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Sulzer is forced to wind down its two entities in Poland following a decision on an interpretation of the Polish sanction regulations, which were recently unilaterally introduced by Poland. It is Sulzer’s firm belief that the sanctions against its two entities in Poland are erroneous. Sulzer will use all legal means to dispute the decision, but is nonetheless forced to wind down the entities with immediate effect.  Sulzer reiterates that it is not affected by any other sanctions and is free to develop its business globally.

2022 05 17 104600Sulzer’s urgent request for removal from the Polish sanctions list, based on an OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) license granted in 2018 clearly confirming that there is no control by Mr. Vekselberg over any Sulzer Group entities, including Sulzer Pumps Wastewater Poland and Sulzer Turbo Services Poland, was denied yesterday evening by the Polish Interior Ministry. The decision was based on an interpretation under Polish law of the sanction regulations that were unilaterally introduced by Poland.

Sulzer will use all legal means under national and international law to remove its entities from the sanctions list. However, due to the company’s inability to conduct its business as a result of the sanctions, Sulzer is forced to wind down its two Polish entities with immediate effect.

Sulzer has 192 employees in its two Polish entities, all of whom are affected by the closure, along with revenues of CHF 21.5 million that will be impacted, representing 0.6% of total sales in 2021.

Sulzer confirms that the company has not been sanctioned in any other country, and Sulzer is not affected by any other sanctions. The Polish interpretation of sanctions regulations against Mr. Vekselberg therefore runs contrary to all other existing sanctions regimes as recognized under international law.

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

Odfjell Technology, an offshore operations, well services technology and engineering solutions supplier, has been awarded a three–year contract with Petronas through their local agent Time Marine Services, to provide all required tools, chemicals and services for the company’s wellbore cleanup operations in east Malaysia.

The agreement, awarded by Petronas subsidiary Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd, follows Odfjell Technology’s successful delivery of similar services to other operators offshore Malaysia.

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Paul Toner, Vice President of MEAA Well Services at Odfjell Technology, said: “We are delighted with the confidence Petronas Malaysia has shown in us through this contract award. We are committed to delivering strong operational and QHSE performance while being commercially attractive, which underpins our strategy to be the number one provider of wellbore cleanup operations in Malaysia.”

Odfjell Technology offers the most robust range of wellbore tools on the market, covering the full spectrum of wellbore cleanup requirements. The company has over 15 years of experience in provision of wellbore cleanup services around the world, maintaining the highest level of efficiency, reliability, and safety. Its areas of core competence also cover on-demand design and engineering solutions to meet all types of specialised tooling requirements.

About Odfjell Technology

Odfjell Technology is a leading well services player with Norwegian heritage and a global outlook. An international well services provider offering everyday excellence and future focused technologies, the company’s advanced technological innovations, processes and people deliver wells safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

To find out more about Odfjell Technology’s full range of well services including its expertise and state-of-the-art wellbore cleanup product range, please visit https://www.odfjelltechnology.com/what-we-do/well-services/

The world understands that hydrogen is the next big thing in the field of energy. China, Europe, the U.S., and Israel have already invested in blue and green hydrogen-based solutions, with an understanding that hydrogen is a key factor in achieving net zero emission targets set for 2050. EthosEnergy promotes the use of hydrogen as a solution to the growing demand for sustainable energy on the road to a low-carbon economy.

In an era of the global energy crisis, hydrogen is no longer a passing trend, rather it is here to stay for the coming decades. Around the world, there is growing investment in the development of an effective process for producing blue and green hydrogen from renewable energies, which reduce the production costs and decrease emission of pollutants. We can see hydrogen-based solutions in development stages that are assimilated in many fields, including industry, electricity, technology and automotive.

2022 05 19 102024“There has been an increase in awareness regarding the energy crisis among governments and industrial and commercial institutions; and there is a willingness to search for available and reliable energy sources to reduce the use of fossil fuels. The leading solution is hydrogen energy,” says Fabrizio Fabbri – Executive Vice President of EthosEnergy – rotating equipment experts supporting the technological revolution taking place in the global energy industry. 

Hydrogen – An available, clean, and safe solution – however, it is still expensive

In contrast with solar or wind energy, which its production depends on hours of light and weather conditions, hydrogen is a common element that can be found anywhere in nature – in water, in fossil fuels and in plants. However, to produce it, the hydrogen atoms must be separated from the other elements.

