In The Spotlight
The training session brought together engineers specialised in corrosion mitigation and asset protection. (Image source: GPT Industries)
In December, GPT Industries successfully conducted its industry-leading GFIT (GPT Flange Isolation Training) programme in collaboration with a major oil and gas operator in the Middle East
This hands-on training session brought together 20 engineers specialising in corrosion mitigation and asset protection, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to enhance system integrity and reliability.
Why GFIT matters
Flange isolation is a critical component in ensuring long-term corrosion prevention in pipeline systems. Studies show that over 80% of gasket failures stem from incorrect installation, which can lead to costly system failures, safety hazards, and environmental risks. GFIT provides engineers and field technicians with in-depth training on the correct installation and inspection of flange isolation kits (FIKs), ensuring optimal performance and compliance with industry best practices.
Comprehensive training for real-world challenges
Out in the field, installers often face a variety of challenges that can impact the correct installation of isolation gaskets. With 193 components in a standard 24”/600# isolation kit, even experienced professionals can make errors that lead to failures. The GFIT programme addresses these challenges by covering:
• Proper installation techniques
• Safe procedures for testing flange isolation
• Correct tool selection and inspection methods
• Failure analysis and prevention strategies
Who should attend?
The GFIT training program is ideal for Field Technicians, Integrity Engineers, Corrosion Engineers, and general engineering professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in flange isolation techniques.
Invest in knowledge, prevent failures
With over 40 years of experience in critical service flange systems, GPT Industries has developed the GFIT programme as a culmination of industry best practices. Whether field-based or office-based, our tailored training ensures that engineers and technicians gain practical insights into effective flange isolation, bridging the gap between field operations and engineering teams.
To learn more about our upcoming training sessions, including customisation options, visit www.gptindustries.com or contact us directly.
This two-day programme is an opportunity to identify risk patterns and human error reduction techniques. (Image source: SafeStart)
Time is running out! Don’t miss your chance to attend the SafeStart Trainer Certification Level 1 Course in Dubai, UAE, on 18–19 February 2025
This immersive two-day programme is your opportunity to:
✅ Enhance workplace safety and reduce incidents
✅ Gain expert insights into human factors and critical errors
✅ Become a certified SafeStart trainer and lead safety transformations in your organisation
Location: Media Rotana, Hessa Street, Dubai, UAE
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
What past global participants had to say
“My perspective on safety has completely changed!” – L.V., Guadalajara, Mexico
“SafeStart concepts have taken my safety awareness to the highest level. More importantly, they’ve made me realise that safety is for life, not just for the workplace.” – B.S., São Paulo, Brazil
SafeStart is a globally recognised safety awareness process that helps organisations create a lasting culture of safety excellence. This course will provide you with practical tools and strategies to drive real change.
⚠ Limited seats available – register now!
https://events.offsnet.com/SafeStartTrainerCertificationWorkshop#/
Looking forward to seeing you in Dubai!
Larry Wilson
SafeStart Author and CEO
Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, EVP technology & innovation addresses the LEAP conference. (Image source: Aramco)
Aramco’s executive vice president of technology & innovation, Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, spoke at the LEAP 2025 tech event in Riyadh about the “limitless opportunity” presented by the rapid development of AI and big data
Al-Khowaiter highlighted the positive impact of AI solutions on sustainability, safety and reliability, adding that the real challenge is scaling AI applications across industrial sized operations to maximise value, requiring three main enablers: huge amounts of real-world data; computing power; and talent, ie subject matter experts.
“These three factors are helping Aramco get ahead, and stay ahead,” he remarked.
Three key enablers
“We have more than 90 years of propriety data from our extensive geological, seismic and process surveys and every day we collect information from 10 billion data points across our facilities, which goes straight to our engineering solutions centre…And when it comes to computing power, we have investing heavily recently.
“We recently increased our data storage capacity to 1,500 petabytes and we doubled our data centre power. We operate a diverse set of supercomputers, including Dammam 7, one of the fastest in the region and a number of NVIDIA Superpods. Last year we announced our partnership with Groq to deliver the first AI inferencing centre in the region.
“Last year we also announced the launch of aramcoMETABRAIN, the world’s first industrial Large Language Model. Today it is serving our business with a 70 billion parameter model and I’m excited to say we have a one trillion parameter model in development.
“And as DeepSeek showed, building capable AI models isn’t limited to global tech companies. It is within reach of enterprises, even start-ups, to design AI suited to their own businesses. We have believed this from the beginning, developing our own models with our own data.
