managed and operated by VTTI included completely replacing the underground seawater line, re-tubing heat exchangers, thousands of pipes, new instrumentation to ensure the terminal meets HAZOP recommendations and the refurbishment of 60 pump sets and 85 heat exchangers. All work was completed with no lost time incidents (LTI) and ahead of schedule.

In February 2015 VTTI announced a contract win for VTTI in Fujairah; as part of the longterm, exclusive storage and rental agreement with a major energy firm, the terminal has

embarked on a critical expansion project, involving the construction of a new 430,000 cbm tank farm of heated, black oil K1 tanks.

In addition, VTTI will provide operational and logistical resources for on-site processing.

“VTTI Fujairah is proud to be working with this customer, a multi-billion euro, publicly listed energy company,” Siavash elaborates. “The major on-site construction project at is proceeding with the same urgency that drove its planning.

It is a bespoke project, initiated on behalf of a

customer, which was designed and agreed in just five months. Now, construction is moving forward around the clock, safely and efficiently, with the target of commissioning in April 2016.”

Three months later, in May 2015 the company announced that the bespoke construction project was proceeding at speed, with employees working around the clock to ensure commissioning begins on time. During February, the team began the kick-off phase of the project, with Singapore engineers working on completing designs and the procurement of materials.

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Construction of the tank foundations also began in earnest. In addition to the construction of the tank farm, the contract also includes the assigning of additional storage from VTTI Fujairah terminal’s existing capacity, which takes the total contract from 430,00 m3 to 475,000 m3; and the provision of operational resources for the multi-billion euro, publicly listed firm’s new, on-site processing facility, as well as all required connections to the terminal’s tankage.

With a major contract in place, the terminal’s activities should rise over the next few years as it not only serves this key customer, but

VTTI Fujairah Terminal

also remains flexible enough to respond to its clients and handle any changes in the trading environment. “The priority for the next year is to focus on completing the current expansion on time and ensuring a smooth and efficient delivery to our client. For the future, we are looking at new potential projects that fit with VTTI’s business strategy and model as we are constantly assessing and looking for new opportunities to capitalise on our unique position and capabilities in Fujairah. Our vision as a group is to continue to grow and be a top three terminal operator worldwide,” Siavash concludes.

With a major contract in place, the terminal’s activities should rise over the next few years as it not only serves this key customer, but also remains flexible enough to respond to its clients and handle any changes in the trading environment

VTTI Fujairah Terminal vtti.com/terminals/ vtti-ftl-uae

Services Bunkering, terminal operations and refining

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solution A group

With over three decades

in operation and a strong history of robust design, Byelkamit has earned a respected reputation for delivering bespoke design and fabrication for clients operating within the oil and gas; petrochemical, nuclear; engineering; mining and metallurgical; energy and construction sectors. “We produce non-standard technological equipment in accordance with domestic and international standards,” explains Pavel Beklemishev, general director at Byelkamit.

The fabrication history of Byelkamit began in 1982 when the Gidomash factory was constructed and commissioned to manufacture ‘Squall’ and ‘Eagle’ torpedoes for the then Soviet Union. By 1995 the factory began reorientation for the manufacture of civil commodities and by 1996 the first batch of new products - namely cryogenic vessels for the storage of liquefied gases – were completed and exported to clients throughout Western Europe. In 1996 Byelkamit received the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) certificate for the first time and the right to put stamp U to pressure vessels. Till now Byelkamit regularly passes SME audits and increases its ability to put stamps U, U2, R and register it with the National Board.

Later during September 2011 LLP Byelkamit, LLP Atyrau NefteMash (ANM) and First Montana Technology formed a single holding company named SGT Group, which presently employs around 1000 staff across three locations

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within Kazakhstan, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. All three factories certified by ASME. Byelkamit itself employs 500 professionals, including 50 qualified and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME certified) welders, as well as Level III and Level II inspectors for non-destructive testing. Furthermore 30 per cent of the company’s employees are university graduates, while three employees are qualified to PhD level. Its general fabrication area encompasses 11,7774 hectares, including 44,664 m2 of covered workshop space. These facilities are bolstered by Byelkamit’s membership of the wider SGT Group. SGT is able to utilise the strategically located manufacturing facilities of Byelkamit, Atyrau NefteMash and First Montana Technology to form joint ventures that allow it to remain flexible in providing complicated or large equipment orders as well as aftersales services.

Furthermore the group continuously seeks to expand its manufacturing capability. During 2015 the STG Group launched its expansion for large scale and heavy workshops at its ANM plant in Atyrau as well as Byelkamit, Almaty.

The manufacture of the first new products to ASME out of the new ANM building is due to commence during June 2015, with signed contracts with Marubeni for the production of a large hopper for the Atyrau refinery reconstruction project. In all, the project will call for the delivery of around 40 units of equipment, including a hopper weighing more than 400 tonnes; two hoppers weighing over 200 tonnes; pressure vessels and various other units.

During 2014 Byelkamit enjoyed a positive year with the award of a contract for the modernisation of the Pavlodar refinery to increase production through new and bespoke equipment. The contract called specifically for the construction of three columns with a total weight of 556,000 kg. Furthermore during 2014 Byelkamit signed a contract for the Chinarevskoe oil field for the production of 23 vessels and four receivers, as well as a contract with KazStroyService for the production of 24 cyclone separators and 24 horizontal filter separators with a working pressure of 9,81 MPa for the Kazakhstan-China Gas Pipeline project.

Following its success during 2014, the STG Group has continued to progress positively with the award of further projects, which are undertaken collaboratively by each company within the group. In 2015 it will begin final assembly of bullets for LPG for a large oil field in western Kazakhstan, which will be pre-

PROFILE

fabricated by Byelkamit, with the final assembly being undertaken at ANM in June, 2015. The STG Group has also been actively working on the development of flanges, which are created and registered in a joint venture with the Italian company Metalfar Continental called the FT Manufacturing Temirshi.Kz. The venture is already operational and completed with warehouse volume for several million dollars worth of flanges, fittings, gaskets, bolts, nuts and fittings.

A further highly publicised project for Byelkamit is its work on the ‘Future Growth Project’ (FGP) for Tengizchevroil (TCO). The STG Group is actively working with TCO to supply equipment for the current needs of the FGP and preparing to participate in projects for the reconstruction of the first set of factories built by the Soviet Union. This will call for the installation a three-roller machine by Boldrini for shells with a thickness of up to 235mm sheet; a machine for the manufacture of bevel for welding thick-walled vessels by Hugh Smith;

automatic welding equipment with two welding heads by Lincoln; as well as several other pieces of equipment.

Despite the challenges of the oil and gas market at present Byelkamit and the wider STG Group are well placed to continue to grow through the combination of its broad client base and its high quality, bespoke fabrication and design solutions. “The market challenge for domestic producers in Kazakhstan is that international companies working within the oil and gas sector in the region do not believe in the possibilities of local producers,” Pavel concludes. “Our goal is to change their opinions and to prove that we can make heavy, complex and high-quality equipment in accordance with international standards. SGT Group occupies a leading position in the production of oil and gas equipment within Kazakhstan and Byelkamit represents a company that engages in engineering activities, production of new technologies and education of employees for the needs of the wider group.”

Byelkamit

Despite the challenges of the oil and gas market at present Byelkamit and the wider STG Group are well placed to continue to grow through the combination of its broad client base and its high quality, bespoke fabrication and design solutions

Byelkamit LLP byelkamit.kz

Services Equipment fabrication

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PROFILE

BST Supplies

together High Integrity -

BST Supplies Co. Ltd

. is a worldleading manufacturer of bespoke, high-integrity, fully traceable fasteners. Proudly independent, the core business for BST is manufacturing for safety critical / ‘must not fail’ applications for the harshest environments. Whether the client requires dimensionally standard components made from specialist materials, or ‘unique design’ components manufactured from standard materials, BST has the flexibility to produce all types of fasteners.

As Sales Manager Raphael Smets explained, “Every single component BST manufacture conforms to international standards or is specifically produced in line with the customer specifications, drawings or samples.” He gave Energy, Oil and Gas further details on how the company operates: “We don’t design the product, we are given the exact specifications and requirements by the client and we manufacture precisely to those.” He continued: “However, we do work very closely with many

Holding it all

OEM’s, and feel privileged that they will come to us for advice if they need to adhere to particular regulations or a new demand from their customers. Changes in specification happen fairly regularly within the oil and gas sector and every time a new spec or a new requirement comes out, BST is one of the first to know and stock material accordingly.”

He added: “Our real strength is the peace of mind that customers get from our expertise in manufacturing bespoke products – they trust us to deliver fasteners exactly as ordered, that are of the highest integrity, offer true and fully comprehensive traceability and are made from only the best quality western European raw materials. This is especially important when you consider the applications that we manufacture for. Our customers demand the very best quality products that 'will not fail' during their lifecycle as they are often incorporated into equipment in inaccessible places and the costs of accessing them is very high. They look to invest in ENERGY,oil&gas

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NDT Midlands Limited Formed in 2006, NDT Midlands Limited’s success and growth has been rapid to become one of the UK’s premier non-destructive testing facilities. It is undertaking a massive development plan and expanding its business further, taking on a new building to create a 15,000 square foot testing facility.

NDT Midlands’ work is received from all areas of the UK. On-site testing is regularly undertaken at customer’s premises, including fabrication shops, building sites, dockyards, oil refineries, airports etc - as and when required.

The company is delighted to be associated with BST Supplies and offers James and his staff continued success for the future.

our fasteners, in order to get the quality and reliability they need and demand.”

Supporting this excellence in manufacture is a company structure that has always placed the highest quality at its heart. The creators and owners, Tony Lawless and Stuart Mee established the company in 1987, and over the subsequent 28 years it has grown to employ 110 staff and turn over circa £10 million a year. “The focus of the business has never wavered from always being the most reliable supplier of bespoke threaded products and to position BST as the number one supplier of quality fasteners,” Raphael confirmed. “Once the business was up and running, profits were meticulously re-invested into the company, in order to purchase the right machinery and set up an in-house manufacturing plant.

That philosophy has remained since those early days, meaning that profit is still largely invested into new machines and creating new infrastructure. For example, the last major investments were in a PTFE plant, a new computer system and, lately, a new on-site UKAS ISO17025 approved laboratory.

“So from very humble beginnings when the owners started the business with a telephone, we have grown to become a fully internationally recognised manufacturing facility, where we are able to control the whole production process from sourcing raw materials to finished product.

However, the quality philosophy of the company remains and that transfers to our customers viewing BST as the most reliable supplier in terms of delivery and quality.”

Being independently owned also allows for flexibility and quick reactions and Raphael

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noted the significance of this: “We are very customer focused and if we need a fast decision to answer a customer’s challenge, we meet with our managing director, James Mee, and if needed get an investment approved the very same day.”

This degree of reaction time is invaluable to BST’s clients in the world’s most demanding sectors of subsea oil and gas, nuclear, power generation, defence and marine. “If you look at the history of BST, previously the company’s business was split at approximately 50 per cent nuclear and defence and 50 per cent oil and gas.

But around ten years ago there was a change of attitude within the oil and gas industry towards high quality fasteners with full traceability and our growth has been pushed by that increase in demand. Subsea equipment’s fabricators were historically buying threaded components that were simply poor quality, with no traceability or reliability of raw materials origin. They were spending significant amounts on weld procedures, forging and so on, and holding the equipment together with low cost sub-standard fasteners. As a result the risk of failure was high, and eventually it became clear that there was a need to change the requirements for fasteners,” explained Raphael.

“Since 2008, in the North Sea for example, there has been a real improvement in the required subsea specifications and the need for increased traceability, and as a result companies came to us because they needed the very highest quality fasteners of the type we manufacture. I would say that this growth in demand changed the distribution of our business from 50-50 to closer to 75 per cent oil and gas and 25 per cent in other sectors” noted Raphael, before adding: “But we are keen to also increase our business activities in other sectors, especially energy and nuclear. The nuclear power station industry in the UK is something that we are also manufacturing for and we would very much like to develop further into it. We are already registered with NAMRC, in a program called ‘Fit for Nuclear’. At the moment our business with defence remains more in volume than energy and civil nuclear, but it is something we are looking to expand over the coming months and years.

“Furthermore, there are always other industries to consider, so for example we are also keen to get involved with wind turbines, tidal technology and other renewable source of energy. Most of them are fairly easily accessible so the question is whether they need fasteners with such a high level of testing and quality as our products.”

PROFILE

So BST is viewed as an expert when it comes to underwater applications, which alongside wellheads and subsea equipment for oil and gas, also includes submarines and ship’s defence with the Navy and MoD. “When it comes to subsea and marine applications we are very well known worldwide,” stated Raphael.

What unites all of these markets is their need for a no-compromise approach to quality and reliability, not just from products but also from people. Because BST manufactures to exact customer specifications, it’s essential that its products are right first time, every time. This makes knowledgeable and dependable staff a vital necessity. Their expertise and commitment, from initial order through to production, testing and quality assurance, ensures that integrity is prevalent throughout the business.

Thanks to its culture of excellence that extends companywide from the shop floor to the board room, BST Supplies is still welcoming new clients to its order books, despite the downturn in the oil and gas market at the moment due to

oil prices. As an established business with nearly three decades of experience, BST has seen dips in the oil industry before, and is confident that its dedication to quality will always remain a firm foundation for success. “The companies that aren’t robust will struggle and some may even close, but we are still seeing some positive signs and have opened accounts with major subsea manufacturers. So we are confident that the drop in the market will be countered by new accounts within Oil and Gas and new clients from other sectors,” said Raphael.

He concluded: “We have come a long way in the manufacturing process of subsea components, over the last two decades we have had the privilege of working with FMC Technologies. In the last 12 month we have also been approved by Onesubsea, Aker solutions and GE. It has taken us long time to be awarded these approvals by these leading companies. To become a trusted supplier to them is another indication of the high quality services we provide to our customers.”

BST Supplies

Changes in specification happen fairly regularly within the oil and gas sector and every time a new spec or a new requirement comes out, BST is one of the first to know and stock material accordingly

BST Supplies Ltd bstsupplies.com

Services High-quality, fully traceable fasteners and components

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PROFILE

Apache North Sea

A culture of

opportunity Apache Corporation’s

Below Mark Richardson Projects Group Manager, Apache North Sea

operation in the North Sea is currently achieving unrivalled levels of performance across operational efficiency and cost effectiveness, while maintaining a singular focus on safety. Currently the third-largest oil producer in the North Sea producing around 70,000 barrels equivalent a day, Apache is achieving greater than 90 per cent production-efficiency levels compared to a 65 per cent basin average. On top of this, it has one of the best safety records and is achieving a lifting cost that is approximately 45 per cent more economical than the North Sea norm. So how is Apache able to achieve this? Energy, Oil and Gas spoke to Projects Group Manager, Mark Richardson to find out.

“We have access to the same technology, tools and contractors that every operator in the North Sea has,” he begins. “The only differentiator is our leadership, our culture and our behaviours – basically, the way we do business.” The key to this culture is in the company’s people, and the way they approach opportunities. “Our adaptability and flexibility to understand the opportunities available is central to this culture,” Mark continues. “So, we encourage risk taking, not safety risk, but around commercial, contractual, technical, reservoir, subsurface and project opportunities, because where you

take risk, there is often reward. We encourage personal initiative – we want people to use their competence and their capability to maximise what they can deliver, so we don’t constrain them with a system that doesn’t allow them to achieve excellence.

