In The Spotlight
Air Products, a provider of liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology and equipment has announced its dual mixed refrigerant LNG Process technology (AP-DMR) and equipment, which has been deployed at the Coral South floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) plant in Mozambique, Africa, has successfully passed its performance test achieving LNG production above 3.4 mn tons per year.
Air Products’ proprietary AP-DMR LNG Process was selected because of its high efficiency, reliable operation, and compact footprint. AP-DMR’s superior process efficiency combined with the use of aeroderivative machinery translates to a lower carbon intensity than all other LNG processes in floating service.
Coral South FLNG is Mozambique’s first operating LNG project, and the first deep-water FLNG project for Africa. It is the second largest FLNG facility in the world. Air Products’ involvement with this project started in 2013 with conceptual work, resulting in the selection of the AP-DMR LNG process technology and equipment, including the supply of two proprietary coil-wound main cryogenic heat exchangers (CWHEs), one for precooling and one for liquefaction within the facility.
The CWHEs for the Coral South project were fabricated at Air Products’ LNG equipment manufacturing facility in Port Manatee, Florida. Additionally, Air Products provided expert, technical advisory services for the installation, commissioning, start-up, and performance testing.
“Having been selected to participate in this landmark project is a significant achievement and the first project to leverage our very efficient AP-DMR LNG process. Our supplied equipment having successfully completed performance testing is the direct result of the expertise and experience of our team, from all areas of the LNG business, working in close collaboration and in support of TP JGC Coral France (the EPC joint venture of Technip Energies France SAS and JGC Corporation) executing the project and Coral FLNG S.A. (the owner/operator),” said Dr. John Palamara, general manager – LNG at Air Products.
Air Products’ AP-DMR LNG Process has also been selected for the Energía Costa Azul LNG land-based project in Mexico which is currently under construction.
Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a 10-year Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Agreement for a captive power plant providing the energy for a Nigerian cement producing facility.
The new cement plant is owned by Mangal Industries and is located in Kogi State, Nigeria. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q2, 2024.
The power plant is critical to the facility’s cement production since the site is remotely located with limited access to the electricity grid. It operates with five Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines delivering an output of 50 MW. The O&M agreement is designed to ensure that the facility can reliably maintain its cement production target of three million metric tons per year.
“We are reliant on the power plant for our operations. This is why we have opted to take advantage of Wärtsilä’s depth of experience and know-how to run and maintain the power plant. Not only will the agreement provide the assured reliability we need, but it also gives us cost predictability,” said Fahad Mangal, Managing Director, Mangal Industries Limited.
The ten-year agreement starts immediately as the facility commences operations in Q2, 2024, running on liquid fuel initially. The facility will switch to natural gas operation when the natural gas pipeline will be commissioned. The power plant’s dual-fuel engines can be operated both on liquid fuel and natural gas and could be converted to operate with future low- or zero-carbon fuels when they become available.
“Wärtsilä now has more than 400 MW of installed capacity for the cement industry in Nigeria, and we are operating three captive power plants in three different states. This successful track record clearly indicates our capabilities and highlights the added value we can deliver to our customers through our experience and expertise in supporting their operations,” comments Patrick Borstner, Director, Operations Africa at Wärtsilä Energy.
Nigeria has an increasing demand for cement for its many infrastructure projects, and there has been a domestic supply gap. With this new plant, Mangal will partly address this issue.
Aberdeen-based Deep Casing Tools has won a King’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category.
The firm, a provider of innovative solutions for the global oil and gas industry, has been recognised for its robust international trade growth strategy, which has successfully driven an increased footprint in the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America. In response to increasing demand for its technology, the company recruited an additional seven people last year, including three strategic appointments in Saudia Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, increasing the total number of employees globally to 25.
David Stephenson, Deep Casing Tools CEO said, “We have significantly increased our overseas footprint in recent years by entering new territories, and it is fantastic to see our efforts recognised with a King’s Award for Enterprise. By diversifying our business internationally, prioritising markets with the highest growth potential and building strategic alliances, we have built a strong track record across the regions we operate.
“Our global growth strategy has been led by a combination of robust research and development with in-depth market knowledge to identify opportunities for expansion and development, whilst continuing to deliver a personal, bespoke service to each of our customers. I am delighted for our team, this award is a testament to their continued hard work and dedication and I look forward to building on this success in the coming years.”
Deep Casing Tool’s suite of technology includes the TurboCaser, TurboRunner, MechLOK and Rubblizer. All were deployed around the world in 2023, delivering a total of 64 projects, with the TurboCaser accounting for 73% of its global commerce.
The high-speed, turbine-powered casing running system helps drilling teams to land casings and intermediate liners at target depth in even the most complex wells. It’s 75% faster than conventional technology and can save up to three days per project, delivering significant efficiencies.
The company has experienced significant demand for the solution, particularly in Saudia Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. During a recent project offshore Abu Dhabi, the application of the TurboCaser enabled a major operator to save more than 1,500 rig time hours, US$13.7mn in operational costs and 4,247 MT in CO2 emissions when compared to traditional methods.
BW Energy has confirmed increase in reserve estimates following the presence of good quality reservoir in DHBSM-2P pilot well in the northern end of the Hibiscus South deposit
Drilled from the MaBoMo production platform to a total depth of 5,130 m, BW aims to acheive well completion of DHBSM-2P by the end of 2024.
The Borr Norve jack-up rig was utilised to drill a target area located approximately 3.2 kms west-northwest of the MaBoMo.
Evaluation of logging data, sample examination and formation pressure measurements confirm approximately 25 metres of pay in an overall hydrocarbon column of 35 metres in the Gamba formation.