The types of hydrogen are divided into colors: grey hydrogen constitutes 95% of the hydrogen currently produced in the world. It is produced using a steam methane reforming process of burning the organic material in the fuels and involves high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Brown hydrogen is produced from coal and presents the same pollution problem.

Blue hydrogen is produced by breaking down methane gas, and the gasification of carbon by exposing it to high temperatures and splitting the gas into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. During this process, a large amount of carbon dioxide is emitted, which must be captured and stored in the ground, so it doesn’t become released into the atmosphere and harm the environment.

At the top of the list is the ‘holy grail’, namely green hydrogen, which his considered the cleanest and most expensive of them all. It is produced from splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrical electrolysis, a process that has no by-products that pollute the environment. It is joined by pink hydrogen, produced in the identical method using electricity that comes from nuclear power stations.

“Hydrogen is about to drastically change the rules of the game,” claims Fabbri, “Hydrogen energy is versatile, it can be used as a gas or liquid, generate electricity, propel vehicles, heat homes in the winter, can be stored for a long period, and all this while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Another big advantage is that hydrogen is easy to store and to conduct. This is the energy of the future.”

The world hydrogen energy race

The global energy industry is expected to invest €750 billion in clean hydrogen by the year 2050. More and more governments, energy companies and industries are investing in the hydrogen revolution and in the integration of blue and green hydrogen in the production of hydrogen-driven vehicles and in establishing projects for hydrogen production. Some of the world’s most powerful countries, such as Japan, China and South Korea have announced a hydrogen-based road map. The European Union has announced a massive investment in the hydrogen industry in the coming years, where Germany and Italy are leading the process.

The U.S. Department of Energy has increased awareness about the hydrogen revolution. The younger generation of hi-tech executives, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and investors are assuming ethical and social responsibility and are considering ESG considerations regarding the environment, society, and government. “The global rules of the game are changing regarding energy,” says Fabbri, “However, a change of this magnitude requires time and resources, and is based on collaboration between commercial companies and government and academic institutions.”

The challenge involved in producing blue and green hydrogen is the high production costs and initial investment in infrastructure. This is where the relative advantage offered by EthosEnergy enters the picture. EthosEnergy solutions to the energy industry that enable them to combine hydrogen with natural gas and to use existing infrastructure. Equipment is modified, and it assimilates technologies that reduce the operation and maintenance costs, extending the equipment’s life cycle by hundreds of percentage points, while reducing the carbon footprint. Clients reap economic, environmental, and social benefits, and improve their ability to meet business targets.

Fabbri adds that “one of our EthosEnergy’s main projects for evaluating hydrogen technology is conducted in collaboration with the Politecnico di Torino, and most of the research and development of the technology is for converting 40 MW gas turbines in order to receive a hydrogen mixture and to reduce CO2 emissions.”

EthosEnergy turns on potential to deliver services and solutions globally for rotating equipment to make energy affordable, available, and sustainable. Tailoring solutions for the power, oil & gas, industrial and aerospace markets, so customers can achieve more.  

www.ethosenergy.com 

Metso Outotec is launching a modular Converter Hood System for horizontal converter vessels used in the smelting process. The new system, which is suitable for greenfield and brownfield installations, has an impressive SO2 (sulfur dioxide) gas capture capability of 99%, minimizing the environmental impact. The modular design enables quick on-site assembly, so the system is ready to use with minimum plant downtime.

“We are excited to launch the new Converter Hood System. Besides its excellent gas capture capability, the system design ensures a well-controlled ingress air flow that improves process gas quality. The primary converter hood’s advanced water-cooling system increases process reliability and improves safety in the converter aisle, while also reducing maintenance needs and prolonging equipment lifetime,” explains Jonny Eliasson, Director, Precious Metals at Metso Outotec.

Metso Outotec has extensive experience in the field of Converter Off-Gas plant design and construction, developed over several decades and enhanced by the company’s continued activities in the research and development of the process. 

Metso Outotec Converter HoodMetso Outotec Converter Hood

Benefits of the Metso Outotec Converter Hood System

  • Excellent SO2 gas capture for outstanding environmental performance
  • Improved safety in the converter aisle
  • Well-controlled ingress air flow for improved process gas quality
  • Prolonged equipment lifetime thanks to the design and advanced water-cooling system
  • Reliable operation with low maintenance needs
  • Easy on-site assembly and short installation time thanks to modular design
  • Backed by expert service and support


Metso Outotec experts are available to provide support during commissioning of the Converter Hood System and also offer comprehensive training for operators and management to ensure that the maximum benefits of the system are realized. Metso Outotec can also provide ongoing technical support and service as part of a service agreement.

