European Oil and Gas Issue 118 Early Edition

issue 118 ď ˇ EARLY

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europeanoilandgas.co.uk f r o m e x p l o r a t i o n t o e n d u s e r

Who will pay the How can companies combat plummeting oil prices?

Keep it clean Maintaining hygiene practices on offshore installations Right on schedule Using one integrated schedule platform to achieve success

this ISSUE: Extending bearing life

Editors Editors Chairman Andrew Schofield Group Managing Director Mike Tulloch Managing Editor Libbie Hammond libbie@schofieldpublishing.co.uk Editor Matt High mhigh@schofieldpublishing.co.uk Staff Writers Jo Cooper Andrew Dann Steve Nash Art Editor Gérard Roadley-Battin Production Manager Fleur Daniels Sales 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 Edward Hipperson Natalie Griffiths Editorial Researchers Marke Boote Jeff Johnson Kate Jones Wendy Russell ­Office Manager/Advertisement Administrator Tracy Chynoweth

I believe that we are seeing a system-wide change and I’m not convinced the price has bottomed out”

Much has been

made of the changes in the sector over recent months, with prices crashing to less than half of their previous high. In such an uncertain market, where many believe that things could even get worse, companies are having to take drastic measures including job cuts and curtailing investments in new products in order to combat the challenges.

Taking this into consideration, in this issue we take a look at what the evolving market means for companies and how they should best prepare for the future. In fact, there could be much to do, as Charles Dewhurst explains on page four. “I believe that we are seeing a system-wide change and I’m not convinced the price has bottomed out,” he warns. “Producers are being buffeted by a combination of surging US production, slow economic growth in many markets and of course OPEC not slowing down supply, instead believing that lower prices will stimulate demand.”

This is a problem that is being felt industry-wide, from the majors such as BP, Shell, ConocoPhilips, Chevron and Schlumberger, through to smaller niche service providers, meaning that we, as an industry must take action sooner rather than later. As Charles points out: “It’s safe to assume we aren’t going to see a spike in oil prices any time soon, so with producers and their suppliers under mounting pressure, that means taking action now to get themselves fit for the immediate and long-term future.”

Have a read to see what you can do!

editor matt high

© 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 schofield-media.com 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

Profiles

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Lead Feature

What can companies across the sector do to combat plummeting oil prices?

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IT

Using one integrated scheduling platform to achieve multiple business benefits

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To ensure reliability it is essential to eliminate oil bearing contamination

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News

Some of the recent developments within the oil and gas industry

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HSE

The importance of maintaining hygiene practices on offshore installations

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19 InterOil Corporation 23 Advanced Actuators 26 Global Marine Systems 28 North Sea Systems 30 Top Oilfield Industries 32 A.Hak Drillcon 35 TME Hydraulics 3 5 37 Subsea Technologies 40 Bowtech Products

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Contents

42 Silicone Engineering 44 Parkburn Precision Handling Systems 46 E.ON Gas Storage 48 CSUB 50 Infinity Oilfield Services 52 Perforator 54 Shepcote Engineering 52 56 Inter Terminals 58 EV

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61 Rubis Terminal 6 7 64 Technip Umbilicals 67 Kongsberg Maritime

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3

Who will pay the

Charles Dewhurst discusses how plummeting oil prices are impacting companies in the oil sector. What are the factors determining future outlooks and how should organisations prepare for the future?

Below Charles Dewhurst, global head of natural resources at BDO

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hroughout 2010 until towards the end of last year, oil prices were pretty much a case of steady as she goes. While other commodities – iron ore, gold, lead and copper – had all been hit by stalling Chinese demand over the last 18 months or so, oil was the exception to the rule. It managed to hold up. Such stability seems a long way away now, with prices more than halving in the past six months.

Are we talking structural change or is this a case of boom and bust? With plentiful supply thanks to new discoverers of shale and the global economy struggling to pick up the pace, we are seeing dwindling demand.

Indeed, many people I speak to would be happy if the

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price point makes it back up to $80. As a result, I believe we are seeing a system-wide change and I’m not convinced the price has bottomed out.

How is this manifesting itself?

Producers large and small are being buffeted by a combination of surging US production, slow economic growth in many markets and also of course OPEC not slowing down supply, instead believing lower prices will stimulate demand. With the US showing no signs of slowing down production and newly crowned Saudi monarch King Salman Bin Adbulaziz confirming he will extend the policies of his predecessor King Abdullah, it seems that there will be no let-up in the impasse and that

Lead one

we will be left with the oil equivalent of pile it high, sell it cheap.

But as prices plummet and producers attempt to navigate ever more choppy waters, what are the factors that will determine the future for companies in our sector?

The first is size… and in this situation, size matters. Size provides room for insulation. So for example at the end of last year, BP announced plans to restructure, including the loss of hundreds of back office jobs, many of them in the US and UK. Shell has also said it will cut $15bn from its global investments.

So, it seems to me, sensible contingency planning from BP, and they aren’t the only ones, with operations in the North Sea being particularly hard hit. ConocoPhilips, Chevron

and Schlumberger are examples of companies to have cut jobs in the area and other organisations have either frozen or reduced wages. Smaller companies might not have such room for manoeuvre, especially when we look longer term and at potential capital expenditure - Robin Allan, chairman of the independent explorers' association Brindex, has said hardly any new projects in the North Sea are profitable with oil below $60 a barrel.

It’s not just the majors and mid-caps who are feeling the effects – service provision industries in markets around the world are seeing their businesses hit too. In particular, the technology, human resources and safety service providers in the UK are seeing a decline in demand as the majors look to cut spending.

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Why is this the case?

What’s the story in Europe?

It comes down to the second future-determining factor… efficiency. This is particularly prevalent in the North Sea, where high production costs are draining what little profits are possible at this time. However, McKinsey believes all is not lost. In its 2014 paper ‘Meeting the challenge of increasing North Sea Costs’ it set out an assessment that ‘Many parties are responsible for the North Sea’s rising costs — the industry as a whole has not been co-operating or co-ordinating, and individual operators and suppliers have allowed inefficiencies to creep in, with a multiplier effect.’ On this basis, it recommended actions to:

In some markets shale might be the answer. Fracking operates at a significantly lower cost compared to deepwater offshore production, but we all know that there remain a number of political questions over this often controversial method.

In the UK, Prime Minister David Cameron has been supportive of exploring the shale option and given security of supply issues, Poland and Ukraine might also be tempted to investigate. In addition, Russia themselves could well be investigating shale further. Shale or no shale, Russia faces a difficult balancing act. It loses around $2bn worth of revenue every time a dollar is shed from the oil price, but at the same time refuses to cut production and in so doing shore up prices. The worry is that in so doing, Russia would lose its foothold with importers.

Looking further afield, other markets being hugely impact by the current situation are Canada and Venezuela. Although the Canadian oil sands are not the most efficient, they have been well managed and so far successful - Canadian crude supply to the US has meant Saudi supply being squeezed, and now there’s a risk that the oil sands could be victims of their own success, with the danger of being priced out by a sustained period of low prices. In the meantime, the

1. Increase productivity in currently operating assets 2. Improve the economics of new investments through standardisation and simplification 3. Collaborate to ensure industry-wide, structural and lasting cost reduction Looking more broadly across the continent, Raymond James Euro Equities said in a note earlier this year it would ‘not be buyers of any’ of the European integrated oil companies it covers if Brent averages over $70 a barrel in the longer term.

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Lead one

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Yes, the world in which we operate is fundamentally changing, but there are also tremendous opportunities for ambitious businesses operating in the natural resources sector around the world

Congressional debate over whether or not to approve the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta down to the US continues, with environmental and now also economic concerns at the heart of the debate.

Elsewhere Venezula’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mining reported in January that prices had halved from their June peak. This is decimating the Venezuelan economy and inflation is at over 63 per cent, with China having to pledge $20bn in financing.

So what does the future hold?

It’s safe to assume we aren’t going to see a spike in oil prices any time soon, so with producers and their suppliers under mounting pressure, that means taking action now to get themselves fit for the immediate and long-term future.

It’s no surprise that the disparity of high lifting costs and plummeting prices per barrel will have dire implications for many, particularly the smallest firms where we’re likely to see more and more bankruptcies.

So for many small and mid-cap companies, I believe it will be a case of biting the bullet: Some revenue stream is better than none. We’ve seen a huge exploration wave for a number of years but are now feeling the pressure as majors look to cut costs and dial down investment to break even.

We only need to look at the junior equity market and the disproportionate number of oil and gas companies to see the squeeze. Larger revenue projects inevitably give more yield but they take more investment. Against a backdrop that is unprecedented in recent times, small and midcaps are likely to find themselves plumbing for smaller deals around the 10,000 barrel rather than 200,000 barrel mark.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Yes, the world in which we operate is fundamentally changing, but there are also tremendous opportunities for ambitious businesses operating in the natural resources sector around the world.

Demand for efficiency, for resources, for improved access to credit and technological innovation is fuelling growth opportunities, particularly for those focused on nonconventional resources – whether harnessing the power of technology for responsible shale fracking or capitalising on the potential of liquefied natural gas to answer energy needs.

Midstream and exploration are two areas in particular where we’ve seen opportunistic companies going out and snapping up weaker ones. For those mid-caps and majors with the financial resources and infrastructure, joint ventures must look an appetising prospect to expand their portfolios.

In fact, I’m already starting to see that our teams around the world will increasingly be called on to help facilitate these partnerships or deals, whether making the introductions or undertaking the necessary due diligence, and I predict it’s something we’ll only see continue as more companies look to capitalise on the current climate.

The changing dynamic means that small and mid-sized companies in particular must get fit for a rapidly changing future. These are the companies without the insulation that scale provides. They must be prepared to mitigate challenges and maximise opportunities, be that through the likes of debt financing or exploring merger and acquisition options.

They need to look at themselves in the cold light of day and think about where they want to be this time next year and in five years’ time.

It’s clear that our industry is experiencing an era of unprecedented change – in recent times at least. With the landscape evolving so quickly after such a sustained period of steady, it might seem difficult for companies of all sizes to diversify their risks. But in facing the future, there really is no time like the present.

BDO Charles Dewhurst is global head of natural resources at BDO. BDO provides public accounting, tax and advisory firms provide advisory services in over 150 countries, with almost 60,000 people working out of over 1300 offices worldwide.

For further information please visit: bdo.com

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schedule Right on

Allison McNulty on managing crude through refined products and using one integrated scheduling platform to achieve multiple business benefits

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Below Allison McNulty, Supply chain manager for AspenTech

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nformation is power – mastering dynamic information delivers a competitive edge.

Automated scheduling with refinerywide visibility helps to mobilise crude oil through production to refined products, enabling companies to optimise operational efficiency and maximise profitability.

As new feedstock becomes available on the market and petroleum supply chain complexity increases, having a comprehensive overview of the process is vital in today’s marketplace. Tracking crude and product movements from a single platform is necessary to master multiple events occurring within the refinery, via pipelines, dock operations down to ancillary terminals. With cutting-edge software, global refineries can now manage movements more effectively, reduce errors, save time and increase visibility within the refinery schedule.

Bridging the gap Scheduling bridges the gap between the monthly plan and daily operations. Where planning determines ‘what is to be done’ (i.e. what crude to buy and what products to make), scheduling determines ‘how and when’ products must be produced. Tankage and storage is not only expensive it is also frequently one of the biggest constraints within the supply chain. Hence, understanding where things are and being able to minimise holding costs is essential to maximise

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production. The challenge is being able to streamline the process and execute the plan as efficiently as possible.

Technology is a lifeline. The adoption of automated cutting-edge petroleum supply chain software extends the refinery scheduling capability beyond the refinery gate to include pipeline movements and dock operations. Refineries, therefore, can increase agility and perform all key scheduling activities within the same platform. The software helps to streamline production, respond quickly to disruptions, and improve inventory and transportation assets.

Tracking crude and product movements via pipelines Pipelines provide an economic method to transport petroleum, especially when huge volumes of petroleum derivatives have to be pumped across long distances. In practice, the pipelines are sectioned into many parts and require experienced operators to manage the oil transfer between different parts. In the US, for example, nearly twothirds of all petroleum products are carried by pipelines.

Usually, crude oil and refined products are transported via different lines. Therefore, managing the overall pipeline network presents many challenges.

Schedulers sit at the heart of the plant and a key part of their role is to accurately track incoming and outgoing movements via pipelines down to the ancillary terminals, enabling more accurate crude unit scheduling. Managing multiple and bi-directional pipeline segments with injection

IT

points and pipeline fill is a complex task. Dock scheduling is an equally complicated affair, especially trying to take all unassigned ships and assign each to a legal berth, as well as taking into account economic feasibility and the physical characteristics of both ships and berths. Managing the daily operation of a refinery, its pipeline and dock operations using Excel spreadsheets is now widely recognised as inadequate.

The use of traditional tools is an inefficient way of handling highly complex scenarios in the dynamics of today’s petroleum environment. Using such tools as Excel spreadsheets, costs are immediately incurred when essential information is delayed to schedulers. Dedicated advanced petroleum supply chain software, however, enables schedulers to optimise the process from crude feedstock to the refinery through production of refined products. Pipeline schedulers need the cutting-edge tools to schedule batch injections to and removals from the pipeline along with tank loading or unloading operations. Tracking movement in the pipeline and having up-to-date data on the status of the product movements to shippers and the refinery significantly helps optimise production.

longer time scales (medium to long-term) 66 Reduce demurrage costs by as much as $60,000 per day for a single supertanker 66 Easily manage incoming and outgoing shipments all the way down to the docks 66 Easily manage multiple and bi-directional pipeline segments with injection points and pipeline fill management 66 Track crude and product movements via pipelines 66 Manage in-transit inventory to assist material balance management outside the refinery fence, including ancillary terminals 66 Minimise wasteful man-hours by eliminating the need for inefficient spreadsheets and other external pipeline scheduling tools

One scheduling platform – greater accuracy and yield predictability

Visibility, volumes and value

Now refineries can schedule from a single platform - crude receipts through refined products shipments. Aspen Petroleum Scheduler (APS) software enables fast, accurate and collaborative creation of the refinery schedule with integration to refinery planning, blending, pipeline and dock operations. As an event-based, single-blend optimisation solution, the tool supports the scheduling of all refinery scheduling activities for over 45 per cent of global refineries.

Unlike traditional tools, a key advantage with the APS tool is that it provides greater accuracy and predictability for yields and product properties, allowing the scheduler to understand what is being made over longer time horizons. The scheduler can easily generate reports, giving greater visibility of the schedule, and reconcile data quickly when any changes may occur to the plan. It seamlessly integrates with Aspen PIMS planning software to achieve greater profitability through more accurate planning and scheduling. For optimised blending, Aspen Petroleum Scheduler also integrates with Aspen Refinery Multi-Blend Optimizer.

Over 200 refineries worldwide leverage the power of Aspen Petroleum Scheduler to manage refinery-wide schedules in a multi-user environment. The integrated software provides crucial benefits to schedulers, including the ability to: 66 Avoid disconnect between refinery operations, pipelines and dock operations 66 Eliminate product downgrades and unplanned blends 66 Predict yields and product properties accurately over

Automated petroleum supply chain software also helps schedulers anticipate issues before they occur and, in turn, enables better decision-making in the overall management of the refinery. Hence, transparency maximises profitability and dramatically improves the ability to meet customer demand.

Scheduling all activities from one platform provides greater visibility of the entire petroleum supply chain. Implementing an effective automated scheduling software solution improves co-ordination and results in increased margins.

A single standardised platform helps to optimise feedstock volumes, respond quickly to disruptions, and optimise inventory and transportation assets.

So, moving away from traditional tools is a major step to achieving a comprehensive refinery-wide view of the operation. By adopting automated scheduling software, refineries can gain a better understanding of feedstock management, efficiently schedule crude through refined products, and deliver optimal results across the entire petroleum supply chain.

AspenTech Allison McNulty is AspenTech’s petroleum supply chain manager for refinery planning & scheduling and she joined the company in 2011. She brings to AspenTech more than two decades of experience in technology and professional services marketing, product marketing and business development. Prior to joining AspenTech Allison led the marketing effort for supply and distribution management solutions at FuelQuest. She also held strategic marketing positions at SunGard and Hitachi Consulting, and has a Bachelors degree from Texas A&M University.

For further information please visit: aspentech.com

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9

life Extending bearing

Dr Chris Carmody, special products manager at AESSEAL, looks at the need to eliminate oil bearing contamination

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he reliability of most rotating equipment is almost inevitably linked directly to bearing life, and it is estimated bearing failure is responsible for almost 21 per cent of these equipment failures (Bloch, 2011). Research into bearing failures1 shows that just over half of these are a result of contamination of the bearing oil (Figure 1). Clearly it is therefore essential to ensure that contamination of the bearing lubricant is minimised and if possible eliminated if optimum bearing life is to be achieved, thereby improving the equipment reliability (MTBF).

Prevention of bearing lubricant contamination can be provided by use of commercially available bearing isolators (or ‘bearing protectors’), however, before applying such devices it is advisable that the user ensures that the protection device used does not itself adversely impact on the equipment reliability.

The use of labyrinth design bearing protection seals can eliminate bearing oil contamination. This is further demonstrated through the use of statistical modelling and analysis of field data such that a properly designed device will last at least as long as the theoretical life of the bearing it is protecting.

One of the significant contributors to bearing oil contamination is the bearing enclosure breathing process required by rotating equipment. When equipment rotates the bearing housing heats up and the oil/air mixture inside expands and this is forced through the seal (Figure 2). The real problem arises when the equipment cools because the oil/air mixture cools and contracts sucking air from the external atmosphere through the bearing seal back into the housing (Figure 3). If bearing seals are to work effectively they must facilitate this ‘breathing cycle’ in order to extend bearing life.

Figure 2: When the equipment rotates the bearing housing heats up and the oil/air mixture inside heats up forcing air through the seal

Figure 3: As the equipment cools the oil/air mixture contracts sucking air Figure 1: Causes of bearing failure1

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from the atmosphere through the bearing seal into the housing

Technology

The effect of water contamination on a continuous digester that was originally fitted with inadequate bearing protection is shown below (Figure 4). The moisture contained in the atmosphere was able to penetrate into the bearing housing. This was enough to destroy the bearings.

Independent research2,3 has shown that water contamination as low as 0.002 per cent (20ppm) in some oils can reduce bearing life by as much as 48 per cent. The challenge for maintenance and engineering professionals is to reduce this contamination and provide an effective method of sealing the space between the bearing housing and the drive shaft.

