OCI Global, a global leader in ammonia, fertilisers and methanol for transportation and agriculture and Petrofac, an international service provider to the energy industry, announced their partnership to deliver OCI’s programme of gasification-based green methanol projects. The programme will support the production of low-carbon feedstock for OCI’s existing methanol facilities.

OCI will work together with Petrofac, on an exclusive basis, on the design of a standardised gasification process and modular design for the delivery of new waste-fed facilities. Petrofac will deploy its engineering, procurement, and project management expertise to provide continued support to OCI for the delivery of the programme.

Bashir Lebada, CEO OCI Methanol/HyFuels:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Petrofac in the design and delivery of our green methanol ambitions. This is another important step in scaling green methanol and hydrogen technologies and increasing our supply base to service the rapidly increasing demand we see from marine and road fuels. Our partnership with Petrofac will allow us to accelerate delivery of these important green transportation fuels.”

John Pearson, Chief Operating Officer, for Petrofac’s New Energy Services business:

“Petrofac is proud to be partnering with OCI to support it in its green methanol production programme. Both our organisations are committed to making the energy transition a reality and we look forward to leveraging our engineering and technical capabilities, alongside our project delivery experience to support this exciting project. Our initial focus will be on fast-tracking the engineering to support OCI’s ambitious programme goals”.

For more information visit www.petrofac.com

Royal Vopak announces the signing of Note Purchase Agreements for a debt issuance in the US Private Placement (USPP) market for a total amount of USD 225 million and EUR 193 million. Funding will take place mid June this year and is subject to customary closing conditions.

This Senior Notes Program consists of various EUR and USD tranches with maturities ranging from 5 to 10 years. For the USD denominated Notes of 225 million the weighted average fixed annual interest rate is 5.14 percent. For the EUR denominated Notes of 193 million the weighted average fixed annual interest rate is 4.65 percent.

The proceeds of this USPP will be mainly used to repay outstanding and/or maturing debt in 2023. The programme will further align the well spread debt maturity profile of Vopak’s outstanding debt, and will provide maximum flexibility under the current EUR 1 billion Revolving Credit Facility.

Michiel Gilsing, Chief Financial Officer of Vopak: “This successful signing of the debt issuance confirms Vopak’s ongoing access to relevant capital markets. This debt issuance will further strengthen our balance sheet and support our capital structure to continue to invest in growth opportunities for Vopak in line with our strategy.”

This announcement does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction. The securities mentioned herein have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

For more information visit www.vopak.com

Air Liquide will be a key supporting partner for two projects that advance the planning and infrastructure necessary for the deployment of hydrogen mobility along sustainable fuelling corridors across the country. Air Liquide will support both the “Houston to Los Angeles (H2LA) – I-10 Hydrogen Corridor Project” led by GTI Energy, and the “East Coast Commercial ZEV Corridor” led by CALSTART. These projects will receive support from the US Department of Energy through the agency’s Innovative Medium- and Heavy-Duty EV Charging and Hydrogen Regional Fuelling Corridor Infrastructure Plan initiative, which will accelerate the creation of zero-emission vehicle corridors that expand the nation’s zero-emission fuelling infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

The establishment of sustainable fuelling corridors will help advance the deployment and adoption of sustainably fuelled vehicles, like hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. As regional hydrogen development is underway and will expand rapidly through programmes like the DOE’s Hydrogen Hubs initiative, hydrogen corridors will serve as a means to connect these regional basins and unite the country from coast to coast with the benefits of sustainable mobility.

Katie Ellet, President, Hydrogen Energy & Mobility North America, said, “Air Liquide is proud to continue its support of the US Department of Energy through its contributions to the H2LA Hydrogen Corridor Project and the East Coast Commercial ZEV Corridor. These initiatives are clear examples of how the private sector, with supportive government policies, can drive the transformation of the mobility market to one that is more sustainable, and advance the overall transition to a clean energy economy with hydrogen at its core.”

With 60 years of experience leading the global hydrogen market, Air Liquide has mastered the entire hydrogen value chain and will lend to the projects its expertise in hydrogen transportation and logistics. With an extensive hydrogen pipeline in the Gulf Coast, and one of the country’s top-25 largest fleets, Air Liquide is able to distribute both gaseous and liquid hydrogen to customers across the US This capability is critical to ensuring future hydrogen transportation corridors are reliable, efficient and sustainable.

For more information visit www.usa.airliquide.com

Keppel Infrastructure and ExxonMobil Asia Pacific have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop access to low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia for scalable commercial and industrial applications in Singapore.

In addition to being a hydrogen carrier and storage medium, ammonia can be used directly as a carbon-free fuel or broken down into carbon-free hydrogen for use in power generation, as well as feedstock for refinery and petrochemical operations.

This MOU follows the Singapore government’s launch of its National Hydrogen Strategy in October 2022, which expects hydrogen to meet up to half of Singapore’s power needs by 2050. As part of this hydrogen strategy, the Energy Market Authority and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore issued an expression of interest in December for proposals to build, own and operate low- or zero-carbon power generation and bunkering facilities on Jurong Island.

Currently, natural gas meets most of Singapore’s power generation demand. The Keppel- ExxonMobil collaboration has been formed to address the call to develop competitive solutions that can support Jurong Island’s sustainability goals and Singapore’s hydrogen strategy.

Keppel is also looking to use low-carbon hydrogen for Singapore’s first hydrogen-ready 600 MW advanced combined cycle power plant. The Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant is expected to operate with at least 30 percent hydrogen and will have the capability of shifting to run entirely on hydrogen. Currently under construction, the plant will be sited on Jurong Island and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026.

At the same time, given the strong demand for low-carbon electricity in Singapore, Keppel is conducting a feasibility study of developing a power plant that could use ammonia directly as a fuel on Jurong Island. This would complement Keppel’s offering as Singapore’s leading independent power producer and retailer.

ExxonMobil is advancing its world-scale low-carbon hydrogen facility at its integrated complex in Baytown, Texas, from where ammonia will be produced. The low-carbon hydrogen, ammonia and carbon capture facility is expected to produce 1 billion cubic feet of low-carbon hydrogen per day, making it the largest low-carbon hydrogen project in the world at planned startup in 2027-2028.

More than 98 percent of the associated CO2 produced by the facility, or around 7 million metric tonnes per year, is expected to be captured and permanently stored.

Cindy Lim, CEO of Keppel Infrastructure, said, “Deep decarbonisation of power generation and major industries is a key impetus for countries seeking pathways to net zero emissions. Globally, clean hydrogen is one of the most effective decarbonisation strategies, especially for hard-to-abate sectors, like maritime and petrochemical. As a forerunner in the energy space, Keppel is pleased to work with ExxonMobil to accelerate the end-to-end development and deployment of ammonia to support industries and Singapore’s sustainability goals.”

ExxonMobil’s Asia Pacific President for Low Carbon Solutions, Irtiza Sayyed, said: “ExxonMobil is pleased to work with Keppel to evaluate low-carbon solutions as part of our goal to reduce our emissions and help others reduce theirs. This is an example of how we can provide critical, scalable solutions to reduce CO2 emissions in support of our company’s and Singapore’s net-zero ambitions.”

For more information visit www.kepcorp.com/en/

NISTM are pleased to announce that their 25th Annual International Aboveground Storage Tank Conference & Trade Show held in Orlando, Florida last week was a resounding success!

The event brought together industry experts, manufacturers, and suppliers to share insights, trends, and best practices. It was an opportunity for attendees to network and learn about the latest products and services in the aboveground storage tank industry.

NISTM would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to making the event a success. Your participation made this conference one of the most informative and engaging events of the year.

To keep the momentum going, we would like to invite you to join us at our upcoming show, the 16th Annual National Aboveground Storage Tank Conference & Trade Show, which will be held in The Woodlands, Texas from December 5-7, 2023.

• The registration for exhibit booths is now open, and we encourage you to reserve your spot early.
• To learn more about the show in Texas, please fill out the inquiry form.

For those who are unable to attend the show in Texas, NISTM invites you to mark your calendars for their next event in Orlando, Florida, from April 3-5, 2024.

NISTM will be hosting our 26th Annual International Aboveground Storage Tank Conference & Trade Show, and we look forward to seeing you there.

Once again, the team from NISTM would like to thank you for your continued support, and they hope to see you at their upcoming events.

For more information visit www.nistm.org

Orbital Sidekick, the global leader in space-based hyperspectral intelligence, have announced the successful launch of GHOSt 1 and 2, the first satellites in its planned GHOSt(™) (Global Hyperspectral Observation Satellite) constellation, aboard the Transporter 7 rideshare mission on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. OSK will deploy four more satellites this year aboard the Transporter 8 and Transporter 9 rideshare missions to complete the company’s initial constellation. By year-end, GHOSt will consist of six equivalent hyperspectral imaging microsatellites, each featuring a proprietary hyperspectral imager unique to OSK.