More information about the Converter Hood System is available on our website.

Discover how the Converter Hood operates here.

Metso Outotec is a frontrunner in sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally. By improving our customers’ energy and water efficiency, increasing their productivity, and reducing environmental risks with our product and process expertise, we are the partner for positive change. Metso Outotec is committed to limiting global warming to 1.5°C with Science Based Targets.

Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Metso Outotec employs over 15,000 people in more than 50 countries and its sales for 2021 were about EUR 4.2 billion. The company is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. mogroup.com

The edgeConnector products from Softing's dataFEED family now include a REST API. This makes integration into configuration platforms even easier. In addition, a new licensing model offers more flexibility when deploying the individual products.

The new REST API in version 3.0 of Softing's edgeConnector products makes local or remote configuration much easier for users. The product family currently includes edgeConnector Siemens, edgeConnector 840D and edgeConnector Modbus. The software modules are based on Docker technology and provide state-of-the-art access to process data in SIMATIC S7, SINUMERIK 840D and Modbus TCP controllers. In the past, a separate login via the local configuration interface was necessary for each product. This is now done by the new edgeConfigurator, which allows all edgeConnectors to be accessed via the REST API. The edgeConfigurator is also based on Docker technology and is used in parallel with the edgeConnectors. The configurator can be deployed on-premise or additionally in the Microsoft Azure cloud, allowing REST API access from the cloud to the edgeConnectors' on-premise environment. Using the REST API, edgeConnectors can now be configured even more easily from a third-party application.

Integration into configuration platforms become easier with new REST API Integration into configuration platforms become easier with new REST API

The new license model of version 3.0 distinguishes between Basic (edgeConnector Modbus), Advanced (edgeConnector Modbus and edgeConnector Siemens) and Premium (all edgeConnector products). The licenses no longer refer to data points, instead they only account for the connected controllers. The user can choose between license options of 1, 5, 10 and 20 connections. This saves him the time-consuming calculations of the required data points. In addition, a 1-year software upgrade is included in the license agreement. With the Softing Floating License Server, the licenses can be flexibly used for the Docker applications currently operated by the user.

All edgeConnector products are ready for use very quickly thanks to container technology. They are operated on standard hardware and can be easily administered centrally. The integrated MQTT Publisher/ Subscriber functionality allows for flexible setup of Industrial IoT solutions (IIoT). They support state-of-the-art security standards such as SSL/TLS, X.509 certificates, authentication, and data encryption. This gives users an easy and secure way to integrate data from production into innovative and flexible IIoT solutions. The individual edgeConnector products can be downloaded from Docker Hub or the Microsoft Azure Marketplace and tested for free. More information is available on the Softing website.

At the Hannover Messe (May 30 to June 02nd, 2022) Softing will present the edgeConnector products at the OPC Foundation booth, hall 8 / booth F07.

Softing at Hannover Messe, May 30 to June 2nd, 2022:
• Partner Stand of OPC Foundation, hall 8 / booth F07,
• Partner Stand of PROFIBUS & PROFINET International, hall 9 / booth D68,
• Siemens Ecosystem Booth, hall 9 / booth D49, June 2nd, 9 am to 12 pm

 About Softing Industrial
Softing connects disparate automation components to feed data from the shop floor to the cloud for control and analytics. The company’s products enable the monitoring and diagnosis of communication networks and thus ensure a reliable data flow. In this way, they create the basis for the optimization of production processes. For more information, please visit https://industrial.softing.com

Research reveals urgent capital investment is essential to position region as a long-term  

global leader in offshore energy 

A new review on the future shape of the energy workforce in the North-East of Scotland by Robert Gordon University (RGU) reveals if the region attracts £17 billion of renewables investment and activities over the next eight years it will be established as a global energy hub, securing thousands of new jobs. 

This level of investment could secure 54,000 direct and indirect jobs in 2030, up from 45,000 today. However, the forecast scenarios also show reduced ambition could see up to 17,000 local jobs at risk, falling by up to 40% to 28,000 in eight years. 

RGU ETI logoThe RGU ‘Making the Switch’ review indicates that much of the £17 billion towards regional renewables activities needs to be front-loaded as capex funding within the next four years to establish new large-scale manufacturing and installation capacity. The required investment is in addition to ongoing oil and gas expenditure in the region and will need close coordination between governments and industry. 