An alternative to lips seals are bearing protector seals. The design of bearing protectors varies significantly. Typically some of these bridge the gap between rotating and stationary components with an ‘O’ ring or wedge ring (Figure 6). These components often wear or don’t adequately effectively seal the bearing housing. As a consequence of this many of these designs are now viewed as outdated and ineffective.

Figure 6: Two different “generic” versions of bearing housing seals.

Styles with contact between O ring and sharp edge grooves are vulnerable, especially if rotors incorporate low clamping forces.

Some styles have high drag force between the rotating and stationary components

Labyrinth design Figure 4: Water contamination on a continuous digester prior to a LabTecta® 66 being installed

In recognition of these shortcomings, more advanced labyrinth bearing protection seals have been developed, which can offer dust tight protection against both solids and liquids and are also non-contacting in operation.

LabTecta 66 is one such labyrinth bearing protection seal that incorporates patented dynamic lift technology to protect against the ‘breathing’ issues that contribute to 52 per cent of all bearing failures5. This dynamic lift technology uses the centrifugal force of rotating equipment to open a temporary micro gap, allowing expansion of the oil air mixture in the bearing housing, which consequently allows the equipment to breathe (Figure 7).

Figure 5: Traditional lip seals cause damage to shafts

Early bearing protection design Historically the most common way of protecting bearings was to use a lip seal. Today however it is generally accepted that lip seals have limitations4 (due to inexpensive initial cost they continue to be widely applied). They also rely on surface contact between the seal lip and the shaft to form the seal. This surface contact often results in costly damage to the shaft itself (Figure 5). In addition, lip seals can’t fully protect the bearing from moisture or particle ingress, which ultimately results in bearing failure. Other factors to consider are that they have short service life compared to labyrinth seal designs, they cannot be used in API applications and they don’t prevent the loss of bearing oil and hence gradual loss of lubrication resulting in premature equipment failure.

Figure 7: Centrifugal force causes a temporary micro gap to be created allowing expansion of the oil air mixture in the bearing housing, allowing the equipment to breathe

When the equipment stops rotating the micro gap immediately closes, forming a perfect seal (Figure 8). This prevents dust and moisture being sucked back into the bearing housing and eliminates bearing oil contamination.

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Technology

Figure 8: When the equipment stops the micro gap immediately closes

Rated to IP66 of the ingress protection code, LabTecta 66 is capable of reducing water contamination of the bearing oil from as high as 83 per cent to just 0.0003 per cent compared to lip seals6, even when exposed to high pressure water jets. The range is ATEX certified for use in explosive environments and a number of special designs make it suitable for a wide and varied range of applications.

LabTecta 66 is also designed with a thinner cross section and seal length than competing devices, which means that it can be retrofitted on more equipment without having to carry out modifications. Furthermore, the design of the LabTecta 66 enables it to be positioned differently on the shaft meaning that shafts already damaged can be fitted with LabTecta 66 without replacing the shaft.

Life expectancy LabTecta 66 is a labyrinth bearing seal design that is noncontacting during operation. Once the seal starts to rotate centrifugal force acting on the dynamic o ring forces it outwards creating a micro gap and hence no wear can take place during rotation. Therefore, a carefully specified, properly installed and operated non-contacting labyrinth bearing protector can have an infinite life expectancy.

Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 (Aug)

Quantity Supplied 5182 11721 17714 14245 16925 20993 20132 13785

Number of Returns 5 1 5 10 8 7 6 10

Note: All reported failures were attributed to installation errors.

None of the instances were design or wear failures

Table 1 details the recorded LabTecta® 66 returns between January 2006 and September 2013 (note that the first occurrence was in June 2006).

A recent research paper7 produced by AESSEAL analysed the 120,000-plus LabTecta 66 products that had been supplied in the eight years since the product was launched.

During the period from January 2006 to September 2013

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only 52 of the 120,000 plus LabTecta 66 bearing protector seals were removed from service. After detailed examination, it was concluded that any abnormality was found to be operator based (such as mis-installation and lubricant overfilling) and that the failures were not actually attributable to the design of the product.

The research also conducted an accelerated life test with a stop start cycle of four times a day, which determined that the average LabTecta 66 life expectancy was over 10.5 years.

The paper also showed that by using an established statistical (WeiBayes) technique, the average life expectancy was also in excess of 10.5 years. However, because such statistical data can only be modelled with failure data, and as no LabTecta 66 has ever failed, the results have to be viewed as conservative.

With an average life expectancy of over 10.5 years a LabTecta 66 bearing protector seal has been proven to be the most effective way of protecting and extending the life of the bearing fluid and hence the bearing itself. The cost of this kind of protection is minute compared to equipment failures, machine downtime, lost production and more onerous maintenance requirements that are caused by premature bearing failure.

The real life examples of LabTecta 66 in service today show that such upgrades can have payback periods of as little as one month. Even in the arduous moisture laden environments frequently found in pulp paper manufacture, LabTecta 66 has the longevity that both experimental and statistical data suggests.

1.Bloch, Heinz; “Pump Users Handbook: Life Extension” 2011 2.Schatzberg and Flsen 1983, “Effects of Water and Oxygen During Rolling Contact Lubrication”, Wear, Volume 12, 1968, pp. 331-342.

3.Cantley 1977 “The Effect of Water in Lubricating Oil on Bearing Fatigue Life”, ASLE Transactions, Volume 20, No. 3.

4.Heinz Bloch, “Rotating Seals or lip seals” Plant Engineering July/August 2014 5.Heinz Bloch and A. Budis. Pump Users Handbook: Life Extension 2nd Edition 2006 6.AESSEAL Internal Test Results 7.C. Carmody and C Rea. “Predicting product life expectancy of the LabTecta bearing protector” Sealing Technology, August 2014

aesseal Dr. Chris Carmody has 25 years of experience in the design of mechanical seals and is a named inventor on many AESSEAL product designs.

In addition to his responsibilities at AESSEAL he also sits on several different bodies including the API692 Compressor Dry Gas Seal Committee.

For further information please visit: aesseal.com

News

A vital task force

Above: Alexander MacLeod, owner and project services manager at Cambla

Game change technology Independent project services consultancy, Cambla, has announced the launch of its state-of-the-art technology software, the Schedule Animation Tool (S.A.T), a first of its kind for the oil and gas industry.

The company will unveil its groundbreaking technology during Subsea Expo, which will take place between 11th-13th February 2015 at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. The multi-user software has been developed to meet the needs of businesses operating within the subsea sector, significantly reducing man-hours and offering substantial cost savings.

S.A.T provides an accurate visual representation of a vessel’s actual location and planned activities, making it easier to understand Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPs), construction sequences and plan global subsea and marine operations.

Transforming the way that vessel schedules are analysed before, during and after performing subsea operations, the software is capable of identifying occasions when vessels are required to be in close proximity to other vessels or installations. In addition, it can generate a list of relevant SIMOPs or Close Approach Risk Assessments required to be carried out in advance.

Alexander MacLeod, owner and project services manager at Cambla, says: “This is a monumental step for Cambla and a game changer for the entire industry. The team has been dedicated to producing an innovative product that will benefit the oil and gas sector.”

New year, new appointments Swire Oilfield Services has restructured its leadership team and created two new senior roles to support an ambitious growth plan for 2015 and beyond.

The two new roles, HR director and chief business development officer, will help the company develop new product lines and expand into new markets as well as continuing to provide career opportunities and a great working environment for its global team.

Wayne Manning has been appointed as chief business development officer. Wayne joined the company in 2010 as general manager for Africa, before moving on to become regional general manager for Europe and Africa. In his new role Wayne will be responsible for diversification, evaluating the commercial opportunities of new product lines and services including modular systems, track and trace solutions and special units. He brings a wealth of experience from a varied career spanning a variety of industries including travel, advertising, media and PR. HR director, Dag Rune Gabrielsen, joined Swire Oilfield Services in Norway in 2007 as HSEQ and HR manager before becoming Group HR manager in 2012. In his new appointment Dag Rune will lead people development and a global HR strategy to underpin the company’s expanding business.

Dag Rune has enjoyed a diverse career that includes positions in the police force and the army.

Phil Saxton, general manager of Dräger Marine and Offshore, which is based in Aberdeen, said that in light of the low oil prices, he fully supports the idea of a task force working with Aberdeen businesses.

Chaired by Scottish Enterprise chief executive Lena Wilson, the task force will report to the Scottish Energy Advisory Board and focus on supporting jobs across the energy sector, with initial emphasis on oil and gas.

Mr Saxton says: “The energy industry is crucial to the Scottish economy. I’m hopeful that the new Scottish Government task force will work to help maintain posts across the oil and gas industry and mitigate the impact of redundancies. I’m keen to see how this develops. While the oil price is low at the moment, it won’t stay low forever, and the important thing is that the task force itself isn’t a temporary solution for the next six to 12 months, but that it is something that actually secures the longterm future of Aberdeen-based businesses.”

He also says it is also vital that the task force looks at the wider supply chain. “The oil and gas industry is a major success story for Scotland, but it’s important that the task force doesn’t just support the oil companies, but looks at the bigger picture.”

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clean Keep it

The importance of maintaining hygiene practices offshore: infection prevention and pest control

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n this article Dr Peter Barratt, technical manager, Initial Washroom Hygiene, discusses how managers can look to maintain the highest hygiene standards on an offshore rig and prevent the spread of illness with some simple, practical top tips. David Lamont, offshore and marine specialist, Rentokil Pest Control, also provides some information on which pests can be found on rigs, and what can be done to prevent them from setting up home on yours Working conditions in an offshore environment can be challenging. Employers in this sector must adhere to some of the toughest industrial health and safety regulations in the world. Moreover, they are faced with the added challenge of creating an environment that will attract and retain employees with the right skills.

Protecting employees from illness Professional hygiene practices play an important role in maintaining safe and appealing conditions for staff on offshore sites. Not only do they ensure a happier workforce, but also they limit the spread of infections in the enclosed environment of a rig where there may be high-risks of crosscontamination if proper hygiene practices are not followed.

A healthy workforce means less disruption to the day-today running of a business, particularly offshore, where staff replacements cannot necessarily be easily or quickly brought in. A report conducted by the Centre of Economic and Business Research (CEBR) on behalf of Initial Washroom Hygiene, showed that illness caused by a lack of proper hygiene costs the UK economy £13.7 billion per year, equating to £700 per employee.

It is vital that businesses and staff have effective hygiene standards in place, to reduce the chances of colds, flu and other illnesses disrupting the workforce. Oil and gas rig workers become increasingly vulnerable to illnesses in the winter months, as temperature extremes coupled with the

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high density of people confined to a small space increases the chance of infection.

Contagious infections, such as Norovirus and the common cold, are often passed from person to person through indirect contact; for example via an infected person’s environment or personal belongings.

Encourage good hygiene practices on your rig Good hygiene maintenance applies to all sections of an offshore premise, from washrooms and kitchen areas, to work spaces and storage units. But there are certain risk hotspots in the washroom and canteen area where employees can pick up germs from contaminated surfaces, including toilet seats, flush and cubicle handles, and even the buttons and handles associated with canteen equipment.

Norovirus and bacteria such as coliforms and Campylobacter can be found in these areas, both of which can cause

HSE

gastric ailments. However, the spread of infection can be significantly minimised by encouraging proper and regular hand washing, and the use of hand and surface sanitisers along with regular and thorough cleaning of the washrooms.

Door handles between rooms and entrance areas can harbour bacteria, which can be transferred from surface to hand. Skin infections, food poisoning and respiratory diseases can all be contracted from touching these surfaces.

To counteract this, managers are encouraged to provide hand and surface sanitiser dispensers in all rooms to help kill germs and prevent the spread of infection. Good hand washing and, just as importantly, effective hand drying products, will always help to minimise the risk of infection.

Bad odours can also be a symptom of a confined environment, and are often related to bacterial activity.

The corridors in between workstations, kitchen and living areas including the gym and activity rooms, can harbour

unpleasant smells. Air disinfection and scenting products can help to control, minimise and mask aromas that might derive from malodour-producing bacteria. There are many different scents available and using a scenting unit could make the environment far more pleasant for those that work on the rig. Air disinfection units, which can be installed on walls, will also help reduce airborne microorganisms.

Strict hygiene practices should always be encouraged in the kitchen and catering facilities. Food preparation surfaces in kitchens can become home to pathenogenic strains of bacteria and viruses, such as Listeria and Norovirus. These could be transmitted from surface to hand, hand to mouth or by infected food, and can lead to illnesses from low-level intestinal infections, to more serious and debilitating illnesses such as urinary tract infections.

Here are eight top tips that can be introduced in the washroom in order to maintain high hygiene standards:

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1. D O: Ensure hand sanitisers are always available for employees and visitors to the rig. Non-alcoholic sanitisers, like Initial’s UltraProtect, are generally the most effective at protecting against a wide range of bacteria and viruses, including Campylobacter and Norovirus, and form a gentle, long-lasting and invisible barrier across hands, inactivating for hours after use.

O: Install air disinfection units in washroom facilities 2. D and other busy indoor environments. They help reduce harmful airborne microorganisms and odours, while scenting products will help mask low levels of malodour and positively enhance washroom ambience.

O: Promote good hand hygiene amongst employees 3. D by encouraging regular and thorough hand washing throughout the day and between shifts. Fingertips and thumbs are often missed, according to research, and it is recommended that you should wash your hands for as long as it takes to sing happy birthday twice (up to 30 seconds). Thorough hand washing helps to reduce and remove potentially harmful bacteria and viruses.

O: Schedule a professional deep clean in the washroom 4. D and kitchen at least twice a year. This helps to remove any contamination and prevent the build-up of hidden

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embedded dirt and associated microorganisms. High footfall makes corridors and common areas particular germ hotspots, so concentrate cleaning efforts in these areas.

O: Minimise your use of handles in the washroom 5. D to prevent the spread of germs. Touch-free sensors can now routinely be used for taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers, so limiting what employees touch in the washroom can dramatically reduce the risk of bacteria spreading.

ON'T: Install hot air hand-dryers as modern cool air 6. D dryers use much less power than conventional hot air ones, are more cost efficient and help reduce your carbon footprint. Their high air speed also dries hands quickly, eliminating damp hands that are attractive to bacteria.

ON'T: Forget to ensure communal areas such as 7. D washrooms are cleaned thoroughly and regularly. It goes without saying that your workforce will be happier if their facilities are pleasant to be in and they’re not exposed to harmful germs.

ON'T: Miss those critical areas outside washrooms which 8. D can be hot spots for microbial cross-contamination. Tea,

HSE

Offshore hygiene should be high on the installation manager’s agenda. Not only will it make the rig a more pleasant and enjoyable place to work, but also it will positively affect the health of all employees and improve the financial performance of the business as a consequence

marks, droppings, a strong ammonia smell, damage, ripped food packaging, nests and burrows. For unwelcome visitors in sleeping areas, such as bed begs you should look out for small, dark marks on bed frames, headboards and mattresses and a distinctive sickly sweet smell.

When a pest problem is suspected onboard a rig or marine vessel, expert pest control help should be sought quickly.

The first step a pest control technician will take will be to undertake a thorough inspection and survey of the entire vessel to establish the level of infestation and the locations of main pest activity. Once these details have been investigated then the appropriate treatment can be advised, and very often can be carried out with minimal disruption to onboard personnel and business activity.

It is worth remembering that the majority of pests can carry bacteria and viruses that can pose a serious health risk to humans. It is therefore advisable that, following a pest outbreak on board, a thorough disinfection service is undertaken to reduce the risk of the illnesses associated with pest infestations.

Concluding remarks

coffee and food preparation areas are frequently and wrongly ignored from a hygiene perspective. Make sure that surface sanitising wipes are present, and that where there are sinks as well, both soap and paper towels are provided and managed.

Dealing with unwanted pests offshore An offshore installation or marine vessel can easily harbour unwanted visitors such as bed bugs, cockroaches, mosquitoes, flies, fleas and even rodents. These may enter a vessel directly via access points such as portholes, ramps and hawsers, or come on board with cargo, food deliveries or on the personnel themselves.

Such infestations can quickly spread through any rig, so detection and eradication of pests at the earliest possible stage is essential. Discovering a pest on board is, at best, an unpleasant experience and, at worst, a major health and safety issue. Once a foothold has been gained, it is important to not only treat the infestation but also to investigate the source of entry to ensure any future pest problems can be mitigated.

The first sign of a pest problem varies by species; cockroaches are one of the most common offshore and marine pests. Evidence of an infestation includes droppings, damage to foodstuff, live and dead insects and cast skins.

The telltale signs that rodents are present include smear

Offshore hygiene should be high on the installation manager’s agenda. Not only will it make the rig a more pleasant and enjoyable place to work, but also it will positively affect the health of all employees and improve the financial performance of the business as a consequence. If you have a pest problem, or are simply looking to prevent one, it’s important that you know who to contact. It is the job of external contractors to be fully up-to-speed on the latest legislation changes in their area of expertise.

Initial Washroom Hygiene Dr Peter Barratt is technical manager at Initial Washroom Hygiene, a leading provider of support services including washroom servicing, medical and clinical waste management and floor care services. Since 1903 the business has built a large national network of core support services that allows it to combine them into a single solution.

For further information please visit: initial.co.uk/washroom-services/

Rentokil Pest Control David Lamont is offshore and marine specialist at Rentokil Pest Control, a leading expert in pest control. For 85 years the business has been protecting homes and businesses across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from all kinds of pests.

For further information please visit: rentokil.co.uk

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PROFILE

InterOil Corporation

potential Unlimited

Formed in 1997

by Phil Mulacek to establish an oil refinery in Papua New Guinea, independent oil and gas business InterOil Corporation today is focused on high-value exploration and LNG development. A year after its inception the company acquired its first exploration licences in Papua New Guinea and drilled its first exploration well in 1999; four years later the first crude oil was refined, a development that was followed by the discovery of Triceratops in 2005, Elk in 2006 and Antelope in 2007. In 2009 the successful firm was listed on the New York stock exchange and in 2013, in line with plans to transform InterOil Corporation into a well funded, streamlined organisation, Dr Michael Hession, a former BP and Woodside executive, was appointed CEO. Continuously exploring for oil and gas across 16,000km2 (four million acres) in the south of PNG, the company discovered Raptor and then Bobcat, its fifth consecutive discovery, in 2014.

Following these major developments, the company made the strategic decision to stabilise its business, monetise its gas resources and invest

in new growth through its PNG exploration licenses, which were granted in March 2014, last up to 11 years and cover 16,000km2 in the Eastern Papuan basin; a move that led to the selling of its refinery and downstream business, a new management team and board renewal.

