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QatarEnergy has expanded its stakes in offshore Namibia blocks. (Image source: QatarEnergy)

Exploration & Production

QatarEnergy expands interests in Namibia

QatarEnergy is expanding its international upstream footprint with the acquisition of additional interests in Namibia

QatarEnergy has signed an agreement with TotalEnergies to acquire an additional 5.25% interest in block 2913B (PEL 56) and an additional 4.695% interest in block 2912 (PEL 91), in the Orange Basin, offshore Namibia.

Subject to customary approvals, QatarEnergy’s participating interests in both licenses will increase to 35.25% in block 2913B and 33.025% in block 2912. TotalEnergies (the operator) will hold 45.25% in block 2913B and 42.475% in block 2912. The two blocks are located around 300 km offshore Namibia, in water depths ranging from 2,600 to 3,800 m.

The other partners in the two licenses are Impact Oil & Gas, holding 9.5% in each of the two licenses and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia “NAMCOR”, which holds10% in block 2913B and 15% in block 2912.

His Excellency Mr. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the president and CEO of QatarEnergy, said, “We are pleased to expand QatarEnergy’s footprint in Namibia’s upstream sector. This agreement marks another important step in working collaboratively with our partners towards the development of the Venus discovery located on block 2913B.”

The service centre will provide 24-hour engineering services for pumps and rotating equipment. (Image source: Sulzer)

Industry

Sulzer opens service centre in Kuwait

Sulzer has opened a new service centre in Kuwait, to provide 24-hour engineering services for all brands of pumps and rotating equipment

The service centre at Al Ahmadi supports over 1,500 Sulzer pumps already installed in local plants across Kuwait, as well as servicing pumps from other brands. It is the first time an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) offers such comprehensive services in the region, according to the company, with customers set to benefit from fast turnaround times and higher operational productivity.

Sulzer leverages the strategic location and resources of Khuff General Trading & Contracting Company’s Al Ahmadi Service Center to ensure round-the-clock service availability for customers in the region and comprehensive support across their entire equipment range. Services at the new facility include standard part and component repairs, reverse engineering, strip-down and inspection services, advanced diagnostics and cutting-edge technologies for multiple pump brands, as well as services for rotating equipment such as gas and steam turbines, compressors and motors.

Sulzer’s services division president Ravin Pillay-Ramsamy said, “This service expansion demonstrates our ongoing commitment to customers and partners in the region. With innovative solutions and expert support tailored to their unique challenges, we optimise their operations holistically and create added value by resolving issues across their entire equipment portfolio. We're proud to offer broad technical capabilities at our Kuwait Service Center.”

David Martin, head of sales at Sulzer Middle East, added, “Our new facility ensures closer collaboration, faster repairs and retrofits, and fewer unplanned downtimes for operators. Keeping downtime to a minimum will help ensure reduced operational costs, allowing our customers to stay ahead of the competition.”

This project includes the construction of a 30,000-metric-ton ethylene storage facilities and associated utility infrastructure. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Petrochemicals

Samsung E&A awarded Qatar contract

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.”

The new solution extends SLB's autonomous drilling capabilities. (Image source: SLB)

Technology

SLB launches Neuro autonomous geosteering

SLB has added AI-driven geosteering to its autonomous drilling solutions with the launch of Neuro autonomous geosteering, which dynamically responds to subsurface complexities to drill more efficient, higher-performing wells, while reducing the carbon footprint of the drilling operations

Using artificial intelligence (AI), Neuro geosteering integrates and interprets complex real-time subsurface information to autonomously guide the drill bit through the most productive layer or “sweet spot” of the reservoir. Instead of geologists needing to manually interpret this data to identify a well target, update the well plan and trajectory, and communicate this to the directional driller, Neuro geosteering performs all of these steps end to end — without any human intervention.

Neuro autonomous geosteering is a remarkable industry-first achievement that is for drillers what the autonomous vehicle is for drivers,” said Jesus Lamas, president, Well Construction, SLB. “Using advanced cloud and edge AI capabilities, the system automatically selects the best route for drilling the well based on high-fidelity downhole measurements, bringing the well trajectory in line with the real-world conditions of the reservoir. By drilling more consistent and higher-producing wells, our customers can optimise their field development plan while reducing operational emissions from drilling over the lifetime of the asset.”

