Inside Energy September 2024

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Sector analysis Norway prepares for a data-driven future with nuclear SMRs

Norway joins countries such as Estonia and Poland to begin its utility nuclear journey through the introduction of small modular reactors (SMRs), which are advanced nuclear reactors that produce less than 300MWe of power per unit. Norway has not had any working nuclear reactors since shutting down its remaining research unit in 2019, which was the JEEP II reactor in Kjeller. The SMR movement in Norway is currently being spearheaded by Norsk Kjernekraft, a nuclear-specific offshoot established in July 2022 by local oil and gas player M Vest Energy which has stakes in the Draugen, Brage and Ivar Aasen fields. The company follows the trend of oil and gas companies investing in clean tech technology to diversify their portfolio in a post-pandemic world.

The EIC has recorded a number of announcements from the company which puts it at the forefront of utility SMR developments, starting with the Aure and Heim municipality in November 2023.

In that announcement, Norsk Kjernekraft made headway by formally submitting the proposal to the Ministry of Oil and Energy. According to sources, the proposal includes both municipalities to host several SMRs to produce a total of 12.5TWh/annum of electricity. In the same month, a joint company was established with Østfold Energi and the Halden municipality to construct a SMR plant at a former nuclear research facility. Later in June of this year, a third proposal was submitted for a 600MWe plant in the municipality of Vardø. A site was identified to be in Svartnes specifically. Since then, a couple more announcements have been made in the municipalities of Lyngdal and Lund in July with feasibility studies underway.

The selection of these locations was outlined in the company’s new business plan in May 2024 which aims to target power-heavy industries that rely on both electricity and heat. The intended industries to benefit from the first fleets of SMRs include data centres, green hydrogen production, food production, steel and aluminium production and many more. Traditionally, these industries would need to be in proximity to where hydropower plants are established. As such, adequate power transmission infrastructure is limited to those areas. Norsk Kjernekraft will build the SMRs on an off-grid basis, which not only helps lower project costs but also guarantees power supply to industries in areas further away from the hydropower plants. Though Norway lacks definite nuclear targets, the choice for Norsk Kjernekraft to do it this way mirrors one key aspect of the Canadian SMR Roadmap released in 2018 which similarly identifies the need for cogeneration from SMRs in their energy-intensive oilsands production and remote mining industry.

However, unlike Canada, it is difficult to gauge the political will needed in order for a nascent industry such as nuclear to move forward with funding and execution. Aside from the lack of nuclear goals, the country is only just beginning to weigh up the relevance of nuclear in their energy mix – with 88% to have already come from emissions-free hydropower plants, according to official sources in 2023. Despite that, Norsk Kjernekraft has noted in the business plan that conservative future energy demands will escalate from 50TWh to 233TWh with artificial intelligence (AI) driving those figures at an exponential rate. Google has also recently begun construction of its first data centre in the country in Skien municipality and will require 840MW of power over a 20-year operational lifetime. The mayor of Skien has considered the possibility of nuclear for this purpose. Overall, Norsk Kjernekraft believes that it will need to build SMRs with a total capacity of 9001200MWe (roughly 7.5-10TWh/annum) to ensure that power demands from data centres have been met sufficiently.

Partners in the Halden SMR development, Norsk Kjernekraft with Østfold Energi and the Halden municipality, went on to state that aside from power generation, excess heat in the form of steam can also be redirected as district heating for homes. Besides Halden, other regions have also been identified such as Oslo, Akershus and Østfold to undergo power shortages by 16TWh. Record-low reservoir filling levels in recent years probably contributed to this phenomenon such as in 2022 when the total power production was 146.1TWh instead of the expected 156TWh. SMRs are also likely to trump other renewable energy sources in this instance since it is not dependant on external environmental factors such as wind velocity in wind farms and low-reservoir levels in hydropower dams. Hence, nuclear would be a good fit in terms of providing that additional baseload requirement with which renewable energy such as offshore wind and solar falls short on a consistency basis.

All in all, more research needs to be done to ensure Norway’s preparedness for the influx of SMR units. Important issues raised in a 12-person committee set up by the Ministry of Energy in June this year include SMR’s viability when compared with fusion power; its affects towards municipal authorities and the private sector; radioactive waste management and much more. The results of the findings will culminate into a broad review and assessment report, to be done by 1 April 2026. Clearly, Norsk Kjernekraft’s engagement with the ministry will be pivotal, along with public awareness to gain the support of residences, in the next two years should they plan to add SMRs into the national energy mix.

Firdaus Azman

Energy Analyst – Power Generation (Global) firdaus.azman@the-eic.com

Inside this issue...

Applications are now open for the second edition of Net Zero Jeopardy. This project is part of the EIC’s efforts to show the gap between the government’s net zero ambitions and industrial reality which might hurt the success of COP commitments. We intend to dive further into the insights gathered by last year’s report, the first in the series, looking to gather fresh information from our members on their net zero challenges and successes.

Interested members will be interview by the EIC team and have the opportunity to detail their experiences and thoughts around the threats to the achievement of net zero. Answers will be consolidated into key research topics and the feedback will be anonymised. There is no cost to participate, so, if you’re ready to apply or want to know more, please visit www.the-eic.com/MediaCentre/ Publications/EICNetZeroReport

In this edition of Inside Energy, we hope you enjoy our overview of nuclear small modular reactors (SMRs) in Norway by Firdaus Azman, energy analyst for power generation at the EIC; GHD’s guest editorial, penned by Adeoye Moronkeji, senior advisor for public policy and government transformation; OGC Energy’s solutions for the energy sector; HR Wallingford’s wet storage technology; and a second editorial from TÜV SÜD, written by Colin Lightbody, principal consultant at the company’s National Engineering Laboratory.

As always, readers can also get in contact with regional comments from our directors in Europe, the MENA region, Asia Pacific and the Americas. We also have the latest industry news, including information from our members worldwide, and more of the stories featured in this year’s Survive & Thrive report.

DataStream

EGYPT

HYPORT Gargoub Green Hydrogen Project

Operator: DEME Concessions Value: US$3.2bn

DEME has signed an agreement with the Egyptian government to establish an industrial-scale green hydrogen production facility in the Port of Gargoub. HYPORT Gargoub is a three-phase project, with the first phase targeting an annual production of 320,000 tonnes of green ammonia.

For information on these and more than 15,000 other current and future projects we are tracking please visit EICDataStream

MEXICO Block 9 – Yopaat-1 Discovery

Operator: Eni

Value: US$250m

Eni has announced an oil discovery on Block 9 after drilling the Yopaat-1 exploration well. The well, located in a water depth of 525m, was drilled by the Valaris DPS-5 semi-sub rig to a total depth of 2,931m. The Yopaat discovery may contain 300-400m barrels of oil equivalent in place.

Global opportunities

FRANCE Hauts-de-France Nitrogen Fertiliser Plant

Operator: FertigHy Value: US$1.42bn

NEXTCHEM has been awarded a feasibility study and pre-FEED contract for the project. NEXTCHEM will leverage on its NX Stami Green AmmoniaTM and NX Stami Nitric AcidTM technologies to design the process.

MALAYSIA Malaysian Northern CCS Cluster

Operator: Petronas Value: US$300m

PETRONAS is to award pre-FEED contracts for major CCS projects in offshore Malaysia which includes the Northern and Southern CCS. The preFEED scope for the project will include a jetty/berth for liquefied CO2 vessels.

POLAND

Offshore Wind Farm MFW Baltyk Srodkowy II

Operator: Equinor Value: US$2.56bn

Sif and Smulders have signed reservation agreements to manufacture (including shop design, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning) 100 transition pieces for the Baltyk II & III wind farms. Heerema Marine Contractors has been chosen for the transportation and installation of 100 monopiles and transition pieces.

US Port Fourchon LNG Export Terminal (Phase 1)

Operator: Argent LLC

Value: US$4.8bn

Argent LNG has contracted Chart Industries’ IPSMR® process technology for the project. The technology represents a mid-scale modular solution approach. Chart has already begun engineering work related to the project and anticipates booking an equipment order in 2025.

THE VOICE OF THE ENERGY SUPPLY CHAIN

DataStream

Are you up to date on the latest project developments in the energy market? The EIC’s leading market intelligence database – EICDataStream – contains information on energy projects and associated contracting activity from the inception stage all the way through to construction and commissioning.

• Access details on over 14,000 CAPEX projects across all energy sectors

• Identify business opportunities and inform your business development strategies

• Explore a truly global database, updated daily by an international team of analysts

• Stay up to date with project developments, including information on tenders and awards

• Get insights into what your existing clients are doing and identify potential new clients

• Have a direct interface with analysts for local knowledge and insights

• Access insight and country reports with in-depth data on specific sectors and markets

SupplyMap

EICSupplyMap maps the capabilities of supply chain companies that operate in the wider energy industry. These industries cover renewables, upstream, midstream, downstream, power, nuclear, energy storage and the potential and proven capabilities in carbon capture and hydrogen. After successfully mapping the UK market, EICSupplyMap now covers Germany, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and the US (Louisiana).

• Identify the supply chain local to your region, giving you the opportunity to engage with potential new clients.

• Find the supply chain capability in five regions, now covering the UK, UAE, Malaysia, Texas/US and Brazil.

• An in-depth look at profiles of more than 6,000 energy sector supply chain companies.

• Make smarter decisions by targeting your offering to international developers/operators and contractors matching your capability with international energy projects.

RIO DE JANEIRO
KUALA LUMPUR

EIC guest editorial

GHD: pioneering solutions in the energy market

Navigating the complexities of today’s energy market requires vision, strategy and a commitment to implementation through innovation. GHD exemplifies these qualities with its dynamic approach to the energy transition, business resilience and sustainability. Balancing those three factors allows GHD to position itself as an indispensable advisor for clients striving to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing energy landscape.

The strategic vision: Make it Real

In 2020, we launched our Make it Real strategy, marking a significant milestone in our history. This five-year plan was crafted to meet the evolving demands of the global markets in which we operate; water, energy and resources, transportation, property and buildings, focusing on integrating sustainable practices and innovative solutions.

With a workforce of more than 11,000 professionals across more than 160 offices worldwide, we have leveraged our extensive expertise in advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services to drive significant growth. In 2023, we reported a record revenue of US$1.86bn, reflecting a 17% increase from the previous year. This growth is a testament to our strategic foresight and commitment to delivering value to our clients.

Addressing the energy transition challenge

The global shift towards a net zero economy is a monumental challenge that spans every industry and geographic region. The energy sector is under immense pressure to decarbonise and adopt sustainable practices. We have committed ourselves to be among the leaders of this transition, helping clients navigate the complexities of changing market sentiments and regulatory requirements.

Our strategy includes a comprehensive investment in talent development, focusing on recruitment, reskilling and upskilling to ensure our team can meet the demands of the energy transition.

Creating new specialist roles and appointing new leadership underscores our commitment to driving our strategy forward.

Innovative solutions for energy challenges

Our strategic initiatives are centred on three critical areas: energy transition, business resilience and sustainability. Each area represents a cornerstone of our approach to solving clients’ challenges and driving growth.

1. Energy transition: leading the way

We provide clients with strategic advice and recommend transformational pathways to navigate the energy transition. By developing comprehensive road maps, we help clients understand how to balance financial performance with environmental impact, creating competitive advantages in the process. Our technical knowledge enables clients to anticipate and adapt to market changes, ensuring they remain relevant at the cutting-edge of innovation in the energy sector.

2. Business resilience: ensuring stability and growth

In an increasingly volatile market, business resilience is paramount. We assist clients in futureproofing their operations by offering methodologies and strategies to manage and mitigate change. This focus on resilience enhances value and attracts investment by meeting stringent environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria.

3. Sustainability: a holistic approach

Our holistic approach to sustainability involves identifying potential weaknesses in clients’ sustainability efforts and developing robust strategies for success. We support clients in implementing these strategies, ensuring they achieve their sustainability goals and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Record-breaking success and strategic growth

Our innovative approach and strategic initiatives have driven remarkable growth. This success is particularly evident in the EMEA region, where we have undertaken several key projects. GHD’s influential role as consultants in the global hydrogen revolution was recognised by Reuters Events Renewables, which named GHD as one of the top 100 hydrogen innovators in 2023.

One notable project is our support for the development of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) National Hydrogen Strategy. By delivering a comprehensive strategy to the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, we are helping the UAE become a global leader in hydrogen development. This aligns with the country’s vision to become a leading low-carbon hydrogen producer by 2031, marking its 60th anniversary.

Key insights for industry and government

Our journey offers valuable insights for both industry players and government entities. For industry, extensive scenario planning and front-end analysis are crucial in navigating a volatile market. For further information visit GHD’s website... www.ghd.com/en/the-future/future-energy

Companies must also cultivate a clear organisational culture to drive career ambition and innovation.

For governments, our success underscores the importance of long-term commitment and clear goals beyond the term of current administrations. Providing more subsidies and other forms of support can significantly aid the energy transition. Policies must align with the industry’s long-term needs to foster sustainable growth.

The hydrogen economy: a strategic focus

Hydrogen is poised to play a critical role in the global energy transition. In fact, the Hydrogen Council reports that 1,000 hydrogen proposals were announced worldwide in 2023 and an impressive 795 of them are planning full or partial deployment by the end of the year. However, the market faces challenges such as high costs and commercial viability. We address these challenges by advocating for clear and enforced interventions to encourage hydrogen integration in various industries.

Collaboration among industry, academia and finance providers is crucial for developing robust criteria for project funding.

GHD’s involvement in roundtable discussions with the EIC highlights the need for incentives and interventions to stimulate hydrogen production and integration.

What’s next: a bright future for GHD

Our outlook is promising. Our strategies, commitment to talent development and holistic approach to client solutions enable us to lead in the energy market.

Our story is one of innovation, collaboration and impact. By addressing clients’ needs with practical solutions and strategic insights, we are meeting today’s demands and shaping tomorrow’s energy landscape. As our organisation continues to thrive, we set a powerful example for others in the industry, proving that, with the right strategy and commitment, the future of energy can be bright.

A leader in energy transition

Our journey in the energy market demonstrates our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation and sustainability. By leveraging our technical knowledge, extensive experience and holistic approach, we are helping clients in their journeys toward energy transition, build resilient operations and achieve longterm sustainability goals.

As the world continues to grapple with the challenges and impacts of carbon emissions to address climate change issues and the need for sustainable and clean energy solutions, we stand out as a trusted advisor and leader in the field. Our strategic vision, recordbreaking success and forward-looking approach enables us to be a significant player in accelerating the energy transition and reimagining the future of energy.

For more information visit GHD’s website www.ghd.com/en/ the-future/future-energy

Member’s news

OGC Energy is a leading consultancy in materials, corrosion and asset integrity – providing practical solutions for projects in various energy sectors such as offshore wind, hydrogen, sustainable hydrocarbon production and carbon capture and storage (CCS).

CCS: As a leader in materials and corrosion in CCS, OGC Energy has helped multiple projects around the world, resulting in a total sequestration capacity of 88MTPA of CO2 – equivalent to the annual emissions of a country the size of Chile. OGC Energy helps clients with pipelines, wells and facilities through corrosion assessments, material selection, CO2 specification support, failure modes, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA), re-purposing of existing assets for CCS and thermodynamic support.

Offshore wind: OGC Energy has supported projects with a total capacity of 20GW. Its understanding of the economics and constraints of the offshore wind industry, combined with its team of experts, ensures suitable material and corrosion support to maximise the life of your offshore wind projects. OGC Energy’s offerings include owner engineering support and material selection services to meet your project’s needs. OGC Energy offers a cathodic protection system design, determining the required number of anodes to prevent corrosion. OGC Energy ensures the integrity of assets throughout their operational life by providing QA/QC services, paint and coating specifications and due diligence services.

Hydrogen: OGC Energy’s services for hydrogen include materials selection and compatibility analysis, hydrogen cracking and stress analysis, design and fabrication support and corrosion management and protection. OGC Energy’s experience includes initiatives such as the Net Zero Technology Centre Hydrogen Backbone Link project, as well as providing technical support for Dolphyn ERM’s Wind-To-Green Hydrogen project.