“With this comes the ability to make fast decisions and execute them and this is down to having people with the right attitude, aptitude and approach to doing business, plus the wish to take on accountability and responsibility. We then give them the authority and autonomy to make those decisions in the best interest of the company. You give someone a mission, a task, resources and boundaries and then they

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PROFILE

are allowed to go and deliver in the best way possible,” he continues. Additionally, with this autonomy in place, the company as a whole is able to flexibly respond to any new opportunities in the best way possible.

Apache North Sea is proving with its unprecedented results that it can be both efficient and effective within the industry with the right culture in place. One place it is clear to see how this culture thrives is in the ten attributes it looks for in its employees. These include: fire in the belly – to exhibit real passion and drive for success in the business; working managers, to lead by example and to make decisions with sound judgement and emotional maturity in a quick and effective way. “This is about making good, timely decisions based on facts, and if you don’t have all the facts available then you still have to make a decision because it’s such a dynamic environment,” explains Mark. Next is the ability to see the bigger picture and translate this understanding into actions; to focus on team accomplishments over personal gain and then to be an effective communicator both internally and externally.

Responsibility features heavily in the list, as it is key to being decisive, invested and committed and to have responsible irreverence. “You have to be able to make tough decisions, take ownership and act like it’s your own company.

We’re all shareholders here,” points out Mark.

“Everybody can challenge anybody as well, that includes beliefs and ideas – new technologies are used, new areas are explored and conventional thinking is challenged.” This leads to the understanding that the best answers always win and the ability to listen to the company’s contractors who often know better at how to solve a problem. The final attribute is to be an ambassador for this culture and set of values for Apache – to be able to live by and demonstrate it on a day-to-day basis.

Implemented by a flat management structure, this culture is embedded deep within the company. Apache North Sea is therefore able to operate an extremely efficient programme with the relatively small office team of slightly more than 400 employees. This is clearly demonstrated not only in the company’s performance figures, but also in its current activity to continue developing opportunities despite a downturn in the industry. As Mark highlights: “Presently we’ve got two platform drill strings running in the Beryls and one in the Forties. Plus a heavy-duty jack-up rig at

Apache North Sea

the Forties Alpha Satellite Platform (FASP) and two semi-subs drilling in the Beryl fields. One is doing exploration and appraisal work, the other development drilling.”

On top of this culture of performance is the company’s approach to safety. “We have a mantra: ‘safety, compliance, production’ – in that order; it is Apache’s primary responsibility to provide a safe working environment, but the vast majority of safety incidents are now down to human factors and we firmly believe safety to be a personal responsibility,” points our Mark. If someone has an issue, we don’t spend time overanalysing it; we solve it with a bias for action, rather than writing reports.”

This attitude is made possible through continuous training and education within the company. “Even through the downturn, we’re not making anybody redundant; we’re still taking on apprentices, and we continue to focus on training and competence. We’re using this opportunity with additional workforce to enhance our maintenance and training, and to think long-term,” he adds.

Jim House, the former region vice president and managing director of Apache’s UK operations, has been summoned back to the company’s Houston headquarters for a new assignment after more than nine years in charge of Apache North Sea. “A lot of the company’s success has been down to his leadership and his commitment to embedding the Apache culture into the organisation,” says Mark. “He’s not only been great for the company, but also for the local industry working with Oil and Gas UK leading a group on production efficiency.”

With changes at the very top as well, as the corporation has recently appointed a new CEO and CFO, the Apache North Sea region’s future is defined by the opportunities it can present and the operational performance it can deliver.

“We are in a global competition for capital investment both internally and externally, so we need to highlight our growth opportunities in comparison to other opportunities around the globe,” Mark expresses. Not only will this be helped along by government tax incentives and improved investment opportunities in the North Sea, but will also be bolstered by the company’s exemplary culture. In a concluding point Mark ends optimistically: “There is a lot of doom and gloom in the industry at the moment, but there is a lot of value which can be unlocked given the right leadership, culture and behaviours and a bias for action.”

Everybody can challenge anybody as well, that includes beliefs and ideas – new technologies are used, new areas are explored and conventional thinking is challenged

Paradigm Flow Services Paradigm Flow Services have delivered innovative deluge services and technologies to Apache across all Forties field assets since 2013; ranging from hydraulic modelling to online descaling of deluge pipework and full system replacement. Sharing a passion for safety, both Paradigm and Apache strive to ensure that all assets maintain the high safety standards expected offshore and that safety critical systems remain compliant. This shared passion, and the successful completion of numerous scopes of work, resulted in the recent signing of a two year framework agreement in which Paradigm will provide integrated deluge management services to Apache across all their North Sea assets.

Apache North Sea apachecorp.com

Services US based oil and gas operator that owns Forties and Beryls field

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globally Maintenance, Repair and Overhauling (MRO) services

Incorporated during 1989 OceanMaster Engineering Pte Ltd is a Singapore based ship repair and general engineering company, certified in compliance to ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001. The business incorporates full office, workshop, storage and warehousing facilities comprising more than 70,000 square feet, from which it currently employs over 150 employees, including well trained and experienced service teams capable of carrying out operations on various types of marine vessel, offshore rig and platform, FPSO and offshore supply vessel. “The business was founded by its current Chairman, Mr. David Lee Fook Choy,” explains OceanMaster Engineering Managing Director, Lee Ee Win. “OceanMaster Engineering started as a general engineering company servicing the marine shipping industry and over the years it evolved to also service the offshore industry, including offshore platform and drilling rig, FPSO and offshore supply vessel applications.”

Further to its ship repair and general engineering capability, OceanMaster Engineering also specialises in the field of marine refrigeration and air conditioning and carries a large stock of new and reconditioned refrigeration compressors and spare parts. As the company has continued to grow it has developed a service package that incorporates its general engineering roots and a

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specialised niche in marine air conditioning and refrigeration, while establishing a proven track record of maintenance and repair. “OceanMaster Engineering has always offered a specialised service,” Lee says. “Historically this specialisation has been in refrigeration, heating, ventilation and air conditioning services. However we have also developed strong capabilities in terms of our steel, electrical, carpentry and machine works.”

OceanMaster Engineering is able to provide workshop facilities equipped with all of the necessary machines to cater to various vessel repair requirements from its base in Singapore.

Furthermore through a fleet of workboats and sea launches for work at sea it is able to provide emergency and routine maintenance across the globe. “We are strong in Singapore because a lot of our customers, especially rig owners, will bring their assets here when they are due for maintenance so that we can do the repairs on rigs in the shipyard,” Lee says. “However OceanMaster Engineering is also specialised to deliver services offshore, we have a team of highly trained people who have approved offshore medical, BOSIET certification as well as helicopter underwater escape training. This allows teams to go by helicopter out to the rigs to carry out works on an ad-hoc basis to answer emergency calls. As such we are active throughout Southeast Asia and we also serve rig

PROFILE

owners in Australia, Russia, India, Middle East and Africa. We have also recently carried out major upgrade work in a shipyard in Holland.”

As the company has grown to include a strong base of competencies, OceanMaster Engineering has perceived and adapted to the needs of the offshore market and its clients. “Previously 80 per cent of our business was in marine repairs with the remaining 20 per cent in offshore work,” Lee elaborates. “Today as much as 90 per cent of our work is in the offshore sector while the remaining ten per cent is in marine. This change has happened gradually over the past ten years.”

Although the market within the offshore sector has slowed due to the low oil price with less vessels arriving for maintenance work and a surplus of rigs on the market, causing a decrease in newbuilds, OceanMaster Engineering has maintained a consistent level of business through its maintenance work on existing rigs.

The strength of the business that differentiates it from possible competitors when the market is strong and that identifies it as a proven solution when the market is challenging, is OceanMaster Engineering’s total commitment to customer satisfaction. This is built on its focus on four key factors, comprised of understanding our customers’ needs; the right team; the right process; and the correct control. “We focus on these key areas treating safety as a priority as well as quality and accident prevention,” Lee observes. “We also supply quick service reliably, so while we may not be the cheapest air conditioning or vessel maintenance service on the market, we are certainly not the most expensive and we provide what we say we will deliver every time. Furthermore all of our engineers are equipped with Environment Protection Agency (EPA) certification as well as Australia Refrigeration Council (ARC) certification. As such we are able to carry out air conditioning services all over the world and I believe that we are currently the only company in Singapore to hold this level of certification. Our electricians are all also COMPEX certified, which means that they can

OceanMaster Engineering

deal with explosion proof equipment onboard any offshore rigs and platforms.”

With a high level of expertise and a proven track record of service, OceanMaster Engineering has a proven reputation, which will aid it as it navigates the turbulent offshore market and continues to deal with clients old and new. In the short term this will involve further increasing in service level, while preparing for new ventures in the future, as Lee concludes: “Moving ahead over the next few months we will be taking time to strengthen ourselves internally in order for us to be stronger and faster to provide our customers with more competitive prices and improved service. In the long term we want to increase our services to include our own products that we will sell into the market, so it is possible that we will develop a manufacturing arm. We are currently also work with the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) here in Singapore, to provide more on the job training to our workforce, customers and clients so they can be better educated on the maintenance of air conditioning systems onboard vessels and rigs.”

OceanMaster Engineering oceanmaster.com.sg

Services Marine and offshore repair, air conditioning and general engineering

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Gateway to Established in 2015

, Amora Industries Ltd was founded by two maritime business management graduates of Southampton Solent who had both run a number of businesses during their studies. Having researched the potential of a continent that had generally been overlooked, Albert Martin initially looked into setting up Amora in 2014 before taking on a ship-brokering role in Dubai. Upon his return to London, Albert continued with his strategy for success in Africa and joined forces with Naby Bangoura, a Guinean with contacts, networking abilities and a mutually strong vision for the continent’s future.

“Naby and I first looked into a project similar to Amora in 2014 when I was still at university and he was running his own firm; we got together to research the continent in more depth, with a specific focus on the opportunities in west Africa and also the connections that Naby already had in place. We started talking to people in the country and realised there was a completely untapped market, apart from the Chinese, for us to enter. Today our main

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activities involve the supply of heavy industrial machinery, heavy industrial products, building materials and physical commodities,” begins Albert Martin, Director of Amora Industries Ltd. With Africa’s infrastructure currently lagging behind the rest of the world, there is ample opportunity for businesses operating in the continent to invest and develop in areas such as buildings, roads and power supplies as well as water, transport, mining and telecoms. Both experienced in running a number of small businesses successfully, Naby and Albert have used a forward-thinking approach to ensure Amora’s success in the supply of machinery and heavy equipment to the burgeoning African market. “My associate Naby is originally from Guinea and knows people all over Africa so his role is to source staff and customers and keep in touch with them, while I am very much involved in the operational and supply side of the business,” explains Albert. “We are currently involved in some projects for the government throughout West Africa, but have also seen a lot of interest from wholesalers in the area.

Although Chinese companies are operating in the area, we have noticed that the British reputation for high quality goods and quick delivery is a unique selling point for us.”

Indeed, by fulfilling expectations for high quality equipment the flexible firm is quickly proving itself as a reliable market leader in machinery, automotive, construction materials and heavy industries production. Core products within the company’s portfolio include engines, water pumps and generators, as Albert highlights: “We have a number of diesel back-up generators of different sizes and energy outputs available for manufacturing specifications. These can be custom built, which means we can make the equipment more maneuverable or lighter in weight by changing the materials we use inside them. For example, someone in Nigeria may want to buy a load of generators to use on a construction site, so we will custom build these to ensure they have strong cranes or wheels or any other feature the client requires. We have seen that people in Africa have money to buy quality goods and don’t mind paying more to get a better product.”

Although still in its embryonic stage, Amora Industries has already become involved in a major project to supply solar products to individual homes that may be at risk of power failures, as Albert notes: “We recently acquired the services of Craig Jones, the manager

PROFILE

of Eco Green, for a project involving the implementation of solar panels and solar street lighting in a couple of countries on the western belt. Craig has a number of years experience in the solar industry and has come up with a solution for us to install in individual homes so people can have back up energy from the solar solutions provided. This is an impressive development as the solution can power entire homes and is the most up-to-date technology in this field.”

As city infrastructure in Africa comes under increasing pressure from population increases and economic growth, the continent is ripe for development. Moreover, Africa has paid attention to the mistakes made by developed areas such as the UK and the US and is ready to build its infrastructure with sustainable, eco friendly solutions that are not only suitable for now, but for the future.

Fully prepared to meet these demands through high quality products, open, transparent conversations and a flexible approach to market

Amora Industries

demand, Amora Industries is certain to become a leading player within its niche market thanks to its high manufacturing standards and close proximity to customers. “We are soon to open two new offices in Nigeria and another in Cameroon,” says Albert. “We are currently based in London but our workforce is in Guinea, Cameroon, the Congo and Nigeria. This strong network is helpful as people in Africa do business face-to-face and being close to our customers will enable us to get firmly established on the continent, with three or four offices in West Africa by the end of 2015.”

Focused on becoming firmly established in Africa, the company is looking to get involved in bigger contracts and the physical commodities sector with the aim of becoming a household name for superior supply services. “West Africa is just the start for us, we want to branch out into other areas of Africa and get involved in the vast amount of building work going on in the continent and really be part of the change,” concludes Albert.

As city infrastructure in Africa comes under increasing pressure from population increases and economic growth, the continent is ripe for development

Amora Industries Ltd amoraindustries.com

Products Generators, engines, water pumps and solar products

ENERGY,oil&gas

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Fuelling

innovation Initially starting out as a supplier ADVANCED ENGINEERING VALVES Advanced Engineering Valves (A.E.V) produce and design a wide range of special industrial valves to meet the most stringent service conditions in the chemical, petrochemical, polymers, oil, coal gas, cryogenic and heavy industries.

As a client focused company we thrive at understanding the strategic needs of our clients. We work with them to build business and technology engagements, which are aimed at assisting them in achieving their objectives.

of cryogenic vaporisers for liquid nitrogen, oxygen, argon and CO2 in 1968, Cryonorm has grown over the years to occupy a leading position in the emerging LNG market, supplying complete systems. Last featured in December 2014, director of Cryonorm Systems BV, Peter Tel, explained the company’s strategy to continue offering world-first innovative solutions to help drive the LNG market forward. Since then he notes: “Despite it being a relatively short period we have successfully passed LNG bunkering systems to Skangass, which is a huge achievement and we are very proud to have reached this milestone.”

The project was the company’s first shore to ship LNG bunkering for Fjordline in March 2015 at Risavika harbour in Norway.

“This was a very technically challenging project and we are proud to have completed the start-up and commissioning of this system successfully. The first of its kind in the world and used for a number of shore to ship bunkering every week, feedback from the operators is that the system provides stable performance and is easy to use.”

Development of the system was a response from the company to rising demand for LNG as a marine fuel and the need for small to mid-scale LNG bunkering stations.

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Another first for the company was an order placed in January 2015 to supply an LNG fuelling station for trucks and ships. “The project is still under construction,” explains Peter, “but it will have combined fuelling for trucks and ships.” The order consists of a turnkey supply of LNG fuelling station with one dispenser dedicated for trucks and another for inland waterway vessels.

In February 2015 it was announced that Wärtsilä and Cryonorm had joined forces to develop an advanced LNGPac fuel system for inland waterways. “The main drive for this co-operation was to lower capital expenditure and lead times by creating a standard LNG fuel system for inland waterway vessels,” says Peter. “Wärtsilä is a strong player who can push a standard and combine this in their overall product portfolio. We have determined a number of standard vessels and best suited LNG fuel systems for these vessels.” Based on Wärtsilä’s LNGPac system, a complete system for LNG fuel handling, the new LNGPac will facilitate the use of clean burning LNG fuel by reducing costs and maintenance requirements, whilst also simplifying onboard installation.

