As the energy transition heats up, many oil and gas companies have begun to recognize the writing on the wall and commit to net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner, according to GlobalData. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is seen as a path for oil and gas companies to reach those targets while generating additional revenue, and to some degree as a necessary component of global decarbonization as well, observes the leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Strategies in Oil and Gas Industry’, reveals that existing CCUS capacity is concentrated at natural gas processing plants due to the use of captured CO₂ in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) activities within the upstream segment of oil and gas. By 2030, all the largest CCUS sectors shown are expected to grow, but none faster than the power sector, which will become the largest user of CCUS capacity. Several oil & gas majors are already collaborating on CCUS projects in the power sector, demonstrating that these companies are beginning to diversify their revenue streams.

Miles Weinstein, Energy Transition Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Many oil and gas companies developed CCUS knowhow by way of EOR projects simply to boost production, long before they were considering cutting emissions. Today, that knowledge has new value, as oil and gas companies have begun selling their CCUS knowledge in the form of technical advisory services or in developing their own emission reduction projects. Additionally, there is evidence that CCUS projects could generate large amounts of revenue through the growing carbon offset market. For example, Occidental Petroleum believes it could bring in more than $1.5 billion, more than its chemicals business makes today.”

Some of the most active companies GlobalData has identified in the CCUS sector are ExxonMobil, INEOS, TotalEnergies, Occidental Petroleum, Equinor, Shell, and Chevron. Some of these companies, like Exxon, have actively used CCUS technologies for EOR for several decades. Many likely see CCUS as a route to maintain oil and gas production while reducing emissions. While specific strategies vary by company, certain themes emerge. For example, a number of the aforementioned companies support carbon pricing as part of a stable regulatory regime surrounding decarbonization, and already set an internal, company-wide price on carbon for investment and planning purposes. By any measure, CCUS capacity will have to ramp up quickly before 2050 in order to see an impact on emissions reduction.

Weinstein explains: “While CCUS capacity is growing, existing capacity accounts for just 0.15% of total energy-related carbon emissions. According to new planned and announced capacity, this would increase to just 0.8% by 2030. CCUS remains an expensive technology to build or retrofit onto existing facilities, and widespread commercialization will require continued cost reductions. Fortunately, recent R&D efforts have been successful at improving capture technologies at low cost.”

Many large CCUS projects are found at industrial hubs and ports, where carbon can be captured from multiple facilities and fed into a shared transportation network for storage or utilization, leading to lower infrastructure costs. This collaborative approach leads to new partnerships between oil and gas companies, as well as companies in other sectors such as chemicals, power, or heavy industry, all working on the same project.

Weinstein adds: “The burgeoning CCUS sector serves as an example of how the oil and gas sector is beginning to be disrupted from the traditional model, despite serving as one of the least disruptive methods of emissions reduction because it maintains existing revenue streams and infrastructure. Thus, oil and gas companies have a vested interest in the commercialization and widespread use of this technology, as it serves as a bulwark to bigger changes.”

Comments provided by Miles Weinstein, Energy Transition Analyst at GlobalData

Information taken from the GlobalData report: CCUS Strategies in Oil and Gas

About GlobalData

4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors. PR15500

One of the UK’s leading strategic manufacturing outsourcing specialists has signed a major new deal to support the development of the world’s most productive EDM drilling machine.

PP Control & Automation, which employs over 230 people at its state-of-the-art facility in the West Midlands, will assemble the EDM generator module that forms the heartbeat of Winbro Group Technologies’ new HSD-351 model.

A new production cell manned by eight PP C&A experts has been set-up to complete the build, with work on the first 25 units set to begin shortly for use in drilling holes in complex aero and industrial gas turbine blades and nozzle guide vanes.

It is a mutually beneficial relationship that has spanned a decade and ten different model variants, with the decision to outsource continuing to provide production ‘flex’, reduced assembly time and improved supply chain management for the Leicestershire-based firm.

Tony Hague, CEO of PP C&A, commented: “If you are going to write a book about strategic manufacturing outsourcing and how it can work, I’d like to think this relationship would be in the case study section.

“To work with a company that operates in such a demanding field for ten years is some achievement and we are delighted to be entering our ‘testimonial year’ with a new machine tool to help them build.”

