Energy, Oil & Gas Issue 209 October 2022

MAXIMIZING

Potential

Dave Acton, CEO, shares the lessons learned by Motive Offshore on its journey of expansion

Subheadline

Endaniendero vent as exeraep elendae. Rit as et maio ma

Nuclear Small modular reactors and the challenge of unlocking their potential

Subheadline

Motors

Endaniendero vent as exeraep elendae. Rit as et maio ma

Five ways to improve the efficiency of motors and the benefits this brings

Subheadline

Endaniendero vent as exeraep elendae. Rit as et maio ma

Technology How autonomous drones are being used in pylon inspection

CEO Andrew Schofield

Group COO Joe Woolsgrove

Creative Director Tom Vince

Data & Insights Director Jaione Soga

Editor Libbie Hammond

Assistant Editor Mary Floate

Content Editors Daniel Baksi, Alex Caesari, Danielle Champ

Editorial Administrator Amy Gilks

Managing Art Editor Fleur Daniels

Art Editors Paul Gillings, David Howard, Charlie Protheroe, Lee Protheroe

Artwork Administrator Rochelle Broderick-White Sales Director Alasdair Gamble

Project Directors

Philip Monument, Joy Francesconi

Head of Client Services

Callum Arneil

Head of Content Management

Adam Blanch

Head of Global Media Programs Mark Cawston

Project Managers Natalie Griffiths, Jo-Ann Jeffery, Ben Richell

Content Managers Johanna Bailey, Mark Cowles, Jeff Goldenberg, Wendy Russell, Richard Saunders, Kieran Shukri

Media Sales Executives Mike Berger, Jessica Eglington, Will Gwyther, Reid Lingle, Sam Surrell

General Manager Florida Division Ryan Finn

Marketing Manager Matt Bone

Social Media Co-ordinator Rosie Clegg

IT Support Iain Kidd

Administration Natalie Fletcher, Rory Gallacher, Ibby Mundhir

© 2022 Finelight Media Group

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Hello and welcome to the October issue of Energy, Oil & Gas – in our new style!

As part of a full portfolio redesign, EOG has been given a new look, and I would love to hear your feedback. This will be an evolutionary process and I really value input from readers and contributors on what they would like from the magazine, so do get in touch.

Our content this issue includes an interesting look at Small Modular Reactors, some considerations around motor efficiency and a feature that details the benefits that autonomous drones are delivering for National Grid Electricity Transmission in the UK.

Of course, insights from key players in the oil and gas sector remain the bedrock of our content and we’d love to feature your business – drop me a line if you want to be involved.

Libbie Hammond, Editor

Our cover story this issue looks at the operations of Motive Offshore. This equipment manufacturer and rental expert has embarked on a journey of acquisition and expansion. Turn to page 26 to learn more...

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Inside this issue

Power for tomorrow ?

The potential for small modular reactors (SMRs) in the future of nuclear energy

By Daniel Garton, Richard Hill, Andrew McDougall QC, Kirsten Odynski, Vit Stehlik and Dipen Sabharwal QC

TerraPower’s recent equity raise of $750 million shows how SMRs are gaining the attention of governments and power providers across the world. The champions of the SMR must work hard to ensure its full potential is reached.

Why SMRs hold such potential in nuclear power projects

Nuclear plants have a role to play in the energy transition. They have a small environmental footprint and keep air clean, requiring only a small amount of fuel compared to gas or coal while taking up a fraction of the space needed for wind and solar farms. In fact, a report published last August by the UN’s Commission for Europe, argued for the crucial role nuclear power can play in the transition to a clean energy future.

almost 70 different SMR technologies under development, a significant jump from just a couple of years ago.

This is particularly pertinent in light of recent events in Ukraine. Many countries are taking a fresh look at energy independence, as opposed to relying on fossil fuels from neighboring nations. Nuclear power is one of the clearest avenues to secure energy independence and SMR technology will be one way in which to facilitate this for those looking to achieve autonomy.

The challenges at play

Regulation has long been a challenge in nuclear plant development, and this will likely be no different for SMRs.

Licensing risk has been a difficult and controversial issue in nuclear power, and has driven significant attention from policy makers, the public and

environmentalists. The proliferation of nuclear plants envisaged by the widespread rollout of SMRs will be unlikely to avoid this scrutiny.

In tandem, the industry must overcome previous generations’ perceptions of nuclear power, in particular that the projects are too costly and complex. This is especially true when compared to both traditional fossil-fuel power generation and the breakneck rollout of renewables.

There is also the issue of waste. NuScale says that because SMRs contain less radioactive material and can be located below ground, their risks are lower. However, this point of view has received criticism from some experts.

There is currently no guarantee that SMR producers will not face the same obstacles that have plagued

developers of traditional nuclear power. It will also be a challenge to convince industrial users that it can compete with low-cost natural gas or proven renewables such as wind and solar. And the nature of SMRs mean they will have to be built close to the communities they serve, raising new challenges for public engagement, especially around the waste problem.

The introduction of a new generation of nuclear power will undoubtedly lead to legal and commercial disputes. The intense scrutiny from policymakers and the public will likely cause delays and conflicts. As will jockeying for position in a potentially more competitive nuclear industry marketplace. With first-of-a-kind designs, and potentially new and less experienced players entering the market, comes increased risk of regulatory issues, time lags, cost barriers and general conflicts. It’s vital to understand the nuclear regulatory framework and the nature of risks that commonly arise concerning the nuclear projects, in order to navigate these issues and minimize their impact.

Unlocking SMRs full potential

The SMR has widespread support, from politicians to global companies. The technology’s offering is compelling: carbon-free power that’s reliable, safe, more affordable and can be built and deployed without the significant costs and complexity of traditional nuclear power.

In a world where investment decisions are increasingly measured against climate impact and compatibility with the Paris climate goals, the SMR offers a solution

without many of the drawbacks that have hindered its larger predecessors.

As with all new technologies, there are of course challenges to overcome, and with nuclear power specifically, these can be expensive and protracted. The champions of the SMR will have to work with all stakeholders, from governments and investors to the wider public, to ensure its potential can be fully unlocked. ■

For a list of the sources used in this article, please contact the editor.

Daniel Garton, Richard Hill, Andrew McDougall QC, Kirsten Odynski, Vit Stehlik and Dipen Sabharwal QC

www.whitecase.com

Daniel Garton, Richard Hill, Andrew McDougall QC, Kirsten Odynski, Vit Stehlik and Dipen Sabharwal QC are partners at law firm White & Case. White & Case is a leading global law firm with lawyers in 45 offices in 31 countries.

Among the first US-based law firms to establish a truly global presence, it provides counsel and representation in virtually every area of law that affects cross-border business. Its clients value both the breadth of its global footprint and the depth of its US, English, and local law capabilities.

Andrew McDougall QC

Richard Hill Daniel Garton

Kirsten Odynski

Vit Stehlik

Dipen Sabharwal QC

Motoring on

Five considerations to improve the efficiency of motors in the oil and gas industry. By Marek Lukaszczyk

According to McKinsey, most oil and gas operators have not maximized the production potential of their assets and offshore platforms are, on average, running at only 77 per cent of maximum production potential. Industry-wide, this shortfall represents a whopping $200 billion in annual revenue. Optimizing

motor performance can contribute to more efficient and effective production processers in the oil and gas industry.

