Latest News from home & Abroad

HSP deals with L&T valves

H.S. Pipequipment (HSP) is a stockist and distributor of valves to the oil, gas and petrochemical industry. The company represents a wide range of the world's leading valve manufacturers. HSP has further extended its valve offering, by becoming the authorised UK stockist of Larsen and Toubro (L&T) gate globe and check valves. The new stock range of gate, globe and check valves manufactured by L&T are available with flanged ends, in sizes up to 300mm and in pressure ratings up to ASME Class 300. The gate valves are of flexible wedge, with an outside screw and yoke and bolted-bonnet construction. The globe valves feature a plug-type disc, outside screw and yoke and bolted-bonnet construction. The check valves are of a swing type and bolted cover construction; this provides a full port without pockets from inlet to the valve seat.

Fetso actuators for STP

The Les Grésillons sewage treatment plant (STP), located on the northern outskirts of Paris, currently serves some 300,000 people and processes 100,000m3 per day. This figure is set to triple by the time expansion is complete in 2015; it will purify the sewage produced by one million people in the greater Paris area and return it to the river Seine. Les Grésillons differs from conventional sewage plants with biological purification stages in that it uses special filter technology, rather than bacterial activation tanks. After the mechanical purification stage using sand filters and screening units, the pre-treated sewage passes through three levels containing biofilters, where the nitrogen is removed from the sewage. The supply to the 28 biofilters, as well as the backwashing process, is controlled by process gates (shut-off or butterfly valves) using automated pneumatic actuators. Festo developed a special Copac DLP linear actuator with a through-piston rod for the 28 Fontaine shut-off valves, which are not housed in order to facilitate the use of a handwheel in emergencies. Each shut-off valve is equipped with two proximity sensors for sensing the mechanical end stops and transmitting the information to the controller. Decentralised CPX/MPA valve terminals actuate the drives and record all data relating to the filtration tanks. Each tank communicates with the centralised Allen Bradley controller via the DeviceNet fieldbus interface of its CPX terminal. The CPX terminals also include Festo PLCs for managing the control circuits locally and ensuring safety positions. Diagnostic functionality enables the CPX terminals to quickly detect any faults in the plant. A further 70 filter systems are due to be installed at the Les Grésillons plant by 2012.

Bhutan: hydropower plants

Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, said that India would develop 2 new mega hydropower projects namely Punatsangchhu II and Mangdechu. He added that India would also commence preparation of detailed project reports for 4 new projects to achieve the target of importing at least 5000MW of electricity from Bhutan by 2020. India's plans to scale up its involvement in harnessing Bhutan's vast hydropower potential comes in the wake of the successful implementation of the jointly implemented 1020MW Tala hydroelectric power project. The move also envisages greater play for Indian firms there. Of the new projects on the anvil, Mangdechu with 670MW and Punatsangchhu II with 990MW projects are slated to be built in 2009-2016. India is already involved in the building of the 1095MW Punatsangchhu project stage I. While for the Tala project, firms including Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd, PTC India Ltd and NHPC Ltd were involved, private sector players including the GMR Group and IL&FS are expected to be in the running for contracts in the upcoming projects in Bhutan, according to industry players.

Norwegian Sea condensate discovery

StatoilHydro has confirmed the existence of gas and condensate on the Alve field in the Norwegian Sea around 16km SE of the Norne field. Based on a preliminary estimate, the discovery includes 3 to 5 billion cum of gas. A thin oil zone was also proven below the gas. Extension drilling was carried out in this production well. Due to come on stream in January 2009, it is the first production well on the Alve field. The purpose of the exploration extension was to prove hydrocarbons in a reservoir located deeper in mid-Jurassic rocks than the resources proven in previous exploration wells on the Alve field. Gas and condensate in sandstone of mid-Jurassic rock were proven during the extension drilling. The drilling of well 6507/3-5S has been completed, and the well will be temporarily plugged. A completion of the previously proven reservoir is planned for the autumn of 2008. The gas is to be transported to the Norne field. The licensees will evaluate how the additional resources proven in the extension drilling can be recovered. The well was drilled to a vertical depth of 3834m below sea level, and was completed in lower Jurassic rocks. The water depth is 368m. The partners in PL159B are StatoilHydro (operator) with an 85% interest and DONG with a 15% interest.

