Following the launch of the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC) at COP28, oil and gas companies are accelerating efforts to track, monitor and control their methane emissions

Eni has been awarded “Gold Standard reporting” of the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) for its commitment to reporting emissions at the highest data quality levels. OGMP 2.0 is an initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme’s International Methane Emissions Observatory, aimed at setting the global standard for methane accountability and transparency in the oil and gas sector as a necessary step to effectively track and target mitigation with measurement-based data. Eni has been awarded “Gold Standard reporting” for having effectively reached highest data quality levels.

Eni has set itself the goal to reach near zero methane emissions by 2030, in line with the OGDC objectives, and has more than halved methane emissions between 2018 and 2023. Eni’s Upstream methane intensity of 0.06% in 2023 places the company among the leaders in the sector. A founding member of the UNEP Oil & Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP), the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) and Methane Guiding Principles (MGP), the company is signatory to the OGDC as well as the Global Flaring and Methane Reduction trust fund (GFMR), an initiative launched by the World Bank to support governments and operators in developing countries to eliminate routine flaring and reduce methane emissions from the O&G sector to near zero by 2030. Eni has also signed collaboration agreements with National Oil Companies (NOCs) aimed at sharing its industry-leading experience in methane management to enable methane reduction across the sector.

Meanwhile TotalEnergies, which is also aiming for near-zero methane emissions by 2030, has announced that the company is going a step further in the monitoring and reduction of its methane emissions with the deployment of continuous, real-time detection equipment at all of its operated Upstream sites, enabling real-time identification of methane emissions, both fugitive and stationary, and immediate corrective actions to stop them. This continuous detection plan will be fully implemented by end-2025 and will use existing and proven technologies such as loT2 sensors, InfraRed cameras, flowmeters and Predictive Emissions Monitoring Systems on combustion sources.

The company will meet as soon as this year its target to reduce emissions by 50% compared to 2020, a year ahead of plan as a result of numerous initiatives, including the successful deployment of its AUSEA drone campaigns.

“Slashing methane emissions is a short-term priority to contribute to the fight against climate change. Continuous, real-time detection will enable our operators to act in an even more decisive manner in order to reduce our methane emissions and to repair leaks to achieve our near-zero methane emissions ambition. As a champion of the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC), I am proud that TotalEnergies is leading the way in deploying such equipment at large scale and we will continue to work with the industry to share best practices in measuring and fighting methane emissions”, said Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies.

See also https://oilreviewmiddleeast.com/energy-transition/positive-progress-towards-ogdc-goals

SAMSUNG E&A has been awarded a contract with Ras Laffan Petrochemicals (RLP) for the Qatar RLP Ethylene Storage Plant, to be executed as a joint venture with CTCI of Taiwan

The total contract amount of the project is around US$418mn, with SAMSUNG E&A's share being about US$215mn, and the contract period is estimated to be 34 months. The client, Ras Laffan Petrochemicals, is a joint venture between Qatar Energy, Qatar's state-run energy company, and a subsidiary of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC.

This project includes the construction of a 30,000-metric-ton ethylene storage facilities and associated utility infrastructure at an industrial complex in Ras Laffan, 80 km north of Doha, Qatar's capital. It is located within the same complex as the RLP ethylene project awarded to SAMSUNG E&A and CTCI in 2023 and is currently under execution. Its purpose is to store ethylene during the plant's maintenance and repair periods, ensuring availability in case of an emergency, while allowing flexible handling of ethylene from both upstream and dowonstream suppliers. SAMSUNG E&A is responsible for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of key equipment, including 30,000 metric ton storage tanks, compressors, and pumps.

The joint venture plans to deliver exceptional schedule management for the client by applying innovative strategies in project execution. This includes a pioneering approach to procurement, with key equipment and materials being purchased before the engineering process is finalised.

Hong Namkoong, president and CEO of SAMSUNG E&A said, “As we have secured a linked order with Ras Laffan Petrochemicals, we will successfully carry out the project based on our performance experience and innovation strategy and strengthen our position in the Qatari market.”

Michael Yang, chairman of CTCI, said, “We appreciate Ras Laffan Petrochemicals’ continued trust in offering this opportunity to our team. We will continue to deliver high-quality engineering and safety management to ensure the project is completed on time and up to standard.”

