Emerson’s integrated solution for LNG and other refrigerated gas storage ensures accurate and reliable level, density and temperature measurement and improves overall inventory management. The Rosemount™ Tank Gauging System enables leak detection, monitors stratification, and predicts the risk of roll-over incidents.
Learn more at www.Emerson.com/RosemountLNG.com
44 Why use humans when we have robots?
Molly Cooper explores no-man entry tank cleaning robots and why there is no longer a need for humans to do the job Technical news
46 Faster, smarter, safer: no-man entry tank cleaning solutions
Re-Gen Robotics’ no-man entry tank cleaning service provides huge logistics, cost and risk benefits for tank owners
48 Nobody wants to think about wastewater
The experts at Aquacycl explain new sustainable wastewater treatment options to achieve permit compliance at tank terminals
50 Loading arm operational productivity and advanced safety
Tank Storage Magazine explores the future of loading arms with improved safety, operations and efficiency
54 Incorporating automatic depot management
Discover how OKQ8 works with PlantVision to increase reliability, with a future-proof system using Siemens’ software and products
56 Innovative construction for mammoth projects
Bora Aydin at Walter Tosto delves into a recent project for the design, fabrication, construction and supply of bullet tanks for the biggest LPG storage plant in Italy
58 Preventing falls and protecting workers
Cyann Fielding speaks to industry experts to gain the best advice for your terminal’s fall prevention and protection measures
62 Technical news
64 The best StocExpo yet!
Tank Storage Magazine goes behind the scenes of the industry’s leading trade event: StocExpo
68 Advertisers index
68 Social storage: Most liked posts since February
69 Events 2023
April/May 2023 | Volume 19 | Issue 02
PORTFOLIO DIRECTOR
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Anamika Talwaria +44 (0)20 3876 9339 anamika.talwaria@easyfairs.com
JOURNALIST
Cyann Fielding +44 (0)20 3196 4416 cyann.fielding@easyfairs.com
JOURNALIST
Molly Cooper
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Carbis Solutions designed the REDI-RACK® Flex System to accommodate
components reducing the engineering time and getting you moving product sooner rather than later.
The REDI-RACK® Flex System offers an economical solution for safely accessing the tops of single hatch tanker trucks and liquid rail cars. With a minimal footprint layout, the REDI-RACK® is a great design for existing sites with real estate constraints, sites with a traffic flow concern, or a greenfield location. The REDI-RACK® Flex System offers multiple configurable safety solutions with a competitive price and delivery.
AS WE SEND this issue of the magazine to press, we’ve just returned from a fantastically successful StocExpo. This was my first event as part of the hosting team, as Tank Storage Magazine’s editor.
Hosting the Women in Tanks panel was an amazing experience and I met some really brilliant women – and men – who are passionate about encouraging diversity of thought in the tank storage industry.
For our latest Women in Tanks interview, turn to page 32 for Gizil CEO, Esma Gulten’s profile.
My personal view is that the only way for an industry to progress is to innovate – which includes bringing in diverse voices from different genders, races and backgrounds. I look forward to building on these panels in future editions of StocExpo. If you missed the event, turn to page 64 for my review of the conference and exhibition.
On a more sombre note, February marked a full year since Russia’s war in Ukraine. The moment that sent the oil and gas markets into a frenzy, with sanctions forcing terminals across the globe to innovate. Not to mention the loss of human life.
In this issue, I spoke to Uniper’s COO, Dr Holger Kreetz, about the company’s FLNG project – the first of its kind in Germany. You can read about how this game-changing facility has improved Germany’s energy security on page 28, and how other companies are following suit. And the experts at FETSA look into the impacts of geopolitics on page 36. Looking to the future, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges explains how it is gearing up to be a pioneering hydrogen hub (page 34). And could rail be the best way to transport those future fuels? The team at VTG take a look on page 38.
A key theme at StocExpo was not only future fuels, but safety – and what better way to promote terminal safety than with a comprehensive round-up from leading fire safety experts on page 40? Hear from Kenbri, Orcus Fire & Risk, LastFire and Williams Fire & Hazard Control.
On top of all the interesting talks and exciting new products, what was even better was getting to meet so many of our readers and contributors in person. So thank you all who visited for welcoming me into the industry!
By the time you read this issue, I’ll be gearing up for yet another trade show – NISTM in Florida, USA. If we didn’t manage to catch up at StocExpo, please come and say hello!
Best wishes,
Vopak is acquiring the shares of Gunvor Petroleum Antwerp from commodity trader Gunvor Group, giving it access to the Gunvor concession in the Antwerp port area.
Vopak is committed to sustainably redeveloping the site. Together with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Vopak will focus on joint development and implementation to support renewable energy. This is another important step towards a climate-neutral economy.