With its vision in place, the company signed a multi-billion dollar LNG development deal with Total in December 2013 and appointed Don Spector and Jon Ozturgut as CFO and COO respectively. Jon is a senior oil and gas executive with comprehensive experience in multi-billion dollar investments in exploration, development and production projects, while Don brings experience in senior roles in Woodside, BP and CRA, which has since been renamed Rio Tinto.

On top of these appointments, the company’s board was complemented further with the inclusion of industry veteran Chris Finlayson, who became chairman in August 2014. As a geologist, physicist and petroleum engineer, Chris brings to the company nearly four decades of global experience in leading exploration and production ventures in locations such as European oil & gas

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PROFILE

Russia, Nigeria and the North Sea; he also boasts 15 years senior level experience in the LNG industry. Also strengthening the board are Dr Ellis Armstrong and Katherine Hirschfeld, two former BP executives, who join Ford Nicholson, president of Kepsis and Pobe financial group, Samuel L Delcamp, former executive director and chief investment officer of the Fuller Foundation, Sir Wilson Kamit, former governer of the bank of Papua New Guinea; Roger Lewis, former group financial controller of Woodside Energy and Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister from 1988 to 1992.

In February 2014 Oil Search joined the ElkAntelope joint venture, with Total closing the deal in March 2014; so far this partnership has progressed positively, with the companies involved using their expertise to ensure optimum development and exploration, as vice president of InterOil Corporation Rob Milhouse discusses: “InterOil is well placed as an exploration and development company. We have one of the region’s biggest gas fields and great partners in Total, a global super-major, and Oil Search, a partner in PNG’s only LNG project so far that has been active in PNG for more than 80 years. For the Elk-Antelope joint venture we are currently working on market surveys, LNG site screening, meteorological and ocean analysis, geophysics, topography, and environmental and social studies as part of development planning for the LNG development. The venture expects

InterOil Corporation

to select a preferred site for the LNG facilities in 2015, with early works in 2016, and for us to commit to construction contracts in 2017. First gas is expected in 2021-22.

“Our primary focus is on developing the ElkAntelope LNG project with Total and Oil Search.

According to some analysts, Elk-Antelope has the potential to be among the lowest-cost LNG projects in the world. PNG is on the doorstep of the world’s largest LNG markets in Asia and has demonstrated it can deliver mega projects ahead of schedule and on budget.”

With more than 500 personnel working on the Elk-Antelope LNG project, InterOil notes that the gas field provides a number of advantages to those involved: “Elk-Antelope is closer to infrastructure than any other developed gas field in the country, is close to a major river - an important cost benefit when transporting people and equipment to remote areas – and is in a less-mountainous region than other major gas fields, which is a big factor in development cost. Furthermore, it is a single gas field that can be developed without the expense of pipelines and processing facilities to collect gas from multiple fields.”

Operating in a region that will lead global gas demand by 2025 and have the largest amount of middle class people in the world by 2030, InterOil Corporation is in an enviable position as a limited supply of conventional gas creates dependence on the import of European oil & gas

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PROFILE

InterOil Corporation

LNG. To meet that demand the company has a comprehensive drilling campaign that has yielded the Raptor discovery, 12km west of Elk-Antelope. It has been drilled to a measured depth of 4032 metres below the rig rotary table and was recorded to have gas and condensate at surface in November 2014.

Following this discovery, the company notified the Papua New Guinea Department of Petroleum and Energy of a discovery at Bobcat, about 30km north-west of Elk-Antelope. “The Raptor discovery is promising, particularly as it is close to Elk-Antelope. Appraisal of the field is planned for the second half of 2015. Depending on its size, the field could be tied in to ElkAntelope,” says Rob. Benefiting from a new team, secure tenure, strong financial backing and increased interest from investors, the company is keen to monetise its resources and secure its future through further exploration. Committed to its mission of being a world-class organisation with world-class resources, InterOil Corporation will focus on optimising operations and continuing the largest exploration and appraisal drilling programme

InterOil Corporation will focus on optimising operations and continuing the largest exploration and appraisal drilling programme ever to be conducted in Papua New Guinea

ever to be conducted in Papua New Guinea, as Rob concludes: “We have a premium position in the highly prospective Papua Basin, where we have drilled five consecutive discoveries. This puts us in an enviable position. Our focus over the next year is on developing Elk-Antelope; we will also explore our licences and look to monetise discoveries.”

InterOil Corporation interoil.com

Services Developer of oil and gas fields

HELIFIX OPERATIONS LIMITED Helifix Operations has established a strong market presence in PNG’s mining, resources and construction sectors as a supplier of first class aviation support since 1997.

Since 2013 Helifix has been contracted to Interoil to supply both rotory and fixed wing support for their PNG Operation. During this time Helifix has flown in excess of 15,000 hours, transported over 18,000 personnel and carried over 11,000 underslung loads all without accident or serious incident.

As well as Interoil, the company has forged relationships with many of the world’s leading mining, resources and exploration companies including ExxonMobil, Saipem, ENI, Xstrata, and Harmony Exploration to name but a few.

Helifix Operations is now a market leader in aviation services and has differentiated itself from other competitors by adding value to its contracts. The company has an effective, highly focused team providing first class support, assisting site managers to maintain a high level of efficiency and low cost of production using Helifix Operations.

Helifix is approved for flight operations under CAR Part 119. Helifix has CASA Air Operators Certificate No.026/119 and from PNG Transport Department Air Service Lic No.PNG151. Helifix is also BARS accredited and provides comprehensive aviation solutions to industry and governments through a wide variety of operational roles, including: S Oil & Gas industry support - offshore and onshore S Mining industry support S Heli-rig - oil and mineral exploration S Seismic surveys S Special mission support S Medical evacuation - including search and rescue S Passenger transport - VIP and general S Ship to shore transfers S Aerial construction work The diverse nature of the company’s many clients’ needs is matched by the equally diverse range of skills, experience and aircraft configurations it can provide.

No matter how large or small or how unique the task, Helifix has a proven track record of delivering unique aviation solutions in a safe, efficient and cost effective manner.

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PROFILE

Advanced Actuators

market An eye on the

Advanced Actuators started

Below Chris Woodhead, managing director Advanced Actuators

business in 1999 in Bradford West Yorkshire, evolving from a company known as Elram International Actuators Limited. In 2005 the business moved to a purpose-built factory outside the town of Skipton, and since that time has focused its efforts on manufacturing a range of electro-hydraulic actuators used primarily for valve controls in the oil and gas, water and power generation markets.

As Chris Woodhead, managing director explained, its products come in a number of guises from linear modulating units to quarter turn actuators for ball and butterfly control.

“With our specialist team of design engineers we also get involved with unusual applications, for instance radio controlling a Chieftain tank for the British Army,” he added. “Hydraulic actuators lend themselves to applications of high thrust or torque requirements, fast speeds or a high degree of positional accuracy, and we address all these with our actuator range.”

The company was last featured in European Oil & Gas Magazine during March 2011, and since that time it has seen several significant developments. Said Chris: “One example of this was the need to establish a general manager for the Middle East, as this is a huge market for valves and actuators, primarily to be used in the oil and gas sector.

“We had tried breaking in to this market at ‘arms length’ by visiting from the UK every four months but this proved to be unsatisfactory, as

even though we were seeing great interest in the product we were not offering support for what is a niche market, where the workings of these products is not well understood. Having studied how our customers cover the region and canvassed their thoughts, it became imperative that we had a general manager based out there, and as a result we appointed Alistair Carson as our Middle East general manager.”

He added: “There are a number of large projects under review in the Middle East at present that we would like to be involved with, and also one of Alistair’s key tasks is strongly pursuing end user approval. Middle Eastern clients require that you have end user approval to do business with them, so this is at the top of the agenda.”

As well as the Middle East, Advanced Actuators is currently involved in new projects in Brazil, and the projects in both countries are on oil or gas field developments, both on and offshore. “In the majority of cases the applications are on choke valves,” said Chris.

“The actuator types being built for these projects are our linear modulating control version and our stepping type actuator. We have also expanded into the Indian and Far East sectors, and our end users include blue-chip names such as Koso, Cameron, Weir, ADMA, Petronas, Petrobras and Statoil.”

Alongside the expansion that Chris highlighted in the Middle East, Advanced Actuators is also growing in the UK, currently European oil & gas

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PROFILE

Advanced Actuators

The Chancellor was ‘hugely impressed’ with the business and our investment in apprentices and the future generations of engineers

being in the process of enlarging the factory by a further 350 sqm. Such has been its success over the past three years that in 2014 Chancellor George Osborne heralded this factory as an example of the national recovery in manufacturing following a visit. “The Chancellor was ‘hugely impressed’ with the business and our investment in apprentices and the future generations of engineers,” stated Chris. “He was shown the depth of innovation taking place within the company, from actuators that have an output torque of over 1.2 million Newton meters to linear actuators that develop 2500kg of thrust from a total power consumption of 50 watts.”

He continued: “In September 2014 we also showed our commitment to developing the future of hydraulic engineering by partnering with the University of Bradford on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to employ a graduate on a two year, part-funded government project.” KTP is a national programme supporting UK businesses to innovate and grow by partnering with UK universities and colleges to gain access to the technology, expertise and skills available. “As part of this Evangelia Tsasliagkou has been hired as a mechatronics development engineer to work on the design and prototyping of power generators for remote valve actuation,” Chris added.

This project perfectly illustrates Advanced

Actuators’ dedication to the development of staff, and to ensuring that as the business grows it can continue to find skilled and valuable employees.

“Even though we are not a large company, we have a policy of encouraging young people to look at engineering as a career. Without more students becoming part of engineering, our manufacturing base will go into further decline, and so we are doing what we can to avert this,” Chris stated.

Thanks to its growing order books and new projects in the Middle East, Advanced Actuators is set to achieve 40 per cent growth in 2015.

Chris highlighted what he believes are the key strengths of the company: “Innovation and standardisation are the two key words I would use. We have taken a product that normally sold in quantities of four to ten and standardised it such that we can bulk purchase and compete for quantities of 100 plus. Furthermore, we are constantly looking to see how we can improve what we do whether by design of the product or how we assemble and test the units.”

As we enter 2015 and oil prices continue to decline, Chris and his team at Advanced Actuators are keeping their eye on the market, to ensure that they can meet the future needs of clients. “Even with the oil price heading down on what seems to be a never ending spiral and a number of major players trimming budgets for 2015, from where we stand and for what we want and can offer, the market is still strong,” Chris confirmed, adding: “Even though politics is denying or preventing business with countries such as Russia or Iran at the moment, at some stage these policies will change. Both these locations have huge oil and gas reserves, as well as Russia being a major player in coal mining. So for the longer term we must be prepared to be ready to enter into these markets as well.”

European oil & gas

Eckart GmbH Eckart is an innovative and dynamic mechanical engineering company providing solutions for limited rotating movements and combined rotary - linear movements. As one of the leading manufacturers worldwide, Eckart develops, designs and manufactures valve actuators, rotary actuators, rotary-linear combinations, linear cylinders and special equipment.

With more than 45 years of experience, the Eckart name stands for innovation, reliability and success.

Advanced Actuators is an official representative for Eckart products.

Advanced Actuators adcomtec.co.uk

Services Electro-hydraulic actuators

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supplier Distinguished

Since

Global Marine Systems Limited was last featured in European Oil & Gas Magazine during January 2014, it has continued to strengthen its position as a leading supplier of specialist subsea cable installation, and it has also witnessed exciting developments that will allow the business to further define its place as the premier subsea cable installation solution throughout 2015 and beyond.

The roots of the company date back to the 1850s, giving Global Marine a 160-year history that ranks it as one of the longest serving organisations in the subsea cable installation market. During this time it has distinguished itself through the execution of a number of industry firsts, including the delivery of a contract for Uninett – a non-profit that supports Arctic Circle research institutions with highspeed networks. The new networks delivered during 2014 provided network support to the Ny-Ålesund research station, which is the world’s most northerly research community.

Indeed, Global Marine has nurtured a proven track record in cable installation across a number of applications both within and outside of the oil and gas industry, as CEO, Ian Douglas elaborates: “In reality 2014 was a great year for us from an operational perspective. We had a number of projects, three of which were quite large and that was an opportunity to showcase our skill in the installation of cables in telecoms, oil and gas, and through a charter to our JV company, SBSS in offshore power. So for me it was a great example of how the future looks, with our main activities being diversified across these three markets.”

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Following a highly successful year on an operational level, 2014 also proved to be a landmark year for the company when it was announced in September that the business had been purchased by the New York listed investment fund, HC2. The acquisition of Global Marine by HC2 is a reflection of the focus that has gone into growing the business over the last decade and a strong indicator of confidence surrounding the company.

The acquisition has been warmly welcomed by the Global Marine team and lent the company even greater resources with which to maintain its leading position as the premier name in subsea cable installation. “The purchase

by HC2 has been very good for us,” Ian adds: “It has given us a very long-term view of the world and also a lot of stability, which has been great. It is an investor group that is committed to buying and growing businesses, which is of great benefit to us as a capital-intensive business. It is important to have a shareholder that is committed to supporting us.” As such, Global Marine is in a firm position to execute new projects and grow the business heading into 2015, as Ian continues: “We have a strong pipeline of upcoming work in both installation and maintenance in the North Sea, West Africa and East Asia, and this gives us a strong commitment to strengthening our team. We increased our headcount by around ten per cent during 2014; most notably this was around strengthening our solutions development and project engineering capability, i.e: the people who actually go out and design the solution both before contract award and who then actually put

PROFILE

together the detailed engineering once we have won the contract.”

In addition to its own success in delivering groundbreaking services on a turnkey basis, ranging from design and planning through to installation and finally lifetime support and maintenance, Global Marine is also a jointventure partner to some of the largest players in the offshore and telecoms industries. For example, during November 2014 Global Marine and Huawei Marine undertook successful sea trials of second-generation RPT 1660 R2 Repeater and BU 1650 R2 Branching units in the Atlantic Ocean. The new RPT 1660 R2 provides an optical loop back facility for performance monitoring and accurate fault location. The upgraded product supports up to six fibre pairs and incorporates a unique 4x4 pump redundancy architecture, further enhancing reliability and performance parameters. The BU 1650 R2 enables fibre pairs to be routed to multiple destinations in a submarine communications system either through direct routing of fibres or through an optical add-drop function, which facilitates sharing of bandwidth. Multiple terminals can be connected supporting up to eight fibre pairs from each port. A new bipolar power supply and power switching function provides the necessary configuration options during system operations and maintenance, which enables the Branching Unit to function even when cable faults occur.

Such functionality is further enhanced with a dual polarity remote earthing design providing additional system powering flexibility.

Further to the RPT 1660 R2 Repeater and BU 1650 R2 Branching units, Global Marine has recently achieved another industry first with the introduction of the first digital submarine cable x-ray Camera, DXr1 developed in conjunction with leading UK radiography company, JME. This digital x-ray camera will supersede traditional film based cameras and eliminate wet chemical processing. The camera itself retains a rugged design while incorporating fully digital technology, which reduces equipment repair time by eliminating the film processing stage and allowing image assessment to commence as soon as the first image is available. The digital images are stored in a dedicated folder on the vessel server, and are immediately available to the assessor to assess them with special software incorporating a range of drop-down tools such as wall-thickness and inclusion gauges.

Global Marine Systems

Digitalisation and the deployment of fibre optic infrastructure is an increasingly important development within the offshore oil and gas industry. The ability to transmit data quickly and efficiently is of growing interest to operators looking to enhance their operations and reduce operating costs. Within the North Sea for example, Tampnet selected Global Marine during 2014 to extend its offshore fibre network.

“We discovered in telecom that when we were able to increase capacity and install fibre cable, it is possible to give people a very large internet ‘pipe’ if you like and people will find a way to use this additional capacity,” Ian concludes.

“Operators are able to take data from the well in real-time and send it to people in Houston, Stavanger and Aberdeen, for example, and this means that you do not need as many people out on the platform. Another thing that is very interesting, which is happening in the North Sea with Tampnet is that they are using the platforms as hubs for mobile networks, so when your support vessel comes into the field you can give it a 4G data card that allows it to become part of a private wireless network. We will continue to support various activities across the industry, particularly as people start to realise the capacities and the efficiencies that digital communications can bring, and then to leverage those benefits to make fields more efficient.”

European oil & gas

Global Marine has nurtured a proven track record in cable installation across a number of applications both within and outside of the oil and gas industry

Global Marine Systems globalmarinesystems.com

Services Subsea cable installation

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27

fish Go

Founded in 2012 with the vision of providing premium quality survey systems for highly kinetic subsea environments, North Sea Systems is the only company in this sector that is dedicated to the development and operation of systems for high flow offshore environments.

“We provide bespoke survey equipment for offshore environments,” confirms Ben Baker, project manager and CableFish operator at North Sea Systems. “As an R&D business at heart, we are able to discuss any technical problems a client may have and work to find a solution for them. This sometimes may involve utilising products already available in the market place, or perhaps in developing a new solution, such as our innovative products CableFish and DataFish. With a pedigree in tidal marine renewables, we are able to offer turnkey solutions to all industries, not only with products, but also with services thanks to our in-house engineering team.”

With the capability to offer a complete solution for met-ocean survey, the company provides high quality support to the burgeoning tidal, wave and wind industries, as Ben notes: “At present North Sea Systems has focused efforts on the tidal marine renewables industry. We have worked for various developers and are currently looking to secure a contract with the largest tidal energy project globally. North Sea Systems is also looking to enter other industries, such as offshore wind and the oil and gas sector.”

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Aware that there are unique challenges when operating and collecting data in some of the harshest environments, North Sea Systems has developed two patented systems to meet the needs of this demanding market, as Ben discusses: “We have two products currently; DataFish is a met ocean survey buoy, which has the ability to mount a variety of instrumentation on the water surface, on the seabed, and throughout the water column. All data is transmitted from the buoy in real-time.

DataFish can provide environmental data for real-time operations and can survey a location prior to an operation; it can also monitor environmental restrictions.”

Highly suitable for unforgiving marine environments, DataFish is capable of undertaking long duration, multi-application surveys and is the only system able to provide real-time data from tidal energy sites. A key benefit of DataFish is its customisable platform; by using mountings on the anchor and mooring, the system can collect a range of metaocean data thanks to instrumentation that can be positioned at any depth. Instruments include ADCP, which measures flow profiles, heave sensor to provide wave heights, GPS, hydrophone for measuring acoustics and PAM and cameras. DataFish can also be configured for acoustic monitoring, which enables developers to assess the acoustic output of vessel noise, mammal presence and marine turbines. Not only does DataFish provide

PROFILE

groundbreaking advantages to customers, it is also designed to overcome issues such as lost equipment, poor quality data and failed deployments in extreme environments.