Now in orbit, these first two GHOSt satellites will offer unmatched global monitoring capacity, capturing nearly 500 bands of light across the electromagnetic spectrum with 20x greater sensitivity than traditional monitoring. The payload will produce the highest resolution commercial hyperspectral imagery ever in orbit, with a ground sampling distance of eight meters. This advanced imaging capability will support OSK’s Spectral Intelligence Global Monitoring Application (SIGMA™) platform, which provides access to OSK’s data archive, analytics engine, and intelligent satellite tasking system for commercial and inherently governmental applications.

“From day one, OSK’s strategy has been about commercialising the highest resolution hyperspectral imagery and intelligence available,” said Dan Katz, CEO, Orbital Sidekick. “The successful launch of our first two GHOSt constellation satellites signifies our team’s ability to execute on this vision, while scaling our commercial product and establishing our leadership position in the market.”

OSK’s current customers include major energy companies Williams, ONEOK, Energy Transfer, and Colonial Pipeline Co. (CPC). The company is also a partner of the intelligent Pipeline Integrity Program (iPIPE) which supports emerging technologies for improved pipeline integrity and leak detection. Further, OSK will advance its mineral exploration efforts, leveraging its advanced hyperspectral sensor and analytics to support sustainable operations in the industry. The launch of GHOSt is enabling frequent monitoring of global oil and gas pipeline assets, and mineral exploration initiatives, through its SIGMA(™) intelligence platform and will enhance the industry’s ability to meet and exceed compliance and regulatory obligations while supporting environmental sustainability pursuits and a low carbon future.

In addition to the energy and mining sectors, the company has secured government contracts to supply hyperspectral data to the United States Department of Defense through its partnerships with In-Q-Tel, the Air Force, and Space Force. In March, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) selected OSK for its latest focus area study of commercial space-based hyperspectral imaging (HSI) capabilities under the agency’s Strategic Commercial Enhancements (SCE) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), further strengthening OSK’s relationship with the defense and intelligence communities.

“It’s gratifying to see our goal of commercialising this cutting-edge technology come to fruition,” said Tushar Prabhakar, COO, Orbital Sidekick. “The GHOSt constellation will now offer unparalleled insights into critical infrastructure and areas of the planet, enabling us to reach new heights in supporting sustainability and safety efforts, anywhere in the world.”

GHOSt builds on the constellation’s satellite precursors, named Aurora and HEIST, which launched in June 2021 and September 2018 respectively. These space-based technology demonstrator sensors established the company’s capability to operate in space while providing enhanced data sets for commercial, government, and scientific entities.

Today, OSK’s market-leading sensing capabilities will enable its customers in the energy, government and defense, extraction, infrastructure, agriculture, and forestry industries to make vital decisions with expansive coverage, rapid revisit times, leading-edge spatial resolution, and greater spectral capability than any competing service.

For more information visit www.orbitalsidekick.com

Over the last couple of years Precise have seen a wide variation in their core customer base. What was generally a “big boy” game when it came to class one/div one robotics for the industrial cleaning industry, has reinvented itself to include the daily maintenance cleaning taking place on smaller scales at all sizes of plants and production facilities.

The new compact high pressure robotics and mini control systems designed for smaller vessels and tanks, have quickly became an entry level tool for day to day use. Vessels, more standard sized tanks, rail cars and any variation of these are being cleaned much more quickly while omitting any confined space exposure to employees, and all in an explosion proof environment.

These new tools are much easier to handle and are designed for quick in and out jobs with a minimal amount of set up and tear down. Specifically designed for day to day use verses large projects requiring more complicated and expensive spreads. This new line of robotics is tailored to the vacuum truck companies and maintenance companies which see this type of work almost daily.

As this area of the market has grown, the need for other complimentary tools in the robotic tool chest has also began to grow. As example, the MANUAL class one/div one explosion proof cameras which are now available. A variation of the class one/div one explosion proof robotic camera currently being utilised on large diameter tanks and plant turn arounds, the manual camera was designed for a quick initial look and a last look prior to a quick wrap up at the job site.

For more information visit www.precisetools.ca

GMA Garnet Group and Barton International have entered into a supply and distribution agreement for supply of GMA’s line of GMAX products to surface preparation applications in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. This distribution agreement increases the availability of GMAX, some of the most productive, cost effective, and safest blast abrasives ever produced.

This distribution agreement between these two companies will provide additional avenues for contractors, asset owners, and surface preparation professionals to source GMAX for their abrasive blasting requirements. Experts and application specialists from both organisations will be available to support the efficient, effective, and safe use of these products.

GMAX products to be distributed by Barton will be produced in GMA’s world-class US processing facilities, to the exacting standards of both organisations. As provided under the distribution agreement, the packaging of these products will proudly carry the logos for both companies and will be available through the Barton warehouse and dealer network. This aspect of the distribution agreement will provide for the sale and distribution of these products in the Gulf Coast region.

“With demand for productive, safe, and cost-effective blast abrasives increasing by the day, ensuring the availability of GMA’s innovative GMAX abrasives is more important than ever,” said Rod Liebeck, president of GMA Americas.

“Having Barton International as part of our distribution network, with their knowledge and experience, will bring great value to blasting operations in the US Gulf Coast region.”

“For decades, Barton has led the efforts to expand the use of garnet in surface preparation applications,” said Randy Rapple, president and CEO of Barton International.

“The distribution agreement with GMA enables us to bring more high quality, safe to use garnet blast media to clients throughout the Gulf region.”

In recent years the surface preparation industry has been searching for more productive, cost effective and safer abrasives. Products such as waste slags have been popular for decades, but concerns over poor surface cleanliness, high consumption rates, and serious health and safety issues have caused the industry to seek alternatives. The GMAX line of garnet abrasives are an engineered blend of garnets that address those issues while providing increased productivity and lower total project costs.

For more information visit www.gmagarnet.com

Vortexa has announced that Communitas Capital, took a stake in Vortexa – the leading real-time energy analytics company.

The partnership with Vortexa is combined with the firepower of Communitas Capital founders; Tom Glocer, Lead Board Director at Morgan Stanley and former CEO at Thomson Reuters alongside other industry heavyweights; Duncan Niederauer, the former CEO of NYSE and Partner at Goldman Sachs and Doug Atkin, the former CEO Instinet.

While CEO at Thomson Reuters, Tom oversaw one of the largest news and information organizations in the world, including its financial terminal business before it became Refinitiv as part of the spin off transaction led by a Blackstone consortium in 2018 and later sold to London Stock Exchange in an all-share transaction valued at $27 billion.

In Tom Glocer’s words, “The traditional financial information networks were primarily based on the aggregation and distribution of market data. Vortexa is the first information platform of its kind using advanced AI to create a real-time fundamental view of the multi-trillion-dollar energy market. The speed in which Vortexa is attracting and working with the top energy traders in the market is a clear indication of something immensely
valuable in the making.”

Fabio Kuhn, CEO of Vortexa: “Tom is a true legend in the financial information and news industry. In the game of basketball, our partnership would be the equivalent to having Michael Jordan joining the team – and I could not be more excited about the game plan we will build together.”

For more information visit www.vortexa.com

Technip Energies and Casale announce a new partnership to jointly license oxidative reforming-based technologies; autothermal reforming (ATR) and partial oxidation (POx) technologies for the blue hydrogen market.

ATR is a process to produce syngas that contains hydrogen, CO and CO2. It becomes cost-effective for low-carbon hydrogen when combined with carbon capture technology and suitable for larger-scale facilities.

As part of this collaboration, Technip Energies and Casale will be co-licensors of the technology and will offer Process Design Package (PDP), proprietary equipment and entire plants. In order to decarbonise hydrogen facilities, the ATR-based solution could achieve up to 99 percent of carbon capture rate.

Technip Energies’ two centres of excellence for hydrogen, Claremont CA, US and Zoetermeer, NL, will jointly execute with Casale PDP for ATR-based blue hydrogen projects.

Loic Chapuis, SVP Gas & Low Carbon Energies of Technip Energies, commented: ” We are excited to announce this partnership with Casale, which will allow us to offer cutting-edge ATR-based solutions for the blue hydrogen market. By leveraging our global leadership in hydrogen, having delivered more than 30 percent of the installed capacity worldwide, with our combined proprietary technologies, we are confident that we can provide advanced and cost-effective solutions that will meet the needs of our customers. ATR-based solutions will be complementary to T.EN’s proprietary SMR-based solutions, allowing us to offer a complete range of solutions in the low-carbon hydrogen market. We look forward to working with Casale to drive innovation and decarbonise hydrogen production at scale.”