The ‘Making the Switch’ report builds on RGU’s UK offshore energy workforce transferability review in 2021, which focused on UK wide forecasts. It shows different investment scenarios and the implications for the workforce. With the North-East of Scotland hosting the largest energy skills cluster in the UK, representing around 28% of the UK’s offshore energy workforce and home to unique specialist knowledge and experience, the region has a critical role to play to deliver and accelerate the energy transition. 

Professor Paul de Leeuw, Director of the Energy Transition Institute at Robert Gordon University, and the review’s lead author, commented:  

“This review is an urgent call to action and highlights the size of the prize to create an exciting new energy future that will sustain and potentially grow the industry in the North-East of Scotland. Building on a legacy of over 50 years in oil and gas, there is a unique opportunity to re-shape a new energy future here. This will require rapid, targeted investment in the North-East of Scotland to develop the project, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and operational infrastructure for the renewables sector. Sustaining the oil and gas sector’s skills and capabilities over the coming years will be critical in ensuring the region has the workforce ready to deliver on this ambition. 

“The energy transition will create exciting new opportunities and industry, governments and the education sector all have a key role to play. It will require a careful balancing act. The opportunity of getting this right has the potential to secure the region's economy as a global energy hub for decades to come. However, if we move too slowly, there won’t be a role for everyone, and it will risk a hard-hitting economic decline for the North-East of Scotland. This must be avoided at all costs.” 

Key findings from the review: 

  • The shape and focus of the regional offshore energy workforce will need to change between 2022 and 2030 – In 2021, 90% of roles in the regional offshore energy workforce were in oil and gas, with the remaining 10% supporting regional offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon transportation and storage activities. In the global energy hub scenario, by 2030 around three out of five of the offshore energy jobs in the region are forecast to support the renewables sector. 
  • Sustaining oil and gas jobs over the coming years will be key to ensuring access to people and skills for renewables energy activities from 2026 onwards – Recognising the lead time for consenting and approving new renewables activities and the time required to establish new manufacturing facilities, it is forecast that most of the new jobs in the region will be created post 2026. With close to one in three people in the region either working in or supporting the wider offshore energy industry (direct, indirect and induced jobs), sustaining the regional oil and gas workforce over the coming years will be critical to ensuring a managed, just and fair transition. 
  • Sustaining and developing the sector’s skills and capabilities will be critical in ensuring the region has the workforce to deliver the energy transition – Realising the ambition for the North-East of Scotland to become a global energy hub may require close to 14,000 people in the region to move from oil and gas to renewables roles between 2022 and 2030. With more than 90% of the North-East of Scotland’s existing oil and gas workforce having medium to high skills transferability, most people in the region are well positioned to make this switch. 
  • Energy transition training and skills development will need to be targeted to meet the different needs of the workforce – Over 80% of people (close to 37,500 in total) who are currently working in the sector are projected to still be employed in the industry in 2030. Cost effective and readily accessible training will be required for people moving between energy sectors or for those who are entering the sector from other roles, as well as common certification, standards and accreditation. 

‘Making the Switch’ states it is vital for the North-East of Scotland to retain its oil and gas workforce to provide ready-made skills to transition at the right time and support the required rapid green economy scale up.  

The review assumes a ‘goldilocks zone’, where workforce reductions in one sector are matched by increased activities in an adjacent sector. Although the research indicates that there will be medium to high levels of transferability across many of the jobs, around 10% (c. 4,500 people) are likely to have lower transferability and will be disproportionately impacted by the changes. 

The analysis by the Energy Transition Institute at RGU has been funded by the Scottish Government through the North-East Economic Recovery and Skills Fund (NEERSF). The findings and the regional assumptions are also aligned to the targets and ambitions set in the ScotWind licensing round and the UK Energy Security Strategy published in April 2022, with targets of 50 GW of installed offshore wind capacity, 10 GW of hydrogen generation and up to 30 million tonnes of annual carbon capture and storage for the UK by 2030.  

As part of the review, RGU developed a dynamic planning model that provides insight on future workforce requirements, workforce movement between adjacent energy sectors and how to ensure a managed, just and fair transition. The model can also provide real-time insights on the job and transferability impact of specific investment or policy decisions. There are plans to update this model on a regular basis. 

The Scottish Government’s Net Zero & Energy Secretary, Michael Matheson MSP said:

“Scotland’s energy sector is at the forefront of our transformation to becoming a net zero nation. It is a major employer and source of economic output, and our oil and gas infrastructure and highly skilled workforce have long been at the forefront of energy innovation - which is why it is well-placed to embrace the transformation that lies ahead. 

