13 minute read
Member news
ABB to tackle asset integrity management challenges
ABB in the UK has signed a MoU with asset integrity management business Metegrity to bring a new solution to market that will tackle asset downtime by optimising asset strategy and increasing visibility of equipment performance in real time to better manage operations and interventions. Combining ABB’s deep domain expertise, data analytics and industrial AI capability with Metegrity’s leading asset integrity management and riskbased inspection software, customers will be able to perform advanced risk analysis on their assets with the intent of increasing asset reliability, reducing maintenance costs and turnaround time as well as boosting up-time. In addition, the new collaboration will streamline compliance reporting, moving away from a traditional paperbased approach or fragmented systems to an integrated digital one, with all asset data stored in a central, easily accessible database for a single source of truth. This will enable operators to instantly access insights on the condition of specific assets, at a micro or macro level, in the event of an incident or ahead of an audit. The MoU builds on the success of its first project together with downstream operator MOL Group, announced last September. The new relationship is particularly well suited for midstream and downstream operations, where companies can increase operating cash flow by making the most of their valuable assets. Metegrity is a leading asset integrity management software company, offering best in class enterprise solutions that are highly configurable and strategically tailored to unique business needs. Metegrity empowers asset intensive industries in oil and gas operations and chemical manufacturing to achieve operational efficiency with its complete line of products. ABB is a leading global technology company that energises the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels, with a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years.
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For more information:
www.abb.com
© Copyright 2021 ABB
Multi-million dollar deals underline Asia Pacific growth for Add Energy
A leading international drilling and well engineering consultancy and service provider for the energy industry has significantly strengthened its foothold in the ASPAC region by securing deals worth AUD$4.7 million. Add Energy has recruited four new consultants to its 25-strong team based in Perth, WA to augment the delivery of work on behalf of a broad and growing client base, including private investment groups, vessel owners and non-operating entities, as well as traditional oil and gas operators. Well management, production optimisation, well integrity studies, carbon capture storage well design and rig-less intervention solutions form the core of the recent work awarded. In addition, the team has been contracted to complete long-term service agreements for operational assets to enhance production performance by supporting the delivery of maintenance programmes and assuring compliance with regulations. Headquartered in Stavanger, Norway, Add Energy operates throughout the ASPAC region from its regional HQ in Perth, Australia and brings 30+ years of operations, drilling and well engineering experience to the provision of leading-edge solutions in the spheres of asset management; drilling and well operations; safety and risk; decarbonisation and energy transition; and training. Add Energy is an international consultancy, service and software provider to the energy industry. The company is focused on delivering solutions that have a direct impact on safety, cost reduction and operational efficiencies to its clients.
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For more information:
www.addenergy.no
AEG Power Solutions announces new generation of industrial switch mode modular DC charger
AEG Power Solutions, a global provider of AC and DC power supply systems and solutions for all types of critical and demanding applications, has announced the launch of its new generation of switch mode modular DC charger, Protect RCS MIPe, based on the new MIPe rectifier modules. Edge-technology based, the rectifier and the system combine ruggedness of design with high reliability and very high efficiency to ensure the continuity of service to critical DC loads in all types of environments. The systems are very flexible and easy to use and maintain.
The Protect RCS MIPe series provides high power density in a compact design and built-in protection. AEG PS leveraged its industrial expertise to develop a rectifier module embedding the benefits and field experience of the SMi2000 rectifiers in a ruggedised and enhanced version. The MIPe rectifier is robust due to its very wide operating input voltage (100 to 275Vac). In addition, the width of the modules has been divided by two compared with former generations and the volume of the power core of the system was also reduced by half.
The heavy duty design ensures that the system can be located in a harsh industrial environment. It can be easily maintained thanks to hot-swappable modules and power can be increased directly onsite when necessary.
The system exists in pre-defined configuration to reduce lead times and is also available as a 19” battery charger subrack version for a direct cabinet integration as ready to use solution.
For more information:
www.aegps.com/en/
Aggreko: contingency is key to growth of renewable power
Recent extreme weather conditions have re-emphasised the need to incorporate battery storage solutions to offset the inconsistency of renewable energy sources, warns temporary solutions supplier Aggreko. This caution follows a period of particularly high winds, when a new record was set for the proportion of the nation’s energy generated by wind.