Energy efficient oil and gas processing begins with efficient facility design and this includes the choice of each piece of equipment in each individual process. More and more, we are seeing an increasing number of oil

and gas companies adopting a wider range of technologies that are helping them become more efficient and minimizing costs.

While efficiency improvements should be considered as a facilitywide strategy instead of limited to one individual asset, electric motors play a key role in the oil and gas production and distribution infrastructure. They are widely used to drive equipment such as pump and compressor systems and thus offer great potential for efficiency gains. Let’s explore five considerations to improve the efficiency of motors in the oil and gas industry.

High efficiency motor upgrades

Europe has over eight billion electric motors in use across industry, consuming approximately 63 per cent of the electricity generated across the continent. Many motors used in oil and gas applications are either low efficiency or not properly sized for the application. Incorrect sizing can significantly impact the efficiency of motor performance.

Similarly, older motors may have been rewound, reducing their efficiency. For this reason, a cost benefit analysis should be completed prior to rewinding to determine if purchasing a higher efficiency motor is economically advantageous. Hazardous area motors are now available with high efficiency ratings to IE3 or IE4.

Because energy consumption accounts for 96 per cent of the total life cycle cost of a motor, paying extra for a premium efficiency motor will result in return on investment over its lifespan. The recent introduction of stricter ecodesign requirements (EU 2019/1781) for electric motors has accelerated this trend.

Until 2021, some motors, including those designed for hazardous areas, were exempt from energy efficiency regulations. This is no longer the case under the current regulations. Additionally, these regulations also now apply to variable speed drives (VSDs). The legislative changes have impacted many industries, but sectors with high energy usage or using ATEX motors, such as the oil and gas industry, have seen the greatest transformation.

The new regulations replaced the regulation EC 640/2009 and have brought reductions in energy consumption related to motor use,

of safety. It is estimated that by 2030, this will deliver extra energy savings of ten TWh/yr and GHG emission reduction of three Mt CO2 equivalent annually.

Motor sizing

Significant improvement to motor design can be achieved, without substantially increased costs. However, the electric motor must always be properly dimensioned according to its real load. If a motor is oversized, with the actual load less than 50 per cent of the rated load, it will reduce efficiency and power factor values. For this reason, it’s important that efficiency and sizing considerations go hand in hand.

There may also be additional factors to bear in mind when choosing ATEX motors for oil and gas applications. As a result of safety requirements, explosion proof motors (Ex db, Ex dc) may face

as derating for VSD operation or reduced starting current. This may result in a larger frame size and additional considerations when retrofitting equipment with a need for motor interchangeability.

Installing a VSD or soft starter

Although very few oil and gas applications require 100 per cent flow continuously, many of the motors employed in these applications, such as pumping systems, are started at full speed and remain at full, fixed speed while in use. VSDs can effectively control rotating equipment and offer the best efficiency advantages in variable torque applications. In fact, according to the European Committee of Manufacturers of Electrical Machines and Power Electronics (CEMEP) a 20 per cent reduction in speed could lead to a 50 per cent reduction in energy.

To deliver the maximum energy saving potential, VSDs must be commissioned and installed correctly. This is where partnering with an expert like WEG really pays off. If the VSD hasn’t been properly configured this can impact the performance of the system. To maximize VSD reliability start by considering the application conditions and the required speed. Parameters usually have a ‘default’ setting which will probably be adequate for most applications. However, these should be checked and adjusted for optimum operation.

Motors are often left to idle, which uses energy unnecessarily. This is where soft starters should be considered. As the name suggests, soft starters allow the motor to start the load more gradually by limiting the voltage to the motor and providing a reduced torque. In addition to reducing energy consumption, a reduced voltage soft starter helps protect the motor and connected equipment from damage by controlling the terminal voltage.

Digitalization and motor performance sensors

Correctly implemented data analytics systems and tools can overcome the operational complexity of oil and gas operations. By combining advanced engineering, the latest data science and computing power, there’s potential to make improvements across the board.

Instead of replacing conventional methods of operation, digitalization will supplement them. For example, to keep motors running optimally in oil and gas plants, managers can install retrofit sensors. With important metrics monitored in real-time, built-in predictive maintenance

analytics will identify future problems, preventing shutdown and potential safety concerns.

Correct maintenance practices

Regular maintenance should be carried out on the entire motor system. Performance will naturally decrease after prolonged heavy-duty use or the exposure to harsh conditions. Engineers should opt for products that can provide energy efficient operation in harsh oil and gas environments.

Like many energy-intensive industries, the oil and gas sector is exploring new solutions to increase production and energy efficiency. As the sector continues to evolve, it will continue to rely on high efficiency technology as a reliable pillar in the wider energy efficiency drive. ■

For a list of the sources used in this article, please contact the editor.

Marek Lukaszczyk www.weg.net

Marek Lukaszczyk is European and Middle East marketing manager at WEG. Founded in 1961, WEG is a global electric-electronic equipment company, operating mainly in the capital goods sector with solutions in electric machines, automation and paints for several sectors, including infrastructure, steel, pulp and paper, oil and gas, mining, among many others.

WEG stands out in innovation by constantly developing solutions to meet the major trends in energy efficiency, renewable energy and electric mobility.

BLUE SKY THINKING

Using autonomous drones to inspect pylons

By Kathryn Fairhurst

Building a net zero power system fit for the demands of tomorrow means innovating today – and at National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) we know that innovation and collaboration are the best way to tackle some of the biggest challenges in energy.

As the body responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure to transmitclean electricity to homes and businesses across the country, we have a key role to play in Britain’s decarbonization journey. But it’s a journey we’re on together with industry.

Over the last year we’ve teamed up with 19 partner organizations on over a dozen NGETled innovation projects funded by Ofgem’s Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) and its new Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF).

One project is particularly eye-catching, and sees us working with deep tech startups Keen AI and sees.ai to boost our field operations by harnessing the latest in artificial intelligence and autonomous flight technology.

We’ve launched trials of a system which, using computer-manned drones, aims to fully automate the capture and processing of data that tells us what condition our pylons and overhead lines are in.

This is a job our field ops teams have traditionally carried out on foot or by helicopter, which is an enormous task. We own 21,900 steel lattice pylons that carry overhead transmission conductor wires across England and Wales, each of which needs a routine close-quarter health assessment to monitor for corrosion which can affect them over time.

There’s only a certain number of pylons our field teams can assess in a year – normally around 3650 – owing to limitations with our current methods.

For example, our expertly trained engineers can ascend the pylons to inspect them. That’s much safer today with modern climbing equipment and precautions we have in place, but it’s slow and not without risk. Our helicopters can help us cover a wider area, but do not allowus to inspect the pylons up close – not to mention being less carbon-efficient.

More recently we’ve used manually-flown drones. This has significantly enhanced our capability – allowing closer inspections without associated risk – but these drones are still resource-intensive, needing a team of pilots and spotters to keep them in sight at all times to ensure safe operation.

Autonomous drones could be a game-changer, and it’s why we’re so

a pool of inspectors. With the help of sees.ai’s autonomous drone inspection system, in our trial the data and imagery are automatically transmitted to an AI system –courtesy of Keen AI’s technology – which assess corrosion, proposes maintenance work, and can even predict the future state of a pylon.

