Terminal experts from around the world share their thoughts on the ever-changing market
What will a second Trump presidency mean for the energy storage sector? The ILTA explores what terminals will be looking out for
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43 Ammonia: Industrial Feedstock to Hydrogen Carrier
In preparation for The Clean Ammonia Storage Conference at StocExpo’s 20th edition, Association NH3 Event’s director Hans Vrijenhoef examines ammonia’s journey in the energy transition
44 Keeping Climate Promises
FETSA and UPEI share a joint statement on 2050 climate goals in the wake of COP29
53 Moving Forward into 2025
The International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) outlines what the terminals industry is watching for following the 2024 elections
55 Building a Hydrogen Future Tank Storage Magazine asks Marcel van de Kar, senior vice president hydrogen & CO2 at Vopak for his thoughts on the emerging hydrogen market
56 SAF: Ready for Take Off
The experts at Argus Media explain the current trends in sustainable aviation fuel, and their predictions for what the market’s future holds
58 HVO: Reducing Emissions With Minimal Disruption
The team at Suttons Tankers share their insights of using hydrotreated vegetable oil from recent fuel replacement trials
60 Energising The Future of Tank Terminals
WorldEmp’s business partner Peter van Wessel explains how the company is delivering high-quality talent to tank terminal companies as they address their staffing challenges
62 Innovation Round-Up: Smarter Storage
With the rise of AI and digitalisation, the fast-pace growth of robotics, and the growing demand for drones on site, Kate Rainford looks at the latest innovative designs entering the industry
67 Evolving Bitumen Storage Solutions
Find out how to optimise bitumen storage operations with TEC’s Bitutainer Storage Facility
68 Updating Your Monitors
How OPW’s new technology could help terminals meet evolving requirements
70 Supplying the Skies
The experts at AC Valve Alliance explain the challenges of jet fuel storage and maintenance
72 Removing VOC From API650 Storage Tanks
Ensure compliance with environmental guidelines for hydrocarbon tanks using NAT Oil & Energy’s VOC abatement systems
74 Conservation Vents For Emission Goals
Protectoseal’s Anand Palanivelu outlines how conservation vents can help storage terminals achieve net zero targets and reduce hazardous gases
76 Navigating 40 CFR 60 Subpart Kc
Mesa ETP’s Adam Vance explains what tank owners need to know to prepare for EPA regulations
45 StocExpo 20th Edition Preview
As StocExpo and Tank Storage Magazine celebrate 20 years, here’s a look back on how the show and publication have grown together – and what’s in store for 2025
66 Global Tank Storage Awards: Reducing Risks with Robots
CEO of Square Robot, David Lamont, explains the unique nature of the company’s tank inspection robots
77 Event Preview: NISTM The Woodlands
Ahead of speaking at NISTM Woodlands on 10-12 December, Becht’s Rafael Rengifo explores the company’s proactive approach to manage storage tanks
78 Event Review: Tank Storage Association Conference & Exhibition
Kate Rainford shares some key moments that you may have missed from 2024’s annual TSA gathering
80 Global Tank Storage Awards: Revolutionising Safety CEO of ColdPad, Julien Bec, explains how the company’s game-changing bonded fastener is keeping workers out of dangerous situations
81 Global Events 2024/25
Anamika is the editor of Tank Storage Magazine and coordinates all your favourite content. This edition she’s collected insights from terminal experts across the globe in the Storage Outlook, starting on page 30.
Kate is Tank Storage Magazine’s junior writer and newest recruit. She’s scooped an interview with Advario about its new e-SAF hub on page 38.
T +44 (0)20 3196 9339 anamika@tankstoragemag.com www.tankstorage.com
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Margaret Dunn
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THE BIGGEST news this month (probably true no matter what month you read this in!) is the result of the latest US election. We know that many of our colleagues in the oil and gas sector will see a second Trump presidency as a fairly positive move, while others might mourn the greener future that was signalled under Harris. In this edition, the ILTA is exploring the key things that terminal companies will be looking for as we head into this new Trump administration (page 53). The key themes are around policy certainty and safety – we wait with bated breath to see what happens over the next four years. And Tank Storage Magazine will be here to report on the full tenure – just as we did back in 2016.
Operating under the mantra ‘drill, baby, drill’, from what we can tell, Trump’s energy policies are likely to be more friendly to the oil and gas sector, supporting new wells and imposing less stringent green regulations. Meanwhile, our colleagues in Europe may see increased financial pressure as they commit to EU energy transition targets – and get hit with potential tariffs from the USA.
On page 44, FETSA and UPEI reaffirm their full alignment with the 2050 climate neutrality goal of the Paris Agreement – which may not be the line taken by a Trump-led USA. But the USA has still come a long way with regards to the energy transition, cleaner fuels and stricter emissions targets – and will storage companies want to be seen compromising their own progress on the global stage? Time will tell, but I predict it will be difficult to roll back changes that have already been implemented.