“This review demonstrates that, with the right investment, the North-East of Scotland could support 9,000 more offshore energy jobs by 2030 than it currently does, becoming a net zero global energy hub that supports existing oil and gas roles into the renewables and low carbon roles of the future.  We also stand ready with £80 million of investment in for the Scottish carbon capture and storage Cluster. The report only serves to demonstrate how important carbon capture and storage will be to future-proofing jobs in the North-East – which is why it is vital the UK Government reverses its decision not to award the Scottish Cluster definitive Track-1 status in its cluster sequencing programme. 

“The Scottish Government is committed to creating, supporting and monitoring green jobs through initiatives like our £500 million Just Transition Fund for the North-East and Moray, the Green Jobs Fund and Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan. We will continue to work with the sector to seize the economic and job opportunities offered by the offshore wind sector – helping to help Scotland secure a truly just transition to net zero, with no person or region left behind.”

Maggie McGinlay, CEO of ETZ Ltd said:

“The ‘Making the Switch’ review is a hugely welcome report outlining the pressing need for targeted investment and support to ensure the North-East of Scotland capitalises on the huge opportunities the energy transition provides.  

“ETZ Ltd has a clear ambition to reposition this region as a globally recognised, integrated energy hub focussed on the delivery of net zero targets. To do this at pace, as this report states, it is vital we harness the skills, infrastructure and financial capital of our world-class oil and gas industry as an integral part of this process. 

“The report is also a timely reminder on what is at stake and the critical role industry, governments, the region and the community have to play to ensure the North-East of Scotland remains a leading energy hub for generations to come.”   

About RGU – 

RGU is committed to supporting the Scottish Government’s ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2045. RGU Net Zero is the University’s framework to deliver its commitment through its operations, academic offer and its thriving innovation environment. The University has set targets for 60% of its course portfolio to incorporate a net zero narrative by 2023, rising to 100% by 2025.  

The University’s current energy-related course offering is evolving to complement and augment the climate emergency and net zero narrative. The University engages with industry in the development and delivery of programmes and those currently under development for the wider energy sector have all been informed by industry, building on the research the University is doing in this area. 

Course development is constantly under review and there are various funded programmes, such as Graduate Apprenticeships and upskilling short courses, which are in place to support workforce transferability.  

RGU’s Energy Transition Institute is a leading industry thinktank in the energy transition space and supports clients to address a wide range of industry and energy transition challenges.   

About The North-East Economic Recovery and Skills Fund – 

The North-East Economic Recovery and Skills Fund is a £14.3 million investment by the Scottish Government to support economic recovery and enhance skill levels in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire though key sector growth, employment, training, and skills development opportunities.  

The Fund is delivering 29 projects, covering employment, upskilling and reskilling, and business growth and innovation, that will benefit more than 3,000 people across the region. The projects focus on entrepreneurship, accelerated business start-up, development and growth; increasing digital skills in the workforce; equality and inclusion; and upskilling and reskilling people to enter or remain in work and take advantage of new, green jobs as part of the energy transition.  

The North-East Economic Recovery & Skills Fund delivery partners are Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Skills Development Scotland, Robert Gordon University, University of Aberdeen, Opportunity North-East, Energy Transition Zone Limited, and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce. Aberdeen City Council is the lead accountable body for the North-East Economic Recovery & Skills Fund. 

The Gocator® 5000 series adds powerful line confocal imaging (LCI) technology to the Gocator® family of trusted laser and structured light 3D smart sensors.

LMI Technologies (LMI), a leading developer of 3D scanning and inspection solutions, is pleased to announce the official release of its new Gocator® 5500 series of smart 3D line confocal sensors. This major product release introduces the first line confocal sensor running Gocator® 's trusted smart sensor platform, complete with next-generation on-sensor IIoT vision web-based software, onboard measurement tools, I/O connectivity, and much more.

Gocator® 5500 sensors are unique among existing confocal technologies in that they feature a dual-axis design that delivers simultaneous generation of 3D topography, 3D tomography, and 2D intensity data. This allows Gocator® 5000 sensors to scan practically any material type including multi-layered, transparent/translucent, curved edge, shiny, textured, mixed, and many more with submicron precision, and at a level of quality and speed that outperforms competing confocal technologies.