The site is approximately 105 hectares in size and offers deep-sea, river, road and rail access, as well as pipeline connections to northwest Europe. The adjacent and future pipelines are suitable for transporting, for example, propylene, ethylene, carbon and hydrogen. Vopak will reconfigure the concession, aiming to make a positive contribution to the decarbonisation of the industrial cluster on the Antwerp port platform. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Vopak will continue their discussions to structure their common strategic ambition, which is to jointly develop a new green energy hub.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges, says: ‘We’re very pleased that Vopak has found expansion opportunities on the Gunvor site. This Dutch global player has been an established value on the Antwerp port platform for many years and will continue to focus on green ammonia, sustainable fuels and finer chemical products at the new site.’
Exolum has signed an agreement to join REDI, the first business and expert network for diversity and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ employees and advocates in Spain, which is firmly committed to promoting full respect for the rights of this group in the workplace.
Exolum is now a member of an association of more than 150 companies that aims to contribute to the inclusion of the sexual and gender diversity of LGBTQ+ people and to eliminate sociocultural prejudices that hinder their professional development.
REDI is a network of companies and professionals that are committed to promoting an environment of respect in organisations and fostering awareness and inclusion of talent, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Cristina Jaraba, global people lead of Exolum, says: ‘Joining REDI is a step further in Exolum’s commitment to building awareness and promoting diversity in the workplace.’
Chemical company, INEOS Olefins Belgium has announced it has raised €3.5 billion to support the construction and operation of the most environmentally sustainable cracker in Europe.
This is the largest investment in the European chemical sector for a generation. The plant will have the lowest carbon footprint in Europe, three times lower than the average European steam cracker, and less than half that of the 10% best performers in Europe.
Jason Meers, CFO INEOS Project One says: ‘Project One is a game changer for
Europe. It will bring new opportunities to the chemical cluster in Antwerp as well as strengthen the resilience of the whole of the European chemical sector.’ ‘We are thrilled to reach this milestone and secure this funding,’ he adds.
Norwegian clean energy company, Horisont Energi and independent global E&P company, Neptune Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This has been signed with international energy major, E.ON with the aim to develop a carbon capture storage (CCS) value chain in Europe.
Through this MoU Horisont Energi will strengthen the existing cooperation with E.ON and bring in Errai partner Neptune Energy. The three energy companies will take a strong position in the CCS market, accelerating the transition to carbon neutrality.
The MoU covers several areas such as the development, financing, and funding of a complete value chain for CO 2 handling. If Horisont Energi’s and Neptune Energy’s application for CO 2 exploration for the Errai project is awarded, the intention is that this will be the first joint project.
Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter Eidesen, CEO at Horisont Energi says: ‘Our cooperation with E.ON and Neptune Energy is already strong…Together we will strengthen our position to establish a European CCS value-chain business. In case of license award of Errai, a possible direct participation by E.ON would further strengthen the commercial basis for this project.’
‘A partnership with energy major E.ON will strengthen our ambition in establishing Norway’s first commercial carbon storage project. This could be a key contributor to Neptune’s 2030 goal of storing more carbon than is emitted from our operations and from use of the oil and gas products we sell,’ adds Neptune Energy’s managing director in UK & Norway, Odin Estensen.
Belgium SpainAt Exolum we have the expertise and the infrastructure to play a key role in building a lower carbon future. Not only are we investing in the infrastructure required for the storage and transportation of green hydrogen but we are also continuing to provide storage and blending solutions for biofuels, providing our customers with innovative and viable solutions.
Europe’s leading bulk liquid logistics provider
Multinational conglomerate, Essar Group, invested in energy, metals and mining, infrastructure and technology sectors, has announced the formation of Essar Energy Transition (EET) to drive the creation of the UK’s leading energy transition hub in North West England.
EET plans to invest a total of $3.6 billion (€3.39 billion) in developing a range of low carbon energy transition projects over the next five years.
EET will include:
• Essar Oil UK, the company’s refining and marketing business in North West England;
• Vertex Hydrogen, which is developing 1 gigawatt (GW) of blue hydrogen for the UK market, with follow-on capacity set to reach 3.8GW;
• EET Future Energy, which is developing 1 GW of green ammonia in India, targeted at UK and international markets;
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• Stanlow Terminals Ltd, which is developing enabling storage and pipeline infrastructure; and
• EET Biofuels, which is investing in developing 1 MT of low carbon biofuels.
EET’s investment programme will play a major role in accelerating the UK’s low carbon transformation, supporting the government’s decarbonisation policy and creating highly skilled employment opportunities at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse economy.