He continued: “The HSD-351 is an EDM machine that packs so much power in so little space and we have been instrumental in helping produce the heartbeat of the model – the EDM generator module.”

Manufacturers are increasingly looking to deliver more productivity via metre squared of space on their shopfloor and this drove Winbro Group Technologies’ decision to develop and launch the HSD-351 system.

With a footprint of just 2.5m², this is the world’s most productive EDM drilling machine and boasts a capacity of almost 700 electrodes, across a range of diameters giving unprecedented lights-out machining capability.

It will more than meet a strategy of drilling the maximum number of right first-time parts within a square metre and is packed with the company’s usual technology and performance.

Gary Robinson, Vice President of Sourcing at Winbro Group Technologies, picked up the story: “The HSD-351 is proving that a small footprint can also be powerful, delivering more performance than our previous best-in-class model.

“At the heart of this capability is the EDM Generator module, which is assembled and built at PP Control & Automation to ensure we get the same repeatable quality in every unit.

“This machine really illustrates the strength of our relationship…it’s business critical. Together, we sat down and looked at the design for manufacture for the generator and, using the expertise of both firms, we were able to come up with an assembly process that is faster and more efficient.”

He continued: “It also has the benefit of being fully UL 508A approved for the American market, something we now take for granted after working with PP Control & Automation for so long.”

Engineers at PP C&A’s world class manufacturing and assembly plant are just getting started on the first of 25 units over the course of the next twelve months, with design for manufacturing contributing to an assembly time reduction.

In a world where supply chain disruption is rife, PP Control & Automation is also managing the full bill of materials for the generator and using its purchasing power to secure hard-to-reach electrical components.

Gary concluded: “Historically, we enjoyed the challenge of retaining every element of manufacture in-house, an approach that doesn’t always produce optimum results. Instead, we chose the path of focusing on our core competences and then looked to outsource the parts of assembly that other companies were well qualified to handle for us.

“This was possibly the best decision we ever made, and, in PP C&A, we now have a strategic partner that offers us world class quality and delivery performance, tied in with the ability to ramp up or decrease volumes depending on demand.”

For further information, please visit www.ppcanda.com or www.winbrogroup.com

US manufacturers Star Cutter Company and Garr Tool have jointly developed an innovative 5-axis CNC machine tool that completely automates the production of complex profile end mills – from blank to finished tool.

• Star Cutter and Garr Tool develop innovative multi-process CNC machine tool for complete end mill manufacturing

Star Cutter Company specialises in carbide and preform manufacturing, cutting tools and CNC machines for tool/cutter grinding and hob sharpening. Founded in Detroit back in 1927, the company nowadays operates six manufacturing facilities at strategic locations throughout Michigan. Its Elk Rapids Engineering division is responsible for the renowned Star brand of CNC tool and cutter grinders.

Star Cutter’s new NXT 5-axis tool and cutter grinding machine is based on NUM’s Flexium+ CNC platform.

Garr Tool is the USA’s leading manufacturer of high-performance solid carbide cutting tools. From humble beginnings with Fred Leppien in his garage in 1944, it now operates a state-of-the-art 200,000 square foot manufacturing facility in central Michigan with over 150 CNC grinders. Garr Tool specialises in solid carbide cutting tools, including end mills, drills, reamers and routers.

Garr Tool makes extensive use of CNC automation, including tool grinding machines from Ulmer Werkzeugschleiftechnik (UWS) and Star-Cutter. All of these machines are based on control technology supplied by the specialist CNC company NUM. Star Cutter, for example, has partnered with NUM for cooperative development of application-specific CNC hardware and software since 1998, and nowadays bases nearly all its machine tools on NUM’s open-architecture Flexium+ CNC platform.

According to John Leppien II, Vice President of Garr Tool, “We use NUM’s NUMROTO software for tool production and reconditioning on all of our Star and UWS machines. Our operators regard it as very flexible and user-friendly, and we find that it encourages interdepartmental knowledge sharing and also helps to reduce our training overheads.”