The momentum keeps swinging towards a sustainable future – so what better way to get all the latest tips to make your terminal greener, safer and more efficient than by joining us at StocExpo on 11 and 12 March at the Rotterdam Ahoy, Netherlands? Our sneak preview on page 45 is the industry’s first look at what’s happening at the 20th edition of the show – and some of the
most exciting conference sessions will feature terminals from across the world, including South Africa, the USA, Brazil as well as our local European neighbours.
To get a full snapshot of what’s happening in the market over the next 12 months or so, our Storage Outlook (starting on page 30) features comment from global terminals, including Stolthaven, LBC, Fujairah Oil Terminal, Exolum and more.
Unfortunately, my crystal ball is all out of juice – but hopefully the predictions and analysis of these well-seasoned experts will help equip you for at least the next quarter – if not into the next 6-12 months. And for regular updates into what’s happening in the market, you can subscribe to Tank Storage Magazine so that you never miss an issue.
See you at StocExpo on 11 & 12 March, Rotterdam!
Best wishes,
Get the inside scoop on what the Tank Storage Community is talking about – and follow us on LinkedIn for your chance to feature!
Earlier this month we attended the EPCA in Berlin. Although it was good to see all our relations in the chemical industry, the mood wasn’t very good at all. People, especially employed at chemical producers, were in crisis mode…There is a lot at stake. Either we accept European deindustrialization and the fact that our wealth and influence is waning, or we try to limit damage and turn this around. And, just to make it clear, I am addressing myself to European policy-makers. You hold the key here.
Patrick Kulsen, Insights Global
As global efforts ramp up to achieve net-zero targets, the supply chain for critical materials (steel, rare earth elements, and other essential minerals) must be prioritized to meet the growing demand sustainably. It’s essential to address these material needs to ensure the renewable energy sector can scale responsibly and sustainably.
Caner Can, T.C. Enerji ve Tabii Kaynaklar Bakanlığı
Impression and keys learnings from the UAE as part of the Delegation by Senator Jens Kerstan: UAE and Saudi Arabia are initiating large scale Projects for Green Hydrogen (derivates) as I witnessed at a visit at the largest single PV and Solar site in the World at Dubai Electricity & Water AuthorityDEWA Innovation Centre. So, we can also hope for a push effect to the hydrogen economy in Europe from these projects in the medium term. Expect further large scale announcement from that region in the next year.
Jannes Elfgen, Port of Hamburg Authority
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It’s my first time coming to StocExpo, and I’m happy with what I’ve experienced so far! The conference has been engaging, covering a wide range of topics that have kept me interested throughout!
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A summary
As part of its strategy to grow its liquefied natural gas (LNG) business, TotalEnergies has signed a sales agreement (HoA) with Sinopec for the delivery of 2 million tons (1.8 million tonnes) of LNG per year for 15 years, starting in 2028.
Thanks to this major agreement with one of the leading LNG players in the country, TotalEnergies strengthens its long-term position in the LNG market in China, the largest market in the world. This agreement comes within the strategic cooperation agreement signed earlier this year between TotalEnergies and Sinopec, during president Xi Jinping’s state visit to France.
‘We are delighted to have been chosen by Sinopec to supply 2 million tons of LNG to China, the largest LNG importing country in the world. This new agreement demonstrates the competitiveness of TotalEnergies’ LNG business and allows us to continue growing our long-term sales in Asia,’ says Stéphane Michel, president gas, renewables & power at TotalEnergies.
Niu Shuanwen, senior vice president of Sinopec Corporation, says: ‘Sinopec and TotalEnergies are strategic partners. This HoA further strengthens the cooperation between the two companies in natural gas. Natural gas is an important enabler for realising energy transition and dual carbon goals. Sinopec is committed to building the world’s leading clean energy and chemical company and will continue to promote energy transition and the clean, diversified and secure supply of energy. Sinopec strives to make positive contributions to global energy governance and climate change.’
Aramco and Riyadh Air have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the FII 8th Edition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for potential collaboration in areas such as lowcarbon fuel supply and sustainability.
Yasser Mufti, Aramco’s executive vice president of products and customers, says: ‘Aramco’s work to develop lower-carbon fuels, its strong focus on digitalisation, and its aviation experience, among other things, provide a strong platform for potential cooperation with Riyadh Air.’
Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air CFO, adds: ‘By leveraging Aramco’s expertise, we aim to improve our operational capabilities and provide outstanding experiences for our guests. Together, we can play a significant role in advancing the Kingdom’s environmental and economic objectives.’
Linde has signed with Nextchem to provide carbon capture technology to ADNOC’s Hail and Ghasha project in United Arab Emirates. The project is one of the world’s largest offshore sour gas developments, and aims to operate with net zero emissions.