The investments, across a range of hydrogen production technologies, decarbonisation, biofuels (road and aviation), and infrastructure projects, will contribute to North West England quickly becoming one of the leading post-carbon industrial clusters in Europe.
A changing energy market demands movement among service providers in the world of fuels. Koole Terminals is strategically investing in its infrastructure to anticipate what will be needed in the future of the energy market.
In the Port of Rotterdam, Koole is making steps towards a sustainable future. With the Koole Tankstorage Minerals (KTM) terminal, the company is working hard to store and transport greener fuels. KTM, has completed phase 1 of converting tank pits for the storage and transfer of biofuels has been completed.
Wouter Koops, Terminal Manager KTM says: ‘We decided already in 2021 to say goodbye to mineral products there, such as fuel oil, to make way for green products. With this, we are taking a stand in the energy transition and making another big, important step towards the future. This is the beginning of much more.’
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Hydrogen solution provider Electriq, and global energy storage company, Zenith Energy Terminals have announced a partnership to build the world’s first manufacturing plant of Electriq Powder at the Port of Amsterdam.
Electriq Powder simplifies storage, transport, and use of hydrogen in last mile, off-grid and backup applications. Electriq Powder features superior safety and energy density, compared to compressed and liquified hydrogen. The release of hydrogen from the powder and conversion into electricity is done through a proprietary, compact release unit.
The partners have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), to construct Electriq’s first powder plant at Zenith Energy’s terminal in Amsterdam. The agreement includes the production of green hydrogen using renewable energy generated by Zenith’s on-site wind turbines.
Baruch Halpert, executive chairman and CEO of Electriq, says: ‘This plant is the first of its kind in the world and will serve our customers in the Benelux market. The Netherlands is an early adopter of hydrogen as the fuel of the 21st century, and we see this Electriq Powder plant as a key enabler to leverage this in innovative, safe and industrial manner.’
‘This project will pave the way for Europe’s move into clean, sustainable energy, leveraging the strengths of our Amsterdam storage terminal to provide a strong foundation for the new energy industries and creating new jobs in the area,’ adds Jeff Armstrong, CEO at Zenith Energy Terminals.
Energy giant TotalEnergies has bought biogas producer Polska Grupa Biogazowa (PGB) as well as some solar power projects from FFKM112 in Poland. The move forms part of the company’s expansion into renewables in the country.
The acquisition of PGB raises TotalEnergies’ biogas production capacity to 1.1 terawatt-hours (TWh) and gives the Company a leading position
in the promising Polish market, which represents Europe’s fourth-largest potential for biogas and biomethane production, estimated at close 100 TWh.
‘These agreements illustrate TotalEnergies’ commitment to developing its renewable activities in Poland, and in Europe as a whole, to support the European Green Deal,’ says Stéphane Michel, president of gas, renewables and power at TotalEnergies. ‘On the one hand, we are gaining a solid foothold in Poland’s biogas market thanks to an existing company’s proven track record, experienced teams, and broad asset base. On the other hand, we are developing our presence in renewable energies with a portfolio of solar projects. With these two transactions, we are pleased to be able support Poland in its ambition to develop renewable energies and strengthen its energy sovereignty. We hope we will also have the opportunity to provide Poland with our expertise in offshore wind, an area in which we have formed a partnership with KGHM.’
Oil and natural gas company, CapeOmega and oil and gas exploration and production company, Neptune Energy have announced a joint project. NoordKaap is a project concept for a cross-border CO 2 storage solution for European industrial emitters.
It will involve transporting CO 2 via vessels suitable for directly injecting the CO 2 at offshore locations and for terminal offloading. RWE has also signed a letter of intent with CapeOmega and Neptune Energy in order to assess the possibility to ship green CO 2 from their biomass Eemshaven facility for offshore storage in the Dutch North Sea.
The objective of NoordKaap is to provide cost-effective, scalable infrastructure solutions to facilitate large-scale, flexible CO 2 transport and storage from multiple industrial emitters clusters.
Evy Glørstad, CEO of CapeOmega says: ‘NoordKaap comprises an integrated partnership of all stakeholders in the value chain, from emitters to storage facility owners, to ensure close coordination of these proposals as part of the development of a successful decarbonsation strategy.’
NoordKaap is planned to be operational in 2028.
In a cabinet reshuffle, the UK government has announced the creation of a new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Grant Shapps MP takes the helm as Secretary of State for this sector.
The department has been tasked with securing the UK’s long-term energy supply, bringing down bills and halving inflation. The move recognises the significant impact rising prices has had on households across the country as a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the need to secure more energy from domestic nuclear and renewable sources as we seize the opportunities of net zero.