A few years back, Garr Tool began producing a series of large diameter tools for use on high torque machines employed in the aerospace industry; however, manufacturing the tools involved multiple machines and multiple processes. The company therefore embarked on a collaborative project with Star Cutter’s Elk Rapids Engineering team, to develop a multi-process machine capable of handling the entire production task. The result was a 2018 development of a Star CNC Tool grinder which included NUMROTO end mill software, cylindrical grind, along with linear motors and drives, with all 5 axes on a closed loop chiller/coolant system. This thermally stable machine allows Garr Tool to maintain .001” in diameter on the OD of these tools during lights out for 48 hour unattended runs.

All 5 axes on Star Cutter’s new NXT tool and cutter grinding machine are controlled by a NUM Flexium+ CNC system.

Star's latest machine, the NXT tool and cutter grinder, now also incorporates these same features that were introduced to Garr Tool. Based on NUM’s Flexium+ CNC system and NUMROTO software, this new 5-axis machine tool features linear motors instead of ball screws on the X, Y and Z axes, direct drive torque motors on the B and C rotary axes, and a liquid-cooled spindle motor. There is a choice of three different types of spindle motor, to best suit application needs; these include a very high speed unit capable of 24,000 rpm, and a very high power unit rated at 28 kW.

The NXT has an exceptionally small footprint (including the spindle/axis chiller) of just 2300 x 2032 mm (7’ 6’’ x 6’ 6”), and an installed height of only 2284 mm (7’ 5”). These dimensions mean that the machine can easily be accommodated on the shop floor, where space is often at a premium. The base of the machine is cast in Zanite® Plus polymer composite to ensure mechanical rigidity and thermal stability.

Despite its diminutive size, the NXT offers a substantial grind zone, with maximum X, Y and Z travels of 500 mm, 650 mm and 750 mm (19.7”, 25.6” and 29.5”) respectively. The machine can accommodate up to 381 mm (15”) end work and up to 254 mm (10”) diameter parts. Automated wheel changing and probing is standard with up to 203 mm (8”) diameter wheels, and the NXT can also run up to 254 mm (10”) diameter wheels with coolant manifolds and up to 305 mm (12”) diameter wheels without.

The ability to use large diameter grinding wheels for profiling applications or small, sub 25 mm (1”) diameter wheels for PCD pocket grinding on the same machine introduces a remarkable level of production flexibility.

Star Cutter’s new NXT tool and cutter grinder features a fully integrated Fanuc 200iD compact 6-axis short arm robot to facilitate fully automated processing of round and flat tool blanks; the standard gripper can handle from 5 mm to 32 mm blanks, with other options available. In-process measurement data is fed directly to the CNC system’s NUMROTO software, to provide adaptive real-time control of the entire grinding process.

Based on a modular architecture, the NXT is designed for ease of integration with other forms of industrial automation and handling robots. An extensive range of factory-build and retrofit options include a traveling W-axis and a 12,000 rpm wheel dresser.

Aaron Remsing, Jr.
 Sales Manager
 for Star Cutter’s 
Elk Rapids Engineering Division, points out: “We believe that the NXT is the smallest and most capable CNC tool and cutter grinder on the market. Even though it is an evolutionary design, its performance is nothing short of revolutionary.”

Zanite® Plus is a registered trademark of BaseTek, LLC. www.basetek.com

Motor Services Hugo Stamp and Governor Control Systems are rebranding as one entity named MSHS.  The unification marks the next milestone in the company’s successful history spanning nearly 40 years of engine sales and services, control systems, and engineered solutions for marine, industrial, energy, defense and government clients. 

Previously operating as separate entities, Governor Control Systems and Motor Services Hugo Stamp have been leaders in their respected fields and recognized worldwide for their technical expertise and turn-key solutions. Through the unification and rebranding, MSHS makes doing business easier and provides greater value achieved through operational efficiencies, process refinements and resource collaborations. 

“After years of cooperation and synergy between the two companies, the time has come to unite them under one brand,” said David A. Santamaria, CEO of the newly unified MSHS. “Many of our customers’ power generation and propulsion systems require service for their engines and auxiliary equipment, as well as their control systems. Now they will benefit from one trusted partner to support their systems, thus offering a streamlined, integrated approach to service and support.”