Ben continues: “Our second product is CableFish, a subsea camera system that monitors the touchdown point of a sub marine cable during its installation. CableFish houses cameras, lights, altimeter, and a USBL to provide the client with a detailed understanding of their cable route. It is controlled by a single operator, and its data can be incorporated into the navigation suite already being used onboard the vessel.”

As a low cost, low risk solution for monitoring submarine cable installation, CableFish is designed to operate in up to six knots of tidal flow, conditions that were previously viewed as notoriously challenging for cable installation.

However, by using instruments mounted on a cable mounted carriage, as well as a fibre optic umbilical, CableFish can provide live information from both video and GPS co-ordinates of the cable touch down point. Moreover, the highly adaptable system can operate from most cable installation vessels and is easily modified to accommodate a broad range of sensors. Capable of reaching 50 metre water depths and adaptable to customer demands, CableFish eliminates the need for an expensive post-lay ROV survey. The system’s onboard instrumentation includes three cameras, two of which face forward, while one faces aft, two dimmable lights, a motion sensor and altimeter and USBL beacon that provides accurate subsea positioning.

The first stage of CableFish’s test programme was completed in August 2014, with favourable results that prove the system will be a

North Sea Systems

benchmark in submarine cable installation for high flow environments, as Ben highlights: “The CableFish development was funded

by The Carbon Trust Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund programme. The final stage of the project was to prove the system could operate in a tidal location, so CableFish was tested at EMEC’s tidal test facility in Scotland. The system was deployed throughout a tidal cycle, and was able to monitor the touchdown point continually. Cable lay scenarios were represented, and CableFish did not impede the speed of cable lay. North Sea Systems were very pleased with the performance of CableFish and that the objectives of the testing were met.”

Following extensive testing of CableFish and a number of successful DataFish deployments, North Sea Systems is keen to increase awareness of its innovative products, as Ben concludes: “Having spent time developing the survey systems, North Sea Systems will now focus on commercialisation of the products and prove their worth to various industries. Following this North Sea Systems will continue to develop current products; and also look to meet client needs by creating new technologies.”

European oil & gas

Highly suitable for unforgiving marine environments, DataFish is capable of undertaking long duration, multiapplication surveys and is the only system able to provide real-time data from tidal energy sites

North Sea Systems northseasystems.com

Services Premier supplier of bespoke survey systems

europeanoilandgas.co.uk

29

quality Delivering

Top Oilfield was founded in 1994 in Sharjah, UAE as a drilling equipment repair/ refurbishment service company. Over the ensuing years the company pursued a policy of continuous improvement in terms of the quality, production methods and product offerings.

Significantly, this vision has resulted in Top Oilfield receiving both ISO and API certifications and a region wide reputation for delivering high quality, and timely and value for money products and services.

Ian Midgley, managing director/CEO, expanded further on the company’s offering: “Our services mainly cover the manufacture, refurbishment/re-certification, repair and upgrade of land drilling rigs. Alongside this we also offer specialist manufacture and maintenance services for land and offshore drilling equipment including engine overhauls, as well as supplying mechanical, electrical and engineering field technicians throughout the Middle East and beyond, who undertake vital repair and maintenance projects in support of our clients.”

He added: “Our commitment is that every piece of equipment that leaves our workshops

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has been overhauled to the highest industry standards, tested and will perform to its design specifications. We offer a ‘one-stopshop’ concept, whereby drilling equipment, engines, electrical work and steel fabrication work are all undertaken in-house, by our own personnel. This means that we retain full control over all aspects of the projects we are commissioned to do.

“In addition, the savings we make (by not sub-contracting work) are passed on to our customers, making us the most competitive service provider in the region.”

Top Oilfield Industries was last featured in European Oil & Gas Magazine during May 2014, and over the past eight months it has maintained its drive to manufacture highly reliable, high performance and fair priced land drilling rigs and equipment. “We have been commissioned to build four rigs for completion in 2015, these are designed for desert operations, are fast moving and because our field engineers and maintenance personnel are available throughout the Middle East, our clients are assured of full after sales support,” Ian noted.

It was also during 2014 that the company

PROFILE

opened a new division, Top Oilfield Rentals, for drilling equipment. Ian explained the thinking behind the launch and the benefits it has generated: “Top Oilfield Rentals provides highly reliable, high performance equipment drilling equipment, engines/generators and service equipment on a rental or lease purchase basis. These products are available throughout the Middle East and include BOP control units, independently driven mud pumps, engine/ generator sets and batch mixers, cementing units and so forth. For us the division provides an opportunity to demonstrate the high reliability and performance of the equipment we manufacture. For our customers who wish to restrict their ‘CAPEX’ purchases and use operating revenues to undertake their activities, renting equipment provides them with an economical means to do so.”

The clients that Ian referred to for both rental and purchase are major and minor drilling rig operators throughout the Middle East, India and North Africa. Ian noted that whilst the issues that prevail in such places as Iraq, Libya and Egypt etc. have without a doubt made drilling operations more difficult in these areas, Top Oilfield is still finding opportunities and continued demand in the remaining (nonsanctioned) locations.

Illustrating the organisation’s growing order books, during 2015 the company will be tendering for a number of projects in new regions, as Ian highlighted: “For most of our existence, we have provided products and services to oil and gas drilling rig operators throughout the Middle East. Whilst we continue to develop our traditional regional presence, the company’s reputation has spread and we are now receiving interest and orders for our products and services in new areas such as the North Sea, Far East and newly emerging oil producers in North Africa.

“Historically we also have supplied highly experienced and qualified field service personnel for projects being undertaken in Norway and other North Sea oil producing nations, and this will continue going forward.”

It is very encouraging that despite the significant drop in oil prices over the past few months, Top Oilfield is still finding strong demand for its products and services within its operating region. “I am optimistic that this will continue,” added Ian. “Long-term, I believe that once the current troubles affecting various Middle Eastern oil producing countries subside,

Top Oilfield Industries

the desperate need for rebuilding collapsed oil/gas producing infrastructure will provide opportunities for companies such as us to be part of the recovery process.”

One month into 2015, Top Oilfield has several significant orders on its books to complete this year, as well as a strategy for further development and growth. “We are dedicated and on course to complete the four new build land rigs I mentioned previously, and our focus is on ensuring that these rigs are manufactured to the highest standards available anywhere in the world and provide highly reliable and high performance service for our customers for many, many years,” concluded Ian. “Looking further ahead, our vision is to become the manufacturer of choice for land rig operators both here in the Middle East and globally. By ensuring that our drilling rigs are manufactured to the highest available standards, are built on time and are priced in accordance with Top Oilfield’s ‘fair pricing policy’, we believe that they will be in high demand.”

European oil & gas

It is very encouraging that despite the significant drop in oil prices over the past few months, Top Oilfield is still finding strong demand for its products and services within its operating region

Top Oilfield Industries Limited topoilfield.com

Services Drilling equipment repair/refurbishment

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partner A vital

Although a relatively

new venture, A.Hak Drillcon (part of A. Hak which celebrated its 50 years’ anniversary in 2013) has developed a leading reputation in the field of trenchless technology, specialising in the design and execution of underground tunnelling and drilling of pipelines, casings, culverts, cables and more for the oil and water, petrochemical, telecommunications and energy industries. “On the 18th of December 2014 we celebrated the fifth anniversary of A.Hak Drillcon,” observes managing director Ronald Van Krieken. “In 2009, we started small-scale and since then we have become a global player in trenchless technology with over 100 highly motivated and hard working staff. We are all very proud of reaching this milestone and we have undertaken some technically challenging and large-scale projects, as well as many smaller drillings.”

To date A.Hak Drillcon has executed a number of highly specialised projects for both internal and many external clients, within Europe, Canada, South America, the Middle East and Asia. Throughout 2014 A.Hak Drillcon has continued to win new contracts within a number of industry sectors as Ronald elaborates: “In September 2014 A.Hak Drillcon was awarded a contract by Energie und Wasser Potsdam (EWP) for the execution of five HDD crossings under the Brauhausberg ('Brewery hill') in Potsdam, near Berlin. These crossings are part of a new 110 kV and 10 kV cable network, which is being constructed in the city of Potsdam. The works comprise of the supply, welding, drilling and pull-in of HDPE ducts in bundles of 4x200mm and 110+160mm. After completion, EWP will pull its electricity cables into these ducts. The total length to be drilled is 1700m. The crossings

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commence at the Geotechnical Research Institute at the Brauhausberg and terminate at various junctions at street level.”

Further to the contracts that it has won with EWP, A.Hak Drillcon has also worked closely with Gasunie Deutschland and Open Grid Europe throughout 2014, as Ronald further explains: “Gasunie Deutschland and Open Grid Europe have recently awarded the drilling works associated with the Elbedüker project to A.Hak Drillcon as main contractor. The project comprises of the tunnelling of a concrete casing under the river Elbe, to accommodate the new gas pipeline that will secure the safe supply of natural gas to Northern Germany and Scandinavia.

“The permits were successfully obtained and on 14th August 2014 drilling commenced in a 24-hours double-shift system and on December 4th 2014 we concluded the drilling. The length of the route is 1525m. The AVMD 2400/AB 3000 machine is deployed for the insertion of the concrete casing. Subsequently, two highpressure gas pipelines of 30’ will be inserted into the tunnel in addition to a few bundles of HDPE ducts for future cable use. The remaining void will then be grouted entirely.”

A.Hak is able to supply its clients with fully turnkey solutions in trenchless drilling technology, encompassing everything from engineering to applying for a license. Once the company has been given the location and the preconditions of crossings it has all of the information it needs to produce a complete design and secure the necessary approval. Once the application is granted, A.Hak will move swiftly into execution of the project. As such, the company ensures that it is able to offer its

PROFILE

clients a full spectrum of trenchless technologies including horizontal direction drilling (HDD), up to 500 ton capacity, micro tunnelling up to OD 3.000mm; direct-pipe drilling; pilot guided auger-boring and impact ramming. Besides its existing technologies, within A. Hak Drillcon a dedicated team works on innovations on a daily basis in order to provide it’s clients the best solutions, now and in the future.

Between May 2013 and April 2014, A.Hak was involved in a project that made use of a number of its specialist trenchless technologies for its client, Gasunie. ‘Gas Hub’ represented a significant investment for Gasunie that would transform into an integrated gas infrastructure utilised for the production, transport, storage and transit of gas for the European market. One of the major operations within this project was the construction of a new gas transport pipeline between the Dutch towns of Beverwijk and Wijngaarden. A.Hak Leidingbouw and A.Hak Drillcon was granted two of the three lots of

A.Hak Drillcon

operations were complicated by the presence of ground water so the rigs were often deployed on mounds and special return pipelines for drilling fluid were constructed both above and below the surface. Throughout the project micro tunnelling was carried out using medium-capacity steel gas pipelines, while in areas containing railroad crossings concrete case tubes were used.

Adjacent to Highway A4 near Hoofddorp, close to Schiphol International Airport, the local N201 road and its neighbouring business park were crossed using the direct pipe method. This method was selected as the available space was limited and this drilling method allows for work with short pipeline sections.

Although A.Hak Drillcon is a relatively new business, it has rapidly developed a leading reputation as a vital partner in trenchless technology through the delivery of several specialised technique and swift, turnkey service.

As such, the journey of A.Hak Drillcon is set to continue for many years.

A.Hak is able to supply its clients with fully turnkey solutions in trenchless drilling technology, encompassing everything from engineering to applying for a license

A.Hak Drillcon B.V. a-hakdrillcon.nl

Services Trenchless drilling technology

this trajectory and thus became responsible for the construction of 60 kilometers of this 48" gas transport pipeline. This was a challenging project, in part because of the surrounding soil conditions and water management requirements and also due to the abundance of railroads and waterways in a varying landscape. This left it up to A.Hak to ensure that it delivered the most suitable drilling solution at every location.

Horizontal directional drilling, for example was employed for long crossings. HDD operations were carried out using a 250, 330 ton mega rig and later a 500 ton mega rig. These European oil & gas

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PROFILE

TME Hydraulics

specialist An established

Having built upon a reputation for providing bespoke services to local companies, TMA Hydraulics has become an established hydraulic specialist, employing technicians and engineers capable of undertaking some of the most challenging hydraulic projects and installations for the oil and gas industry.

“We offer both local services in engineering, as well as more specific hydraulic systems. The biggest investment for us as a young company has been into people and skills, taking our time to build a team to accelerate the business within the oil and gas market,” begins Frederic Besse, general manager. Over the last 18 months the company has continued to evolve to meet the needs of customers and the marketplace.

“Clients are now more aware of the importance of hydraulic piping in the scheme of their overall system performance, and as we take on larger builds of hydraulic power units, we have further increased our engineering and design capacity,” adds Angela Cameron, sales and marketing executive.

The provision of detailed pipe route modelling and installation plans in advance, increases the initial engineering time, but substantially reduces the overall cost saving and reduced time on-location. “By undertaking this work before ordering fixed components such as manifolds and filter housings it is possible to identify and eliminate common problems such as irregular size steps and minimise the use of tees and elbows. When the high specification

of materials and high pressure rating of hydraulic lines are considered, it is possible to save £10,000’s on large installations through collaborative engineering between the hydraulic installer and the equipment design company,” points out Angela.

Reinvestment of funds into the business forms part of a key strategy that has helped TME grow within the market. Commenting, Angela continues: “We are improving and expanding our hydraulic installation service through our partnership with Tube-Mac Industries, as an authorised installer of the weld-free pipe connection technology. Investment in an EO2 Form F3 Workstation for standard DIN2353 connections was also a logical step. The use of weld free connectors for offshore applications is becoming the norm, although the UK still lags behind other regions in the full adoption of some of these technologies.”

The system is very well suited for hydraulic systems, not simply through the elimination of weld-associated debris but also the speed of installation. As a product suited to large bore pipe, the oil and gas industry is an obvious candidate to benefit from it. “It takes time and cost out of projects, as well as eliminating hot works permits, NDT testing on wells, and well procedure approval. It is very universal and compatible with SAE flanges, allowing it to be connected with any other type of system,” says Angela. TME was recently involved in a project installing stainless steel hydraulic pipes of up to European oil & gas

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PROFILE

TME Hydraulics

2”diameter with 37o flare technology. “We were able to demonstrate to the operator that should the need arise the pipes formed and installed by TME could be connected to any corresponding SAE flange without the need to stock special parts,” explains Frederic.

“People are beginning to notice the benefits of our systems. If you can take hot works out of jobs, and reduce risks and hazards on any kind of working, then people become interested and we are seeing more companies using us,” highlights Angela. The reality is that Tube-Mac, has been proven for a number of years in the US and Norway, receiving DNV and Lloyds approval. “It is an established product, and we are just bringing that to a new market, and showing people that it works really well. It is important to focus on bespoke engineering, and highlight that by outsourcing the hydraulics, customers can achieve cost savings and better efficiency, ending up with systems that work better,” she adds.

The company’s hydraulic installation capabilities have been put to the test on demanding projects over the last year, including a novel walk to work gangway for offshore personnel transfers and a large subsea trenching vehicle. Both highly time sensitive as well as requiring high levels of documentation and quality assurance, one of the requirements was to have full traceability for each pipe and hose installed. To achieve cross-referencing of the material certification, line configuration, flushing report and pressure test report whilst still progressing the work on-site the business devised a common installation report format that could be completed on-site but gave the client the necessary information, working with the component supply chain to ensure full traceability of materials through batch numbering.

With a customer base centred on the north east of England and Scotland, TME sees continued opportunity for growth with offshore

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equipment manufacturers. The end location for these projects is diverse, spread throughout the North Sea, West Africa, Australia and GOM and Brazil. “We have recently established a full time presence in France to support business development in the region and expect to see continued diversification of our customers geographic base,” says Frederic. The business already holds very close links with French manufacturers able to provide a competitive and proactive offering, resulting in a very short time scale between order and delivery.

Following the increase in the company’s internal capacity for the design and assembly of hydraulic power units for offshore applications, many of the projects in which it is now involved are for hazardous (ATEX) areas. At present, preparations are underway for the assembly of a twin 132kW power unit, to be supplied within a container for location on the deck of an FPSO. “Our main strength comes from our engineering knowhow and ability to take on difficult projects and offer expertise as well as manufacturing capacity. We see plenty of opportunities, particularly through the work with our existing customers. We also expect that as larger companies are pushed to review costs and supply chain this will create new demand for technologies such as Tube-Mac that save time and money,” says Angela.

Highlighting the company’s appearance at Subsea 2015 in Aberdeen, Frederic concludes: “We are working towards building a rapport with new customers, driving forward installation, and show casing the Tube-Mac products, providing hands on interaction.

Increasing our presence in the UK with TubeMac will be one of our primary targets for the period ahead, not only selling the product, but the full package, including installation.

We are very keen to undertake more complex installations in the coming 12 months, increasing the technicality of those projects.”

People are beginning to notice the benefits of our systems. If you can take hot works out of jobs, and reduce risks and hazards on any kind of working, then people become interested and we are seeing more companies using us

Renson Products Ltd Congratulations to TME Hydraulics on continued growth, we are proud to be one of their main suppliers. Renson Products Ltd has been established for over 20 years and in this time we have covered all aspects of fabrication, including hydraulics, tanks and auxiliary equipment, material handling stillages and coal mining.

We have an ever-growing reputation for high quality products and OTIF. Standard industry working practice includes ISO9001 2008, TUV287 – 4872 and accredited welding is adhered to.

At Renson Products Ltd we have invested in the latest 3D design, advanced manufacturing techniques and the newest Robotic Welding Systems. All of these allow us to keep costs to a minimum and give us the flexibility to ensure that the final products are made to exact requirements.

If you require a steel fabricator with in depth knowledge, a flexible team and the resources to help you move forward then please get in touch.

TME Hydraulics tmehydraulics.co.uk

Services Design, supply and installation of hydraulic systems

PROFILE

Subsea Technologies (UK)

pressure Cool under

Managing director

Drummond Lawson and technical director Dave McKay founded the subsea pressure equipment specialist, Subsea Technologies (UK) Ltd. (STL) in January 2010 to provide subsea engineering solutions to blue-chip oil majors and service organisations requiring well control, well intervention and subsea control system applications. Since that time the company has continued to develop its service offering and won highly regarded acclaim throughout the subsea sector within the UK and around the world.