Speaking at the time, Yves Bui, general manager of fuel gas handling at Wärtsilä Ship Powering commented: “We envisage good potential for LNG as a fuel for inland waterway vessels because of its environmental sustainability and competitive pricing. By sharing the expertise of Cryonorm with the in-house knowledge and vast experience that we have gained in LNG fuelling systems, we expect to facilitate and accelerate the trend towards cleaner and more efficient inland waterway shipping.”

Adding further to Cryonorm’s recent successes is the commissioning of an indirect gas-fired nitrogen vaporiser for one its clients. “The gas fired vaporiser has a total installed burner capacity of 11MW in order to provide heat for vaporising 66,000 Nm3/hr of nitrogen and is the biggest single unit we have supplied so far,” says Peter. “Both vaporiser vessel and nitrogen coil are made from stainless steel 316L with optimised burner management for ASU plant back-up service.”

Cryonorm is at the forefront of the LNG industry in the current market and its innovation to deliver world first projects exemplifies this.

“We have been pioneers in the LNG industry for the last few years,” expresses Peter. “A first of its kind LNG system for inland waterway vessels, a first of its kind shore to ship LNG bunkering

PROFILE

system and a first of its kind combined truck and inland waterway vessel LNG filling system. Next to this it is our product quality and commitment to delivering what we promise that helps set us apart in the industry.”

Demonstrating the pioneering momentum of Cryonorm, Peter goes on to outline another significant project: “We are working on a new development to liquefy biogas into bio-LNG (BLNG). In Lelystad (NL) we have installed a test module where we take the biogas from a digester, and clean and liquefy it. Based on the very good test results we are now developing a standard containerised system for five metric tonnes per day of BLNG production.”

Occupying this leading position puts Cryonorm in a strong place in order to respond to the growing LNG market, particularly in Europe and South America. However, Peter does note some challenges resulting from the recent drop in oil prices. “The low oil price has had a negative impact on LNG projects which are not environmentally driven,” he says. Despite this,

Peter remains positive about the future. “We will focus on continuing to expand our footprint in LNG projects and keep our position as a leading supplier of LNG marine fuel systems,” he concludes. With a strong attitude to product and service quality, coupled with an ever-growing innovation portfolio, Cryonorm looks set to capitalise on the growing LNG market and continue its success into the future.

Cryonorm

Cryonorm cryonorm.com

Services Specialise in LNG and air gas engineering services

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Exceeding

expectations With roots dating back

to 1967 when the company was founded as Introl Ltd in Brighouse, Yorkshire, KOSO Kent Introl (KKI) has earned a firm reputation as a world leader in the design and manufacture of surface and subsea control valves, severe service valves and surface and subsea choke valves.

Since it was incorporated, KKI has provided specialised control valve service for the rapidly expanding UK energy industry and the continuously changing petrochemical sector.

The company soon established itself within these industries and quickly forged a reputation for delivering high quality control valves in both conventional and bespoke designs. During 1987 Introl became the first control valve company to be accredited to BS 5750 (ISO 9001), followed

by ISO 14001 environmental accreditation in 1999. In 2000 the company became a division of Vecto Gray UK Ltd. and was renamed Kent

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Introl. Later in 2005, Nihon KOSO Co Ltd. of Japan purchased Kent Introl from Vetco Grey and the company was given the name of KOSO Kent Introl for the first time.

Under its present name of KOSO Kent Introl, the company has continued in its tradition of delivering high quality valves. During 2008 KKI underwent a process of rebranding, which was followed by the signing of several milestone agreements, significant investment into the company’s aftercare and testing facilities as well as further accreditations between 2010 and 2013. The company enjoyed an equally positive year throughout 2014 during which, KKI achieved OHSAS 18001 health and safety accreditation as well as the RoSPA silver award for health and safety and the Brighouse ‘Business of the Year’ award.

Today KOSO manages operations within India, the US, China, Korea and Japan with

PROFILE

a total yearly turnover of over $400 million.

Throughout its operation, KKI is able to rely on almost five decades of industry experience as well as the financial support of its parent company, with a high level of operational freedom, as KKI managing director Denis Westcott elaborates: “Like Kent Introl, KOSO is a valve producer, but while Kent Introl operates principally within the upstream and midstream oil and gas markets, KOSO focuses more on downstream and other industry sectors. Hence KKI is allowed to operate autonomously. In simple terms we are free to operate effectively where we wish within the oil and gas market.”

The flexibility and agility of the business has proven to be a key strength for KKI in the face of falling oil prices and the need to reduce cost.

“Overall the market has weakened following the oil price drop and like Curate’s egg; ‘it’s good in parts.’ All the oil and gas majors have been carrying out cost reduction measures and have been requesting suppliers to advise how they can provide a 20 per cent cost reduction on their supply,” Denis elaborates. “This is not an overnight possibility, but is something we are working on. In the short-term the challenge is supporting the needs of the market, which has seen a typical scenario in the current climate.

This means a slowing of operations as well as increased price pressure on new construction projects, while the activity on the aftermarket

KOSO Kent introl

replacement valve and spares market has increased. The current market is mainly about rapid response.”

Despite the challenges that have been created by the current climate, KKI has remained active globally and has made significant headway during the first quarter of 2015. “Our business is mainly related to the upstream oil and gas markets in the topside and subsea offshore

The flexibility and agility of the business has proven to be a key strength for KKI in the face of falling oil prices and the need to reduce cost

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PROFILE

industry. As has been well publicised the industry is suffering at this time following the oil price drop, resulting in a general slowdown in many regions, although Brazil remains very active,” Denis explains. “Furthermore KKI was very recently awarded a letter of intent for a substantial project within the North Sea area for a major European oil and gas company and the company also currently operates a frame agreement for Statoil, covering the supply of control valves, choke valves and spare parts.

This has been in place for some years and has recently been successfully renewed until 2020, with the option to extend until 2026.”

Part of the company’s corporate philosophy that has allowed KKI to win clients regardless

KOSO Kent introl

of the fortunes of the wider oil and gas sector, is its ongoing commitment to excellent service. Maintaining the highest standards of quality throughout design, production and customer service is the cornerstone of KKI’s identity. In addition to its Lloyd’s Register ISO accreditations, the company’s manufacturing plant confirms to all applicable ATEX, PED and other EU directives and are CE marked accordingly. Furthermore its standard manufacturing experience includes NACE MR01.75, NORSOK and API6A specifications as well as customer specifications from Shell, BP, KBR and Conoco Philips. KKI also maintains its own testing and inspection facilities including hardness testing, NDE, PMI, hydro, gas pressure testing and flow testing to ensure that safety remains a key component in everything the company does. As such all of its employees undergo both general and specific health and safety training.

“The KKI brand name is globally recognised and registered with most of the major oil and gas companies and providers. KKI products are also manufactured fully in the UK using UK-based suppliers for all possible key components,” Denis says. “The KKI Brighouse office has full in-house manufacturing capability, engineering, design and testing. The testing ENERGY,oil&gas

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PROFILE

KOSO Kent introl

The prime focus of the business will be on product enhancement and cost reduction as well as system efficiencies. The strategic vision is growth with the upstream oil and gas market and particularly the subsea and engineered valve portions

facilities include the standards of hydro and calibration but we also have flow testing, submerged high-pressure gas testing, PMI, dye penetrant and ultrasonic. We are able to meet all recognised standards and customer specifications and being part of the KOSO Group of companies, which is family owned business, is a major strength for the business.”

An important event for KKI during the remainder of 2015 will be Denis’ retirement, which will see Lynn Mowbray take on the role as managing director, as Denis reveals: “I will retire in November this year and Lynn Mowbray will become the new managing director.

Previously Lynn was the company’s operations

director. As such we now have a new operations director, Steve Dean who has a background in manufacturing within the valve industry.

Furthermore, we have a new technical director Peter Dix, who has a background within the valve business, mainly in engineering with some aftermarket experience.”

With the renewal of the long-term Statoil frame agreement and the potential for new agreements on the horizon, these are exciting times for KKI. Although the market remains challenging, the company is able to rely on a proven history of industry-leading competence in the design and manufacture of its range of high quality valves to demonstrate its position as a preferred supplier throughout the oil and gas industry. Furthermore the strong knowledge base of its team will ensure that KKI is in safe hands as the industry continues to strive for the highest quality and most efficient solution, as Denis concludes: “The prime focus of the business will be on product enhancement and cost reduction as well as system efficiencies. The strategic vision is growth with the upstream oil and gas market and particularly the subsea and engineered valve portions. As such KKI views the current hiatus within the industry as an opportunity for improvement and we expect to be in a much stronger position within the next three years.”

KOSO Kent Introl kentintrol.com

Services Control valves

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A new

gateway Operating as a jointly owned venture between by IJM Corporation Berhad, a public listed company on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (‘Bursa Malaysia’) and Beibu Gulf Holding (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd, Kuantan Port Consortium (KPC) is an important petrochemical hub that aims to become the leading maritime trade and logistics services centre in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region by 2020.

Kuantan Port Consortium began a 30-year concession period during 1998 and today the facility represents one of the busiest ports in Malaysia. Within its remit of running and maintaining the port, KPC is currently developing a new deep water terminal (NDWT), which will allow the company to enter into a provisional agreement for a further 30 year concession subject to the completion of the NDWT. The development of new facilities is vital for both the Port of Kuantan and Malaysia itself, as the region’s burgeoning petrochemical industries continue to contribute to the area’s economic growth. Currently equity holdings are split 60:40 between IJM Corporation Berhad and Beibu Gulf Holding (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd respectively, with the government of Malaysia holding a special rights share.

The development of KPC as a deep-water terminal was confirmed during February

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2015, encouraging more cargo and passenger vessels to call at the port. Commenting on the announcement, Malaysia’s Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said: “The expansion of Kuantan Port into a deep-water port is progressing well and is expected to be completed by 2016. Kuantan Port has made significant progress in its development, with 17 cruise ships making port calls in 2014. Cargo handling has increased from 126,548TEUs to 131,244TEUs, almost a four per cent increase.”

KPC is investing RM3 billion to double the present capacity of the port, through the addition of a new deep water terminal, while Malaysia’s government has allocated RM1 billion to the construction of a new 4.7km breakwater at the port. Once completed, the port will be able to accommodate Cape-sized vessels and post-Panamax container ships of up to 200,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT).

As an important multi-purpose and multicargo port, KPC operates Kuantan Port 24 hours a day 365 days a year, ensuring that the facility is always ready to deliver the best services to vessel operators and clients. The port itself is strategically located on the eastern seaboard of the Malaysian Peninsular and has developed into a major international port in tandem with the rapid expansion of the industrial and manufacturing activities in the East Coast

PROFILE

Industrial Corridor. Its state-of-the-art facilities have earned the port a reputation as the catalyst for the development of the East Coast Industrial Corridor, at the heartland of the petrochemical industries and a major container terminal for the east coast region.

Both the owners of the port and KPC itself, view China as destined to become the world’s largest economy and are keen to see the port take advantage of the region’s economic fortune.

KPC is keen to expand on existing trade between China and Malaysia, as chief operating officer Ir. Hj. Khasbullah A. Kadir elaborated when KPC was featured in European Oil and Gas magazine during August 2013: “What sets the port apart from its competitors is its proximity to the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP). The MCKIP is a sister site to the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park in China and these two sites will generate more bilateral trade between Malaysia and China.

Kuantan Port is expected to be the main gateway for this trading channel. The park will boast high value industrial developments like steel mills, aluminum processing plant, edible oil processing plants and other high value industrial developments, which will spur more traffic and cargo throughput for Kuantan Port.”

The port has also been identified by the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) master plan as an integrated industrial and logistics hub for the region. The main aim of the ECER is to accelerate growth in the area in a viable, equitable and sustainable manner. The plan identifies tourism, oil, gas and petrochemical, manufacturing, agriculture and education as key drivers in accelerating the region’s growth and aims to compliment existing development schemes. KPC expects the industrial activities to be developed to include the Kuantan Integrated Biopark, bio-fuel industrial cluster, downstream petrochemical cluster, iron and steel industries and automotive cluster. KPC’s close links to China and the recognition it receives from domestic initiatives demonstrate why Kuantan Port is considered the undisputed petrochemical hub in the region, both domestically and internationally.

Presently Kuantan Port offers more than four kilometres of berths to accommodate a wide variety of cargo ships. The berths include multi-purpose, liquid chemical, palm oil, and mineral oil berths in addition to biodiesel and container berths. Over the years, the port has

Kuantan Port Consortium Sdn Bhd

expanded to adopt the latest shipping trends and forms of cargo packaging, including break bulk, palletisation, unitisation, dry bulk, containerisation, and liquid bulk handling. These allow the port to service some of the world's major shipping routes, including the Pacific Rim, Middle East, Far East, Europe, ASEAN region and the west coast of the United States.

Additional investment into the port's facilities as well as the NDWT will allow KPC to respond to the growing Chinese economy and continue to grow as a petrochemical powerhouse, as Ir. Hj. Khasbullah A. Kadir concludes: “With the Chinese economy still looking robust and demand for raw materials still strong, Kuantan Port is expected to maintain its current growth momentum. We see the next five years as a very exciting time for Kuantan Port. As the current port is reaching its maximum handling capacity, the construction of the new deep-water terminal will ease the congestion as well as fulfilling the demand for bigger ships in tandem with the evolution of shipbuilding. The partnership agreement with the China Guangxi Beibu Gulf Port Group will also bring in new expertise and capabilities which are much sought after to cater to the demands of the new industries in the MCKIP and ECER region.”

Over the years, the port has expanded to adopt the latest shipping trends and forms of cargo packaging, including break bulk, palletisation, unitisation, dry bulk, containerisation, and liquid bulk handling

Kuantan Port Consortium Sdn Bhd ijm.com

Services Petrochemical and cargo hub

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The safest

Since the company

was established during 2002, Promar Shipping Services S.A. has proven itself to be a reliable and trusted supplier of vessel management services to clients operating within the oil and gas industry.

During the past 13 years Promar has forged a strong global position, with a permanent presence within Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The Ship Management office is based in Geneva, Switzerland and is further supported by logistical bases in Congo, Angola and Gabon as well as Finance & Chartering office located in Dubai. Today either directly or indirectly, Promar activities provide employment for some 600 crewmembers, logistical staff and office-based personnel. Throughout the organisation, Promar is dedicated to providing expert services rapidly, that address its clients’ specific requirements.

“Promar Shipping possesses a deep knowledge of oil and gas market and its management team has worked within the offshore industry and shipping for many years,” elaborates Chief Operating Officer, Christophe Mansuy.

“A significant strength of the company is the reactivity and flexibility of the team, which includes all of the crew aboard vessels at sea, staff at our logistic bases as well as in the Geneva and Dubai offices. We provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week and we have people who are very focused on vessel availability and customer satisfaction. We are proud to provide tailor-made solutions that match our customers’ requirements from early stage definition up to final delivery.”

At the core of the company’s activities is its commitment to efficiency and safety. During March 2015 Promar Shipping launched its

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‘Make Every Day a Safer Day’ campaign, which is deployed on all vessels, on-shore bases and offices in English, French and Portuguese languages. The objective of the campaign is to promote an incident free workplace within all working locations, as well as to ensure that safety culture is a mind-set shared by all seafarers, base and office personnel.

Operationally Promar splits its activities across two divisions, each with dedicated overall management, operation, crewing and technical departments. The first of these divisions is the offshore support vessel (OSV) branch, which represents the historical origin of the business dating back to the company’s beginnings.

Presently the OSV division manages seven vessels comprised of five multi-purpose support vessels (M-PSV) and two brand new platform supply vessels (PSV).