The well data provides additional confirmation that the Hibiscus South structure is a separate accumulation with a deeper oil-water contact than the nearby Hibiscus Field. This will enable the company to book additional reserves not currently included in its annual statement of reserves and provide the opportunity to drill one or more additional production wells from the MaBoMo facility.
“We continue to increase the production and reserve base through low-cost and low-risk development activity in line with BW Energy’s strategy,” said Carl K. Arnet CEO of BW Energy. “The Hibiscus South pilot well is another confirmation of the significant potential of the Dussafu licence which holds multiple additional prospects.”
Preliminary evaluation indicates gross recoverable reserves of 5 to 6 million barrels of oil and approximately 14 million barrels of oil in place.
PGS has announced that early-out data is now available for the EGY23 Merneith & Luxor MultiClient programme
DNV, the global independent energy expert and assurance provider, is pleased to announce the release of its latest standard, DNV-ST-F207 for hybrid thermoplastic composite flexible pipes (TCPs), which addresses the challenges faced by conventional risers in deepwater applications, where high top tension and corrosive environments are common
TPCs have been challenging traditional steel pipes in the last decade by offering a light, ductile, spoolable and corrosion-free solution for transportation of liquids and gases.
The primary objective of the DNV-ST-F207 standard is to facilitate the integration of innovative technologies, such as carbon fiber armor, into flexible riser designs. By qualifying these technologies and ensuring their adherence to recognized international standards, specifically API Spec 17J and DNV-ST-F119, DNV aims to enhance the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of deepwater projects. The new standard merges different design methods (Working Stress Design and Load and Resistance Factor Design or partial safety factor) into a unified approach. Through this consolidated method, components are made to withstand different kinds of stresses, and extensive tests will ensure they meet safety standards under specific conditions.
"Overall, this initiative reflects a commitment to advancing technology in the offshore industry, ensuring the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and sustainability in deepwater projects thanks to our expertise and the dedication of our global teams of specialized experts," said Prajeev Rasiah, Executive Vice President & Regional Director Northern Europe, Energy Systems at DNV.
The implementation of the DNV-ST-F207 standard is expected to have significant consequences for deepwater projects: by incorporating carbon fiber armor elements, risers will become lighter, resulting in lower top tension, and this innovative solution provides a more sustainable and reliable option for deepwater applications. Furthermore, carbon fiber exhibits superior resistance to degradation in aggressive environments, showcasing excellent fatigue performance.
DNV's release of the DNV-ST-F207 standard marks a significant milestone in the offshore industry's pursuit of technological advancements for a more sustainable future.
Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a 10-year Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Agreement for a captive power plant providing the energy for a Nigerian cement producing facility.
The new cement plant is owned by Mangal Industries and is located in Kogi State, Nigeria. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q2, 2024.
The power plant is critical to the facility’s cement production since the site is remotely located with limited access to the electricity grid. It operates with five Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines delivering an output of 50 MW. The O&M agreement is designed to ensure that the facility can reliably maintain its cement production target of three million metric tons per year.
“We are reliant on the power plant for our operations. This is why we have opted to take advantage of Wärtsilä’s depth of experience and know-how to run and maintain the power plant. Not only will the agreement provide the assured reliability we need, but it also gives us cost predictability,” said Fahad Mangal, Managing Director, Mangal Industries Limited.
The ten-year agreement starts immediately as the facility commences operations in Q2, 2024, running on liquid fuel initially. The facility will switch to natural gas operation when the natural gas pipeline will be commissioned. The power plant’s dual-fuel engines can be operated both on liquid fuel and natural gas and could be converted to operate with future low- or zero-carbon fuels when they become available.
“Wärtsilä now has more than 400 MW of installed capacity for the cement industry in Nigeria, and we are operating three captive power plants in three different states. This successful track record clearly indicates our capabilities and highlights the added value we can deliver to our customers through our experience and expertise in supporting their operations,” comments Patrick Borstner, Director, Operations Africa at Wärtsilä Energy.
Nigeria has an increasing demand for cement for its many infrastructure projects, and there has been a domestic supply gap. With this new plant, Mangal will partly address this issue.
The US$20bn, 650,000-bpd Dangote Refinery in Nigeria has completed its first shipment of diesel and jet fuel to the local market since it started production in January
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) will showcase its 2024 licensing round at a dedicated “Invest in Nigeria” session at the Invest in African Energy forum in Paris next week
Responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of upstream petroleum operations in Nigeria, the Commission will unveil its energy development strategy for 2024, including its latest licensing round launched earlier this month. The deadline for the bid round closes on January 2025 and round features 12 oil blocks – along with five deep offshore blocks from last year’s round – and a mix of greenfield, offshore and onshore assets. Nigeria is seeking to attract local and international explorers to its acreage, with a view to increasing its reserve base, maximizing production and boosting energy security.
The presentation will be led by NUPRC CEO Engr. Gbenga Komolafe and Executive Commissioner, Exploration & Acreage Management, Indabawa Bashari Alka, and is part of a broader session promoting Nigeria’s latest energy sector developments. In a bid to attract new investment, the Commission is seeking to establish a business-friendly environment by ensuring regulatory certainty and removing barriers to entry within Nigeria’s upstream industry. The upcoming forum represents a strategic opportunity for investors to participate in Nigeria’s energy revolution, as the country targets up to $7.6 billion in upstream investments to restore production to 2.1 million barrels per day.
“The IAE forum is the premier platform where investors can access Africa’s leading investment opportunities – including licensing rounds and farm-in opportunities – and engage directly with African regulators. Criteria for Nigeria’s latest bid round will be unpacked during the session, along with additional opportunities in oil and gas exploration, LNG, refining and more,” says Sandra Jeque, Event & Project Director at Energy Capital & Power.