Asset integrity: OGC Energy also offers expert asset integrity services to support clients in meeting regulatory requirements, extending the life of ageing assets and minimising risks. Solutions include data management, risk-based inspection, corrosion management, regulatory compliance support, fitness for service and life extension studies. OGC Energy is helping Interconnector UK at Bacton Gas Terminal to safely transport one third of the UK’s gas supply to and from mainland Europe.

NACE MR0175/ISO 15156: OGC Energy’s team, led by Ivan Gutierrez, has 25+ years of experience in NACE MR0175/ISO 15156. As a member of Task Group 299 and the British Standards Institution, Ivan and the team are equipped to answer all your questions and concerns, from material compliance to H 2 S limits and asset integrity.

Choosing OGC Energy as your trusted partner guarantees unmatched expertise and support throughout your energy project. With a proven track record of success in diverse and challenging projects worldwide, OGC Energy excels in material selection, corrosion protection, ensuring compliance with demanding regulations and asset integrity management.

The OGC Energy team

Spotlight on technology

A review, published by TS-FLOW™ JIP, shows that temporary wet storage is crucial to the successful delivery of large-scale floating wind projects and adds significant value to local economies. However, it also highlights that suitable locations are extremely limited and calls for more developers, ports and yards to get involved in the initiative.

TS-FLOW™ JIP, delivered by HR Wallingford and Offshore Solutions Group, aims to deliver fully developed, independent, temporary wet storage sites in the Celtic Sea and UK North (Scotwind/Intog) leasing zones.

Wet storage is needed to provide holistic assembly and integration because the majority of UK port facilities don’t have space to store enormous FLOW base units at their quaysides.

Without wet storage, schemes are unlikely to be delivered on time due to unforeseen production delays and limited weather windows for installation at wind farms.

As part of its work to facilitate wet storage, TS-FLOW™ JIP (UK North), with funding support from Crown Estate Scotland, has published its lessons learned following extensive work with developers, regulators and port authorities.

The full report is available at...

The highlights are:

• Developing wet storage areas will provide social value and support local economies and could support around 1,600 jobs in the project lifetime.

• Location options for wet storage sites are extremely limited. Only nine of over 70 sites screened in the UK North area met the baseline criteria.

• Consenting, licensing and insurance compliance are highly complex and untested areas that will require intensive industry engagement.

• Collaboration with the offshore insurance industry is key when it comes to site development. The floating wind industry needs to demonstrate that having wet storage lowers project risk and subsequent insurance premiums. Drawing on its unique capabilities in science, technology and engineering, HR Wallingford invests in knowledge to deliver insight and innovation. The company harnesses research, intelligent data and the power of its collective expertise to design smarter, more resilient solutions to address future challenges and opportunities in, on and near water. HR Wallingford is a global leader and independent expert in how to live and work sustainably with water.

https://offshoresolutionsgroup.com/lesson-learnt-report-attached-ts-flow-jip-uk-north-phase-1/

Wallingford
GIGAWATT SCALE FLOW WON’T FLOAT WITHOUT WET STORAGE

EIC guest editorial

The power of collaboration: GFMW’s role in shaping flow measurement for over 40 years

The 42nd Global Flow Measurement Workshop will take place on 2224 October in Aberdeen, UK. The workshop has four decades of innovation, knowledge sharing, collaboration in flow measurement and a well-deserved reputation for being the foremost flow measurement event worldwide, with key stakeholders in the energy industry delivering firstclass technical content.

Colin Lightbody discusses the event’s evolution, its shift in focus to include the energy transition and sustainability and why industry professionals return year after year. He shares his insights on the importance of engaging younger professionals and the topics that are at the forefront of the sector.

Celebrating the GFMW’s 40th anniversary in 2022 was quite an achievement. Reaching the 40-year mark was a testament to the dedication of everyone involved and shows the demand for such an event. When the event first started, it was called the North Sea Flow Measurement Workshop and focused mostly on the oil and gas industry in the North Sea region.

Over the years, the event became much more international, with papers submitted and visitors coming from all over the globe. Additionally, as our industry progresses through the transition to other energy sources, while maximising recovery, minimising emissions and utilising digital tools, the requirement for standards and best practices is increasing in importance and we felt the new name reflected the natural evolution of the event.

To maintain a competitive edge in today’s economy, industries must keep up with technology, regulation and best practices. Without innovation, companies risk becoming obsolete. This is as true in the energy sector as in any other industry.

The central focus of the GFMW has always been world-renowned experts sharing their field experiences and latest research into all aspects of flow measurement. This year’s event will also include emerging topics such as digital developments, CCUS and hydrogen.

The event will maintain its worldleading tradition of independence and expertise by offering a mix of:

• Technical presentations incorporating real-world experience.

• Panel sessions hosting expert discussion of key measurement topics and challenges.

• Poster presentations highlighting innovative research and development projects.

• Interactive breakout sessions to share knowledge and best practice.

People from the entire supply chain, operators, service providers, manufacturers, consultants, regulators, researchers and standards bodies come together to tackle industry challenges and explore solutions. Attendees gain insights from peers’ field experiences, discover new research developments and discuss their own specific issues with fellow professionals and companies.

This sense of community is one of the main reasons people return year after year. They value the connections they make and the insights they gain from the various sessions and presentations.

I’ve attended GFMW many times since 2004 and find it’s an excellent opportunity to stay updated on the latest trends and technologies. You can meet with colleagues and industry experts, exchange ideas and talk to equipment manufacturers showcasing the latest innovations within the industry. I enjoy learning about new research, technological advancements and innovative approaches to improving efficiency.

We’re fortunate to have a diverse range of attendees from experienced industry professionals to newcomers just starting their careers. We see engineers, environmental experts, regulatory specialists and technology providers among others. This mix creates a vibrant atmosphere where different perspectives can come together to address common challenges. We also ensure there’s plenty of time for networking and informal discussions, which is where a lot of the real knowledge exchange happens. Our social events, such as our informal networking evening and gala dinner, are key to this.

Encouraging younger professionals to attend is a priority, so new for this year is our Early Career Package. This enhanced delegate ticket includes a half-day training course before the workshop and is intended for anyone new to flow measurement in either a technical or nontechnical capacity and particularly for those in the early stages of their career.

I’m really excited about this as I will be delivering the training: An Overview of Flow Metrology and Measurement which I hope will provide context and information on the topics that will be discussed in detail throughout the following days at the conference. Our aim is to help attendees get more from the presentations.

We need to ensure there’s a strong pipeline of talent for the future of the industry and initiatives like this are crucial. By engaging with younger professionals and providing them with opportunities to learn and grow, we’re building the next generation of leaders in the field.

The GFMW has a strong reputation for providing cutting-edge content, and we work hard to maintain that. Our technical committee includes experts from various sectors and from around the world, ensuring that we’re always in touch with the latest developments in technology and regulation.

We also value feedback from our attendees. After each event, we survey to understand what worked well and what could be improved which helps us tailor future workshops to meet the evolving needs of our audience.

This year we are introducing panel sessions to allow more of a deep-dive discussion with industry experts into the hot topics of the moment.

One of these panel sessions will be focussed on carbon capture utilisation and storage and another on flare emissions.

I hope attendees leave GFMW with a deeper understanding of the current state of the industry, including the challenges and opportunities. I also want them to feel inspired by the innovative solutions and best practices discussed during the event.

Additionally, I hope they form valuable connections with their peers. The relationships built at GFMW often lead to collaborations and partnerships that extend well beyond the workshop itself.

I’m excited about the future of GFMW and the role it will play in advancing flow measurement technologies. We hope you can join us at the 42nd Global Flow Measurement Workshop in October.

Aside from the Global Flow Measurement Workshop, Colin is also Deputy Chair of the BSI committee CPI/30/5 Velocity and mass methods; a member of the ISO committee ISO/TC 30/SC 5 Velocity and mass methods; and is assisting the Energy Institute with the updating of the guidance document HM 58 Guidelines for Determination of Flare and Vent Emissions from Oil and Gas Facilities.

In his role as Principal Consultant at TÜV SÜD, he is heavily involved in the delivery of flaring and emissions services. Reporting correct quantities of carbon dioxide and methane flowing through vents and/or flares relies on accurate flare and vent gas metering. Recent research and analysis undertaken by TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory has uncovered significant discrepancies in the expectation of performance, leading to potential costly emissions miscalculations, reputational damage and safety issues. Colin and his colleagues have been working on various approaches, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD), to help improve the transparency of flare emissions calculations and the accuracy of their environmental impact. Colin is also a regular presenter of TÜV SÜD webinars and recently shared insights into condition-based monitoring (CBM) of flow meters. This type of predictive analytics can use historical performance to give the operator the ability to predict and avoid instrumentation failure, enabling the evolution from a strict calendar-based maintenance and calibration regime to one which is datadriven and determined by the condition of the instruments.

EIC CEO Stuart Broadley presenting the keynote speech at GFMW 2022
Mushhood Haider, MBA, Global Flow Measurement Workshop 2024 Keynote Speaker with Muir Porter, Senior Manager, TÜV SÜD, at the National Engineering Laboratory facility in East Kilbride

New EIC members

NEW PRIMARY MEMBER

Energya Steel Fabrication

Industrial Zone A6 East 10th of Ramadan City Egypt

Contact Manal Ahmed, Section Head Marketing, Energya Steel Fabrication

Telephone +20 101 7777 191

Email

manal.ahmed@energyasteel.com

Web www.energyasteel.com

Energya Steel Fabrication is a member of Energya Industries Group, which has two steel fabrication entities: Energya Steel Fabrications Co, located in 10th of Ramadan City, Egypt and Hesham Helal El Sewedy & Partners for Steel Industries Ltd, located in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia.

The company was established in 2006 to serve the requirements of a wide range of industrial projects, to meet increased global demand and to furnish specialised support to heavy process plants in Egypt, the Middle East, GCC countries, Africa, Europe and Americas

Energya Steel Fabrication has the capacity to provide multiple engineering services, starting from design, supply, fabrication, galvanisation, painting, site delivery and erection of structural steel, process steel equipment (plate works), tanks, pressure vessels, stacks, equipment, overhead transmission and telecommunication towers, lighting poles and pre-engineered buildings.

NEW PRIMARY MEMBER

Eventus Industrial Products Trade Ltd Co

Üçevler Mh Aslantaş Sk No 9 D 1 16120 Nilüfer Bursa Turkey

Contact

Kemal Ersoy, Sales & Business Development Manager

Telephone +90 224 504 53 48

Email ersoy@eventus-tr.net

Web www.eventus-tr.net

Eventus is an industrial solutions company providing engineering products to the companies operating in oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation and renewable industries.

Products and services under its competency are as follows:

• Mist eliminators and flushing systems

• Chemical injection skids and pumps

• Electrical heaters (Ex-proof and non-hazardous)

• Gas turbine air intake solutions

• Exhaust gas cleaning solutions

Though its expertise comes from the conventional oil and gas downstream and power generation industries, the company’s vision drives it to take its place to save our planet, therefore, Eventus has full focus in renewable energy starting from the offshore wind industry. Eventus is here to energise your business.

NEW PRIMARY MEMBER Exact Oil & Gas Sdn Bhd

29-A, Jalan Kenari 17E Bandar Puchong Jaya 47100 Puchong Selangor, Malaysia

Contact

Rahimah Binti Abd Rahim, Business Development Director

Telephone +603 8076 5778

Email info@exactoilgas.com

Web www.exactoilgas.com

Since its establishment in 2012, Exact Oil & Gas Sdn Bhd has been recognised by Malaysian oil and gas players as a reputable organisation that can provide analytical instrumentation for quality measurement. It is a supplier of an extensive range of oil and gas associated products and services to the oil and gas industry, including the popular gas detection system, liquid and gas analyser. Currently, the company is holding exclusive agencies from its partners such as General Monitors by MSA Safety, BW Portable Gas Detectors by Honeywell, Michell Instruments, Protea In-Situ NDIR, Servomex, Advanced Sensors, Manvia and Xylem.

Apart from the gas detection system and gas analyser, Exact Oil & Gas Sdn Bhd is also capable of supplying other products and services such as project management, hook-up and commissioning, instrument calibration, preventive and shut down maintenance, spare parts trading, system upgrading and expansion, technical consultancy, as well as after sales services.

The company’s strong backbone is supported by a professional and dedicated managerial and technical team. It has a unique reputation working at a high-level of responsiveness towards client needs, time management and strong relationships with partners and clients.

EIC Inside

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Inside Energy provides a dynamic blend of news, market insights, events and best practices from around the world. With contributions from EIC member companies and top industry figures, Inside Energy keeps readers at the forefront of innovation and progress in oil and gas, power, nuclear, renewables, energy transition and more.

Here’s why advertising in Inside Energy is your ticket to success in 2024:

Unparalleled Reach: Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your brand in front of our elite audience. Our October issue will reach even further with 5,000 printed copies distributed at Hydrogen Technology Expo in Hamburg, while our November issue will make waves at ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi.

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Member news

ABB creates world’s first medium voltage, speed-controlled motor concept

ABB’s MV Titanium concept is the world’s first medium-voltage (MV), speed controlled, industrial motor, in the 1-to-5MW range that brings connectivity and control features in an easy to specify and install package. The all-in-one concept brings the benefits of energy efficiency to MV motordriven processes, which today account for 10% of the world’s electricity.

In this pursuit, ABB has developed the MV Titanium concept to address the main perceived obstacles related to installing a drive with a large motor. These include not only the initial cost of a separate drive, but also its associated electrical house (e-house), transformers, switchgear and cabling that multiply the capital cost and increase the complexity of installation, especially on existing sites where space is at a premium. In addition to these savings, it will also provide OPEX savings due to the energy efficiency it will provide.

The next-generation concept has been built on ABB’s 140 years of motor design and 50 years of drives technology experience to create a solution that integrates energy efficiency, controllability and connectivity into a single package. Furthermore, it has intelligence built in, with analytical and connectivity capabilities so it can seamlessly integrate into existing systems.

The MV Titanium motors are intended for use with pumps, compressors and fans as typical applications, where they could reduce energy consumption by up to 40%. They will be used across a wide range of sectors including power and renewables, processing, mining, cement and water.

iFor more information: www.abb.com

NPCC awards Amarinth another major order for API 610 OH2 pumps

Amarinth, a world-leading, net zero designer and manufacturer of low lifecycle cost centrifugal pumps and associated equipment, primarily for the offshore and onshore oil and gas industries; nuclear and renewable energy generation; defence; desalination; process and industrial markets, has once again secured an order from NPCC for API 610 OH2 pumps destined for ADNOC’s Lower Zakum facility in the UAE.

When ADNOC sought new closed drain pumps for the Main Gas Pipeline project, a component of its Lower Zakum Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP-1) to enhance field production, National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC), ADNOC’s procurement contractor in Abu Dhabi, turned to Amarinth for its extensive knowledge of ADNOC specifications.

As with many oil and gas operators, ADNOC is demanding more from its suppliers and recently revised its specifications, elevating quality, witnessing and testing procedures throughout the manufacturing cycle. Leveraging its two-decade-long relationship with ADNOC and NPCC, Amarinth worked closely with its supply chain to integrate additional quality checks and rigorous testing procedures as mandated by ADNOC, while ensuring adherence to delivery schedules.

The order comprises three API 610 OH2 12th Edition drain pumps featuring Plan 53B seal support systems. Manufactured in Alloy 625 with Type 3.2 certification and non-destructive examination (NDE), the pumps also require IECEx certification. Equipped with pressure transmitters for pre-emptive issue detection, the order encompasses a mobile top-up trolley, nitrogen charging kit, warehouse spares and a certified lifting beam for installation assistance.

Thuy-Tien Le Guen Dang appointed Head of New Energy and Net Zero at ASCO

Global integrated logistics and materials management specialist, ASCO, has promoted Thuy-Tien Le Guen Dang to the newly created senior role of head of new energy and net zero.

The post will be instrumental in taking forward the company’s ambition to substantially grow its global footprint in new energies while working to achieve net zero across all of its own facilities by 2040.

Thuy-Tien, who holds an MBA from Robert Gordon University, joined ASCO five years ago as group marketing and communications manager. In September 2021, she became group sustainability and marketing manager to advance ASCO’s sustainability goals. Previously, she held various commercial roles, including over nine years at Lhoist Western Europe focusing on new business development in water treatment. Thuy-Tien is also a nonexecutive director at the Energy Industry Council.