Peter Davidson, executive director of the Tank Storage Association comments: ‘The tank storage industry is an essential part of the UK’s energy infrastructure, providing resilient, innovative and flexible solutions to the energy, industrial, transport and defence sectors. The industry has a key role to play in the energy transition and in creating the necessary infrastructure flexibility to manage change in support of the UK’s net-zero goals. Terminals are also an essential part of global infrastructure networks, ensuring that bulk liquids, from transport and heating fuels, chemicals, animal feed and foodstuffs, are supplied when they are needed in the quantities required. We look forward to working in partnership with the new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Business and Trade as we look to the future and opportunities ahead for our sector.’
Tank storage company, Vopak has announced it is beginning a review of three chemical terminals in Rotterdam.
The review is in line with Vopak’s plans to increase industrial and gas storage as it gradually moves away from oil and chemical.
The review is related to the company’s Botlek, TTR and Chemiehaven terminals in the port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest refining centre.
The Netherlands The Netherlands The Netherlands United Kingdom
Initial dedicated CO 2 storage site in Rocky Mountain region:
Equinor is selling its South Riding Point oil terminal in the Bahamas to Estonian logistics and investment company Liwathon Group.
Equinor says: ‘Since we bought the South Riding Point terminal in 2009, the flow in the oil market in North America has changed significantly for Equinor and the company has increasingly sold crude to other regions globally. Consequently, we believe a new owner would be better positioned for the further development of the terminal.’
Liwathon announced in its annual report that operations in Estonia had been affected by sanctions on Russian and Belarusian oil products, following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago. The purchase of the Bahamas terminal is a step towards greater security of supply.
Independent energy company, Denbury has announced several new agreements related to its carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) business and provided its 2023 goals, which are intended to further the company’s leadership position in CCUS.
New CO 2 transportation and/or storage agreements include:
• An agreement with HIF Global, a leading eFuels company that is targeting to build a 200 million gallon per year carbon-neutral eGasoline and eMethanol facility by 2027.
• An agreement with Monarch Energy Development LLC, a hydrogen and eFuels project developer. Under the agreement, Denbury will transport 0.4 Mmtpa of industrial-sourced CO 2 to be used as a feedstock in the production process.
• In early 2023, the company finalised a definitive agreement for the right to develop a dedicated CO 2 sequestration site on nearly 15,000 acres in Campbell County, Wyoming, directly underneath the company’s Greencore CO 2 Pipeline. Denbury estimates potential CO 2 sequestration capacity of the site (now named Corvus) to be 40 million tons.
Carbon capture technology investments expand CO 2 services:
• An investment in ION Clean Energy, an industry leader in liquid solvent technologies that capture over 95% of CO 2 emissions while significantly reducing operating and capital costs for large-scale, post combustion CO 2 emissions.
• An investment in Aqualung Carbon Capture, a leader in membrane CO 2 capture and separation technology.
2023 CCUS goals:
• Execute additional CO 2 transportation and/or storage agreements from both brownfield and greenfield projects, so that by the end of 2023, Denbury’s cumulative agreements will cover CO 2 emissions totaling 30 Mmtpa.
• Expand dedicated CO 2 storage portfolio with the acquisition of additional sequestration sites in strategic locations near areas with high concentrations of current and future CO 2 emissions.
• Enhance Denbury’s CCUS business with strategic partnerships and equity investments around the entire value chain of CCUS.
Global producer and distributor of hydrogen products, OCI N.V. and industrial gases and engineering company, Linde, has announced a partnership where Linde will supply clean hydrogen and nitrogen to OCI’s new blue ammonia facility under development in Beaumont, Texas, USA under a long-term agreement.
Linde will build, own and operate an on-site complex which will include autothermal reforming with carbon capture, plus a large air separation plant. The new complex will be integrated into Linde’s extensive Gulf Coast industrial gas infrastructure. It will supply clean hydrogen and nitrogen to OCI’s 1.1 million ton (0.99 million tonnes) per annum blue ammonia plant, the first greenfield blue ammonia facility of this scale to come onstream in the United States.
Linde will supply OCI with clean hydrogen, by sequestering more than 1.7 million metric tons (1.5 million tonnes) of carbon dioxide emissions each year. OCI will upgrade the hydrogen to produce blue ammonia, which allows OCI to materially reduce the carbon footprint of its downstream customers along the value chain across a wide range of industries. Linde’s total investment will be approximately $1.8 billion (€1.67 billion), and OCI’s total in-vestment cost is expected to be below $1 billion. The project is expected to start up in 2025.