“Which is why it gives me great pleasure to introduce our latest innovation, Plant METABRAIN, a time series transformer model, utilising large time series data sets. Using these data sets we’re able to model the process, the real time processes that underly our operations and we are able to provide actionable insight to operators, engineers and scientists.
“By working in real time, and with minimal user input, it will also anticipate demand, optimise operations, predict product quality and maximise production.
“This frees our experts up to focus on more value-added tasks, rather than being busy with troubleshooting or developing models from the ground up.”
Al-Khowaiter outlined measures Aramco is taking to develop its “human intelligence” to maximise this data and infrastructure, training more than 6,000 AI developers across the company
and working with world leading institutions to educated its employees.
“We’re also using the engineers, scientists and operators we already have to work with those AI developers to train new models, making them more robust and more reliable,” he said.
Turning to the energy demand posed by AI, he commented that Aramco’s investments in lower carbon technology such as carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and renewables can help to lower the carbon footprint of this growth in demand.
Concluding, he said “Aramco is not only using our unique size and scale to maximise the use of AI on an industrial scale, but our decades worth of data and most importantly, our subject matter experts, the talent of people. That keeps the human experience and human ingenuity at the heart of all we do and will let us leap into a new world of industrial excellence.”
Collaboration for AI-enabled industrial smartphones
Also at LEAP, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and Aramco Digital, the digital and technology subsidiary of Aramco announced their collaboration to develop the world’s first AI-enabled industrial 5G smartphones with native support for the 450MHz spectrum. Support for 450 MHz spectrum allows 5G IoT devices, edge computing and end-users to connect to a new generation of AI-enabled industrial applications, initially focusing on advanced industrial solutions for Aramco. Qualcomm Technologies and Aramco Digital previously announced the deployment of Aramco’s first generative AI industrial IoT solutions, which are improving operational safety, efficiency, and sustainability at Aramco sites. The new industrial smartphones will give Aramco users another way to connect to these advanced industrial applications.
Osama Oulabi, general manager, KSA and Middle East, Speedcast. (Image source: Speedcast)
Osama Oulabi, general manager, KSA and Middle East, Speedcast, discusses how the company is addressing Saudi Arabia's evolving communications needs
The oil and gas sector in Saudi Arabia invests billions every year in the infrastructure and complex processes needed to pull hydrocarbons from the Earth. But now more than ever, the success of these operations depends on the communications and information technology that connects, monitors and manages it.
Saudi Arabia has become one of the world’s fastest-growing economies – yet the growth in demand for communications and IT services is outpacing it. As the Kingdom keeps investing in supplying the world’s energy needs, Speedcast is growing its operations and bringing expertise gained from every corner of the oil-producing world to benefit organisations operating in KSA.
Connecting exploration everywhere
Oil exploration vessels and platforms are some of the most sophisticated operational assets to ever exist. While operating, they must mitigate the changing conditions at sea and overcome the many challenges of drilling into high-pressure areas at immense depths, ensuring that their communications and technologies seamlessly maintain their roles without interruption or failure. Remarkable technology helps them achieve this at the site, but they also depend on connectivity to the home office, where teams of engineers, geologists and technicians monitor their progress and provide decision support in real-time. These operations require the ability to transmit high volumes of data with extreme reliability.
Energy companies with global footprints such as Seadrill and Halliburton depend on Speedcast to provide the reliability expected to successfully operate in all major energy regions. The core of these networks is a fully managed VSAT service provided over global satellite, teleport, and fiber capacity. Wherever adequate LTE or line-of-sight microwave connectivity to the shore is available, the onboard systems can default to these lower-cost paths if operational requirements allow. Speedcast also installs and manages onboard equipment to provide wide-area and local-area networking as well as PBX service.
Embracing new technologies
With the introduction of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, there are now more satellite service options than ever, along with new, exciting players slated to join the fold soon. Embracing the hybrid network model to ensure that the best options are being used at the most opportune times is now of utmost importance, along with the ability to seamlessly connect to different paths without operational disruption.
Speedcast helps energy customers both onshore and offshore integrate LEO services into existing managed solutions across thousands of remote sites every day. It leverages the latest network management solutions to seamlessly blends multiple connectivity paths –a mix of LEO, GEO VSAT, L-band and cellular, into a single, wide-area network that continuously monitors each connectivity path and dynamically orchestrates traffic in the best paths. The platform can also prioritise critical traffic for paths offering CIR and SLAs, while routing lower-priority traffic to connections that don’t and managing seamless hand-offs between services and satellites based on their performance and cost. It also makes the choices based on rules established by the customer or site – and delivers very high uptime, QoS, and bandwidth optimisation in the process. This allows for continuous integration of the latest and greatest technologies with little to no disruption in the operations and minimised risk of failure.