In her new role, she is charged with leading ASCO’s positioning for growth in the global new energy marketplace, collaborating with colleagues around the world to drive continued diversification in energies such as wind power, clean fuels and CCUS. ASCO aims to boost profitability by 40% over the next five years, primarily through new energies and territorial expansion. Thuy-Tien will also continue to drive ASCO’s decarbonisation roadmap, developing initiatives to meet net zero GHG by 2040.

Thuy-Tien’s promotion follows other senior promotions including Fraser Stewart, from MD international to chief commercial officer, Marianne Lipp, from director M&A to CFO deputy and Allison Thomson, from group strategy manager to head of strategy.

ASD Limited acquires assets of Atlantic Steel Processing Ltd

ASD Limited has announced the acquisition of the assets of Atlantic Steel Processing Ltd, based in Birkenhead, Merseyside.

The strategic location within the Port of Liverpool, combined with our enhanced product range and unique processing capabilities, presents exciting new opportunities.

Peter Whiting, CEO, ASD Limited

This strategic move marks a new growth chapter for ASD under the umbrella of Hierros Añon SA, one of the largest mill-independent steel distributors in Europe. With a site at the Port of Liverpool, ASD will enhance its presence in the northwest of the UK and enable cost-effective distribution to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland markets.

ASD will also introduce a new product line to its portfolio – de-coiled hot rolled sheets and reversing mill plate. With expanded capability to stock and de-coil 2,500mm wide coils in gauges from 5mm to 20mm, ASD becomes the only distributor in northern Europe with such an extensive capability.

i For more information: www.kloecknermetalsuk.com

Thuy-Tien Le Guen Dang

Balmoral appoints Sarah-Jane Hogg as Non-Executive Director

Balmoral Group Holdings Limited has announced the appointment of Sarah-Jane Hogg as a non-executive director. Sarah brings a wealth of experience from her current role as chief executive of Friends of ANCHOR, a charity dedicated to supporting cancer and haematology patients in north east Scotland and the Northern Isles.

Sarah’s extensive experience in public engagement will offer the Balmoral Group Board a fresh perspective as we continue to diversify our operations.
Sir James Milne, Chairman and Managing Director, Balmoral Group

In addition to her role at Friends of ANCHOR, Sarah serves as a trustee of The Milne Family Foundation, a charitable organisation established by her father, Sir James Milne, chairman and managing director of Balmoral Group.

Sarah’s appointment marks a significant step in Balmoral Group’s commitment to broadening its expertise and maintaining its strong support for charitable organisations. Her leadership and insight are expected to contribute greatly to the group’s future endeavours.

BASF and NGK release advanced type of sodiumsulphur batteries

BASF Stationary Energy Storage GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF and NGK INSULATORS Ltd (NGK), a Japanese ceramics manufacturer, have released an advanced container-type NAS battery (sodium-sulphur battery).

The new product NAS MODEL L24 has been jointly developed by NGK and BASF and is characterised by a significantly lower degradation rate of less than 1% per year thanks to reduced corrosion in battery cells. Another technical achievement is an improved thermal management system in battery modules, which enables a longer continuous discharge. The new technology elements have been incorporated into the fieldproven battery design.

These improvements allow projects to be implemented using significantly fewer number of NAS battery containers over project running time, and with lower maintenance costs.

The new concept complies with the latest safety standards for energy storage installations, such as UL1973 and UL9540A and underlines the high degree of safety for NAS installations.

NAS batteries are long-duration, high-energy stationary storage batteries. They feature long life and enhanced safety and can provide a stable power supply over six hours or longer. In more than 20 years they have been deployed at over 250 locations worldwide, with a total output of almost five gigawatt-hours. NAS batteries are used for various use cases, including stabilising of renewable energy and optimising its utilisation, through peak shaving and load balancing as well as emergency power supply. NAS batteries are one of the key contributors to a successful energy transition and carbon neutrality.

With the NAS MODEL L24

customers initial investment in battery storage term project costs, approximately 20% over have contributed to the advancement of essential building block for a successful Frank Prechtl, Managing Director, BASF Stationary Energy

Belzona SF6-FIX leak solution launch

Belzona has launched its revolutionary SF6 leak solution. As the world grapples with the urgency of minimising greenhouse gas emissions, Belzona takes a proactive stance by introducing its solution to SF6 leakage. Belzona SF6FIX can reduce leaks to undetectable levels, mitigating the environmental hazards associated with SF6 usage. Sulphur hexafluoride or SF6 is a synthetic gas comprised of one sulphur and six fluoride atoms. It is commonly used in medium and high voltage electrical equipment to insulate live electrical parts and to switch the flow of electrical current on and off. This same equipment, crucial for the efficient functioning of power grids, also plays a pivotal role in connecting the generation and storage of renewable energy.

Despite its utility, SF6 is incredibly detrimental to the planet. With a warming potential that is a staggering 23,500 times higher than carbon dioxide (CO2), SF6 is the most potent greenhouse gas. This means that even in minute quantities, SF6 has a disproportionately significant impact on global warming. Worryingly, the Environmental Protection Agency notes that leak detection surveys show approximately 10% of circuit breaker populations leak and 85% of these leaks are releasing enough of this dangerous gas to be considered significant. Frequent leaks of such a potent greenhouse gas have become a serious contributing factor to global warming.

Photo © Balmoral Comtec Ltd
Sarah-Jane Hogg

customers will be able to reduce their storage systems as well as save on longover project lifetime. We are proud to of NAS battery technology, which is an energy transition. Energy Storage GmbH

The online leak solution in action

The electric switch gear flange within a power distribution substation was leaking 70kg of SF6 per month. In addition to being devastating for the environment, such leaks incur substantial costs, as local authorities can issue hefty fines. Leveraging a strategic combination of expertly applied specialist materials, including reinforcement sheets alongside Belzona’s advanced resin and coatings, Belzona successfully stemmed the leak in just one day, without the need to degas the system.

Six months into service, the solution was deemed successful. The leak has been reduced to an undetectable level, resulting in a monumental environmental and financial saving. This triumphant application has paved the way for the solution’s expansion to other substations, offering a practical and efficient means to propel the global power distribution industry towards a more sustainable future.

Costain selected to conduct pioneering transport study into use of hydrogen refuelling stations

Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been selected by Wales & West Utilities (WWU) to lead a study exploring how hydrogen refuelling stations can be integrated into the UK’s existing gas network.

The research, funded by Ofgem, will explore the potential of using the UK’s natural gas network – which provides energy to homes, businesses and large industry – as hydrogen fuelling infrastructure in anticipation of increased demand for zero emissions vehicles.

Specifically, the research will consider infrastructure solutions which increase the viability of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). These low emission vehicles could be a sustainable alternative to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, thanks to hydrogen having a similar refuelling process.

The study is part of a WWU initiative called HyDrive, which seeks to address the lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure across Wales and the south west of England. Costain’s researchers will consult key regional stakeholders to understand current road transport demands, model and forecast future demands on the network and recommend potential locations where existing petrol stations could be converted to hydrogen refuellers.

Hydrogen will play an important role in the UK’s decarbonisation and energy transition ambitions. Our research will help improve understanding of the hurdles which need to be overcome to make hydrogen-powered vehicles a reality.

The report’s insights into the economics of implementing the technology and how it will impact consumers in a future transition, will point the way for gas distribution networks to work with hydrogen producers and refuelling infrastructure providers to help deliver demonstrable long-term savings for consumers as part of the energy transition. i For more information: www.costain.com

Element

expands in Edinburgh with stateof-the-art business service centre

Element Materials Technology (Element), a leading global provider of testing, inspection and certification (TIC) services, has officially opened its new European Global Business Services (GBS) centre in Edinburgh, Scotland. Over 200 colleagues and guests joined the celebration, led by Jo Wetz, CEO and Ruth Prior, CFO.

This investment builds on Element’s long-standing history in Scotland and ensures we continue to attract the very best talent to support our business.

Sheena Cantley, Director, Global Business Services, Europe, Element

Element continues to grow both organically and through acquisition. At nearly 16,000 sq ft, more than double the size of Element’s previous office in Newbridge (Scotland), the expanded facility creates more capacity for customer and colleague support across Europe, with the office comfortably accommodating the 220-strong workforce. Teams represented in the GBS include human resources, digital technology, cyber security, commercial, legal and finance.

The office, located in the award-winning 1 New Park Square building in Edinburgh Park, contains state-of-the-art facilities including collaboration space, huddle rooms, an open-concept layout with hot desks and abundant natural light. Situated within a growing business community at Edinburgh Park, colleagues also have access to health and wellbeing facilities, convenient parking and an excellent transport infrastructure with direct access to the M8 and wider motorway network and an onsite tram stop connecting to rail and air links.

Kent reports over US$1bn in new contracts for H1 2024

Kent, a leading global provider of engineering and consultancy services, has secured US$1.2bn in new contracts in the first half of 2024. This achievement underscores the company’s strong market presence and its continued growth across multiple regions worldwide.

Kent has seen substantial success in regions all over the world. In the UAE, Kent has been awarded multiple front-end engineering design (FEED) and project management consultancy (PMC) contracts. These projects contribute to the nation’s ambitious initiative to decarbonise operations and achieve a 25% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.

We are incredibly proud of the progress and growth we have achieved in the first half of 2024. Securing over US$1bn in new contracts is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and the trust our clients place in us.

Kent’s work in Saudi Arabia continues to grow, executing scopes under existing long-term framework agreements. Additionally, Kent has been awarded contract extensions with long-term clients in Iraq to continue delivering consultancy and construction management services, as well as new engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contracts in the country.

Kent’s commissioning business has seen major wins with global framework agreements, with projects starting across the Americas, Europe and APAC. In the Asia Pacific region, Kent continues to expand its remit with key clients, being awarded engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts following FEED completion.

In support of its growing operations and to better serve its clients, Kent has expanded its presence in all regions, opening new offices in key locations. The company’s focus remains on leveraging its expertise to support clients’ goals and contribute to global initiatives, such as decarbonisation and achieving net zero. i For more information: https://kentplc.com/

Interior of Element’s new office in Edinburgh

McDermott releases its 2023 Sustainability Report

McDermott has released its 2023 Sustainability Report, which details the company’s progress in advancing environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments during its centennial year. McDermott remains dedicated to helping customers develop cleaner and more efficient pathways to produce and deliver the world’s energy. The company’s focus on project excellence, responsible business and supporting the transition to a lower carbon future is evident throughout the report.

The report highlights the company’s industry-leading safety performance, expanded adoption of renewable energy, onsite solar power generation and digital technologies.

McDermott has also advanced lowcarbon projects in offshore wind generation and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production to help address the challenge of scaling up production while minimising environmental impact. The company partnered with various organisations to explore lowcarbon pathways, including scaling of hydrogen production and carbon capture utilisation and storage. The company’s local content programmes – which develop skills and business acumen to support social, economic and institutional growth – have had a positive impact in host countries.

The report was prepared in accordance with international frameworks and best practices and is available to read and download on the company’s website.

Ponticelli secures EPC services contract with Azule Energy

Ponticelli Angoil has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services contract by Azule Energy, one of the largest oil and gas producers in Angola.

Ponticelli’s UK-based consortium, PBS, will provide expert engineering and procurement services support on this significant three-year contract, with an option for up to a two-year extension.

Having delivered successful activities on the Greater Plutonio and PSVM fields over the past decade, Ponticelli has strengthened its service offerings to Azule Energy by integrating engineering and procurement with its well-established fabrication and construction services.

Driven by the Ponticelli Angoil team leveraging the engineering expertise and procurement support of PBS in the UK, this contract covers EPC services for maintenance and modification projects, deploying 50 dedicated personnel both onshore and offshore. Ponticelli remains committed to investing in its local workforces and regions, ensuring longevity and international expansion while delivering safe and reliable integrated services to all global clients.

By enhancing its engineering capabilities locally, Ponticelli aims to support existing contracts and also diversify its offerings for other clients.

i For more information: www.ponticelli.com

The combined strengths of Ponticelli Angoil and PBS will ensure we continue to build on our long-standing history, provide additional efficiencies and support the continued development of both the Greater Plutonio and PSVM fields.

Sonardyne confirms next phase of On Demand Ocean Bottom Node project

Sonardyne has announced the next phase of the pioneering On Demand Ocean Bottom Node (OD OBN) development project in Brazil. The project, which began in 2018, involves a collaboration between industry partners including Shell Brasil Petróleo Ltda, Petrobras and SENAI CIMATEC and is supported by the Brazilian National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).

These highly innovative nodes might lead to the next generation of geophysical monitoring systems in the offshore oil and gas industry. Using Sonardyne’s proprietary optical and acoustic communications technologies and drawing on its extensive experience of seabed monitoring, OD OBN expects to provide a versatile, lower cost, more resilient solution for time-lapse seismic and subsidence monitoring of producing reservoirs with better data and the capacity to be placed on the ocean floor for up to five years without human intervention.

The data from these nodes can be extracted using Sonardyne’s through water optical communications system to a nearby autonomous underwater vehicle such as FlatFish, which was developed by Saipem and SENAI CIMATEC and sponsored by Shell and Petrobras.

This latest phase was confirmed by the signing of contracts between SENAI CIMATEC and Petrobras in August 2023 and between Shell, SENAI CIMATEC and Sonardyne in April 2024, to produce a pilot array of 600 prototype nodes expected to be deployed towards the end of 2025 at a preselected field offshore Brazil.

This pilot array is planned to be manufactured at a newly created pilot plant facility in Camaçari, close to the city of Salvador in Brazil.

TÜV Rheinland presents traceability testing service for photovoltaic modules

TÜV Rheinland, one of the world’s leading testing and certification companies, presented its traceability service for photovoltaic modules at Intersolar recently. This service helps project developers, purchasers or investors to trace the documentation of the supply chain of their purchased PV modules on a projectby-project basis.

The traceability testing service is based on the globally recognised ISO 9001 management system standard. In addition, TÜV Rheinland takes into account other individual customer requirements that may vary from project to project.

The traceability testing service contributes to greater quality assurance and transparency in the photovoltaic (PV) industry.

The background to TÜV Rheinland’s new service is the rapid development of the PV industry and the increasing global importance of ESG issues, including traceability. To develop the service, TÜV Rheinland experts audited more than 70 factories from seven of the world’s ten largest PV module manufacturers in Asia for traceability in 2023 and 2024.

TÜV Rheinland offers this service worldwide. The aim is not only to provide an individual service for buyers and investors in PV projects, but also to establish the requirements for traceability management as a standard in the PV industry. Interested parties can contact pv.supply.chain@tuv.com

The company has been active for more than 150 years and is one of the world’s leading testing service providers with more than 22,000 employees in over 50 countries.

Field test image of the Saipem FlatFish placed above the OD OBN harvesting data using optical communications and inset top right, the On Demand Ocean Bottom Node (OD OBN)
Photo © John Wood Group PLC

Wood to deliver 3-year engineering contract with TotalEnergies in Iraq

Wood, a global leader in consulting and engineering, has been awarded a new US$46m, three-year contract by TotalEnergies in Iraq.

Wood will provide front-end engineering design (FEED), detailed design, procurement support and construction and commissioning assistance for the first phase of the Associated Gas Upstream Project, part of the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) in Southern Iraq.

The GGIP includes the recovery of gas currently flared in the Basra region to supply power generation plants, along with the construction of a seawater treatment unit and a 1GW solar power plant.

The contract will be delivered by Wood’s teams in Basra and Dubai, creating 100 new positions. Wood currently employs over 1,300 people in Iraq and the UAE.

Wood is a global leader in consulting and engineering, delivering solutions to critical challenges in energy and materials markets. The company provides consulting, projects and operations solutions in 60 countries, employing around 35,000 people.

Social media round up

AEG Power Solutions introduces IGBT industrial UPS system Protect 8 PLUS

We want to use every opportunity to connect with our members, so please follow us on Twitter (@TheEICEnergy) and connect with us on LinkedIn –EIC (Energy Industries Council)

Below you’ll find a selection of some of the exciting EIC activities and useful industry information we’ve shared through our social media channels.

AEG Power Solutions (AEG PS), global provider of power systems and solutions for all types of critical and sustainable applications, has introduced a new range of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, which feature a full IGBT architecture and industrial-grade build quality to provide a safe power backup to protect refining and petrochemical industries, transportation infrastructures, manufacturing and other critical businesses against all power disturbances.