TransCanada expands Keystone pipeline

TransCanada Corp. is planning to add to its plans to build a pipeline network connecting Alberta, Canada to southern USA markets. TransCanada, which was already about to build a pipeline, is now planning an even larger project that would link Alberta to refineries on the USA Gulf Coast. TransCanada's USD 5.2 billion Keystone pipeline, on which construction is set to start within months, aims to transport up to 590,000bpd of crude oil from central Alberta to refineries in Patoka, Illinois, USA and Cushing, Oklahoma, USA. It is expected to open up a market in the southern USA for Canadian producers. TransCanada now sees Keystone Stage 2 as incorporating both the GulfCoast expansion and a new 36in pipeline that would transport another 750,000bpd of crude - over half the current production from the oil sands - from Alberta, Canada directly to Nebraska, USA where it would join Keystone Stage 1. While exact costs and details are not yet available, the new pipeline would cost more than the original Keystone pipeline and be in service by around 2012. TransCanada expects to launch an open season for the pipeline to gauge shipper interest later this year.

TransCanada expands Keystone pipeline

TransCanada Corp. is planning to add to its plans to build a pipeline network connecting Alberta, Canada to southern USA markets. TransCanada, which was already about to build a pipeline, is now planning an even larger project that would link Alberta to refineries on the USA Gulf Coast. TransCanada's USD 5.2 billion Keystone pipeline, on which construction is set to start within months, aims to transport up to 590,000bpd of crude oil from central Alberta to refineries in Patoka, Illinois, USA and Cushing, Oklahoma, USA. It is expected to open up a market in the southern USA for Canadian producers. TransCanada now sees Keystone Stage 2 as incorporating both the GulfCoast expansion and a new 36in pipeline that would transport another 750,000bpd of crude - over half the current production from the oil sands - from Alberta, Canada directly to Nebraska, USA where it would join Keystone Stage 1. While exact costs and details are not yet available, the new pipeline would cost more than the original Keystone pipeline and be in service by around 2012. TransCanada expects to launch an open season for the pipeline to gauge shipper interest later this year.

China: Dalian LNG terminal

China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) (Beijing) has begun construction on its Dalian LNG terminal to receive LNG from Australia and Qatar. The project is located in the heavy industrial region of Liaoning Province in NE China. CNPC plans to invest USD 1.43 billion to build a port, the terminal and pipelines. Phase I of the terminal will be designed to receive 3 million tons per year of LNG, supplying 4.2 billion cum of natural gas. Phase I will cost three-fourths of the total investment and is expected to begin operation in 2011. Phase II will double the capacity of LNG received and gas supplied. The terminal's maximum capacity can reach 7.8 million tons of LNG and 10.5 billion cum of gas every year. The main gas pipeline will link Dalian and Shenyang cities, both in Liaoning. Total length of the lines will be 475km of which 86km will be used in two branches. The main line will connect to the planned Northeast China Gas Transmission Network, which transfers gas to homes and factories.

Finland: CFB biomass gasifier

Foster Wheeler Ltd has announced that its Finnish subsidiary Foster Wheeler Energia Oy, part of its Global Power Group, has been awarded a contract by NSE Biofuels Oy Ltd for a circulating fluidized-bed (CFB) biomass gasifier to be located in Varkaus, Finland. NSE Biofuels Oy Ltd is a joint venture owned 50/50 by Stora Enso Oyj and Neste Oil Corp. Foster Wheeler's scope includes an oxygen/steam gasifier and gas treatment equipment. The plant utilizes Foster Wheeler's fuel-flexible circulating fluidized-bed gasification technology to convert a wide spectrum of biomass into a clean syngas to be used in a gas to liquids (Fischer-Tropsch) process to produce feedstock for renewable diesel from biomass/wood residue-based gas. The gasification and syngas cleaning system is part of NSE's new-generation renewable diesel demonstration plant at Stora Enso's Varkaus Mill in Finland. The plant is expected to start up in early 2009 and will be integrated into the energy infrastructure of the Stora Enso Varkaus Mill.

China: JV refinery

PetroChina has entered into a joint venture agreement with Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA to build a 400,000bpd refinery in southern China's Guangdong province. The refinery will be configured to process Venezuelan oil. The crude will be sourced from the Junin 4 block in the Orinoco heavy crude belt, which holds some of the largest oil reserves outside the Middle East. The joint-venture refinery, Venezuela's first such investment in China, will advance Chavez's goal of shipping to China 1 million barrels per day of oil by around 2011, or 13% of current Chinese oil demand.

Kuwait: oil refinery

Kuwait has awarded contracts to build a USD 15 billion refinery to four South Korean construction companies and Fluor Corp. GS Engineering & Construction Corp., SK Engineering & Construction Co., Daelim Industrial Co. and Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. were chosen by Kuwait National Petroleum Co. to build the 615,000bpd Al-Zour oil refinery. Fluor, based in Irving, Texas, was awarded a consultancy contract for the project. The contract for GS Engineering is valued at USD 3.99 billion while that for SK Engineering is valued at USD 2.06 billion, Daelim's at USD 1.18 billion and Hyundai's at USD 1.12 billion.