Linde will provide its newest adsorptionbased carbon capture solution, HISORP CC, to capture and purify carbon dioxide (CO 2) for sequestration (CCS), reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the production process of natural gas and oil. The project aims to capture 1.5 million tonnes per year (mtpa) of carbon dioxide and store underground.
John van der Velden, senior vice president of global sales and technology at Linde says: ‘We are proud to be chosen as technology provider for this international lighthouse project. Our HISORP CC technology, implemented in this worldscale project, is contributing towards ADNOC’s goal of net zero emissions.’
IMI has acquired TWTG, an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) specialist based in the Netherlands. TWTG will become part of IMI’s Process Automation sector.
TWTG offers solutions that enhance operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability across industries including energy, utilities, and heavy manufacturing. With this acquisition, IMI aims to leverage TWTG’s expertise to accelerate its growth in the fast-evolving IIoT market, providing customers with digitalisation solutions.
Roby Buyung, president of process automation at IMI comments: ‘The acquisition of TWTG aligns with our strategy to deliver innovative solutions that help our customers to make smarter, more efficient, and sustainable decisions. TWTG’s unique technology and deep expertise in the Industrial IoT space will enhance our existing asset monitoring portfolio and help us deliver nextgeneration wireless automation solutions to our customers.’
Vopak is to proceed with an initial public offering (IPO) for its Indian joint venture, Aegis Vopak Terminals Ltd (AVTL).
The company explains that AVTL has reached an agreement for a primary equity issue to investors for an amount of €88 million. The proceeds are proposed to be utilised for repayment of all, or a portion, of the outstanding unsecured borrowings of AVTL and for the purpose of execution of various projects including growth projects and/or other corporate purposes relating to AVTL’s principal business activities.
The transaction represents a shareholding of 3.4% in AVTL. As a result of this transaction, Vopak’s shareholding in AVTL will be diluted from 49% to 47.3%.
shoretank and then to the customer’s site via an external pipeline.
Adler & Allan has acquired pollution remediation specialist MEL Environmental Solutions, to enhance its contaminated land and groundwater remediation proposition. MEL has been at the forefront of developing and implementing sustainable soil and groundwater remediation solutions in the insurance-led contaminated land market. The company has a successful record in delivering market leading services across the UK and Ireland, providing environmental remediation services and claims handling from its network of strategically located offices and operational units.
Paul Theile, managing director of MEL, says: ‘The extent of Adler & Allan’s service range, combined with MEL’s access to the insurance market, presents an excellent opportunity to broaden our offer to the insurance sector, whilst further strengthening Adler & Allan’s leading position in the environmental remediation market.’
HES Botlek Tank Terminal, Netherlands, has installed a brand new marine loading arm at one of its seagoing jetties.
This additional marine loading arm enables HTT to handle a new customer’s product through fully dedicated and product-segregated infrastructure. The customer’s product will be delivered by seagoing vessel, transferred to HTT’s
The company said on LinkedIn: ‘We are looking forward to the commencement date of physical operation and working together with our new customer and nourish our long-term partnership.’
TotalEnergies, BP, Equinor and Shell have announced a commitment to invest in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (UN SDG7), which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
The four energy majors have come together with a $500 million (€473 million) joint investment commitment, intended to create positive energy access impact for people in key regions over the coming years.
The joint investment seeks to support promising, high-impact projects, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, aiming to help millions of people in underserved communities gain access to electricity and improved cooking conditions. Their shared intent is for the committed capital to be invested in a broad range of solutions, including solar home systems, mini/metro grids, clean cooking solutions, and enabling technologies (such as e-mobility, energy storage and management solutions).
Anders Opedal, president and CEO of Equinor says: ‘This joint investment brings together four leading energy companies investing in emerging countries. We believe this effort will help close some of the energy access gaps, which is a key part in reaching the global ambition of a just and equitable energy transition.’
Over the coming years this has the potential to support UN SDG 7 while also generating co-benefits like job creation and improved health outcomes.
Wael Sawan, CEO of Shell adds: ‘We want to support accelerated progress towards universal energy access as we believe it has the power to transform lives. This joint investment will help to do that. By working collectively to overcome key energy access challenges we can achieve sustained impact and drive real change.’
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Cemex and Linde are to receive €157 million in funding from the EU Innovation Fund for a CO 2 capture project at Cemex’s Rüdersdorf Cement Plant in Germany.
The project aims to capture 1.3 million tonnes of CO 2 per year from Rüdersdorf’s cement production, decarbonising the site by 2030.
Sergio Menéndez, president of Cemex Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia says: ‘While we are working hard to decarbonise using existing technology, an important component of our future in action strategy is to develop decarbonisation solutions for our industry to reach net zero.’