The EIC @TheEICEnergy

Advertise in Inside Energy and reach the leaders in the energy sector! Advertising available in the online and printed editions. Check out our Media Pack https://bit.ly/3XW0goh

Protect 8 PLUS supports a standard three-phase input and is available as single-phase or three-phase output from 10 to 40 kVA, with 216 Vdc or 384 Vdc battery voltage. By the end of the year, it will also support 60 to 120 kVA in both configurations.

EIC (Energy Industries Council)

Join us at EIC Connect Energy USA 2024 on 23 October at the Ion District in Houston! Register now to network with industry leaders https://lnkd.in/d72zyUa5

Thanks to its IGBT rectifier, the system offers a high input power factor of up to 0,99 and very low harmonic current rejection on the input side (THDi) which makes it a perfect fit in situations where the UPS is supplied by a generator set or to avoid harmonic perturbations of loads connected to the upstream busbar.

EIC (Energy Industries Council)

Stuart Broadley, CEO of EIC, will be speaking at the Gastech Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Energy Program in Houston, 17-20 September. Book a delegate pass https://lnkd.in/eFMSzp4E

This results in substantial savings on the sizing of the upstream network. The bi-directional rectifier also enables several battery capacity tests feeding back into the grid without using the bypass line, requiring additional load banks or affecting the load.

With the Protect 8 PLUS, AEG Power

Events calendar LIVE events

2 September Overseas Delegation

Overseas Delegation to Colombia

Bogota and Cartagena

3 September Business Presentation

EIC Technology Showcase 2024

Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Corniche

3 September LIVE e-vents

Global Nuclear Energy Market Overview

4 September Business Presentation EICDataStream/AssetMap training

4 September Business Presentation

September Regional Showcase

Royal Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton

September

& Project Update

September Business Presentation

Africa Market & Project Update

17 September Overseas Exhibition

Gastech Exhibition & Conference

George R Brown Convention Center, Houston

September Business Presentation

EICDataStream/AssetMap training

September Business Presentation North America EICDataStream

18 September Corporate Entertainment

EIC Night with the Houston Dynamo Shell Energy Stadium, Houston 23 September Overseas Exhibition

Rio Oil & Gas 2024

Boulevard Olímpico, Rio de Janeiro 24 September EIC CONNECT

EIC CONNECT Kazakhstan 2024

Kazakhstan Hotel, Almaty 24 September Overseas Exhibition

WindEnergy Hamburg 2024 Hamburg, Germany 24 September Corporate Entertainment

Cocktail Networking at Oil & Gas Asia

DEEP BLUE at THE FACE Suites, Kuala Lumpur 25 September Overseas Exhibition

Oil & Gas Asia (OGA) 2024

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

Rio Samba & Gas 2024

9 October Corporate Entertainment

MTEP Malaysia with CETA 2024

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

HOSTED BY ROB BRYDON MBE

Get in touch For more information contact...

Email global.events@the-eic.com • Phone +44 (0)20 7091 8600

Global Events and Campaigns

Global events update

The Global Events and Campaigns team is excited to be opening delegate registrations for our inaugural Bankable Energies event. Join us for this two-day event, taking place at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge, located in central London, UK, on 26-27 February 2025. This event will unite the global investment community, key project developers and policy makers to discuss the essential global shift needed to attract investment and drive projects forward.

Bankable Energies is more than just an event; it is a critical forum for shaping the future of global energy investments. Whether you are an investor, energy major, supply chain company, or policymaker, this event offers invaluable opportunities to connect, collaborate and contribute to the energy sector’s dynamic evolution. Brand opportunities, including exhibition, sponsorship and partnerships are available from £750+VAT.

Next year, our ever-popular Energy Exports Conference (EEC) will return to P&J Live, Aberdeen on 3-4 June 2025. Exhibition and partnership opportunities are now available to book; whether you have previously partnered with the event or are planning on participating for the first time, the team will be happy to talk through all available opportunities and unveil some of our key sessions for the seventh annual conference.

EEC provides companies access to learn about multiple new export opportunities. Listen, engage and connect with international operators, developers, contractors, government and export advisors, ambassadors and trade experts from across the globe.

If you are looking to elevate your brand visibility, reach your target audience and enhance your presence in the energy industry, we have various event sponsorship, partnership and exhibition opportunities available for all of our events. Reach out to us for more information louise.donald@the-eic.com

In addition to our global events portfolio, we offer a bespoke event management service, EIC Event Solutions. This service simplifies the event planning process, allowing you to focus on your core business. We provide a fully customised experience, from inception to completion, ensuring your event is flawless and impactful.

By leveraging our extensive network within the energy sector, we ensure that your event is wellattended and engaging. We craft content that is both relevant and thought-provoking, fostering meaningful discussions and collaborations. Our event marketing strategies and comprehensive communication plans guarantee that your message reaches your target audience, locally or globally, enhancing your brand exposure and engagement.

Transform your event planning experience and achieve unparalleled success with EIC’s bespoke event solutions. Contact us today to learn how we can support your next event and help you reach your goals. Together, let’s create unforgettable experiences that connect, inspire and inform.

Jo Campbell, Director of Global Events and Campaigns jo.campbell@the-eic.com

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

September is the busiest month for the International Trade team as we deliver UK and EIC pavilions at four major energy events across South America, Europe and Asia.

The month begins with a Trade Delegation to Colombia taking place from 2-6 September across Bogota and the Colombian Caribbean. Delegates will have the opportunity to attend organised meetings with key local players across the oil and gas, hydrogen and offshore wind sectors as well as taking part in an exclusive networking reception.

Colombia is still a major oil and gas player in South America, producing as much oil as the UK. Unlike regional neighbours Brazil and Guyana, the country’s exploration and production segment is predominantly onshore, with a diverse operating environment including the national oil company Ecopetrol and a variety of independent players such as GeoPark, Frontera Energy, Canacol Energy and SierraCol Energy.

Staying in South America, the next event taking place in September is ROG.e (Rio Oil & Gas) happening on 23-26 September in Rio de Janeiro. The 2024 edition has proved extremely popular with EIC members with the UK and EIC pavilion selling out well in advance of the event. Over 450 exhibitors and 58,000 attendees took part in the last edition and we expect a very busy and fruitful show for the companies exhibiting on the pavilion.

One of the highlights of ROG.e is Rio Samba & Gas held at the world-famous Rio Scenarium. Guests are treated to an evening of Brazilian music and Caipirinha cocktails as they network with peers across Brazil’s energy sector. If you are attending ROG.e later this month get in touch with the EIC team to secure your tickets to this memorable event.

We are delighted to welcome Roemex, as the first ever UK and EIC pavilion partner of ROG.e. Please visit them in the lounge area, located at the centre of the UK and EIC pavilion which benefits from a prime location next to ExxonMobil and Chevron.

Starting just one day after ROG.e is WindEnergy Hamburg, one of the world’s biggest and most important wind business platforms for exchanging news and views, building networks and closing major deals.

Taking place on 24-27 September, the show will see over 1,500 exhibitors and 40,000 attendees come together to discuss all things on and offshore wind.

Wind is one of the leading energy sources across Europe, with over 448GW under development – of which around 36GW is expected to be built in Germany. We look forward to hosting over 15 companies on the UK and EIC pavilion as they look to explore the supply chain opportunities across the renewables sector.

We end the month with a trip to Malaysia for Oil & Gas Asia, taking place in Kuala Lumpur on 25-27 September. OGA is the region’s premier oil and gas exhibition with the 2024 edition expecting to host over 2,000 companies from more than 60 countries and 28,000+ trade professionals.

Malaysia is the second-largest oil producer in Southeast Asia, and the fifth-largest exporter of LNG globally. Currently, there are US$1.1tn worth of projects up until 2023 in the oil and gas sector in the APAC region. We look forward to supporting the companies exhibiting as part of the UK and EIC pavilion as they look to promote their capabilities to the many EPC contractors and operators in attendance to maximise on the supply chain opportunities available.

To register your interest for the next edition of any of the events mentioned above, or to find out what other events we have planned for 2024/2025 please contact internationaltrade@the-eic.com

Camilla Tew, Director, International Trade camilla.tew@the-eic.com

The UK & EIC Pavilion at Oil & Gas Asia 2023

UK news

London office spaces available

In this month’s edition of Inside Energy, I’d like to take the opportunity to remind members about our FREE hot desk facility and meeting spaces available in the London office.

EIC’s newly revitalised headquarters in Vauxhall, London offers the ideal setting for your next meeting. Located close to the heart of the city and with easily accessible transport links, our Board Room, Glass Room and Hot Desk are the perfect spaces for a productive and professional meet up.

Our Hot Desk is a private, well-lit space ideal for individuals seeking to work outside their office or have a quiet space to work between meetings, while in London. This room provides a focused and productive environment.

Key features

• Complimentary tea, coffee and water

• 2 x screens with cable connections

• Complimentary high-speed wi-fi

• Option to bring your own catering

• Efficient air handling system

• Stationary provided

This room is offered on a complimentary basis to EIC members. Book the Hot Desk by emailing eventsuk@the-eic.com

For larger meeting requirements or if you are looking for a change of scenery and somewhere to kick start those creative ideas, as an EIC member you can book both our Board Room or Glass Room by the hour, half a day or full day.

Bursting with natural daylight and fabulous views of the Thames, Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, our modern Board Room, above, can accommodate up to 12 guests in a boardroom-style layout.

The Glass Room, pictured below, is the perfect space for those smaller meetings, comfortably accommodating 8-10 guests in a boardroom-style layout.

Each room benefits from key features such as

• Equipped for hybrid meetings

• Unlimited tea, coffee and water

• 86” TV screen with high-quality speakers

• Complimentary high-speed wi-fi

• Convenient charging points in the table

• Option to bring your own catering

• Efficient air handling system

• Whiteboard and markers available

• Stationary provided

If you would like to book one of these rooms, contact Hannah Wood, Events Partnership Manager, UK hannah.wood@the-eic.com

Kim Stephen Regional Director, UK kim.stephen@the-eic.com

Kim Stephen

Middle East news

Regional update

We all hope that you enjoyed the summer, recharged the batteries and are all set for a busy few months ahead.

Our KSA Open Day on 27 August, kindly hosted by EIC member CORE (A Zahid Group Company), saw the launch of KSA SupplyMap, a unique and meticulously verified map showcasing the energy sector supply chain companies throughout the Kingdom. This tool offers unparalleled insights for businesses aiming to expand their presence in the region. Additionally, we will release our updated KSA Country Report, the first since 2019, providing detailed insights into the current dynamics of each energy sector, key operators, contractors and much more.

Our inaugural EIC Technology Showcase on 3 September supported by bp, Shell, SPE Abu Dhabi Section and KEZAD Group, featuring 22 presenting companies, provides an excellent opportunity for direct engagement between technology developers and the operator and service company community. Attendance is free, facilitating an ideal environment for meaningful interactions and collaboration.

The much anticipated, EIC Connect Kazakhstan will take place on Tuesday 24 September in Almaty, just before the Kazakhstan International Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference (KIOGE). Our recent CIS Market Update webinar illustrated the wealth of opportunities on offer across the entire energy sector.

Following the launch of our Survive & Thrive report and the announcement of the finalists for our Regional Awards, we look forward to celebrating the best and brightest of the energy supply chain on Thursday 17 October on the QE2 in Dubai. This event is open to all and is not to be missed.

With a packed calendar of events for you to enjoy including our EIC Roundtables and our ever-popular Africa, CIS and GCC Market & Project Update webinars, we aim to keep you as informed as possible. Booking details for all events can be found on the EIC website.

Finally, all eyes turn to ADIPEC, the largest show in the energy calendar which will take place from 4-7 November. EIC will once again be host of the UK pavilion, in Halls 8, 12 and 14. Join us for a welcome breakfast on Monday 4 November to kickstart a productive week at the world’s largest energy show.

Should you require any support in the interim, the team is here to support you in any way we can.

Regional Director, Middle East, Africa, Russia & CIS ryan.mcpherson@the-eic.com

Regional news

Kuwait announces major oil and gas discovery

Kuwait, OPEC’s fifth-largest crude producer, has announced a significant discovery of oil and gas in the Al-Nokhatha field, located east of Failaka Island. This new find is estimated to contain about 2.1bn barrels of light oil and 5.1tn cubic feet of gas, equivalent to approximately 3.2bn barrels of oil. This discovery, one of the largest in recent times, could greatly influence the country’s energy strategy, as it is equivalent to three years of Kuwait’s entire production. The Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) plans to develop this field promptly to boost its production capacity. The announcement coincides with Kuwait facing a projected fiscal deficit of US$18.33bn for 2024-2025 despite a rise in oil prices. This discovery not only bolsters Kuwait’s oil reserves but also marks a critical step in its long-term strategy to enhance its production capacity and refining capabilities to meet future demands.

ADNOC on track to meet 2030 sustainability targets

ADNOC is on track to meet its 2030 sustainability targets, aiming to unify public and private sectors in the UAE towards these goals. Speaking at the Global Sustainability Forum, Ibrahim Al Zu’bi, ADNOC’s chief sustainability officer, emphasised creating a collaborative platform to achieve the UN’s sustainability goals. ADNOC’s strategy includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 and increasing carbon capture. The forum highlighted sustainable technology and the role of AI in environmental efforts.

Ryan McPherson

Asia Pacific news

Regional update

In August EIC APAC proudly hosted the EIC Members Day, co-hosted with Rev Energy, on 10 August at the Sunway Lagoon Theme Park. This highly anticipated event featured the second annual Sports Day and offered a thrilling array of team challenges, opportunities to discover hidden talents and the chance to build lasting connections with fellow members. Over 100 attendees from various energy industries in Kuala Lumpur participated, showcasing their athletic skills and camaraderie in a joyous gathering of member companies and industry friends.

wwwRegional news

Sabah State collaborates with Gibson Shipbrokers to develop oil and gas facilities

Following this, EIC APAC organised the Meet the Energy Players in Thailand event in conjunction with the Sustainable Energy Technology Asia (SETA) conference. This marked our inaugural event of the year in Thailand, where we connected with energy professionals and influential industry leaders. The event featured top executives, government officials and renowned experts who shared their latest advancements and best practices in creating a greener future. Exhibitors seized the opportunity to network with key stakeholders and explore new prospects in this rapidly evolving field, making it an invaluable experience and a testament to the innovative developments driving the future of energy.

To conclude August, on 26-28 August, EIC APAC participated in the Forum Fasilitas Produksi Migas 2024 in Surabaya, Indonesia. This significant event addressed the urgent need for strategic collaboration to tackle resource allocation and project costs in the country. It brought together key players from Indonesia’s energy industry to share insights, network and discuss future trends and opportunities. The three-day event featured a range of presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities, allowing attendees to hear from industry experts and learn about the latest technologies and innovations in Indonesia’s energy sector.

In the coming month, EIC APAC is excited to host the Meet the Energy Players in Johor event. This marks our first event of the year in Malaysia’s southern region, where we look forward to networking with energy professionals against the backdrop of the Johor Bahru skyline. To wrap up September, EIC APAC will also organise a cocktail networking event for the energy community in conjunction with Oil and Gas Asia (OGA) 2024. OGA 2024, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 25-27 September, will serve as a crucial platform for business and knowledge exchange across the energy value chain.

Gibson Shipbrokers and SOGDC have signed an agreement to develop oil and gas facilities at the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park in Sabah. The facilities will include a jetty, onshore hydrocarbon storage terminals and a floating power plant. Additionally, LNG bunkering, handling and refilling facilities are under consideration. A feasibility study for the proposed development has been conducted and was scheduled for completion by early July 2024.

Singapore announces plans for a floating solar farm

Singapore plans to develop a floating solar (PV) farm located at Kranji Reservoir. Kranji Reservoir is situated close to various ecologically sensitive areas, such as the Kranji Marshes, the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat. The solar farm is anticipated to generate 141MWp or 112.5MWac of clean energy. The construction of the project is expected to begin in 2025, following an environmental study that found minimal impact on biodiversity. The project is anticipated to be operational in 2027/2028.