Federico Zardi, CEO of Casale SA, said: “We are delighted to enter this partnership with Technip Energies, a global leader in hydrogen plants. This partnership can provide the market with advanced solutions for the decarbonisation of the world, leveraging our long history of developing and applying advanced ATR and POx technologies with several ATR-based mega production units already delivered, in combination with Technip Energies’ technological expertise in the hydrogen field.”

For more information visit www.technipenergies.com/en

Neptune Energy today welcomes Equinor’s announcement of the start of production from the Bauge subsea field in the Norwegian Sea.

Recoverable resources are estimated at 50 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe).

Bauge is tied back to the recently upgraded Njord platform, operated by Equinor.

Neptune Energy’s Managing Director for Norway and the UK, Odin Estensen, said: “We congratulate Equinor for their safe and successful start-up of the Bauge field. Tied back to existing infrastructure, Bauge is an example of how a small discovery can become a profitable development.”

The Njord Area, which includes the fields Bauge and Hyme, will for Neptune provide net production of 20 kboepd.

Estensen added: “This makes Njord our second largest producing hub in Norway and is aligned with our strategy to foster production with low unit cost and low CO2 intensity.”

The platform is also currently preparing to receive production from the Neptune-operated Fenja field later this month.

Neptune Energy has a 12.5 percent owner share in Hyme and Bauge, and 22.5 percent in the Njord unit.

For more information visit www.neptuneenergy.com

In 2022 Gasum delivered 1.7 TWh of biogas to its customers for a saving of 444,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Gasum sets new ambitious goals with sustainability as an integral part of the company’s new strategy.

Nordic energy company Gasum launched a new strategy for the next five years in 2022. In practice, Gasum aims to shift the emphasis of its business and operations more towards renewable gas and electricity.

As part of this shift, Gasum has set a new ambitious goal of bringing seven terawatt hours (TWh) worth of renewable gas annually to the Nordic market by the year 2027. This means significant investments in increasing Gasum’s own biogas production as well as sourcing more renewable gas from trusted partners.

Gasum currently produces biogas in 17 plants in Finland and Sweden from different waste streams such as sewage sludge, manure and biowaste. The carbon dioxide emissions reduction of using biogas compared to fossil fuel use is on average as high as 90 percent. Using manure for biogas production can even have a carbon negative impact, meaning an emissions reduction of more than 100 percent.

Increasing availability significantly

Finland, Sweden and Norway together currently produce about 4 TWh of biogas per year. Denmark is the largest biogas producer of the Nordic region with around 8 TWh produced annually.

The increase in Gasum’s supply alone to 7 TWh at the Nordic level means a significant increase in availability. Using 7 TWh of renewable gas instead of fossil fuels would also mean a cumulative yearly reduction of 1.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

“There is still much to do to decarbonise land and sea transportation as well as industrial processes. Increasing biogas availability in these segments is a way of reducing emissions sooner rather than later. The switch to biogas can happen almost at the snap of your fingers, because biogas is fully interchangeable with natural gas wherever it is currently used”, says Mika Wiljanen, CEO of Gasum Group.

First of five big biogas plants on the way

In 2022 Gasum delivered 1.7 TWh of biogas to its customers which totals a 444,000 ton carbon dioxide emissions saving for the year. That means there is some road ahead to reach a yearly amount of 7 TWh of renewable gas and 1.8 million tonnes emission savings, but Mika Wiljanen is confident that the goal is reachable.

“For example, we’ve just started construction on the first of five large biogas plants we’re planning to construct in Sweden. The Götene plant, which will be constructed during 2023–2024, will produce 120 GWh of biogas per year. Multiply that by five and you go a long way to reaching that goal by 2027. But we do have a few other plans up our sleeves as well”, Wiljanen ensures.

In accordance with the new strategy Gasum is also investing in improving its capabilities in the renewable electricity market, to offer its customers a full energy and emissions management service. In 2022 Gasum traded 7.3 TWh worth of Guarantees of Origin for renewable electricity generated by wind, hydro, solar power or bioenergy, an increase of nearly 18 percent year on year.

Emission reductions and sustainable business in general is at the core of Gasum’s new strategy. Sustainability for Gasum means striving for continuously reducing emissions for customers and keeping the company’s own emissions to a minimum. For example, Gasum uses only renewable electricity in its own operations.

Gasum has committed to the UN Global Compact initiative on corporate sustainability and reports on sustainability in accordance with the GRI Standards. Gasum just released its 2022 sustainability report at the end of March.

For more information visit www.gasum.com/en/

JERA Co., Inc. is delighted to announce that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Korea Gas Corporation, regarding cooperation in the LNG business.

Under this MOU, for the sake of securing supply stability of LNG, JERA and KOGAS agreed to discuss opportunities for mutual collaboration in the LNG business including LNG swaps, trading, ship optimisation, and market view exchange.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has created a severe energy environment, such as the reduction of pipeline gas supply to Europe, and the uncertainty regarding global energy supply is drastically increasing.

In responding to these circumstances, under this MOU, JERA and KOGAS, which are among the largest buyers in the global LNG market, will strengthen their strategic relationship and consider developing schemes of cooperation regarding their LNG supply & demand, to enhance stable energy supply in Japan and Korea.

As a long-term matter, there is an acceleration of the Energy Transition to a carbon-neutral future. LNG will play an even more important role as Transition Energy not only in Europe but also in Asia.

Undergoing these significant changes, in order to ensure a stable energy supply in Japan, JERA will continue to work together with LNG buyers and other leading companies both within and outside Japan such as KOGAS as it seeks to enhance procurement capabilities.

For more information visit www.jera.co.jp

Transflo, a Pegasus-Transtech company and leader in freight automation, and Comdata, Inc., a FLEETCOR company and world leader in payment innovation, have joined forces to develop Transflo Wallet, a mobile-app-based cardless fuel payment solution. This revolutionary solution will enable freight brokers to effortlessly send digital fuel advances to carriers and drivers through a secure and user-friendly mobile app, streamlining fuel transactions.

Fuel advances have long been a challenge for freight brokers, with conventional payment methods like checks and plastic fuel cards proving inefficient, costly, and susceptible to fraud. Furthermore, these traditional methods fail to help carriers effectively manage and reduce fuel expenses. Transflo Wallet addresses these issues by offering a modern mobile user experience for drivers and unparalleled visibility and control for brokers.

“As we assessed long-standing issues in the industry, fuel payments emerged as the natural next step in extending our broker and carrier automation capabilities,” explains Renee Krug, Transflo’s CEO. “Our fuel solution builds on our connected digital ecosystem to empower our customers to overcome these challenges.”

Transflo Wallet is a secure and user-friendly digital payment solution designed for brokers to advance fuel payments to their carrier networks. The solution leverages Transflo’s industry-leading mobile app technology, along with Comdata’s proprietary virtual card capabilities to enable the most secure and user-friendly fuel payment in the industry.  Eric Dowdell, President of Comdata’s North American Trucking division comments, “Comdata has a deep commitment to reducing friction for the transportation industry. We’re excited to partner with Transflo to deploy our cardless payment APIs to bring brokers more transparency, control, and a more simplified driver experience.”

The advanced security features of Transflo Wallet protect carriers from fraud and unauthorised access, offering peace of mind and allowing them to concentrate on their operations. Furthermore, Transflo Wallet delivers features that enable carriers to streamline their fuel management and reduce their overall fuel expenses. “We’re committed to building deep relationships and enabling our carriers to maximize profitability and we’re excited to beta test Transflo Wallet as another tool to help us do that.” said Mark Yeager, CEO at Redwood Logistics.

Transflo Wallet represents a milestone in the evolution of freight industry automation. By harnessing the power of digital payments and mobile technology, Transflo and Comdata are committed to streamlining processes and addressing pain points within the industry. This innovative solution not only offers increased security and cost savings for carriers but also fosters stronger relationships between brokers and their carrier networks.

For more information visit www.transflo.com

Earlier this month, Advario announced its entry into the Port of Rotterdam. How does the new site at the heart of the Botlek area fit within Advario’s growth strategy? Douglas van der Wiel, Advario’s Chief Growth Officer (CGO), shares his view.

Douglas, why is the entry into the Port of Rotterdam such an important step for Advario?