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A quick look at Gocator 5500 sensor capabilities:

  • Simultaneous generation of multiple profiles from multi-layer structures
  • Generates 1792 data points per profile
  • Fast scan rates (Over 10 kHz with PC acceleration)
  • High X resolution, sub-micron Z precision
  • Handles wide variety of material types
  • Dual-axis optical design provides higher signal quality
  • Runs next-generation onboard measurement and inspection software

“The Gocator® 5500 Series introduces a powerfully effective line confocal scanning approach for the inspection of challenging material structures such as multi-layer, transparent and curved edge, and now with next-generation on-sensor IIoT vision software and Gocator’s renowned smart features and capabilities. The result is an end-to-end, user-friendly surface evaluation solution that provides customers with unmatched performance leveraging the industry’s first smart LCI technology“, said Mark Radford, CEO, LMI Technologies.

If you’d prefer to learn more details about this exciting new product before getting in touch, visit our Gocator 5500 product page.

LMI Technologies

As the global leader in 3D scanning and inspection, LMI Technologies works to advance quality and productivity with 3D sensor technology. Our award-winning, FactorySmart® laser, snapshot, and line confocal sensors improve the quality and efficiency of factory production by providing fast, accurate, reliable inspection solutions that leverage smart 3D technologies. Unlike contact based measurement or 2D vision, our non-contact solutions add 3D shape information that is critical to achieving 100% quality control.

To learn more about how LMI's inspection solutions can benefit your business, we invite you to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit us at www.lmi3d.com to explore the possibilities of smart 3D technology.

Digitalization, which involves the adoption of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics in day-to-day oil and gas operations, is enabling the industry to improve productivity and profitability by streamlining operations and cutting costs, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

According to GlobalData’s report, ‘Digitalization in Oil and Gas – Thematic Research’, digital technologies can deliver actionable insights for an oil and gas asset and help companies to reduce their capital and operating expenditures.

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Ravindra Puranik, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The adoption of digital technologies in the oil and gas industry has been previously hindered by the shortage of skilled technicians, concerns over data security, and cost-benefit uncertainty for adapting aging assets. However, since the technologies have the ability to transform the industry and create a synchronized ecosystem to meet future energy demands, an increasing number of oil and gas companies are upgrading their assets with digital technologies for long-term gains. 

“Minimizing equipment downtime while enhancing operational performance remain key focus areas for increasing company revenues. There is also a growing emphasis among producers on digitalizing workflows to enhance operational visibility for improved decision making.”

Leading oil and gas players are increasingly collaborating with technology vendors in a bid to develop custom digital solutions that address their needs. For instance, TotalEnergies has collaborated with IBM to develop predictive drilling analytics to aid precision drilling. Similarly, Equinor has developed and deployed its digital twin, Echo, in its North Sea operations by leveraging its exploration and production (E&P) expertise in the region. Concepts such as digital twins and predictive maintenance are increasingly being modified to suit the different use cases of the oil and gas value chain.

Puranik concludes: “Digital technologies are improving the oil and gas industry by streamlining processes and creating new frontiers for operations. These technologies are well suited to tap new hydrocarbon deposits, boost operational efficiency, and reduce methane emissions.”

  • Quotes provided by Ravindra Puranik, Oil & Gas Analyst at GlobalData
  • Information based on GlobalData’s thematic report: ‘Digitalization in Oil and Gas – Thematic Research
  • This press release was written using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in-house analysis conducted by GlobalData’s team of industry experts

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. PR15654

Yokogawa today launches the WT5000 Precision Power Analyzer - Transformer Version, which is dedicated to helping transformer manufacturers develop and validate the losses of highly efficient products for utility industry customers.

  • The WT5000 Precision Power Analyzer - Transformer Version offers 0.008% accuracy and achieves the highest possible accuracy at power factors as low as 0.001

Transformers play a crucial role in the power grid. With electricity demand set to soar to as much as 40 TWh by 2040 and with transformers responsible for some 4% of distribution network losses, achieving more efficient transformers has never been more important.

Owners of distribution networks impose penalties on transformer manufacturers according to the degree of losses measured during the no load test. As these penalties can exceed 13,000 EUR per kilowatt and include the measurement uncertainty, it is vital for transformer manufacturers to measure these losses accurately and with minimum uncertainty. This lowers the cost of penalties and builds greater trust with customers.

The WT5000 Precision Power Analyzer - Transformer Version helps manufacturers achieve the highly accurate analysis needed to develop economical and efficient transformers. The instrument is equipped with a special input module that has much better uncertainty specifications for transformer testing.