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Global Authority on Energy, Geopolitics and the Business, Economic and Societal Impacts of the Changing Energy World; Pulitzer Prize-Winning, Bestselling Author; Vice Chairman, S&P Global; Chairman, CERAWeek; Director, Council on Foreign Relations; Trustee, Brookings Institution; Author, The New Map (2020), The Prize (2011, Pulitzer Prize Winner), The Quest (2011) and The Commanding Heights (2002); 2020 Energy Writer of the Year.
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Leading researcher, advisor and author focusing on uncovering hidden insights and new strategies that future-proof organizations. He has led nearly 100 research studies to separate myth from truth for leaders.Author, Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business and What to Do About It
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Renewable energy company, RWE, chemical company, LOTTE CHEMICAL Corporation (LOTTE) and Mitsubishi Corporation have signed a joint study agreement (JSA) to develop a large-scale integrated clean ammonia production and export project in Port of Corpus Christi, Texas, USA.
Under the JSA, the partners have agreed to jointly study the development of a large-scale ammonia facility that integrates green and blue ammonia production and leverages common infrastructure for international exports with a focus on Asia and Europe. The parties target first production by 2030 and a phased build-out of production capacity with multiple production units. In the final build-out stage the project is envisaged to produce up to 10 million tons (9.04 million tonnes) of clean ammonia per year. The land required for the project is under discussion with the Port of Corpus Christi Authority.
Braskem Idesa (BI) and Advario have announced the formalisation of their partnership, with Advario’s acquisition of 50% of the capital of Terminal Química Puerto México (TQPM). The total estimated investment for the project is $400 million (€377 million).
The aim is to construct and operate a new ethane import terminal in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz.
The new terminal will have 10 hectares for ethane storage connected to the BI petrochemical complex through an ethane pipeline of approximately 10 km. In addition, it will have a storage capacity of 100,000 m³ and supply the ethane required by the BI plant to operate at total capacity.
The project aims to positively impact the southern region of Veracruz by generating around 2,000 jobs, contracting suppliers and creating new logistics infrastructure.
Stefan Lepecki, CEO of Braskem Idesa, says: ‘This agreement not only demonstrates the posi-tive work we are doing with Advario, a partner that adds technology, knowledge and quality to TQPM’s operations, it also ensures that this investment will have a direct impact to strengthen the petrochemical industry in Mexico, a sector that generates competitiveness, innovation, and jobs for the country.’
The construction of the TQPM began in July 2022 and is expected to be completed in the sec-ond half of 2024.
UGI Energy Services, a subsidiary of UGI Corporation, and Archaea Energy, a subsidiary of BP have announced that they recently entered into a joint venture, Aurum Renewables, to develop a renewable natural gas project at the Commonwealth Environmental Systems landfill in Hegins, Pennsylvania, USA.
Under the venture, UGI will contribute to its existing 11-megawatt landfill gas-toelectricity facility. Aurum will develop a new RNG facility where the landfill gas will be processed to become RNG.
The project is expected to have the capacity to produce approximately 5,000
MMBtu per day of pipeline-quality RNG. Archaea will lead the development, engineering, construction, and operation of the new RNG facility, and UGI will take a lead role in marketing the RNG produced by the facility.
Robert Beard, chief operations officer, UGI, says: ‘Demand for RNG is growing, as more individuals and businesses looking for an energy source that is safe, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. UGI’s investment in Aurum is another example of our commitment to our strategy of making significant investments in renewable energy projects. Additionally, the investment in Aurum supports the Company’s existing greenhouse gas emission reduction plans highlighted in our latest environmental, social and governance report.’
Archaea’s chief financial and commercial officer Brian McCarthy says: ‘This new RNG facility will be one of the largest in the Archaea portfolio and is expected to bring significant environmental and social benefits to southeast Pennsylvania communities. This new facility will also bring global benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing a domestically-produced, affordable, lowcarbon energy source.’
Energy infrastructure company Enbridge has plans to supply two to three more LNG export facilities throughout the US Gulf Coast, in addition to the four existing facilities.
Enbridge previously acquired the Moda Ingleside Energy Centre, a major crude export terminal that connects the prolific Permian and Eagle Ford shale oil basins to international markets.
Enbridge will continue to look at opportunities to develop in the region.
EverWind Fuels has become the first green hydrogen producer in North America to secure the necessary permits for a commercial-scale facility.
Provincial authorities in Canada have granted environmental approval for EverWind to begin converting a former oil storage facility and marine terminal at Point Tupper in Nova Scotia into a green hydrogen and ammonia production hub.
EverWind expects the project’s first phase, producing and exporting 200,000 tonnes per annum, to be online in 2025. In 2026, it expects to ramp this up to 1 million tonnes per annum.
The company also has agreements with German energy firms E.ON and Uniper to acquire the production.