Critical comms during all phases
During the construction phase of oil and gas infrastructure projects, the integration and installation of seamless IT and telecom systems are paramount to efficiency. Speedcast systems integration teams specialise in connecting the critical communications infrastructure with technologies such as intrusion detection, access control and CCTV systems for security, and Wi-Fi and IPTV networks for both work and recreation. For construction offices, we build voice, data and vehicle tracking as well as push-to-talk radio communications and handheld terminals. Local networks connect to the rest of the world via multipath networks that seamlessly combine VSAT, cellular, microwave and fiber on the Speedcast network. In addition to installation, Speedcast provides 24/7 maintenance and IT support services for these mission-critical facilities.
Once wells are producing, whether onshore or offshore, they continue to require technology to monitor hundreds of performance indicators and environmental risks. Reliable connectivity remains just as important, and advanced connectivity offers opportunities to optimise operations. One customer used a network created by Speedcast to link all its client’s offshore rigs to a single global service center, and in return the company estimates that centralising support for the rigs reduced overall costs by 30%.
Connectivity is equally important for attracting and retaining qualified staff at the wellhead. Speedcast develops Wi-Fi networks and provides fully managed services for access to the internet, entertainment, and news. They allow crew members to subscribe and pay for the services they want. We manage bandwidth by downloading licensed popular content to a local server when activity on the network is low, so that users can access entertainment and news without accessing a remote server. The same platform can deliver video-based training content and monitor its consumption for compliance purposes.
To complement the network solution and support needed for the expected growth in the Kingdom, Speedcast is well-versed in managing unique licensing and regulatory requirements, having infrastructure in over 60 countries, and supporting customers in over 150 countries. With its licenses and Newtec hub now in-country, Speedcast Saudi is positioned for rapid growth and development with superior support capabilities and our focus on leveraging innovative solutions to deliver 100% uptime from site to shore.
See also the exclusive interview with Speedcast's Richard Begnaud, vice president of operations for Saudi Arabia, here
The Pipetech team. (Image source: Pipetech)
Flow remediation specialist, Pipetech, has developed a new Downhole Scale Remediation (DSR) technology which it will be launching in the coming months
The new product, under development for the last two years, is set to redefine wellbore cleaning solutions for the global energy sector while promoting sustainable practices, addressing the industry challenges posed by scale, wax, and other naturally occurring deposits that obstruct fluid flow, compromise production efficiency and create unsuitable surfaces for bridge plugs.
New approach
The technology offers a different, more sustainable approach to tackling wellbore scale; instead of using corrosive chemicals, the DSR leverages a rotational high-pressure water-jetting system, which tracks and adapts to a wellbore’s varying inner diameter (ID), delivering precise and effective cleaning for safety valves, side pocket mandrels, and other critical areas, efficiently restoring surfaces to bare metal and thus enhancing production efficiency while significantly reducing environmental impact.
Patented in the UK and US, the technology has achieved proof of concept during qualification trials and has also undergone client trials with leading energy operators. Field trials are set to take place this year to demonstrate the DSR’s superiority over existing chemical and mechanical methods, while global testing is scheduled across redundant wells in the UK, Norway, and other international locations to confirm its adaptability and reliability in diverse field conditions.
Leonard Hamill, operations director at Pipetech commented, “The DSR technology represents a major step forward for the energy sector. By combining advanced engineering with an eco-conscious approach, we’re providing a solution that tackles a long-standing operational challenge while aligning with the industry’s sustainability goals. We are proud to lead this innovation and are thrilled by the strong interest we’ve received from major operators, which underscores the DSR’s potential to become a game-changer in flow assurance.”
68% of methane emissions stem from upstream facilities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The energy sector presents the largest and most cost-effective opportunity for methane emissions reduction, with 68% of methane emissions stemming from upstream facilities, according to Momentick’s 2024 Methane Emissions Report
Momentick, a leading emissions intelligence company, which leverages the power of hyper and multispectral satellites to monitor GHG emissions on a planetary scale, detected emissions at 17% of the sites analysed, measuring a staggering 899 million tons of CO2-equivalent emissions, with 10% of assets accounting for 50% of the emissions detected. The highest concentration of methane leaks was detected in Asia, Africa, and North America, while Europe recorded the fewest leaks.
Methane is a colourless, odourless gas, which requires highly sensitive instruments for detection. Methane leaks can manifest as both diffuse, small emissions and large, concentrated bursts, complicating the consistent identification of leaks. Environmental factors, such as wind, temperature, and terrain, further hinder accurate detection and measurement, as methane plumes disperse quickly, making it difficult to trace emissions back to their sources.