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The WT5000 Precision Power Analyzer -Transformer Version is Yokogawa’s most accurate power analyzer, offering accuracy of 0.008% at unity power factor and offering the best accuracies at low power factors for commercial frequencies of 45 to 66 Hz. Low power factors have a dramatic effect on accuracy. The instrument offers accuracy of 0.6% of the reading for measurement, even at a power factor as low as 0.001 at 100 V and 1 A.

Kelvin Hagebeuk, Marketing Manager – Test and Measurement, says: “Whether during R&D, production, or acceptance testing, the WT5000 Precision Power Analyzer - Transformer Version produces the reliable measurements that engineers need as they seek to improve transformer efficiencies and verify the losses to reduce the total cost of ownership for utility companies.”

Transformer manufacturers can trust the WT5000 Precision Power Analyzer - Transformer Version’s low power factor abilities, as it is supplied with ISO17025 accredited calibration certificates from Yokogawa’s ISO17025 accredited calibration laboratory. This gives confidence that they comply with the IEC60076-8 standard.

The WT5000 Precision Power Analyzer - Transformer Version is optimized by ISO17025 accredited calibration at 53Hz at power factors of 1, 0.5, 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001. Additional calibration up to 100 kHz ensures performance when measuring distorted waveforms, for example during no-load loss current measurements of transformers. This enables the integrated transformer measurement system to measure power losses with great accuracy and capture any drift outside the limits described in the IEC60076-8 Standard.

Featuring a full touchscreen supported by hardware hotkeys and powerful software for remote data capture, the WT5000 offers a seamless and intuitive experience that makes connecting, configuring, and measuring easier than ever before. The 10.1-inch WXGA touchscreen delivers excellent noise immunity even in high-noise environments.

Using the WT5000 Precision Power Analyzer - Transformer Version, engineers can measure either three or four different power phases at 10 MS/s (18 bits). The high resolution, 10.1-inch WXGA display allows split screen viewing of up to seven waveforms and can display up to 12 pages of measurement parameters, from products as diverse as inverter-driven motors, renewable energy technologies, and traction applications such as pumps, fans, and electric vehicles and power transformers. Measurements can also be displayed in vector format or trending in time.

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Yokogawa also offers supporting software packages that can be used to coordinate several instruments, including the WT5000, into a single measurement suite to view different data sources simultaneously.

Some software features allow users to simultaneously view up to 22 waveforms and two harmonic bar graphs (six waveforms, sixteen trends, two vectors, and three harmonic bar graphs: WTViewerE) in split screen mode. Alternatively, they can zoom in using cursors to see more detail in a particular area of interest. Users can customize, save, and load screen layouts as well as specify the data to be saved in CSV format. The software also allows users to create custom computations, combining values from multiple power analyzers.

Additionally, the software allows users to analyze and control remote measurements in real time or use previously acquired data. In the online mode, users have real-time control of measurements from each connected instrument, allowing them to remotely start or stop integration or collect live measurement values. Users can analyze the latest acquired or previously stored data in the offline mode as well.

Up to 32 GB of internal storage memory can be used to store and recall various custom configurations and test setups. It can also be used to log large amounts of measurement data over long periods of time, behaving just like a logger. This large non-volatile memory makes it easy to store data without preparing any external media.

Using the WT5000’s three-phase delta calculation, engineers can check line voltage and phase voltage simultaneously without changing wiring. The built-in delta computation function allows both star-delta and delta-star conversion, allowing users to calculate individual phase voltages from the line voltages measured in a three-phase, three-wire (3V3A) system.

The WT5000 offers advanced harmonic analysis, allowing engineers to evaluate and compare input and output harmonics of inverters, motors, or power conditioners up to the 500th order.  As well as measuring harmonics and power simultaneously, it also offers side-by-side comparison of harmonics from two different input sources.

In addition to low pass frequency filters and line filters, the WT5000 features advanced filtering capabilities, allowing the analysis of even the most challenging of waveforms with precision.

For further information on the WT5000 Precision Power Analyzer - Transformer Version please click here.

About Yokogawa Test & Measurement

Yokogawa has been developing measurement solutions for 100 years, consistently finding new ways to give R&D teams the tools they need to gain the best insights from their measurement strategies. The company has pioneered accurate power measurement throughout its history, and is the market leader in digital power analysers.

Yokogawa instruments are renowned for maintaining high levels of precision and for continuing to deliver value for far longer than the typical shelf-life of such equipment. Yokogawa believes that precise and effective measurement lies at the heart of successful innovation - and has focused its own R&D on providing the tools that researchers and engineers need to address challenges great and small.