The green hydrogen produced by EverWind’s facility will be combined with nitrogen and converted into ammonia before being shipped, in liquid form, in tankers to Germany. Once in Germany, it can be retained as ammonia or turned back into green hydrogen.
Production during the facility’s first phase will be powered using wind and solar assets to be built nearby.
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with a total capacity of between 2.5-3.0 million tonnes per annum.
GBS LNG developments have a static connection to the seabed with the structure providing LNG storage and a foundation for liquefication facilities. The concept design will include new wells and subsea equipment, integrating and expanding existing GTA infrastructure. Powering LNG liquefication using electricity will also be looked into. bp and its partners will work with contractors to progress the concept toward the preFEED stage.
Gordon Birrell, BP’s executive vice president for operations and production, says: ‘We aim to build on our strong collaboration with our partners, and the Governments of Mauritania and Senegal, to further develop a long-term, successful energy hub in West Africa. GTA continues to underpin our strategy to develop the most resilient hydrocarbons to help provide energy security today.’
Eni CEO, Claudio Descalzi, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC MD and group CEO, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining a cooperation framework for future joint projects on energy transition, sustainability and decarbonisation. The MoU was signed in the presence of the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.
Through this agreement, Eni and ADNOC will explore potential opportunities in the areas of renewable energy, blue and green hydrogen, carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS), the reduction of greenhouse gas and methane gas emissions, energy efficiency, routine gas flaring reduction and the Global Methane Pledge, to support global energy security and a sustainable energy transition.
In addition, there will be an evaluation of areas of cooperation for sustainable
development and promoting the spread of a culture of sustainability within the energy industry and its stakeholders.
Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi, says: ‘This agreement leverages the strategic relationship that Eni and ADNOC developed over the years, to strengthen our cooperation for decarbonisation and for a just energy transition. It comes at a crucial time, in a difficult international juncture and in view of the upcoming COP28, where the UAE, as hosting country, are expected to set out their vision for a clean energy transition agenda.’
BP and partners have confirmed the development concept for the second phase of the BP-operated Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Africa, LNG project that they will take forward to the following evaluation stage.
The partnership will evaluate a gravitybased structure (GBS) as the basis for the GTA Phase 2 expansion project (GTA2)
Also, BP recently signed an MoU with the Government of Mauritania to deliver a programme exploring the potential for large-scale production of green hydrogen in the country.
German project developer Conjuncta has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mauritania, Egypt’s energy provider Infinity and the United Arab Emirates’ Masdar for a $34 billion (€32 billion) green hydrogen project.
The project will have a production capacity of up to 8 million tonnes of green hydrogen or other hydrogen-based end products annually, with an electrolyser capacity of up to 10 gigawatts, the company said in a joint statement with the firms involved and the Mauritanian government.
United Arab Emirates
West Africa
Mauritania
The Tanzanian government has approved the construction of a crude oil pipeline, which will cost $3.5 billion (€3.2 billion). The 1,443 km pipeline will transport crude from vast oilfields being developed in Lake Albert, north-western Uganda, to a Tanzanian port on the Indian Ocean for delivery to international markets.
The underground heated pipeline is due to become the longest of its kind, when completed, which is expected in 2025. This is also when Uganda’s first oil is expected to flow. The pipeline needs approval from both countries before works can begin, and last month Uganda issued a license to the project operator, East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). Tanzania’s approval comes amidst ongoing human rights and environmental concerns about the project.
EACOP Tanzania general manager, Wendy Brown, says: ‘This construction approval marks another step forward to EACOP as it allows commencement of the main construction activities in Tanzania, upon completion of the ongoing land access process.’
Bahrain is exploring ways to export its reserves of LNG to international markets, according to a statement from Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of Bahrain’s energy investment and development arm Nogaholding, at CeraWeek. The kingdom is studying the possibility of constructing a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility to export gas in order to capture strong international demand.
Khalifa says: ‘Floating LNG is difficult to get right now because demand is so high, but my team is approaching a solution for that. It is a world of opportunity for us to explore with partners.’
Bahrain produces around 2bcf per day of gas which is used to generate electricity and power its refinery and industry. It is also exploring deep gas formations and will carry out a 3D seismic survey later this year. Bahrain is also investing $7 billion (€6.6 billion) to expand its Bapco refinery.
Tanzania
Energy giant, Uniper and renewable energy company, Greenko ZeroC, the green molecule production arm of the Greenko Group, has announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enter into exclusive negotiations for the offtake of green ammonia from Phase 1 of Greenko ZeroC’s ammonia production facility in Kakinada, India.
