Technology

Soudotec will initiate an inventory programme. (Image source: Svanehoj)

Svanehoj, a provider of hydraulic emergency shut-off valves, hydraulic control panels, and mechanical gauges, has entered into a product distribution partnership with Soudotec, which provides expertise in fluid control and is currently supplying equipment and managing projects, mainly in the oil and gas sector, across West Africa

"With our expanding focus on West African nations, it was essential for us to identify a local distributor with in-depth regional expertise. We found Soudotec to be the ideal partner due to their operations and local presence in Senegal and their deep understanding of local markets," said Quentin Lanoy, sales manager at Svanehoj.

Soudotec’s role will extend beyond distribution of Svanehoj’s products to new and existing LPG storage facilities. The Soudotec team will also provide technical support, conduct maintenance and train onsite staff in Svanehoj’s Whessoe safety valves and related equipment.

Providing local support

"We have decided to combine our expertise with Svanehoj by signing a distribution partnership in West Africa. Our shared goal is to provide competent training and local support to Whessoe product users," said Matthieu Jacques, CEO at Soudotec.

The partners will work to replace outdated valves that predate current safety regulations, including those requiring fire-safe certification. As a part of the agreement, Soudotec will initiate an inventory programme to assess existing installations and support end users in implementing a replacement strategy for non-compliant valves.

"Some of the shut-off valves currently in use are not up to date with current regulations. Our valves received fire certification in 2017, and with a life cycle of 20-25 years, our valves provide unmatched reliability and durability. As the original and sole manufacturer of Whessoe shut-off valves, we will help Soudotec set the standard in fire-safe equipment for LPG facilities in African countries," said Lanoy.

The locations will employ locals and are expected to grow Namibia’s energy sector. (Image source: Halliburton)

Halliburton, a leading provider of products and services to the energy industry, has announced that it will open new facilities in Namibia to support the country’s in-country operations

The facilities are located across the country, representing a combined footprint of approximately 20,000 sq m. The Windhoek office will handle support services; a Walvis Bay site will focus on cementing and drilling fluids services and warehousing; Swakopmund will house sperry drilling, well completions, testing & subsea, and wirelines & perforating services; while Lüderitz will support cementing and wirelines operations.

Up to 200 Namibians are expected to be employed at the facilities, helping to foster local expertise in relevant technologies and contribute to the country’s economy.

“These new facilities allow us to operate close to our customers, collaborate in real time, and deliver the advanced technologies and services that maximise asset value,” remarked Antoine Berel, Vice President, Halliburton Sub-Saharan Africa (South). “We are proud to support Namibia’s oil and gas industry, contribute to the economic success of the country, and create opportunities for local people.”

Halliburton has indicated that the announcement is a demonstration of the importance of the country’s growing oil and gas sector, with the new facilities dedicated to supporting this growth while strengthening the company’s regional presence.

Subsea Optical Time Domain Reflectometer. (Image source: C-Kore Systems)

C-Kore Systems, a leading provider of innovative subsea testing solutions, has seen remarkable growth in Africa, emerging as one of the company’s largest markets

C-Kore’s patented technology simplifies and speeds up subsea testing processes, ensuring reliability and efficiency in both electrical fault-finding and new (umbilical) installation markets. This growth is fuelled by the region’s increasing demand for reliable and efficient subsea testing solutions. C-Kore’s technology has found a receptive audience among African operators, who appreciate the ease and accuracy it brings to their operations.

The cornerstone of C-Kore’s success in Africa has been its fault-finding mobilisations, which have become the largest contributor to the company’s turnover in the region. By swiftly identifying and addressing electrical issues in subsea infrastructure, C-Kore helps operators minimise downtime and maintain optimal performance. This capability is crucial in an industry where operational efficiency directly impacts profitability.

While fault-finding remains significant, the market for new installations is also growing. African operators are increasingly investing in new subsea projects and turning to C-Kore for their advanced testing needs. The company’s latest technology, the subsea Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR), is set to play a pivotal role in these new installations. C-Kore has simplified the task of performing OTDR measurements on subsea equipment. Using C-Kore’s new Subsea OTDR, operators can easily test optical fibers on the seabed without mobilising highly specialised personnel.

Supporting subsea infrastructure 

Cynthia Pikaar, sales and marketing director for C-Kore, says, “Our customers love how easy our tools are to use and appreciate that no extra personnel are needed to accompany the C-Kore equipment. The African market’s acceptance of C-Kore’s technology shows our strong reputation for innovation, service and quality. As the region builds more subsea infrastructure, we are ready to support this growth with our great service and tools that meet our customers’ needs.”

C-Kore Systems’ expansion in Africa highlights the region’s growing importance in the global subsea industry. With a strong focus on fault-finding mobilisations and a promising future in new installations, C-Kore is set to continue its success story in Africa.

For further information on the company's innovative subsea testing technology, visit: www.c-kore.com

ADIPEC 2024 unveiled AI Zone. (Image source: ADIPEC)

The potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform the energy industry and accelerate decarbonisation has emerged as a critical topic of conversation amongst energy ministers and business leaders at ADIPEC 2024 

On the opening day, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC managing director and Group CEO, emphasised the critical need for industry leaders to come together and support era-defining breakthroughs such as AI.

In a session titled 'The power of AI for the energy transition', top executives from the private sector - including Tayba Al Hashemi, CEO, ADNOC Offshore, ADIPEC 2024 chairperson; Michel Lutz, chief data officer and digital factory head of Data & AI, TotalEnergies, and Magzhan Kenesbai, acting managing director, AIQ - explored how AI is transforming business operations, and offered their expert insights on the long-term implications of wide-scale AI implementation.

Speaking to his company’s experience with AI, Lutz said, “We are using AI to improve operational efficiency, which supports our company's development in the renewables space. This allows us to better assist our clients in understanding their behaviour and what they need.”

Building on this sustained focus on AI’s role in the energy industry, speakers across ADIPEC’s 10 different conferences emphasised the pressing need to address the challenges and opportunities surrounding this transformative technology. Alongside other top CEOs and energy executives, Tengku Muhammad Taufik, president and Group CEO, PETRONAS, urged industry players to adopt a measured and holistic approach to AI, saying,“Before we perfect artificial intelligence, we need to address fundamental issues. AI can initiate either a virtuous or vicious cycle, depending on how we utilise this technology and how we feed it. While AI consumes a significant amount of energy and its production requires vast resources, it nonetheless helps economies and societies grow. It is up to us to respond wisely to the fork in the road ahead.”

Anima Anandkumar, Bren professor of computing and mathematical Sciences, Caltech, highlighted the evolving impact of AI on both the energy industry and the environment, saying, “We should consider not just the energy reduction achieved using AI, but also the time and money saved by employing these AI models. AI is helping us take corrective action in response to natural disasters and other climate-related issues, and the more data we have available, the better our AI models will become. The impact that AI can have in designing from scratch and creating simulations enhances our work in energy and technology.”

ADIPEC’s commitment to accelerating AI-enabled energy solutions and projects was reflected in the event’s inaugural AI Zone, which featured AI studios and demo pods that showcased transformative solutions from leading energy and AI businesses. This dynamic space provided attendees with a comprehensive view of the innovations shaping the future energy system.

The space also played host to the dedicated AI Conference, where leaders from the energy, technology, and government sectors worked together to develop a strategic roadmap for integrating AI into the energy landscape.

The newly launched Digitalisation & Technology Conference delved into how next-generation technologies, including AI, can unlock decarbonisation and efficiency opportunities presented by Industry 4.0. Sessions covered advancements in new materials, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), with a focus on sustainable scaling of these technologies.