Douglas: “The Port of Rotterdam is one of Europe’s most significant ports, and a large manufacturing and energy hub. Furthermore, the port is extremely proactive and ambitious in fulfilling its role in the energy transition. It provides support to companies that focus on the energy products of the future such as gases, synthetic fuels, hydrogen, and hydrogen derivatives. The port’s ambition and approach fit very well with Advario’s strategy and focus, which is why it is important for us to be present in the port.”

How does an Advario terminal in Rotterdam fit in your growth strategy?

“In Europe, there will be significant demand for low carbon fuels, such as hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives. But the production of low carbon fuels will mainly happen in geographies where production is cheaper. For example, we expect that the United States and Middle East will be major producers of blue and green hydrogen, whilst Europe and North Asia will be major importers. To match the global supply with the European demand for the energy products of the future, sophisticated storage and logistics infrastructure will be crucial. Because of that, a world of opportunity is available for us in Europe. We already have a strong presence in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Establishing ourselves into the Port of Rotterdam strengthens Advario’s position in Europe, and places us well to make a difference for our customers and partners.”

What does your presence in Rotterdam mean for your position in Antwerp?

“In my opinion one strengthens the other. We expect the European market for new energy products to develop in a way that leaves ample space for a variety of industry players. The Port of Rotterdam as well as the Port of Antwerp-Bruges have the ambition to handle in excess of 20 million tonnes of hydrogen. Both actively work to become carbon neutral – as does Advario, by the way. Building the necessary storage and logistics infrastructure to make this transition possible is complex, capital intensive and takes time. But based on our experience and capability we believe Advario can actively contribute to the energy transition, by supporting our customers and partners. Therefore, both Rotterdam and Antwerp play a significant role in our growth strategy.

Antwerp is the chemical heart of Europe and our two terminals in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges are deeply embedded in the petrochemical sector. At Advario Gas Terminal (AGT) and Advario Stolthaven Antwerp (ASA) we will have the opportunity to build the terminals of the future, focused on the products our clients and partners need.

In Rotterdam, we have mature concept plans available – these were also part of our winning bid – but naturally we can be flexible and further adapt to our customers’ needs. Many of our worldwide partners have a presence in the port, and the port is home to more than a few future-focused players we would love to work with.”

What do you have to offer to potential partners in Rotterdam?

“The site we have acquired is large and has excellent positioning. It has waterfront access and is located at the heart of the Botlek, close to the hydrogen and CO2 backbones. As Advario, we have the experience and engineering capability needed to develop this site into something special.

We have proven that we can safely build and operate complex storage infrastructure including large ammonia storage facilities. There are not many parties that can say that.

Furthermore, I also think we have additional differentiating qualities. Advario is a partner that shares opportunity and risk; we have the resources to invest in projects and the willingness and flexible approach to think alongside our customers and partners. That is how we add value across our global portfolio; and that is what we bring to the Port of Rotterdam.”

For more information visit www.advario.com

Leslie Duke has been named the new CEO of Burns & McDonnell, effective Jan. 1, 2024. In March, current Burns & McDonnell Chairman and CEO Ray Kowalik announced his retirement at the end of 2023, coming off a record-breaking year for the firm. Duke will be the eighth CEO in the firm’s 125-year history.

Currently, Duke is the regional President and General Manager in Houston, Texas. Over the past two decades, she helped expand the firm’s customer base from one local Houston client when she joined the firm to more than 650 local, regional and national clients in the industrial, refining, chemical, manufacturing and power utility markets. During her tenure, the business has delivered over $5 billion in engineering, procurement, construction, environmental and consulting services from the region.

“Leslie’s strong track record of success and an extraordinary vision for the future makes her the right person to lead the firm forward,” Kowalik says. “Leslie is poised to lead our organisation into a new era of technology, innovation and growth, and I’m confident she will continue to build on our ownership legacy of caring for our clients, communities and one another.”

Duke grew up in El Paso and joined Burns & McDonnell in 1999 as a structural engineer. She has served in multiple leadership roles, including opening and growing several new offices. She became a senior vice president in 2014 and was named the company’s first female president in 2016.

She played an integral role in launching the firm’s engineer-procure-construct (EPC) delivery method in the south-central region, and her efforts have led to the development and successful execution of many projects and programs. Under her leadership, Burns & McDonnell has been recognised by numerous industry and community organisations.

“I built my career on my ability to create and drive strategies aligned with the needs of clients, markets and our employee-owners,” Duke says. “I’m truly honoured and humbled to take on this new role. Burns & McDonnell has always been a trailblazer in the industry, and I am excited to contribute my experience to help us further our collective success.”

In 2016, Duke was named a Who’s Who honouree in energy by the Houston Business Journal. She is a member of the executive board of directors for the Greater Houston Partnership, serving as chair of the infrastructure committee from 2018-2022, and is a board member of the United Way of Greater Houston, which recognised her as a Top Female Leader in 2016.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in civil/structural engineering from Texas Tech University, where she was inducted as a Distinguished Engineer in 2018. She is an emeritus member of the Dean’s Council for the university’s School of Engineering. Duke is a registered professional engineer (PE) in Texas.

For more information visit www.burnsmcd.com

Venture Global LNG announced the successful raising of the roof of the second LNG storage tank at the Plaquemines LNG export facility in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. This major project milestone was completed ahead of schedule and comes just seven weeks after the roof raising for tank one.

“Today represents another major milestone in the construction of Plaquemines LNG, with both roofs now raised for the tanks serving Phase One,” said Mike Sabel, CEO of Venture Global LNG. “With Phase One deep into construction and our recent FID and full notice to proceed on Phase Two, Plaquemines is well positioned to be the next new major LNG capacity to reach the global market.”

This is the second tank of four in total for Plaquemines LNG. When operational it will be capable of storing 200,000 m3 of LNG. The roof weighs 900 tonnes and is 294 feet in diameter. Air raising allows for better and safer access as well as a faster construction schedule, as the roof can be erected concurrently with the shell. The tank dome was raised in 71 minutes using 0.3 psi of pressure underneath the roof. It was raised from ground level to top of the wall height of 130 feet. Eventually, the tank will have an inner tank made from 9 percent nickel alloy and outer wall and outer roof made from concrete to provide full containment of the LNG and provide the maximum level of resilience and safety.

For more information visit www.venturegloballng.com

Kinder Morgan, Inc. have announced the launch of a binding open season to solicit commitments to support a proposed expansion of a portion of its SFPP, L.P. pipeline system from El Paso, Texas to Tucson, Arizona. The open season began at 8 a.m. Central Time on, April 12, 2023, and it is scheduled to end at 5 p.m. Central Time on May 26, 2023.

The expansion is estimated to provide approximately 10,000-12,000 barrels per day (bpd) on a gasoline equivalent basis of incremental capacity available for the transportation of gasoline, jet and diesel products from El Paso, Texas to Tucson, Arizona. However, the total amount of the expansion capacity available is scalable and will be dependent on the overall level of interest SFPP receives during the open season. The open season process provides potential shippers the opportunity to obtain firm capacity on the expansion by making ship-or-pay volume commitments to SFPP during the binding open season time frame.

Additional documents and details related to the open season will be made available upon execution of a confidentiality agreement with SFPP. Those interested in obtaining more detailed information about this open season and a copy of the form confidentiality agreement should contact Doug Meyers, Director of Business Development in Kinder Morgan’s Products Pipelines group, at Doug_Meyers@kindermorgan.com or (713) 420-2856.

For more information visit www.kindermorgan.com

Rubis Terminal is now a member of Club CO2, the leading French association in the CCUS field. This association is a place for exchange, information sharing, and initiatives between stakeholders from the industrial and research worlds who are interested in the Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) value chain.

As a facilitator of the energy transition, Rubis Terminal strives to make the best use of our natural resources and to protect the environment in which they operate as far as possible. Their values “Committed to sustainability” and “Being Respectful” are at the heart of their operations and involve reducing their emissions, operating in a sustainable and safe manner, and mitigating their impact on the environment.

By joining Club CO2, Rubis Terminal has confirmed its commitment to shaping a sustainable future and its intention to promote and develop CCUS as a key solution for accelerating the fight against climate change.

Rubin Terminal also remain firmly motivated and committed to the goals of their Mid-Term Roadmap (2022-2030). https://lnkd.in/e5MCjZBX

For more information visit www.rubis-terminal.com

Representatives of governmental agencies in the US and Mexico are applauding a milestone in a groundbreaking initiative to benefit air quality on both sides of the border. They recently celebrated the installation of a new air monitoring station that will strengthen data collection to support respiratory health awareness and air quality projects in the Paso del Norte Air Basin, a region of almost 3 million residents that includes El Paso, Texas; Juárez, El Paso’s sister city across the border; and parts of Doña Ana County, New Mexico.