Azman Nasir
Photo

North and Central America news

Regional update

As the fall quickly approaches, the North and Central America region would like to take this opportunity to remind our community of EIC members and non-members to attend our upcoming EIC Connect Energy USA 2024. Held on 23 October 2024, EIC Connect Energy USA is the go-to-platform allowing the supply chain to engage, identify and discuss business opportunities in the US energy market. This year, Connect USA will consist of high-level thought leadership panels, operator and EPC procurement briefings and one-toone meet the buyer meetings. Join EIC Connect Energy USA 2024 and unlock the power of networking with prospective clients and/or potential suppliers.

We are excited to announce confirmed companies Bechtel, Kent and Subsea7 joining us. To register, please visit www.the-eic.com/Events/EICConnect/EnergyUSA

We would also like to remind all that Connect has a range of sponsorship packages available. If you would like to learn how to increase brand awareness, please visit www.the-eic.com/Events/EICConnect/EnergyUSA/Sponsor or email luanna.souza@the-eic.com

In addition to Connect, save the date and register for our in-person events this fall. Taking place on 5 September 2024, the EIC will host an in-person event at the Ion, Houston covering an update around opportunities in the Canadian market. To register, please visit www.the-eic.com/EventDetail?dateid=4313

On 18 September 2024, our team will welcome both EIC members and non-members to a night of networking and football in Shell Energy Stadium’s private suite, the Sky Lounge, as the Houston Dynamo take on the Vancouver WhiteCaps FC. To register or sponsor this opportunity, visit www.the-eic.com/EventDetail?dateid=4279

In the lead up to our 12 November 2024 in-person Business Briefing series event with Petrofac, we encourage all to join us for our virtual North and Central America Market Update series event covering US Gulf of Mexico Decommissioning taking place on 5 November 2024. To register, please visit www.the-eic.com/EventDetail?dateid=4197

We look forward to welcoming all to this exciting line-up of events this fall.

Delaware authorises up to 1,200MW of offshore wind procurement with new legislation

Delaware legislators passed Senate Bill 265, the Delaware Energy Solutions Act of 2024, authorising up to 1,200MW of offshore wind procurement. The bill sets up a procurement process for the state’s first offshore wind projects and strengthens the market by creating transmission siting processes. Delaware will issue solicitations to procure 8001,200MW of offshore wind power, either exclusively for the state or in co-ordination with others. The US Department of the Interior (DOI) also planned an offshore wind energy lease sale in the Central Atlantic in August, including areas offshore Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

ADVANCE Act to boost nuclear in the US

US President Biden signed into law the ADVANCE bill to accelerate the development of advanced nuclear reactors in the country. The ADVANCE acronym stands for the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act, and includes measures to streamline the regulatory approvals process for advanced nuclear technologies. The law, which could play a key role in the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear fuels at scale, directs the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to reduce licensing fees and to expedite the entire process.

Regional news Forthcoming

Amanda Duhon

South America news

Regional update

Join us for the webinar Latin America Project Update on 12 September with information about market trends and contracting activities across Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia.

September will also host the largest conference and exhibition in the region, ROG.e in Rio de Janeiro and the EIC will be hosting the UK pavilion. Come and join us for a whisky tasting in the afternoon at the stand. We will also host our traditional Rio Samba & Gas – an evening of entertainment where you can invite your clients to enjoy good music and drinks while networking on 25 September.

Our second edition of the Macaé Breakfast is on the way, on 8 October, bringing a morning of discussions about Opportunities in Drilling with SLB. The Trade Delegation to Rio de Janeiro on 14 October 2024 will engage in group meetings and briefing sessions led by energy industry experts. Network with local players, attend a networking reception and explore opportunities. Please see our website for details.

On 2 July the second edition of EIC Connect Energy Brazil 2024 was held in partnership with FGV Energia in Rio de Janeiro and was another huge success.

Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy plans to hold battery auction in 2025

This year the country will host a Capacity Reserve Auction managed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), focusing exclusively on hydroelectric and thermal power plants, excluding battery technology. In July, Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies’ Mines and Energy Commission held a hearing highlighting the importance of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in managing late afternoon consumption peaks and reducing reliance on thermal power plants. MME recognises the complementary role of energy storage in meeting power requirements and the decision to include them in future auctions is based on technical considerations and decreasing costs. This year’s auction will address demands for 2027 and 2028. In early 2025 an analysis of energy demand will set guidelines for the auction that includes batteries.

There were five panels and 25 speakers from key players in the industry discussing E&P, subsea, natural gas and also emerging sectors such as offshore wind, biofuels, hydrogen and CCS. The day started with an opening session from the UK Consul General in Rio de Janeiro, Anjoum Noorani and Heloisa Borges, Director at EPE (Brazilian Research Institute). The first panel had representatives from Petrobras, PRIO, MODEC and SBM Offshore highlighting new FPSO projects, mature field revitalisation and low-carbon solutions to achieve net zero by 2050, moderated by Kincaid. The second panel looked at emerging technologies, with Acelen Renewables, Raizen and Petrobras, and was moderated by the EIC.

The third panel was all about disruptive technological innovation and advanced strategies to develop new subsea devices presented by Petrobras, Oceaneering and Baker Hughes, moderated by Oceanpact. The offshore wind panel explored Brazil’s massive potential, moderated by FGV Energia with a discussion between OceanWinds, Corio, OWC Brasil and ABEEólica (Brazil Wind Power Association).

To conclude, the fifth panel illustrated the importance of natural gas for the energy transition moderated by Leal Cotrim. According to GNA, ENEVA, Origem Energia and NTS, it helps reduce emissions, supports industrial decarbonisation and serves as a sustainable alternative to harmful energy sources. A special thanks to our platinum sponsor FASD Group.

Clarisse Rocha, Director – Americas clarisse.rocha@the-eic.com

Low-carbon hydrogen bill approved in Lower House

The H2 draft bill PL 2.308/2023 has passed the Brazilian Lower House after gaining approval with amendments in the Senate in May 2024. One of the amendments included ethanol as feedstock for clean hydrogen production, with a limit of 7kg of CO2 per kg of H2 (original bill envisaged 4kg). The bill, which will be signed into law by President Lula, will provide about US$3.4bn of financial subsidies between 2028 and 2032. Brazil has the potential to produce the world’s cheapest green hydrogen by 2030, going from the current US$6/kg to US$1.45/kg, given the abundance of renewable power (mainly hydro, wind and solar) in its electricity mix.

Regional news
Clarisse Rocha

AVEVA

Empowering organisations with data, collaboration and connectivity

How is AVEVA thriving?

Story type

#digital (main category)

#collaboration, #innovation, #service & solutions

Benefits

▸ CONNECT’s capabilities are proven to several clients.

▸ Clients’ digitalisation journeys supported by AVEVA.

AVEVA’s innovative CONNECT platform is revolutionising industrial process management by seamlessly integrating supply-side and demand-side dynamics, ensuring data security, compliance and system integration.

Leaning on data as the cornerstone of success, AVEVA’s innovative proprietary solution is helping clients to optimise production, operation, maintenance and decarbonisation for complex facilities, driving competitive advantages and unique efficiency gains.

The challenge - Global engineering and industrial software specialist AVEVA is a formidable enterprise, its 6,500 employees in 35 countries supporting customers across 55 territories internationally, collectively generating annual revenues of £1.3bn.

Such an expansive footprint is a testament to the firm’s renowned reputation. Indeed, AVEVA’s mission is simple – to spark industrial ingenuity by connecting customers with trusted information and insights to enable the responsible use of the world’s resources.

The acquisition of OSIsoft and its world-class PI System in 2021 marked a pivotal moment within this context, enhancing AVEVA’s capability to provide crucial insights into key industrial processes to better measure and understand the entire industrial lifecycle.

Following the merger with OSIsoft, it was clear that the company remained in growth mode. However, in an effort to keep a finger on the pulse of changing market needs, AVEVA opted to review its strategy.

Acknowledging the exponential growth of data, which nearly tripled from 26 to 79 Zettabytes in the four years preceding the acquisition, AVEVA recognised the increasing importance of data utilisation. With projections indicating data will reach 181 Zettabytes by 2025, the firm sought to enhance its portfolio to empower organisations to effectively harness and exploit these rich data sets across the value chain to enhance their competitive position.

The solution - To drive relevant strategic changes, the firm conducted comprehensive research on its client base and the broader market. The findings revealed suboptimal data utilisation, with 73% of collected data lying

dormant and 76% of business leaders struggling to comprehend it.

Using these insights, AVEVA recognised the imperative to tailor its tools to address these precise needs, empowering clients to extract vital insights from the expanding data landscape. This enhancement aimed to boost organisational productivity, efficiency, operational agility, and sustainability. AVEVA also realised that critical subject matter experts often reside outside of their organisations, and a connected industrial ecosystem must be created for breakthrough improvement. This happens when companies can safely share information in real-time with trusted partners.

Rather than developing new products, the focus was on expanding upon its existing toolset and creating an Open Industrial Ecosystem, where data could be stored with context, managed, shared, visualised, analysed, enhanced and actioned efficiently.

Thus, the idea of CONNECT emerged.

CONNECT represents AVEVA’s vendor-neutral industrial data platform, enabling teams to access near real-time data without disrupting production systems. Offering scalable cloudbased applications, CONNECT leverages AI expertise for enhanced sustainability and efficiency, delivering:

Trusted intelligence: establishing a single source of truth for proven applications.

• Actionable insight: closing the loop for tangible real-world impact.

• Unified experience: harmonising diverse perspectives into one shared reality.

• Empowered ecosystem: catalysing the network effect throughout the value chain.

These cloud-based solutions empower process and manufacturing industries to embrace digital transformation confidently and efficiently, internally and across their supply chain. This ensures customers accelerate their time to value with a flexible, scalable, and trusted hybrid SaaS solution.

The platform’s value has already been demonstrated through practical applications. In one case, a client has utilised CONNECT to share operational data with its analytics part-

Key findings

For industry

▸ Understand the pivotal role of contextualised data: it’s the fuel for innovation, decision-making and sustainable growth.

▸ Foster collaboration and connectivity within the industrial ecosystem.

For government

▸ Actually develop and adopt a clear vision and leadership, particularly when it comes to our ageing infrastructure.

AVEVA at a glance:

Key products and services: industrial software, from energy to infrastructure, manufacturing, transportation, mining and chemicals.

Main industries served:

▸ Oil and gas – 30%

▸ Conventional power – 15%

▸ Others (non-energy): chemicals, infrastructure, process industries, manufacturing, marine, transportation – 55%

Headquarters: Cambridge, UK

Year established: 1967

Number of employees: 6,500

Revenue: £1.3bn

Revenue from exports: 83%

ner in real time, resulting in significant operational enhancements. This move reduced offspec processing, decreased crude waste by 49%, and bolstered annual production, yielding a US$10m improvement in its bottom line. Similarly, another client streamlined real-time data sharing among multiple power organisations using CONNECT, saving thousands of dollars on power purchases while enhancing operations.

Bilfinger

Adapting and innovating to thrive in the energy transition landscape

How is Bilfinger thriving?

Amid challenges relating to its core energy markets and disruptions caused by the pandemic, Bilfinger’s UK leadership decided to change course. Ploughing significant time, energy and resources into a new diversification strategy, the company is now starting to reap the rewards, not least with its forays into the country’s hydrogen and nuclear sector.

The challenge - Established in 1880, the company is renowned worldwide for the engineering and maintenance services it provides to customers and their assets across a variety of sectors, including energy.

In recent years, Bilfinger UK has placed greater emphasis on diversifying its services to not only better serve these existing clients, but also tap into new markets beyond its traditional energy sector pillars of petrochemicals and onshore/offshore oil and gas.

Externally, the volatile nature of the oil and gas market, combined with fluctuations in project demand, presents challenges year on year. Meanwhile, the unprecedented challenges brought about by the pandemic exacerbated the situation, leading to skills shortages and operational disruptions.

Amid these movements, the need to adapt and innovate became imperative for Bilfinger to not only sustain its business, but also thrive in an ever-changing environment.

The soluti on - In broad terms, the firm’s strategy has revolved around leveraging its robust footprint of skilled labour in key industrial hubs across the UK.

This can be broken down into three major strands of activity, the first being to diversify to mitigate the impact of the oil and gas downturn. Here, Bilfinger built new sales and engineering teams focused on renewables and hydrogen. In the nuclear space, Bilfinger UK drew on expertise from France and Germany to secure major new contracts with Hinkley Point C Nuclear New Build, and to set up a new fabrication shop for EDF in Hull.

In addition to creating new teams, Bilfinger has also simplified, standardised and streamlined other internal structures under the banner of Project UNIFY. Separate legal entities were brought into one operating company - all now facing the market as Bilfinger UK. A new busi-

ness management system was also installed to bring additional uniformity.

To penetrate new energy markets, Bilfinger knew it had to invest significant resources and time into skills. Here, the company built out UK training programmes and has committed to take on 400 apprenticeships over the next five years – this sits alongside the Bilfinger Academy for office staff, young engineers and graduates. External training support is also heavily invested in, with key partners including ECITB and other specialists. Meanwhile, the HR, competency and recruitment team has trebled its pre-covid efforts to around 40 key staff.

The nature of Bilfinger UK’s work has also shifted as a result of these strategic moves. Today, the company engages in a greater proportion of project and engineering work.

Involvement at Hinkley Point C is key to this. In 2019, Bilfinger secured a contract which will see over £250m of pipework being fabricated, inspected and installed over the coming years in collaboration with Bilfinger’s existing nuclear expertise based in France and Germany. A new nuclear engineering office has been opened in Bristol to serve the project.

Adapting and innovating has also led to a new paradigm in offshore asset management for Bilfinger UK through its pioneering joint venture with Global E&C – Torus BGP. The partnership was created to meet an ambition of finding new ways of collaborating and working to operate and maintain client’s late life assets safely and economically, while supporting emissions reductions.

The partnership is focused on delivering integrated services to efficiently extend the service life of three UK North Sea platforms and the contract sees Torus BGP provide a full range of integrated services. It is currently the only venture of its kind, providing operations from engineering and inspection right through to modifications, maintenance and construction. The success of the Torus BGP venture signifies a seismic shift in how asset management can be approached, particularly in the offshore sector. Projects such as this have more than validated the decision made by Bilfinger’s UK leadership to diversify into new markets. With the positive impact of the restructuring and recruitment and skills drive kicking in, new foundations are being laid for Bilfinger to thrive in the energy transition landscape.

Story type

#resilience (main category)

#collaboration, #diversification, #energy transition, #people & competency

Benefits

▸ Bilfinger’s UK division is expected to grow from £350m in 2020 to over £500m in 2024.

▸ New energy transition contracts being awarded, as well as renewable wind energy contracts offshore.

Key findings

For industry

▸ There are exciting opportunities on the horizon, in fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence, inspection and renewable energy technologies.

▸ It’s crucial to proactively seek out opportunities for growth, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone and taking on new challenges.

For government

▸ A concerted effort to expedite the planning and approval processes for energy projects, particularly those related to renewable energy infrastructure.

Bilfinger at a glance:

Key products and services: engineering, manufacturing and services for industrial facilities.

Main industries served:

▸ Oil and gas – 40%

▸ Nuclear power – 15%

▸ Offshore renewable energy – 10%

▸ Hydrogen – 10%

▸ Conventional power – 5%

▸ Carbon capture – 5%

▸ Energy storage – 5%

▸ Others (non-energy): pharma – 10%

Headquarters: Mannheim, Germany

Year established: 1880

Number of employees: 31,350

Revenue: £3.85bn

Revenue from exports: 5%

Blue Water Shipping

Embracing flexibility and adaptability to keep up with client expectations

Dilys Tan

Regional Head - Logistics, Asia

(Floating Production Systems)

How is Blue Water Shipping thriving?

Adaptability, innovation and investment in young generations have been at the heart of Blue Water Shipping’s recent strategy, one which is helping the company to overcome volatile market conditions to continue delivering viable solutions to clients across a range of sectors.

The challenge - With more than half a century’s experience, 25 years of which have been spent operating out of its base in Singapore, Blue Water Shipping has sailed through its own fair share of market challenges and volatile moments. Indeed, in recent times, several key obstacles have impacted its Asian operations.

Supply chain disruptions due to COVID and Red Sea issues were particularly acute – for instance, shipments from Europe to destinations such as Singapore and China experienced significant lead time delays, with vessel booking for a standard GP container taking three to four weeks. Shortages of containers, schedule cancellations and substantial rate increases –sometimes doubling or more for specific lanes – were all sizable challenges.

