25 July 2014: Oil and gas company announcements

ABB

ABB has agreed to acquire Spirit IT of Eindhoven, the Netherlands, to add a new line of high performance liquid flow computers, SCADA and custody transfer solutions to ABB’s leading measurement business for the oil and gas industry. Spirit IT designs and sells liquid flow measurement and supervisory solutions for use in oil and gas applications. Its liquid flow computers and software deliver greater accuracy and control for well pad automation, transportation and custody transfer applications.

Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB Process Automation division said, ‘the addition of Spirit IT’s products to ABB’s Measurement and Products portfolio will enable us to offer a more comprehensive automation solution for liquids and gas. The Spirit IT portfolio adds the liquid measurement component to ABB’s industry leading gas measurement and automation product line. This combined offering will deliver comprehensive expertise and market strength to customers and provide new opportunities for growth in the oil and gas segment.’

Albemarle

A collaboration between catalyst researchers from Albemarle Corporation, Delft University of Technology, Haldor Topsoe, FEI Company and Leiden Probe Microscopy has led to an innovative new method for studying catalyst dynamics under actual operating conditions. The process uses a technique called high resolution electron microscopy to monitor changes in the catalyst structure during the catalytic process. Unlike conventional electron microscopy, which has considerable pressure and temperature limitations, this new technique allows scientists to view these reactions under real life conditions.

Bart Nelissen, global analytical director, Albemarle said, ‘this breakthrough technology allows us to monitor actual catalyst behaviour in a manner that simply was not possible before. These new insights will ultimately allow us to manufacture more value added catalysts to meet the specific needs of our refinery customers.’

AMETEK

AMETEK, Inc. has announced that the Board of Directors has elected Robert J. Amodei as Vice President of Audit Sales. He most recently has served as Director of Operational Accounting in AMETEK’s Corporate Office. Amodei joined AMETEK in 1989 as part of its Financial Management Development Program, where he held several rotational assignments within the company. Upon completion of the program, he was named Senior Auditor in 1992. From 1995 0 1998, Amodei held a number of financial and accounting roles within the Chemical Products Division, including Plant Controller. In 1998, he was named Manager, Audit Services, and in 2000, was promoted to Director, Audit Services. In 2001, Amodei was named Division Vice President and Controller, Floorcare & Speciality Motors, North America, a position he held until his promotion to Director, Operational Accounting in 2005.

DEP

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced the extension of the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate program, which will continue to provide US$ 2000 rebates for 500 additional large battery system plug in hybrid electric and battery electric vehicles, or until 31 December 2014.

DEP Secretary E. Christopher Abruzzo said, ‘the Corbett administration remains committed to seeing the alternative fuels market grown. Our commitment represents an impressive total investment of US$ 4.35 million towards the deployment of electric vehicles in Pennsylvania since 2011.’

Dorian LPG

Dorian LPG Ltd. has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with HNA Logistics Group Co., Ltd. to explore opportunities in the LPG logistics market. John Hadjipateras, Chairman, President and CEO of Dorian LPG commented, ‘we are very pleased to form a strategic relationship with HNA Logistics. Their unique presence in the Chinese market creates opportunites to develop energy related transportation, finance, infrastructure and distribution. We will focus our efforts in this important market to forge relationships with Chinese LPG ship charterers and LPG end users.’

Furmanite

Furmanite Corporation has announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Kathleen Cochran as new Director of the company. Cochran has over 30 years of business experience and has provided strategic consulting to Fortune 500 companies globally as Senior Advisor at The Boston Consulting Group since 2008. In this role, she advises an international client base on a wide range of business areas across diverse industries. Prior to that, Cochran served in various marketing and business development roles during her 18 year career at The Gillette Company, ultimately becoming a member of the global leadership team, serving as Vice President of Marketing Research and Global Business Management.

SGS

SGS has been awarded a contract to provide Braskem, one of the world’s largest petrochemical companies, with electrical and instrumentation maintenance, calibration of valves, and maintenance shutdowns to enable the company to expand its operations in Southern Brazil. For over 10 years, SGS has worked with Braskem, providing a range of maintenance services for their petrochemical plants in Brazil. Due to the success of the ongoing collaboration, Braskem looked to continue the relationship, contracting SGS’s proven maintenance expertise, qualified team, and specialised equipment during their expansion programme.

Under this latest contract, a team of 40 highly skilled SGS experts will work onsite, carrying out shutdown maintenance for the company’s UNIB3 plant. The operation will see the team carry out instrumentation maintenance and calibration of pressure safety valves, performing 38 technical instrumentations over 39 days. SGS will also conduct electrical maintenance during the contract.

Edited from various sources by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/25072014/oil-gas-announcements-25-july-14/