Strength in numbers

The new monitoring station in Juárez is the first product of the Binational Air Quality Monitoring Fund, which was established by the Joint Advisory Committee for the Improvement of Air Quality in the Paso del Norte Air Basin. The fund is an unprecedented financial mechanism that combines monetary contributions from private-sector and public-sector sources in the US and Mexico, including the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Marathon Petroleum, which operates a refinery in El Paso, made the first private-sector contribution to the fund. This $100,000 grant allowed for installing the new station.

“This station will help provide better air quality data to enhance health risk communications and the effectiveness of air quality improvement projects for the region,” said TCEQ Border Affairs Manager Eddie Moderow.

Meeting future needs

The new station adds to three existing, strategically located stations in Juárez, bolstering monitoring capabilities to better keep pace with the basin’s urban and industrial growth. There are now 22 stations in the monitoring system across the basin. The new station includes an ozone analyzer, equipment for measuring particulate matter and meteorological sensors.

“With hundreds of employees and contractors who live and work in El Paso, we are deeply connected to this area, so we have a vital interest in supporting this effort to advance public health and quality of life,” said Marathon ESG and Stakeholder Engagement Manager V.J. Smith.

For more information visit www.marathonpetroleum.com

The Global Syngas Technologies Council (“GSTC”), an international association made up of companies involved in all aspects of hydrogen and syngas use and production, announced the addition of three new members. Kiewit Corporation, Modular Plant Solutions (MPS) and Reliance Industries Limited have all joined the GSTC in the first quarter of 2023.

Kiewit is one of North America’s largest and most respected engineering and construction organisations. Modular Plant Solutions is a global engineering firm specialising in process modularisation and project implementation. Reliance Industries Limited is an Indian multinational conglomerate, headquartered in Mumbai. It has diverse businesses including energy, petrochemicals, natural gas, retail, telecommunications, mass media, and textiles.

These companies each play a key role in the production of syngas and hydrogen. Their diverse size and roles within the industry are a perfect example of the fulfilment of the mission of the GSTC to bring together the entire breadth of industry participants with the ultimate goal of creating new and innovative business development opportunities, and rich industry relationships.

For more information visit www.globalsyngas.org

With its third company acquisition in just over two years, marine pump specialist Svanehøj continues to expand its service solution business. This time by taking over California-based Complete Cryogenic Services, a specialist in service and overhaul of submerged pumps on LNG tankers.

The number of LNG tankers globally has grown by around 40 percent in the last five years, and 2022 was a record year with more than 200 new contracts signed. With this, an attractive service and after-sales market emerges, in which Svanehøj is determined to gain market share.

Therefore, the Danish marine pump and gas tank equipment specialist has acquired Complete Cryogenic Services (CCS) in Tustin, California, with more than 30 years of experience in the service and overhaul of submerged cargo, spray, and high-pressure pumps for cargo containment systems on LNG tankers.

– CCS is a well-known and recognised company that will strengthen our efforts to become the leading service provider of inspections, service, and calibration of cargo equipment in the LNG segment. At the same time, the acquisition is an investment in knowledge and know-how that will help us develop new products and services for the energy transition of shipping, says Søren Kringelholt Nielsen, CEO of Svanehøj.

Local service engineers worldwide

In recent years, Svanehøj has invested significantly in its service solution business through acquisitions of FORCE Technology Marine Equipment Service (2020) and Wärtsilä Tank Control Systems (2022), as well as the establishment of a 1,600 sqm service and repair shop in Singapore (2021). With the acquisition of CCS, Svanehøj Service Solutions is now located on three continents with just under 100 employees, almost a tenfold increase in four years.

– We have invested significantly in our service business to be close to customers with local service engineers worldwide. Today, Svanehøj can offer integrated solutions with service on safety valves, gauging and instrumentation systems, and submersible cargo, spray, and high-pressure pumps – all carried out by one service provider to make the entire service scope easier and more financially viable, says director of service and after-sales at Svanehøj, Morten Christian Larsen.

With the acquisition of CCS, Svanehøj will also be able to re-engineer critical spare parts for all pump types. Morten Christian Larsen points out that it is essential to Svanehøj’s strategy of supplying high-quality spare parts for other brands’ equipment.

Ensuring a future succession

CCS becomes an independent part of Svanehøj Service Solutions and will be named “Svanehøj CCS – Complete Cryogenic Services”. The company’s nine employees will continue to work in their current roles with Henry Smith IV as director. He sees obvious synergies in bringing decades of experience with submerged LNG pumps into Svanehøj’s growing service business.

– For us, the change of ownership is an opportunity to ensure a future succession and scale our business globally. We have come to know Svanehøj as a company with solid values and a clear vision to help overcome the barriers in the energy transition of shipping. We are very much looking forward to being a part of that, says Henry Smith IV.

Following the acquisition of CCS, Svanehøj employs 320 people and has activities in Denmark, the UK, France, Singapore, China, Japan, and the USA.

For more information visit www.svanehoj.com

Howard Energy Partners have announced that Steve Mawer was appointed to HEP’s Board of Directors effective April 4, 2023.

“We are pleased to welcome Steve to the HEP board and are confident that his industry background and board experience will be a helpful guide as our company continues to grow and evolve,” said Mike Howard, HEP Chairman and CEO. “Not only do Steve’s values align with ours, but he has also been on the leading edge of the energy evolution business and will bring vast environmental, financial, commodities and manufacturing leadership experience to our team.

Mawer currently serves as Chairman of the Board of ClimeCo Corporation, an environmental commodities development and management company. He is also the current Chairman of the Board and former Chief Executive Officer of Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P, a manufacturer of
specialty products for customers in various consumer-facing and industrial markets as well as being a producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel through its subsidiary Montana Renewables, LLC. Additionally, Mawer serves on the Board of Directors for Zenith Energy, a bulk liquid storage company focused on safer and more sustainable liquid storage solutions. He previously spent almost 15 years as a senior member of the Koch Industries management team, most recently as President of Supply and Trading. Prior to joining Koch, Mawer spent nine years in commodities trading, risk management and refining operations.

In late 2022, HEP announced that the company recapitalized its financial commitments with Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), one of Canada’s largest and most diversified institutional investment managers. HEP plans to continue its pursuit of critical midstream infrastructure
as well as low-carbon intensity projects like hydrogen production facilities, renewable diesel logistics facilities, and carbon capture and sequestration projects at key locations along the Gulf Coast.

For more information visit www.howardenergypartners.com

Industry reports have highlighted productivity issues within the maritime and tank storage industry, with New Zealand and Australia struggling to keep up with global benchmarks. In an effort to solve these issues and help the market embrace digital technology, and equip field workers with the best-performing tools, Platform8 and Smartflow joined forces.

Smartflow joins forces with Platform8, a solution focused on enabling the future of sustainable supply chains. Platform8 enables the co-creation of digital communities for safe, secure, cost-effective, and simple data sharing. The digital platform connects all supply chain points, allowing enterprises to operate at their most optimised performance.

The scope of this collaboration is to streamline maritime and tank storage processes, solve collaboration issues, enhance safety, and ensure productivity by equipping industries with the right digital tools.

BRINGING THE SMARTFLOW DIGITAL ISGOTT SOLUTION TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Smartflow has successfully deployed the Digital ISGOTT Solution at terminals in Europe, the USA, and Asia. The latest enhancements and developments added to the solution have strengthened its power, making it a powerful tool for tank storage and tankers operators.

By partnering with Platform8, Smartflow is set to revolutionize these sectors, and the expansion to Australia and New Zeeland is proof of value.

One of the major problems facing these sectors is the lack of effective communication and collaboration between the tanker team and the terminal, which can lead to inefficiencies, errors, and safety risks. According to industry reports, these inefficiencies can cost the sector $20 billion annually.

Smartflow’s Digital ISGOTT solution solves these problems by providing tanker and terminal operators with a comprehensive platform to collaborate effectively, streamline workflows, and enhance safety protocols. With all ship-shore checklists and questionnaires in one place, terminals, and tankers can quickly and easily access the information they need to ensure compliance with safety regulations while reducing manual processes, errors, and delays.

The digital ISGOTT solution is greatly improving collaboration between terminals and tankers, streamlines workflows, and enhances safety protocols. With all ISGOTT checklists and questionnaires in one place, terminals and tankers are able to quickly and easily access the information they need to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Overall, the solution is a game-changer for the industry, and we highly recommend it to any organisation looking to enhance their operations, says Roberto Brady GM Commercial Development at Platform8

PLATFORM8 AND SMARTFLOW. VALUE STATEMENT

Smartflow and Platform8 aim to provide a seamless and efficient exchange of information, enhancing the tank storage industry’s safety, productivity, and sustainability. With real-time monitoring and analytics, the two solutions optimise vessel loading and unloading, reduce waiting times, and minimise the risk of accidents and environmental incidents.