Delivered during February 2015 in Galati, Romania, the Mamola Reliance is the first of two PSVs to be provided by Damen Shipyards, with the vessel sister ship, the Mamola Defender to arrive during August 2015. Following its official handover, the Mamola Reliance stopped over in Barcelona, Spain for her naming ceremony in March 2015 before sailing for West Africa

PROFILE

Promar Shipping Services

A significant strength of the company is the reactivity and flexibility of the team, which includes all of the crew aboard vessels at sea, staff at our logistic bases as well as in Gneva and Dubai offices to begin operation in Gulf of Guinea during April 2015. “The Mamola Reliance is a DP2 PSV 3300 from the Dutch shipbuilder, Damen and was built in Romania,” Christophe says.

“During the building process Promar had a team based in Romania from almost day one, to co-ordinate with Damen shipyard. Thanks to great co-operation between the Promar team and Damen, as well as Damen’s excellent production capabilities the project went well and was delivered on time.”

In addition to its growing OSV division, Promar also manages a fast crew boat (FCB) operation, which was established during 2011.

These FCBs are 20-metre aluminium vessels, designed to transport passengers from the shore to offshore locations. “Today we manage over 30 units within the FCB division,” Christophe explains. “The FCB fleet is organised around the logistical bases in Angola, Congo and Gabon.

FCB vessels are attached to a dedicated logistics base where crew change and any other vessel requirements are managed, whereas the OSV are more independent and are able to carry their own spare parts for example.”

Presently the fleet managed by Promar is entirely engaged in operation in Gulf of Guinea, where it provides services for major industry players such as Eni, Total, Perenco and others.

Despite the challenging market conditions created by the present low price of oil, Promar and the ship owners are in the strong position that the majority of the managed fleet is engaged on long-term charters. This is reflective of the company’s deep industry knowledge and focus on long-term relationships with their clients.

“Part of our future strategy is to focus on consolidating and increasing our market shares in Gulf of Guinea delivering the highest level of service to our customers and their operations,” Christophe concludes. “The feedback and rating

of our service is extremely positive, and as such, our key customers are inviting us to operate in other countries where we are not today – namely offshore South America, East Africa and Asia.

Following them and extending our business model to other major oil & gas producing regions are of great interest to us and represent an important component of Promar’s future strategy.”

Promar Shipping Services S.A. promar-offshore.com

Services Vessel management for the offshore oil and gas industry

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Seismic

With an employee count of 554 people and over 35 years of industry experience, JSC Seismotekhnika has established a proven track record in carrying out research and development work to ensure the production of modern geophysical and oilfield equipment.

The roots of the business date back to 1973, when the Ministry of Oil Industry of the former USSR decided to found a specialised organisation tasked with the advancement and manufacture of non-explosive seismic sources within Gomel, Belarus. In 2004 the company was reorganised into an open stock company and took the name Seismotekhnika for the first time. Following this the newly focused business was able to quickly master the manufacture of a wide range of oil field equipment to meet all modern requirements. Shortly thereafter Seismotekhnika was certified as compliant with the ISO 9001 - 2009, ISO 14001-2005 and ISO 18001-2009 international systems. During 2014 Seismotekhnika became the first and presently only company to be awarded American Petroleum Institute (API) certification within the Common Wealth of Independent Sates (CIS).

“This gives Seismotekhnika a good advantage and allows the business to render its equipment more saleable. After all, the average life of the oil field equipment is 30 years and with API 4F certification, it can be resold in any country of

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the world,” observes Seismotekhnika Managing Director Luca Tommasi. “It is important to highlight that Seismotekhnika is the only company within the CIS that holds both API and Gost certification and therefore it is fully empowered to provide equipment and services both on Western and Russian standards.”

Today the Italian company Drillmec s.p.A is the majority shareholder of Seismotekhnika, with a 51 per cent stake in the business.

Drillmec – a world leader in the manufacture of oilfield equipment – first took an interest in Seismotekhnika during 2011, when it acquired 19 per cent of the company’s shares. Later during 2013, Drillmec took the decision to increase its stake to 51 per cent and thus become the major shareholder in Seismotekhnika. Drillmec operates as a part of the Trevi Group as a global contractor on the design and construction of drilling rigs and work-over rigs for the onshore and offshore oil and gas industries. It manufactures equipment from facilities located in Italy, the US, India and UAE and sells into more than 70 countries around the world.

Co-operation between Seismotekhnika and Drillmec has strengthened both businesses and established new opportunities for future development, as Luca elaborates: “The establishment of Drillmec as the new majority shareholder opened a new stage in the development of the company, allowing the business to carry out major modernisation, optimisation of manufacturing processes as well as further training of Seismotekhnika specialists on the Drillmec site in Italy. Such close collaboration opens new perspectives for both companies - it ensures market-widening and the introduction of new clients.”

Seismotekhnika specialises in the field of petroleum engineering with a primary focus on the manufacture of mobile units for work-over and well-drilling with capacities ranging from 80 tonnes to as much as 200 tonnes; land-rigs including drilling rigs with a capacity of 345 tonnes, which are presented in standard land rig and echelon land rig variations for cluster drilling; and vibrating sources of seismic signals, represented by its SV-30/120H and SV-30/120M units. All of the company’s rigs may be equipped with mud systems, power plants, cooling systems or winterisation systems, blocks of tanks and fuel lubricants, all of which are also produced by Seismotekhnika, thus ensuring that its clients receive a full turnkey solution. The company’s product portfolio was

PROFILE

further enhanced at the end of 2014 with the introduction of its 9T1000 and 12T1600 drill pumps. As such, its extensive product portfolio and industry knowledge allows Seismotekhnika to offer dedicated services across a host of regions and applications, as Luca explains: “Seismotekhnika undertakes the commissioning, maintenance of the manufactured equipment and training of personnel of the operating companies. Our equipment is highly requested for operation in areas including the north of the Russian Federation, Venezuela, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan with clients including OAO Lukoil; Republic Unitary Enterprise ‘Production Association ‘Belorusneft’; Iraqi Drilling Company (IDC); Socar, the state oil company of Azerbaijan Republic and the Egyptian army amongst others.”

Although the current price of oil has resulted in a downturn in activity, Luca is confident that Seismotekhnika is ready to meet the challenges of the present market and adapt to take advantage of upcoming opportunities in

Seismotekhnika

the near future. “The current change of market conditions demands the revision of plans and the retargeting of the business. New rigs for well work over and drilling with various capacities for water production will be oriented for new markets, as the units we produce may be easily adjusted for water drilling with only slight modifications,” he concludes. “At present we are preparing a contract for procurement of such equipment for clients North Africa. We are aiming to increase the volume of rigs to sell in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and we have already found a company that will supply the new equipment to us after we strengthen our positions on new markets. In the short-term however, Seismotekhnika will focus on personnel training and technical development to allow us to meet the goals we have set.”

It is important to highlight that Seismotekhnika is the only company within the CIS that holds both API and Gost certification and therefore it is fully empowered to provide equipment and services both on Western and Russian standards Seismotekhnika english.seismo.by

Services Oilfield and geophysical equipment

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An array of

competencies Embodying over 120 years of combined offshore and onshore experience, Array Training Ltd (formerly Rigmar Training Centre) was founded to provide the North East of Scotland with a leading facility dedicated to non-destructive evaluation (NDE) and Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) rope access training and consultancy.

Rigmar Training Centre was established in August 2012 and in just under three years the company has grown rapidly and enjoyed significant success. By December 2012 for example, £500,000 had been invested into the facility to provide state-of-the art NDE and Rope Access Training facility covering capabilities at all levels. The facility presently covers some 7000 sq ft and has been furnished the latest apparatus and technologies to create the best possible learning experience for all candidates. Today the centre’s array of accredited courses have developed to cover areas in NDT familiarisation and awareness; Magnetic particle inspection; Liquid Penetrant Inspection; Ultrasonic Testing; Radiation Safety; Eddy Current Testing and many others including Rope Access that are delivered to clients across 27 countries.

The company recorded an equally positive year during 2014 and has further distinguished itself as an industry leader through the gradual implementation of its ground breaking In-Service Inspection training courses. “The

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in-service inspection side of the oil and gas business has been one of the biggest developments for Array Training Ltd and one of the most exciting areas for the company to expand into,” elaborates managing director, Ray Wilson. “Of course everything else is great and exciting, but the oil and gas industry has been trying for the past 30 to 40 years to get in-service inspection training programmes, examinations and so on put into place.

“This is a training course that will be available within accredited establishment shortly through the British Institute of NDT (BINDT) to provide personal certification in NDT, specific to the Oil & Gas sector soon to be made available.

The BINDT have worked closely together with various established trainers throughout UK, especially with a committee formed in Aberdeen for the oil and gas industry who shared an approach and invested interest to establish this new sector within the BINDT with the intention of putting an examination and qualification into the market tailored to the in-service inspection operations. The aim is to get technicians trained, examined and qualified, and thereafter be deemed competent on detecting and interpreting results from in-service conditions inspection, especially corrosion and erosion in onshore and offshore modules, assets and refineries and so on.”

Presently Array Training Ltd is working

PROFILE

in close collaboration with the BINDT as well as other training organisations around the UK to discuss the parameters, goals and objectives of getting the programme and new sector for in-service inspection training in place. This will include looking at examination requirements, timescales, the arrangement of modular examinations, as well as the necessary training materials. As such the investment in capital as well as in industry experience into the establishment of in-service training courses has been significant, as Ray explains: “There is a huge amount that we have contributed to the programme in terms of research and development. I have counted between £100,000 and £150,000 of investment into this new sector as well as the investment of staff member’s time. Our own principle consultant Bernie Steel in particular has a wealth of experience in the field of In-Service Inspection in particular with corrosion and erosion where he has been developing the training materials as well as the course presentations and notes, with a huge support from colleagues such as Bill Brown, Malcolm Miller and various others within and out with the BINDT North East Scottish Branch in Aberdeen and BINDT head office in Northampton, which without, would not allow us to move with this very important and long awaited development.”

In addition to working to increase its portfolio of courses to better suit the needs of the oil and gas industry and beyond since it was last profiled during October 2014, Array Training Ltd has also undergone a significant transition in separating from the umbrella of the Rigmar Group. “During the past six months we have broken away from the Rigmar Group and looked at rebranding and establishing a new identity for the company. We are currently going through the final stages of that process and have changed from Rigmar Training Centre to Array Training Limited, so that will give us a unique name and identity as a training organisation,” Ray says. “The rebrand has opened up some opportunities to get our own unique name and brand out there as a specialist training services provider and on that basis we have taken steps in finding a name and a logo, registering through Companies House, arranging the banking side and the separation from that group structure, which has now been completed.”

With the introduction of highly sought after training courses and a new lease of life as an independent training centre in its own right,

Array Training

Array Training Ltd will embody its new brand moving forward and continue to expend to cater to national and international clients. “We want to push competency training and put more in place, as such we are setting patents for competency training that are been used by major companies,” Ray adds. “We started with three members of staff and have since grown to 11 employees - we have just taken on another admin person as well as another tutor and we are still looking for a trainer. We are also looking at material following the rebrand that really demonstrates the move from Rigmar Training Centre to Array Training Limited.”

Ray concludes: “In addition to the above exciting news, we have also secured projects around the UK on providing training and certification at a variety of customer’s locations and in addition to that, overseas work in Norway, Angola, Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Houston have promising contracts with a favourable award.”

Array Training Ltd (formerly Rigmar Training Centre)

rigmartraining.com

Services NDT and rope access training

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A safe

refuge

Founded during 1997

Master Marine AS began life and operated as an engineering business up until 2007, when the company ordered two service jack-up rigs from the former Labroy yard (now PaxOcean) in Indonesia. However due to a number of external factors, the project to acquire two service jackups would undergo significant change that would lead to Master Marine taking its present position as a successful supplier of self-elevated platform solutions. “In 2008 the first unit was converted to an accommodation unit after securing a three year, plus further options, contract for ConocoPhillips for accommodation services at Ekofisk and Eldfisk field in the North Sea,” explains Managing Director, Thomas Gabestad. “Following delays at the Labroy yard after the financial crisis, the second unit was cancelled in spring of 2011. The accommodation unit ‘Haven’ was completed in Norway at Nymo yard in Eydehavn and commenced its operation on 28 July 2011. The rig has been operated with 100 per cent uptime during its charter which expires on 28 July 2015.”

Haven is a four-legged self-elevating multipurpose unit built for the harsh North Sea environment to the highest safety specifications.

It is currently outfitted as a top of the line offshore hotel, although its strong deck structure and oversized jacking system allows for possible re-configuration with large and heavy client modules replacing some hotel-capacity. Presently the unit is able to accommodate as many as 447 people across its 443 single cabins and additional two double cabins, all of which include shower and toilet facilities; telephone; TV/SVS and network connections. Further onboard facilities include 64 offices for clients; recreational rooms;

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hospital; gym; cinema and well-equipped galley and mess room. Operationally the unit is equipped with four 130-metre legs, helideck and crane, as well as the ability to provide various utilities such as water and electricity to connected platforms. The design of Haven incorporates a raised bow and offshore barge hull allows wide weather windows for simple mobilisation and rig move.

Since its completion in 2011, Haven has been in operation solely with the client ConocoPhillips. During this time the unit and its crew have performed admirably and even completed a technically challenging rig move without incident. “Haven has been in full operation for the client during the whole contract period without any lost time injuries, even through several harsh winter storms Haven has remained fully operational,” Thomas reveals. “This successful operation stems from a good co-operation with the client, a dedicated and skilful crew and a rig that has proven its technical capabilities. The rig move from Ekofisk to Eldfisk was well prepared both by the ConocoPhillips and ourselves. This resulted in a successful rig move, which was completed within planned timeframe and with no technical difficulties.” Haven successfually completed its relocation from Ekofisk to Eldfisk during June 2014, after 34 months of continuous operation.

The rig was then jacked down, towed to its new location at nearby Eldfisk, positioned and jacked up again over the last few days without any incident.

The technical operation of Haven is overseen

by OSM Offshore, with which both Master Marine and its client has enjoyed an excellent relationship, as Thomas elaborates: “Master

PROFILE

Marine and OSM Offshore have a strong relationship that dates back to 2010, when OSM Offshore assisted in preparing Haven for its first operation. OSM Offshore has proven its dedication to provide safe and reliable technical management and remains an important business partner for Master Marine.”

The contract between ConocoPhillips and Master Marine is due to conclude during July 2015, following a highly successful first deployment for Haven. Although the present downturn in the oil market has created temporally challenging market conditions, Master Marine is confident that its proven track record and industry knowledge will enable the business to navigate into new contracts, as Thomas observes: “As exploration and production companies continue to cut back in investments and maintenance programmes in most regions, it will affect the opportunities in the short-term. The short-term market is challenging in Master Marine’s primary market, the North Sea, however we are marketing the

Master Marine

unit in several other regions. Oil companies have cut back on investments and maintenance over the last 12-18 months, however history has proven that this will result in higher activity after a period, which will result in several possible opportunities in the accommodation market.”

Master Marine is dedicated to providing safe, efficient and comfortable accommodation services to all stakeholders and clients. As such it maintains a strict health and safety policy and takes every reasonable step to negate and eliminate hazards causing unwanted incidents and accidents. Furthermore the company complies with all applicable national and international rules and regulations with a management system that complies with the requirements of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. These values along with the company’s proven capabilities will prove vital for Master Marine as it enters into new relationships with clients old and new and continues to provide safe refuge and stability to personnel, even in the most demanding environments.