It’s not only enabling the capture of data that’s optimal for automated processing; it’s also increasing the speed, efficiency and consistency of

Currently, images from our helicopter and manned-drone flights are processed manually by

The trial brings another advantage over manned drones. While the latter needs carrying to the site of the pylons being inspected – and then kept in sight while being flown – our project will enable a fleet of

overhead lines to a higher capacity, boosting existing network capacity without the need to build new infrastructure – meaning lower costs for consumers and more renewable generation able to connect to the grid faster.

We’re also working with the European Space Agency to harness satellite data to improve grid resilience, enhancing the emergency response capability of Britain’s networks to extreme weather events.

Collaboration is the key ingredient in all of these projects: now more than ever is the time for the energy industry to work together to innovate for net zero. ■

Kathryn Fairhurst www.nationalgrid.com

Kathryn Fairhurst, is Head of Engineering Services, National Grid Electricity Transmission. National Grid Electricity Transmission (ET) owns and maintains the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales. The company transports electricity through over 5000 miles of power lines and 300 substations en route to Britain’s homes and businesses, and invests £1.3 billion in the network each year to connect more renewables to help achieve net zero.

$53 million contract

Neptune Energy has awarded a contract worth $53 million to CHC Helicopters for offshore transport in the Dutch North Sea, optimising flight schedules and reducing associated emissions. CHC will provide regular transport to and from the 29 offshore platforms it operates in the Netherlands.

The contracts are part of a longer-term Alliance Agreement with CHC which will enable Neptune and CHC to optimize flight scheduling and route planning, and reduce the total number of offshore flights.

Neptune Energy’s Head of Supply Chain & Logistics in the Netherlands, Nicola Goodwin, said: “The new Alliance Agreement is an innovative approach for Neptune Energy and our service partner. It will enable us to build on our good safety record, reduce the CO2 emissions associated with offshore transport, and improve overall efficiency.”

Support for Net Zero

Schneider Electric, AVEVA, and Shell have formed a global strategic alliance to support their respective and wider sectors’ transition to Net Zero agendas. The organizations will explore opportunities to co-develop integrated end-to-end energy solutions designed to power the decarbonization of their customers in hard-to-abate industries, such as cement.

AVEVA and Schneider Electric will contribute integrated digital engineering, operational process, and energy optimization technologies, combined with deep sustainability expertise, to the alliance. Shell brings to the partnership end-to-end sustainable energy supply solutions, global project engineering capabilities, a large renewable energy generation and asset portfolio, as well as a broad range of sectoral sustainability solutions.

Safer working

Salunda Limited has undertaken an exclusive license agreement with Transocean to make, develop and sell HaloGuard®. Under this agreement, Salunda Limited holds an exclusive license for all of Transocean’s patented zone management methods and technologies in all fields and markets.

The HaloGuard® system combines realtime location technology together with a machine vision system. It is designed to locate personnel on the drill floor during operations. When a crew member comes within a certain distance from working equipment, they are notified by an alarm through a wearable device. In the event the crew member remains near the equipment, the system can pause the equipment from moving until that worker returns to a safer position. HaloGuard® provides an advanced layer of individual protection on the drill floor.

“Our companies have strong ambitions to achieve Net Zero emissions. This partnership represents another significant step forward. Shell, AVEVA and Schneider Electric intend to explore potential opportunities across digital solutions, technology, sustainability consulting, and energy supply capabilities to develop end-to-end integrated energy solutions to decarbonize our own businesses and wider sectors,” said Harry Brekelmans, projects & technology director at Shell.

Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman and CEO, Schneider Electric, added: “Partnerships are vital for decarbonization. They provide benefits to all parties and accelerate the global energy transition. The combined capabilities and expertise of Shell, AVEVA, and Schneider Electric will result in innovative sustainability solutions critical to the journey to Net Zero.”

Mining milestone

Roughly nine months after reaching the fourbillion-tonne autonomously hauled milestone, trucks equipped with Cat® MineStar™ Command for hauling have now moved over five billion tonnes. Cat autonomous trucks are on pace to eclipse previous record totals of materials hauled in a calendar year, projected to be more than 1.4 billion tonnes (1.57 billion tons) in 2022.

Currently, more than 550 mining trucks are equipped with Command for hauling, operating across three continents. Over the last nine years, trucks equipped with Command for hauling have journeyed nearly the average distance between the Earth and Mars with zero loss-time injuries.

Caterpillar has enabled 13 customers at 23 different locations to succeed with full site autonomous haulage solutions,

and continuously monitors the industry for opportunities to broaden the use of automation to help drive safety and efficiency. Beyond expansion of Command for hauling to the Cat 785 for ioneer, Caterpillar sees potential for Cat autonomy in quarry and aggregates. Additionally, Caterpillar’s AHS technology has been deployed on the Cat 789D autonomous water truck (AWT) operating at Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri mine in Australia, the world’s first AWT, for automated watering of haul roads.

Enabling energy flows

Recently acquired by bulk liquid specialist, Rubis Terminal, TEPSA is now targeting a new era of efficient logistics solutions

Bulk liquid storage company, TEPSA, began its operation in 1964 in Barcelona, working from the 7200-cubic-meter terminal on the port’s old Contradique Quay. From there, operations accelerated. The year 1966 saw the inauguration of the first Valencia terminal, located on the Turia Quay, also with a capacity of 7200 cubic meters. The 7500-cubic-meter Santurce terminal, situated in the northern city of Bilbao, followed in 1968.

Throughout the ensuing decades, TEPSA has continued working to become a strategic ally for its clients, through effective, flexible, and highquality service. To-date, the company

boasts more than 900,000 cubic meters dedicated to petroleum products, chemicals, biofuels, and foodstuffs, spread across four terminals, located in the main ports on the Iberian Peninsula, following the addition of its Tarragona terminal in 1986.

But TEPSA isn’t done making history. One of the most significant milestones in more than half a century of the company’s operation arrived in the fourth quarter of 2020, upon TEPSA’s acquisition by Rubis Terminal Infra SAS (Rubis Terminal), a specialist in the storage and handling of bulk liquids and gases, such as chemicals, fertilizers, biofuels, and fuels that are fundamental to the economy.

Headquartered in Paris, France, Rubis Terminal is jointly owned and controlled by Rubis SCA and Cube Storage Europe HoldCo Ltd, managed by I Squared Capital.

As Nuria Blasco, Managing Director at TEPSA explains, the acquisition makes Rubis Terminal a stronger, more diversified group.

“From the first day, it’s been evident that the two companies shared a similar culture, and a willingness to improve and grow together,” she says. “It’s a move that allows Rubis Terminal to take advantage of a growing Spanish biofuel market, thanks in large part to ample feedstock availability, mainly due to an oversupply of animal fats.

“This creates an opportunity for liquid storage providers with the operational knowhow and expertise,” Nuria notes. “We are the clear biofuel leader in Spain, thanks to locations close to key producing areas and

refineries, multimodal connections, and vertical integration, with the ability to handle raw feedstocks arriving by vessel, send them to production plants and receive them back for storage and onward distribution to the end customer.”