In an exclusive interview with Oil Review Middle East, Joseph El Bitar, vice president and general manager of Hexagon, speaks about the company's vision for the Middle East and its smart digital reality solutions

What are your main activities in the Middle East currently, and how do you view the market for developing your business in the region?

Hexagon is the global leader in digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, quality and safety across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, public sector and mobility applications. Our technologies are shaping production and people-related ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous – ensuring a scalable, sustainable future.

Our main activities in the Middle East focus on supporting the region’s specific needs with advanced digital solutions. We empower customers to unlock data, accelerate industrial project modernisation and digital maturity, increase productivity, and move the sustainability needle.d our footprint by partnering with local stakeholders, governments and industries to accelerate this transformation.

How are your smart digital reality solutions helping companies in the energy sector to enhance safety and efficiency?

Hexagon’s Asset Lifecycle Intelligence division has been instrumental in integrating AI and digital solutions to improve efficiency and enhance safety in energy services. One of our flagship initiatives is the deployment of a digital backbone (which is also called digital twin or Smart Digital Reality™), which creates a virtual replica of physical assets and integrates with existing solutions. This digital twin enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and optimization of operational systems, resulting in significant cost savings and reduced asset downtime. We go beyond a mere physical replica to create a comprehensive digital solution.

For example, our collaboration with leading EPCs on AWP, Smart Materials and Smart Completion has achieved remarkable results in projects. By utilising AI-driven analytics and digital workflows, we have streamlined project production management (PPM) and automation in project material management. This has resulted in a reduction in the project timeline and a decrease in material wastage

What are the benefits of your new HxGN SDx2 solution? Are there any other products or enhancements you would like to highlight, and how are advancements in AI and technology impacting your offering?

HxGN SDx2 is Hexagon’s next-level, cloud-native SaaS solution that integrates critical data, promoting transparency, efficiency, productivity, and more informed decision-making while mitigating risks and reducing costs. It reshapes operational boundaries for organisations engaged in digital transformation. Its robust features unveil and nurture previously untapped opportunities, positioning organisations for sustainable profitability through engineering and operational excellence.

The key to HxGN SDx2 is unprecedented accessibility and usability of data. It breaks down information silos across the asset lifecycle and improves the relationship between digital and human workflows across projects, assets, and operations. It forms a ‘digital thread’ of information that grows stronger as more systems connect to it and users leverage its power to better inform their day-to-day decisions and responsibilities.

What was your focus at ADIPEC this year?

At ADIPEC this year, our primary focus was on showcasing autonomous technologies and smart digital reality solutions that address the evolving challenges and opportunities in the Middle East region. With the industry's shift towards sustainability and digital transformation, we presented technologies that enhance operational efficiency, improve safety, and support the global transition to cleaner energy.

This year, ADIPEC's theme – “Exploring the power of energy in accelerating an economy-wide transformation that delivers for people, the planet, and our collective prosperity” – aligns seamlessly with our own vision of creating sustainable solutions for the energy industry.

Our theme for this year, “Two worlds, one sustainable reality,” encapsulates our approach to bridging traditional and emerging energy systems. We focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies, digital transformation tools, and advanced data analytics, with existing infrastructures. By doing so, we aim to accelerate the shift toward a sustainable energy reality –one that balances economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social well-being.

Synergy Consulting discusses the potential of geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is fast gaining traction as a important source of renewable energy, harnessed from the immense heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface. This heat, originating from the planet’s core, is generated by the decay of radioactive materials and the residual energy left from the Earth's formation over four billion years ago. This geothermal energy that lies within the Earth’s crust can then be tapped to produce electricity or used directly for heating purposes, offering a clean and reliable power source.

Located roughly 2,900 km below Earth’s crust, the core is the hottest part of the planet. Although some of the core’s heat is residual from Earth's formation, the majority is continuously produced by the natural decay of radioactive isotopes like potassium-40 and thorium-232. This process sustains geothermal heat as a renewable resource.

When underground rock formations are heated to extreme temperatures of 700-1,300°C (1,300-2,400°F), they can become magma -– molten rock filled with gas bubbles. Magma exists deep in the Earth’s mantle and lower crust, sometimes rising to the surface as lava. This magma heats nearby rocks and underground water reservoirs, which can be released through natural outlets such as geysers, hot springs, and steam vents.