Haven is a fourlegged selfelevating multipurpose unit built for the harsh North Sea environment to the highest safety specifications

Master Marine master-marine.no

Services Self-elevating accommodation solutions

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approach An integrated

Previously operating under

separate brand names within the Mermaid Maritime Group, Subtech in West Africa and the Middle East, Zamil Mermaid Offshore Services in Saudi Arabia, Seascape Surveys in Singapore and Indonesia, and Mermaid Offshore Services in Thailand, Mermaid Subsea Services (MSS) was established in 2014 when the four subsea units were integrated as one.

“Mermaid Subsea Services (MSS) is a key member of the well-established global oil service specialist and Singapore SGX-listed Mermaid Maritime. The Group supports the offshore oil and gas industry by providing subsea, which is where MSS fits in, and offshore drilling services.

Through its diversified portfolio of 13 owned and chartered subsea vessels, specialised diving equipment, remotely operated vehicles, drilling and accommodation rigs, Mermaid Maritime boasts a proven track record for subsea and drilling oil service excellence, having served the industry for over 30 years,” begins Hans Huijkens, Business Development Manager at Mermaid Subsea Services.

Discussing the reorganisation of operations within Mermaid Maritime, Hans adds: “The once diversified group holdings in Thailand, Asia and the Middle East have been consolidated into a single seamless turnkey service offering providing existing and prospective clients with a one-stop-shop service to meet all of their

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subsea needs with a specific focus on EPIC (Engineering, Procurement, Installation & Commissioning) projects. In realising this goal in the final quarter of 2014, Mermaid Subsea, today, operates as a unified structured unit across markets, offering customers a comprehensive range of subsea solutions through a highly competent technical and operations workforce.”

With a strong blue chip client base MSS has gained a strong foothold in China, Russia, the Middle East and Indonesia, where it is most active, as Hans notes: “Current valued clients by region are Aramco, Saipem, Maersk Oil and Gas, Total and LS Cable and Systems in the Middle East. In Asia, obviously Chevron, CUEL, PTTEP, PTT, PTSC, COOEC, Romona, and Mubadala are our most valued and in Russia we highly value Sakhalin Energy and ENL. The Middle Eastern operations are extremely busy at present and this area has proven to be a wise and stable choice given the current world market volatility.”

A recent major project for the company has

been in Qatar, where it has been installing two 100 kilometre-long circuits of 132 kV cables for efficient electric power supply from Ras Laffan Industrial City to Halul Island. “The 132kV cable comprises three core power cables with embedded fibre optic cables to transmit 100MW power in total,” states Hans. “Throughout this project, MSS was responsible for carrying out pre-lay grapnel run (PLGR) cable one and two, cable stabilisation at crossings with concrete mattresses cable one and two, cable midline jointing and deployment of cable one and two and installation of concrete mattresses for the unburied cable sections.” Following this work, MSS was awarded a contract to install approximately 6200 metres of articulated pipes to protect and stabilise the installed cables in the shallow water shore end sections in both Halul and Ras Laffan.

In addition to this project, MSS also successfully completed a scope of work for the Hasbah & Arabiyah offshore and onshore facilities project in Saudi Arabia in 2015. The contract included the transportation and

PROFILE

installation of approximately 155 km of 15 kV submarine power cables as well as the installation of 13 umbilicals and two flexibles.

Discussing the reasons behind the company’s success in its core business areas, Hans says: “It is not just the comprehensive range of subsea services that the group offers but most importantly the never ending quest to do so with adherence to the highest industry standards and to this end MSS is a full member of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and is committed to providing a quality service in a safe, efficient and professional manner.” Indeed, to ensure optimum safety, efficiency and quality, the company has also achieved DNV certification and accreditation for ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007, which has further enhanced the quality of service guarantee that Mermaid Maritime stands behind.

This commitment was recently recognised by CUEL for the outstanding safety contribution made by MSS’s Thailand team following seven

Mermaid Subsea Services

million man-hours offshore without a day away from work incident. “This safety record has been accumulated over an eight-year period from 2006 - 2013. Considering that the record is unblemished in 2014 and 2015 this phenomenal effort looks set to keep on improving – and long may it do so!” highlights Hans.

Although the market is anticipated to remain challenging throughout 2015 and 2016 due to a depressed oil price, MSS will continue to thrive in areas such as the Middle East where it has seen strong demand for new development, IRM and brownfield modernisation/enhancement works. “MSS have strong relationships within this region as well as a strong track record in completing similar works; the company is also uniquely placed to undertake shallow water flexible and cable lay work due to the specialist nature of our long term chartered vessel the ‘Mubarak Supporter’, which is capable of laying product in less than five metres of water. We see this as a large growth sector in the coming years,” concludes Hans.

Mermaid Subsea Services mermaid-maritime.com

Services Leading diving and subsea solutions provider

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PROFILE

Flexiflo Corp

End -to- end

Since the company was established OPW Operators want to increase safety of their loading system without sacrificing speed and efficiency or have downtime.

OPW works with expert companies like Flexiflo providing safer, cleaner and faster loading solutions. OPW systems have clever designs requiring minimum maintenance resulting in maximum uptime. Regardless the type of petrochemical fluid handled the OPW design meets clients’ needs. Don’t take OPW’s word for it…visit the company’s website to view successful customer stories. OPW - leader in Loading arms and Coupling systems.

ELAFLEX ELAFLEX has manufactured refuelling equipment like nozzles, hoses, couplings & expansion joints for more than 90 years. These products are being used worldwide for critical operations such as aircraft refuelling, ship bunkering, LPG & chemical handling as well as on petrol stations.

Their robust constructions stand out and guarantee exceptional lifetimes, maintainability and easy handling.

The international network of distributors and service partners provide local availability and immediate response. In the Middle East it has been FLEXIFLO for bunkering and industrial hoses for many years.

in 1998, Flexiflo Corp has earned a world-class reputation for the assembly, welding, testing and certification of hoses and fittings. The company is headquartered in the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai, UAE from where it operates in a stateof-the-art 6,000 square metre workshop that caters to the flexible handling industry, with its total facilities covering an area of 12,000 square metres. For close to over two decades, Flexiflo Corp has differentiated itself as a company driven by enthusiasm and a genuine passion for its products and the industries it serves. “The company was founded by three partners and we said ‘lets start something that is going to be fun to work, what we enjoy doing, and do it really well’ elaborates director of operations, Anand Ranganath. “The business started as a small company and slowly added more members to the team and after nearly 17 years we are still having fun, which is a good thing – it’s been a good ride!”

Flexiflo started with hydraulic hoses at the core of its business and has since extended its product range to include every type of flexible hose required by clients operating within oil companies, oil servicing companies, refineries, tank farms, distribution companies, marine and bunkering operations, dry docks and chemical companies. “What we do best is hoses – we don’t do anything else,” Anand says. “When we started the company we decided to work with the market-leaders to provide the products

that the end-user needs. We approached each manufacturer and used our experience to tell them what we can do and what we can’t do and demonstrated that we can supply link-ends of hoses to various industries.”

Throughout its history, Flexiflo has built long-lasting and close relationships with several leading hose suppliers, allowing the company to combine world-class products with its own leading assembly, testing and certification capabilities to deliver turnkey hose solutions to the end-user. Some of its world renowned partners include Dantec Ltd., Aflex Hose Ltd, ELAFLEX, OPW, Parker, Mandals, CAT etc, all regarded leaders in their respective fields.

The company’s combined experience as a team coupled with its unparallel service levels, allows Flexiflo to deliver the highest levels of technical expertise as well as innovative and unique solutions. At the heart of the business is its team of 40 professionals that each take pride in the job and maintain the company’s philosophy of quality and its aspiration to being the premier fluid handling specialist in the region. “Over the years we have picked up an excellent team of professionals and people who have actually grown with us. It is a strong team that has grown with the company as such, we have an excellent base of professional resources available to us,” Anand reveals. “This is our biggest strength, because you can have the best product and biggest and most impressive of logos with all the bells and whistles, but if the ENERGY,oil&gas

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The company’s combined experience as a team coupled with its unparallel service levels, allows Flexiflo to deliver the highest levels of technical expertise as well as innovative and unique solutions

company does not have the right skills and the right people you may as well shut shop.”

Presently Flexiflo is focused on operations within the Jebel Ali Free Zone as well as several joint venture operations within Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. From these locations it is able to remain close to its clients and supply globally recognised end-users including oil companies like Saudi Aramco, PDO, BAPCO, ADNOC, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) and chemical companies such as Shell, Petrochem, Sasol, Dow Chemicals and so on. It also works with oil servicing companies like Halliburton, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, Weatherford and all major drilling operators are serviced by Flexiflo workshops in the region.

To ensure that it is able to remain close to its clients, Flexiflo has expanded its presence significantly in recent years. Arabian Gulf Hose, a 100 per cent Flexiflo owned company was set

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up in Oman in 2013 as a sales office. This year it has acquired a warehouse to build a custom made hose depot in the Industrial area of Ghala.

Additionally during 2014, Flexiflo Corp further increased its presence in the UAE with new facilities in Abu Dhabi and Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah. Within Abu Dhabi Flexiflo opened new offices and stock facilities as well as accommodation for new crimping, welding and testing machines in the Musaffah Industrial Area, which are operated under the name Kaddas Hoses LLC. The company also increased its operations in the Northern Emirates of the UAE with the acquisition of holdings in the Hamriyah Free Zone to assemble, weld, test and certify marine hoses and loading equipment required for terminals.

This company operates under the name of Flexiflo Corporation FZC and employs a full team of technicians and office staff to offer 24/7 service to the area’s terminal and associated operations. “We have expanded into several new locations in the past few years and although we’re a local entity, we are looking at increasing our work resources to be close to clients. When a client needs a hose, we want them to think of Flexiflo,” Anand explains.

“Although we were already present in UAE we opened our new facility in Hamriyah Free Zone Sharjah, because it is a critical area with many terminals – so it is very important that we be there.

During the past six months we have focused on the Free Zone to have a strong base and to ensure that we are at the door step of our clients and always first in mind.”

PROFILE

Flexiflo Corp

While the oil and gas market has struggled in recent months, Flexiflo has remained highly active and keen on expanding its presence. As the company moves forward it will continue to focus these gains to drive further business and growth as the market recovers, as Anand concludes: “Last year when the market began to crash a lot of people started to panic and there were a lot of kneejerk decisions in the market, what we did on the contrary was opening dedicated new workshops. The message is very clear; we are here to stay. We want to be the best at what we do and for us the best does not mean numbers - we have never been in the big numbers game. For Flexiflo the proof-of-thepudding is when the end-user comes back to you and says ‘we will be coming to you for our next project.’ The next 12 months will certainly be challenging, but I think we will come out strong as always and continue to grow.

“To sum up – we are not serious but sincere, we are passionate, we are professionals not mercenaries, we work with suppliers and customers as partners and we do not follow but lead the market and lastly – we are not proud, but have pride in our work.”

Flexiflo Corp flexiflo.ae

Services Hose and fitting specialists ENERGY,oil&gas

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tides

Mastering the

In 1985, Douglas Leask founded Leask Marine to provide diving holidays in Scapa Flow and around the Orkney Isles. As a highly qualified commercial diver and vessel master, Douglas became a key asset to help carry out many marine construction repairs and over a period of 20 years he built up a fleet of small to medium sized vessels and a strong commercial diving team to serve increasing demand in the market. With expert diving capabilities and experience built up to include inspection services, survey and inspection, salvage, aquaculture, towing and other general workboat support tasks, the company was well placed to serve the emerging market of marine renewables.

Today, Leask has become a world leader in wave and tidal marine technology supply chain services, with seven vessels and nearly 50 employees successfully completing projects for 95 per cent of all international wave and tidal businesses that have worked in Orkney waters. Proving itself on the world stage has not only been down to the unprecedented level of specialist services and expertise it can offer to its clients, but also reflects the flexibility and reliability of the company. “We are known for the high level marine construction works that we do and the extensive experience that our commercial divers have with tidal and marine

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devices,” highlighted company founder, Douglas Leask.

Enabling this reputation to grow is a continued focus from Leask on developing itself to handle the extremely harsh environments in which the renewable devices are deployed, tested and operated. Part of this has been promoting the safety benefits of eliminating the risk of a diver free ascent due to the increased current speeds experienced through developments in equipment and procedure. For example, Leask has designed and developed a unique diver’s Launch and Recovery System (LARS) to work within tidal parameters, by redesigning industry systems to consider high tidal conditions. This has involved additional weighting of the recovery basket, specifically designed roller systems to ensure the cable payout is not dragged in sudden tidal changes and additional safety features of cable enhancement. Procedurally, the company is also rewriting the industry safety standards to correlate to the extreme tidal conditions experienced. Leask vessels collect real time data, which measures how fast water is moving across the site to set new safety standard parameters.

These newly developed parameters allow the surface stand-by diver enough time to be deployed and aid recovery if required.

Operating within a fledgling industry, this continuous development is also present in the company’s field operations. For example, within the last year Leask has successfully removed both cylinder modules from its client’s, Aquarmarine Power Ltd, Oyster 800 wave machine from Billa Croo EMEC (European Marine Energy Centre) test site. The work was needed for a comprehensive summer refit after clocking up a world first, three full winters at sea. Martin McAdam, CEO of Aquamarine commented on the combined team’s ability to carry out the procedure quicker and more efficiently than the previous years by learning and adapting.

“We need to make sure we understand and capture everything that goes well, and everything that doesn’t, as our industry progresses,” he said. Working with the client, Leask achieved an exceptional 67 per cent improvement in operational time within 12 months, showing the further potential advancement available through the build-up of knowledge and experience in such a critical industry.

Currently, market conditions for the core of Leask’s business have been challenging as governmental support for marine renewables development in the UK has reduced

PROFILE

dramatically, forcing companies to either scale back dramatically or face closing down. “This makes it very tough, and with the political situation between the Scottish and British parliaments still in the balance the future isn’t very clear,” expresses Douglas. “However, we are now working further afield cable laying in the Bristol Channel and Île d'Yeu where conditions are challenging, because this is where our skills are. We’ve also got the C-Odyssey working in Poland and Germany on the Baltic 2 wind farm, plus the C-Chariot available for works in the Netherlands.

“Our real focus over the next 12 months is on promoting marine renewables supply chain on the spaces available on the EMEC tidal test sites, to help encourage developers to come to the Orkney’s to test out their renewable marine devices.” It is evident that there is a strong international interest in marine renewables as Douglas explains: “Just over the last two months we have spoken to companies in Portugal, Finland, Spain and Canada with long-term

interest in working with our skills base on marine renewable devices.” Leask is also starting to capture the attention of the energy industry in general as well, as it won Renewable Supplier 2014 at the Energy North awards. “This has helped us be understood as a contender by our peers in the market. It is very important for us as before we were just seen as an Orkney player despite our client base being very international,” he comments.

Leask’s success has been down to Douglas Leask’s vision to provide the very best that the new industry deserves, and his entrepreneurial spirit and personal investment into new equipment to support the industry shows a determined commitment. As a world leading business, which has close to trebled its turnover from £1.2 million and more than doubled its employee base in under four years, as well as created a wealth of opportunities for the local economy, Leask has established a strong platform for it to continue succeeding as it looks to expand globally.

Leask Marine

Leask Marine Ltd leaskmarine.com

Services Complete technology supply chain service provider to wave and tidal energy sectors

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serve Capacity to

Founded in 2006, VTTI has grown to become one of the world’s leading independent oil storage companies with a current storage capacity of 8.7 million cubic metres across 11 countries in five continents.