Sustainable storage

Bolstered by the addition of TEPSA’s four sites within Spain, Rubis Terminal boasts a footprint that spans continental Europe. The company operates a total of nine terminals in France, where it is the leading independent liquid bulk storage operator. Further terminals in Antwerp and Rotterdam in the Netherlands placed the company at the heart of northwestern Europe’s product trading hub.

“Our Antwerp and Rotterdam terminals were built according to the latest construction standards to limit environmental impact,

including best-in-class Net Zero direct emission facilities,” Nuria notes. “The conversion of our Rotterdam terminal from fossil-fuel to biodiesel illustrates the flexibility of our assets: we are emptying, cleaning the tanks, and modifying the connections to safely receive and store biodiesel – a shift that is also taking place at terminals in Spain. Moreover, with storage in our Netherlands facilities comprised entirely of chemicals and biofuels, we have ensured that our terminals are ready for the future of liquid bulk storage.”

A core value for both TEPSA and Rubis Terminal’s shared vision is a commitment to connecting industries with people through safe storage solutions. “When I look back over the past five years, I realize we have implemented innumerable small initiatives in terms of sustainability and CSR,” Nuria reflects. “We’ve increased energy efficiency with LED lighting; installed more efficient pumps and better insulation in tanks; introduced biofeedstock storage to help our clients make the green transition; promoted gender equality and employee welfare, and actively supported charitable initiatives. Some actions were small, some were extremely substantial, but none

was inconsequential. In terms of CSR and sustainability, every grain of sand, every action, no matter how small, is important.

“Today’s market is changing, and we are adapting again, contributing to the sustainability transition as an enabler of new energy flows,” she goes on. “Rubis Terminal has more than 200 contracts throughout its portfolio. Each one of these serves as an essential link in the logistics chains of fuel and biofuel companies, chemical groups, agricultural cooperatives, refiners, distributors, and traders, by storing local and imported products. We also provide services such as blending, additivation, and markering, and ensure a bulk transport connection as close as possible to the product’s destination.”

As Nuria is keen to emphasize, all industries have a role to play in the energy transition, and the storage of bulk liquid products is no exception. An uptick in demand for sustainable fuels and chemicals worldwide is contributing to significant market growth, resulting in an increasing need for storage.

“A global consensus is also emerging regarding the key role to be played by hydrogen in the energy transition, with

prototypes now under development,” Nuria points out. “Supply chains need to be prepared to meet exponential demand growth once these technologies scale up. Rubis Terminal is already participating in the strengthening of the French hydrogen ecosystem, as part of the Elemanta H2 project framework, developed by Sofresid, which aims to accelerate the energy transition in maritime and river transport, in particular in the port of Rouen.”

People, planet, profit

As it continues to work towards the energy transition, Rubis Terminal has set out its Triple Bottom Line Roadmap under three headings: People, Planet, Profit. “Our success depends on the skill and dedication of our people,” Nuria insists. “We have strong ethical, social, and environmental values, and we empower the women and men who work in our company to uphold and promote them. Our corporate culture emphasizes diversity, innovation, and efficiency, and we invest in the growth of our teams through training. In an industry

historically dominated by men, we are committed to achieving greater genderbalance in the workplace. Today, 25 percent of members of our General Management Committee are women, and we have a goal to increase this percentage in the near future.

“At the same time, ‘Planet’ signals our commitment to the use of natural resources, and to protect, in a broader manner, the environment in which we work,” she elaborates. “The diversification of Rubis Terminal’s product mix towards non-fuel products has led to an increase in the energy consumption of our terminals since chemicals require more heating during storage than traditional fuels. Our objective is now to optimize our energy consumption, thereby reducing our environmental impact, all while meeting the changing needs of our clients. For example, we’re already utilizing steam produced in chemicals handling to heat up tanks and office buildings at our Rotterdam terminal.”

In 2021, TEPSA Barcelona increased its by train transit by an impressive 50 percent. It’s an indication of the company’s alignment

with the vision of Rubis Terminal, and TEPSA’s commitment to becoming more efficient and sustainable in its logistics, a growing concern among clients.

“We have set ambitious decarbonization objectives for 2025 and 2030, and we’re refining our trajectory with a thorough review of our assets and operations to reach our sustainability goals,” Nuria adds. “We’re currently developing projects and strategies aligned with our decarbonization trajectory that will have an impact across all scopes, including investments in pipe heating system controls, land use, and knowledge sharing between our Rotterdam and Antwerp Zero Emissions terminals. We’re also set to further diversify our product mix, and engaging our stakeholders where possible in the development of

aim to operate at a sustainable level of profitability to ensure we continue to invest in innovation, decarbonize our activities and contribute to the transition to net zero while upholding the highest standards of safety and efficiency. While providing a vital link in the value chains for energy, chemicals, and agri-food, we work to ensure prosperity for all our stakeholders.

“Looking ahead to next year, huge uncertainty remains,” Nuria concludes.

“There is a potential for recession on the horizon; our challenge is to help our clients as best we can by remaining flexible. While we have historically supported the storage, shipping, and transportation of fossil fuel products to end consumers, we have successfully diversified our product mix and reduced the share of fossil fuels, which

MAXIMIZING POTENTIAL

an

and

It’s been over 12 years since Dave Acton and James Gregg founded Motive Offshore (Motive) in June of 2010. A specialist supplier and manufacturer of rental equipment for the energy and offshore industries, the company achieved ISO9001 accreditation in 2011, before securing work from EPC contractors working across the North Sea and UK Continental Shelf, including the likes of TechnipFMC and Ocean Engineering. In 2012, the relocation of its headquarters brought the company to the old 30-acre RAF base of Boyndie Drome, where it remains to this day. A further base, in Stavanger, Norway, followed in 2013, before a downturn in the oil and gas market, coinciding with the campaign for Scottish Independence, brought about a declining pipeline of work. Having established an annual turnover of £5 million, and an employee base of approximately 100 individuals, the company found itself scaling back, reducing its headcount by half.

“It was a difficult time,” admits Dave, now CEO of Motive, when speaking to Energy, Oil & Gas “However, we were able to learn a lot of lessons, and come out of it bigger and stronger.” After initially focusing on the UK oil and gas sector following its rebuild, the company broadened its horizons in 2016, setting up a base in the Middle East. “That was our starting point, and it’s gone from strength to strength,” Dave continues. “In November of that year, we then took the decision to begin manufacturing equipment for rental, and to explore new service offerings, taking on private equity to do so. We achieved our goal of

▲ Dave Acton, CEO

entering Taiwan in 2020.”

As of 2022, Motive has delivered projects in over 50 countries worldwide across sectors including oil and gas, telecoms, decommissioning, and more. Underpinning the company’s growth are a number of driving factors, one of which is acquisition, beginning with the purchase of Norway-based Pumptech AS in late 2018. “The acquisition brought us Norwegian management, in a company that had synergies with our services, along with those that fell outside our remit,” Dave explains. “In particular, they had a track record when it came to cables, which really provided a platform for us to move into offshore wind.”

Specialists. Established in 2001, Flowline Specialists designed, engineered, and manufactured its own equipment, supplying experienced technicians and support services for the handling and deployment of flexible pipes, umbilicals, and cables to the offshore energy market. It was an acquisition that allowed Motive to further implement its strategic vision of market diversification into offshore wind, power, and utilities, via the introduction of complementary products, services, and expertise to existing and prospective clients alike.