At Rüdersdorf, Linde’s pioneering HISORP, CO 2 capture technology will be deployed for the first time in a state-ofthe-art cryogenic-adsorptive process, that captures CO 2 from the exhaust gas directly at the emission source. The raw CO 2 is then compressed and liquefied so that it meets the purity requirements for subsequent sequestration. Finally, the liquid CO 2 product will be transported
by rail to an intermediate CO 2 Hub and shipped to an offshore storage site in the North Sea for permanent storage.
The Bundesnetzagentur (Germany’s regulatory office for electricity, gas, telecommunications, post and railway markets) has approved the hydrogen core network proposed by gas transmission system operators.
The hydrogen core network is intended to reach hydrogen consumption and production regions in Germany, and then connect central locations, such as large industrial centres, storage facilities, power plants and import corridors. The core network will be put into operation by 2032.
Key highlights of the network include:
• 9,040 km of pipelines: 60% of the network will come from converting existing natural gas pipelines, while 40% will be newly built.
• €18.9 billion investment: A substantial financial commitment that underscores the strategic importance of hydrogen to Germany’s energy transition.
• Operational by 2032: The network will be implemented step-by-step, with completion anticipated over the next decade.
Once operational, the network will connect key hydrogen clusters across the country, ensuring smooth transportation of hydrogen and supporting the shift to a hydrogen-based economy. Additionally, the network will establish vital connections with neighbouring countries, including the Netherlands.
Norway
Gasum has opened a biogas filling station in Bærum, west of Oslo, expanding its biogas infrastructure in Norway.
The biogas filling station, built in cooperation with landowner Eiendomsspar, offers compressed and liquefied biogas in response to an increased demand for sustainable fuels in Norway.
Jogeir Munkeby, sales manager for Traffic Norway at Gasum says: ‘This is an important step in continuing to develop the infrastructure around Oslo and make it possible to drive on biogas all over southern Norway by the end of 2025. By expanding the Nordic gas filling station network, we can also provide new opportunities for local companies to substantially lower their emissions.’
Christian Ringnes, owner and chairman of Eiendomsspar adds: ‘It’s fantastic to be able to contribute to the green transition in such a concrete and positive way as a new biogas station in collaboration with Gasum.’
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Höegh Evi has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SEMOP Port-La Nouvelle, France, to develop a floating terminal for hydrogen imports. The hydrogen will be imported from producers located in the Middle East, North Africa and the Americas.
The terminal will facilitate the import of up to 210,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year as early as 2030, according to the project timeline, and dependent on the readiness of France’s hydrogen pipeline.
Erik Nyheim, president and CEO of Höegh Evi says: ‘Höegh Evi is leveraging our expertise to enable Europe to import significant volumes of clean molecules within this decade. With its strategic location and well-established marine infrastructure, Port-La Nouvelle is ideally positioned to become a key entry point for hydrogen and low-carbon fuels. Together we are driving the energy transition forward by establishing a crucial hub for clean energy in Europe.’
In the presence of His Majesty King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands and His Majesty King Frederik of Denmark, INEOS and Royal Wagenborg have signed an agreement on the delivery of a new build CO 2 carrier.
The agreement marks the first construction and deployment of a CO 2 carrier for Wagenborg. This purpose-built CO 2 carrier, designed to meet the highest standards of safety and efficiency, will facilitate large-scale transport of CO 2 to the Greensand storage site in the Danish North Sea. The vessel will be built by shipyard Royal Niestern Sander and marks a significant step towards carbon capture and storage (CCS) within the European Union.
Egbert Vuursteen, CEO Royal Wagenborg says: ‘Through INEOS and Wagenborg’s agreement, we’re not just advancing an industry, we’re charting a course toward a future where Dutch maritime expertise leads the way.’
Edwin de Vries, director Wagenborg Offshore adds: ‘Wagenborg has been a leading service provider to the offshore industry demonstrating safe and efficient logistic solutions on the North Sea. The availability of in-house knowledge and experience of shipping, offshore and shipbuilding has resulted in a variety of game-changing dedicated vessels.’
Centrica and European Energy have signed a balancing and optimisation agreement for the Måde green hydrogen facility located at Port Esbjerg, Denmark.
Under the agreement, Centrica Energy will manage power production from colocated wind turbines, designating excess power production to green hydrogen production.
Powering the 12MW green hydrogen facility are two wind turbines, part of the Måde Wind Turbine Test Center. The turbines will provide renewable electricity, which is used to produce green hydrogen through electrolysis with demineralised water. The facility is expected to produce approximately 1,500 tonnes of green hydrogen every year.
Kristian Gjerløv-Juel, vice president of renewable energy trading and optimisation at Centrica Energy says: ‘Succeeding with the green transition requires using all the tools at our disposal, that of course includes electrification, but also the need to develop the solutions needed to decarbonise energy consumption in sectors where electrification falls short.’