Smartflow and Platform8 enable collaboration and communication between ship and shore operators, ensuring smooth and timely operations. With these digital solutions, tank storage companies can improve their operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance their environmental and safety performance, ultimately delivering more excellent value to their customers and stakeholders.

For more information visit www.smartflowapps.com

Vopak provides an update on its LNG project portfolio. This update is in line with Vopak’s strategic priorities to improve its financial and sustainability performance, to grow its base in industrial and gas terminals, and to accelerate towards new energies and sustainable feedstocks.

Vopak to become shareholder in EemsEnergyTerminal

Gasunie and Vopak entered into a principle agreement whereby Vopak will acquire 50 percent of the shares in EemsEnergyTerminal B.V. This transaction will be subject to a number of conditions, including the approval from the competition authorities. The transaction is targeted to be completed latest by 1 October 2023.

The EemsEnergyTerminal is an LNG import terminal located in the Eemshaven in the Netherlands. Gasunie developed this new floating LNG terminal in the Eemshaven area in response to gas supply insecurities and a desire to reduce the dependency on Russian gas. The LNG terminal has been operational since 15 September 2022 and has a regas capacity of 8 billion cubic meters per year. The partners will explore to increase the capacity further. This agreement highlights the commitment of Gasunie and Vopak to jointly develop and operate open access LNG infrastructure in the Netherlands and contribute to the energy security of Europe. The partners are planning the further development of the Eemshaven site to facilitate the import of green hydrogen.

Ulco Vermeulen, Director Business Development at Gasunie: “I am pleased with the intention of Vopak to become a co-shareholder in EemsEnergyTerminal, as our long-term partner in enabling energy import and terminalling. By pooling our knowledge and experience we will offer a unique and reliable LNG import solution and we will be even better positioned and committed to the future development of green hydrogen import infrastructure.”

Walter Moone, President New Energies & LNG at Vopak: “We are excited to build upon our successful partnership with Gasunie. This fits very well with Vopak’s strategy to grow in LNG infrastructure and accelerate towards new energies. We are proud to develop and operate reliable and open access infrastructure as this plays an important role both in the security of energy, as well as in the energy transition.”

Gate terminal Rotterdam

Vopak and Gasunie are the founders and owners of Gate terminal in Rotterdam which has been operational since 2011. The terminal has a current regas capacity of 16 billion cubic meters per year. The Open Season gauging market interest for an additional 4 billion cubic meters per year of regas capacity has recently been closed, a fourth tank would be constructed for this additional capacity. Gate will continue to develop this project, including financing with the aim to reach a final investment decision by September 2023. Once all envisaged projects at Gate terminal have been completed, the terminal will have a regas capacity of 20 billion cubic meters per year.

Hong Kong LNG Terminal Project

Vopak has decided to no longer pursue the acquisition of 49.99 percent of the vessel owning company of MOL that owns a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). Vopak has been working with MOL for developing and commissioning the Hong Kong FSRU LNG terminal, and Vopak has contributed much to the establishment of a reliable system for the operation and maintenance of the terminal. Although the commercial start is expected later this year, the delay of the project has resulted in reduced attractiveness and made Vopak decide not to make use of the share right. Vopak will remain involved in the commissioning of the terminal and will continue to provide support to the operation of the terminal as required.

Financial framework

As previously announced during Vopak’s updates.

• Vopak aims to improve the performance of the portfolio and targets an operating cash return of above 12 percent by 2025.
• Vopak will grow its base in industrial and gas terminals by allocating EUR 1 billion to these activities by 2030.
• Vopak will accelerate its portfolio investments towards new energies and sustainable feedstocks by allocating EUR 1 billion in growth capital to these activities by 2030.

To reach these targets Vopak is having a disciplined approach to capital allocation. Vopak’s equity investments in EemsEnergyTerminal and Gate terminal are expected to be around EUR 100 million and will result in attractive operating cash return. There is no material financial impact for Vopak as a result of no longer pursuing the acquisition of 49.99 percent of the vessel owning company of MOL.

Vopak will host an analysts’ presentation with Vopak’s CFO, Michiel Gilsing via an on-demand audio webcast on Vopak’s corporate website, starting at 8:00 AM CEST on 11 April 2023.

For more information www.vopak.com

Harbour Energy and bp are pleased to announce that they have entered into an agreement to develop the Viking CCS transportation and storage project.

Under the terms of the agreement, Harbour continues as operator of Viking CCS with a 60 percent interest, with bp acquiring a 40 percent non-operated share, bringing together two of the most experienced operators in the North Sea. Located close to the heavily industrialised Humber region, Viking CCS has the potential to meet one third of the UK Government’s target to capture and store up to 30 million tonnes of CO2 a year by 2030.

The announcement follows the UK Government’s recent decision to launch Track 2 of its CCS cluster sequencing process, and its recognition that Viking CCS is one of two leading transport and storage system contenders for this process.

The delivery of the Viking project could be transformational for the region, potentially unlocking up to £7 billion of investment across the full CO2 capture, transport, and storage value chain over the next decade, creating over 10,000 jobs during construction, and providing an estimated £4 billion of gross value add (GVA) to the Humber and its surrounding areas.

Harbour and bp already share an interest in the Lincolnshire Offshore Gas Gathering System (LOGGS) pipeline which is intended to be repurposed as part of the project. This provides a unique, low-cost opportunity to connect customers to the depleted Viking gas fields, which recently had their 300 million tonnes of CO2 storage capacity independently verified.

Viking CCS also has access to a planned new CO2 shipping terminal at Associated British Ports’ Port of Immingham, with the potential for shipped CO2 from dispersed emitters elsewhere in the UK and internationally to be transported for permanent storage within the Viking fields.

Subject to the outcome of the Track 2 Cluster Sequencing Process, a final investment decision is expected in 2024. The project could be operational as early as 2027 and potentially storing up to 10 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030.

Linda Z Cook, CEO of Harbour Energy, commented:

“We welcome the UK government’s recent announcement about the launch of Track 2 and the addition of bp as a partner to this transformational project. Viking CCS has the potential to unlock billions of pounds of investment across the full CCS value chain and is crucial for the UK to meet its emissions reduction targets.”

Anja Dotzenrath, Executive Vice President of Gas and Low Carbon Energy bp, said:

“We’re extremely excited to be joining Viking CCS, a project which can play an instrumental role in helping to decarbonise the UK and providing CO2 transport and storage as a service to emitters across industry sectors and geographies, including as a future CO2 shipping destination.”

Louise Kingham, SVP Europe and Head of Country UK for bp, commented:

“Our entry into Viking CCS demonstrates bp’s commitment to Backing Britain through substantial investment and helping the country achieve its net zero goals. Viking CCS could help create thousands of new local jobs and enable supply chains that support growth of CCS in the UK.”

A recent report published by Harbour Energy which outlines the economic benefits of Viking CCS entitled ‘Viking CCS, transforming the Humber into a net zero SuperPlace’ can be viewed here.

For more information visit www.harbourenergy.com

OPW Engineered Systems is pleased to announce the launch and availability of its new Stop-Lok™ Multi-Application Coupler for use in connecting piping and hoses that are used in higher heat and pressure fluid-handling applications. This evolution of traditional union features a compact structure with increased functionality, with no tools required to complete the connection process.

“Union fittings have been used for decades as a quick, easy-to-assemble connection point between a pipe and hose, but our new Stop-Lok coupler offers advanced features that enable it to deliver even better efficiency,” said David Jacobson, Global Product Manager for OPW Engineered Systems. “The Stop-Lok’s dual protected seals helps ensure the highest level of leak protection while preventing damage from occurring to the hose or pipe during connection.”

The Stop-Lok is suitable for loading and unloading fluids in chemical, water, steam, hydrocarbon and heating-and-cooling applications with pressures up to 400 psi. Ease of use is found in the Stop-Lok’s scalloped connection sleeve that allows for a hand-tight, tool-free connection that cannot be over-tightened, which lets the user know that “When It Stops, It’s Locked.” The Stop-Lok’s smooth-bore coupler is constructed of 316 stainless steel and is available in 3/4, 1, 1-1/2, 2 and 3-inch sizes, all of which have no variation in pipe diameter, which enables it to generate consistent non-restrictive flow rates.

The introduction of the Stop-Lok adds to OPW’s family of quick disconnects, which are built for use in difficult and demanding fluid-handling applications. OPW Engineered Systems also offers a complete line of fluid-handling equipment, including loading arms, swivel joints, couplers, electronics and accessories.