Regulatory changes in China have also necessitated vigilant monitoring to provide timely advice to clients, while construction schedule delays caused by the pandemic and other supply constraints added further complexity to project timelines.

To navigate these obstacles against a backdrop of constant change, Blue Water Shipping needed to develop a responsive and client-centric service model that would enable it to respond to client pain points.

The solution - Flexibility and adaptability have become essential traits. By staying attuned to constant landscape changes, actively seeking feedback, and adjusting strategies accordingly, Blue Water Shipping has been able to position itself as an entity capable of meeting the evolving needs of clients, with tailored solutions for each unique project.

Getting to this point has required a shift in mindset and adherence to several principles. Firstly, the company has had to demonstrate high levels of adaptability. Here, it has fostered a culture that values and promotes agil-

ity, encourages employees to be adaptable, is open to change, and is quick to respond to evolving circumstances. Alongside this, the firm has developed processes and structures that allow for flexibility and rapid adjustments. Similarly, continuous learning has been another key facet, with employees encouraged to acquire new skills, stay informed about industry trends, and understand the importance of adopting a growth mindset.

This cultural realignment has enabled Blue Water Shipping to challenge the status quo, something the company embraces as a two-way process. Indeed, it has involved questioning service providers and asking clients ‘why’ to generate a superior understanding of their needs.

Such an approach is a key enabler for alternative solutions to be created. For example, to overcome the challenges in China, Blue Water Shipping introduced rail transportation from Europe to offset issues relating to the cost of maintaining air freight schedules and long lead times associated with shipping. Typically, sea freight would typically take 50 to 60 days for a 40’ GP container. Air freight, while taking just three to five days, would accrue a cost almost 10 times higher. Blue Water Shipping, with its rail transport option, offered a transit time of about 25 days at a more economical cost, presenting clients with a viable and efficient middle-ground solution.

Another critical challenge encountered on this journey has been attracting younger generations into the business. Due to the nature of the shipping sector, trends towards work-life balance and hybrid and remote working are sometimes difficult for companies like Blue Water Shipping to align with.

To help address this, the company has made significant investments in championing career prospects for younger people. It has implemented a traineeship program aimed at providing a structured and comprehensive learning experience. Spanning two years, it involves a combination of academic training focused on logistics and on-the-job training in participants’ home country for the first year. In the second year, trainees are seconded to one of Blue Water Shipping’s overseas offices for further hands-on experience. The program is designed to not only equip

Story type

#people & competency (main category)

#culture, #resilience

Benefits

▸ Economical and faster transportation solutions.

▸ Traineeship program providing the next generation of logistics theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Key findings

For industry

▸ Be bold and specialise. Believe in what you are great at.

▸ Don’t say yes to everything.

Blue Water Shipping at a glance:

Key products and services: transportation and shipping.

Main industries served:

▸ Oil and gas – 60%

▸ Offshore renewable energy – 20%

▸ Onshore renewable energy – 10%

▸ Others (non-energy: mining) –10%

Headquarters: Esbjerg, Denmark

Year established: 1972

Number of employees: 2,800

Revenue: £1bn

Revenue from exports: 5% (Singapore)

learners with theoretical knowledge, but also the practical skills they need to prepare them for a successful career in the dynamic field of logistics.

As a result of these initiatives, Blue Water Shipping is now better placed to deal with volatile markets, of which energy and FPSO are one. With its first client in this sector successfully onboarded and more on the way, the company can look forward to its next chapter of growth.

BMT

Enacting a new integrated strategic business plan to prepare for the future

How is BMT thriving?

Andrew Aldrich

Despite facing myriad external and internal challenges, BMT has thrived by embracing innovation and strategic transformation. The company’s Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) has been instrumental, driving diversification and growth over the past two years. Indeed, key investments into emerging markets like offshore wind, ship design, maritime autonomy, and port infrastructure have paid dividends, with the company developing new capabilities, solutions and thought leadership to stay ahead of evolving market needs.

This proactive approach has guided BMT through immediate hurdles while laying the foundation for sustainable progress – with revenues up to £184.7m and a 15% profit margin in 2023, the company’s diversification strategy is clearly bearing fruit.

The challenge - Over the past few years, BMT has faced a myriad of external and internal challenges that have shaped its strategic and operational landscape.

Externally, the company has navigated rapid inflation, supply chain constraints and uncertain global renewable energy growth. Internally, BMT has grappled with attracting top talent amidst these pressures. Moreover, geopolitical events and government election cycles injected further volatility, influencing defence and infrastructure spending patterns.

The challenge was clear – how could the company continue to perform robustly when faced with this array of headwinds?

The solution - Against this backdrop, BMT’s commitment to innovation and strategic transformation has been crucial.

Its proactive approach is significantly underpinned by the Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP), instrumental in driving the agenda for diversification and transformative growth over the past two years.

Set up in FY21/22, the ISBP included renewed focus and significant funding to support BMT’s entry into emerging markets.

For example, the strategic investment into offshore wind has brought internal focus on how the company can transition value into the market from its current services. It has also supported research and innovation

into new digital tools for asset performance, with other resources being allocated to understanding potential customers’ needs, regional challenges in operational areas, and providing local solutions aligned with project stages. Early successes have followed –these include delivering environmental data and support for environmental statements in Australia during the pre-feasibility license phase, as well as traction in the crew transfer vessel (CTV) design market.

Indeed, ship design is another capability BMT has invested in. Building on its success in the CTV market, the company has added more hybrid-fuelled platform options and created a new 48m service operation vessel design for the offshore wind industry. The design team has also connected with new customers seeking advice on transport, installation activities for offshore wind and port developments, delivering vessel operability studies, alternate fuel advice, static and dynamic mooring analysis, and simulation studies for operations and maintenance scenarios. This growth in BMT’s maritime services and design business portfolio reflects its vertical diversification, evolving from its core ship design business.

A recent success story in this segment comes from the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, for which BMT consulted for the replacement of numerous ferries and cargo vessels. The company delivered vital support to review existing energy systems, engage the community and develop decarbonisation strategies that resulted in new low carbon vessel designs.

Meanwhile, maritime autonomy represents an entirely new capability for BMT. Here, the company is focused on providing assurance services to the defence and commercial markets, with new innovations including a synthetic training environment developed under the initiative. This is already supporting customers in understanding the risks associated with autonomous systems operating in complex environments. BMT has also initiated strategic investment into its ports and coastal infrastructure capability, focusing on supporting customers through planning stages, building effi ciency into port operations and decarbonising port systems, including onshore infrastructure and marine assets.

Story type

#diversification (main category)

#energy transition

Benefits

▸ Revenues of £184.7m at a profit margin of 15%.

▸ Foundation for sustainable growth and innovation laid.

Key findings

For industry

▸ Find your place in the supply chain: be agile and flexible.

▸ Get involved, the energy sector presents exciting opportunities.

For government

▸ Create certainty in investment. Enable a more stable environment.

▸ Unlock public funding to companies of all sizes.

BMT at a glance:

Key products and services: engineering, science and technology management consultancy.

Main industries served:

▸ Oil and gas – 19%

▸ Offshore renewable energy – 1%

▸ Others (energy) – 80%

Headquarters: London, UK

Year established: 1985

Number of employees: 1,300

Revenue: £184.7m

Revenue from exports: 0%

These initiatives reflect BMT’s strategic foresight through the ISBP process, which has not only guided the company through immediate market challenges but also laid the foundation for sustainable growth and innovation in line with the evolving energy sector. Indeed, across many of these new verticals, BMT seeks to emerge as a thought leader through its innovation and research capabilities.

Turnover and profit trends also point to a promising future. In 2023, BMT generated revenues of £184.7m at a profit margin of 15%, up from £157m and 12% in 2022. By sticking to its ISBP principles and continuing along its diversification journey, the company looks set to perform strongly across a broad range of energy subsectors and future-proof itself further.

CALGAVIN

Exploring new ways to address critical heat flux challenges

How is CALGAVIN thriving?

After being approached to help improve the performance of vapourisers aboard LNG vessels, CALGAVIN knew that if it could solve the complexity surrounding the design within applications subject to critical heat flux (CHF), it would be onto a good solution with other customers having the same problem around the world. Thanks to its fruitful partnerships with academic institutions, the company has thrust itself head-on into this challenge to generate better design data. The project gaining attention and funding looks set to take it to the next level of technical understanding.

The challenge - Critical heat flux poses a significant concern within liquefied natural gas (LNG) systems. It denotes the maximum heat transfer rate before the heat flux starts reducing, potentially resulting in equipment performance failure. Effectively managing CHF is essential for safe and efficient LNG operations, crucial for achieving the energy industry’s sustainability objectives.

To tackle these challenges, there is an immediate requirement for more precise data concerning vapourisation and condensation processes. Enhanced models and data can improve the comprehension and prediction of vapourisation processes, facilitating the design and optimisation of LNG facilities. This is indispensable for ensuring operational efficiency, safety, ROI and alignment with the sustainability targets set by the sector.

Upon being approached by a global LNG shipping company and other stakeholders seeking to enhance vapouriser performance, CALGAVIN has embarked on addressing this challenge.

The solution - The company is well-positioned for this task. At the heart of CALGAVINS’ business lies expertise in thermal process enhancement, involving the modification of flow conditions in existing and new equipment to enhance and optimise overall plant performance. Meanwhile, with a solid foundation of 43 years of research, as well as collaborations with various universities and in-house efforts, CALGAVIN has amassed proven data which is utilised in calculations and solutions applied to over 20,000 heat exchangers globally.

Given the nature of its work, the company encounters a diverse range of challenges on a dai-

ly basis, with the critical heat flux (CHF) dilemma being the latest test of its capabilities. Academic partnerships have proven crucial to CALGAVIN’s endeavours so far. The firm has historical connections with the Chemical Engineering faculty at the University of Birmingham and has also partnered with the physics department in past projects, where the focus was on flow characterisation. In this instance, positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) were employed, leveraging gamma rays emitted from radioactive materials embedded in particles to visualise flow patterns.

The collaboration has drawn interest from several parties, among them the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and Culham Centre for Fusion Energy with its Fusion Industry Project. Critically, the latter is an industrial challenge scheme which engages the private sector on the technical challenges facing fusion energy’s development.

As a result of this interest, CALGAVIN was one of nine organisations to be awarded contracts to work with the UKAEA to develop innovative technologies for fusion energy, the company being granted around £1m. This funding is crucial, as it not only enables CALGAVIN to build a test rig to conduct in-depth research to address the critical heat flux challenges, but this fundamental research data will also help support all future vapourising and condensing projects.

This also has promising implications for the LNG sector. Although a long-term project for fusion, it will be immediately applicable to LNG, placing CALGAVIN at the heart of knowledge transfer for CHF in the UK. Indeed, in partnership with universities, the company will be able to convert concepts to products and test rigs, and it is also now in the process of developing a learning course on thermal processing.

Faced with complex market challenges, the need for technological advancements, environmental concerns and evolving customer expectations, CALGAVIN knew it needed to do something different. By embracing innovation and strategic adaptation, the company can seize new opportunities and maintain a competitive edge in the dynamic landscape of heat and mass transfer solutions.

Story type

#diversification (main category)

#collaboration

#technology

Benefits

▸ CALGAVIN became one of nine companies to be awarded contracts to work with the UKAEA.

▸ Academic partnerships stablished to bring projects to life.

Key findings

For industry

▸ It’s not all been invested yet: huge opportunities in new sciences.

For government

▸ Empower young people to start their own companies.

CALGAVIN at a glance:

Key products and services: chemical engineering and consulting company working in the field of thermal process enhancement.

Main industries served:

▸ Oil and gas – 85%

▸ Conventional power – 10%

▸ Nuclear power – 5%

Headquarters: Alcester, UK

Year established: 1980

Number of employees: 35

Revenue: £4m

Revenue from exports: 96%

Celeros Flow Technology

Newly established engineering company offers superior technology to facilitate the transformation of energy sector

How is Celeros Flow Technology thriving?

Celeros Flow Technology (Celeros FT) was formed in 2020, comprising the Power & Energy focused brands formerly owned by SPX FLOW. The company was established to partner with energy sector players to solve mission critical flow challenges through the application of engineering and technology solutions that are both relevant and aligned with today’s energy transformation paradigm. Utilising its existing experience to bring greater value to clients both old and new, the company has enjoyed remarkable revenue growth in the few short years it has been in existence. The challenge - Launching a new business is never an easy feat, let alone on the cusp of a global pandemic.

This was the situation facing Celeros FT in March 2020, when the company’s leadership created the new entity dedicated to providing support in the form of a lifecycle partnership to customers in the energy sector. Existing brands, including ClydeUnion Pumps, Plenty and S&N Pumps, Copes Vulcan, M&J Valve, and GD Engineering Closures, were combined to form Celeros Flow Technology, all brands that offer superior technology in the form of engineered-to-order pumps, valves and closures.

Each of the brands were already well known in traditional energy markets such as oil and gas, as well as the power sector. The next challenge was to successfully integrate these business units into a cohesive, unified brand that could not only continue to grow in its existing strength areas, but also in markets such as energy transition and nuclear.

The solution - The company was formed with a focused growth strategy, one that involved leveraging its established position in certain geographies, key accounts and industries to drive growth and secure market share.

Celeros FT then shifted gears into focusing on high technology and rapid growth market verticals, including energy transition and nuclear, drawing on its global engineering capabilities in those segments. Central to this strategy has been the firm’s full lifecycle partnership approach – Celeros FT was determined to build a customer base that centres around long-lasting relationships with clients on a global level.

Tommy Kassem, the firm’s new Chief Commercial Officer, also set about restructuring the commercial team, enabling it to focus on the industry verticals with the highest growth potential. The company already had considerable experience in the nuclear power market and within waste to energy generation – this was a good starting point for it to develop and expand its focus on these and related industries. Meanwhile, Celeros FT also maintained focus on the oil and gas industry, both on land and offshore through FPSOs, supporting customers on their energy transition journeys.

In Canada, the company recently announced plans to expand its facility in Burlington, Ontario to become the first site in the state to manufacture nuclear-qualified pumps. This will support Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) plans to build four small modular reactors, with the expansion also having the potential to serve OPG’s operations and refurbishment needs at its existing Darlington and Pickering generating stations.

As well as expanding its current operations in Burlington, Celeros has committed to finalizing a business case for a new nuclear valve production facility, also within Ontario, as it looks to play an enhanced role in nuclear growth in the province.

Shakil Ahmed, Celeros Flow Technology’s Burlington Plant Director, said at the time of the announcement in November 2023: “Recent investments in our nuclear-accredited facilities in the US, France and Canada ensure we can continue to provide robust engineered flow control solutions that meet the challenges of energy generation in a rapidly changing world. As OPG’s trusted lifecycle partner, we are proud to be supporting their SMR construction program, which will deliver a secure energy supply for Ontario as well as boosting the local economy and creating jobs in the area.”

Partnerships such as this continue to form the bedrock of Celeros FT’s promising commercial performance. Since founding in 2020 the company has grown steadily, showing a 55% increase in both sales and revenue between 2020-2023.

This is highly impressive in such a short period of time. Performance can be an issue for newly established entities, making it critical to keep employees engaged and on board –central to this has been making sure employ-

Story type

#transformation (main category)

#resilience

Benefits

▸ Revenue growth of 55% from 2020–2023.

▸ Company expanded its 2 of its 24 operations in Burlington, Ontario and in Ghaziabad, India.

Key findings

For industry

▸ Know your markets and customers. Deliver products and services with the highest quality.

▸ The smaller players in the industry need to have a seat at the table and not only the major players. Both are needed and need support and alignment.

For government

▸ Focus on a more robust plan, with clear indications of funding requirements and availability to deliver the COP28 aspirational goal of tripling the nuclear capacity by 2050.

Celeros FT at a glance:

Key products and services: Manufacture of engineered-to-order pumps, valves and closures, as well as offering a range of technical aftermarket services.

Main industries served (predicted outcome 2025):

▸ Oil and gas – 42%

▸ Conventional power – 6%

▸ Nuclear power and energy transition – 35%

▸ Others (non-energy: defence, marine, chemical processing and other industries) – 17%

Headquarters: Charlotte, US

Year established: 2020

Number of employees: 1,300

Revenue from exports: 60%

ees know they are part of the journey and critical to the success of the new venture. And with the sort of growth the firm is enjoying so far, the next chapter of the journey looks to be an exciting one.