From its base in Aberdeen STL specialises in the design and manufacture of first-class subsea pressure control equipment, which is delivered as a bespoke solution designed to meet the specific requirements of each of the company’s clients. The STL team is committed to the provision of high quality and innovative well intervention, well control and subsea control systems that often include the company’s proprietary application-specific connectors. Developing products for this technically challenging business segment means that STL has built a team capable of delivering engineering design, finite element analysis, 3D graphical visualisation, systems integration engineering, project management, QA, and assembly, test and maintenance.

Since it was first established Subsea Technologies has worked to grow its product portfolio and offer its clients the very best

in subsea pressure equipment solutions. In February 2010 for example, it acquired the intellectual property and assets of Lewis Ltd., adding its highly regarded Extreme Release (XR) Connector and Stackable Lightweight Intervention Connectors (SLIC) to STL’s existing portfolio of products. Lewis Ltd. had previously been founded by Drummond Lawson in 2005 and was subsequently acquired by a Norwegian entity in 2008. The Norwegian parent company got into financial difficulties during the economic crisis and ultimately went into liquidation in late 2009, prompting Dave McKay and Drummond Lawson to establish a new venture to acquire the technology previously owned by Lewis Ltd. In under a year of operation STL secured a prestigious contract through Halliburton to develop and deliver SLIC products to Shell in Nigeria, which provided a huge boost in confidence to the young company as during this time the SLIC existed only as a highly detailed concept. The belief and support of companies like Shell and Halliburton allowed STL to finally transition SLIC from design to field and allowed it to go on to sell a number of SLICs in a variety of configurations.

“STL’s technical director Dave McKay and I believed in the business and the technology, so we created STL, re-employed a number of the former staff, gathered support from the previous clients and suppliers and ultimately managed to acquire the intellectual property European oil & gas

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Specialising in repair of surface and sub-sea drilling equipment, blowout preventors, drilling and production tubulars, new equipment manufacture and cold extrusion.

Experts in the provision of services for the Oil, Gas, and Heavy Engineering Sectors.

AJT are accredited by BSI

BS EN ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System

BS EN ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System

AJT Engineering Ltd. Craigshaw Crescent, West Tullos, Aberdeen, AB12 3TB. Scotland Tel: +44(0) 1224 871791. Fax: +44(0) 1224 890251 info@ajt-engineering.co.uk | www.ajt-engineering.co.uk

group compan y

ajt_advertising_(A4)_09_2014.indd 8

03/10/14 15:00

PROFILE

that we had initially developed. I think that the demonstration of our commitment to both our clients and suppliers, and some of the technology foundations laid prior to founding STL can be acknowledged as contributors towards the reason why STL has developed at such an impressive rate,” explains Drummond.

The SLIC comprises of a family of products, which provide the user with a riser connector, a subsea lifting tool or a wireline pressure control head through the installation of different cartridges. Drummond explains: “Designed specifically for the well intervention market, the SLIC Connector is made to be constantly connected and disconnected, unlike previous connectors used in this market, which were originally designed for a different, much less onerous purpose and so were not ideally suited to this application. The SLIC connector’s interface is extremely robust and can be used even in marginable weather conditions.”

Patented worldwide, the SLIC Connector features built-in redundancy and was designed for maximum ease of maintenance offshore.

During 2013 STL continued in its success, winning a significant contract through Interwell with Shell in the North Sea to build a simplified well intervention system. Shortly after this highly successful project STL began work with Malaysian firm Bumi Armada Berhad, delivering a FEED study for the design of a complete subsea well intervention system. Again, this project was delivered successfully and received positive acclaim from Bumi Armada as the project entered into its construction phase.

“The Bumi Armada project stands out as the first time that a client has asked us to design, develop and supply a full specification subsea well intervention system. It is a significant step forward in terms of the company’s progress,” Drummond explains.

Subsea Technology’s Xtreme Release (XR) Connector; highly regarded within the subsea industry and removes the entire concept

Subsea Technologies (UK)

of Maximum Riser Disconnect Angle, as Drummond highlights: “The XR Connector is designed for occasional use in an emergency; for example, if you have a vessel connected to the seabed by a riser and the vessel drifts off, you need to be able to disconnect from the subsea infrastructure quickly and reliably. Patented worldwide, the XR Connector is able to release in situations where previously existing connectors could not release.” Significantly improving vessel safety and reducing environmental risk, the XR Connector also lowers costs through vastly increased vessel operability.

“We have grown fairly rapidly in both position and in recognition within the subsea well intervention industry as a whole over the last few years. In fact, we were told by Bumi Armada that an industry survey it carried out identified us as the recognised source for subsea well intervention systems, hence the company came to us,” he adds.

Since the company was established it has worked with its suppliers and clients to develop its global presence and has worked with service companies such as Helix Energy Solutions Group and Halliburton in the UK, and Weatherford and Well Wild Control in the US, as well as major oil firms such as Shell and Statoil. Furthermore STL has developed a renowned reputation for providing high quality solutions to technically challenging requirements through innovative engineering. As such, a major contributing factor to the company’s success is its focus on delivering bespoke solutions and innovative products that maximise operational uptime in subsea and surface applications in any weather.

Today STL continues to grow and strengthen its position within the offshore market through the delivery of its bespoke solutions to some of the industry’s leading blue-chip companies. During 2014 STL won high-level recognition in the prestigious Institution of Mechanical Engineers Manufacturing Excellence Awards, indicating that the future of STL is very bright indeed.

European oil & gas

AJT Engineering AJT Engineering Ltd looks forward to growing its support to Subsea Technologies Ltd (STL) on future projects.

AJT Engineering Ltd is part of the global company ‘Camellia’ and forms part of an engineering group focused sub-division, which includes British Metal Treatments in Port Glasgow and British Heat Treatments in East Kilbride.

AJT Engineering’s main area of expertise is centred around new manufacture and refurbishment of various equipment including blow out preventers, casing hangers, wellhead connectors, riser, flanges, hubs and bodies predominantly in the oil and gas industry incorporating its comprehensive machining, welding, cladding, PWHT, fitting and assembly capabilities on customer specific turnkey projects.

AJT Engineering’s company philosophy is to support the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in both manufacture and refurbishment of equipment where it can operate under an approved vendor status, which ensures the equipment is in full compliance with the OEM standards and specifications.

Subsea Technologies (UK) Ltd subseatek.com

Services Subsea pressure equipment specialists

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portfolio Impressive

From its humble beginnings

as a net importer of US manufactured products specifically designed for the subsea arena, Bowtech Products Ltd has grown over the years to become a specialist in the design, manufacture and supply of underwater harsh environment vision systems, as Mike Winstanley begins: “Bowtech Products Ltd (Est. 1989) began trading in January 1990 with just two members of staff: founder Steve Bowring and myself, then operating as sales executive. Bowtech grew over the next 18 years to become a specialist in the supply of cameras, lighting, connectors and multiplexers. In 2008 we decided to concentrate on the design, manufacture and supply of our own range underwater harsh environment vision systems. Today our underwater vision systems are deployed in the harshest environments within the ROV AUV, oil and gas, defence, oceanographic, nuclear, leisure and marine science industries.”

On the verge of celebrating its 25th anniversary in operation, Bowtech has expanded in all areas over the years as it developed a strong reputation for meeting market demand for innovative and game-changing products. Beginning with two personnel, the Aberdeen-based company today boasts 50, of which over 30 are highly trained electrical and mechanical engineers

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and technicians that strive to provide high quality technical support to the entire product range. The growing numbers of staff operate at Bowtech Products’ brand new headquarters, located in Aberdeen’s major new international business park, ABZ, which it moved into in December. Having secured a prominent entrance plot, the company developed a high specification office and manufacturing facility, which centralised its operations to one site and ensured there is potential to double staff numbers over the next five years.

“The new building is an enabler; with all departments under one roof it allows us to take innovations from concept through design and production as well as the ability to offer training in house now and ongoing support. The new facility is 2.5 x larger than all our previous facilities combined, which will enable us to grow to over 100 personnel in the coming years,” highlights Mike.

Key to this ongoing expansion is Bowtech Products’ impressive portfolio of innovative underwater harsh environment vision systems, which includes video inspection systems, underwater LED lights, xenon underwater emergency relocation strobes, custom moulded cable assemblies, pan and tilts, underwater electrical and fibre-optic connectors, fibre-optic multiplexers and slip rings for use in hazardous areas or subsea, to 6000 metres.

“Bowtech Products’ underwater vision systems are deployed in the harshest environments within the ROV AUV, oil and gas, defence, oceanographic, nuclear, leisure and marine science industries. We pride ourselves on listening to customers to ascertain their requirements and supply to OEM manufacturers such as SMD, one of the largest suppliers of work class ROV’s, trenchers and ploughs as well as Sub Atlantic and Seabotix who manufacture electric ROV’s primarily for light intervention and observation tasks. Contractors such as Subsea 7, Oceaneering, and ROVOP are key clients as well as drilling contractors such as Transocean. SBM head up the customer base for FPSO’s but are often specified by operators such as BP,” says Mike.

The most recently launched product within the company’s range is the high-resolution Pioneer multipurpose underwater camera with six integral high intensity LEDs. Suitable for general underwater viewing observation at depths as great as 4000 metres, the product measures only 53 mm diameter and 78.8 mm

PROFILE

in length, and provides a cost effective solution for projects involving tooling and manipulators.

Enclosed within a high quality titanium housing, the camera is fitted with a fixed focus wideangle lense, thus providing customers with a 58 degrees diagonal angle of view when submerged through its highly scratch resistant and 98.8 per cent optically pure sapphire window.

“The Pioneer is a product that is so typical of how Bowtech create new products. A Norwegian client, FMC, was being supplied by a competitor but found that they were lagging behind in technology and non-responsive.

Bowtech listened to the clients’ needs and created with them their ideal solution, which was to fit within the existing space envelope but deliver higher performance,” explains Mike. “The camera is 4000 meter rated with a 720 TVL resolution camera, 300 lines greater than the incumbent. In addition it has greater sensitivity, draws less power and is manufactured with a highly corrosion resistant titanium housing and sapphire viewport. The camera has been designed with other markets in mind and is already being introduced to other clients.”

Although the innovative firm boasts a global client base, the highest areas of activity are the North Sea, Asia Pacific and Brazil, where its products are used in projects involving equipment such as ROVs, semi-submersibles and FPSOs. In fact, Bowtech Products was recently involved in BP’s Quad 204 project, which involves the redevelopment of the Schiehallion and Loyal Fields in the North Sea. The project, which was approved in July 2011 and is due to begin production in 2016, will extend the life of both fields, thus enabling them to continue production beyond 2035. Since being awarded the EPC contract for the internal turret mooring system (TMS) for the Quad 204 project, SBM Offshore subcontracted Bowtech Products to supply its Chain Stopper Monitoring System during the TMS’s installation.

Following this contract win, the global market leader in subsea vision systems announced the delivery of a new £100,000 Chain Stopper Monitoring System in July 2013; the system will allow visual monitoring of each chain stopper ratchet when chains are being tensioned during the installation phase. The TMS has a total of 20 chain stoppers located on the chaintable on the lower turret; because these will be based approximately 15 metres below sea level during the phase, the company’s

Bowtech Products

scope of supply for the subsea system includes high sensitivity, high resolution monochrome cameras and LED lights. These will be installed on the I-tubes above the chain stoppers to allow downward viewing of operations throughout the installation. Meanwhile, the scope of supply for the topside system includes a video inspection and control system, which will enable viewing and controlling of the cameras and LED lights.

On top of this, Bowtech Products supplied all associated cables, connectors and brackets for the contract.

Having earned a reputation for excellence in the oil and gas industry, Bowtech Products is now focusing on its strategy for future growth by taking its products overseas to new geographical markets and continually improving its portfolio in conjunction with its client base. “We want to work with customers to enhance the vision systems and create solutions which make remote operations safer, more reliable and more cost effective,” concludes Mike.

European oil & gas

Bowtech Products Ltd bowtech.co.uk

Products Underwater harsh environment vision systems

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solutions Silicone

Silicone Engineering

was established in 1959 as a manufacturer dedicated solely to the production of silicone rubber products. Today, it maintains those same values, producing the product in sheet, rolls, extrusion and moulded form. Drawing on over 55 years’ experience, the business has the ability to formulate silicone formulas to specific industry requirements, satisfying the toughest specifications and standards.

“We separate ourselves from the competition by providing solutions to today’s industrial applications and pride ourselves on working closely with customers and channel partners

to understand their exact requirements. With a state-of-the-art laboratory combined with industry leading mixing facilities, customers benefit from high quality, fully traceable materials that can be processed and delivered

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in very short lead time,” says Simon Holmes, marketing manager.

Being one of the largest consumers of Heat Cured Rubber (HCR) silicone in Europe, processing in excess of 2000 tonnes per annum, Silicone Engineering has gained an international reputation for providing the best quality silicone sheets, rolls and extrusions in both solid, closed cell sponge and reinforced fabric ranges. “The amount of silicone we consume also allows us to be very competitive on price, giving us great economies of scale. Our materials are generally applied in the outer construction of oil and gas pipelines. Due to silicone’s extreme temperature resistance, typically running from 250°C to -60°C (482°F to -76°F), it can be used to protect oil and gas pipelines that run through extreme environments,” explains Simon.

Silicone Engineering’s products are continuously meeting challenges and helping transform the industry and its applications, and one such product is the solid silicone rubber.

The silicone acts as a protector between the pipe and the pipe brackets that hold the pipeline in place. “The silicone sheet gets adhered to the bottom of the pipe bracket and allows the pipe to sit in place without any metal on metal contact. If this occurred, any movement or abrasion between the pipe and the bracket could cause damage and cracks to develop in the pipeline. The benefit of using silicone for

PROFILE

this application is mainly for its temperature resistance at low and high temperatures.”

Another advantage of silicone, especially silicone sponge, is its insulation properties.

Again, due to the harsh environments where the pipelines are situated, silicone can be used around the outside of the pipe to provide insulation and protection from the environment. With excellent weather resistance properties, silicone is resistant to UV, Ozone, oxidation, corona discharge, and cosmic and ionising radiation.

As a silicone elastomer manufacturer actively doing business within the oil and gas arena in Northern Europe, Russia and Canada, the company has seen great potential within the market for its specialist materials. “Business as a whole has been very positive for the last seven years. We have seen consistent growth year on year and emerging market sectors such as oil and gas and rail have been very successful in recent years,” highlights Simon. As demand for both natural resources and speed in extracting these resources grows, silicone as a material comes into its own. “Higher performance, as a rule of thumb, generates high heat at the source.

Silicone will most certainly be used where sealing is needed under high temperatures. This is where we see potential going forward with the ability to formulate silicones to suit varying performance requirements and environments.

“One challenge to the oil market in particular, is the fact that silicone has poor performance when in direct contact with oil/petroleum. However, there are many application requirements for silicone in the industry that do not have contact with oil or gas, with one example being silicone sheeting used on the outside of the pipelines.

This is where we have seen great demand for our products,” he continues. Fluorosilicone is a material that can be used in direct contact with oil/ petroleum, however the premium of this elastomer is very high.

From its laboratory, technical engineers are able to create silicone formulations in house, with full control of the process. By working closely with clients, understanding their problems and requirements the company successfully helps develop a perfect silicone to serve that purpose.

“With over five decades of experience solely in silicone, our team of experts can advise on performance, ensuring a silicone solution is provided,” points out Simon. “We have a vast range of formulations such as low smoke, low toxicity grade – used heavily in the rail industry and developed after the Kings Cross rail disaster,

Silicone Engineering

high temperature grade (250°C), and neutraSil - our antimicrobial grade used in the food, beverage and medical industries,” he adds.

The business is investing heavily into stateof-the-art processing equipment to ensure it can continue to produce the highest quality silicone rubber in the marketplace. Combined with investment into staff through training and expansion of departments, it continues to search for new applications of silicone in emerging sectors to expand its reach. “Working with innovative channel partners and industry leaders, our vision is to be the silicone partner and market brand of choice internationally.

With over 65 per cent export figures and selling into 44 different countries we are already in a great position to build on this vision. In essence, Silicone Engineering is not just a silicone manufacturer that makes and sells silicone, instead we develop solutions and material innovations for industry leaders to transform their sector,” concludes Simon.

European oil & gas

Again, due to the harsh environments where the pipelines are situated, silicone can be used around the outside of the pipe to provide insulation and protection from the environment

Silicone Engineering Ltd silicone.co.uk

Services Silicone rubber manufacturer

europeanoilandgas.co.uk

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excellence Commitment

to

Operating out of its two UK bases

Prout Engineering Prout Engineering is a family owned and run company based in Kingston Upon Hull. We have developed a strong working relationship with Parkburn PHS over recent years, which we are keen to develop further.

We have supplied a vast range of components from shaft keep plates to painted and assembled sheave assemblies, all complete with fully traceable documentation. As Parkburn PHS continues to grow our aim is to continue in supporting them and be a vital part in their supply chain.

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in Hamilton and Telford, Parkburn Precision Handling Systems is a specialist marine handling systems provider that was rebranded in October 2002 to combine the extensive experience and complimentary products of Parkburn Controls, Dowty Precision Handling Systems and Marine Project Development (MPD). Engineers Dennis O’Hara, Campbell McFall and Andy Lawson, who today remain equal shareholders and owners as well as working directors within the business, originally founded Parkburn in 1989 as a private limited company providing control and drive solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across a wide range of industries. Later during 2002 Parkburn, having made the conscious strategic decision to become its own OEM product manufacturer, completed the acquisition of its largest customer at that time, Dowty Precision Handling Systems, part of the Smiths Industries Group.

Today, Parkburn has evolved into a total handling systems solution provider to the oil and gas, offshore, naval, and oil and renewable energy sectors. With three engineers running the company, there has always been a total commitment to technical excellence and full customer support. “The company remains engineering driven as well as a strong believer in research and development and continues to re-invest significant turnover in this respect,” elaborates director, Andy Lawson. “Partnerships with both customers and suppliers are key. europeanoilandgas.co.uk

We believe that the best project solution is for all involved to feel that they are a valued team player with a combined ‘desire to succeed’ rather than a ‘commercial fear of failure.’ We do not promote blame culture or complacency and believe that it is a constant learning process in moving ahead and appreciating where improvements can be made.”

Through its commitment to technical excellence and dedicated research and development, Parkburn has been able to deliver many differing types of Marine handling system solutions for applications including diving bell launch and recovery, rigid and flexible pipelay, HV cable storage and lay, seismic and sonar system deployment, deck module handling and seabed landout in both offshore and renewable sectors. Additionally, complete carousel cable or pipe storage and handling systems, land and sea, with payloads of up to 7000 tons have been provided year on year.