Unlike CO2, methane emission reductions have an almost immediate effect on slowing global warming as methane has a relatively short atmospheric lifespan compared to CO2. By urgently tackling methane emissions, the rate of warming could be slowed by as much as 30% before mid-century, according to Momentick.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that over 75% of the methane emissions in the oil and gas sector could be reduced today using existing technologies, while research conducted by JP Morgan has found that methane abatement is a cost-effective investment, revealing that up to 70% of the expenses associated with monitoring solutions can be offset by keeping methane in the pipe.
Addressing the issue of poor emissions data
The Momentick report notes that evolving regulations and financial incentives have highlighted the critical need to address the longstanding issue of poor emissions data, with accurate and reliable information needed for decision-makers to implement effective methane abatement strategies. The growing need for accurate and actionable emissions data is driving the expansion of space-based methane monitoring satellites, while advanced algorithmic software solutions are leveraging Earth observation satellites to enhance commercial applications and precise point-source methane detection. By analysing historical data captured by these satellites, researchers and decision-makers can track emission trends over time, gaining deeper insights for regulatory planning and climate action. Additionally, with cutting-edge developments in AI, satellite-based emissions data can now be processed in near real-time, delivering timely and actionable insights.
“2024 was an important year on the path to curbing methane emissions,” said Daniel Kashmir, CEO of Momentick in his Foreword to the report. “Governments committed billions to technological upgrades and research, while oil and gas operators accelerated progress towards their net-zero goals. Collaborating with a wide variety of stakeholders across the energy sector, our team at Momentick encountered a strong commitment to action and eagerness to implement our emissions intelligence technology over the last year.
“We envision satellite-based emissions monitoring becoming central to corporate sustainability strategies during the energy transition. The integration of GHG monitoring and MRV practices will become a standard component of operations across industries. Backed by evolving regulations and growing adoption, these technologies will make net-zero goals truly achievable.”
High impact exploration drilling. (Image source: Westwood Global Energy Group))
QatarEnergy is expected to be the most active explorer in 2025, participating in 13 high impact wells, according to Westwood Energy’s latest insight on Key Wells to Watch in 2025
This reflects the expansion of QatarEnergy’s upstream portfolio in recent years. In 2024, QatarEnergy expanded its presence in Egypt with the signing of an agreement with ExxonMobil to acquire a 40% participating interest in two exploration blocks offshore Egypt, and signed an agreement with TotalEnergies to acquire additional interests in the Orange Basin, offshore Namibia. It has also made recent acquisitions in Mauritania and Lebanon.
High impact exploration drilling remains stable
Westwood forecasts high impact exploration drilling globally will remain stable in 2025, with 65-75 wells expected to complete, compared to the 69 completed in 2024. 21 frontier wells are expected in 2025, up from 19 wells in 2024, 11 of which are targeting frontier basins, whilst new plays will be tested in the proven Sabah, Rio Muni, Western Black Sea, Suriname-Guyana and Cauvery basins. Emerging play wells are expected to account for around 30% of high impact wells in 2025 while high value prospects in mature and maturing plays are forecast to make up 40%. The Arabian, Campos, Gulf of Mexico, Kutei, Norwegian Sea, Santa Cruz and Santos basins will all have multiple high impact maturing/mature play prospects drilled.
Busy year for Africa
Africa should see another busy year for high impact drilling with 14 wells expected to be drilled. Eyes will be on the Orange Basin, where 7-10 wells are expected to be drilled in 2025, which will be key to determining the ultimate potential of the basin. Elsewhere in Africa, Azule Energy is expected to drill the Kianda-1 well in the outboard area of the Congo Basin, Angola, and there are potential high impact wells being drilled offshore in the Namibe, Rio Muni and Tano basins, as well as potential frontier onshore tests in the Cabora Bassa and Kavango basins.
High impact drilling in North America, on the other hand, continues to decline, with only five high impact wells currently forecast to be drilled in 2025, while South America could see 17 high impact wells, making it the most prolific region globally. They include key wells in Brazil at Andorinha in the Campos Basin, and the Bumerangue well in the Santos, which could extend the pre-salt play further south. Key wells are also expected to be drilled in Columbia and Suriname.
In the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Middle East, 14 high impact wells are expected to be drilled. Key wells to watch are Egypt’s Khendjer-1 well in the North El-Dabaa area of the Mediterranean, and the Nefertari gas discovery in the Herodotus Basin offshore Egypt. Two wells are expected offshore Cyprus, and Matsola offshore Libya is a significant well, exploring the offshore extension of the Sirte Basin. Elsewhere, high impact wells will be drilled in Kuwait, Kazakhstan and the UAE.
