The companies will develop one integrated platform for subsurface workflows. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

To boost efficiency from its exploration and production assets, Aker BP has announced a long-term partnership with SLB to co-develop a digital platform powered by artificial intelligence

The new platform will generate advanced digital solutions in the cloud for Aker BP by utilising the Delfi digital platform. Aker BP’s current application portfolio will be transferred to the cloud so that it becomes one integrated platform for subsurface workflows. When this is supported by high-performance computing speed of the cloud, combined with AI and, SLB and Aker BP's domain expertise, unprecedented access will be unlocked to previously untapped data for a success-oriented approach. 

In 2022, the subsurface community was benefitted by an Aker BP and Halliburton partnership, when the duo introduced a cloud application called Field Development Planning for integrated well planning services. 

“By co-developing AI-powered digital technologies, we will transform Aker BP’s subsurface workflows, accelerating planning cycles, increasing production, and reducing costs across their entire E&P life cycle,” said Rakesh Jaggi, president - digital and integration, SLB. “We have made a long-term commitment with Aker BP to continuously improve the subsurface part of their platform, driving constant efficiency optimisation and more sustainable energy production.”

E&P company of the future

“The platform we develop in partnership with SLB is a key step in realising our strategy to build the E&P company of the future and cement our position as a digital leader,” said Per Øyvind Seljebotn, SVP Exploration & Reservoir Development, Aker BP. “Leveraging the cloud for data-driven subsurface workflows will increase efficiency and value creation, while helping to lower the environmental impact from our fields and discoveries.” 

In one of its latest efficiency-boosting solutions, SLB has introduced advanced artificial lift systems that offers uninterrupted live surveillance and real-time optimisation.

An essential part of enabling AI-driven workflows is establishing a unified data environment. The new platform builds on SLB’s commitment to the Open Group’s OSDU Technical Standard and close integration with Microsoft’s Azure Data Manager for Energy.

“Moving to the Delfi platform is a big step forward on our data-driven journey. The use of Azure Data Manager for Energy, a strong and open collaboration with our digital ecosystem, and a high ambition to leverage GenAI are key benefits in this partnership with SLB,” said Paula Doyle, chief digital officer, Aker BP.

The CongoLNG project will be significant in meeting the country's energy needs. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Energy and marine consultancy ABL has been appointed by Eni to provide marine warranty survey services (MWS) for the offshore transportation and installation (T&I) campaign for Phase 2 of the Marine XII Congo LNG development project

Phase 2 of the project envisages the fabrication, transportation and installation of a new floating LNG vessel (FLNG), a converted floating separation, storage and booster unit (FSU), wellhead platforms and associated tie-in pipelines and ancillaries offshore the Republic of Congo.

The CongoLNG project that commenced in April 2023 is expected to reach an overall production capacity of 3 mn tons per year (approximately 4.5 bn cu/m per year) from 2025.

ABL’s scope of work includes the technical review of key project and procedural documentation, drawings and calculations, the suitability surveys of the proposed marine fleet for all T&I operations, and on-site attendance to review and approve attendances for warranted operations. 

The company's involvement on the project is expected to run from 2024 until the completion of the offshore works. It has also supported Phase 1 since February 2023. ABL’s operation in France will lead the company’s scope of work.

Supporting energy infrastructure

“Winning this latest project in the Congo is a testament to the successful work we have been doing in the country over many years, establishing ABL France as the leading technical consultant for the successful and safe delivery of energy infrastructure projects in Africa’s Francophone countries,” said Guillaume Henin, operational manager for ABL’s activities in Congo.

ABL France, based in Paris, provides the company’s full technical offering to support renewables, maritime and oil & gas sectors in France, Benelux countries, Spain and Francophone Africa.

“We are really pleased to continue our work in supporting the Republic of Congo’s energy infrastructure with this key project,” Henin said. 

The CongoLNG project will help the country meet its energy needs while seizing the opportunity to exploit surplus gas through LNG production, allowing it to join the group of global exporters of LNG in record time. 

In September 2023, Congo witnessed a mega deal that was signed between SNPC, Eni Congo, Lukoil, and Eni SPA for the purchase and sale of LNG. 

ABL’s operations in Africa cover a coast-to-coast footprint, with offices in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Mauritania, South Africa, and Egypt. Additional marine surveyor presence includes Algeria and Namibia. 

Vallourec will also provide tubular management services. (Image source: Vallourec)

TotalEnergies has contracted tubular solutions provider Vallourec to source 5,000 tonnes of OCTG solutions and associated services for the Kaminho deepwater project

Situated on Block 20, 100 km off the coast of Angola, Vallourec will supply VAM connections with its green, dope-free solution, Cleanwell. 

Early this month, a deal for 13-well subsea production system, including associated equipment and services, was closed by Total with SLB OneSubsea venture for the development of the Kaminho project. 

Providing offshore expertise

Vallourec will also provide its offshore expertise via VAM Field Service as well as its tubular management services (TMS) offering, which ensures tubes preparation and inspection before they are dispatched for the drilling platform. This service also covers the phase when the tubes are returened for storage.

While the products will be manufactured at the company's production hubs in France, Brazil, and Indonesia, Vallourec has a strong customer base across Africa, especially in Nigeria, Gabon, Congo, and Mozambique.

In Namibia, the company has supplied around 5,000 tonnes of tubes and connections. also for a TotalEnergies project. Recently, TotalEnergies have farmed into Block 3B/4B in Orange Basin. 

Philippe Guillemot, chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO, said, “We are proud to support TotalEnergies in its developments and exploration projects. I would like to thank the Vallourec teams for their commitment.”

Saipem will contribute to managing the integrity of a fundamental underwater infrastructure. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Saipem has been awarded a contract to ensure the supervision and the subsea intervention services of the GreenStream pipeline throughout the offshore and onshore sections at the Mellitah (Libya) and Gela (Sicily, Italy) terminals

Last year, the Mellitah Oil & Gas BV Libyan Branch awarded Saipem a new contract for the development of the Bouri Gas Utilisation Project (BGUP), worth approximately US$1bn.

The new contract, awarded by GreenStream BV, one of the leading midstream players in the Mediterranean Sea, merges the activities that Saipem has been undertaking for GreenStream since 2008 as to asset integrity, inspection, maintenance and emergency pipeline services, and expands them to cover a wider range of scenarios and customer’s needs.

The activities will be managed by Sonsub, Saipem’s centre of excellence for robotics, underwater technologies and services, and executed in coordination with the Saipem Engineering Hub located in Fano, Italy.

Streamlining repair works

The scope of work streamlines the integrated management of survey data and critical spares, the provision of specialised engineering services related to asset integrity and readiness services for repair interventions in case of a wide range of damage scenarios. Specifically, repair interventions in case of damage will be performed via the SiRCoS technology, a remotely operated repair system industrialised by Sonsub and qualified to operate in water depths of up to 2,200 meters.

With this award Saipem will contribute to managing the integrity of a fundamental underwater infrastructure for the Italian energy supply with an integrated approach, thus confirming the company’s leadership in the underwater domain with promptly available and efficient solutions. It also consolidates the long-term cooperation between Saipem and GreenStream BV, which in 2002 awarded the company a contract for the pipelaying of said pipeline, a project thanks to which Saipem achieved the record for the deepest pipelaying with anchors. 

The Libyan National Oil Company has launched a sustainability strategy that includes an 83% reduction in gas flaring by 2030, pooling collaborative efforts from nine oil subsidiaries, Mellitah being one of them.