Increasingly, as oil and gas operators move into ever-deeper waters the demand for robust and reliable equipment is becoming an ongoing concern. Through its in-depth experience, Parkburn has devised a new deepwater heavy lift fibre rope winch system, which aims to revolutionise deep sea operation, as Andy explains: “With the move into deep water, beyond 1500m depth, for the majority of future oil and gas developments; the need to

be able to safely and economically deploy and recover equipment to and from these depths has brought many challenges to the industry. At depth, the weight penalties of current steel wire systems are becoming a major issue and as we go deeper we will soon reach the point where the wire weight alone will be too much even to support itself, therefore alternative solutions are essential. The industry for the last 12 years has been striving for reliable solutions utilising synthetic rope in lieu of steel wire as this type of rope is effectively weightless in water and has

PROFILE

Parkburn Precision Handling Systems

no penalties associated with depth. Parkburn has worked and developed patented solutions for handling and deploying synthetic ropes as part of its R&D work in addition to its normal project work and after extensive testing, is now looking to take these solutions to the offshore heavy lift and crane sectors in the coming year.

Parkburn’s system, we believe, provides the kindest de-tensioning, handling and storage of rope in the market today and coupled with the rope termination technology of our partners; we believe this will be the game changer for deepwater heavy lifting.”

Further to the development of bespoke equipment that the company delivers, Parkburn is also keen to ensure that it invests in its facilities and testing capabilities to ensure that it is able to fully meet the demanding needs of its clients and to ensure all equipment delivered is fully tested and validated prior to delivery. “In the UK and Europe, there is a major lack of good facilities that would allow winch and handling systems to be thoroughly tested prior to being installed

on to a ship,” Andy says “The cost of these ships at the quayside when not working is very high so downtime for the vessel must be mitigated wherever possible. Our new test facility at Telford will allow a far higher and more thorough set of tests to be carried out on our handling systems, far more like its actual use and installation on the ship. In this way, the client can be thoroughly satisfied that the system will work as required.

Our new test tower is 30m tall and is capable of lifting loads up to 125te, we can also simulate many of the emergency situations likely to be seen in an offshore environment, such as full speed dynamic testing and black ship situations, to ensure safety circuits and back-up systems are fully functioning” Parkburn has a strong dedication to achieving ‘best in class’, which is reflected in its rolling fiveyear plan to raise the bar of what is technically possible. With continued focus on technical excellence and customer support Parkburn is set to remain a vital partner to operators looking for the most demanding and reliable solutions.

European oil & gas

Parkburn Precision Handling Systems parkburn.com

Services Marine handling systems

europeanoilandgas.co.uk

45

supplies Securing

Having started its activities in 2008, today E.ON Gas Storage (EGS) can be counted as one of the major European gas storage companies. Together with its Austrian affiliate Gas Storage Austria, the company has a total of 14 underground storage facilities at 12 locations in Germany and Austria, with a total working gas capacity (which also includes the company’s subsidiary in the UK) of approximately 9.0 billion cubic metres.

Underground gas storage facilities play an important role in securing gas supplies in line with demand. They are an element in the infrastructure of the gas industry which makes it possible to create a balance between the virtually continuous supply of gas from the producing countries and deliveries to the customers where demand fluctuates sharply depending on the season. Underground storage facilities also help to bridge temporary supply bottlenecks.

To put it in basic terms, there are two ways of storing gas underground: the storage caverns or porous rock formations. The two differ with regard to the reservoir rock and the storage mechanism. One of E.ON’s major gas storage locations, Etzel ESE, is a cavern storage facility, and as Dr Peter Klingenberger, EGS CEO and managing director explained, is a joint project of E.ON Gas Storage GmbH, OMV Gas Storage Germany GmbH, VNG Gasspeicher GmbH und Gas-Union Storage GmbH. “The cavern storage facility, which is located in Friedeburg in East Fresia (northern Germany) has a projected working gas volume of about

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two billion cubic metres, and has been in operation since 2012. The facility is technically operated on behalf of the consortium by EGS, and is the largest of four EGS storage facilities in northern Germany,” said Peter.

He went on to highlight some of the essential factors that gas cavern storage facilities need to meet today’s market needs: “The ESE project is a very successful project, which was completed on schedule and within budget. The plant reflects the current status of safety engineering and allows high flexibility together with high availability,” he stated.

“All success factors for today’s market, such as parallel gas withdrawal and injection due to a dual pipeline connection, rapid change between withdrawal and injection and a large overall capacity, which can make a significant contribution to supply security, are fulfilled.”

Moving onto another of EGS’ storage facilities, the 7Fields gas storage association is unique in Europe and connects the German and Austrian gas markets to each other. “Through this we have enabled customers to use crossborder storage. The gas storage facility creates maximum flexibility and makes an important contribution to supply security in Austria and Germany,” said Peter.

In fact, in the light of the Ukraine crisis, the topic of security of supply in the gas market is at the top of the German and European energy policy agenda. “In recent years, the German gas storage facilities have proven their high performance, also in particularly long cold

PROFILE

periods, and have already made an important contribution to the high degree of security of gas supply,” Peter confirmed. “E.ON has made extensive provisions to continue to supply its customers with the gas they have ordered, some of which can be in difficult supply situations.

These provisions also naturally include storage capacity reservations. Storage facilities make a major contribution to network stability and reduce investment costs in network expansion.”

Alongside its operations in gas storage, EGS also heads the E.ON Innovation Centre Energy Storage. The Centre makes a key contribution to the shift to renewable energy with its developments in the area of energy storage, and works on a number of different technologies for the storage of electric power.

One of these technologies, Power to Gas (PtG) helps to integrate electricity generated from renewables into various gas applications.

The main step is to split water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). “This process is known as electrolysis and it converts electrical

E.ON Gas Storage

energy into chemical energy,” explained Peter.

“The process has been around for a long time, but what is new is that it is now used for electricity generated from renewable energies.”

Two of EGS’ projects in this area are WindGas Falkenhagen and WindGas Hamburg.

Using innovative technology, the WindGas Falkenhagen plant produces up to 360Nm3/h of hydrogen from about 2MW wind power through electrolysis. It had already produced 2.8 million kWh by December 31st, 2014.

“Power to Gas opens up the huge energy storage capacities, which are part of Germany’s natural gas infrastructure, to renewable energies.

This way the technology can play a key role in balancing volatile electricity production from renewable sources such as wind and solar,” concluded Peter. “The chemical energy contained in the hydrogen is also made available to different markets including the power and heat markets, industry and mobility. The need for storage capacities will grow as the use of renewables increases.”

European oil & gas

The chemical energy contained in the hydrogen is also made available to different markets including the power and heat markets, industry and mobility.

E.ON Gas Storage eon-gas-storage.de

Services Gas storage

europeanoilandgas.co.uk

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global Going

Founded in 2003 the Norwegian composite subsea products and solutions specialist, CSUB has developed a market leading reputation in the provision of all types of composite related products to the offshore subsea market according to relevant standards such as NORSOK DNV-OS-C501.

This business has been in operation for some 12 years and in that time CSUB has both evolved to respond to the needs of its local clients and gone on to grow into a global player in the offshore subsea market. “The company was founded in 2003 and was started mainly for the local marine industry,” explains managing director, Jon Inge Brattekås. “But there was more activity within the offshore oil and gas industry.

In 2005 we began working with subsea projects and today this represents close to 100 per cent of our activity.”

CSUB was actually founded under the name Sørkomp but has recently taken the decision to rebrand to reaffirm its position as a truly global business, as Jon goes on to discuss: “The main reason for changing the company name to CSUB was that we saw more and more of the business was growing outside of Norway. Sørkomp is derived from the Norwegian word for south, so the main reason for the change was to drop the Norwegian letter as we are expecting the business to continue to grow outside of Norway.

Over the next few years most of our business

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will be for international customers.”

Indeed since 2005 CSUB has built a strong reputation as an international supplier to the industry’s most renowned subsea service companies and has also supplied some of the world’s largest oil majors directly. The list of clients serviced by CSUB includes service companies such as Subsea 7, Technip, FMC and Ocean Installer as well as oil majors including BP TOTAL, Statoil and Shell. Today CSUB continues to work with the market’s leading oil majors and service companies in locations throughout the world, as Jon elaborates: “When it comes to projects the biggest so far has been the Laggan Tormore in the North Sea for Subsea 7. We are currently working with Subsea 7 and Total on the Mariner project in the UK and we

PROFILE

are also involved in BP’s Caspian project Shah Deniz 2. We have a lot of repeat business and a very good track record with the major oil companies. Last year we had a lot of deliveries to West Africa with Technip and Total, we also started work with some Far Eastern projects in Indonesia. This region will continue to grow and we will also look at future projects in the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil.”

CSUB has established itself as a premier supplier of composite products that offer robust solutions in the protection of subsea equipment. It also offers benefits in reduced operating costs and improved survivability. “The company’s main products are focused on the protection of pipelines and subsea equipment using glass reinforced plastics (GRP), which have been a core part of the business. However, during the past two years the market for seabed foundations has grown substantially and we see a lot of activity for supporting pipelines and structures. A similar development is seen for pipeline crossings. All of the products can include buoyancy elements for flexible access and these are also provided in composite materials,” Jon says.

“Glass reinforced plastics are able to withstand impacts, these materials are very strong when compared to steel - especially in terms of structural integrity and impact. Secondly they are non-corrosive and can easily withstand 40 plus years in operation, and they are also lightweight and can normally be installed at one third of the weight of steel structures,” he continues. “Our products are stackable, which is important when there is limited deckspace onboard ship. This means that when undertaking offshore campaigns it is possible to save vessel time during the installation phase as more units can be installed per campaign.”

Although the current low oil price is creating a certain level of uncertainty within the market, CSUB is confident that the combination of its in-depth subsea knowledge and the demonstrated benefits of its GRP products will allow it to continue to operate as a global leader, as Jon concludes: “I would say there are challenges but also certainly some opportunities.

Everybody knows that oil prices have gone down, and as such some projects will be postponed or even cancelled. However, we also see a lot of opportunity because CSUB’s products and solutions reduce costs, and this makes it easier to discuss alternative solutions with oil and gas companies, as GRP is a proven

CSUB

DSM A brighter future with composites As leading global innovator of sustainable Composite solutions, DSM tailored its Synolite 1967 resin for the CSUB infusion process. The resin has been approved by Statoil for offshore installation, and has demonstrated excellent corrosion resistance and continued structural integrity in submerged structures for over ten years. DSM has also been successful in supplying Atlac resin solutions for use with carbon fiber in deepwater sea cables, and Daron resins for parts that require resistance to chemicals and elevated temperatures.

cost-saving solution. We have an extensive knowledge of the subsea environment, the market and its challenges. We have talented personnel with the correct design and engineering competence to design the right equipment for our customers. We are renowned for being very agile in developing the best solutions in co-operation with our clients.”

European oil & gas

CSUB csub.com

Services Composite subsea products and solutions

europeanoilandgas.co.uk

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beyond Infinity and

With its headquarters in Aberdeen and facilities in Singapore and the UAE, Infinity Oilfield Services Limited (Infinity) is a dynamic, customer driven engineering business with a comprehensive portfolio of services covering hydraulic services, project management, engineering, integrated services, ROV technical services and subsea tooling design. Infinity Oilfield Services International (IOSI), the parent company of Infinity was founded in 2002 with operations in Abu Dhabi and Tunisia. Following a decade of success overseas, it was decided to bring the talents of the IOSI services ethos to the North Sea and Infinity was founded in 2013,” reveals CEO, Andrew Mackay.

“Infinity opened up the IOSI family to the drilling sector, particularly in the North Sea, and our first client was Transocean with whom we have developed a good working relationship,” he explains. “IOSI has since been almost constantly employed on or for Transocean rigs including the John Shaw, Monarch, Sedco Energy and Sedco Cajun Express. We also provide services to the production sector with manpower and equipment working for Total E&P UK, BP, CNR and Shell.”

Although the company is presently most active in the North Sea, Infinity is a truly

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global enterprise with a proven reputation for providing high quality engineering and project management services with on-going work in West Africa and the Mediterranean.

Its committed and high-calibre core of engineers give Infinity a particular strength in inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) and re-certification in upstream exploration and production and drilling sectors, with emphasis on hydraulic and ROV systems. A key-differentiating feature of the business is its ability to provide turnkey support services to clients at the planning and execution phases of maintenance programmes with proven and detailed maintenance, testing, inspection, design and operational experience. As such, Infinity is the ideal solution for in-field support during both the start-up and operational phases. The company values close working relationships with its customers, as such Infinity encourages its clients and associated engineering and service providers to integrate with it appropriately to create a seamless project team, working towards one common goal and overall success.

Presently Infinity Oilfield Services is working closely with Total E&P UK and was recently awarded the campaign management contract for all of the company’s North Sea assets, as Andrew elaborates: “The contract covers all Total E&P UK North Sea assets including ElginFranklin, North Alwyn, Dunbar, and St. Fergus.

The campaign is intended to manage both the certification status and condition of all the pressure vessel units on these assets, including accumulator bottles and pulsation dampeners.

The activities are composed of offshore survey and repair/replacement and onshore information management on SAP data conducted out of Total’s offices in Altens.”

Furthermore Infinity has recently signed a service agreement with Paladon Systems Ltd, which will see the two companies working to provide a solution to fix process valve actuator deterioration. “Paladon are a manufacturer of valve actuators and valve actuation systems, including HIPPS systems and were previously the sole packager for Bettis in the North Sea. As such Paladon have a large embedded equipment portfolio and IOSL provides the support services to survey and maintain these systems and equipment when required. Our technicians are trained by Paladon for this work and are able to interface with Paladon design staff on technical and design issues as they arise,” Andrew details.

“The importance from a Paladon point of

PROFILE

view is that they have come from a traditional manufacturing background, but more and more are being asked by their customers to increase their presence and service capability in Aberdeen and abroad. Paladon are a worldwide provider of equipment servicing many areas including non-oil and gas projects and Infinity brings a pure oil and gas service capability to the Paladon value proposition.”

In addition to its on-going co-operation with Paladon, Infinity is currently providing a large amount of support services on the Energean Force drill ship located quayside in Athens for its five-yearly SPS. “The scope of the work being performed by Infinity includes BOP overhaul, Koomey (BOP control) system overhaul including accumulator bottle overhaul, choke and kill manifold, cementing manifold, all HPUs, and hose integrity management,” Andrew said.

“Infinity are providing a multi-skilled team and specialist equipment spreads to undertake this work. It is being done in conjunction with Lloyd’s Register as the certifying authority.”

Indeed 2014 was a highly successful year for Infinity, with a number of significant projects for clients throughout the oil and gas industry. A further milestone for the company is a memorandum of understanding that was signed between Infinity and TSC GROUP, which promises to present a number interesting opportunities for both companies well into 2015 and beyond, as Andrew elaborates: “Possibly Infinity’s most important contract was signed at the end of 2014 after a year of working together with TSC. Similar to the Paladon situation, TSC (owners of the MOS and Ansell Jones brands) have a large infrastructure worldwide, but are only beginning to move into services on the huge amount of their installed kit in the North Sea. As well as providing customer relationship management support and mutual business development resources, Infinity are providing onshore mobilisation and offshore workscope services as TSC’s partner in offshore survey, maintenance, repair, and installation of new equipment. Most recently regarding new equipment installation, Infinity have been providing critical support to TSC in the upgrade of two umbilical tensioning systems on the Prospector 5 and Prospector 1 jackup drill rigs and are currently embarking on survey and FEED opportunities with Transocean in West Africa.”

As Infinity transitions into 2015 it can boast a

Infinity Oilfield Services

number of highly significant contracts, that will enable the company to continue to grow and pursue its vision to further develop its expertise, as Andrew concludes: “Our first priority is investing in bringing in new people with new skills, and enhancing our existing work force with more skills. We feel that a multi-skilled engineer or technician is more valuable to the industry as, for one, there is so much pressure on bed space and efficiency. Perhaps more importantly though, a multi-skilled person is better able to look holistically at offshore work programmes, bringing additional insight and solutions to the customer, assisting in driving down costs and reducing downtime. Our second target is bringing in the ROV and subsea technologies IOSI is developing overseas into the North Sea arena. This latter effort will be a big push for 2015 and we are very excited by their prospects, having already approached clients in the ROV sector in the North Sea and having received excellent feedback.”

European oil & gas

Agra Precision Engineering Co Ltd We have worked on a number of projects with Infinity including reverse engineering work, traversemechanisms, sheave pins, worm wheels and gearboxes, load-testing, gearcutting along with Jack-up gearbox fabrication, overhaul and testing to meet international standards. They are a highly diverse, flexible company we are proud to work in partnership with.

Infinity Oilfield Services infinityoilgas.com

Services ROV, hydraulic and BOP systems engineering

europeanoilandgas.co.uk

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core Quality at its

Perforator

Tuboscope | NOV Wellbore Technologies Optimise your drilling and production programmes with the proven products and services you have trusted for over 75 years.

Tuboscope | NOV Wellbore Technologies has continued to raise the global standard with a comprehensive and integrated suite of value-added solutions that maximise the life cycle of your assets, helping you to drill safer and more efficiently, increase production and decrease downtime. Tuboscope | NOV Wellbore Technologies has honored Perforator as a professional and competent manufacturer of drill pipe in the oil and gas industry for more than 20 years.

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, under the direction of CEO Wolfgang Schmidt, offers customised solutions for worldwide drilling projects, supplying innovative and technically advanced drilling products to an international range of customers.

The company has significantly evolved since it was founded, and today the cornerstones of its production are drill pipes and tools for oil and gas field drilling, DTH and HDD pipes, augers for vertical and horizontal drilling, and drilling tools and injection systems for applications in mining, tunnelling and reconstruction.

It is thanks to Perforator’s experience in the market that customers keep returning, and as Steffen Henning, sales director noted, the company also keeps a keen eye on quality and product development. “Drilling equipment is our business; we have decades of experience in the range of different horizontal and vertical drilling techniques,” he stated. “High quality products secure our good reputation, but as well it is most important to remain flexible and to continuously adapt the design and manufacture of products to keep up with customer requirements or new technical standards. A close collaboration between our engineers, production, sales team and customer guarantees that customised products can be supplied within a short time frame. At this time, we have a staff of 120 motivated and highly trained employees, which also helps to ensure that the quality of our products is first class.”