CEVA Logistics

Supporting East Africa’s largest ongoing hydroelectric project with complex, out-of-gauge cargo deliveries

How is CEVA Logistics thriving?

In provisioning a series of the largest and most complex logistical cargo deliveries ever witnessed on an East African energy infrastructure project, CEVA Logistics is making a name for itself on the continent. Thanks to its meticulous attention to detail and timely delivery of components, the project continues to progress.

The challenge - CEVA Logistics decided to grow its business across the African continent in 2019, when CEVA had direct presence in less than five countries in the region. After several acquisitions, the company has direct offices and operations in more than 20 African markets.

One of those acquisitions, that of Spedag Interfreight in 2022, has been particularly influential. Spedag has dedicated industry teams which specialise in fulfilling logistical requirements for complex projects – essential expertise in the ongoing delivery of cargo transportation services to East Africa’s largest hydropower project.

With a generating capacity of more than 2GW and construction work taking place at a remote site location, CEVA Logistics was faced with a challenge when it was approached to deliver 300 complex and out-ofgauge cargo items.

The solution - It is the first time such a logistical exercise has been carried out in East Africa, with the most challenging aspect being how CEVA could utilise existing road and rail infrastructure to safely transport the exceptional loads.

The loads in question concern nine of the third largest rotor bodies the world has ever produced, 7.5 metres in diameter. These are made up of a variety of enormous components, including pressure kits measuring 7.4 metres in diameter, rotor valves weighing 163 tonnes, runners weighing 90 tonnes, downstream and upstream extensions up to 7.4 metres wide, and 36 sensitive stator sections with height of 4.7 metres.

The size of the cargo was only one aspect of many challenges. Transformers are highly sensitive and must be handled with precision

and care to ensure that their internal integrity stays intact upon arrival at the site. Due to the cargo’s sensitivity, procurement lead time needed to span over 10 months.

No stone has been left unturned. CEVA’s logistics engineers painstakingly planned every detail, producing drawings and project schematics well before the cargo even made the sail to the Port of Dar es Salaam. This included calculations of ground bearing capacity, ensuring adequate handling equipment availability (especially at intra-rail stations), and measuring the impact on the cargo, among other key factors.

To give an example of a specific cargo journey, a rotor body of 8 metres in length, 7.5 metres in width and weighing 111 tonnes took more than six months of planning. It was transported via road from the port to a rail station, trans-shipped on rail wagon with a 200-tonne capacity, and then trans-shipped at the arrival rail station safely on to specialised trailer ready to be transported to the project site the next day. In total, the journey encompassed 100 kilometres of road, of which 30 kilometres were gravel road, 120 kilometres of rail and finally more 40 kilometres of gravel road.

So far, 85% of the cargo has been successfully delivered to the site. Such has been the competency of the delivery to date, CEVA Logistics has emerged as the sole logistics services provider for the rest of the project. The company has also received enquiries from other parties, opening up the possibility of securing more work on the continent.

Involvement in critical energy infrastructure projects such as this will only serve to deepen CEVA’s ties in Africa. As it became a top-five global player, successfully executing highly complex, first-of-its-kind projects in the region will strengthen its track record and reputation. On a broader level, the company is also playing a crucial role in accelerating progress on one of East Africa’s most important renewable energy projects that will help to bolster energy security for generations to come.

Story type

#service & solutions (main category)

#people & competency

Benefits

▸ Company on track to deepen its business in the African continent.

▸ Involvement in one of East Africa’s most important renewable energy projects.

Key findings

For industry

▸ Trust the supply chain: an efficient supply chain is at the core of every functioning economy. For government

▸ Collaborate and open healthy dialogue with industry players.

CEVA Logistics at a glance:

Key products and services: one of the top five world leaders in third-party logistics.

Headquarters: Marseille, France

Year established: 1946

Number of employees: 110,000

Revenue: £15.1bn

Revenue from exports: N/A

Clariant

Greater catalyst. Smaller footprint.

How is Clariant thriving?

Through ongoing investments and innovative research efforts, Clariant has produced catalyst solutions that help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions across various sectors in 2023. By providing innovative technologies that optimise yields, minimise waste and help decarbonise downstream markets, the company has been able to support its customers avoid approximately 40 million tons of CO2e in 2023.

Indeed, with a focus on sustainability both internally and externally, Clariant is poised to drive further carbon savings in the years ahead. The challenge - Clariant stands as a dedicated specialty chemical company, guided by the overarching mission of fostering ‘Greater chemistry – between people and planet’. By seamlessly integrating customer-centric approaches, innovation and talent, the company crafts solutions aimed at advancing sustainability across different industries.

With a workforce of more than 10,000 individuals, a global presence, robust R&D capabilities, and an extensive portfolio, Clariant delivers cutting-edge technologies to optimise processes in the chemical industry.

The company is committed to serving as an innovative catalyst, empowering clients in their sustainability strategies and carbon reduction endeavours. Specifically, it focuses on enhancing energy efficiency and aiding industries in slashing emissions from chemical production.

In line with its mantra, “Greater catalyst. Smaller footprint,” Clariant’s catalysts business remains focused on this pursuit. However, it is an extensive undertaking. In addition to developing sustainable solutions for the chemical sector, the company must continuously invest in pioneering technologies to accelerate the global energy transition.

The solution - Through continual investments and pioneering R&D efforts from the company’s experts, the firm has successfully leveraged its catalyst products to facilitate the avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions in several ways in 2023.

For the steel industry, Clariant manufactures specialised reformer catalysts for the low-carbon direct reduction of iron (DRI) process of iron production. Compared to the traditional coal-based method, DRI reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 30-40%. Nitric acid production for manufacturing fertiliser is another environmentally challenging process, releasing nitrous oxide equivalent to 100m tons of CO2 annually. Here, Clariant’s N2O abatement catalysts are able to remove up to 99% of emissions at less than US$10 per tonne of CO2e avoided.

Furthermore, Clariant offers a wide range of high-performance catalysts that enable the reduction of CO2e emissions in the production of large-volume chemical building blocks, such as styrene, ethylene, and propylene.

In addition to providing sustainable solutions for traditional sectors, Clariant has also excelled in developing catalysts that advance energy transition. Together with technology partners, the company is paving the way for deploying blue hydrogen, low-carbon ammonia, green methanol and sustainable aviation fuels.

Furthermore, Clariant’s expansive portfolio includes state-of-the-art catalysts for hydrogen transportation through chemical conversion, followed by release at the point of use, for example, through ammonia cracking or liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs).

Owing to these transformative solutions, Clariant’s customers – including those involved in steel and nitric acid production, as well as new energy transition projects – were able to avoid greenhouse gases equivalent to approximately 40 million tonnes of CO2e in 2023. Critically, this figure represents an increase of five million tonnes avoided versus 2022, highlighting the company’s growing commitment to climate protection.

While many of its efforts are focused on supporting its customers’ transition toward climate neutrality, Clariant is also actively reducing its own environmental footprint. Indeed, the company’s ambitious, science-based climate targets for 2030 include the reduction of: Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 40%; landfilled non-hazard-

Story type

#environmental sustainability (main category)

#energy transition

Benefits

▸ Customers successfully supported towards carbon neutrality.

▸ Clariant on its own journey to reduce carbon emissions in several fronts.

Clariant at a glance:

Key products and services: manufacture and development of sustainable solutions.

Headquarters: Basel-Country, Switzerland

Year established: 1995

Number of employees: 10,481

Revenue: £3.7m

ous waste by 40%; hazardous waste by 25%; and water consumption by 20%; as well as other commitments.

With an emphasis on driving change to enable a sustainable future both internally and externally, the firm is paving a path to many further carbon savings – something it hopes to accelerate over the coming years.

Cokebusters

Championing innovation in water filtration

Story type

#service & solutions (main category)

#innovation

Benefits

▸ New units being added to the company’s network, including in the Middle East.

James Phipps

How is Cokebusters thriving?

Constantly innovating around its services and solutions, Cokebusters is finding new ways to help clients improve operational efficiency and reduce the risk of process safety related incidents, whilst also minimising cost exposure and associated environmental impact.

Through the development of new filtration machinery, the company can now ethically clean and recycle millions of gallons of contaminated water during high intensity oil refinery site turnarounds, supporting major clients across the US.

The Cokebusters’ water filtration solution brings significant added value to its core service enabling clients to significantly minimise operational burdens and on-site product handling charges.

The challenge - For the past 20 years, Cokebusters has been a niche technology services partner for the international energy sector. The company specialises in the design, build and maintenance of patented equipment for the mechanical cleaning and intelligent pigging of small diameter, high pressure process piping and pipeline inventory.

Cokebusters’ work involves removing hardened petroleum coke and scale from facility fired heaters and boilers, often extracting several tonnes of fouling from a single heater. Heater tube wall fouling significantly reduces thermal efficiency and increases the risk of corrosion and rupture. The fouling is removed using mechanical cleaning pigs, propelled by high pressure water, with the contaminated water then collected within tanks in its pumping units.

Whilst these pumping units filter out larger contaminant particles, they cannot completely clean the water due to the very high-volume flow rates. The remaining wastewater that is handled by facility operators imposes a significant burden, with millions of gallons of ‘grey water’ requiring extensive treatment. This method also demands significant volumes of freshwater to replace that which is lost.

Recognising the environmental and operational challenges, especially in remote and arid regions, Cokebusters identified the need to reduce the environmental impact and operator

costs. This led to the opportunity to design a practical solution capable of processing waste and recycling water at sufficient volumes without hindering heater decoking performance.

The solution - Taking the challenge to reduce environmental impact, lower costs, and address freshwater demand head on, Cokebusters embarked on developing and delivering a new technology to work alongside its pumping units and broaden the scope of company’s trademark combined service delivery.

Designed, built and patented by Cokebusters’ Houston team, the new filtration machines are a containerised unit equipped with an operator control room, two water settling tanks, and a four-stage filtration system, each with banks of filtration pods, sized according to required specification.

The initial prototype unit was able to process wastewater at a rate of approximately 150 gallons per minute (gpm). More recently, a second-generation unit was developed to increased throughput capacity to 250-300 gpm, thus enabling the company to effectively clean much larger fired heaters without compromising the schedule.

developed

During a 10-day site turnaround involving multiple heaters, a single filtration unit ethically cleaned and recycled some three million gallons of water, which would otherwise require to be managed and disposed of by the facility. The wastewater can be continuously recycled thus significantly reducing the demand for further supply.

The effectiveness of the solution has been demonstrated by a water filtration intervention at a major US Gulf Coast oil and gas operator’s facility. Here, since the filtration process was implemented, as part of a broader combined service, no further spillage has occurred, and no additional water has been required.

During this time, Cokebusters has also deployed its filtration machines across several other US refining sites. In addition to environmental load reduction and operator savings, the firm’s regional income has been incremented by up to 10%, or US$1.5m per annum.

The success of this concept has prompted the company to commission the construction of

• Revenue growth of £1.2m in 2023.

Key findings

For industry

▸ Be bold and proactive.

▸ Trust an innovative and diverse business.

For government

▸ Support SMEs with funding.

Cokebusters at a glance:

Key products and services: design, build and maintenance of specialised equipment for the mechanical cleaning, intelligent pigging and integrity management of small diameter, high pressure process piping and pipeline inventory.

Main industries served:

▸ Oil and gas – 90%

▸ Onshore renewable energy – 5%

▸ Others (non-energy): chemical –5%

Headquarters: Chester, UK

Year established: 2005

Number of employees: 100

Revenue: £14m

Revenue from exports: 95%

additional units, including one for the Middle East region to replace current cumbersome on-site water handling techniques.

Water filtration is now a component part of the company global business strategy with a third generation unit planned, targeting an additional diversification agenda.

With such a significant growth rate, the firm is well positioned to further consolidate its reputation as a valuable industry technology partner in the future.

Crescent Engineering

Broadening its solutions portfolio to overcome tightening margins

How is Crescent Engineering thriving?

Amid growing competition, Crescent Engineering decided to pursue a new approach to serving clients, one built around solutions and offering maximum value as a service provider. This is no better demonstrated than by its investment into a new dry gas seal facility, a first for Malaysia which has given it a new edge in the local market.

The challenge - Since the turn of the millennium, Crescent Engineering has been providing a range of maintenance, equipment upgrade, revamp and engineering services to the oil and gas, refining, chemical, power, and other asset-intensive industries in its home county Malaysia.

During its first two decades, the firm had built up a solid reputation in the local market, but a series of challenges were starting to bite towards the end of the 2010s. New entrants offering similar repair services for pumps were pushing down margins, prompting the company to develop a plan for growth and diversification in order to bring greater value to clients. At the same time, new members in the management team were bringing fresh perspectives and ideas to the table.

The solution - Since 2018, Crescent Engineering has adopted a solutions-first approach, one which better takes into account bespoke client needs.

Indeed, the company has been able to differentiate itself by providing capabilities previously unavailable locally, enabling it to produce results with faster turnaround times and at more competitive costs. Also crucial to this has been the consolidation of the right technologies through collaboration with various technology partners, coordinating customer needs and matching them with the optimum solutions.

This approach allows the company to develop local capability and talent, enabling it to be a true service and solutions provider. Indeed, Crescent Engineering believes this is the key to establishing a strong foundation for long-term growth, at the same providing the technical baseline to contribute to Malaysia’s industrial ecosystem in the rotating equipment space.

Central to the company’s strategy, and personifying the ethos behind it, has been the

development of highly specialised dry gas seal service facilities. As the first and only such facility in Malaysia, Crescent Engineering is now capable of performing complete refurbishment and testing of dry gas seals according to API 692 requirements. Here, the company offers a full range of services, including complete inspection, re-lapping, calibrating and regrooving. It also provides replacement parts to specification, performs spin tests on mating rings, stacks up and balances rotating units, and conducts static and dynamic dry gas seal testing.

The site, which has so far completed 60 units for various clients, is testament to the risk that Crescent is willing to absorb in order to provide greater value to customers. Major work was required to bring the property up to standard, much of which having to be completed amid serious disruption during the height of the Covid pandemic.

The first customer to benefit from the new dry gas seals facility was Carigali Hess, a joint venture oil and gas company between PCJDA Ltd and Hess Oil Company of Thailand Ltd based in Kuala Lumpur engaged in gas production approximately 150km northeast of Kota Bahru. Its unit, which was serviced four years ago, continues to operate without issues.

As a result of the new facility and solutions-first approach to doing business, Crescent Engineering is continuing to gain new customers, this growth enabling the company to expand its employment base and bring new skills development opportunities to local communities. Its team at the dry gas seals site is now five-strong, and is delivering savings for clients of up to 40% compared to what they were paying in the past.

As more and more success stories strengthen Crescent Engineering’s track record, the more it is being proved right in the decision to pivot towards a solutions-centric offering. Now, the challenge is to remain competitive by recruiting and training the skilled people it needs to thrive, something that it seeks to achieve through partnering with local education institutions and building out a rigorous selection and training process. This, along with savvy investment in leading-edge technology, will open up even greater opportunities for the business, which also has its eyes on markets outside of Malaysia.

Story type

#service & solutions (main category)

#people & competency

Benefits

▸ Expansion of customer and employment base.

▸ Customers saving up to 40%.

Key findings

For industry

▸ Openness to alternative options will improve costs and increase knowledge.

For government

▸ Provide support to increase consideration to use local companies that can provide value in terms of tax incentives or exposure.

Crescent Engineering at a glance:

Key products and services: mechanical equipment solutions.

Main industries served:

▸ Oil and gas – 60%

▸ Conventional power – 20%

▸ Onshore renewable energy – 2%

▸ Others (non-energy): water infrastructure – 18%

Headquarters: Klang, Malaysia

Year established: 2000

Number of employees: 83

Revenue: £3.3m

Revenue from exports: 0%

Crowcon Detection Instruments

Applying gas detection capabilities to battery storage systems for a safer energy transition

How is Crowcon Detection Instruments thriving?

Recognising the opportunity to support energy transition strategies by enhancing battery storage safety, gas detection specialist Crowcon has propelled itself into a true thought leader within just 12 months. Leveraging its decades of experience, the company has successfully applied its expertise to a hugely significant energy transition subsector. The success of this subsector has the potential to make or break the switch to cleaner power sources.