14 high impact wells are expected in Asia Pacific, and eight in Europe.
ADIPEC 2024 - Exclusive Interview with Joseph El Bitar, Hexagon
ADIPEC 2024 - Exclusive Interview with Alexander van Veldhoven, Bapco Energies
ADIPEC 2024 - Exclusive Interview with Friedrich Portner, Safeen Group
ADIPEC 2024 - Exclusive Interview with Kevin Brilz, Fishbones
ADIPEC 2024 - Exclusive Interview with Mohamed Malak, Fishbones
ADIPEC 2024 - Exclusive Interview with Dileep Divakaran, SLB
ADIPEC 2024 - Exclusive Interview with Eric Kjol, SLB
ADIPEC 2024 - Exclusive Interview with Dmitry Shubenok & Aleksandr Dolgikh, North Side
ADIPEC 2024 - Exclusive Interview with Adam Stephenson, AkzoNobel
ADIPEC 2024 - Exclusive Interview with Frazer Young, Oil States
ADIPEC 2024 - Exclusive Interview with Peter Foith, CS Combustion Solutions GmbH
Exclusive interview with Maurits van Tol
Rockwell Automation interview with Sebastien Grau
Rockwell Automation interview with Michael Sweet
ADIPEC 2023 - Exclusive interview with Wissam Chehabi, Fishbones
Rockwell Automation interview with Kalypso’s Rodrigo Alves & Knowledge Lens’ Ganesh Iyer
ADIPEC 2023 - Exclusive interview with Feby Mohammed, Belden
High impact exploration drilling. (Image source: Westwood Global Energy Group))
QatarEnergy is expected to be the most active explorer in 2025, participating in 13 high impact wells, according to Westwood Energy’s latest insight on Key Wells to Watch in 2025
This reflects the expansion of QatarEnergy’s upstream portfolio in recent years. In 2024, QatarEnergy expanded its presence in Egypt with the signing of an agreement with ExxonMobil to acquire a 40% participating interest in two exploration blocks offshore Egypt, and signed an agreement with TotalEnergies to acquire additional interests in the Orange Basin, offshore Namibia. It has also made recent acquisitions in Mauritania and Lebanon.
High impact exploration drilling remains stable
Westwood forecasts high impact exploration drilling globally will remain stable in 2025, with 65-75 wells expected to complete, compared to the 69 completed in 2024. 21 frontier wells are expected in 2025, up from 19 wells in 2024, 11 of which are targeting frontier basins, whilst new plays will be tested in the proven Sabah, Rio Muni, Western Black Sea, Suriname-Guyana and Cauvery basins. Emerging play wells are expected to account for around 30% of high impact wells in 2025 while high value prospects in mature and maturing plays are forecast to make up 40%. The Arabian, Campos, Gulf of Mexico, Kutei, Norwegian Sea, Santa Cruz and Santos basins will all have multiple high impact maturing/mature play prospects drilled.
Busy year for Africa
Africa should see another busy year for high impact drilling with 14 wells expected to be drilled. Eyes will be on the Orange Basin, where 7-10 wells are expected to be drilled in 2025, which will be key to determining the ultimate potential of the basin. Elsewhere in Africa, Azule Energy is expected to drill the Kianda-1 well in the outboard area of the Congo Basin, Angola, and there are potential high impact wells being drilled offshore in the Namibe, Rio Muni and Tano basins, as well as potential frontier onshore tests in the Cabora Bassa and Kavango basins.
High impact drilling in North America, on the other hand, continues to decline, with only five high impact wells currently forecast to be drilled in 2025, while South America could see 17 high impact wells, making it the most prolific region globally. They include key wells in Brazil at Andorinha in the Campos Basin, and the Bumerangue well in the Santos, which could extend the pre-salt play further south. Key wells are also expected to be drilled in Columbia and Suriname.
In the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Middle East, 14 high impact wells are expected to be drilled. Key wells to watch are Egypt’s Khendjer-1 well in the North El-Dabaa area of the Mediterranean, and the Nefertari gas discovery in the Herodotus Basin offshore Egypt. Two wells are expected offshore Cyprus, and Matsola offshore Libya is a significant well, exploring the offshore extension of the Sirte Basin. Elsewhere, high impact wells will be drilled in Kuwait, Kazakhstan and the UAE.
14 high impact wells are expected in Asia Pacific, and eight in Europe.