For more information visit opw-es.com

On the occasion of the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Beijing, China and in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, GTT and PipeChina Engineering Technology Innovation Co. Ltd (PipeChina Innovation) have signed a cooperation agreement for the evaluation and further promotion of GTT’s GST® Membrane Full Containment tank technology for PipeChina upcoming LNG projects. Endorsed by PipeChina Group, the major state-owned energy company in China, this cooperation agreement was signed by Jianhua Qi, Chairman of PipeChina Innovation and Adnan Ezzarhouni, General Manager of GTT China.

PipeChina Group is currently operating seven LNG receiving terminals in China and three newbuilding LNG projects are under construction. As the largest operator of LNG infrastructure in China, PipeChina Group aims to further develop new projects by adopting next generation and greener technology.

Jianhua Qi, Chairman of PipeChina Innovation, declared: “We are very pleased to materialise the collaboration with GTT during this presidential visit. We are keen to conduct an in-depth evaluation of their state-of-the-art membrane technology for LNG onshore storage for further adoption on PipeChina LNG projects. We look forward to a greener and more sustainable LNG storage.”

Adnan Ezzarhouni, General Manager of GTT China, declared: “We are extremely pleased that PipeChina has placed its trust in GTT through this collaboration. Following the successful deliveries of onshore tanks for Huagang Gas peak shaving project in Hejian, as well as Phase I for Beijing Gas Tianjin Nangang project, we are confident that our collaboration with PipeChina Innovation will enable us to continue providing our state-of-the-art solutions to support PipeChina’s upcoming LNG terminal projects.”

For more information visit www.gtt.fr

On 6th April 2023, a starting signal for the construction of a multifunctional warehouse for the storage of agricultural products was festively given on the grounds of HES Bulk Terminal Amsterdam. Together with the CEO of Port of Amsterdam Koen Overtoom and Commercial Manager Jeffrey Touw of construction company Vrolijk, the CEO OF HES International Cees van Gent has performed the official act to start the construction of an ultramodern warehouse. It is expected that the warehouse will be operational as of July 2024.

With the construction of this new multifunctional warehouse, HES Bulk Terminal Amsterdam is taking an important step in its sustainability strategy. Where 250,000 tonnes of coal are currently still stored, a modern and flexible warehouse with a capacity of 145,000 cbm will be built. A doubling of the closed storage capacity and a serious reduction of available land currently used for the storage of coal.

The new warehouse consists of 12 compartments. This will make it possible to respond efficiently and flexibly to the market demand for high-quality covered storage of agricultural products destined for the feed industry. By choosing a design in which the handling activities also takes place inside, there will be much less influence from weather conditions. The new warehouse will also have a positive effect on the dust nuisance that can sometimes be experienced in the area.

Next to replacing the two old warehouses, the weighing tower will also be replaced by 2 new ones and Port of Amsterdam will make adjustments to the quay to make sure more quay metres will be added in the future – replacing coal going forward.

CEO of HES International Cees van Gent: “HES International has a strong ambition to diversify her activities by seizing opportunities in the raw materials and energy transition. The HES Bulk Terminal Amsterdam location is a good example of this. The acquisition of IGMA Amsterdam in 2021 and the construction of this new warehouse now fits seamlessly in the strategy aimed at strengthening the Agri & Minerals activities. But also developing new logistics services to support bulk production processes at the terminal. With the construction of this warehouse HES Bulk Terminal Amsterdam further strengthens her position as a leading dry bulk terminal in the port of Amsterdam.”

CEO of Port of Amsterdam Koen Overtoom: ”With the construction of this warehouse for agricultural products, HES is giving further substance to the previously initiated transition. With this, HES is taking an important step towards a future-proof multipurpose terminal. We congratulate HES on this step, which is good for them as a company and for us as a port.”

For more information visit www.hesinternational.eu

Stolt Tankers and Graphite Innovations & Technology (GIT) have signed a two-year agreement to apply GIT’s XGIT-PROP graphene-based marine coating to the propellers of 25 Stolt Tankers ships during 2023.

XGIT-PROP is an eco-friendly product that reduces marine growth and improves propulsion efficiency while ensuring no harmful toxins or biocides are released into the ocean. This extensive application supports Stolt Tankers’ decarbonisation ambitions and reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainability.

Stolt Tankers is pleased to be the first chemical tanker company to apply GIT’s XGIT-PROP to its fleet and to bring the beneficial capabilities of graphene coatings to actual applications in the maritime industry.

Jose Gonzalez Celis, Energy and Conservation Manager at Stolt Tankers, said: “This collaboration represents our continued focus on decarbonisation. We have several sustainability ambitions and see GIT’s propeller coatings as a simple way to maximise fuel savings and minimise emissions. The shipping industry needs innovators like GIT to help drive change and make a significant positive impact on our oceans. Our agreement with GIT will mean we can protect our oceans without compromising operational efficiency. This is an exciting move forward for our company.”

In April 2022, Stolt Tankers completed a trial of the GIT graphene propeller coating on the Stolt Acer. The company noted a significant reduction in fuel consumption and subsequently applied the coating to five additional ships. It is expected the coating will reduce biofouling impact and noise emissions (that can have a negative impact on marine wildlife) from the company’s ships, helping to lower the impact to life below water while improving fuel efficiency.

Mo AlGermozi, Co-founder and CEO at GIT, said: “I can’t say enough about the Stolt Tankers team and their desire to achieve their ambitious sustainability goals. Our XGIT-PROP puts this desire into action. They were able to measure significant improvement in fuel efficiency while ensuring they help maintain healthy and vibrant oceans. GIT is honoured to partner with Stolt Tankers in supporting their green shipping activities in our oceans.”

GIT’s XGIT-PROP is a graphene-based propeller coating that is designed to release the growth of fouling on ship propellers and reduce the frequency of propeller ‘polishings’ or cleanings after two to three coats. It also maintains the propulsive efficiency of the propeller and reduces damage due to cavitation, thereby lowering noise emissions.

For more information visit www.stolt-nielsen.com

Advario Projects B.V. has signed a sales and purchase agreement with Aluminium & Chemie B.V. (Aluchemie). The agreement sees Advario acquire Aluchemie’s land lease. Establishing a presence in the Port of Rotterdam, at the heart of the Botlek area, Advario looks to develop the storage terminal for the energy products of the future, together with its partners.

“We are very pleased to have secured this strategic location in the Port of Rotterdam,” says Bas Verkooijen, Advario CEO. “This is another important step in the delivery of our long-term strategy to play a frontrunner role in supporting the energy transition. The site’s strategic location, ample size, and waterfront access offer us an excellent opportunity to enter one of the leading energy and chemical hubs in Europe. Advario looks to develop a new and future-focused storage terminal in close cooperation with our customers, industrial partners, and the Port of Rotterdam.”

Allard Castelein, CEO Port of Rotterdam: “As Advario plans to turn this large site at the heart of the port into a state-of-the-art storage facility for the energy, fuels, and chemicals of the future, we are pleased with Advario’s acquisition of the site. We expect that Advario’s activities will facilitate the transition of the Rotterdam port and industrial complex to become net zero by 2050. The Port of Rotterdam therefore looks forward to working together with Advario.”

A partner for progress

Advario is a leading globally operating energy storage company, with a track record as a safe and reliable operator. The company has over fifty years of experience building and operating complex storage infrastructure, and extensive experience with storage facilities for ammonia and future fuels.

Sustainability is embedded in every aspect of Advario’s business. As a partner for progress, the company actively works to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations. Advario aspires to be Net Zero by 2040, and invests in chemicals, gases, future fuels, and new energy products such as ammonia and hydrogen.

The new site in Rotterdam provides Advario with the opportunity to develop, build, innovate and operate the storage infrastructure its customers and partners need to successfully transition to cleaner energy. The 26-hectare Aluchemie site is located at the center of the Botlek, providing proximity to the existing hydrogen and carbon dioxide pipeline networks. Its waterfront on the 3rd Petroleumhaven gives quick access to Rotterdam’s main waterways. And lastly: the site is close to the operations of existing, valued partners Advario works with globally.

Aluchemie will prepare the site for handover by demolishing all structures above and underground, and by remediating the soil. The target date for completion is 31 December 2025, after which Advario can start construction at the site.

For more information visit www.advario.com

Linde have announced that it has signed a long-term agreement with ExxonMobil for the off-take of carbon dioxide associated with Linde’s new clean hydrogen production in Beaumont, Texas.