He continued: “We are convinced that the quality of our products is reflected in our customer satisfaction and that forms the basis of our success. Thus we pay attention to europeanoilandgas.co.uk

maintaining our high manufacturing standards, such as in the production of drill pipes according to API 5DP, and continuing to update our quality management system according to ISO 9001. Both of these are traceable through regular certification, which offers peace of mind to our customers.”

The clients that Steffen referred to are drilling contractors, rental companies or customers in the construction and mining industry. “We take care to keep in close contact with our customers through an experienced field sales force and a well-structured net of associated companies and partners, mainly independent local companies, who ensure the distribution of our equipment worldwide,” he explained.

When European Oil & Gas Magazine last spoke to Perforator in 2014, one area that was highlighted was the need to focus on new product development. The company has indeed sustained its focus on these areas, and at the beginning of 2015 it produced a complete, newly designed reverse circulation (RC) drill string including a new generation of RC pipes for a customer in central Africa. “The main focus concerning the design was easy handling and maintenance of the string, since both the technical requirements as well as the infrastructure of this region do not correspond to the European standard,” Steffen highlighted.

In addition to products such as this for the oil and gas sector, Perforator is also very active in the development of customer specific soil conditioning solutions. “Using advanced technologies for the production of polymer foams we were able to shrink the needed

PROFILE

technology to not only fit into small- to midsized TBM’s but also into custom crafted excavators,” said Steffen. “This enables our customer to use the advantages of polymer foam-based soil conditioning in completely new cases, for example dam repairs or excavations under problematic soil conditions. Modern PLC based controls give the customer full control of the process and the use of well-chosen components extends the reliability of our systems.”

It is through creating new and innovative products such as these that Perforator can continue to grow and develop. Steffen noted that there are good orders on the horizon, but that is not a reason to sit still: “We need to stabilise and further expand our position,” he agreed.

“However, the current oil price deterioration and consequently the decreased demand of drill pipes do pose major challenges to us. Therefore it is important not to lose sight of developing our other product groups that are apart from the oil and gas industry.

“So the challenge will be not only to assert

our position but to extend our share in a highly competitive international market. Manufacturing customised high quality products is only one side of the coin - the cost factor of course influences our customers’ decision to buy. As a medium sized company we are able to keep these two factors in balance.

“We also aim to strengthen Perforator’s market position in the future as a global, flexible supplier of high quality drilling equipment and to increase our market share continuously by entering any ‘white spots’ on our global map. At the same time it is important to keep pace with the changing requirements of our customers and to have an eye on new product development – so for example, we are looking at our own high torque connections for oil field applications.

“This year’s target is to consolidate our position in Europe and to intensify our activities in the Middle East and South America,” he concluded. “We will be focusing on our DTH and rotary drill pipes, field-tested reliable equipment with a high market acceptance.”

European oil & gas

Perforator

Drilling equipment is our business; we have decades of experience in the range of different horizontal and vertical drilling techniques

Perforator GmbH perforator.de

Services Customised solutions for drilling projects

europeanoilandgas.co.uk

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made Custom

Shepcote Engineering

is probably the largest hydraulic cylinder manufacturer in the UK with over 25,000 sq ft of production floor with 50 tonnes lifting capability. Despite that position, and having extended its services beyond the initial hydraulic cylinder repairs and general machining for local industries, it remains a small private company. With over 30 years experience Shepcote Engineering today provides hydraulic and engineering solutions to all industry sectors.

In 2001 the company took the opportunity to acquire a business that had for many years served Shepcote itself with machining solutions for some of the biggest types of cylinders in the UK. As a result of the acquisition the new owners began to establish many client based relationships with previous competitors, who themselves required the services for specific machining projects including deep-hole boring and honing of large tubes.

Combined with the expertise of an in-house designer with a proven track record in the special application cylinder market, the

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new look Shepcote Engineering was able to develop its foothold in the offshore oil and gas market, where equipment has always been of a significantly specialised level, manufactured to high standards. As a key sub-contract machinist, the acquisition of large turning lathes, the deep-hole borer, and honing equipment complemented one another ensuring the business was able to firmly strengthen its position. In fact, the business continues to invest in new machinery regularly, with investments including a 12-meter bed CNC lathe that was acquired in response to customer demand over recent years. “As the search for oil and gas goes deeper, and pressures become heavier, ultimately pipe lengths and wall thicknesses of pipes become greater, and customers are attracted to our extensive capabilities,� says Robert Ketteringham, sales manager. The development of the company from a small general machine fabrication workshop to more specialised hydraulic cylinder and large capacity specialised machining has seen the business produce a range that includes riser joints, and various components for down-hole applications.

An example of the type of work, previously undertaken by the business, it supplied Dutch

PROFILE

company Krohne Oil and Gas BV with large bore stainless steel pipe for installation at the Euroloop site in Rotterdam. Each piece of the 1120mm diameter material was bored, honed, turned and then drilled before sections were bolted together to form 11 metre lengths. The bores were then honed once more for even greater accuracy and fit over the assembled length. The finished sections were then shipped to Rotterdam where Shepcote engineers oversaw the final assembly.

“It references exactly what we do for the oil and gas industry in a big way,” adds Robert.

“Our strengths are the physical size of the material that we are capable of machining, we have machines that can perform larger and longer than anyone else, we can produce hydraulic cylinders with bore sizes from 40mm to 1600mm and with strokes up to 25 metres, and by nature of it, we do specialised machining work,” points out Robert. As an engineering based organisation with unique equipment, there is a lack of skilled personnel available for direct employment. “As a result, we recruit and train through apprenticeships schemes and with two apprentices currently in the early stages of training, and another now studying towards a degree, the programme is proving successful,” he adds.

In recent times the business has become involved in renewable energy projects, producing hydraulic cylinders for use on tidal generators and to test the turbine blades on offshore windfarms, with the size of the hydraulic cylinders reflecting the large blades of the turbine.

With a huge degree of variation in projects today, there is often a piece of it that is outside existing manufacturers, or their regular subcontractor’s machining capabilities, inevitably promoting the company’s capabilities. “On any

Shepcote Engineering

given day in any week, someone is wanting material machined to a custom size, and since becoming established with our large machines, progress has been ongoing. Both the subcontract machining and hydraulic cylinder sides of the business have been very busy since 2012, manufacturing and assembling deck handling and associated equipment for cable and pipe laying vessels, undertaking cable handling projects and supplying cylinders for launch and recovery systems on ships supplying to the market, and this work will continue to 2016,” he adds.

A strong market position holds the business in good stead for the future: “We respond to demand for projects, so it is hard to plan ahead, but of course our aim is to continue offering a good service, as that has proven our strength throughout our history. We are a small independent company, which gives us the freedom to react quickly to clients’ requests, so we are very used to helping people out of situations,” he concludes.

European oil & gas

Our strengths are the physical size of the material that we are capable of machining

Shepcote Engineering shepcote-eng.com

Services Hydraulic cylinder manufacturing and specialist machining services

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The Inter Terminals business

represents one of the largest independent bulk liquid storage businesses in Europe, encompassing more than three million cubic metres of storage capacity situated across 12 terminals throughout Europe. Prior to 1st January 2015 the company was divided into two separate entities, wholly owned by the parent company Inter Pipeline Ltd. based in Calgary, Canada. Inter Pipeline Ltd. represents a major petroleum transportation, storage and natural gas liquids extraction business and is one of the largest infrastructure businesses in Canada that ranks among the top 50 companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Originally Simon Storage was responsible for terminals located within the UK, Germany

and Ireland, while Inter Terminals in Denmark operated deep draft coastal terminals providing build bulk, break bulk and custom blending services for distillates and heated oil products.

Today all of these terminal facilities are managed under the Inter Terminal brand, led by chief executive Martyn Lyons who brings with him over 25 years experience in the tank storage sector. Martyn is well known throughout the tank storage industry and continues to serve as chairman of the UK Tank Storage Association. He succeeds Richard Sammons who is moving into a new role as executive chairman. “I am delighted to see the integration of our operations under one unified management structure and I wish Martyn and his team every success in their new roles,” Richard says. “Adopting the Inter Terminals name across our European terminal network will strengthen brand recognition and the marketing of our integrated suite of storage services. It also creates a stronger branding affiliation with Inter Pipeline Ltd., our Canadian parent, which continues to provide strong support for our operational and growth initiatives across Europe.

We look forward to serving both existing and new customers in the future.”

Inter Terminals is a world-class operator that brings first-rate engineering skill to the tank storage market. The business has a proven track record of operating handling and storage facilities

for a number of industrial clients that encompass a wide range of specialist requirements. Indeed the technical knowhow of Inter Terminals extends beyond the oil and gas industry, with infrastructure solutions extending into the chemical, food and drink, agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors. Furthermore it is able to offer a full suite of intermodal and management services as part of a fully integrated package.

Management solutions can be delivered in part or fully outsourced packages to suit its clients’ individual business needs. These options

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PROFILE

can range from the training and management of customer employees through acquiring a customer’s existing facility, upgrading it to the latest industry standards and then operating and managing the site as required. Key to this is Inter Terminal’s leading position in operational safety, which enables it to develop tailored training programmes and competency assessment schemes that allow clients to trust their storage needs to Inter Terminals in full confidence.

Within the oil sector Inter Terminals is a leading supplier of bulk liquid and gas storage and handling facilities and maintains a specialised position in the provision of fully integrated solutions for clients within the oil sector at its own terminal facilities and

Inter Terminals

two of the UK’s largest oil refineries. Within Denmark the company’s terminals provide specialist oil storage and handling services to some of the industries leading oil companies and traders. The facilities and services on offer within Denmark include an extensive range of tank capacities, pipeline connections to deep draft facilities, tank-to-tank and into-tank blending to order, as well as high loading rates.

The terminals can accommodate Suezmax and Aframax vessels as well as VLCC-class tankers at some locations, demonstrating the full range of services available to clients of all sizes now operating under the Inter Terminals umbrella.

Since Simon Storage was last featured in European Oil and Gas Magazine during April 2014, both it and Inter Terminals have indeed undergone an important transformation. By becoming a single entity unified by the Inter Terminals brand, the company can offer a uniform and proven solution in storage and support services that will continue to be an attractive and effective option for its clients.

Inter Terminals boasts a full range of extensive terminal infrastructure that reflects its position as one of Europe’s largest gas and liquid storage terminal operators

Inter Terminals interterminals.com

Services Support services, storage

through the expert management of third party facilities. Additionally, Inter Terminals operates a respected engineering division that boasts a proven track record in the construction of new facilities as well the upgrade of existing sites. The company’s turnkey services include the design and installation of advanced automation systems for stock management and road loading. As such, many oil majors rely on Inter Terminals’ technical and management skills in forming proactive partnerships that allow clients to focus on their core business activities.

Further to its extensive competence in terminal operation and management, Inter Terminals boasts a full range of extensive terminal infrastructure that reflects its position as one of Europe’s largest gas and liquid storage terminal operators. Its terminals within the North East of England include ready access to major road, rail and shipping routes that facilitate the receipt and further distribution of product to clients operating throughout the UK and Europe. Its terminal located in Immingham for example, offers flexible tanking and pipeline configurations with rapid transfer rates as well as a prime location adjacent to European oil & gas

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leader Technological

Above Complexity of EV downhole video leading edge technology Below Downhole video equipment bench test workshop

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Founded by

chief technical officer Jonathan Thursby in Norwich in 2001, downhole video specialist EV began as a small team of engineers who developed their expertise in ruggedized CCTV cameras for use on boats or cars, to give close up views of action related events. “The original designs were used in racing environments such as the British Rally Championship, Formula One, the BT Around the World Yachting Challenge and also Top

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Gear,” explains Federico Casavantes, VP marketing for EV. “However, in 2004 we were commissioned to develop a camera for a UK customer that would be used for diagnostics in oil and gas wells in the North Sea. From here the first generation of our OPTIS RT-120 was launched and deployed commercially.”

Following this strategic move into the oil and gas industry, the company’s expertise in this business segment was further strengthened with the appointment of Francis Neill, an experience oilfield services professional, as CEO in 2010. “Mr Neill has taken EV from a small Norwich based organisation to the global service provider it is today,” confirms Federico.

“Since 2010 we have grown from 15 employees with annual revenues of approximately one million pounds, to a global entity of 115 employees and annual revenues of more than £20 million. In the last 12 months we have run more than 1400 downhole camera jobs in 35 countries and witnessed a profit increase of 109 per cent; this success stems from our consistent delivery of high quality downhole video cameras that are able to operate in the most extreme environments as well as our knowledge on how to obtain images in these conditions. It is not only our leading edge

PROFILE

technology that is key to our success but also our highly experienced and competent operations team that is able to advise our customer base on the best procedures and preparation to capture the best video images.”

By using the expertise it gained from operating ruggedized cameras in fast paced yet moderately benign environments, EV has been able to transfer and develop its know-how into the oil and gas industry and thus transform itself into the global market leader in downhole video technology. “Our headquarters are in Aberdeen and Norwich, but we also have 17 operating locations across the world; our region head offices located in Canada, the US, Latin America, Europe, Western Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia and Australia,” says Federico.

To retain its technology leadership in the downhole video market, the company invests more than ten per cent of its annual profits into research and development, which has resulted in camera systems that can work to 10,000m below the surface in environments up to 125 degrees Celsius and 15,000 psi. Proud of its success in obtaining images that can help customers find solutions in the harshest of environments, EV has a success rate of more than 95 per cent thanks to its ultra-modern technology and

expertise in high speed data transmission, video compression techniques, CCD sensors, optical and lighting technology and image processing.

“We specialise in providing well diagnosis services to oil and gas operators; our services are based on a range of downhole video cameras, which we call OPTIS. These can be deployed on electric line, slick line, drill pipe and coil tubing. The main feature of our cameras is that they utilise a proprietary telemetry, which enables us to stream up to 300 kilobits per second of data on a monoconductor cable and can thus provide a full colour video of up to 25 frames per second. We can also record up to 35 frames per second in memory. In terms of ruggedization, OPTIS Downhole Video cameras hit a record in 2013 when a job was successfully run to 28,522 feet/8695 metres for an operator in the Gulf of Mexico,” highlights Federico.

EV’s HD E-line camera works on 35,000 feet of mono-conductor cable; this combined with sensors that also operate at up to 15,000 psi, means customers can rely on quality video diagnostics deeper than ever.

The most recent example of the company’s commitment to innovation is its new Integrated Video Caliper (IVC), which provides real-time answers to well integrity issues and is based on EV’s proprietary telemetry that transmits data to surface at a speed two to three times greater than industry standard systems. “Thanks to our telemetry, the main feature of the IVC is that it combines qualitative HD video data with quantitative Multifinger Caliper dimensioning.

Normally, in the realm of video imaging, it is not possible to quantify the size of the problems or anomalies encountered in the well. However, by combining our cameras with our Multifinger Caliper, we’re not limited to only seeing what is happening, but now, we can also accurately assess the dimensions of the problem we are looking at. The benefits of this integration are all too clear; in a single run in the well, EV is able evaluate downhole completion problems like corrosion, pitting or ruptures to even greater detail than has ever been possible before with standalone electromechanical measurement devices,” explains Federico.

“With IVC, the axial downview camera is run as the tool goes into the well, capturing a real-time overview of the well features. When at bottom, the Multifinger Caliper is opened to obtain a dimensioned circumferential profile of the well as the tool is pulled out. By switching European oil & gas

ev

Above EV HD video sideview camera

EV Engineering Limited EV Engineering is a key supplier of complex machined prismatic components and assembled to the oil and gas industry. We pride ourselves on delivering excellence; with emphasis on ensuring every component meets the rigorous standards and specifications required.

EV Engineering is a trusted supplier to EV Offshore, one of the most innovative providers of downhole video technology. Our two companies enjoy a close working relationship, working together with their design department to ensure all components are designed for manufacture with a focus on developing unique solutions and providing solutions that exceed expectation.

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PROFILE

EV

on the lateral camera we can further inspect any serious conditions or anomalies by taking a circumferential 360 degree video at any point of interest. All this data can be streamlined instantaneously, as it is being acquired, to our customers’ remote offices so they can make decisions on whether additional information is required or whether they will begin to deploy equipment to start a repair operation. The thing to note is that when EV pulls the IVC out of the well, our customers have 100 per cent certainty

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of their well integrity conditions,” he adds.

Officially launched in 2014, the IVC has successfully completed in excess of 40 operations, primarily in Canada where it was tested and developed, but also in the UK and Italy. Following the success of this innovative product, Federico anticipates further opportunities for the EV as its remains focused on growing customer awareness of the value of downhole video by providing them with robust, high quality and unique answer products. “As a firm specialising in well diagnosis, our focus is to continue to build on our downhole video expertise to retain industry leadership and to add further value to our customers. Wherever there is an opportunity to provide more robust answer products, we will look to integrate complementary sensors. We anticipate further market growth in the regions where we are already present, and will actively open operating bases in new geographical regions to ensure we are better able to support our growing customer base,” he concludes.

The thing to note is that when EV pulls the IVC out of the well, our customers have 100 per cent certainty of their well integrity conditions Left Field engineer preparing downhole video camera for a job

EV evcam.com

Services Downhole video specialist

PROFILE

Rubis Terminal

Evolving

infrastructure Formerly known as

the Compagnie Parisienne des Asphaltes, the Rubis Terminal was originally founded in 1877. By 1992 the total recorded storage capacity of the business peaked at over a million cubic meters across two locations in Rouen and Dunkirk. These coastal locations and connections to the main French pipeline infrastructure provided major strategic assets that allowed Rubis to further establish its presence in the chemical and oil markets within France and later throughout Europe.

Rubis Terminal is a subsidiary of the wider Rubis Group alongside the associated company, Rubis Energie. The Group is an independent, international operator specialising in the downstream petroleum and chemicals sector that has continued to grow and expand through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions.

Between 1992 and 2002 the Rubis Group acquired almost one million cubic meters of additional storage in France by taking over strategic terminals in Brest and Saint-Priest as well Strasbourg PĂŠtrole and the Propetrol Company. These acquisitions raised the total storage capacity to two million cubic meters. Over the course of two decades, Rubis Terminal has successfully grown to be the number one independent operator in France and the fifth in Europe.

Fifteen locations Today Rubis Terminal maintains 2.6 million cubic meters of bulk liquid storage and is present across fifteen locations within the Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey and France.

The majority of these operate as fully owned facilities, while others are run as joint ventures between Rubis and its partners. While the business is headquartered in France, in recent years it has undertaken targeted expansion outside of its home market. In 2007, Rubis Terminal expanded with the formation of its Rotterdam terminal followed by Antwerp, the

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Today Rubis Terminal maintains 2.6 million cubic meters of bulk liquid storage and is present across fifteen locations within the Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey and France. The majority of these operate as fully owned facilities, while others are run as joint ventures between Rubis and its partners

second busiest port in Europe, in partnership with Japanese group Mitsui in 2010.