Oman is seeking to boost exploration (PHOTO CREDIT: Adobe Stock)
Land drilling rig demand in the MENA region is forecast to rise to 680 rigs from 2025-2029. (Image source: Westwood)
The training session brought together engineers specialised in corrosion mitigation and asset protection. (Image source: GPT Industries)
In December, GPT Industries successfully conducted its industry-leading GFIT (GPT Flange Isolation Training) programme in collaboration with a major oil and gas operator in the Middle East
This hands-on training session brought together 20 engineers specialising in corrosion mitigation and asset protection, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to enhance system integrity and reliability.
Why GFIT matters
Flange isolation is a critical component in ensuring long-term corrosion prevention in pipeline systems. Studies show that over 80% of gasket failures stem from incorrect installation, which can lead to costly system failures, safety hazards, and environmental risks. GFIT provides engineers and field technicians with in-depth training on the correct installation and inspection of flange isolation kits (FIKs), ensuring optimal performance and compliance with industry best practices.
Comprehensive training for real-world challenges
Out in the field, installers often face a variety of challenges that can impact the correct installation of isolation gaskets. With 193 components in a standard 24”/600# isolation kit, even experienced professionals can make errors that lead to failures. The GFIT programme addresses these challenges by covering:
• Proper installation techniques
• Safe procedures for testing flange isolation
• Correct tool selection and inspection methods
• Failure analysis and prevention strategies
Who should attend?
The GFIT training program is ideal for Field Technicians, Integrity Engineers, Corrosion Engineers, and general engineering professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in flange isolation techniques.
Invest in knowledge, prevent failures
With over 40 years of experience in critical service flange systems, GPT Industries has developed the GFIT programme as a culmination of industry best practices. Whether field-based or office-based, our tailored training ensures that engineers and technicians gain practical insights into effective flange isolation, bridging the gap between field operations and engineering teams.
To learn more about our upcoming training sessions, including customisation options, visit www.gptindustries.com or contact us directly.
Three companies will start production at the Park this year. (Image source: OQ)
Osama Oulabi, general manager, KSA and Middle East, Speedcast. (Image source: Speedcast)
The contract is for the UAE's first methanol plant. (Image source: TA'ZIZ)
SAMSUNG E&A is set to construct the UAE’s first methanol plant in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi
This follows the award of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract award worth US$1.7bn (AED6.2bn) from TA’ZIZ, the UAE’s chemicals and transition fuels ecosystem.
The project is in line with TA’ZIZ’s mission to advance the UAE’s economic diversification by unlocking new domestic chemical value chains. The 1.8 million tons per annum (mtpa) plant is set to be one of the world’s largest methanol plants, as well as one of the most energy-efficient, as on completion in 2028 it will be powered by clean energy from the grid.
Promising transition fuel
Methanol is a promising transition fuel, offering a cleaner alternative to conventional fuels such as coal and diesel for power generation. It also serves as an alternative to high-sulphur fuels used in marine transportation. Additionally, methanol is a key feedstock for a range of chemical derivatives, allowing the production of thousands of products including plastics, resins, pharmaceuticals and building materials.
TA’ZIZ, founded in 2020 as a joint venture between ADNOC and ADQ, is a manufacturing, industrial services, logistics and utilities ecosystem that drives, the production of chemicals value chains and transition fuels.In its initial phase, TA'ZIZ will produce 4.7 mtpa of chemicals by 2028, including methanol, low-carbon ammonia, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride monomer, and caustic soda. Several of these chemicals will be produced for the first time in the UAE, reinforcing TA’ZIZ’s strategic goal to expand the local chemicals value chain and advance economic diversification through industrialisation.
Mashal Saoud Al-Kindi, CEO of TA’ZIZ, said, “This landmark EPC contract award is a significant step in realizing TA’ZIZ’s vision to drive the UAE’s industrial growth by creating a world-scale integrated chemicals ecosystem in Al Dhafra region. The plant will enhance the UAE’s position as a leader in sustainable chemicals production and strengthen TA’ZIZ’s role in enabling ADNOC’s global ambition to lead the chemicals sector.”
SAMSUNG E&A will bring its successful experience of a recently completed methanol plant in Malaysia and will apply its unique execution system, involving modularisation and automation, to the project.
Hong Namkoong, president and CEO of SAMSUNG E&A, said, "SAMSUNG E&A is honoured to receive this recognition, highlighting TA’ZIZ’s and our commitment to driving industrial innovation, diversifying the UAE's economy, and enabling sustainable growth. We plan to actively leverage local resources and our network of partners based on our extensive regional experience in the Ruwais Industrial Complex, UAE. This milestone underscores the power of collaboration in creating world-scale facilities that will position the UAE as a global hub for advanced methanol production.”