“At the time of the purchase, we were Flowline’s biggest client,” Dave recalls. “We already knew the team and their equipment very well,

We need to limit and reverse the effects of global warming, and to do that the world needs to reduce its carbon footprint

“ “ “ “

and as such, it was a purchase that made sense – taking them out of the market, and bolstering our own rental fleet of equipment. It also allowed us to boost our head count by about 50, and it gave us an extra £7 million in turnover. Flowline Specialists also had a significant presence in the UAE, which was its biggest revenue generator. Because the same was true for Motive, it made sense to join those two ventures together.”

Beyond its equipment rentals, Motive Offshore offers in-house design, manufacturing, and fabrication services for a wide range of bespoke and standard equipment, including winches, spoolers, tensioners, and associated cable and flexible conduit handling equipment, along with a repair, maintenance, and overhaul service. It’s all part of Motive Offshore’s ambition to maximize its clients’ operational, commercial, and environmental performance.

“We’re very self-sufficient, carrying everything from design and procurement through to testing it, all on site,” Dave reveals. “We don’t rely on subcontractors except where it’s absolutely

essential, giving us full control over the process. Within our manufacturing department, we have a dedicated R&D team whose main focus is currently to incorporate new technology into our processes, such as augmented reality. With that, we could have onshore staff wearing 3D headsets, giving them the ability to operate offshore equipment remotely. That’s still in development, but we’re talking to our clients and hope to commercialize a version of that soon enough. Some of our clients are already testing our smart equipment on their projects, and through that we’ll be able to gather more performance data.

“Technology is set to be a big part of the future,” he adds. “When the business started off, it was very much hands-on and mechanical. However, as we’ve grown, and given the way the world is changing, we’re seeing more and more innovations being brought in all the time.”

It’s no secret that the energy sector is currently undergoing one of the most significant transformations in living memory. As the world seeks to allay growing fears around rising global temperatures, countries across the globe are pivoting towards renewables. For Motive, it’s a similar story. “As we were going through our journey towards becoming a more resilient business, we decided that sticking purely to oil

and gas wasn’t a good thing,” Dave says. “The world was going green, so we took the decision to transition into the offshore, and we set targets for that transition. In 2021, we hit our target of 40 percent non-oil-and-gas revenue, on a turnover of approximately £32 million. We began this year with the intention of increasing that to 60 percent, but global energy security concerns have shifted the focus back to oil and gas.

“We recently did a project in Germany for one client that involved synchronizing 20 winches to all work in tandem, as part of an offshore wind farm installation,” he notes. “The actual function of these winches was to lower an air curtain to the seabed to prevent the harmonics from the tiling causing detrimental effects to any marine life.”

Despite this, Dave emphasizes the continued importance of oil and gas. “We need to limit and reverse the effects of global warming, and to do that the world needs to reduce its carbon footprint,” Dave insists.

“At the same time, we need to take a sustainable approach to how we achieve that. Without fossil fuels, we wouldn’t currently have the ability to develop new renewable technologies that harness wind, wave, sun, and other forms of renewable energy. It’s about achieving balance within the context of the transition.”

In 2021, Motive Offshore celebrated the official opening of a dedicated renewables hub located in Taipei, Taiwan, with an operational base near Taichung Port. The group’s first facility in the Far East, it signals Motive’s support for the region’s burgeoning offshore wind market, and allows the company to build on its significant presence within the region, while simultaneously creating jobs to support the local economy.

Since entering the market in 2018, Motive has played an instrumental role in the development and commissioning of every landmark offshore

wind project in Taiwan to date, deploying multi-sector solutions to support the local supply chain.

“Taiwan is probably one of the first Far Eastern countries to have both established aggressive offshore wind targets, and actually delivered on them,” Dave says. “At the same time, it also offers a stepping stone for the future, as countries such as Japan begin to look towards offshore wind. With a base in Taiwan, it also provides us with opportunities to secure more work across the oil and gas sector locally, and throughout Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia, all of which sit within the same time zone.

“Before the end of this year, we’re also looking to complete another acquisition, which is set to increase our headcount by around 30, and bring in another £10 million worth of assets into our rental fleet,” Dave states. “It will also broaden our geographical footprint, bolstering our presence in America and the Far East. Looking beyond, we hope to see the

business achieve an annual turnover of £100 million within the next five years, eventually expanding our numbers to 500 people.

“The most important thing is to keep growing a sustainable business,” he concludes. “We’ll continue to pursue that organically, expanding our rental fleet and improving the level of our technicians. Geographically, we also have further plans. In general, our strategy is, and will remain, to follow our clients – that’s what took us to Taiwan, it’s why we went to Houston, Norway, and the UAE. We’re now working with a new private equity company, with a fresh acquisition strategy, which will help us to further drive towards achieving those goals. We have a list of approximately ten companies with whom we’re in dialogue, four of which are in the very early stages. By the end of this year, we hope to get at least one more acquisition over the line.”

Decarbonization at SCALE

How Topsoe is pioneering green and blue fuel solutions

It was in 1944 that Topsoe delivered its first Topsoe VK catalyst to customers, after being founded just four years prior with a vision to tap into the potential of catalysis and apply it to industry. Since then, the company has remained steadfast in that belief, ushering in an era in which catalysis has become a central process within modern industry, utilized in 90 percent of all commercially produced chemical products. Today, Topsoe delivers a wide range of catalysts and process technologies that are essential for producing clean fuels from crude oil and waste, and increasing the efficiency of industrial processes.

Headquartered in Ravnholm, north of Copenhagen, the company has offices in a number of locations globally.

“We’re riding the wave of decarbonization,” admits Henrik Rasmussen, Managing Director, The Americas at Topsoe, reflecting on what has been a successful couple of years, which saw the company secure the vast majority of its renewable green fuels business. “We are still producing technologies and catalysts for the fossil fuel

ENGlobal Corporation

Throughout our 37 years of history, ENGlobal Corporation (ENG) have developed a strong relationship with Topsoe in the energy industry. We have worked closely with Topsoe on projects that include developing the ‘inert free’ ammonia synthesis loop eliminating the need to purge inerts like argon from the system, and improving yields. Further examples include the H2BridgeTM technology, which we have incorporated in the latest 6,500 BPD renewable diesel plant recently started up in Kansas. This allows for

industry, including jet fuel, gasoline fuel, and more, and we expect that to continue to be a large part of the world’s energy source for many years to come. While helping those industries to decarbonize, we’re also witnessing the growth of renewable green fuels, as we move towards a far more diverse energy mix.”

the replacement of external fossil feedstocks in the hydrogen unit with renewable LPG. ENG is incorporating the latest high yield SAF/RDU HydroFlexTM technology from Topsoe for two current projects in design, which also includes an optimized version of the H2Bridge. ENG appreciates the confidence Topsoe has in its organization in jointly realizing projects, applying its technology for green and blue methanol and ammonia, SMR hydrogen, and renewable diesel and SAF.