The company was established by Vitol Group, one of the world’s largest energy and commodity companies with $270 billion in revenues and entered into a co-ownership with leading maritime conglomerate MISC Berhad from Malaysia in 2010. Having grown through a combination of organically building stateof-the-art terminals on greenfield sites, and acquiring existing businesses to complement the company’s services, VTTI remains committed to continuing this rapid expansion. With the goal to achieving a total capacity of ten million cubic metres by 2016, the company is currently undergoing a worldwide expansion.

Part of this expansion is the ongoing works to two of the company’s largest Netherlands based terminals: ETA in Amsterdam and ETT in Rotterdam. With both continually expanding to increase capacity ETT currently provides 1.1 million cubic metres of capacity across 28 tanks and 14 jetties. ETA adds a further 1.3 million cubic metres of capacity across 211 tanks and 11 jetties. As part of the company’s presence in the Netherlands, VTTI is also considering to build the Rotan pipeline between Europe’s two largest ports in Rotterdam and Antwerp. At 120 km long and demonstrating state-of-the-art safety features and technically advanced engineering, the pipeline will be of major economic benefit, not only for VTTI, but also for the region in general.

A second major expansion project is currently underway in the company’s ATB Malaysia terminal located next to Asia’s largest energy

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hub in Singapore. Initially opening in 2012, the terminal provides 893,000 cubic metres of capacity across five jetties and is able to take all sizes of vessels from small barges to partly laden VLCC ships of 320,000 DWT. Amongst others the terminal handles gasoline, jet fuel, gasoil, and fuel oil. The terminal is currently coming towards the end of its phase two expansion project, an $87 million programme to add a further 260,000 cubic metres and one extra jetty to the commercially important site. As of May 2015 the project had demanded over a million man-hours of work and looks set for completion by the beginning of August 2015. The company’s newest site in Cyprus, which opened in November 2014, is currently evaluating a similar phase two programme to extend its capacity from 544,000 cubic metres to 849,000 cubic metres.

Becoming one of the leaders in the independent oil storage industry is not achieved solely through building and acquiring large quantities of storage capacity, and VTTI remains keenly aware of this as it keeps to a set of values that ensure quality service is delivered. In an industry that requires fast turnaround times to keep up with changing demands and opportunities throughout the world, the company has to ensure reliable jetty access, fast flow rates, polished turnarounds, reliable infrastructure and excellent hinterland connections. Part of the company’s expansion strategy therefore is also to ensure every terminal is upgraded to respond to such a demanding supply chain. Despite covering nine time zones as a collective company, each terminal also offers a 24/7/365 service. Accompanying this level of service is a commitment to providing solutions.

Not only is VTTI focused on geographical

PROFILE

and capacity expansion but also of its product services. For instance, as world demand for LPG is rising, so too is VTTI’s ability to store it. It also sees an opportunity within the aromatic industry to offer services for the three key ‘BTX’ chemicals of benzene, toluene and xylene.

Complementing this commitment to service and response to customer demands is an exemplary approach to health and safety. ‘HSE Excellence: the single most important aim we have,’ reads VTTI’s statement. With a number of policies in place, which includes constantly measuring safety performance, investing into infrastructure to reduce potential risks and continuous training and support, the company aims to prevent all accidents across its sites. In fact, the company’s 218,000 cubic metre capacity Vitco terminal in Argentina recently reported zero accidents over the past four years, serving to illustrate the effectiveness of its robust health and safety management.

One particular example of the company’s focus on even the small but effective safety issues

is the holding of Glove Day for the VTTI team at its Virgin Islands project, IPSOS. Standard gloves were found to be ineffectual and offering ineffective protection to the kinds of work exposed to them, so a new glove was developed and delivered to the team. The new gloves not only provide high impact protection on the backs, but are also stitched with Kevlar in the palms to provide resilience against punctures and cuts.

With two world-leading companies behind it, VTTI is well placed to continue its expansion and maintain its position as a world leading oil storage company. However, this effective expansion strategy across the world is supported by a strong, ethical commitment to both its people and the customers it serves. Not only does the wellbeing of its own people feature heavily in the company’s strategy, but also the ability to effectively serve an ever changing and highly demanding global industry is key to VTTI responding well to customers’ needs and to securing a successful future.

VTTI

With two worldleading companies behind it, VTTI is well placed to continue its expansion and maintain its position as a world leading oil storage company

VTTI vtti.com

Services Oil storage

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Well

positioned In 1986, Peter De Snaijer set up CPJ Techniek, a supply company specialising in metalworking and metal repair for various industrial sectors. The company employs a team of highly experienced engineers with expertise in mechanical engineering and machining process for one-off and medium batch solutions for materials such as steel, aluminium and plastics. Starting off on his own, Peter worked hard to build the company into a successful modern enterprise and in 2011 he decided to branch out into the specialist offshore industry with SMFR. “Since then the company has dedicated itself to the manufacture and repair of parts and components for the drilling and exploitation of oil and gas, horizontal drilling applications and geothermal energy systems,” explains Peter. “We also execute general machining operations for machinebuilding and construction of special devices.”

Based at the Drilling Services Centre in Middenmeer, a specialist hub for the offshore drilling industry in the Netherlands, SMFR is well placed to serve the needs of its customers with a flexible production and supply service.

“The main products we produce and deliver are accessories for the drilling industry such as drill stem elements, casing and tubing components, well-head parts and flow control equipment,” highlights Peter. Also amongst its

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portfolio of offerings are rotary drilling tools, premium connection threading, Christmas tree equipment, drill-through equipment, horizontal drilling tools and geothermal well equipment.

With API Q1 and ISO 9001 accreditation as well as a high priority focus on quality and safety, SMFR’s highly trained engineers manufacture in accordance with API, NS1 and DS1 guidelines to ensure the customer is supplied with the best quality components needed.

This location and dedication to quality is essential for SMFR to be successful in the offshore industry. As Peter points out: “Our clients are operating globally and short delivery times alongside high quality standards are not only expected, but also essential.” High quality is not only achieved by SMFR adhering to accreditation and quality standard guidelines, but

PROFILE

is also enforced by the company’s own extensive experience within the industry. “With long standing and sound engineering backgrounds the team at SMFR are able to operate competitively in the market,” notes Peter.

In view of the recent economic conditions of the oil and gas industry Peter remains confident.

“The market from our point of view is dynamic,” he says. “Demand directly from the oil and gas drilling sector is declining, yet we expect an increase of activity in the maintenance side for the simple reason that existing wells need to be kept in good condition and unexpected delays or interruptions are not acceptable these days.”

The oil and gas sector currently provides 70 per cent of SMFR’s activity with geothermal and horizontal drilling applications making up the other 30 per cent. However, geothermal energy systems represent a significant opportunity for the company in the Netherlands. “The geothermal industry is developing itself with particular examples in this region. Coupled with other gas storage systems nearby we need to make sure that we are flexible and are able to focus on the developments of these activities. This must be done whilst our general machining operations for other industrial sectors are maintained as an important part of the company,” expresses Peter.

In order to help drive markets forward SMFR as a sister company to CPJ Techniek is committed to continuous improvement within its operations. To secure its future, the company ensures that it continues to invest in its machinery to achieve the most efficient operations, meaning it sits firmly at the front of the industry. Currently, the company’s machine fleet includes a variety of CNC lathes, with a maximum diameter of 2000mm, casing equipment for a maximum length of 17 metres and 13 3/8 inch diameter, a phosphating unit,

cold rolling machine, bucking unit, glass bead blaster and furnace for heat treatments and low stress annealing. Also helping to drive the industry forward is its design service. Born out of the company’s promise of flexibility SMFR places emphasis on working closely with its clients to develop and engineer bespoke solutions. This is made possible through the company’s expertise and range of machinery available to it.

Ultimately, SMFR is a company that remains tuned into the ever-changing market conditions and has the foresight to prepare for the future in an industry that has a lot of international attention on it at the moment. “We believe drilling will continue in the future for all kinds of purposes and future demands in all sectors we serve,” concludes Peter. “It is the responsibility of the drilling industry to anticipate, support and join the discussions in ‘clean planet’ subjects. We hope to be able to contribute to this developments with all kinds of storage systems, whether this is CO2, waste, energy or anything else.”

SMFR

With long standing and sound engineering backgrounds the team at SMFR are able to operate competitively in the market

SMFR smfr.nl

Services Specialists in fabrication and repair of tubulars, drilling equipment and accessories

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protect Serve and

Trelleborg’s offshore operation has launched its brand new Mobile Production Unit (MPU) – a portable coating facility that will enable onsite coating of thermal insulation, passive fire and corrosion protection, anywhere in the world.

The unit can be mobilised in a short time frame and sent straight to site to apply coatings such as Trelleborg Offshore’s thermal insulation – Vikotherm™ R2 and Firestop, a jetfire resistant material. This increases project flexibility and reduces the costs and lead times.

“We’ve been working hard to establish the concept of the Mobile Production Unit (MPU), enabling us to serve customers on a global scale,” explains Business Group Director, Ben Erik Jansen. “Trelleborg Offshore’s MPU is our mobile coating concept that allows onsite coating of corrosion protection, thermal insulation and passive fire protection (PFP). The MPU performs at every level as it can be mobilised in a short time frame, worldwide and also meets the requirements for local content as we intend to use local labour during production.”

The revolutionary unit has the capability of increasing project flexibility and reduces costs and lead times associated with transporting parts to a specialised coating facility. The MPU is capable of coating up to 20 metre pipes in a robust and easy application process and includes a side extrusion of straight pipes up to 12 metres and production of profiles for the

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coating of complex geometries, such as bends, valves and flanges. In addition to this there are a number of vulcanisation containers for up to 20 metre pipes or structures. Trelleborg Offshore’s Vikotherm R2 material can easily be vulcanized at any site anywhere by using heat. This material technology is quite unique.

Trelleborg Offshore’s ability to develop and innovate continuously within the market is not only down to its extensive depth of engineering expertise and experience but also to its ability to listen to the market. “The main competitive edge for Trelleborg Offshore is that we are spending a lot of resources on research and development and have our own developed material technology,” highlights Ben. “We are always in direct dialogue with our end users to meet the specific requirements in the market place.” Ben also points out that the company is

PROFILE

currently developing new materials and products for improved PFP systems.

With the current market conditions proving tough for all those involved in the oil and gas industry, Trelleborg Offshore is no exception.

“We do feel the changes in the marketplace,” says Ben. “The planned new builds are going ahead more or less as planned, yet for maintenance and drilling we are seeing a downturn at the moment.” Despite this, the company’s current and near-future activities paint a positive picture. “We are currently involved in several projects,” he continues.

“We have had a breakthrough into Mexico, and we are currently involved in projects like Bonga, Hebron, Ichsys and Julimar amongst others. Several other interesting projects are also in the pipeline.”

Continuing its tradition of bringing innovation and development to the industry demands is going to be critical to the future success of Trelleborg Offshore. “There are a lot of new projects coming up but they will be harder to get,” notes Ben. “Over the next 12 months we will be working hard on efficiency and cost reductions to meet our customer’s expectations for the future and to create competitiveness that is necessary to win future contracts.”

Ben remains aware that the market will continue to get tough and more competitive in the future and therefore the company must work hard to maintain its high performance and continue its success. “Over the next three to five years we will continue to have a strong focus on the customers and listen carefully to the market,” he concludes. “We will also be focusing on cost optimisation to create competitiveness and we will continue to develop new material solutions in line with the market requirements.

Ultimately, as a group we will seek to expand our business both within and outside of the oil

Trelleborg Offshore

and gas market.”

Trelleborg Offshore, which specialises in the development and production of polymers and syntactic foam for all levels of the offshore industry, continues to bring innovative products to the market. With a history spanning over 100 years, it’s parent company the Trelleborg Group provides engineered polymer solutions that seal, damp and protect critical applications in demanding environments driven by a commitment to innovation and development within its markets. Whilst operating within a number of industrial sectors across the world, the offshore oil and gas sector can throw up some of the most challenging locations in the world and with that comes the need to protect a variety of assets. Having been involved in the oil and gas industry since 1972, Trelleborg Offshore has built up a focused organisation with experienced and skilled people that work hard to serve the market in the best way possible, as well as a dedication to innovation.

Trelleborg Offshore’s ability to develop and innovate continuously within the market is not only down to its extensive depth of engineering expertise and experience but also to its ability to listen to the market Trelleborg Offshore trelleborg.com

Services World leader in engineered polymer solutions

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Fuelling the

future Following their recent success on the Aguirre GasPort – Puerto Rico FEED study last year, Excelerate Energy again contracted the services of Technica during May 2014, this time to deliver multi-disciplined detailed design and procurement management services for an LNG import terminal in Port Qasim, Pakistan.

With Pakistan facing growing gas shortages, the need for effective and reliable energy solutions in the region is more vital than ever. Inaugurated on March 28th 2015 with representatives from Engro Elengy Terminal Limited (EETL), Excelerate Energy and the

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Government of Pakistan in attendance. Pakistan’s first LNG import terminal represents a significant step forward in combating the country’s growing energy crisis. Located in a channel of the Indus River east of Karachi, the terminal is the result of a fast-track LNG import solution.

“The LNG import terminal in Port Qasim provides gas supplies for Pakistan to ensure continued economic growth,” said John Davison, Technica’s Managing Director.

“Switching from expensive fuel oils to cheaper, environmentally friendly LNG will reduce carbon emissions, decrease road congestion, increase electricity availability for consumers and provide the Pakistan economy considerable fuel savings each year.”

Technica’s team of managers, designers and sub-contractors completed the original contract on time with the facility being brought into service in only 11 months from the start of the design process to construction completion. Following construction completion Technica were also engaged to provide valuable on site assistance to the site construction personnel during the testing and commissioning of the new facility.

Based in Grimsby on the River Humber,

PROFILE

UK’s Energy Estuary, Technica is managed by a core of professional engineers who have many years experience in the design, implementation and maintenance of industrial systems. As a result, the company has been able to execute a wide range of multi-discipline projects including design; project management; construction; commissioning and maintenance across the petrochemical, gas transmission and distribution, chemical, offshore and bio methane industries.

Technica Ltd was founded in February 2004, with just three directors. In the following years the company steadily grew and evolved. Now, just eleven years later, the company employs 46 staff ranging from apprentices through to chartered engineers who have managed major multi-million pound projects throughout the world for both clients and contractors.

“We provide a range of multi discipline services from FEED studies right through to final commissioning and handover, we predominantly supply turnkey services including project management, project engineering, detailed design, and construction services to the gas, oil and chemical industries,” Technical Director

Technica Ltd & GGP Consult

Bryan Creed explained, when asked to give more details on the services provided by the company.

“Our clients include the likes of Excelerate Energy, Perenco and Total to name a few.”

As well as the recent project in Pakistan, Technica have provided multidiscipline engineering and on site support services to Excelerate Energy on several other high profile GasPort projects in the past. To date they have completed GasPort projects in Teesside – UK, Mina Al-Ahmadi – Kuwait, Bahia Blanca – Argentina and Escobar – Argentina.

Teaming up with Technica again on the Port Qasim LNG import terminal project was Kingston Upon Hull based GGP Consult. Bryan explained that GGP Consult is a specialist sub-contractor to Technica, which has supported Technica on Excelerate’s most recent projects. “The success of each of these projects can be put down to the highly experienced Excelerate Energy management team together with the collaboration between Technica and GGP’s.” he stated.

Jim Gabbitas, Managing Director of GGP Consult Ltd added further details about GGP’s role on the project: “The LNG terminal at Port Qasim consists of cap and pile mooring structures, offload platforms and a roadway/pipe trestle linking it to the existing EVTL bulk liquid chemicals and LPG terminal. GGP developed the initial mooring and marine structure concept in-line with international standards, while also providing the most economic arrangement for the metocean and physical features of the site.