Exolum has started the world’s first project to transport and store green hydrogen on a commercial scale in existing oil infrastructure using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC). The project is being carried out in Immingham, the UK’s largest freight port.
LOHCs are organic compounds that can absorb and release hydrogen through chemical reactions and can therefore be used as a safe means of storing and transporting hydrogen in liquid form.
Exolum sees the project as utilising its existing infrastructure to accelerate a speedier, more flexible and more efficient growth of the hydrogen market. This approach will allow a more targeted approach to the development of hydrogen infrastructure, ensuring that storage is located in areas closer to the points of expected demand, such as ports or industrial areas.
Ignacio Casajús, Exolum’s global strategy and growth lead comments: ‘The project we have launched proposes a realistic, safe and cheap formula for distributing green hydrogen that is in line with existing demand. In this way, we avoid developing new infrastructure by using our logistics network, one of the most efficient in the world.’
Chane is working with government and business partners to create a new hub for CO 2 transshipment with the purpose of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Duisburg, Germany.
This hub will help German companies transport captured CO 2 to subsea storage facilities in the Netherlands, or further offshore in the North Sea.
Sander van Kersbergen, a member of Chane’s business development team says: ‘In Rotterdam, we are already developing the infrastructure for storage and transshipment of CO 2. Now we are also developing a collection point for CO 2 in Duisburg, a kind of extension of the chain from the German hinterland towards Rotterdam.’
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Fuella has signed an agreement with the Port of Pecém, to develop a large-scale green ammonia project in Pecém, in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Under the agreement, Fuella is to develop a facility that will produce 400,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually for global markets.
Thorsten Helms, managing director of business and corporate development at Fuella says: ‘We are very happy and proud to be able to secure this project in the Port of Pecém. This is one of the best locations in the world for the production of green hydrogen and ammonia. We thank the Port of Pecém and its shareholders, the State of Ceará and the Port of Rotterdam for their trust.’
Neste and Air Canada have signed an agreement for the supply of 60,000 tonnes of neat Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Neste will deliver the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blended with conventional jet fuel to the Vancouver marine terminal starting in December 2024, with further shipments throughout 2025. The Vancouver marine terminal has a direct pipeline connection to the fuel facilities at Vancouver International Airport enabling the use of the blended SAF at the airport.
‘Air Canada is actively pursuing efforts to mitigate its GHG emissions, and SAF is a critical component of our
multifaceted approach to reducing our impact on the environment and promoting environmental sustainability in our operations. This SAF purchase from Neste contributes to our target of procuring SAF for one percent of our estimated fuel use in 2025,’ says Michael Rousseau, president and chief executive of Air Canada.
Colonial Oil Industries’ marine division has received ISCC certification from SCS Global Services.
This certification recognises Colonial’s commitment to sustainability and its ability to produce and trade sustainable biofuels. ISCC Plus and ISCC EU certification ensure that Colonial’s marine fuels meet rigorous sustainability standards, including requirements for traceability, mass balance, and environmental protection.
‘We are thrilled to receive ISCC certification,’ says Bob Kenyon, president at Colonial Oil Industries. ‘This recognition validates our commitment to improving our sustainability stewardship and impact across our footprint.’
First Ammonia has signed the sales and service agreements with Topsoe for the fabrication of the first 100 MW (megawatts) of solid oxide electrolysers, at its green ammonia facility in Victoria, Texas, USA. The project will commence commercial operation in 2027.
The new Topsoe factory in Herning, Denmark, enters operation at the end of 2024, and will produce 500 MW of solid oxide electrolysers annually. This milestone follows the performance of Topsoe’s solid oxide electrolyser demonstration core that has been running in Topsoe’s Frederikssund facility since the end of 2023 under industrial conditions.
First Ammonia CEO Joel Moser says: ‘I am confident that Topsoe solid oxide
electrolysers will be part of the larger solution to the world’s decarbonisation goals by establishing a hydrogen economy, and the production of green ammonia together will help take us there.’
US shipowner Switch Maritime is collaborating with LH2 Shipping and LMG Marin to begin construction of its own liquid hydrogen-fuelled RoPax vehicle ferry.
Following the launch of Sea Change (Switch’s first hydrogen-powered vessel – a catamaran ferry), Switch is ready to advance its next zero-emission vessel project that involves the USA construction of the existing DNVGLclassed 80-car, 300-passenger RoPax vehicle ferry design operating on liquid hydrogen fuel in Norway, MF Hydra.
‘Our first H2 vessel was the result of years of close collaboration with the US Coast Guard, demonstrating the viability and safety of hydrogen fuelling. While the LH2 RoPax ferry design is already DNVGLclassed, there is still some work to do to bring it into US Coast Guard compliance,’ says Pace Ralli, founder & CEO of Switch.