Greenko’s Kakinada project is a multiphase green ammonia production and export facility adding up to 1 MTPA of green ammonia production capacity by 2027. The first phase of Greenko’s facility in Kakinada produces green ammonia
based on an electrolyser powered by round the clock (RTC) renewable electricity produced by 2.5 GW of renewable assets in India and reinforced by their Pinnapuram Integrated Renewable Energy Storage Plant (IRESP).
Anil Chalmalasetty, CEO of Greenko says: ‘Greenko is working towards decarbonisation solutions for a lowcarbon economy. We are partnering with a world-class technology partner in John Cockerill and will jointly develop largescale green molecule projects in India. We are extremely delighted to partner with Uniper through this offtake agreement for
our project which will eventually displace LNG imports and strengthen India’s green molecule ambitions as part of a wider renewable energy program that will see India run the world’s largest energy transition program.’
‘Greenko has been one of the most agile players in the green molecule market in this region. With Uniper as the offtake partner for green ammonia, the partnership will benefit from the additional value added through Uniper’s global commodity trading and logistics network,’ adds John Roper, CEO, Middle East at Uniper.
The United Nations has purchased a large tanker to store roughly 131,200 m³ of oil.
The oil is currently stored on a decaying vessel of the coast of Yemen, and officials have been warning that an environmental disaster is imminent for several years. The oil will be transferred to the UN’s tanker in a bid to protect the Red Sea and Yemen’s coastline from an oil spill.
Global oil and gas company, Technip Energies has announced it has been awarded its first FEED contract with NCOC (North Caspian Operating Company) for the Kashagan Slugcatcher Project in Kazakhstan.
Kashagan is one of the largest fields discovered in recent decades and the new project will be led by its UK operating centre and executed by its locally incorporated joint venture, TKJV LLP.
Technip says it is proud of having NCOC’s trust in its proven capabilities for delivering long-term production security.
Essential advantages with Körting tank mixing systems:
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Computational Fluid Dynamics
Kazakhstan
Yemen
GAC Group has partnered with SME Logistics Holding to open its first ever office in Vietnam as part of the company’s continued expansion in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.
The office, located in Ho Chi Minh, supports customers at ports along the Saigon River with an integrated portfolio of shipping, logistics and marine services to a wide range of sectors, including dry and liquid bulk, liners, FMCGs and offshore energy.
‘We have been active in Vietnam for many years through our work with local partners and agents, but the time is now right to set up our own operational office in Vietnam. The combination of GAC’s global network with the strong local presence and know-how of SME Logistics will mark a new chapter for us to better serve our customers and deliver their strategy,’ says Daniel Nordberg, GAC’s group vice president, Asia Pacific & Indian Subcontinent.
The launch of the new facility comes in response to growing customer demand
for shipping and logistics services in the region, as well as providing an opportunity to support exploration, production and maintenance operations for Vietnam’s burgeoning offshore wind farm projects.
‘Our new office in Ho Chi Minh is a reflection of GAC Group’s commitment to serving and supporting our customers in Southeast Asia, as well as the wider AsiaPacific region, which continues to show significant growth in a number of sectors, including the offshore energy industry,’ Nordberg adds.
South Korean President Yoon and Aramco President and Aramco CEO and president, Amin H. Nasser, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the $7 billion (€6.6 billion) Shaheen petrochemical project in Ulsan, South Korea. Ministers and senior officials from both countries also attended the milestone event. The Shaheen project, which was annouced in November 2022, is being
developed by Aramco affiliate S-OIL and is a key part of Aramco’s regional crude to chemicals strategy.
Nasser says: ‘We are deeply honoured by the presence of His Excellency President Yoon at this historic groundbreaking ceremony. Shaheen is among Aramco’s biggest international downstream investments, representing a significant and sizeable step forward in our liquidsto-chemicals expansion and another major milestone in further strengthening our presence in Korea.’
Shaheen is Aramco’s biggest investment in Korea to date and is expected to be one of the largest integrated steam crackers in the world. It is also the first major commercial deployment of Aramco’s thermal crude to chemicals technology, that was developed in collaboration with Lummus Technology.
South Korea
At least 17 people are known to have died after a fire broke out at a fuel storage tank in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday 3 March. The facility is operated by state-owned energy company, Pertamina.
The fire started at around 8pm (01:00 GMT) on Friday from a fuel pipe at Pertamina’s Plumpang fuel storage depot in the capital Jakarta. It quickly spread to nearby houses in the densely populated area, with 342 people evacuated from their homes.
Initial reports suggest a lightning strike may have ruptured a fuel pipeline, causing the fire. Indonesian officials have called for an investigation and an audit of Pertamina’s facilities.