Linde previously announced that it will build, own and operate an on-site complex to supply clean hydrogen and nitrogen to OCI Global’s new world-scale blue ammonia plant. Linde’s new facility is expected to start up in 2025 and will be integrated into Linde’s extensive US Gulf Coast industrial gas infrastructure. It will also supply clean hydrogen to other new and existing off-takers across the network.

Under the terms of the agreement, ExxonMobil will transport and permanently store up to 2.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year from Linde’s hydrogen production facility, equivalent to the emissions from nearly half a million cars per year.

“Clean hydrogen is a key enabler of industry’s transition to a low-carbon economy,” said Dan Yankowski, Senior Vice President Americas, Linde. “Working with ExxonMobil as the carbon dioxide off-taker at our Beaumont project supports Linde’s strategy to decarbonize customer processes while safely and reliably supplying low-carbon hydrogen at scale.”

“ExxonMobil’s agreement with Linde underscores our growing momentum in providing industrial customers with large-scale solutions to sequester carbon dioxide emissions,” said Dan Ammann, President of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions. “Linde’s Beaumont clean hydrogen project is another significant step towards achieving heavy industry’s decarbonization and net zero goals.”

As one of the world’s leading industrial gases and engineering companies, Linde is playing a key role in the clean energy transition. The company is actively supporting its customers to decarbonize their operations with the latest technologies for clean hydrogen and carbon capture, and by leveraging its world-class engineering organization, its existing hydrogen infrastructure and operational expertise. Linde offers solutions across the entire clean hydrogen value chain and is implementing projects across a range of applications and industries, with more in the pipeline.

For more information visit www.linde.com

Equinor, on behalf of several licences, has awarded contracts for the use of Transocean Encourage, mainly in the Norwegian Sea, and Transocean Enabler, for the Johan Castberg field. At the same time, the companies have signed a strategic collaboration agreement.

The rigs have been on eight-year contracts with Equinor that expire on 1 December 2023 and 1 April 2024, respectively. This will be the first contract extension since the rigs were built, as so-called Cat D rigs, specialised for Norwegian conditions.

The drilling programme in the Norwegian Sea consists of nine wells to be drilled on the Tyrihans, Verdande, Andvare and Vigdis fields located in the Tampen area of the North Sea.

Verdande and Andvare will be tied in to the Norne field. The drilling programme also include exploration wells, and may be further extended, adding six wells. The estimated total value of the nine wells is about USD 191 million, and the drilling campaign is expected to start on 1 December.

On the Johan Castberg field, Transocean Enabler will have a fixed drilling programme of 19 wells and options on another eight wells. The total contract value is estimated at USD 415 million, the fixed part accounting for USD 295 million. The new contract will come into effect between 1 April and 1 July 2024.

“We are pleased to sign a strategic collaboration agreement with Transocean, which is one of our largest rig suppliers. This reflects our perception of Transocean as a major contributor to our capability to realise our offshore ambitions also in the years ahead. We have been working closely for many years, and are now further expanding this cooperation by reserving one rig for the drilling of both production and exploration wells in the Norwegian Sea, and one rig for the development of the Johan Castberg field,” says Mette H. Ottøy, Equinor’s Chief Procurement Officer.

The strategic collaboration agreement will drive improvements in technology and innovation related to safety, efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are now securing hot rigs, which we, together with Transocean, have already invested in upgrading, thus improving safety, reducing emissions and increasing efficiency. Operating for us for the past eight years, we already know the rigs well. We therefore have a lot of experience to build on, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration delivering safe and efficient wells,” says Erik G. Kirkemo, senior vice president for drilling & well.

The estimated contract values include drilling services such as casing running, wastewater treatment, cuttings management and two remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The agreement with Transocean Enabler also includes wired drill pipe services.

Transocean Encourage and Transocean Enabler are 6th generation fully winterised, harsh environment semisubmersible rigs with automated drilling control specially designed for operations on the Norwegian continental shelf. In addition to these two rigs, Transocean Spitsbergen also has a contract with Equinor for the next few years.

For more information visit www.equinor.com

Edinburgh based H2 Green has secured a £500,000 grant from the UK Government’s Net Zero Hydrogen Fund to support the development of a green hydrogen hub in Inverness.

H2 Green, a wholly owned subsidiary of Getech, will construct a green hydrogen production, storage and fuelling facility to decarbonise transport in the Highlands after signing an MOU with the Highland Council last year.

The grant will support development expenditure for the front-end engineering design (FEED) and post-FEED studies for the production facilities, to be located in Inverness. The hub, which is targeting first production in 2025, will be powered by an array of wind and solar PV devices backed by grid-connected renewable energy supply. It will scale from 6MW to 24 MW over time, with the capacity at peak to generate up to 10 tonnes of green hydrogen per day, enough to fuel 400 HGVs.

Luke Johnson, managing director of H2 Green said: “The grant is a significant milestone in our plans to support the Highlands to cut transport emissions using clean, green hydrogen. Transport represents around 30 percent of the UK’s emissions and our project supports the Government’s ambition to deliver 10GW hydrogen production by 2030, with 5GW of that coming directly from green hydrogen. We are thrilled to have been selected in this highly competitive grant process.”

Dr Graham Cooley, H2 Green Chairman, added: “This grant award is a fantastic step by the UK Government to accelerate H2 Green’s progress in Inverness and in its network of sites across the Scottish Highlands. It is testimony to the hard work of the H2 Green team who have created a bold, exciting and practical project to decarbonise transport and industry in and around Inverness and deliver economic impact across the region.

Chair of Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “The Highland Council identified early on that the development of green hydrogen infrastructure will play an important role in the region’s progress as a major producer of renewable energy and in delivering our part in meeting national ambitions for net zero.

“H2 Green’s vison for a regional approach in the development of hydrogen infrastructure is an extremely exciting opportunity for the region and fundamental in establishing the area as a leader in the production of a key energy source that will accelerate our transition to clean energy.”

A fuelling station will provide green hydrogen directly to rail, bus and HGV customers, supporting their decarbonisation and net zero strategies. The network will have the capability to distribute surplus hydrogen from the Inverness hub to a wider Highlands area.

For more information visit www.getech.com

Impala Terminals Group has officially opened its first Australian energy import, storage and distribution terminal. The new facility at Kwinana Bay was inaugurated today in the presence of Her Worship Carol Adams, Mayor of Kwinana, Hon Klara Andric, Michael Parker, CEO of the Fremantle Port Authority, and Kevin Nichols, Chairman of Impala Terminals Group.

Strategically located next to the Kwinana Bulk Jetty, Impala Terminals Kwinana will bring fuel distributors alternatives to serve Perth and the surrounding region, creating a more resilient energy market and greater supply security to the people of Western Australia. With a growing demand for energy in the B2B market, the terminal will expand the region’s import, storage and distribution capacity with this new, state of the art facility.

The new terminal, which has been in operation since last October, has a storage capacity of 225 million litres/1.4 million barrels, with 11 bulk tanks, four day tanks and a butane tank. The facility includes a diesel express lane which significantly reduces loading time for delivery vehicles, and is equipped with the latest equipment and automation systems. The terminal is currently handling diesel and gasoline, as well as butane for blending, and is supported by a strategic anchor customer.

“We are very excited to be here, not only as an asset owner and operator, but also as a company committed to further investing into Western Australia infrastructure. We have been impressed by the support and collaboration with the local government, the Fremantle Port Authority and other key stakeholders and look forward to building on these relationships.

The terminal offers the latest infrastructure and technology and will help our customers better serve their customers by optimising their operations. Safety is our top priority, and we want to make sure that all of our employees, contractors and partners go home safe each day,” commented Sjoerd Bazen, CEO of Impala Terminals Energy Infrastructure, who attended today’s inauguration.

The terminal cost more than AUD 150 million to construct, signifying the Group’s long-term commitment to Western Australia. The investment has created eight full-time jobs and additional work for around 50 local contractors during the construction phase. More than 250 truck drivers have already received induction training aligned to Impala Terminals’ stringent global safety standards.

For more information visit www.impalaterminals.com

Buckeye Partners has sold its Bronx gas storage site at 1020 and 1040 East 149th Street for $73.5 million.

An entity that shares an address with energy supplier Sprague Energy bought the three buildings, used to store petroleum products before they are shipped to gas stations and other businesses.

Buckeye scored a pretty penny for the site, having purchased it for just $10 million in 2013 from energy firm Hess.

The Bronx site, on the East River waterfront, is one of a handful of properties Buckeye Partners own in New York. Other assets include fuel pipelines to LaGuardia Airport and JFK Airport and more than 18 million barrels of petroleum storage space around New York Harbour, according to the Buckeye website.