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Viridien, through its subsidiary CGG Services SAS, has been awarded a contract to reimage two legacy 3D seismic data sets totalling 2,400 sq km in the Hassi Bir Rekaiz concession in the Berkine Basin, Eastern Algeria

The contract was awarded by Groupement Hassi Bir Rekaiz, a joint Sonatrach and PTTEP joint venture.

During the 13-month project, Viridien scientists are completely reimaging and merging the two legacy seismic datasets, originally acquired in 2011 and 2013. To meet the client’s challenging imaging objectives, Viridien is applying the latest technology to deliver more detailed seismic velocity modelling and improved reliability of seismic amplitude, phase and frequency attributes for quantitative interpretation and enhanced fault imaging.

Peter Whiting, EVP, Geoscience, Viridien, said, “We are happy to receive another award from Algeria, showing client confidence in our experience and differentiation in this growing market. We continue to develop and refine our technology, allowing us to extract more and more useful information from seismic data. This generates value for our clients, allowing them to do much more with the survey data they already have. The ultimate value lies in improved reservoir insights, reduction of uncertainties and increased drilling success.”

Last year, Viridien won a contract to conduct seismic imaging for a project in eastern Algeria for Groupement Berkine - a joint venture between Sonatrach and Occidental Petroleum, among other global partners. This imaging campaign covers an area of 3,400 sq km, capturing high-density onshore data set over blocks B404a and B208 of the Berkine Basin.

Algeria is seeking to increase oil and gas production, boost foreign investment and advance exploration. To this end, the National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources (ALNAFT) launched a bid round in October, as part of a five-year licensing plan. The offering consisted of six blocks covering 152,000 sq km. Closing date for bid submissions was 15 April.

Sahil Kochhar, head of Presales, Miros outlines the benefits of smart, data-driven solutions for effective jack-up operations

For around 70 years, jack-up rigs have been at the forefront of offshore oil and gas exploration, acting as mainstays for drilling and production activities in most of the world’s hydrocarbon hotspots.

These mobile, self-elevating platforms provide stability in dynamic marine environments but, by their very nature, they are also often required to work in some of the most challenging environments known to the industry. They face significant challenges from waves and currents, which can drive structural integrity concerns and create potential safety issues.

The solution to this issue lies, as it so often does in offshore operations, in leveraging real-time environmental data. In the case of jack-ups, air gap measurements and wave/current monitoring are of particular criticality. By adopting cutting-edge solutions and technologies, operators can unlock new levels of performance, reduce risks, and optimise their offshore operations.

Understanding the air gap

The air gap refers to the vertical distance between the highest anticipated wave crest and the underside of a jack-up rig’s hull or deck.
Maintaining an adequate air gap is essential for structural integrity and operational safety. If compromised waves can slam into the structure, increasing stress on the platform and endangering personnel.

A well-calculated air gap, however, ensures stability, reducing downtime caused by rough sea conditions. It also avoids repeated wave impact, minimising the chances of fatigue, cracking, and deformation, extending the service life of the rig.

Real-time measurements

Real-time measurements capture key sea state parameters such as wave height, wave period, direction, current speed, and current direction. Up to the second data is gathered from various advanced sources - including wave buoys, radar systems, and subsea sensors – and used to inform decision-making, improve operations and enhance safety.

Actual conditions can often deviate from forecasts, but real-time readings of the sea-state removes the ambiguity, guaranteeing informed, timely decisions. Dynamic positioning and preload operations also benefit from wave and current insights, reducing risks of leg slip and seabed instability, while continuous monitoring highlights structural stress points early, allowing for pre-emptive action before maintenance issues escalate.

Enhanced jack-up operations through data-driven insights

The safety of people, the environment and assets are of the upmost importance during any offshore operation, be it with a jack-up rig or otherwise. With real-time wave data, operators can maintain safe clearance under the rig, preventing wave impact damage and guaranteeing structural integrity.

Continuous monitoring helps operators determine the best conditions for rig movement and positioning, improving efficiency, reducing costs and minimising the chances of an unexpected incident occurring.

Historical data also enhances future jack-up designs and operational procedures, fostering long-term resilience and reliability. Solutions like Miros’ RangeFinder and Wavex provide an integrated approach to monitoring critical environmental factors, serving as an example of how real-time measurements can contribute safer and more efficient jack-up operations.