As Henrik indicates, the growth of green diesel represents a significant development for Topsoe. In the US, Renewable Fuel Standard 2 (RFS2) requires refineries to blend 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel into the country’s total transportation fuel consumption by 2022. Similarly, the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED) requires all its member states to ensure that at least ten percent of their transport fuels come from renewable fuel sources by 2020. It’s led to many refiners revamping their production plants, using processes such as Topsoe’s HydroFlex™ solution.

“We currently have 14 renewable fuels units in operation, with another six due to come online before the end of 2022,” Henrik reveals. At the time of speaking, this was complemented by a further pipeline of 20 projects, due to begin between 2023 and 2025. “All of these will draw on feedstocks including chicken fat, cow and pork tallow, used cooking oils, soya bean oil, canola oil, distilled corn oils, and other types of vegetable oils,” he continues. “These plants are today making products ranging from 5000to-20,000 barrels a day.

“Another wave of projects we’re involved in is the gasification of biomass, such as waste wood or corn stovers,” he goes on. “That can be

We can decarbonize any industry that uses energy to heat up a process

used to produce syngas, which in turn is used to make renewable jet fuel, renewable diesel, and renewable gasoline. We have a number of those projects also in progress, and we’re steadily inching up the plant capacity.”

As Topsoe’s own work indicates, the world is steadily embracing the potential of renewable fuels, with an ever-increasing number of projects coming online. But for Henrik, green

Catmasters LLC

isn’t the only color of interest. The company is also investing heavily in the development of so-called ‘blue’ fuels, such as blue ammonia, blue hydrogen, and blue methanol. Blue hydrogen is produced using a similar reforming process to that used to create typical hydrogen, but the carbon dioxide that would ordinarily be released is captured and stored underground.

Catmasters LLC (Catmasters) is a technology company focused on optimizing reactor performance and automating catalyst changeout processes. Catalytic reactor performance can be impacted by catalyst loading quality. Catmasters’ engineers have now developed, tested, and produced the next generation catalyst dense loading technology, called Hyperloader™.

Hyperloader™ has been extensively tested in our testing vessels in Pasadena, Tx and is fulfilling all of Topsoe’s criteria with respect to the reproducibility and loading quality. Hyperloader™ will be introduced to market in the fall of 2022, through our subsidiary company Hyperload LLC.

Email info@Catmasters.com to find out more.

“ “

“We firmly believe that blue fuels are the key to decarbonizing a number of industries, including fossil fuels and petrochemicals,” Henrik explains. “For instance, blue fuels can be used instead of methane during the process of chemical production. At Topsoe, we’ve built the technology to be able to provide this blue fuel. We’re able to produce blue hydrogen at a significant scale which involves the compression of clean carbon dioxide. The result is hydrogen that is 99.3 percent decarbonized, just 0.7 percent shy of green fuels.”

As sea levels are rising and icebergs melting, we can’t wait another ten years – we need to act now. Therefore, a transition from grey, through blue, and eventually to green, is the most effective solution

“ “

The benefit of blue, says Henrik, is scale. “We can make plants on a mega scale today that are already commercially proven,” he insists. “The implications that has for decarbonization are significant, and are in my opinion far more relevant than the fact that it’s blue, rather than green. Right now, we can decarbonize any industry that uses energy to heat up a process – such as food, petrochemicals, steel, cement, or any kind of manufacturing – using blue fuel.

“Of course, green fuels based on electrolysis are great, it works, and they will certainly materialize,” Henrik continues. “But at the moment, we don’t have the large-scale projects that really matter. As sea levels are rising and icebergs melting, we can’t wait another ten years – we need to act now. Therefore, a transition from grey, through blue, and eventually to green, is the most effective solution. In the US in particular,

Heurtey Petrochem Solutions

Heurtey Petrochem Solutions is a major supplier of steam methane reformers.

The company also provides a comprehensive range of solutions including furnaces, waste heat recovery units, emission reduction and efficiency improvement equipment, electric heaters, services such as furnace performance optimization, revamp studies, CFD modeling and revamps, as well as a supply of spare parts. Heurtey Petrochem Solutions has a local network with a presence in all strategic markets. Its team has significant expertise in thermal and mechanical design, fabrication and modularization of equipment, and project management.

natural gas is in abundance, meaning it’s relatively cheap, and we have the geology to sequestrate it safely. That’s a significant competitive advantage for the country. In the meantime, we will also pursue smaller green electrolyzer projects with our Solid Oxide Electrochemical Cell technology (SOEC electrolysis), and continue to improve efficiency and further bring down the cost of green fuels.”

Topsoe is already capitalizing on the benefits of blue fuels, having recently signed a contract for the launch of the world’s largest ammonia plant. Based in Louisiana, it’s due to produce 4000 tons of blue ammonia per day upon completion. “Nowadays, people have more and more need for ammonia as an energy carrier, so we believe it’s a project that makes a lot of commercial sense, while drawing on hundreds of years of operating experience when it comes to making these molecules at scale.”

With projects like these, Topsoe is eyeing a bright future. Within five years, the company expects to establish itself as the leader within the field of decarbonization, thanks to its range of innovative technologies. According to Henrik, it’s an opportunity for growth, and he hopes to see Topsoe couple its continued support for oil and gas with an expansion into new and unfamiliar industries.

“Fossil fuels continue to be necessary in the world,” Henrik comments. “Today we consume about 100 million barrels of fossil oil per day. That is expected to go up to 110 million barrels over the next about five years, before slowly tapering off to about 80 million barrels in 2050.

“Nevertheless, we’re increasingly seeing new customers seek out decarbonization technology, with a growing need for our products within many manufacturing

sectors,” he concludes. “As a result, we expect to become a more diverse business, and it makes for an exciting time. Although we’re facing some huge challenges in the world today, we’re confident that we have the tools and technologies to meet these challenges in a responsible manner.” ■

www.topsoe.com

Family at its core

Graco Oilfield Services drills down to the secrets of its success

Established in 1978 in Vernal, Utah, Graco Oilfield Services (Graco)was founded on the principal that “the working man can do better.” Built on a core supply specialism of fishing tools used in the retrieval of well equipment, Graco has been owned and operated by the Rambo family for over 40 years. As Graco’s President, JonRambo, explains:

“In the late 90s, Graco began its expansion throughout the Rocky Mountains by way of multiple strategic acquisitions. As our inventory, alongside our strength of reputation and experience, grew, it was time to expand south. By the mid 2000s, Graco had locations from Montana to Texas and as far east as Oklahoma and Arkansas.”

The organization’s growth has been organic in nature. Beginning in 1997 and continuing through to today, Graco has negotiated, executed and integrated numerous acquisitions that have

strategically focused upon the right product and location fit for the business, thereby complementing Graco’s core operations.

In 2020, Graco acquired the assets of Gravity Oilfield Services’ fishing and rental division.

“With the purchase of Gravity, Graco expanded its geographic footprint within the Permian Basin from two locations to seven,” Jon states. “The Permian Basin has always been a prolific basin within the US, and we believe it will be even more so going into the future. This geographic reach allows us to service every corner of our customers’ assets quickly and easily.”

Alongside this geographic expansion, the organization’s service offerings also grew, enabling customers to use Graco and its product and service provision throughout the operational

lifecycle of a well. This augmented focus has increasingly enhanced customer relationships. The continual improvement of access to a broader array of services and rental equipment has served to strengthen Graco’s already-strong reputation with its customers and potential sellers. The business steadfastly aims to nurture and embrace such favorable business relationships.