MSHS will maintain its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where Motor Services Hugo Stamp and Governor Control Systems have shared facilities for nearly 40 years. Two locations in Louisiana and one in the state of Washington will continue to serve customers under the unified MSHS brand. All four locations provide access to one of the largest, in-stock original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts inventories in the Northern Hemisphere.

“MSHS has a long history of engineering excellence which, coupled with our commitment to the highest levels of service, has enabled us to establish strong relationships with the world’s leading brands as an authorized channel partner and service center,” said Lea E. Kellogg, CFO for the new MSHS. “Unifying as MSHS further strengthens these partnerships, while making it easier for all customers to do business with us.”

The modern design of the new logo communicates MSHS’ customer commitment to “Keeping Business Moving Forward.”  A tribute to the impressive history of Motor Services Hugo Stamp and Governor Control Systems, the logo’s block shapes, and curve elements represent MSHS’ strength and approachability. The logo is complemented by green and blue, symbolizing land and water—the broad landscapes in which MSHS does business. 

“The logo invites viewers to see familiar elements of our history, such as an M for Motor Services or the subtle G outline for Governor Control,” said Randall J. Nunmaker, Director of Sales and Marketing at MSHS.  “But most importantly, the logo conveys our brand’s strength, commitment and the forward energy of our teams—the heroes and innovators who continue to serve our trusted partners and valued customers.”

About MSHS

From controls, actuation, safety and governor systems to new high-speed engine sales and high-, medium- and low-speed engine services and support, MSHS specializes in power generation and distribution solutions for all types of prime-movers (diesel, gas, and dual-fuel engines; hydro, gas, and steam turbines; as well as solar, battery, and other micro-grid solutions).  MSHS is the largest Woodward Channel Partner in the Americas and provides clients with unparalleled service and technical expertise from full-service workshops in the Gulf Coast, Pacific Northwest and South Florida. MSHS creates value by integrating engine services and engineered solutions with world-class brands. MSHS is a trusted partner for custom and turn-key solutions that reduce downtime, while improving operational efficiency.

Yale Europe Materials Handling will return to LogiMAT with a showcase of solutions and materials handling products embodying the ethos ‘Technology that moves’. Visitors to Stand D31 in Hall 9 of Stuttgart Messe can expect to see the latest edition to the Yale^® product range, the Series N.

Yale experts will be on hand to discuss how Yale products enhance the latest logistics innovations by combining technology and design to provide tailored solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.

“Yale has undergone an exciting business transformation, which we will demonstrate to visitors to LogiMAT 2022,” said Timo Antony, Area Business Director Central Europe at Yale. “We’re looking forward to meeting in-person with our customers, dealers and prospects to show how Yale solutions can keep their businesses moving and thriving.”

Forward thinking logistics
As part of a deepening partnership with one of the world’s top manufacturers of energy storage solutions, Yale will showcase a MR16 reach truck powered by a lithium-ion battery from Sunlight Group. Having previously used the company’s lead-acid batteries in its product range, Yale now offers Sunlight Group lithium-ion batteries as a power solution for its customers.

The MR16 Reach Truck can lift up to 10.5 metres and has a maximum load capacity of 1600kg. The robust heavy-duty mast design provides high residual capacities and stable load handling, which can enable faster put away and retrieval times.

Yale is proud to be revealing its new Series N ICE counterbalance truck for the very first time at a live trade show at LogiMAT. As well as being easily configured to match unique requirements, raising the bar for success in almost all applications and environments, the Series N offers shift-long operator comfort, excellent visibility and high fuel efficiency.

“There will be a lot of exciting announcements from Yale in the coming 12 months, and LogiMAT is set to kick-start a bright and prosperous chapter for our company, our dealers, and our customers old and new. LogiMAT 2022 is a great opportunity to see our ground-breaking new range, the Series N, as well as find out more about our power solutions and expanding partnership with Sunlight Group,” concluded Timo.

For more information on the extensive range of materials handling equipment from Yale go to www.yale.com.

Yale Europe Materials Handling
Yale Europe Materials Handling is a trading name of Hyster-Yale UK Limited, part of Hyster-Yale Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. (NYSE:HY).  Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. and its subsidiaries, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, employ approximately 8,100 people worldwide. 
 