Neuro autonomous geosteering builds on SLB’s Neuro autonomous directional drilling, introduced in 2022, which drills wells to a defined well target in accordance with the well plan, using AI with surface and downhole automation workflows to self-determine steering sequences and deliver the well trajectory on plan. Neuro autonomous geosteering takes this a step further — incorporating high-fidelity downhole measurements that ensure certainty of well placement in the best part of the reservoir.

The webinar will explore the latest trends in offshore operations. (Image source: AD Ports)

Webinar

Free webinar on the future of offshore operations

The offshore operations landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, making it crucial to keep up with advancements in efficiency and sustainability.

Oil Review Middle East is hosting an exclusive webinar on 20 November at 2pm GST, entitled ‘The future of offshore operations: innovation, efficiency and sustainability’. It will bring together industry leaders and experts to explore the latest trends in offshore operations, focusing on groundbreaking innovations that are driving sustainable and efficient practices. One of the highlights will be a presentation on SAFEEN Green—a revolutionary unmanned surface vessel (USV) shaping the future of the offshore industry.

Key highlights:


Offshore trends: expert insights into industry shifts and sustainability influences
Complex challenges: addressing the environmental and resource-focused dynamics shaping operations
AD Ports Group vision: discover how SAFEEN Green is setting new benchmarks for sustainable operations
Innovation in SAFEEN Green: A closer look at the groundbreaking technology behind this transformative USV.
Practical insights: Learn strategies to boost efficiency and encourage responsible practices in offshore work.

Speakers are Erik Tonne, managing director and head of market analysis, Clarksons Platou; Tarek Al Marzooqi, CEO, SAFEEN Subsea, AD Ports Group; and Ronald J Kraft, CTO, Sovereign Global Solutions ME and RC Dock Engineering BV.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain exclusive insights into the future of offshore operations!

Register here 

The project will support Aramco's emissions reduction objectives. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Energy Transition

Aramco progresses carbon capture hub

Aramco is significantly advancing its net-zero ambitions with the signing of a shareholders’ agreement with Linde and SLB to progress the development of a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) hub at Jubail, set to become one of the largest globally

Under the terms of the shareholders’ agreement Aramco will take a 60% equity interest in the CCS hub, with Linde and SLB each owning a 20% stake.

The first phase of the hub, due for completion by late 2027, will have the capacity to capture nine million metric tons of CO2 from three Aramco gas plants and other industrial sources, with the potential for expansion in later phases. The captured CO2 will be transported through a pipeline network and stored below ground in a saline aquifer sink, leveraging the Kingdom’s geological potential for CO2 storage.

Net-zero ambitions

The project will support Aramco’s ambition to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions across its wholly-owned operated assets by 2050. It also complements the company’s blue hydrogen and ammonia initiatives.

Ashraf Al Ghazzawi, Aramco EVP of Strategy & Corporate Development, said, “CCS plays a critical role in furthering our sustainability ambitions and our new energies business. This announcement represents a step forward in delivering on our strategy to contribute to global carbon management solutions and achieve our emission mitigation goals. Aramco’s collaboration with SLB and Linde demonstrates the importance of global partnerships in driving technological innovation, reducing emissions from conventional energy sources and enabling new, lower-carbon energy solutions. This CCS hub is among several programmes that will enable us to meet rising demand for affordable, reliable, and more sustainable energy.”

Oliver Pfann, Linde EVP EMEA, added, “Carbon capture and sequestration is essential for achieving the Kingdom’s emission reduction targets. Linde is proud to collaborate with Aramco and SLB, contributing Linde’s innovative technology and experience in delivering world-scale decarbonization projects.”

Gavin Rennick, SLB president, New Energy, said, “Leveraging our proven portfolio of CCS technologies and extensive experience in complex CCS projects around the world, we are confident that SLB will play a critical role in advancing this important initiative. This project aligns perfectly with our commitment to industrial decarbonisation, and we look forward to collaborating closely with Aramco and Linde to make it a success.”

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