The RoPax vehicle ferry will have a service speed of 14 knots, and is expected to require fuelling only once per week in a typical operation, with no requirement for shoreside electric charging infrastructure.
The US Federal Trade Commission is expected to greenlight Chevron’s purchase of Hess Corporation, according to a report from Reuters, leaving ExxonMobil’s challenge to the $53 billion (€48 billion) deal as its final hurdle.
The proposed merger was first announced last October, and the FTC sent a second information request to Chevron two months later. Exxon and CNOOC, Hess’s partners in a Guyana joint venture, are challenging the deal by claiming a right of first refusal to any sale of Hess’s Guyana assets. A three-judge arbitration panel is due to consider the case in May 2025.
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Capacity: 750 million barrels
FID: TotalEnergies has announced final investment decision (FID) for the GranMorgu development on Block 58, a large offshore deepwater oil project in Suriname.
The GranMorgu project will develop the Sapakara and Krabdagu oil discoveries, on which a exploration and appraisal campaign was completed in 2023. TotalEnergies is the operator of Block 58 with a 50% interest, alongside APA Corporation (50%).
The project includes a 220,000 barrels of oil per day floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit. First oil is expected in 2028. The GranMorgu FPSO is designed to accommodate future tieback opportunities that would extend its production plateau.
Comment: Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies says: ‘I am very pleased to launch the GranMorgu project alongside our partners Staatsolie and APA and I thank the State of Suriname for its support. Building on TotalEnergies’ spirit, this landmark project marks the first offshore development in the country and capitalises on our extensive expertise in deep offshore innovation.’
Product: Petroleum
Capacity: 42,770 m 3
Acquisition: I Squared is to acquire Philippines Coastal Storage & Pipeline, and its affiliate entities.
Acquisition: I Squared has acquired the remaining 55% stake in Tepsa from Rubis SCA, a French energy company. The latest
Comment: Harsh Agrawal, senior partner, I Squared says: ‘Philippines Coastal is an essential infrastructure asset playing a critical role in supporting the growing energy needs of the Philippines. With urbanisation and the growing consumption of the rising middle class in the Philippines, fuel demand continues to increase steadily.’ Philippines
I Squared has been a shareholder in Tepsa, formerly known as Rubis Terminal, since 2020, when it acquired an initial 45% stake.
Comment: ‘Tepsa’s transition under the ownership of I Squared marks a pivotal moment in our evolution,’ says Bruno Hayem, CEO of Tepsa. ‘This renewed identity puts us in a great position to capitalise on future opportunities and continue developing through the energy transition while remaining at the forefront of the European liquid bulk storage sector. With the support of I Squared and our newly appointed board members, we are focused on fostering positive contributions to all our stakeholders and in the communities we serve.’
Product: LNG
Capacity: 18 million tonnes
FEED: Technip Energies and JGC Corporation have been awarded the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contract by ExxonMobil – on behalf of Mozambique Rovuma Venture (MRV), a joint venture between ExxonMobil, Eni, and CNPC – for the Rovuma LNG project at Palma in the Afungi peninsula, Northeast of Mozambique.
Comment: Mario Tommaselli, SVP gas and low carbon energies of Technip Energies says: ‘We are honoured to have been selected by ExxonMobil and its partners to design the Rovuma LNG project. By leveraging our expertise in modularisation and electrified LNG, we are committed to support ExxonMobil and its partners towards final investment decision, as well as strengthening our presence in Mozambique to contribute to long-term economic growth and its ambition to become one of Africa’s leading LNG exporters.’
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Product: Future fuels
Capacity: 503,000 m³
Acquisition: Advario has acquired the remaining stake in Advario Helios Singapore from Macquarie Helios Holdings, giving the company 100% ownership of Advario Helios Singapore. With ample waterfront access and room for expansion, the terminal is wellpositioned for the storage and logistics of future energy solutions, low carbon ammonia and methanol, biofuels, and eventually hydrogen.
Comment: Bas Verkooijen, CEO of Advario says: ‘We’re excited to deepen our investment in Singapore, reaffirming our long-standing position as a key player in Singapore’s energy sector. This acquisition builds on our ongoing commitment to support Singapore’s ambitious energy transition goals and the country’s long-term potential as a global new energy hub. In addition, it aligns with Advario’s strategy to evolve our assets and drive sustainable growth while contributing to a more sustainable future.’
Product: Refined oil products
Capacity: 356,000 m³
Acquisition: Trafigura has acquired of 50% of the shares in Meroil Tank SL from the oil operator Meroil SA for an undisclosed sum. Meroil Tank will now operate as a 50/50 joint venture company. The company will continue to serve its current as well as future customers to store refined oil products including gasoil, gasoline and jet fuel, as well as biofuels.