More than 160,000 cubic meters of versatile storage capacity The terminal at Rotterdam in the Netherlands represents a significant capacity with construction of the Greenfield site beginning during 2007. Rubis Terminal BV went into operation a year later in 2008 with a storage capacity of just over 85,000 cubic meters.

Since then Rubis Terminal has embarked on a continuing programme to develop the terminal and its facilities, steadily increasing the amount of storage available at the site. “If you look at the development of Rubis Terminal BV over the last two years, we have expanded our capacity to currently encompass more than 160,000 cubic meters of storage capacity, of which half is chemical and the other half is mineral storage,” explains general manager Paul van Herrewegen. “If you look at the size of the current terminal it was originally planned to fill the location to create an efficient terminal in terms of both size and scale, both from a cost and commercial perspective, and growth has been a natural process since. Due to the combination of an increased number of clients and the diverse transportation connections we have at the terminal, all stakeholders, but primarily our customers will benefit from this increase in capacity.”

pump speeds up to 1500 m3/hour from its three jetties designed for deep-sea vessels up to 225m. A fully dedicated barge jetty completes the highly flexible infrastructure. This allows clients to react quickly to market demands by homogenising and blending different grade mineral products 24/7.

Extension area of 4.5 hectares As of January 2014 six new tanks went into operation at Rubis Terminal BV consisting of four 2500 cubic meter mild steel tanks and two 2500 cubic meter stainless steel tanks for chemicals. This represented the last of several phases of expansion for the Rotterdam terminal at the existing terminal, and will now be followed on a site adjacent to the terminal in agreement with the Port of Rotterdam for the lease of 4.5 hectares of land. Presently Rubis Terminal is developing new tank sizes, which will vary between 500 cubic meters and 10,000 cubic meters in capacity and will be suitable for chemicals and niche products. “The present expansion represents the first period of development with all phases scheduled to be undertaken over a ten year period,” Paul elaborates. “We have an extension area of 4.5 hectares of land to develop and we divided the construction into five phases. The first phase will be available during the fourth quarter of 2016 and will deliver extra capacity equal to 35,000 cubic meters.”

Unique fuel oil configuration

Strong interest in different tank sizes

With a state-of-the-art vapour treatment system, Rubis Terminal BV currently reaches

“We will expand to almost double our current capacity in ten years time thus offering a wide range of chemical tanks in an even wider range of capacities,” adds commercial manager, Marlies Tol. “We currently see strong interest from clients in different tank sizes that we have on offer. In addition, we also receive a lot of requests for tank sizes we cannot offer, simply because we do not have the right tank sizes available.

Adding additional tank sizes is an important step forward for us.”

Small and flexible As the petrochemical market within Europe continues to evolve, Rubis Terminal perceives itself as being well placed to navigate the changing tides of the market. “If you look at our position both geographically and commercially, we are a smaller player that is able to take advantage of the fact that we are small and therefore more flexible,” Paul says. “We have

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PROFILE

direct contact with clients, short communication lines and rapid decision making. Within Rotterdam, we target our market growth mainly in chemicals. In the longer term I believe the market will see a change in production, which is already becoming apparent through the trends in refineries and chemical production facilities where some locations are ceasing their activities.

This means that North West Europe will change into a predominantly import based continent, which will require more storage.”

The best infrastructure As Rubis Terminal heads into 2015, it will continue to promote itself as a highly buoyant and agile business that is able to deliver bespoke storage solutions to clients within the mineral fuel and chemical sectors. As the market adapts, Rubis Terminal BV will continue to evolve to ensure it maintains the best infrastructure to meet the needs of is clients, as Paul concludes: “There is a big difference in the logistics for mineral products and for chemical products. Fuel

Rubis Terminal

oil is only ship or barge related while chemicals require connections via train and truck as well.

It is important to be flexible, especially in the chemical market, where it is very important to be able to adapt in a short timeframe. Generally speaking, when you change the product you also need to change the system.

“Next to being a state-of-the-art terminal for chemicals Rubis Terminal also provides especially designed services for bunker fuels.

The availability of two deep-sea jetties with high pump rate capabilities (up to 1500 m3/hour) and a fully dedicated barge jetty completes the highly flexible infrastructure. Together with our homogenising and heating possibilities it allows clients to react quickly to market demands.”

European oil & gas

Rubis Terminal BV rubis-terminal.nl

Services Independent mineral oil and chemical storage

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provider Global

With a history dating

as far back as 1977, Technip Umbilicals (TU) has designed, manufactured and supplied subsea umbilicals for the oil and gas industry for more than 30 years.

Formally known as DUCO Ltd., the company has been developing pioneering umbilical designs since the first subsea production systems were installed in the 1970s. Business expanded in the 1990s when these systems became an accepted means of offshore hydrocarbon recovery; the early systems tended to involve short tieback distances installed in water depths accessible to divers, which are typically less than 200 metres, and used umbilicals constructed almost entirely from thermoplastic hose fluid

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conduits. Technip Umbilicals’ track record of thermoplastic umbilical supply showcases some of its previous projects, which contain DUCO manufactured hose.

Steel tube conduits were gradually introduced in the mid-1990s, and their use has escalated in recent years due to increased tieback distances and the exploration of deeper water depths. As such, Technip Umbilicals has been supplying steel tube umbilicals to the industry since 1994, and introduced the first steel tube umbilical to the Gulf of Mexico region in 1995. In some instances, combinations of steel tubes and thermoplastic hoses are employed in umbilicals.

Pioneered by DUCO in the late 1990s, this hybrid concept provides the subsea system designer with greater flexibility in optimising the performance of the subsea production system.

Acquired by the Technip Group in 2003, the company today is a major designer, innovator and global provider of umbilical systems for use by the offshore industry. “We operate globally,” confirms Technip Umbilicals’ managing director Jean-Louis Rostaing. “If you look at our portfolio in terms of current projects we have a lot of work going on in the North Sea, with further demand in West Africa, Asia and Australia. Because of this growth, we decided that integrating our facilities in the UK, the US, Angola and Malaysia was important to show customers that we maintain the same values with regards to safety, quality and ethics as the Technip Group. We changed our name from DUCO to Technip Umbilicals in September 2014, a move that lets our customers know when they deal with Technip Umbilicals Ltd. in Newcastle, UK, or Technip Umbilicals Inc. in Houston, US, they still receive the same level of service in terms of safety, quality and delivery as all segments of the Technip Group.”

Viewing quality, health, safety and environmental (QHS&E) guidelines as key to safe and efficient operations, the ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:1999 certified company places safety at the forefront of all projects.

Taking the rebrand as an opportunity to continue consolidating and developing best practices across the three additional umbilical units of the Technip Umbilicals Group –Technip Umbilicals Inc., Angoflex Ltda. and Asiaflex Products Sdn Bhd. - Technip Umbilicals is keen to not only evolve with market demand, but also maintain the North East’s position as a leader within the subsea industry. “We have

PROFILE

invested vast amounts into our facilities to ensure we have the modern assets needed to meet the capacity and capability demands of the current market, whilst also being prepared for future demand. Technology is also a key strength for Technical Umbilicals, as we have developed products that can comply with client application requirements and meet the needs of the subsea market as it moves into deeper waters. Key to these technological developments is our Research and Development Centre in Newcastle, which is linked with all other research and development centres within the Technip Group; in addition, having a highly skilled and loyal workforce means we have long-term experience readily available in-house,” highlights Jean-Louis.

Considered a fundamental part of the division’s current and future capabilities, the Research and Development Centre receives a significant amount of revenue to ensure Technip Umbilicals continues to provide groundbreaking products and capabilities. Well positioned to handle any challenging requirements in the future, the Research and Development Centre focuses on umbilical/functional component structural improvements to boost performance and reliability, improvements in hardware design to ensure complete protection from harsh environmental conditions, integration of electric power conductors into umbilicals and hardware designs for deepwater dynamic and static service, and the development and improvement of mathematical modelling and analytical tools to further grow engineering capabilities and understanding. With strong links to other Technip Research and Development groups, the team are able to draw on expertise such as flexible pipe manufacture and installation expertise to ensure the optimal installation ability of the umbilical and hardware.

As leaders in technology development, the four strategically located umbilical entities are able to design, manufacture and supply bespoke umbilical products to customers from project inception to project completion. Viewing each clients’ requirements as unique, Technip Umbilicals is a specialist in delivering optimised industry solutions to the shallow and medium water markets as well as the ultra-deepwater markets. In fact, the division as a whole has developed umbilicals for the harsh environments of the North Sea and Atlantic Frontier region and ultra-deepwater locations in the Gulf of

Technip Umbilicals

Mexico and West Africa.

With a strong history of successfully providing thermoplastic hoses to the oil and gas industry, the company’s products offer a broad spectrum of control and chemical injection fluids and are available in seamless lengths in excess of 20,000m depending on bore size. Meanwhile,

steel tube umbilicals can provide high pressure, corrosion resistance, tensile strength and deepwater and long distance operation.

Although diverse in physical characteristics, combining both functional components can deliver technical and commercial advantages.

Having developed a strong reputation for superior services, Technip Umbilicals is currently working on a major contract with Chevron North Sea to manufacture a 28 km umbilical for the Alder field; a critical link in subsea operations as it relays power, chemicals and communications between a platform or support vessel and hydraulically operated subsea equipment. The umbilicals are being wholly manufactured at the Newcastle, UK site to coincide with Chevron’s goal to develop the field via a single subsea well. Meanwhile, parent company Technip’s Aberdeen operating centre will be involved in the engineering, procurement, installation and construction (EPIC) contract for the project.

“This is an important project for us because we are manufacturing a 28 km hybrid umbilical, which merges our original thermoplastic hose technology with steel tubes,” says Jean-Louis.

“To take advantage of this demand and meet the needs of our customers, we came up with the idea of combining these two technologies; this innovation is called hybrid because it is made up of both steel tubes and thermoplastic hoses, which thus results in an improved field development solution. The 28 km umbilical will be made up of steel tubes and then wrapped in thermoplastic hoses; this is a competitive European oil & gas

All of our efforts over the last four years have been with the intention of positioning ourselves as a leader in the umbilical market; over the next 12 months we will continue to consolidate this position and work more closely with clients to anticipate demand in terms of technology and delivery

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Technip Umbilicals

solution for a challenging bespoke project.”

Having invested in its main facility, equipment and increased plant size over the last four years, in addition to hiring an extra 100 personnel in 2014, the strong team at Technical Umbilicals Ltd. in Newcastle, UK, remains committed to operating within the North East. However, as energy demand continues to grow in developing countries, the company is also keeping vigilant of any potential opportunities further afield.

On top of this, Technip Umbilicals maintains its vision of continuous improvement with the implementation of a quality improvement programme, as Jean-Louis concludes: “All of our efforts over the last four years have been with the intention of positioning ourselves as a leader in the umbilical market; over the next 12 months we will continue to consolidate this position and work more closely with clients to anticipate demand in terms of technology and delivery.

“Moreover, we will also be focused on the implementation of our quality improvement

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programme “Quartz”; this Technip Umbilicalsborn programme has been adopted by the Technip Group and aims to boost quality in all areas of the company, including engineering and manufacturing. These developments have been well received by our clients as it means we can meet their demands in an increasingly stringent and challenging market. We will also be deploying a lot of new products such as aluminium cable umbilicals for deepwater applications and will continue to actively work internally as well as with clients to extend our performance.”

Technip Umbilicals technip.com

Services Subsea umbilical systems

PROFILE

Kongsberg Maritime

Reaching a

milestone This year Kongsberg, one of

Top Bluewater Aoka Mizu Above Thermopylae House, Aberdeen Below Kongsberg process automation control room

the world’s leading providers of systems for merchant marine, subsea and offshore, is celebrating a milestone anniversary. For two centuries the business has been at the forefront of technology and innovation, transforming from a manufacturer of small arms to a leader in many technological fronts including marine, oil and gas, space and defence. “The company was originally founded in 1814 and is one of the oldest industrial concerns in Norway,” says Dave Shand, general manager offshore at Kongsberg Maritime in the UK. “This year we celebrated our 200th birthday, and we have reached this milestone by constantly developing through innovation.” Indeed, the history of Kongsberg is steeped in innovation, success and a strong vision for development, dating back to 20th March 1814 when Poul Steenstrup established Norway’s first factory – Kongsberg Vapenfabrikk.

Poul was a visionary who believed in industrial progress and technical understanding, combined with national pride and strong determination.

Innovation remained key to Kongsberg as the business continued to develop into the 20th century, being involved in a range of industries and technological developments, from manufacturing world-class rifles to the ground breaking dynamic positioning systems that the Kongsberg Maritime business division is worldrenowned for today.

Kongsberg Maritime itself was established in 1992 to capitalise on Kongsberg’s growing international business within the maritime dynamic positioning sector. Today the

business is a globally respected organisation serving key markets in the offshore, shipyard, and the energy exploration and production industries. Kongsberg Maritime provides a plethora of services and solutions to these sectors; for example in field development it supports construction and offshore vessels with innovative solutions for operation and specialist applications, in production it offers automation systems and software to enhance output and minimise downtime, whereas for maritime transport and offshore vessel clients it offers a complete package of solutions such as navigation, automation, training and safety systems.

“We have several divisions which address the oil and gas industry, including Subsea and Offshore Divisions,” says Dave. “In general we address all phases from exploration through production to transportation. One of our specific focuses is integrated control and safety systems for oil and gas floating fixed production installations. In conjunction with this activity we established a subsidiary, Kongsberg Maritime Engineering, which undertakes EPC contracts to deliver complete packages. We are one of the leading global providers of marine systems in the oil and gas industry, encompassing drill ships and rigs, LNG vessels, offshore support vessels, offshore survey and ROV support vessels.”

Indeed, for the offshore sector the business provides a vast catalogue of products and services that encompasses bridge systems, camera systems, deck systems, engine room and automation systems, engineering, safety European oil & gas

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Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine supplies competitive technologies and services to maritime customers worldwide, and is proud of its longstanding relationship with Kongsberg Maritime, providing safe passage, performance and reliability to its customers. As supplier of gyro and magnetic compasses and radar top units, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine is committed to first-class customer service and world-class navigational efficiency.

systems, simulators, sensors and transmitters, tank gauging and measurements. On a wider scale Kongsberg is even active in other areas of offshore energy through its Kongsberg Oil & Gas Technologies division, such as drilling operations support, integrated operations, process simulation, and riser management.

“One of our main strengths is the ‘Full Picture’,” Dave highlights. “For example, in floating production we can utilise our strengths in marine with our experience in topside to realise a common solution for all control aspects of a production installation. In conjunction with our colleagues in Kongsberg Oil & Gas Technologies we can deliver a solution that includes dynamic process simulation and operator training systems. We have built up a strong customer focused MMO support team in the UK as part of our global support team, which works proactively with the customer to maximise the operation and productivity of their assets.”

The company is globally renowned for its range of dynamic positioning systems, which have been developed to minimise

Right K-Chief system

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fuel consumption and wear and tear on the propulsion equipment of a vessel. These can be used across a wide range of vessels such as drill ships, cable laying vessels, crane vessels, FPSOs, diving support vessels, floatels, and various other ships and vessels for a wide array of applications.

Kongsberg’s system can be provided as a standalone system or can be offered as part of an integrated system that communicates with other Kongsberg systems on board the vessel including the K-Chief (marine automation system) and the K-Thrust (thruster control system).

Kongsberg Maritime is also a leader in the development and production of subsea systems covering a broad scope of applications and technologies. This can range from acoustic communication and control, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) through to environmental monitoring solutions, seabed mapping and underwater positioning systems.

The ability of Kongsberg to provide an entire suite of products for offshore, subsea and maritime operations ensures the company continually secures major contracts and significant projects. For example, since the business was last featured in European Oil & Gas Magazine in August 2013 it has been selected to supply safety, automation and lifecycle simulation technology for the Johan Sverdrup field development by Statoil. The business was awarded a Project Specific Agreement, including FEED, for the delivery of its safety and automation (SAS) systems in May 2014, and the deliveries will include Kongsberg Maritime’s industry-proven SAS technology, which is applicable for process control, power distribution control, process shutdown, emergency shutdown and fire and gas systems. Ultimate delivery will also include the company’s latest systems

PROFILE

and technology for production, integration, presentation, simulation, training and operation.

The company has already installed a range of similar systems before on ten Statoil production platforms, illustrating the high levels of regard that Statoil holds the Kongsberg name, and this particular project will further strengthen Kongsberg’s position as a leading supplier of automation and safety systems to the global offshore production market.

Also, more recently the business has won a significant contract from BW Offshore to provide all control systems for its new Premier Oil Catcher Field FPSO, which will operate in the UKCS. “This is a significant project for the Kongsberg Maritime business and for the UK business in particular as it builds on the current portfolio of ICSS installations, including Statoil Mariner,” Dave highlights. “It continues our strong relationship with BW, which includes the BW Athena FPSO in the UK sector, and builds on Kongsberg’s strengths in the FPSO market,

Kongsberg Maritime

including Bluewater Aoka Mizu, Hawene Brim and Maersk Gryphon Alpha in the UK sector with many more operating globally.”

With such a strong history and an equally high reputation, there is little doubt that Kongsberg Maritime will remain the leading name in automation systems into the future, as Dave points out: “We are encouraged with the amount and quality of enquiries for our solutions given the current market, but we have technological differentiators that make our solutions attractive in a sector that looks to reduce lifecycle costs.

“We will continue to focus on the oil and gas market, encompassing production control systems and the subsea IRM market, where we have key technologies such as AUV and environmental monitoring systems. Our vision is to be a key provider of ICSS systems in the UK sector, building on our success in the Norwegian sector and what we have achieved to date in the UKCS,” he concludes.

European oil & gas

The company is globally renowned for its range of dynamic positioning systems, which have been developed to minimise fuel consumption and wear and tear on the propulsion equipment of a vessel

Kongsberg Maritime kongsberg.com

Services Automation Systems

europeanoilandgas.co.uk

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european

from exploration to end user

Schofield Publishing Ltd 10 Cringleford Business Centre Intwood Road Cringleford Norwich NR4 6AU T: +44 (0) 1603 274130 F: +44 (0) 1603 274131 Editor Matt High mhigh@schofieldpublishing.co.uk Sales Manager Joe Woolsgrove jwoolsgrove@schofieldpublishing.co.uk

europeanoilandgas.co.uk