Mooring arrangements were optimised for a wide range of vessels offloading in a ship-to-ship configuration. GGP Consult developed the civils basis of design and provided technical support and inspection during the construction phase of the contract, furthermore we designed and detailed topside civils structures and the pipeline support civils infrastructure.”

The Port Qasim project is the latest example of the on-going collaboration between Technica and GGP Consult, which demonstrates the added value each business is able to afford clients through their shared expertise and values. “GGP Consult have worked with Technica for many years, developing the sea island LNG offloading concept. The skills set of both companies complements each other well, providing a comprehensive service to both offshore and onshore design and delivery,” Jim revealed. “Our joint business ethic is compatible with an emphasis on value for money, leading to designs which are economic, buildable and

The Port Qasim project is the latest example of the on-going collaboration between Technica and GGP Consult, which demonstrates the added value each business is able to afford clients through their shared expertise and values

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PROFILE

delivered on time. Our staff work well together and a regular, healthy sporting rivalry between us makes for a great team spirit when working together on projects.”

Since the company was established in 1994, GGP Consult has grown rapidly and today employs over 60 highly skilled staff. Today the business provides a wide range of consultancy services throughout the UK and over 50 countries globally. Its previous projects include contracts with Technica Ltd, Excelerate Energy and McMurtrie Ltd within the oil and gas industry as well as clients within the education, retail, marine and petrochemical industries. “GGP Consult has continued to build its expertise and reputation as consultants supporting EPC contractors,” Jim says.

“The skills necessary to achieve success in this role have been transferred to supporting project funders and developers. As such the company’s rapid response and delivery to tight deadlines makes it stand out from the crowd. GGP Consult is proud to have supported Technica in developing the Port Qasim LNG import facility and the company plans to double its turnover in the oil and gas industry with work on new developments and decommissioning of old projects.”

While the Port Qasim LNG import terminal represents a landmark development for Pakistan, for Technica and GGP it is the latest in a growing portfolio of projects that highlight the added value that comes from collaboration between the respected companies. The company’s expertise extends way beyond LNG and as Bryan explained, it is continuing to grow in all areas of the UK oil and gas sector and seeing increased turnover year on year across all clients.

“Technica and GGP Consult also work together as framework contractors in the UK gas industry

Technica Ltd & GGP Consult

providing design and construction services to National Grid, Northern Gas Networks, Scottish and Southern Gas Networks and Wales and West Utilities,” he added.

These projects not only highlight Technica’s and GGP’s capabilities but also the close working relationship between Technica, GGP and Excelerate. “Excelerate are one of Technica’s key clients and we support them on each project that they are involved in – we travel across the globe working with them at every stage of the project, from the initial bid process to final handover,” confirmed Bryan. “Technica provide a highly professional service to ensure each project succeeds,” he added.

What all these projects have in common is the need for a knowledgeable, reliable supplier.

“At Technica we have a versatile ‘can do, will do’ attitude, and we see a project through from beginning to end working for and with the client, always ensuring they are satisfied with the end product,” said Bryan. In addition the company is always ambitious and determined to keep growing and learning, in order to meet the future needs of the market sectors in which it operates: “After a year of restructuring and consolidation making improvements to our internal systems and processes, the next three to five years will see us grow steadily in the design and engineering sector across other industries,” noted Bryan in conclusion. “We have plans to develop our offices to provide an additional 25 design and engineering positions to ensure we can meet the increased demands that future growth will bring.”

Further information can be found at technicaltd.com and ggpconsult.co.uk.

GGPConsult GGPConsult have worked closely with Technica for the last ten years using our combined expertise and experience to complement each other on a wide range of projects in the petrochem, oil and gas industries.

Our approach to business, delivery and value for money engineering has resulted in successful outcomes for our customers, companies and staff.

Demand for our well-integrated teams is growing and we look forward to a successful future working together.

Technica Ltd & GGP Consult technicaltd.com & ggpconsult.co.uk

Services Multi-disciplined design engineering and consultancy colaboration

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better Doing it

With roots dating back

to 1954, PPS Pipeline Systems (PPS) has grown from a mid-size service provider to an internationally respected pipeline and plant builder. The company was established in Northern Germany and during the past six decades has developed an international reach to clients across a number of applications, with 80 per cent of its business presently stemming from the oil and gas sector.

Today PPS conducts its operations across several divisions that enable it deliver targeted solutions when and where its clients need them. Within its native Germany, PPS operates its Winter Rohrbau division, which manages offices across the country in Quakenbrück, Ingolstadt, Landau Palintinate, Leipzig, Sande/Wilhelmshaven and Stade. Its PPS Wester division holds offices within the UK, Belgium and France while a substantial network of subsidiaries and partnerships further extends the PPS footprint to include Benelux, Austria, Lithuania, Romania and Italy. The company is also increasing its global focus include the Caspian Sea and Middle East, as extensive investments in the expansion of pipeline infrastructure are planned to enable Europe to tap into the crude oil and natural gas reserves of these regions. PPS is already present in this market with its Istanbul office, from which it is focused on the development of pipeline, station and gas storage projects.

PPS also remains in constant demand throughout Europe to assist in challenging projects as well as a general or EPC contractor.

Its daily business within the pipeline sector includes pipelines of every diameter, pressure rating and media type. These also include open and closed crossing processes for streets,

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railways and rivers, further incorporating the construction of pumping stations. The company’s services within the pipeline sector are complimented by its extensive plant construction capabilities, allowing PPS to offer a comprehensive portfolio of services to its clients. Within the plant construction sector its competencies include the construction of compressor stations; terminals; gas processing, measuring and regulation systems as well as large underground storage caverns. As such, throughout the years PPS has been significantly involved in several large-scale pipeline construction projects and since 2003 has contributed to the delivery of storage caverns for clients including Essent, Nuon and Eneco.

Presently PPS has several projects underway including the replacement of pipeline running in the area of Ravels and Oud-Turnhout, within Belgium. The timeframe of the project is split between two periods, with the first phase expected to run between March 2015 and October 2015, while the second phase due to begin in April 2016 and end during October 2016. The scope of work includes the dismantling of old pipeline and the construction of pipeline infrastructure between the Belgian village of Poppel and Weelde at a length of 400 metres. The process will be repeated between the villages of Weelde and Herent at a lengths of 10,590 metres and again with a second pipeline running between Weelde and Herent at a length of 10,617 metres. Each of the pipelines will require station construction and the careful crossing of the forest areas of Ravels, the DesselSchoten Canal and the nature reserve, ‘De Liereman’. The PPS Western Europe division is

PROFILE

acting as the chosen contractor for the project from its office located in Drongen, Belgium.

Additionally, PPS is undertaking the construction of a natural gas pipeline between Biccari and Compochiaro in Italy, on behalf of its client SNAM Rete Gas. The project began during July 2014 and is expected to run until October 2016, it will involve the laying of 26km of DN 1200 natural gas pipeline at 75 bar as well as the construction of three line valve stations.

Furthermore it will require ten thrust borings and four open cuts to cross roads, as well as five open cuts to cross rivers.

At the core of all of the company’s projects is its dedication to safe operation and quality, as such PPS operates under the philosophy that it is not only responsible for what it does but also for what it does not do. Its customers assess the execution and quality of its work and PPS in turn uses client feedback to further optimise project execution. Each of the company’s employees are encourage to follow its ‘Do It Better’ campaign, which contributes critical observation of the workplace and the

PPS Pipeline Systems

surrounding environment in order to generate improvement suggestions. Operationally PPS compliments its dedication to providing the highest standards with the support of its Welding Technology division, as well as its machine technical department. The Welding Technology division allows PPS to offer optimised welding processes with respect to quality and economy, proving orbital welding, MAG STT manual welding and partial mechanical welding of large pipes. Additionally its Machine Technical Department is made up of a team of employees whose task it is to ensure the smooth deployment of machines, equipment and vehicles, throughout Germany and beyond.

It incorporates a repair shop, stores and a motor pool of modern vehicles and tools that ensures that PPS is able to independently supply and support all of its job sites. As such PPS represents a turnkey partner in the construction of pipeline and plant projects, which will prove to be invaluable to clients both in the present and in the future as Europe’s need for pipeline infrastructure continues to grow.

PPS represents a turnkey partner in the construction of pipeline and plant projects, which will prove to be invaluable to clients both in the present and in the future as Europe’s need for pipeline infrastructure continues to grow

PPS Pipeline Systems pipelinesystems.com

Services Pipeline and plant construction solutions

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PROFILE

Magnox

Safety Since it was established as the successor company of Magnox Electric during January 2011, Magnox Limited has operated as the management and operations contractor engaged in nuclear and hydroelectric facilities throughout the UK. Magnox Ltd works on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and is responsible for managing sites throughout their lifecycles, overseeing all aspects of electricity generation, defuelling and decommissioning.

The lifecycle process of the operation of nuclear sites involves safely maximising power generation and the safe transport of used fuel to Sellafield for reprocessing once generation has ended. Once the defuelling process has been completed preparation begins to enter each site into a passive state, with a focus on decommissioning and replanting buildings while retrieving, treating and processing any waste. When left in a passive state, the on-site radiation levels are left to decay naturally over time. During this period the sites are continuously monitored, while planned maintenance and inspection activities are undertaken. Final site clearance represents the final step in a site’s lifecycle, which involves dismantling the reactor vessels and dispatching any remaining waste to its final destination.

Following the completion of this work, it is safe to release the site for new use.

As of April 2015 the number of facilities managed by Magnox Ltd stood at 12 nuclear

sites and one hydroelectric electric plant, following a merger between Magnox Ltd and Research Sites Restoration Limited (RSRL).

The merger was completed on the 1st of April 2015 and brings together 12 nuclear sites in a joint effort to safely and efficiently reduce the hazards from the first generation of UK nuclear power stations and reactors. The move is part of the initiative to ensure the best value for taxpayers following the arrival of the Cavendish Fluor Partnership (CFP) as the new parent body for Magnox Ltd and RSRL respectively. CFP is a joint venture between the UK's Cavendish Nuclear, part of Babcock International, and US-based Fluor Corporation.

The 14-year contract to merge the 12 sites and their respective decommissioning programmes was awarded during September 2014 and is valued at around £4.2 billion. Commenting on the merger Kenny Douglas, Magnox Managing Director, said: “It’s a huge achievement to bring the sites together within just seven months and that is testament to the team that has worked hard to achieve it. The decision to create a single site licence company under the Magnox entity was taken after much consideration and engagement. All the sites share a strong history and heritage dating back many decades.

Our challenge now is to come together as one organisation and continue delivering safe and efficient decommissioning.”

Presently the nuclear sites managed by Magnox Ltd are Berkeley, Bradwell, Chapelcross, ENERGY,oil&gas

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Dungeness A, Harwell, Hinkley Point A, Hunterston A, Oldbury, Sizewell A, Trawsfynydd, Winrith and Wylfa. Wylfa was the last Magnox power station to be built in the UK, becoming operational during 1971. It is now that last operational Magnox station in the world and the only operational plant in the Magnox Ltd portfolio. The site is capable of an output of around 460MW and can supply over 20 per cent of Wales’ energy needs, indeed its current lifetime electricity output stands at 232 TWh. Wylfa has only one running reactor and two operational turbo generators, furthermore the site is also responsible for the 30MW Maentwrog

coast, the Hinkley Point A reactor is a twin reactor site that is also progressing well into its decommissioning process. The station stopped generating power in 2000 following 35 years of successful operation, producing some 103TWh of electricity. While the decommissioning of the site is ongoing maintenance work to the plant and its infrastructure has been carried out, including refurbishment of the control room and canteen roofs by Associated Roofing and Maintenance. Operationally work is underway to drain both cooling ponds and enable the stabilisation of the pond surfaces. Furthermore work has started on an intermediate level waste

Magnox

Doosan Babcock Doosan Babcock has provided nuclear engineering services to Magnox under its Mechanical and Engineering Support Services (MECS) Framework Contract. The MECS Framework encompasses a significant range of engineering, maintenance, outage support and decommissioning services for the Magnox fleet including Hunterston A, Wylfa, Oldbury, Bradwell and Sizewell A. Of particular note is the provision of significant decommissioning support to Bradwell, playing a key role in taking the site into Care and Maintenance, and engineering services support to Wylfa Power Station through its final stages of generation.

Doosan Babcock has supported the UK nuclear industry for over half a century. Its expertise spans everything from newbuild and commissioning to maintenance, specialist inspection technologies, plant-life extension, decommissioning and waste handling.

Erith

hydroelectric station near Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Conversely while Wylfa was the last Magnox site to go into operation in the UK, the Bradwell site is scheduled to be the first UK Magnox plant to enter the care and maintenance (C&M) phase of decommissioning during 2015. Electricity generation at the plant commenced during 1962 and ended in 2002. Throughout its operational life the plant generated some 60 TWh of electricity and is now following an accelerated decommissioning programme. Soon after the conclusion of defuelling in the summer of 2005, the demolition and bulk asbestos removal project was enacted in conjunction with the Erith Group. The present focus at the Bradwell site will be completing the construction of a fuel element debris (FED) dissolution and associated plant as well as further decontamination and demolition work in preparation for final C&M operations.

Located on a 19.4-hectare site on the Somerset

(ILW) resin and sludge campaign, including the design for a facility to retrieve and sort FED waste. As part of the project Magnox Ltd has signed framework contracts with Croft Associates Ltd, Chester-Simplex, and Siempelkamp for the supply of transportable selfshielded intermediate level waste containers for the UK's nuclear decommissioning programme.

Overall it is expected that more than 2000 of the cast iron containers will be required.

The work undertaken by Magnox Ltd is both diverse and challenging, ranging from electricity generation to innovative techniques to accelerate decommissioning and clean up.

Naturally safety is a critical consideration within the nuclear sector but with the shared experience of its parent company and across its 12 sites individually, Magnox Ltd represents the decommissioning solution for the nuclear industry with safety at its core.

Erith have worked for Magnox for over five years, forming part of a delivery team for a long term decommissioning strategy. Delivering demolition, deplant and asbestos removal activities, Erith’s services aids the end of generation of Magnox’s ten nuclear power stations across the UK. Initially undertaking the demolition, deplant and asbestos removal of the Former Turbine Hall at Bradwell Power Station, works have extended through to Dungeness on the South East Coast and Trawsfynydd Power Station in Wales.

Magnox Limited magnoxsites.co.uk

Services Power management and operations contractor

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service Specialist

Originating in 1986

, the Globe Group boasts nearly 30 years experience in the design, production, sale and revision of air motors, high pressure pumps, test systems, gas boosters and air amplifiers. Today split into four business segments, Globe Benelux BV, Globe Services BV, Globe Test Equipment BV and Globe Airmotors BV, the group strives to deliver an enthusiastic service with short delivery times for products of exceptional quality.

As part of Globe Group, Globe Airmotors provides customers with a wide portfolio of air motors from 0.1 to 23 kW; these can be supplied in combination with a gearbox to deliver higher torques and lower rotation speeds. Additionally, the company can produce custom-built air motors in its own design and production department, thus ensuring complete customer satisfaction, whatever the demand. “Our main activities are designing producing and selling pneumatic motors, including accessories such as pneumatic valves, control valves and pneumatic brakes.

Our main customers tend to be machine builders and equipment builders, including

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winch manufacturers, mixer manufacturers; these clients tend to supply the equipment to the oil and gas industry and mining industry, both of which are our main areas of operation.

We generally work with anyone working in a hazardous environment or explosion-risk environment that requires explosion-proof equipment,” says Han Wannet, managing director of Globe Airmotors BV. To service customers operating in these challenging environments, the group has obtained ATEX certificates for all air motors and gearboxes that it produces; delivery is possible with ATEX II cat. 2 G&D and ATEX I M2 for mining.