Comment: Jamie Torrance, global head of distillates for Trafigura says: ‘The asset is integral for the import of refined products and biofuels in the region; offering advanced logistics and flexibility to our current and future customer base. We look forward to working with the Meroil team on the further development of the terminal’s logistics, while staying attentive to the market’s evolution towards low-carbon fuels.’
José Luís Porté, president of Meroil adds: ‘We appreciate the opportunity to work with a world-leading company in the oil trading sector; this collaboration will significantly enhance the development of our business in Spain.’
Product: Diesel
Cost: Estimated €12 million - €47 million
Capacity: 20,000 m³
EPC: CB&I has been awarded a lump sum contract by Viva Energy for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of two 10 million litre (10,000 m³) diesel tanks and associated civil, structural, mechanical and piping works for its diesel tank replacement project, located in Newport, Melbourne, Australia.
Comment: Mark Butts, senior vice president of CB&I says: ‘It is just one of several projects we have been selected to deliver for Viva Energy over the years. CB&I’s proven history of delivering projects in Australia with a focus on the highest quality and safety standards were differentiators between us and our competitors.’
Product: Chemicals
Capacity: 520,000 m³
EPC: Rotary Engineering Abu Dhabi has been awarded an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract to develop the TA’ZIZ Chemicals Storage Terminal in Abu Dhabi. The terminal project will be overseen by an integrated project management team, including professionals from Advario. The terminal will serve as a hub for exporting bulk chemicals produced in the TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone. Rotary Engineering Abu Dhabi will execute the construction of this essential infrastructure, which includes receipt and storage facilities for bulk chemicals
and gases, as well as jetty infrastructure to enable the export of finished products.
Comment: Following the announcement of the contract at ADIPEC 2024, CEO of Advario, Bas Verkooijen says: ‘Having worked with Rotary in the past, we have confidence that their experience and capabilities will support the successful delivery of this landmark project. We look forward to a productive collaboration.’
Product: Gas
Capacity: 204,000m³
FSRU: GTT has received an order from a Korean shipyard for the tank design of a new floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) on behalf of an Asian ship-owner. The tanks will be fitted with the NO96 GW containment system developed by GTT.
The delivery of the vessels is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027.
November
On the night of Wednesday, November 13, drones hit the oil storage facility of the Federal Agency for State Reserves in the Penza region of Russia, reports ASTRA Telegram channel.
Local residents wrote that one of the tanks was damaged. This is also evidenced by footage taken at the site. Published eyewitness videos show that at least one tank was damaged as a result of the drone attack.
Oleg Melnichenko, governor of the Penza region, confirmed the attack of three UAVs on the region. The official claimed that all the drones had allegedly crashed in a forest and that no one was injured.
A fire broke out at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) refinery in Vadodara district’s Nandesari town, India, on 12 November, following a blast in a benzene storage tank, said local police. It was reported that two employees were killed, with others injured.
According to a statement from the IOCL, the fire broke out at around 3.30 pm in tank number 68, a 1,000L benzene storage tank.
‘A fire was reported in a benzene storage tank at Gujarat Refinery. The refinery’s emergency response team is actively tackled the situation, with firefighting operations currently underway. The adjacent water sprinkler system was activated to contain the fire. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained,’ says IOCL.
10 October
USA
Texas Pemex plant leaks hydrogen sulphide
26 October
Serica Energy announces FPSO interruption
Serica Energy has announced that production at the Triton floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) in the North Sea, has been interrupted, due to a problem with the single gas compressor in operation.
A potential dry gas seal failure was identified in the ‘A’ gas compressor during operations on 26 October. This did not result in a leak of hydrocarbons. The FPSO operator, Dana Petroleum, is working to identify and execute the necessary repair.
Actions are being taken to reduce the operational vulnerability of the Triton FPSO by bringing the second compressor into service. The date for this is likely to be delayed by the corrective work on the ‘A’ compressor and is now expected to be in 2025.
15 October
VENEZUELA
Chemical plant fire injures three
A fire broke out at a crude storage tank in Venezuela’s La Salina oil terminal, operated by state company PDVSA, authorities said.
The fire started early in the day during a storm, and continued through the evening. The facility, which PDVSA uses mostly for moving crude and fuel between domestic ports, is located near the western city of Cabimas on the shore of Lake Maracaibo.
Chief of the Cabimas’ firefighters, Mufid Houmeidan, said: ‘Many people were exposed to high temperatures. We have counted 21 injured so far, all of them with minor lesions.’
The tank had about 75,000 barrels of oil when the fire broke out at the terminal’s storage patio, Houmeidan said, adding that nearby communities would not need to be evacuated.
Pemex’s Deer Park oil refinery near Houston discharged 19,731.268 kilograms of highly toxic hydrogen sulphide gas over more than seven hours in a deadly incident, according to the Mexican state-owned company’s disclosure to a Texas regulator. At least two people died, and 35 others were treated for injuries.