A massive earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on Monday and halted operations at Turkey’s major oil export hub in Ceyhan. This stopped key crude oil flows from Iraq and Azerbaijan says officials. The BTC terminal at Ceyhan that exports Azeri crude oil will be closed through Wednesday pending damage assessments.
BP Azerbaijan said a small oil leak had been found at Ceyhan, which led to operations being halted, and had been stopped.
Workers from the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) have plugged a crude oil leak from a crack in an underwater pipeline that resulted in an oil spill a few kilometres off the Nagapattinam coast, India.
The leak occurred in the 9 kmlong pipeline used to carry crude from the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s Narimanam oil wells to the CPCL’s, now defunct, second refinery at Nagapattinam.
Oil dispersants had been deployed to clear the oil and a recovery system to clear the wider area. This activity will be continued till the area is clear of hydrocarbons. The pipeline will also be flushed to make it free of hydrocarbons.
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Products: Port services
Construction/expansion/acquisition: Leading provider, Wilhelmsen Port Services has completed its acquisition of Vopak Agencies. Vopak Agencies, which has now become a Wilhelmsen group company, is a perfect match for the global reach of Wilhelmsen Port Services’ maritime network of 2,200 ports.
Comment: Vopak Agencies is a specialist within both hub services and port agency in the tanker segments in Europe and has extensive experience within their field. As part of the transaction, Wilhelmsen has also acquired 50% of diize, a Vopak developed digital software company aimed at the future of port orchestration.
Products: Gas pipeline network
Cost: €54 million
Construction/expansion/acquisition: Spanish energy company, Enagás and LNG storage provider, Reganosa have signed an agreement in which Enagás acquires the 130 km network of Reganosa gas pipelines. Additionally, Reganosa buys 25% of the El Musel regasification plant in Gijón, Spain for the amount of €95 million.
GST
Products: LNG
Construction/expansion/acquisition: A project with the world’s first on-land GST membrane full containment liquid natural gas (LNG) storage tank located in Hejian, north China’s Hebei province, has officially been delivered after 100 days of trial operation. The GST technology was developed by GTT.
Products: Natural gas liquefaction and export
Construction/Expansion/Acquisition: Freeport LNG has announced that it has received regulatory approval to commence commercial operations of the company’s natural gas liquefaction and export facility. This comes after a fire in June 2022 that took Freeport LNG out of operations.
Comment: This authorisation provides for the immediate full return to service of one liquefaction train, that has already restarted, and the incremental restart and full return to service of a second train.
Comment: Arturo Gonzalo, CEO of Enagás, says: ‘This is a historic agreement that reinforces the strategy of the two companies, and strengthens the Spanish Gas System. The agreement also contributes to strengthening the potential of the El Musel plant and favours our investment plan in Galicia. We are two companies with many synergies and this operation makes us better prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead, such as continuing to guarantee the energy supply of Spain and Europe and contributing to decarbonization. In this line, this alliance is also a boost to Spain’s role as Europe’s renewable hydrogen hub.’
Comment: The project secured natural gas needs for 800,000 local households during the winter of 2022, after entering trial operation in October last year. The project will optimise the energy structure and environmental pollution issues of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region and accelerate China’s goal of carbon emissions reduction.
Products: Hydrogen
Products: Oil and gas
Construction/expansion/acquisition: Norwegian independent oil and gas producer Okea has agreed to buy a 28% stake in Norway’s Statfjord production licence from Equinor for $220 million.
Comment: The deal increases Okea’s total production by between 13,000 and 15,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed) in 2023 and by between 16,000 and 20,000 boed in 2024, lifting overall output to more than 40,000 boed.
Products: LNG storage
Capacity: 200,000 m³
Construction/expansion/acquisition: Venture Global LNG has announced the successful raising of the roof of the first LNG storage tank at the Plaquemines LNG export facility in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, USA. The major project milestone was completed ahead of schedule and comes nine months after the project’s final investment decision (FID). The tank is the first of four for Plaquemines LNG.
Comment: The tank dome was raised in 85 minutes using 0.3 psi of pressure underneath the roof. Mike Sabel, CEO of Venture Global LNG, says: ‘I would like to thank both our team and partners at CB&I for the safe and successful roof raising of the first tank at Plaquemines LNG, an exciting milestone in the construction of our second LNG export facility.’
Construction/expansion/acquisition: The world’s biggest project using solar and wind power to produce hydrogen has started construction in Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, China. It is being built by Sinopec Star Co, a wholly owned subsidiary of China Petrochemical Corp, or Sinopec. The project is Sinopec’s first green hydrogen demonstration project in Inner Mongolia.
Comment: The project consists mainly of five areas: wind and solar power generation, power transmissions and transformations, hydrogen production by electrolysis of water, hydrogen storage and hydrogen transmissions.
