Technology

The facilities employ company-trained local workers. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Energy technology company, Baker Hughes, has opened a new liquid mud plant, cement bulk facility and integrated multi-modal facility to support rising exploration activities in Namibia

Located at Walvis Bay Port, the facilities will supply drilling and completions fluids and address cement bulk handling for offshore oil and gas operations.

The Walvis Bay is currently a hotbed of activities with industry players hugely anticipating Orange Basin-like properties from the area. Bourbon remains the latest in line to win a significant logistics contract from the region. 

The integrated multi-modal facility will also house advanced testing and maintenance equipment to support a variety of subsea operations.

Africa’s leading energy supplier

"Namibia is poised to become one of Africa’s leading energy suppliers, and these operations significantly enhance our ability to support their goals,” said Amerino Gatti, executive vice president of oilfield services and equipment at Baker Hughes. "Our new facilities represent the latest milestone in the growth of Namibia’s domestic oil and gas industry, and we are pleased to help the country realise these vital resources while creating new opportunities for its people."

The liquid mud plant has the capacity to hold 15,000 barrels of drilling and completion fluids. 

The facilities employ local workers who have received advanced training in oil and gas operations from Baker Hughes. The company has also provided training to personnel from the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) and the country’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) to help strengthen the nation’s pipeline of skilled workers.

Baker Hughes' presence in Namibia dates back to 2021, since when the region has benefited from its drilling services, subsea wellhead innovations such as the MS-2 Annulus Seal, and tubular running services.

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