Yokogawa takes pride in its reputation for quality, both in the products it delivers - often adding new features in response to specific client requests - and the level of service and advice provided to clients, helping to devise measurement strategies for even the most challenging environments.

The guaranteed accuracy and precision of Yokogawa's instruments results from the fact that Yokogawa has its own European standards laboratory at its European headquarters in The Netherlands. This facility is the only industrial (i.e. non-government or national) organisation in the world to offer accredited power calibration, at frequencies up to 100 kHz. ISO 17025 accreditation demonstrates the international competence of the laboratory.

- Meet the precision makers at http://tmi.yokogawa.com/eu/

About Yokogawa

Yokogawa provides advanced solutions in the areas of measurement, control, and information to customers across a broad range of industries, including energy, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, and food. Yokogawa addresses customer issues regarding the optimization of production, assets, and the supply chain with the effective application of digital technologies, enabling the transition to autonomous operations.

Founded in Tokyo in 1915, Yokogawa continues to work toward a sustainable society through its 17,500 employees in a global network of 119 companies spanning 61 countries.

For more information, please visit www.yokogawa.com.

ABB Robotics has launched an industry leading, pioneering software solution to transform speed and accuracy in electronics assembly. Packed with 50 years of software expertise, ABB’s High Speed Alignment software is the first to offer manufacturers the ability to increase the speed of 6-axis robots by 70 percent, and accuracy by 50 percent – significantly reducing time-to-market while increasing accuracy levels.

  • High-Speed Alignment software uses vision technology to deliver breakthrough 70 percent increase in speed and 50 percent increase in accuracy
  • Software adds to electronics manufacturing portfolio that includes new variant of ABB’s IRB 1300 with cleanroom option and IP54 IRB 920T SCARA robots

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The PC-based software includes Visual Servoing technology using one or more cameras, combined with a computer vision system, to control the position of the robot relative to the workpiece. As the robot is moving, the cameras capture images continuously, while the computer vision system takes the information, cross checks and adjusts the robotic movements to deliver 0.01 to 0.02 millimeter precision.

Rui Liang, Managing Director for ABB’s Robotics Electronics business line said “Sales of smartphones, wearables and other high-tech devices are growing and advances in electronics are gathering pace. As devices become smaller and more powerful, new automation solutions are required to quickly and accurately place components, ensuring that production can keep pace with demand while maintaining the highest levels of product quality.”

ABB’s articulated 6-axis robots are highly flexible for handling complex tasks in tight spaces and can perform a variety of meticulous placement tasks. The High Speed Alignment software was developed to find the perfect balance between speed and accuracy.

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Along with effortless commissioning and tuning, system integrators and manufacturers can benefit from a reduction in deployment time – down from an entire shift of eight to just one hour.  Minimal programming experience is required, as the software is easy-to-use and has an intuitive user interface. Additionally, the software is compatible with a wide range of cameras, and IRC5 and OmniCore robot controllers, allowing system integrators to adapt existing installations.

“Our latest innovation to the RobotWare family, the High Speed Alignment software enables electronic manufacturers to increase productivity by 70% while maintaining 0.01-0.02 mm accuracy levels. This is a breakthrough technology for the electronics assembly market,” concludes Liang.

The software is compatible with ABB’s IRB 1100 and IRB 120 industrial robots. More information and access to RobotWare High Speed Alignment can be found here https://new.abb.com/products/robotics/application-software/assembly/high-speed-alignment..

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Alongside its software portfolio, ABB robotics continues to expand its robot portfolio for electronics manufacturing with its IRB 1300 new variant and the IRB 920T SCARA new options. The new IRB 1300 combines a high payload of 12 kilograms and a reach of 1.4 meters, allowing it to handle more and heavier objects at the same time, enabling more products to be produced per hour and increasing productivity.  ABB’s IRB 920T SCARA robot includes new options with IP54 and Cleanroom, ensuring stable production in dusty, wet, and cleanroom environments.  For more information, visit https://new.abb.com/products/robotics/industrial-robots/irb-1300 and https://new.abb.com/products/robotics/industrial-robots/irb-920t.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation is a pioneer in robotics, machine automation and digital services, providing innovative solutions for a diverse range of industries, from automotive to electronics to logistics. As one of the world’s leading robotics and machine automation suppliers, we have shipped more than 500,000 robot solutions. We help our customers of all sizes to increase productivity, flexibility and simplicity and to improve output quality. We support their transition towards the connected and collaborative factory of the future. ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation employs more than 11,000 people at over 100 locations in more than 53 countries. www.abb.com/robotics