Recognized as a leading oilfield services provider, Graco is trusted to deliver superior results and exceptional service throughout the industry, offering oilfield equipment rental and fishing services that are synonymous with safety, service and performance.

Jon goes on to elaborate: “Throughout our history, we have offered pressure pumping, workover rigs, water hauling, casing services,

“ “

The business was not built to be transient but rather, it was built to stand the test of time and be a generational company

“ “

tubing rental, pressure control equipment, foam unit and drill-out services, downhole motors, and completion tools, but we have never strayed from our core of being a fishing tool company.”

Graco’s team appreciates the costs associated with operational stoppage and potential asset loss and, as such, is established as a premier authority on fishing solutions and services. In support of this, Graco has focused on retaining and developing expertise among its personnel to best meet customer needs.

From proven conventional technologies to the latest advances for extreme environments, the business keeps abreast of industry needs by continuously updating and transforming its equipment inventory. This approach enables Graco customers to better utilize their capital rather than sink cash into equipment that’s not core to their operations. In support of its markets, Graco has developed a substantial network of facilities to ensure fast, cost-effective deployment of resources when and where they are needed.

Graco

Jon explains how Graco has harnessed its long history of fishing tool experience to broaden its service offering. “We have recently entered into the thru-tubing fishing and downhole motor business, targeting both traditional and coil tubing units.” Thru-tubing applications do not demand production stoppage from theoil well as the work is conducted while the well is producing. Indeed, as Jon continues: “Our primary focus over the next 12-to-18 months will be continuing to strengthen and grow our fishing and thrutubing expertise.

“Additionally, we are in the research and development phase of converting our pumping division from diesel to electrically-driven and believe that there is immeasurable potential to reshape the way this service is deployed and performed.”

Indeed, Graco offers everything an operator might require for their next drillout or workover program, including a large fleet of pressure pumps with capabilities to match the needs of its customers during the various phases of the wellbore life. Pressure pumping services are deployed by experienced supervisors, with units and associated equipment safely and efficiently delivered to the job site, whether for just one job or as a long-term rental.

“We are fully committed to evolving our business to match our customers’ requirements,” says Jon. “Currently, we are working with several customers to provide pumping services that will be powered by electricity at the wellsite.”

Like businesses the world over, Graco’s operations did feel the impact of Covid-19. Jon explains that “having been through every industry downturn since the business began in 1978, this one was most definitely a tough one.” However, as he goes on to suggest: “As an organization, we are so blessed to have a team of individuals who have spent their lives in this industry. As such, we all know what it takes to weather the storms.”

This expertise is held in high regard by the business. Graco employees are considered to be a valuable asset and their input is instrumental in the continued growth and success of the organization. As Jon insists: “As with any service company, our people are our strength. We pride ourselves on being able to bring value to each of our customers. We believe in having a culture that gives our people the flexibility and freedom to succeed as opposed to one that is heavily policy-driven. What we do today will forever speak volumes about how much we care for our people and their futures.”

Looking to the future, Jon has Graco’s sights firmly set on longevity. As he enthuses: “The business was not built to be transient but rather, it was built to stand the test of time and be a generational company. We enjoy having a place where not only our family can be involved, but our employees’ families too. We are fortunate to be a part of this great industry for over 40 years and hope to have another 40 plus.”

Only smooth SAILING

How Briggs Marine & Environmental Services is pioneering renewable energy

Headquartered in Burntisland, Fife, Briggs Marine & Environmental Services (Briggs Marine) is a familyowned business with a more than 40-year history of working in the marine industry. An expert in coastal, nearshore, offshore, and subsea operations, the company has a wide range of experience and equipment at its disposal to undertake a range of marine projects, and the flexibility to create bespoke plans for clients’ requirements.

The Briggs family initially became involved in the marine industry in the 1970s, providing workboats to assist marine-based

construction works, both on the east and west coasts of Scotland. Ten years later, they saw an opportunity in the environmental services market, and by 1987, the family had purchased an oil spill response vessel, and established Briggs Environmental Services. The company was then part of the response team for the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska in 1989.

It was also in the late 1980s that Briggs Marine started providing vessels and manpower for oil and gas terminal operations across the UK. This service provision continues today, having been subject to significant process improvements to ensure

safety and reduce potential impact on the environment. The company is now actively supporting energy transition on behalf of its clients.

Expanded service offer

Briggs Marine also became involved in various salvage operations, including the Sea Osprey Wave Generator at Dounreay, and the recovery of a 360-aircraft from the Firth of Forth.

“The company continues to offer salvage and emergency response services and has been involved in many high-profile operations where it has mitigated damage to the environment,” shares Group General Manager, Rob Baker.

“ “

The Group has now expanded its services into the renewable energy market, with framework agreements in place with a number of large offshore wind developers

“ “

Rob continues to share that during the 2000s, Briggs expanded its services further into submarine cable repair and installation, single point mooring repair and maintenance, heavy moorings, and aids-to-navigation refurbishment. It is also responsible for the maintenance and repair of all MoD heavy moorings, and navigation aids around the UK, Gibraltar, and Cyprus. “We started operating in various countries delivering a full suite of environmental solutions including consultancy, training, and spill response services,” he says. “The Group has now expanded its services into the renewable energy market, with framework agreements in place with a number of large offshore wind developers.”

With 50 years of experience, it is no wonder that Briggs Marine has become a leading provider of marine and environmental services, specializing in port and marine operations, subsea and environmental support, and vessel charter. The company also owns and operates coastal survey vessels, offering safe platforms for carrying out a wide range of duties including bathymetric, environmental, oceanographic surveys and more.

In order to understand its customer requirements, not only does Briggs Marine operate spot charters, but it also provides a full vessel management service. “This enables customers, such as Peel Ports in Liverpool, to focus on operations, leaving the management of their pilot launches and other marine services to us,” Rob shares. “This service extends into RoRo

Ferry and Terminal Operations, whereby a full suite of services is offered, including check-in, mooring, linkspan and stevedoring services.”

Coupled with the exciting developments that have grown the business over the last five decades, Briggs Marine continues to expand its service offering into subsea operations, where customers can now benefit from a complete solution, alongside survey and inspection, which often precedes installation and maintenance of subsea cables. “Our strength not only lies in experience in delivering safe, high quality and cost-effective marine-based services, but in our solutions focused approach,” Rob says. From his explanation, by operating in diverse and challenging environments to deliver projects on time and within budget, Briggs Marine can

provide clients with comprehensive solutions that minimize risk exposure, and gain competitive edge to achieve their strategic goals.

This bespoke approach is what enabled the business to win the 18-month project to deliver services to the Neart na Goaithe (NnG) offshore windfarm, where Briggs Marine was originally contracted to provide CTV services for NnG. However, the service offering developed to include the provision of technical staff to carry out routine maintenance tasks and other operational services. “More recently, this project was extended to the provision of a walk-to-work vessel, and a dehumidifier installation for wind turbine transition pieces,” Rob elaborates. “Other offshore windfarm work that we have completed includes the delivery of demarcation buoys for the construction projects at Seagreen, NnG, and others.”