YALE, the Lift Truck Icon, VERACITOR, the Yale ECO Logo, PEOPLE. PRODUCTS. PRODUCTIVITY, PREMIER, UNISOURCE, HI-VIS, CSS, MATERIALS HANDLING CENTRAL and MATERIAL HANDLING CENTRAL are trademarks, service marks or registered marks in the United States and certain other jurisdictions. The Lift Truck Icon and the Yale ECO Logo are also protected by copyright.

At the start of Q1 2022, global oil and gas industry contract activity was stifled due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, in the second half of the quarter a minor increase in the number of contracts was reported. Unfortunately, the industry was unable to maintain its position in terms of contract value compared to the previous quarter, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Pritam Kad, Oil & Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Contracts in the oil and gas industry could only float due to the sheer uncertainties surrounding it, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis, rising prices, and project cost escalation. However, Saudi Aramco was able to keep the momentum going with Zuluf oil field expansion contracts during the quarter.”

GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Q1 2022 Global Oil & Gas Industry Contracts Review’, reveals that the number of contracts saw a minor increase from 1,452 in Q4 2021 to 1,546 in Q1 2022. However, overall contract value decreased significantly from $61.16 billion in Q4 2021 to $36.93 billion in Q1 2022.

In terms of single scopes, operation and maintenance (O&M) represented 56% of the total contracts in Q4 2021, followed by procurement with 16%, and contracts with multiple scopes, such as construction, design and engineering, installation, procurement, and O&M accounted for 14%.

A notable contract during the quarter was Saudi Aramco’s award of multiple contracts for the expansion of the Zuluf oil field in Saudi Arabia, including EPC work to JGC Holdings ranging between $2 and $2.5 billion for two sets of oil and gas separation units, gas compression units, and onshore processing facilities such as crude oil processing units, as well as EPC for injection water pumps, water-oil separation units, thermal oil systems, electrical and non-electrical facilities;

Another notable contract would be those awarded to the National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) for construction work associated with the fourth and fifth Zuluf packages, where the fourth package CRPO 82 includes at least 12 oil-handling wellhead topsides, two oil tie-in platforms, and one electrical distribution platform, and the fifth package CRPO 83 includes up to 12 additional oil-handling wellhead topsides, two oil tie-in platforms, as well as infield pipelines and cables.

• Quotes provided by Pritam Kad, Oil & Gas Analyst at GlobalData
• Data taken from GlobalData’s Q1 2022 Global Oil & Gas Industry Contracts Review

About GlobalData

4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors. PR15640

Sulzer has to temporarily suspend the activities of its two legal entities in Poland due to sanctions levied by the Polish government. The Polish sanctions apply to Sulzer’s minority shareholder, Viktor Vekselberg, and have been expanded over Sulzer’s two Polish entities, even though Mr. Vekselberg has no control or ownership of any Sulzer entity and is deprived of all his economic rights at Sulzer. The company is not sanctioned in any other country or legal entity and is consequently able to continue to develop its business globally. The potential impact on sales, if the suspension were to last, is limited to CHF 21m, representing 0.6% of Sulzer's total sales in 2021.

It is Sulzer’s firm belief that the sanctions against its two entities in Poland are erroneous. Sulzer therefore continues to petition for urgent removal of its entities Sulzer Pumps Wastewater Poland and Sulzer Turbo Services Poland from the Polish sanctions list. Interactions with the Polish government are ongoing, with the support of representatives of the Swiss government administration.

Based on an OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) license granted in 2018, Sulzer is free to operate globally, independent of its sanctioned minority shareholder.

Sulzer has a total of 192 employees in Poland, all of whom are unfortunately affected by the Polish sanctions. We deeply regret this devastating situation, and the wide-ranging effects that the suspension is having on our employees and their families, as well as on the network of trusted customers, suppliers and partners that we have built up over many years of business in Poland.

Sulzer will continue to do everything in its power to petition for a removal from the sanctions list, while fully complying with the sanctions currently levied against the two entities. Sulzer Group continues to provide support to the families impacted by the local Polish sanctions.