By keeping production in-house, Globe ensures customers can receive answers to questions and solutions to requests in a quick and efficient manner. On top of this, the group designs and tests new products regularly to remain competitive and meet market demand.

Alongside a superior service, the ISO 9001 certified Globe is committed to quality and maintaining a sufficient range of stock for air motor demands. Elaborating on the benefits of being part of Globe, Han says: “A major advantage is knowledge; we have a lot of knowledge of different applications so can always select or design the correct pneumatic drive or motor as well as accessories. In addition, because we have our own production site, we are also very flexible when it comes to producing custom-built solutions. We also have a worldwide sales and distribution network and a comprehensive range of products in stock so all products are available on a global scale.”

Products within Globe Airmotors include vane air motors, which are used in applications such as mixers, ventilators, winches, after coolers, pump drives and conveyor belts.

Advantages of using Globe produced vane air motors include a guaranteed positive start-up, no pins or springs, simple adjustable torque and output speed, high life span and low cost price thanks to a simple design, the possibility of oil-less operation and instant reversibility.

The company also produces a wide programme of piston air motors, which are used in heavy duty environments that require higher powers; typical applications include winches, hoists, offshore and mining applications; air motor units for winch and hoist applications, geared air motors in a standard range of worm and coaxial gearboxes and stainless steel compact vane motors.

PROFILE

Alongside these products, Han notes that Globe Airmotors can also supply a complete pneumatic drive system to customers, which includes the air motor, pneumatic brakes, gear boxes and valves as well as a complete control cabinet. “All the controls are integrated to control the pneumatic drive and the air motor so winch manufacturers can order the complete pneumatic system to connect to the winch, which thus results in a completely pneumatic driven winch,” he says. “We have several projects currently running for these systems, with a lot of demand coming from North Europe. Meanwhile, for the big V12 motor, we see a lot of demand from the Australian, Canadian and South African mining industries.”

The most recent addition to the company’s portfolio is the 14kW air motor, which was presented at the Hannover Messe 2015 in April, as Han highlights: “The 14 kW vane air motor is compact, high powered and extends our range from 9.5 kW to 14 kW. This means any application that requires a higher power can

Globe Airmotors

now come to us. Other benefits include cost effectiveness in comparison to other 14 kW air motors as these are big piston motors with more complex designs and therefore a higher price.

The product generated a lot of attention at the exhibition and we do have some clients now using the product, however because it is new to the market potential customers are remaining somewhat conservative for now.”

With further growth anticipated in areas such as China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and Korea, Globe Airmotors is certain to maintain a trend of steady growth despite the reduction in oil prices as it diversifies its client base into other sectors and remains vigilant of market developments. “We want to continue concentrating on the oil and gas and mining industries, but also look at other markets where air motors are used. We have also noticed that there is increased demand in custom built or specialist motors and with our own design department and production facilities we are ready for this change,” Han concludes.

Globe Airmotors BV globe-benelux.nl

Products Pneumatic motors and accessories

ENERGY,oil&gas

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An upward Established in Gothenburg

in 1944 by Rodolfo Arabella, the roots of Midroc Rodoverken AB begin with the installation of storage tanks for oil heating systems for domestic use. As the company continued to grow it entered into the industrial market and subsequently introduced its spiral method of construction, completing its first tank using this method in 1964. Rodoverken is today based in Stenungsund on the west coast of Sweden, from where it employs some 230 staff and generates around €70 million in annual turnover. The company acts as part of Midroc Europe, which is based in Stockholm, Sweden and represents the single shareholder of Rodoverken.

Traditionally Rodoverken has operated within the Scandinavian region, however increasingly the company is exporting its expertise to clients through Europe, as Managing Director Pär Hedendahl elaborates: “Our activities are mainly within Norway and Sweden, as this is our home base, however we are also carrying out a large project in Finland. The company’s clients in Norway and Sweden are mostly oil companies as well as the owners of refineries and power plants. This includes work for the CHP power plants, building heat accumulators and we also do some work in nuclear and petrochemical

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plants. Rodoverken has also been active within Germany, Poland, Austria and the Netherlands building heat accumulators. We have been increasingly active within Northern Europe and our client base has been steadily growing in this region. This is mainly due to the use of our spiral method in the production of these tanks.”

Crucial to the growth of Rodoverken is its unique Spiral construction method, as pioneered

by Rodolfo and that the company has refined ever since. As part of the Midroc Group, Rodoverken is well supported and can rely on extensive in-house services that might otherwise prove costly to obtain. Its spiral design technique is an innovation that has proven beneficial to Rodoverken and its clients time and time again as it eliminates the need for time-consuming scaffolding and continuous heavy lifting. The technique involves the rotating of the tank from a single point so it turns almost like a screw.

As it rises it can be welded at ground level so that the need for heavy lifting equipment is largely eliminated. This can be of enormous benefit where construction is taking place in tight spaces, for example when it is necessary to construct a tank on a small site it often means that it cannot be pre-built and transported.

With the spiral method the sheetmetal plates

PROFILE

are welded in place from the same position at ground level, which requires a greatly reduced work area, furthermore weather protection can be provided to an optimum work environment for ease of construction.

A key project for Rodoverken at present is its work in supplying a 50,000 m3, full containment LNG tank, as part of the Tornio Manga LNG-project in Finland. In addition to the storage tank provided by Rodoverken, once completed the Tornio LNG terminal will include a reception, unloading and bunkering

Midroc Rodoverken

facilities and LNG vaporising facility. For gas deliveries, a pipeline will be built to the Röyttä industrial site as well as a truck loading facility for LNG trucks. From Tornio terminal the LNG will be delivered with trucks or by railroad to customer terminals and consumption destinations in Northern Finland and Sweden.

Overall the terminal represents a €100 million investment.

“Our main client for the Tornio Manga project is Wärtsilä,” Pär says. “We have been working on the development of this project for the past two years and started the execution of the construction early in 2015. Construction is due to be completed during early 2017 and the commissioning of the plant will be in 2018.

Work is progressing to plan, we are completing the foundation piling for the tank and next month we will cast the bottom slab and continue with the concrete works over the summer and into autumn, with steel works progressing through winter and spring.”

Its involvement in the Tornio Manga project represents Rodoverken’s third large LNG project, with previous operations in Norway and Sweden. Moving forward, the company will continue to grow its expertise and seek new opportunities throughout Europe and beyond. “We are in discussion with several clients regarding further LNG tanks on both sides of the Atlantic,” Pär reveals. “We are also in discussion with clients regarding heat accumulators as well as for several petrochemical storage tanks inside Europe. We also have several contracts for maintenance work within Sweden and Norway, which in all presents a positive image of gaining ground and expanding in our markets - because that is exactly what we are doing.”

Indeed through the advantages of its spiral construction method, Rodoverken is confident of signing further LNG contracts as soon as within the next 12 months. By offering increased safety through the reduction of heavy lifting and working at height, as well as decreased construction times and competitive prices without compromising on quality, the company is ready to further establish itself as a secure option in tank storage construction.

By offering increased safety through the reduction of heavy lifting and working at height, as well as decreased construction times and competitive prices without compromising on quality, the company is ready to further establish itself as a secure option in tank storage construction

Midroc Rodoverken AB rodoverken.se

Services Design, prefabrication and installation of industrial plants

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PROFILE

Remøy Shipping

A collaborative

approach Established in Fosnavåg in

Fugro Satellite Positioning AS Reliable, cost-effective and precise Fugro Seastar DGNSS services keep Remøy Shipping’s vessels on station with dual satellite links from dual networks, utilising Orbit & Clock dual frequency DGPS and DGLONASS to ensure redundancy throughout the value chain. Most of Remøy Shipping’s vessels use the Seastar SGG service, which is FSPAS’ most costeffective solution, yet as reliable as all other services from Fugro Satellite Positioning. The SGG service is tailored to Kongsberg’s DPS10 and DPS112.

the final quarter of 1975, the Remøy Shipping brand today is active in the offshore, seismic, coastguard and chartering markets and currently operates 15 vessels. Within its fleet are 11 platform supply vessels (PSVs), two seismic support vessels, one coastguard vessel and one research vessel. Remøy operates in accordance with national and international laws and regulations, paying particular respect to health and safety, environmental and quality assurance (HSEQ) practices. It is ISM compliant and holds ISO 9001-2008 (quality management) and ISO 140012004 (environmental management) certification in accordance with the Norwegian classification society Det Norske Veritas (DNV GL).

“Remøy Shipping is a management company servicing primarily the oil and gas sector with platform supply and seismic support services.

The vessels operated are a mix of owned vessels in the group and vessels owned by third parties.

The company also operates one vessel for the Norwegian Coast Guard and one for the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment,” begins Karsten Saevik, CEO of Remøy Shipping.

Discussing the company’s strong customer base and areas of operation, he continues: “The key customers of Remøy Shipping have over decades been Statoil, Western Geco and The Norwegian Coast Guard. In addition we would like to mention that we as ship managers have established a very good and successful relationship with amongst other Apache North in Aberdeen with two vessels having served on already long term charters. The major part of the fleet operates in the North Sea, whilst the

seismic support vessels presently trade in Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Mexico.”

Benefiting from long-term close relationships with its customers and the world’s growing need for energy solutions, Remøy Shipping has continued to remain in demand since it was previously featured in European Oil & Gas magazine in January 2014. “In today’s market we are extremely pleased to see that strategy to set for long term contracts prior to ordering new vessels has been sustainable. The major part of the fleet operates on multi-year contracts and performs good and long lasting services in close co-operation with the charterers. This, we believe, has created added value for our customers as we in joint collaboration learn from each other better to know what it takes to act safely and perform efficiently in our day-today operation.”

Previously the manager of three third party owned vessels, Blue Guardian, which is a PSV currently chartered to Statoil, as well as Blue Fighter and Blue Prosper, two PSVs that are chartered to Apache and are operating in the UK continental shelf, Remøy Shipping announced it had expanded its fleet in March 2014 with ship management contracts for three more Nordic American Offshore (NAO) owned PSVs: Blue Power, Blue Thunder and Blue Protector.

Following this development, the company was awarded a contract to manage the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment’s (FFI) vessel, H U Sverdrup II. The contract became valid in July 2014 and will continue for two firm years, with options available for two additional years.

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PROFILE

Remøy Shipping

collaborations with customers that have resulted in tailored, high quality solutions is its project with Statoil and Ulstein in 2008. The three businesses worked together to develop two PSVs that were among the first to successfully handle drill cuttings as liquid bulk; these innovative vessels were delivered in 2011. More recently, Remøy Shipping took over its first LNG fuelled PSV, as Karsten highlights: “As far as we know, this LNG fuelled PSV is the largest in terms of deck area size in the world. The Rem Eir is now on a long-term contract with Statoil, three years plus options, and is operating in the North Sea.” Delivered to Remøy Shipping by Kleven Verft on November 26th, 2014, the LNG powered PSV boasts a length of 92.5 metres and a deck capacity of 1080 metres squared; she was built in Norway and designed by Wärtsilä Ship Design.

Aware that company development is an integral part to ongoing success, this new vessel not only meets the increasingly higher expectations of customers and shareholders of Remøy Shipping, but also helps ensure the company maintains its excellent reputation for maintaining highest environmental standards and operating all vessels in accordance with national and international laws and regulations.

In addition to working closely with customers, Remøy Shipping also works in collaboration with other companies operating within Norway to develop training facilities that will help current personnel remain up-todate with current practices and teach the next generation of offshore workers. By co-operating instead of competing, the companies have established an offshore simulator to train its crewmembers in all areas of shipping and offshore operations. “We are a proud co-owner, together with four other shipping companies in Fosnavåg, of the fabulous new simulator that just opened. Fosnavåg Ocean Academy is a place where innovations and skills can be tested prior to implementation, in other words risk management at highest level.”

With a proven track record in operating in challenging environments in a range of industry sectors, Remøy Shipping is certain to flourish in a market that demands a strong, modern fleet, experienced and highly competent staff and a collaborative work environment.

Remøy Shipping AS remoyshipping.no

Services Offshore supply ENERGY,oil&gas

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1 WANDFLUH MD2 AMPLiFiEr AND CoNTroLLEr MoDULE The digital amplifier and controller module MD2 has been especially developed for actuating hydraulic valves under extreme ambient conditions. Wherever moisture, vibrations, higher temperatures or fluctuating supply voltages occur, the application of this module is appropriate. It fulfils the requirements of a simple installation and commissioning without the necessity of special programming knowledge.

The digital amplifier and controller module is characterised by its robust and compact design. As a result, it is excellently suitable for applications in the mobile field.

The module is available as a pure amplifier, for actuating proportional and switching valves, or also in combination with controller functions. With this it is very easy and fast to set the most diverse controllers, such as pressure, volume flow or position controllers. For the communication in a modern field bus system, a CANopen interface conforming to the standards is available.

The module has digital inputs and outputs as well as powerful PWM outputs for operating the solenoid valves. The digital inputs in addition are capable of processing frequency or PWM signals without any problems.

For processing analogue process signals, up to four analogue inputs with a maximum resolution of 16Bit are available.

The assignment of the inputs and outputs relative to one another is variable. This enables an optimum utilisation of the hardware present and guarantees a flexible adaptation to the application without any programming knowledge.

The device set-up and the process data analysis take place with a very easy to use software called PASO. The connection with the MD2 is made via a USB - interface. By means of PASO all process and diagnostics data can be viewed or if required recorded in real time. In doing so, the complete signal flow from the control signal input to the solenoid output can be seen with all adjustable and set parameters. In this manner, the parameters can be changed or stored in memory very easily, without losing the overview. Quite simply a brilliant matter!

WANDFLUH AG, CH-3714 Frutigen, Switzerland, telephone +41 33 672 72 72

2 GGPConsult GGPConsult have worked closely with Technica for the last ten years using our combined expertise and experience to complement each other on a wide range of projects in the petrochem, oil and gas industries.

Our approach to business, delivery and value for money engineering has resulted in successful outcomes for our customers, companies and staff.

Demand for our well-integrated teams is growing and we look forward to a successful future working together.

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3 Fugro Satellite Positioning AS Reliable, cost-effective and precise Fugro Seastar DGNSS services keep Remøy Shipping’s vessels on station with dual satellite links from dual networks, utilising Orbit & Clock dual frequency DGPS and DGLONASS to ensure redundancy throughout the value chain. Most of Remøy Shipping’s vessels use the Seastar SGG service, which is FSPAS’ most costeffective solution, yet as reliable as all other services from Fugro Satellite Positioning. The SGG service is tailored to Kongsberg’s DPS10 and DPS112.

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Erith

NDT Midlands Limited

Erith have worked for Magnox for over five years, forming part of a delivery team for a long term decommissioning strategy. Delivering demolition, deplant and asbestos removal activities, Erith’s services aids the end of generation of Magnox’s ten nuclear power stations across the UK. Initially undertaking the demolition, deplant and asbestos removal of the Former Turbine Hall at Bradwell Power Station, works have extended through to Dungeness on the South East Coast and Trawsfynydd Power Station in Wales.

Formed in 2006, NDT Midlands Limited’s success and growth has been rapid to become one of the UK’s premier non-destructive testing facilities. It is undertaking a massive development plan and expanding its business further, taking on a new building to create a 15,000 square foot testing facility.

NDT Midlands’ work is received from all areas of the UK. On-site testing is regularly undertaken at customer’s premises, including fabrication shops, building sites, dockyards, oil refineries, airports etc - as and when required.

The company is delighted to be associated with BST Supplies and offers James and his staff continued success for the future.

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