These contracts enable Briggs Marine to demonstrate its capabilities within the renewables industry, but more importantly, they also enable the company to further invest

“ “

We also plugged a gap in our offering by acquiring the majority stake in ARB Wind

“ “

in essential services for the offshore wind sector overall. Investments in cable handling equipment have been a particular focus this year, as the company’s cables department gears up to meet the demands of the offshore wind industry.

Company values

Briggs Marine continues to invest in its fleet, having recently commissioned a new pilot launch to be made available for chartering, once delivered in 2023. This provision will help clients in urgent need of a pilot launch, as the 12-metre-long vessel is road transportable and can be quickly mobilized across the UK. “As part of a continued investment program to upgrade our fleet utilized within the Port of Sheerness, Briggs Marine purchased four new vessels for its Medway contract in 2021,” Rob adds. “This followed significant investment into new pilot launches for a contract based in Liverpool, and the acquisition of a CTV in 2021.”

In terms of the company’s sustainability initiatives, the developments in that regard are just as exciting. The Briggs Marine offering to the renewables industry is based on the same core services it has provided over the last 50 years. “By repackaging these services, which have been enhanced by the purchase of the CTV, the company has been able to meet the needs of the offshore wind energy sector,” Rob insists. “We also plugged a gap in our offering by acquiring the majority stake in ARB Wind. ARB’s provision of statutory wind turbine inspections and maintenance and technical personnel gives the Briggs Marine Group a unique integrated package of wind farm services.”

Rob then takes a moment to recognize that these achievements would not be possible without the team at Briggs Marine. For him, a business is only as good as the people, and as a family-owned business, Briggs Marine still maintains its original values of loyalty and recognizing success. To

support employees, its training division offers opportunities to develop the skills within the workforce, as well as to keep staff engaged and provide progression opportunities.

Going forward, Briggs Marine will remain focused on its core market, and ensure it continues to add value to existing projects for its clients. As the business invests in assets and people, it will also seek to develop further relationships, particularly within the UK offshore wind sector, to ensure the company is part of the move towards green energy. Rob concludes: “By utilizing the experience we have gained in our first 50 years of trading, we intend to continue to build on our current success to meet the future demands of the marine and renewables industries.”

www.briggsmarine.com

at home Energy

Stanlow Terminals is bringing an exciting new energy hub to the UK

In December of 2021, Stanlow Terminals made a major announcement, as the company shared its plans to develop the UK’s largest biofuels facility.

Part of Stanlow Terminals’ drive to support the country’s net-zero ambitions, the project will combine the repurposing of existing storage infrastructure alongside new infrastructure investments.

These investments will allow customers to store, blend, and distribute low-carbon biofuels suitable for use in the energy transition as drop-in replacement transport fuels for road, aviation, and marine. In total, the investment will add 300,000 cubic meters of capacity to the company’s two sites in Tranmere and Stanlow, enhancing what are already critical national infrastructure locations responsible for 16 percent of the UK’s total fuel supply.

“In the context of UK energy security issues, and the ongoing energy transition, this infrastructure is set to be absolutely critical to the development of the North West’s and the UK’s energy markets,” comments Mike Gaynon, CEO of Stanlow Terminals, speaking to Energy, Oil & Gas

The development of Stanlow Terminals’ biofuels storage facility is just one element of the broader work being undertaken by the company to adapt and transition its operations. Following a restructuring of its business units in early 2022, Stanlow Terminals is focusing its activities on so-called ‘new energies’.

“New energies include all our future lowcarbon energy storage and infrastructure projects: low-carbon hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel, green ammonia, carbon dioxide and liquid organic hydrogen carriers,” Mike explains. “We’re starting to develop the elements of the hydrogen economy and other specific energy products that will contribute to the UK’s decarbonization.”

“ “

Before the end of this year, we hope to sign some of our first third-party storage contracts

“ “

“Vertex Hydrogen, Essar’s hydrogen production company, will build the UK’s largest low-carbon hydrogen plant here within the next few years, with production to start in 2026,” he reveals. “Vertex Hydrogen is part of HyNet, the UK’s leading decarbonization cluster, and Stanlow Terminals is also developing plans to utilize HyNet’s carbon capture capability and sequestration pipeline. Together, these projects will provide a blueprint for a lowcarbon industrial cluster.

“In terms of scale, the first phase of HyNet will see the sequestering of around ten million tons of carbon dioxide per year, by around 2030,” Mike adds. “We’ll then be targeting the construction of a multi-modal hydrogen transport hub, providing an effective mechanism for the storage and distribution of hydrogen by road, rail, and marine.”

As the company embarks upon this journey, it’s supported by the existing capabilities of its deep-water facility at Tranmere. As Mike adds: “our Tranmere site is equipped to accommodate large ships, which will prove vital as we’ve developing globally-leading import and export markets, essential to the energy transition.”

The development of Stanlow Terminals’ capabilities is also expected to improve integration with its parent company, Essar. Based in India, Essar is currently exploring green fuel projects with a view to supplying the UK and European markets. According to Mike, this is also exemplified at Essar Oil UK, where the company is setting “a global benchmark” for the low-carbon refineries of the future. Essar is also investing in the development of hydrogen production facilities at Stanlow.

Through this innovative approach, Stanlow Terminals is hoping to build upon what has been a successful couple of years. “Throughput volumes and sales have increased post-pandemic, in tandem with the refinery growth,” Mike notes. “Our new energies business is predominately long-lead, supported by significant capital investment programs over the next three-to-five years.

“We’ve also been working with the UK Government’s Catapult Network, together

with Mersey Maritime, to establish a green shipping corridor along both the river Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal,” he adds. “Historically, both Stanlow and Tranmere terminals have provided bunkering facilities for ships, and as new energies such as methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia are increasingly required for ship propulsion, bunkering is set to become a core part of our business once again.”

One significant recent development for Stanlow Terminals occurred in March 2021,

with the announcement that the Liverpool City Region was set to become a Freeport. Both the company’s Tranmere and Stanlow facilities sit within the radius of the Freeport Zone, and the company is now working with the Liverpool City Region to explore what these designations could mean for the sites, including permitting Stanlow Terminals’ customers to import and export without customs duties. The company has also recently acquired International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) – a tracking process for biofuels and other low-carbon replacement fuels, further enhancing its offering for customers.

“We’re certified as an ISCC warehouse keeper, meaning that our customers who have ISCCcertified products can bring those products into our facilities for storage while maintaining their certification,” Mike notes. “They’re able to do so thanks to our completely segregated storage, with all the necessary systems and procedures in place. Once again, it’s all part of making our hub more attractive to customers and businesses within the energy transition space.”

As we move into the fall, many within the energy sector are still adjusting to what has been a year of volatility, driven largely by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This has thrust issues of energy security and resilience into the limelight. For Mike, it’s underlined the importance of investment in the energy transition and domestic energy infrastructure, and he expects plenty more to come.

“Before the end of this year, we hope to sign some of our first third-party storage contracts,” he confirms. “We also have a couple of MOUs (Memorandums of Understanding) in the pipeline, which we’ll be able to reveal more about in the coming months. Beyond that, we’re looking ahead to the next five years, for which the focus is, of course, on building out our storage platform and energy infrastructure business as we transition for tomorrow.”