However, just months earlier, the UK experienced its longest spell of low wind output in a decade, with the nation’s wind turbines delivering far below targets for almost two weeks. Fossil fuel solutions were called in to pick up energy shortfalls in the National Grid, meaning that carbon emissions increased during this period of downtime. Battery storage solutions, like those offered by Aggreko, present a carbon-neutral alternative to bringing in coal and gas power when renewable outputs are low. Aggreko’s lithium-ion Y.Cubes can each store up to 1MW of power within a standard 20ft modular container, allowing energy generated from green sources to be stored and then later deployed as necessary.
Battery storage has the potential to smooth over peaks and troughs in supply, storing energy when output is good and then utilising it when production crashes. This way, we don’t have to rely on carbon power when circumstances become less than ideal.
Chris Rason, Managing Director, Aggreko Northern Europe
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For more information:
www.aggreko.com
Ashtead Technology awarded funding for unmanned digital twinning project
Welaptega, an Ashtead Technology company, has launched a US$500,000 initiative to develop a product to enable digital twinning of underwater infrastructure without the need for offshore personnel. Funding for the Unmanned Digital Twinning Project has been awarded by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, an industry-led, national ocean cluster that’s growing the ocean economy in a digital, sustainable and inclusive way. In collaboration with Whitecap Scientific, SubC Imaging and Nova Scotia Community College SEATAC division, the new digital twinning technology will develop an intuitive bridge between Welaptega’s and Whitecap Scientific’s technology systems. On successful launch of the project, conventional offshore ROV and vessel crew will be able to confidently collect high quality image data for post-processing digital twins, guided by real-time 3D reconstruction, to give feedback on image quality and coverage. Digital twins digitise replicas of physical assets, used for integrity management, simulations and the general visualisation of remote infrastructure to maintain the economic viability of assets, increase safety and reduce risk. Together with members and partners, the Ocean Supercluster is accelerating the development and commercialisation of globallyrelevant ocean solutions, and advancing Canada’s position as a global leader in ocean.
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For more information:
www.ashtead-technology.com
Costain proving hydrogen can be distributed via existing gas networks
Costain, the smart infrastructure solutions company has produced a feasibility study that will contribute to the ongoing assessments of the ability to use the existing UK gas transmission and distribution networks to transport hydrogen. The project is the first to bring together all the gas distribution networks, working collaboratively to develop an innovative hydrogen solution that could be an answer to decarbonised energy for heat, transport, industry and power generation, helping the UK meet its target to be net zero carbon by 2050.
The study is the first in a programme of work to evaluate, develop and demonstrate the concept of hydrogen ‘deblending’, where proven oil and gas process technologies are used to separate the hydrogen/natural gas streams at scale to provide consumer optionality in gas supply to meet different customer requirements. Hydrogen deblending would allow for a varying mix of hydrogen and natural gas to flow through the network, and then separating the two gases so a controlled blend can be supplied to the customer. In this way hydrogen can be supplied to those who are ready and prevented from being received by those who are not.
The study is funded under the Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) available for gas and electricity network operators to fund innovative projects which have the potential to deliver benefits to network customers.
© 2021 Ashtead Technology Ltd
The objective is to provide critical evidence as to the technical and commercial feasibility of using deblending to support the transition of the UK national transmission system and gas distribution networks to a 100% hydrogen gas network. Blending hydrogen into the existing natural gas pipeline network to relatively low concentrations (less than 20% hydrogen) has already been proposed as a means of transporting hydrogen without significantly increasing the risks associated with utilisation of the gas blend in enduse devices (such as household appliances), overall public safety, or the durability and integrity of the existing natural gas pipeline network. Deblending could provide a means to transition from a 20% to a 100% hydrogen network, providing customers with the options for either pure hydrogen, hydrogen/natural gas blends or natural gas to meet demand in industry, heating, transport and green power generation, depending on the customer’s readiness to adopt hydrogen. The fact that this is enabled through the development of tried and tested technology would also help consumer confidence. Furthermore, it could help avoid the cost (estimated at billions of pounds) of building dedicated hydrogen pipelines or other costly delivery infrastructure during the early market development phase. Costain was able to draw on its operational expertise and deep process industry knowledge gained over 70 years of overseeing the design and build, technology selection and optimisation for large-scale gas processing and separation facilities including CO2 and hydrogen separation in petrochemical, refinery and ammonia production applications. Using the operational data provided by the gas network partners, Costain evaluated the techno-economic feasibility of deblending schemes, and carried out technical evaluation and selection of technologies for hydrogen recovery and purification, development of process schemes, plant designs and cost estimates. This study demonstrates the technical and economic feasibility of deblending in the gas transmission and distribution networks, providing a credible pathway to support the UK government in achieving the 2050 net zero commitment.