The prompted a shut down both sides of Highway 225, and put the City of Deer Park into a shelter-inplace mode. Residents of the city were told to shut their windows and doors and to turn off their air conditioning, to prevent a further spread.
Harris County Sheriff, Ed Gonzalez, said workers were working on a flange when there was a leak of the chemical.
Pemex said in a statement to NBC affiliate KPRC-TV of Houston added: ‘The incident is contained to our site and has been isolated. Some members of the community may see flaring as we safely contain the situation. We are closely monitoring air quality and are not detecting any offsite impacts.’
Neste has withdrawn investment in a 120 MW electrolyser project, to produce renewable hydrogen at its Porvoo refinery in Finland. The decision follows the completion of the basic engineering phase, which commenced in May 2023.
The reasons behind the withdrawal are the company’s challenging market conditions and financial performance, requiring critical assessment of any new investments.
Markku Korvenranta, executive vice president for oil product business unit at Neste says: ‘While we are discontinuing the initial renewable hydrogen project, we are actively evaluating alternative pathways for securing renewable hydrogen in Porvoo. Our ambition remains to utilise renewable hydrogen at the Porvoo refinery, contributing also to fulfilment of the Finnish renewable fuels of non-biological origin distribution obligation.’
ExxonMobil, on behalf of Mozambique Rovuma Venture, operator of the Area 4 concession in northern Mozambique’s Rovuma Basin, has announced it has selected Chart Industries’ IPSMR liquefaction technology and proprietary equipment for the Rovuma LNG project at the Afungi peninsula, in Mozambique.
The Rovuma LNG Project will produce, liquefy and market natural gas from reservoirs of the Area 4 block of the offshore Rovuma Basin and includes the construction of 12 modules of 1.5 MTA each, with a total LNG capacity of 18 million tonnes annually, as well as associated onshore facilities. The selection of Chart IPSMR for the 12 liquefaction modules is expected to help enable increased project competitiveness, improved reliability and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Jill Evanko, CEO and president of Chart Industries says: ‘We are excited to partner with ExxonMobil for the utilisation of our IPSMR technology and associated equipment for their Rovuma LNG project in Mozambique.’
IDIDEC has updated its SmartAXIS Touch family with the new FT1J Series Combined PLC+HMI. The device combines a built-in full function controller and a 4.3 inch (10.9 cm) touchscreen display, in a compact all-in-one form factor that is rightsized for visualising and automating a wide range of applications, including laboratory and industrial environments, such as oil and gas.
The unit’s thin bezel provides the greatest possible display area compared with its installation footprint, and the entire package requires only a shallow mounting depth clearance. The PLC and HMI are internally connected, share the same network connection, require only
one power supply (and consumes less power than individually separate PLC and HMI installations), for easy installation, and all connections use push-in wiring connectors. The FT1J is ready to use and communicate right out of the box. End users configure the PLC+HMI with an intuitive and easy-to-use integrated development environment for both PLC and HMI functions, providing significant configuration and programming efficiencies.
Cleanova has developed a new approach to filtration solutions for carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) applications. Cleanova.C-Clean is being exhibited for the first time at Carbon Capture Technology Expo 2024 in Germany. Chris Nixon, Cleanova’s engineering and products director says: ‘Filtration technology plays a pivotal role at every
stage in the carbon capture process, from the arrival of the feed gas, through chemical absorption to final storage and transportation. Each filtration solution needs to be tailored to specific conditions such as CO 2 concentration, the nature of the emission source, the presence of other contaminants, temperature, and pressure. This means that CCUS operators and system designers need to work collaboratively with filtration experts from the outset to achieve optimal results. Cleanova.CClean enables co-development of customised carbon capture solutions using advanced filtration products that are appropriate for CCUS applications.’
In partnership with a client in the Far East, Carbis Loadtec has developed a custom metering skid for liquid and anhydrous ammonia. Specifically, this system has been designed to provide a split between anhydrous and liquid ammonia over two loading
bays, but it can adapt to total liquid ammonia within minutes to match customer demand.
The custom metering skid features advanced flow measurement technology, and is constructed from high-quality materials to ensure durability and resilience in challenging environments. The design prioritises safety and compliance with international standards and incorporates multiple safety features such as emergency shut-off valves, pressure relief systems and variable vapour pressure control. This commitment to safety is crucial, given the inherent risks of handling ammonia.
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The skid is equipped with sophisticated instrumentation for real-time flow rate, pressure, and temperature monitoring. This level of monitoring ensures that operators can make informed decisions quickly, reducing the risk of overfilling and optimising the export of ammonia in their operations.
In addition to its technical specifications, the metering skid is designed for easy installation and maintenance, minimising downtime and enhancing productivity. The modular design allows for flexibility, enabling clients to adapt the skid to their evolving operational needs.