Geothermal power plants

Geothermal power plants are built on this principle and capitalise on the natural heat by using steam or hot water reservoirs beneath the Earth’s surface to drive turbines connected to electricity generators. In some cases, water is injected into the ground to be heated and brought back to the surface for energy production. This process is not only efficient but also relatively low in emissions compared to fossil fuel-based energy sources.

While still a niche technology, geothermal energy already plays a substantial role in power generation for several countries. Iceland, El Salvador, New Zealand, Kenya, and the Philippines rely heavily on geothermal energy to meet their energy needs. The United States has also been a long-standing pioneer in this field, with its first geothermal district heating system established in 1892 in Boise, Idaho. This system still provides heat to hundreds of homes over a century later.

In 2022, geothermal energy generated approximately 92bn kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity across 24 countries, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The European Commission notes that deep-geothermal energy has the highest capacity factor among renewable sources, exceeding 80%. This high efficiency makes geothermal a highly scalable option for industrial-scale energy production. Projections from the IEA’s Sustainable Development Scenario anticipate that global geothermal power will triple by 2030, from 92 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2019 to 282 TWh.

As the world faces increasing demand for energy, geothermal power offers a reliable, clean, and efficient way to augment traditional energy sources. With its high potential for scalability, it could play a crucial role in meeting global energy needs while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

This article is authored by Synergy Consulting IFA.

The majority of signatories to the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC) are on track to meet its goals, according to a progress report

The Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC) is one of the landmark initiatives launched at COP28, with objectives including net zero operations by 2050, and reduction of methane emissions to near zero and the elimination of flaring by 2030. 54 oil and gas companies - representing almost 45% of global oil production, have signed up to the Charter.

In the past 12 months, OGDC has established a governance framework and launched a survey to determine signatories’ emissions reduction ambitions and implementation plans to set a baseline to track future progress.

OGDC has also implemented a Collaborate & Share program to disseminate solutions, promote peer-to-peer collaboration and encourage the adoption of best practices to reduce emissions. The initiative has also attracted three new members, with Oil India Limited, PetroChina and Vår Energi joining.

“We are proud of the 54 companies that have already signed up to the Charter and are encouraged by the extent of their engagement in this first major piece of work that helps to establish a base on which to build future success,” said OGDC’s three CEO Champions and founding members – Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) CEO Sultan Al Jaber, Aramco CEO Amin Nasser and TotalEnergies chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné, in a joint statement.

Investing in future energies

According to the survey, most of the signatories are already investing in future energies, including renewable energy, energy storage, low-carbon fuels, hydrogen, methane abatement, carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) and carbon removals technologies, and plan to increase investments.

Bjorn Otto Sverdrup, the head of the OGDC Secretariat said: “A survey of oil and gas industry climate performance has never been attempted on this scale. Participants ranged from companies that pioneered decarbonisation decades ago to those still in the early phases – all with different capabilities and reporting methods. The lessons learned will be used to improve reporting visibility and data quality and to create more targeted programs.”

Over the next year, OGDC will focus on providing the resources and guidance the signatories need to reduce their GHG emissions, methane emissions and flaring. OGDC will also help signatories to shape their net-zero roadmaps and develop emissions reporting to ensure progress can be tracked and to demonstrate how collective action can deliver positive climate impact on a global scale.

SLB has launched Stream high-speed intelligent telemetry that increases drilling confidence and performance for complex wells

Designed to overcome the bottlenecks and limitations of conventional mud pulse telemetry, Stream combines proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms with SLB’s TruLink definitive dynamic survey-while-drilling service.

This provides uninterrupted, high-speed, high-fidelity real-time subsurface measurements with no data limitations, whatever the depth, in even the most challenging conditions.

“Stream is another example of the step change that digital technologies are bringing to our industry, tantamount to going from dial-up to broadband internet,” said Jesus Lamas, president, Well Construction, SLB. “For complex well profiles, transmission has been a huge bottleneck for the data volumes being generated downhole, often constraining drillers to work with a limited picture of the reservoir. Capitalising on advanced AI algorithms in telemetry eliminates these restrictions — enabling optimal drilling decisions for more consistent, higher-performing wells."

Stream has already been deployed in 14 countries, with more than 370 runs and more than 1.5 million feet drilled. In the Middle East, Stream telemetry helped a major operator overcome difficulty in geosteering operations caused by harsh drilling conditions and poor signal quality. Using Stream, the operator was able to receive high-quality data at depths in excess of 50,000 feet — resulting in one of the longest offshore extended reach wells ever drilled.