The feasibility study is the first step in developing the deblending concept; future stages will entail further technical evidence gathering and construction of a demonstration facility to prove the concept.
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For more information:
www.costain.com
Lloyd’s Register innovates lifecycle approach in oil and gas subsurface software
Lloyd’s Register, a professional services company specialising in engineering and technology solutions, has launched a suite of new modules and updates to its subsurface software packages IC and IP. The software’s new capabilities are prompted by the increasing need to capture and utilise data across the entire lifecycle of wells and fields, allowing E&P operators to rise to the challenges presented by a maturing industry, and the energy transition, without additional software investment at each stage. One of the new modules – Casing Inspection – introduced to IP, Lloyd’s Register’s subsurface interpretations software, will seamlessly integrate mature well monitoring and abandonment into the platform, strengthen IP’s existing collection of cased-hole tools, further improving insights across a well’s lifecycle. Two further modules will provide automated workflow benefits for users. Textural Facies will create an automated workflow for determining rock texture types from image log data, while Log QC will highlight data quality issues with raw log measurements. The IP software will also benefit from a refreshed, cloud-ready user interface designed to be touchscreen compatible with a more detailed home screen view and improved search function, resulting in a more intuitive user experience. IC, Lloyd’s Register’s well integration and visualisation software will benefit from a new addition to produce more detailed correlations of the subsurface characteristics between wells as well as easier to apply interactive interpretations.
Not only will the tool be highly insightful for oil and gas operators, it can also play a role in new energy markets by identifying locations to tap geothermal resources, fresh water or lithium brine extraction, as well as being used to access underground aquifers or waste disposal sites. IC will produce holistic subsurface interpretations at a higher resolution than ever before, improving insights and decision making across any aspect of a project’s lifecycle. The new correlations feature is bolstered by a new data import infrastructure to make it even simpler for users to merge and integrate disparate subsurface data for visual display and interpretation.
The industry is on a journey of change as it transitions to alternative and differing subsurface technology applications than just hydrocarbon production. Increased insights of scale, from region to well, across the lifecycle of all subsurface assets will be more valuable than ever in this changing world.
Derek Crombie, Vice President of Subsurface, Lloyd’s Register
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For more information:
www.lr.org
Raheenleagh forest, Ballinvalley, Co Wicklow. Ireland’s newest wind farm energy project located approximately 8km west of Arklow town
© 4H4 Photography/Shutterstock.com
Siemens Energy to help Irish grid exceed renewables penetration limit
Siemens Energy will supply a synchronous condenser system to the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), Ireland’s leading energy company. The grid stabilising system will be developed at the Moneypoint power station located in SouthWest Ireland near Kilrush, County Clare. ESB recently announced the launch of Green Atlantic @ Moneypoint, an ambitious plan to transform the County Clare site into a green energy hub, where a range of renewable technologies will be deployed over the next decade with the capacity to power 1.6m homes. The synchronous condenser, a key component of ESB’s Green Atlantic @ Moneypoint project, will be the first in the country and incorporate the world’s largest flywheel used for grid stability. The facility will enable an increased integration of wind power into the Irish grid by providing sufficient inertia for frequency support, short-circuit power for system strength and reactive power for voltage control. Commissioning of the new plant is planned for mid-2022. Siemens Energy will deliver the synchronous condenser system, providing engineering, procurement, and construction. Key components are a control system which optimally fits to the overlaying grid automation system, a synchronous generator with circuit-breaker and a flywheel. In addition, Siemens Energy will provide the preventive maintenance for ten years with remote diagnostics. The synchronous condenser will, in turn, help management of Ireland’s transmission system.
With the rising share of renewable power and the shutdowns of conventional plants, synchronous condensers are playing an increasingly important role in the grid. By means of the rotating mass of a conventional generator, the solution adjusts conditions on the transmission grid, provides the necessary inertia to support the grid frequency while also providing or absorbing reactive power. In addition, synchronous condensers can diversify revenue for owners and operators while providing an important cash flow contribution.
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For more information:
www.siemens.co.uk
A pioneering system developed by marine technology company Sonardyne to study ocean floor movement has been recognised with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation, the highest award a UK business can receive.
© 2021 Sonardyne
Manufacturing Assembly Operator, Ian Hall, prepares a seabed monitoring instrument at Sonardyne’s facility in Yatelely, England