Sulzer is a global leader in fluid engineering. We specialize in pumping, agitation, mixing, separation and purification technologies for fluids of all types. Our customers benefit from our commitment to innovation, performance and quality and from our responsive network of 180 world-class manufacturing facilities and service centers across the globe. Sulzer has been headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, since 1834. In 2021, our 13’800 employees delivered revenues of CHF 3.2 billion. Our shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: SUN). www.sulzer.com

As part of its commitment to identify, quantify and reduce methane emissions linked to its operations, TotalEnergies has launched a worldwide drone-based emissions detection and quantification campaign across all its upstream Oil & Gas operated sites. The campaign uses AUSEA technology developed by TotalEnergies, the French National Research Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and University of Reims Champagne Ardenne.

Since 2017, TotalEnergies has been working with its partners to develop greenhouse gas quantification technology known as AUSEA (for Airborne Ultralight Spectrometer For Environmental Applications). AUSEA consists of a miniature dual sensor mounted on a drone, capable of detecting methane and carbon dioxide emissions, while at the same time identifying their source.  Measurements can be taken at all types of industrial facility, whether onshore or offshore, using this technology. It supplements measurements taken using traditional techniques such as infrared cameras, ground sensors and satellite.

After being successfully tested at sites in Nigeria, Italy, the Republic of the Congo and the Netherlands, AUSEA technology is being rolled out this year at all upstream Oil & Gas sites operated by TotalEnergies. The campaign began in early March for African offshore sites, has now been launched in South America and will reach Europe this summer. The campaign is an important step towards achieving a reduction of 50% in methane emissions at Company operated sites by 2025 and of 80% by 2030 (targets in relation to 2020).

“TotalEnergies is committed to moving towards Zero Methane.  Considered to be currently the most accurate technology in the world to detect and measure methane emissions, AUSEA will help us to refine our emissions calculations, and to take stronger measures to reduce our emissions even further in order to achieve the targets we have set”, said Namita Shah, President, OneTech of TotalEnergies.

The AUSEA technology is also being further developed to move from a manual to an autonomous mode in order to increase the frequency of methane emission measurements. Its deployment will also be extended to the Company's other activities, particularly at its refineries.

Reducing methane emissions: a priority for TotalEnergies

The Company already halved its methane emissions at its operated sites between 2010 and 2020 by targeting all sources (reductions in flaring, venting, fugitive emissions, etc.) and introducing stricter design criteria for new facilities.

In line with the Glasgow agreements, the Company is setting new targets for its operated methane emissions for the current decade: reduction from 2020 levels of 50% by 2025 and 80% by 2030.  The Company has also undertaken to keep methane intensity below 0.1% across its operated gas facilities. 

The Company is also enhancing its reporting as part of OGMP 2.0, the second phase of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Oil & Gas Methane Partnership. OGMP 2.0 outlines a reporting framework that encompasses the entire gas value chain and non-operated scope, including a breakdown of emissions by source, information on inventory methodologies and the use of airborne measurement campaigns. In 2021, TotalEnergies was awarded Gold Standard status. The Company is also a signatory of the Methane Guiding Principles.  

About TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity.

Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, cleaner, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible.

Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.

FutureOn, the global energy software company, has signed a recurring annual software license agreement with Petoro. The agreement will provide FutureOn’s award-winning FieldTwin Design software for use on strategic field development projects across the Norwegian oil and gas sector on an ongoing basis.

FieldTwin Design – an innovative visualisation and collaboration platform – allows Petoro, a Norwegian state-owned limited company, to work more closely with operators in the early phase evaluation of projects. The software helps Petoro streamline and enhance complex subsea development concepts, which results in reduced risk at project decision points.            

FutureOn’s FieldTwin Design software allows operators to design, create and maintain a digital copy of physical field assets for maximised project value. By connecting disparate data and providing an accurate visual representation of offshore projects in a fully georeferenced environment, operators like Petoro can optimise field development projects design, equipment, field operations, and well production.

Although a relatively new FieldTwin user, Petoro has already capitalized on proven benefits from using FieldTwin Design. The software has proven itself as valuable support to project decisions only a few months after implementation, by improving the company's understanding of scope of work and technical challenges. Petoro quickly experienced closer and better collaboration with operators and partners utilizing digital subsea models.