How AI and predictive analytics are reshaping offshore operations

By combining RangeFinder’s precise air gap measurements with Wavex’s real-time wave data, operators get a holistic monitoring system for jack-up operations. With this powerful combination of live insights, operators gain a comprehensive view of their offshore environment, allowing them to make informed, data-driven decisions; reduce operational risks and enhance safety; and increase overall efficiency and reduce downtime.
As nearshore oil and gas reserves dry up and offshore exploration moves into deeper, more unpredictable waters, the role of real-time environmental data will become even more critical. Emerging technologies, like Miros’s PredictifAI – which pairs radar technology with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict waves and vessel motion – offer the potential to refine predictive analytics, allowing operators to anticipate and respond to changing sea states with unprecedented accuracy. By embracing these innovations, jack-up operators can drive greater safety, efficiency, and long-term profitability in their offshore ventures.
In an industry where precision and resilience are paramount, the future of jack-up operations depends on integrating smart, data-driven solutions that enhance situational awareness and enable proactive decision-making.

As environmental concerns and regulatory pressures gain precedence, the petrochemical industry is increasingly turning its attention to chemical recycling

Often positioned as a potential game-changer, this technology seeks to offer a more sustainable path by converting plastic waste back into its original chemical components, enabling the production of new materials with properties comparable to those made from virgin feedstocks. Its attractiveness lies in addressing the twin evils – the plastic waste crisis and the need for higher-quality recycled materials.

How does chemical recycling work?

Chemical recycling, also referred to as advanced recycling, differs from mechanical recycling in both process and potential. Rather than grinding and melting plastics, it involves breaking down polymers into monomers or other base chemicals through processes such as pyrolysis, gasification, or depolymerisation. This allows for the creation of new plastics suitable for applications that require high purity, including food-grade packaging, where mechanically recycled plastics often fall short.

Several companies around the world have begun to scale up their chemical recycling initiatives.
• ExxonMobil, for example, has announced plans to invest US$200mn to expand its chemical recycling capabilities at its Baytown and Beaumont complexes in Texas. With its proprietary Exxtend technology, the company aims to process up to half a million tons of plastic waste per year by 2027.
• In Europe, Eastman Chemical is building a US$1bn molecular recycling facility in France. Once operational, it is expected to recycle up to 160,000 tons of plastic waste annually using polyester renewal technology.
• In India, Reliance Industries has become a pioneer in this space, producing circular polymers at its Jamnagar refinery, which has received ISCC-Plus certification to ensure sustainability and traceability.

However, the economic challenges associated with chemical recycling are substantial. These technologies are energy-intensive, resulting in higher operational costs compared to traditional recycling or even the production of virgin plastics. In some cases, chemically recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can cost two to three times more than its virgin counterpart, limiting its competitiveness. Additionally, the process often requires clean and sorted plastic waste as feedstock, which is difficult to obtain in many regions due to inadequate waste segregation and contamination. This issue not only affects cost but also scalability.

Advantages of chemical recycling

From an environmental standpoint, chemical recycling does offer certain advantages. Studies indicate that pyrolysis — a commonly used method in chemical recycling — can emit up to 50% less CO₂ than the incineration of mixed plastic waste. The process also has the potential to eliminate hazardous substances embedded in plastics, such as legacy chemicals and substances of very high concern (SVHC), resulting in cleaner end-products. Nevertheless, these benefits must be weighed against the significant energy inputs required for these processes. Without low-carbon energy sources or efficiency improvements, the net environmental gains may be limited.

Looking ahead, the development of chemical recycling will depend on a combination of technological, regulatory, and economic factors. Enhancing waste collection and sorting infrastructure will be crucial for improving feedstock quality. Policy frameworks that clearly define recycled content and support traceability will help create market confidence. Meanwhile, collaboration between governments, research institutions, and industry stakeholders could accelerate innovation and reduce costs over time.

While chemical recycling is unlikely to single-handedly resolve the petrochemical sector’s sustainability challenges, it may play a valuable role within a broader strategy for circularity. When complemented by upstream design changes, responsible consumption, mechanical recycling, and waste minimization efforts, it has the potential to contribute meaningfully to the sector's transition.

Whether it ultimately transforms the petrochemical industry or becomes a niche complement to existing methods will depend on how these challenges are addressed in the years to come.

This article is authored by Synergy Consulting IFA.

The American Bureau of Shipping and Akselos S.A., provider of structural performance management software have completed a joint technical assessment for structural digital twin technology, enabling more accurate and reliable assessments of structural integrity for FPSOs

The digital twin solution can reduce inspection and maintenance costs by up to 33%, minimising both planned and unplanned downtime by predicting stress and fatigue before failures occur, and enhancing safety by limiting human exposure in hazardous operational areas. This ultimately saves millions of dollars by extending FPSO life and minimising production losses.

Akselos’ SPM software provides a high-fidelity, near real-time digital twin of the entire FPSO. By combining inspection records, metocean conditions, and cargo operations into one dynamic model, operators have access to a live, continuous view of structural performance. This facilitates real-time monitoring, identification of stress concentrations, and on-demand fatigue analysis to support data-driven maintenance and risk-based inspections.