This project includes the construction of a 30,000-metric-ton ethylene storage facilities and associated utility infrastructure. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The new process will improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprint. (Image source: Honeywell)
Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, EVP technology & innovation addresses the LEAP conference. (Image source: Aramco)
Aramco’s executive vice president of technology & innovation, Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, spoke at the LEAP 2025 tech event in Riyadh about the “limitless opportunity” presented by the rapid development of AI and big data
Al-Khowaiter highlighted the positive impact of AI solutions on sustainability, safety and reliability, adding that the real challenge is scaling AI applications across industrial sized operations to maximise value, requiring three main enablers: huge amounts of real-world data; computing power; and talent, ie subject matter experts.
“These three factors are helping Aramco get ahead, and stay ahead,” he remarked.
Three key enablers
“We have more than 90 years of propriety data from our extensive geological, seismic and process surveys and every day we collect information from 10 billion data points across our facilities, which goes straight to our engineering solutions centre…And when it comes to computing power, we have investing heavily recently.
“We recently increased our data storage capacity to 1,500 petabytes and we doubled our data centre power. We operate a diverse set of supercomputers, including Dammam 7, one of the fastest in the region and a number of NVIDIA Superpods. Last year we announced our partnership with Groq to deliver the first AI inferencing centre in the region.
“Last year we also announced the launch of aramcoMETABRAIN, the world’s first industrial Large Language Model. Today it is serving our business with a 70 billion parameter model and I’m excited to say we have a one trillion parameter model in development.
“And as DeepSeek showed, building capable AI models isn’t limited to global tech companies. It is within reach of enterprises, even start-ups, to design AI suited to their own businesses. We have believed this from the beginning, developing our own models with our own data.
“Which is why it gives me great pleasure to introduce our latest innovation, Plant METABRAIN, a time series transformer model, utilising large time series data sets. Using these data sets we’re able to model the process, the real time processes that underly our operations and we are able to provide actionable insight to operators, engineers and scientists.
“By working in real time, and with minimal user input, it will also anticipate demand, optimise operations, predict product quality and maximise production.
“This frees our experts up to focus on more value-added tasks, rather than being busy with troubleshooting or developing models from the ground up.”
Al-Khowaiter outlined measures Aramco is taking to develop its “human intelligence” to maximise this data and infrastructure, training more than 6,000 AI developers across the company
and working with world leading institutions to educated its employees.
“We’re also using the engineers, scientists and operators we already have to work with those AI developers to train new models, making them more robust and more reliable,” he said.
Turning to the energy demand posed by AI, he commented that Aramco’s investments in lower carbon technology such as carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and renewables can help to lower the carbon footprint of this growth in demand.
Concluding, he said “Aramco is not only using our unique size and scale to maximise the use of AI on an industrial scale, but our decades worth of data and most importantly, our subject matter experts, the talent of people. That keeps the human experience and human ingenuity at the heart of all we do and will let us leap into a new world of industrial excellence.”
Collaboration for AI-enabled industrial smartphones
Also at LEAP, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and Aramco Digital, the digital and technology subsidiary of Aramco announced their collaboration to develop the world’s first AI-enabled industrial 5G smartphones with native support for the 450MHz spectrum. Support for 450 MHz spectrum allows 5G IoT devices, edge computing and end-users to connect to a new generation of AI-enabled industrial applications, initially focusing on advanced industrial solutions for Aramco. Qualcomm Technologies and Aramco Digital previously announced the deployment of Aramco’s first generative AI industrial IoT solutions, which are improving operational safety, efficiency, and sustainability at Aramco sites. The new industrial smartphones will give Aramco users another way to connect to these advanced industrial applications.
The Pipetech team. (Image source: Pipetech)
The Hummingbird all-electric land cementing unit. (Image source: Baker Hughes)
The webinar highlighted SAFEEN Green - a revolutionary new USV. (Image source: AD Ports Group)
Oil Review Middle East hosted a very well-attended webinar on 20 November on the future of offshore operations, in association with SAFEEN Group, part of AD Ports Group
The webinar explored the latest trends and challenges in the rapidly evolving world of offshore operations, focusing on groundbreaking innovations that are driving sustainable and efficient practices. In particular, it highlighted SAFEEN Green – a revolutionary unmanned surface vessel (USV), setting new benchmarks for sustainable and efficient maritime operations.