Pål Roppen, CEO at FutureOn said:

“It is rewarding to receive such positive feedback and results regarding FieldTwin Design’s role in Petoro’s operations so early in our partnership. We are proud that our software is used to streamline operations and enhance productivity, and we look forward to working with Petoro to achieve efficient and data-rich findings.

“Last year, oil and gas production in Norway continued to increase, with this trend expected to continue over the coming years.^[1] We believe that collaboration between companies like FutureOn and Petoro will be crucial in managing energy production while also ensuring a comprehensive local supply chain for the energy transition.”

Britt Bjelland, Senior Technology Advisor at Petoro said:

“We envision FutureOn’s FieldTwin Design to enable optimised area development evaluations and infrastructure, while also reducing the CO2 footprint of projects. We believe the software that FutureOn has developed will assist the digital transformation of the oil and gas industry, reducing asset turnover and project execution time.

“We have already experienced the benefits of interactively sharing project models to various stakeholders, which made the entire process more efficient and collaborative. FutureOn’s software has proven to be valuable for early concept evaluations and in supporting concept decisions, and we look forward to continuing our working relationship with FutureOn.”

About FutureOn

Experts in data visualization, FutureOn emerged from Xvision in 2016 to become a standalone provider of state-of-the-art visual engineering for the global energy sector. The company transforms the performance of complex capital projects with cutting-edge visualization and collaboration technology enabling the energy industry transition to Net Zero.   

FutureOn is proud to offer its global customer base industry-leading software solutions to create digital twins that deliver a complete asset visualization and integrated data model that unlocks value through increased efficiency, improved safety, reduced costs, risk mitigation, lower emissions and increased uptime. 

The orders, worth around $12 million, are part of a major investment to upgrade the regional network in Stockholm.

Linxon has been awarded orders by Vattenfall Eldistribution to provide two turnkey substations, which will replace old equipment in Gullarängen and Nynäshamn. This modernization is part of Vattenfall's large-scale "Capacity Stockholm" program, a major investment with the aim of strengthening the electricity grid and upgrading the regional network around the capital of Sweden.

"We are proud to have been awarded these two projects by Vattenfall Eldistribution, one of our most highly valued customers in the Nordic region. These projects are a welcome addition to those that we are already working on in the Stockholm area: Skanstull, Värtan, Hall and Barkarby," says Ingela Hålling, Managing Director of Linxon Nordics.

"The award underlines our customer's confidence in our optimized solutions while providing positive synergies across our projects. It is also very satisfying to be able to contribute to a stable and modernized regional network in Sweden’s largest city," she adds.

Linxon's commitments for these two new orders include project management, design, construction and civil engineering, delivery and installation of equipment and, finally, commissioning of the facility. Linxon is building the infrastructure to power the world with carbon free energy. We strive to minimize the carbon impact of our business activities, by continually looking for supply options and methods of working which will significantly reduce carbon emissions – in design, procurement and construction.

As part of this, the existing 70 kilovolt (kV) air-insulated outdoor switchgear will be replaced by gas-insulated indoor switchgear and, at the same time, the voltage will be raised to 130 kV. In Gullarängen, the medium-voltage switchgear as well as a power transformer will also be replaced.

Furthermore, Linxon will construct two modern buildings for the substations. An upgrade like this increases both the operational and delivery reliability of the facilities. The project is expected to be completed in 2024.

Linxon commenced operations on September 1, 2018, undertaking turnkey electrical alternating current substation projects related to renewable and conventional power generation, power transmission and transportation solutions. Substations enable the efficient and reliable transmission and distribution of electricity. Within the substation, switchgear controls and protects the network from power outages and facilitates reliable electricity supply. 

About Linxon

We combine SNC-Lavalin’s project management expertise and  Hitachi Energy's industry-leading technological knowledge to create a company dedicated to substations. As one of the leading engineering companies, we help our customers with turnkey solutions in the field of substations for power transmission, renewable energy and transportation. As a single point of contact we combine the accumulated knowhow of key-suppliers and contractors so that customers benefit from efficient solutions, increased industrial productivity and a lower environmental impact. We work to shape energy solutions to empower sustainable connectivity. linxon.com