When combined with ABS’ Condition Manager and Eagle Twin inspection data management and condition tracking software tools, the Akselos software is capable of monitoring real time load and condition information within a digital twin framework that enables full life cycle support of an offshore asset. Akselos’ SPM software also integrates with ABS’s Eagle Unified suite, providing operators with a unified platform for asset performance management and class compliance.

“This collaboration reinforces the role of high-fidelity digital twin technology in the future of offshore structural integrity management,” said Matt Tremblay, senior vice president, Global Offshore at ABS. “By combining real-time operational data with advanced simulation, Akselos is enabling a more predictive and performance-based approach to asset management—fully aligned with the industry’s drive toward safer, more efficient operations.”

“This joint work confirms the robustness of our software and reinforces the growing momentum for digital transformation in offshore oil and gas,” said Claus Reimers, chief product and technology officer at Akselos. “We enable operators to simulate the structural integrity of the entire FPSO in real time and at full fidelity—supporting smarter, safer decisions across the asset lifecycle.”

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

Fossil fuel operations in the Middle East and North Africa emitted around 20 Mt of methane in 2024, nearly all from oil and gas operations, with Iraq, Iran and Algeria accounting for more than 30% of the flared volumes and related methane emissions, according to the IEA’s latest Global Methane Tracker 2025

The recently updated Global Methane Tracker presents the IEA’s latest sector-wide emissions estimates – based on the most recent data from satellites and measurement campaigns – and discusses the various abatement measures available to tackle them.

Flaring is a leading source of the MENA region’s emissions, accounting for around 25% of the total. Performance varies greatly, with Libya, Algeria and Iran having relatively high upstream methane intensities, while Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates perform better than the global industry average.

Satellites made more than 800 methane emission observations over Algeria, 400 in Iran, and 165 in Iraq, with incomplete combustion from burning pits identified as the leading source of emissions in Algeria and Egypt, followed by gas lift system vents and equipment venting. Flaring and direct venting have also been identified as major sources in Iraq. The IEA is working to support Iraq’s oil and gas methane mitigation efforts.

The IEA highlights that many of the region’s national oil companies have joined the OGDC (Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter) or OGMP 2.0 (Oil & Gas Methane Partnership), including the UAE’s ADNOC, Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC), Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, Bahrain’s Bapco Energies and Petroleum Development Oman. All countries in the region participate in the Global Methane Pledge except for Algeria, Iran and Syria, with many also subscribed to the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative. However, fewer countries have developed regulations designed to limit oil and gas methane emissions. Most countries have flaring and venting restrictions, but flared volumes have increased by over 50% since 2010.

Global methane emissions remain stubbornly high

Globally, the fossil fuel sector is responsible for nearly one-third of methane emissions from human activity, according to the IEA. Emissions exceed 120 mn tonnes (Mt) annually, thanks to record production of oil, gas and coal, combined with limited mitigation efforts.

Abandoned wells and mines have been included in this year’s Global Methane Tracker for the first time, and were found to have contributed around 8 Mt to these emissions in 2024. Closure plans should include measures to mitigate methane emissions, the IEA says, noting that timely action is critical for effective mitigation as most emissions result from mines and wells that have recently been abandoned.

A further 20 Mt of methane arises from bioenergy production and consumption.

According to the Tracker, around 70% of annual methane emissions from the energy sector could be avoided with existing technologies such as leak detection and replacing faulty equipment. The IEA points out the cost-effectiveness of such measures, since the gas that is captured can be resold.

The Tracker finds that methane abatement could have made around 100 billion cubic metres of natural gas available to markets in 2024. A further 150 billion cubic metres of natural gas is flared globally each year, the majority of which is routine flaring and can be avoided.

IEA analysis finds a huge range in methane emissions intensities across different countries and companies. Raising awareness and spreading best practices are essential to narrow this gap, it notes.

Satellites are bringing increased transparency, with satellite-detected emissions from super-emitting methane events at oil and gas facilities rising to a record high in 2024.

While current methane pledges by companies and countries cover 80% of global oil and gas production, only around 5% of global oil and gas output comes with near-zero methane emissions. The focus should now be on turning pledges into action, the IEA says, with strong action needed to prevent a 0.1% C rise in global temperatures by 2050.

“Tackling methane leaks and flaring offers a double dividend: it alleviates pressure on tight gas markets in many parts of the world, enhancing energy security – and lowers emissions at the same time,” said IEA executive director Fatih Birol. “However, the latest data indicates that implementation on methane has continued to fall short of ambitions. The IEA is working to ensure that governments and industry have the tools and knowledge they need to deliver on pledges and achieve the goals they have set.”