Erik Tonne, MD and head of Market Analysis at Clarksons, gave an overview of the offshore market, highlighting that current oil price levels are supportive for offshore developments, and global offshore capex is increasing strongly. The Middle East region will see significant capex increase over the coming years, with the need for rigs and vessels likely to remain high. Offshore wind is also seeing increased spending. Global rig activity is growing, while the subsea EPC backlog has never been higher, with regional EPC contracts seeing very high activity. Tonne forecast that demand for subsea vessels and other support vessels will continue to increase.
Tareq Abdulla Al Marzooqi, CEO SAFEEN Subsea, AD Ports Group, introduced SAFEEN Subsea, a joint venture with NMDC, which offers reliable and innovative survey, subsea and offshore solutions to support major offshore and EPC projects across the region. He highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability, internationalisation and local content, and how it is a hub for innovations and new ideas, taking conceptual designs and converting them to commercial projects. A key project is SAFEEN Green, which offers an optimised inspection and survey solution.
Tareq Al Marzooqi and Ronald J Kraft, CTO, Sovereign Global Solutions ME and RC Dock Engineering BV. outlined the benefits and capabilities of SAFEEN Green as compared with commercial vessels, in terms of safety, efficiency, profitability and sustainability. It is 30-40% more efficient through the use of advanced technologies, provides a safer working environment given it is operated 24/7 remotely from a control centre, and offers swappable payload capacity. Vessels are containerised and can be transported easily to other regions. In terms of fuel consumption, the vessel is environment-friendly and highly competitive, reducing emissions by 90% compared with conventional vessels, with the ability to operate on 100% biofuel.
As for future plans, SAFEEN Green 2.0 is under development, which will be capable of carrying two inspection work-class ROVs simultaneously. A priority will be to collect data to create functional AI models for vessels and operations, with the first agent-controlled payload systems in prospect by around 2027.
To view the webinar, go to https://alaincharles.zoom.us/rec/share/mNHjZhAhQzn1sPzmFWZCgrq7_SckfLRcSb4w81I7aVlokO9sgHM_zVeOqgN3DgJS.bO4OIRqNeFP09SPu?startTime=1732095689000
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The partnership marks a significant step forward in the global expansion of green hydrogen technology. (Image source: Siemens)
Technology company Siemens, China-based Guofu Hydrogen and Germany-based RCT GH Hydrogen are collaborating to advance the hydrogen value chain
The partnership is set to accelerate the global expansion of green hydrogen technology as it focuses on the development and manufacture of electrolysers and green hydrogen production. A recent report from the IEA highlights the growing momentum for low-emissions hydrogen, but notes that while global electrolyser manufacture capacity has grown significantly, progress is stalling due to higher prices and tight supply chains. A continuation of cost reductions relies on technology development, as well as optimising deployment processes and moving to mass manufacturing to achieve economies of scale, the IEA says.
The new partnership focuses on three key areas: developing and engineering Guofu’s electrolysers and electrolyser systems, equipping new electrolyser manufacturing facilities starting in Germany, and developing, constructing, and operating new hydrogen production plants.
RCT GH Hydrogen will lead the engineering, procurement, and construction of state-of-the-art hydrogen production facilities, and ensure that the electrolyser manufacturing facilities meet the highest efficiency and safety standards.
Siemens will be the preferred supplier and technology partner across the entire value chain of Guofu Hydrogen's expansion plans. It will deliver products, solutions and services from across its Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, the company’s open digital business platform, including industrial automation and instrumentation, as well as electrification and building technology, industrial communication, and cybersecurity solutions. Siemens will also provide digital services and software for the design, engineering, simulation, optimisation and standardisation of the entire hydrogen value chain, from electrolyser manufacturing to the operation of hydrogen plants.
Global hydrogen partner ecosystem
The collaboration also involves the development of a global hydrogen partner ecosystem to bring together suppliers, technology providers, and end-users to accelerate innovation and standardisation across the industry, supported by the Siemens Xcelerator, which enables seamless integration and collaboration throughout the value chain.
"This strategic partnership exemplifies Siemens' commitment to driving the industrialisation of green hydrogen production," said Axel Lorenz, CEO of process automation at Siemens. "Our portfolio and domain expertise, combined with Guofu Hydrogen's vision and RCT GH Hydrogen’s proven engineering capabilities, will help establish new standards in electrolyser manufacturing efficiency and scalability. Together, we're not just building factories – we're building the foundation for a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem that will play a crucial role in the global energy transition.”
“Partnering with Siemens allows us to leverage world-class automation and digital capabilities,” added Pinfang Wu, board chairman of Guofu Hydrogen. “This collaboration will significantly accelerate our expansion into global markets and strengthen our position as a leading provider of green hydrogen solutions. Together, we're creating a blueprint for the future of hydrogen production.”
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