The challenge - Efficient battery storage is paramount to the success of renewables and alternative power generation gaining traction within the energy transition.

Such systems also need to be safe. Lithium-ion batteries carry risks of thermal runaway, fires and explosions. And when damaged or exposed to high temperatures, pose dangers to the environment, property and human life. As demand rises, a single faulty battery can trigger very costly incidents.

However, fires and explosions are symptoms of unsafe batteries. For the global manufacturer of gas detectors, Crowcon, the opportunity to pivot away from reliance on traditional energy markets was clear.

The solution - The potential for Crowcon to make a difference in the battery energy storage solutions (BESS) market is obvious. A faulty battery undergoes a process of ‘off-gassing’ in the early stages of thermal runaway, where inflated levels of toxic and highly flammable VOCs are released. Detecting these gases at the earliest possible moment is therefore the best possible way of avoiding explosion or fire, which is where a reliable early gas detection system comes in.

Crowcon has been researching and developing cutting-edge gas detection solutions for all manner of needs and environments for over 50 years.

The company has been focused on driving innovation within the energy transition market since 2022, and specifically the BESS market since the middle of 2023.

This pivot has involved several key actions. First, Crowcon adopted a cross departmental and global approach, with sales, product, R&D and marketing teams based in the UK and China all coming together. Within this, a dedicated

group focused on BESS was formed through the company leveraging its parent firm’s (Halma) Catalyst Programme to bring in Prannay Roy to spearhead its efforts in the segment.

Understanding battery failure was very much in its infancy stage, with questions around what happens before catastrophic fires, types of gasses released, when they are released and which ones need to be detected. Crowcon therefore conducted battery tests and developed the ability to detect the early off gasses. Crucially, this early detection capability has been enabled by the fact the company is sensor agnostic, meaning it is able to leverage various sensor types for specific applications. In collaboration with other Halma businesses, Crowcon has been able to create a full BESS solution.

This takes the form of Xgard Bright MPS. In providing early and reliable gas detection by detecting off-gassing within milliseconds, it also surpasses the accuracy of alternative sensors in detecting carbonates such as DMCs and EMCs, toxic VOCs, and monitoring oxygen levels. In addition, the Xgard Bright can integrate with existing battery management systems (BMS), gas or fire panels to provide early off-gassing detection, trigger suppression sequences, enhance safety and mitigate damage.

Concurrently, the firm has been working hard behind the scenes with certification and insurance companies to ensure gas detection is a requirement within the BESS market. As Crowcon’s extra layer of safety is slowly being understood, their aim is to highlight the benefits, and reduce premiums for contractors & end customers. This will be an important avenue of development as Crowcon seeks to implement its solution on a broader scale, with the company already in conversations with the top battery manufacturers in China.

Indeed, such has been the traction gained already, BESS market protagonists are turning to Crowcon for help and inviting the firm’s experts to speak at industry events.

This thought leader positioning is also trans-

Story type

#innovation (main category)

#culture, #energy transition, #technology

Benefits

▸ First year of revenues coming from battery storage activities reached £1m.

▸ Companies ready to gain traction: battery storage revenue calculated to double.

Key findings

For industry

▸ Don’t be scared to innovate, even in a traditional business like gas detection.

▸ Disseminate a culture of nonsegregation, non-silo and understand the advantage of a global brainpower.

For government

▸ Legislate early gas detection in battery storage.

Crowcon at a glance:

Key products and services: manufacture of gas detectors and quality monitors.

Main industries served:

▸ Oil and gas – 23%

▸ Hydrogen – 7%

▸ Energy storage – 1%

▸ Other (energy): pollution/air quality – 3%

▸ Other (non-energy): water, process industries, transport and industrial –66%

Headquarters: Abingdon, UK

Year established: 1970

Number of employees: 280 Revenue from exports: 62%

lating into a positive sales trajectory. In 2023, the first year of commercial activity in the BESS sector, revenues derived from battery storage clients reached £1m. Through 2024, Crowcon expects this to double.

Despite being early in the rollout strategy, Crowcon already appears to have seized the opportunity. Having wasted no time in formulating a team and synergising across various departments within the organisation, as well as other Halma companies, the dividends are starting to materialise.

Danamin

Strategic transformation underpinned by marketing and diversification

How is Danamin thriving?

After a fruitful five years underpinned by a major contract from Petronas, Danamin finds itself at a natural point of strategic consideration. To impose potential complacency, the firm is actively revamping its brand and marketing efforts while diversifying operationally, aligning more closely with industry needs.

Coming off the back of a difficult 2023, the firm is now seeking out a variety of potential opportunities as it continues to refine its strategy and broaden its scope in 2024.

The challenge - Established in 1994, Danamin has spent the past 30 years providing non-destructive testing services and fabrications of steel structure, heat treatment services and maintenance solutions to the oil and gas, marine, chemical and construction industries.

Headquartered in Malaysia, the firm’s 120 employees provide key services to operators including Petronas, TNB and Malakoff, as well as supporting developers such as Titan Chemical, Tier 1 EPCs such as Samsung and Hyundai, and Tier 2 Services companies including Pioneer, NDE and Bumitech.

Of course, growing so substantially in the space of three short decades hasn’t come without its challenges. Indeed, in recent times, Danamin has grappled with difficult market conditions, spanning everything from manpower and equipment issues to market pricing problems underpinned by the emergence of new competitors.

To protect its renowned reputation and sustain relationships and contracts with key market players, Danamin recognised that it would need to adapt and innovate.

The solution - The company has resultantly set about working to identify and capitalise on new opportunities in several areas of late.

Having secured a fi ve-year contract from Petronas spanning 2018 to 2022 for Non-Destructive Testing and maintenance services, the firm saw the need to prepare itself for new major business opportunities, improving its service offering and better aligning with market needs.

Obtaining EIC membership stands as one example of these multi-faceted efforts, with Danamin highlighting everything from opportunities to connect with industry stakeholders to webinars and events as benefi cial, aiding its efforts to diversify in a logical and informed manner.

Central to this has been an adaptation and improvement in the way in which Danamin markets itself, the firm having worked to establish a new branding strategy as of June 2023. Indeed, not only has the company needed to diversify operationally, but it also had to ensure that any key shifts in emphasis are recognised by potential clients and prospects. Here, its enhanced marketing efforts have proven critical.

Of course, these changes haven’t been plain sailing. Indeed, the firm has continued to struggle with the industry-wide employee retention challenges experienced by many, as well as a reliance on outdated equipment that it is gradually working to address.

With the Petronas contract concluding, Danamin saw its revenues drop from RM 51m in 2022 to RM 28m in 2023. However, with significant efforts such as the new branding strategy launched in the latter half of the year, the company is now working to reposition itself effectively for 2024 and turn a corner on what proved to be a difficult year.

With key certifications such as a Petronas License and ISO certifications in place, Danamin stands ready to capitalise on new opportunities as it continues to refine its strategy in the year ahead.

Story type

#service & solutions (main category)

Benefits

▸ Diversification as a strategy to adapt.

▸ Key certifications such as Petronas License and ISO, Danamin is looking forward to capitalise on new opportunities.

Key findings

For industry

▸ Resilience is the key – it is essential to view them as learning experiences rather than failures. Building resilience will help you navigate the ups and downs of your journey towards success.

▸ The industry is constantly evolving. Stay curious and open to new technologies and methods. Innovation and adaptability are crucial for staying competitive and relevant

For government

▸ Transparent and fair tender processes with clear criteria and guidelines that all companies can understand and follow.

▸ Develop policies that provide incentives and support for local companies to enhance their competitiveness, including financial assistance, tax breaks, and grants.

Danamin at a glance:

Key products and services: service provider in the oil and gas industry.

Main industries served:

▸ Oil and gas – 80%

▸ Conventional power – 5%

▸ Others (non-energy: manufacturing) – 15%

Headquarters: Pasir Gudang, Malaysia

Year established: 1994

Number of employees: 120

Revenue: £485,000

Revenue from exports: N/A

Deepsea Technologies

Opening a new Aberdeen base to better serve the UK market

How is Deepsea Technologies thriving?

Deepsea Technologies UK has positioned itself in the heart of the marine and oil and gas sectors by opening a new site in Aberdeen. By being positioned closer to its main hub of clients, and located within a hub of excellence in terms of infrastructure and talent, the company is better able to serve customers and keep abreast of key industry trends and developments. Having bedded into the new location and market, the new site looks set to contribute to what is an already growing UK business, with revenues heading steadily upwards over the past few years.

The challenge - Deepsea Technologies has been engaged in highly specialised, bespoke services for subsea energy production assets and onshore sealing applications since 2005. It has carved its own niche, pushing the boundaries of underwater exploration through cutting-edge technology, helping clients to advance their engineering projects.

The UK is an important market for the company. However, in recent years it became clear that Deepsea’ current locations were not located close enough to its major clients. Meanwhile, with increasingly complex challenges facing the sector, including stringent regulatory requirements, rising operational costs, and the need for more sustainable practices, the company recognised the imperative to innovate and adapt. Aberdeen, as a centre of excellence for maritime and oil and gas operations, presented the perfect opportunity to set up a new, better located base from which to serve the UK market.

The solution - Towards the end of 2022, Deepsea Technologies launched a new site in the Scottish city, with several key strategies being implemented to ensure the move was and continues to be a success.

Firstly, the company focused on building strong partnerships with local stakeholders, including industry experts, regulatory bodies, and the community, fostering collaboration and support.

Secondly, it invested significantly in cutting-edge technology and infrastructure to enhance efficiency and reliability in their operations. Alongside this, Deepsea prioritised talent acquisition and development, ensuring

its workforce was equipped with the skills and expertise needed to tackle the challenges of the offshore industry effectively. Through these strategies, the company aimed not only to meet but exceed the expectations of its clients, establishing itself as a leader in innovation and excellence in Aberdeen’s maritime sector. Indeed, throughout the implementation process, Deepsea Technologies maintained a focus on flexibility and adaptability, allowing the company to pivot and refine its strategy based on feedback and emerging market trends. To support this, continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms were put in place to track the progress of their initiatives and identify areas for improvement.

Dedication, collaboration, and forward-thinking have been key attributes which have allowed Deepsea to make a success of the move into Aberdeen, all of this being underpinned by a commitment to excellence which drives the team to continually push boundaries and deliver exceptional results in the world of offshore subsea operations. Although it is difficult to measure the business impact in raw number terms with the new site being open for just over a year, overall revenue trends for the UK business are certainly cause for optimism. Company’s revenue grew to £10.1m from £8.6m.

Indeed, with state-of-the-art facilities and a highly skilled workforce, Deepsea Technologies UK is poised to deliver a new breed of service efficiency and reliability for clients. The success of this venture should not only serve to strengthen its presence in the industry, but also solidify the company’s position as a leader in the broader subsea and offshore sector. Looking ahead, key priorities are to foster innovation and drive positive impact in the offshore sector from the new Aberdeen site, doubling down on the company’s dedication to the North Sea market. Further afield, prospects are also exciting, with Deepsea also considering opening a site in Malaysia, a move which would further expand its reach and capabilities.

Story type

#optimisation (main category)

#scale up

Benefits

▸ New site in Aberdeen brings optimism to Deepsea Technologies, as revenue grew.

▸ Plans to expand site to Malaysia.

Key findings

For industry

▸ Have faith in UK engineering for renewables, hydrogen, and carbon capture.

▸ Collaborate between countries to bring engineers together to drive a cleaner, more efficient future.

For government

▸ What is the future for conventional oil and gas? How many years do we have left?

Deepsea Technologies at a glance:

Key products and services: subsea oilfield equipment supplier.

Main industries served:

▸ Oil and gas – 95%

▸ Carbon capture – 2%

▸ Others (energy) – 3%

Headquarters: Bromborough, UK

Year established: 1994

Number of employees: 50

Revenue: £10.1m

Revenue from exports: 60%

deugro

A century of success in complex logistics

How is deugro thriving?

In its 100th anniversary year, logistics specialist deugro continues to invest heavily in the training and development of its most valuable asset – people. Working to support over 1,500 highly skilled specialists in more than 70 offices and 40 countries worldwide, the company provides several key training and employee empowerment initiatives.

The challenge - Having taken up the challenge of specialising in customised logistics solutions for complex turnkey projects and oversized and heavy lift (OSHL) cargoes in 1924, deugro has become a pioneer and trailblazer in the project logistics industry during the ensuing century.

Still standing as an independent, family-owned enterprise today, the firm’s extensive employee base works to provide sophisticated and innovative freight management and project logistics solutions by ocean, air and land – from the early pre-FEED phase through engineering, procurement and construction up to safe project delivery and beyond.

However, this is not to say that the last 100 years haven’t been without its challenges. Indeed, deugro has endured everything from financial crashes, geopolitical conflicts and energy crises, fluctuating freight rates, severely restricted shipping space and availability, port congestions, global shortages of trained personnel, the unprecedented IT transformation, a global pandemic, and the energy transition with its significant impact on all industries.

The solution - The industrial project market continues to undergo constant and increasingly rapid change, and deugro has continued to navigate volatility year after year, adjusting its strategy to serve ever-changing requirements. This focus on adaptability is underpinned by its overall mission: to design and deliver seamless solutions for complex logistical challenges. Of course, moving with market needs demands a finger on the pulse of industry trends. With an exceptional track record of successfully delivered projects and shipments to the remotest regions of the world, it has developed a deep understanding of its client base, demonstrated by numerous longterm partnerships and more than 95% client satisfaction in 2023.

Much of this success is also down to the company’s setup. Unlike other forwarding companies that only have one division for dealing with industrial projects alongside other general cargo operations, the focus of deugro’s entire employee base is on project logistics, providing tailor-made solutions to minimise and ensure safe, timely and efficient project delivery. Indeed, these employees have formed the foundations of deugro’s success over the last century.

During this time, deugro has sustained a philosophy that success is based on the expertise, experience and passion of its employees. For that very reason, the firm has always focused heavily on recruiting, developing and retaining leading talent.

In 2019, deugro invested in its online HR, learning and development platform My Talent Center which hosts the deugro group Academy. Today, 7,000 multilingual learning modules on logistics, IT, compliance, HSES, sales or mental health topics are available on the platform, with 76,000 trainings being assigned since is implementation.

In addition, deugro provides a formal trainee programme for students and young professionals in the form of deugro’s most promising (DMP). For more than 20 years, this has offered accelerated technical career development to selected trainees, with participants sent to a different deugro location approximately every three months. To date, and timely given the firm’s 100th anniversary, the hundredth participant has joined the DMP programme, with more than half of the company’s current board also progressing through it.

Alongside these initiatives stands the recently introduced deugro group mentoring programme. Launched in 2023, 100% of the mentees agreed that their mentor’s feedback and input supported their growth, stating that they would strongly recommend the programme to their colleagues. Further evidence of the successful training and staff performance can be seen in the recognition through regular awards from prestigious institutions, including the EIC.

Another proof of deugro’s efforts in that sense is the significant growth in staff numbers, which went from 1,220 people worldwide in

Story type

#people & competency (main category)

Benefits

▸ Mentoring programme successfully implemented among employees.

▸ 76,000 trainings assigned since the implementation of the learning and development platform.

Key findings

For industry

▸ Focus on attraction and creating the right talent.

▸ Energy and logistics industries are very traditional. They need to embrace AI and new skills of the next generation.

For government

▸ Allow policy changes that foster innovation and the development of human capital.

deugro at a glance:

Key products and services: turn-key projects and engineering logistics solutions for various industries.

Main industries served:

▸ Oil and gas – 45%

▸ Renewables – 25%

▸ Conventional power – 5%

▸ Nuclear – 5%

▸ Energy transition 5%

▸ Others (non-energy): pulp & paper, infrastructure, mobility, mining) – 15%

Headquarters: Pfäffikon, Switzerland

Year established: 1924

Number of employees: 1,471

Revenue from exports: 90%

2019 to 1,471 in 2024 (an increase of over 20% in five years).

Looking ahead, this continued focus on talent won’t waver. With the company setting out further employee development as well as its aspirations in sustainability, energy transition and the digitalisation of deugro systems as key goals for 2024, people will continue to remain at the core of the firm’s efforts as it gears up for a second century of success.

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