Kuwait: LNG regas terminal

The Kuwait government, faced with domestic demand growth exceeding its own supplies of natural gas, has signed a USD 150 million contract with Excelerate Energy, The Woodlands, Texas, to build a regasification terminal at Ahmadi port by April 2009. The country plans to begin importing LNG before the summer of 2009 to defray any shortfall. In February, Kuwait announced plans for the construction of facilities that would allow the import of 500-700MMcfd of gas. At the moment, Kuwaiti officials are in talks with Qatar for the supply of LNG for the facility.

Yokogawa releases automation system

Yokogawa has released an enhanced version of Stardom which complies with the American Gas Association AGA3, AGA7, and AGA8 standards used in North America, South America, and Asia. The enhanced version of Stardom provides gas metering and control functions, as well as a new data-logging function that can store control data and data from field instruments and facilities for access from distant locations via the web. Specific applications include the monitoring and control of production facilities, the remote monitoring and control of district heating/cooling systems and co-generation systems, and the remote monitoring and control of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Stardom employs the international standard IEC61131-3 programming environment and supports a wide range of communication protocols such as Foundation fieldbus, HART, Modbus, and DNP3. It is suitable for oil and gas exploration, petroleum and chemical processing, water disposal, gas supply, and co-generation fields where facilities are widely distributed; small to medium-scale oil, chemical, iron and steel, paper and pulp, food and pharmaceutical plants; and electrical, mechanical and other assembly/processing facilities.

ADCO awards contract to Haliburton

Abu Dhabi Co. for Onshore Oil Operation (ADCO), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., has awarded Halliburton contract by to provide a range of completion equipment for onshore oil and gas wells. The award includes permanent and retrievable packers, along with Halliburton's SPTM and NETM subsurface valves. The three-year contract includes the provision of production packers, subsurface safety valves and subsurface flow controls.

Rotork actuators for power stations

RWE npower has awarded a framework agreement to Rotork Site Services for the supply of Rotork valve actuators and actuation maintenance services throughout all of its UK fossil-fuelled and cogen power stations. The contract has been awarded to Exeeco Ltd, a Rotork group company with over thirty years of specialist experience of valve actuation services in the power generation industry. Exeeco has been installing Rotork Skilmatic SI electro-hydraulic failsafe actuators to improve valve performance in critical areas such as the mill isolation dampers. Elsewhere at Aberthaw, feed water regulation valves with pneumatic actuators, which were causing operational problems and proving uneconomical to maintain, have been replaced. The new valves are fitted with Skilmatic SI electric-hydraulic modulating linear actuators that match the technical requirements for high thrust, fast acting and accurate valve positioning. Rotork IQ and IQT actuators have also been recently installed on applications including feed system valves, boiler valves and quarter-turn dampers.

Transmark Fcx achieves ISO 14001

In March 2008 international flow control equipment distributor, Transmark Fcx, successfully achieved accreditation to the ISO 14001 Environmental standard at the company's head office in Bradford, UK. ISO 14001 is an internationally accepted standard that sets out how you can go about putting in place an effective Environmental Management System including the use of natural resources, handling and treatment of waste and energy consumption. The standard is designed to address the delicate balance between maintaining profitability and reducing environmental impact; with the commitment of the entire organisation, it can enable you to achieve both objectives. For several years many of the leading manufacturing companies have themselves worked towards achieving this recognised environmental standard and they are now increasingly demanding that each of the links in their supply chain also meet the ISO 14001 standard. Transmark Fcx were quick to realise the benefits that undergoing the process to achieve ISO 14001 would deliver to their organisation, their customers and the environment and they are now one of the few companies in their field to hold the accreditation.

TransCanada expands Keystone pipeline

TransCanada Corp. is planning to add to its plans to build a pipeline network connecting Alberta, Canada to southern USA markets. TransCanada, which was already about to build a pipeline, is now planning an even larger project that would link Alberta to refineries on the USA Gulf Coast. TransCanada's USD 5.2 billion Keystone pipeline, on which construction is set to start within months, aims to transport up to 590,000bpd of crude oil from central Alberta to refineries in Patoka, Illinois, USA and Cushing, Oklahoma, USA. It is expected to open up a market in the southern USA for Canadian producers. TransCanada now sees Keystone Stage 2 as incorporating both the GulfCoast expansion and a new 36in pipeline that would transport another 750,000bpd of crude - over half the current production from the oil sands - from Alberta, Canada directly to Nebraska, USA where it would join Keystone Stage 1. While exact costs and details are not yet available, the new pipeline would cost more than the original Keystone pipeline and be in service by around 2012. TransCanada expects to launch an open season for the pipeline to gauge shipper interest later this year.

Qatar: onshore FEED & execution planning order

Chiyoda Corp. has been awarded the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) & execution planning contract for the Barzan Onshore Gas Plant which is located in the State of Qatar and under the responsibility of Qatar Petroleum. RasGas Co. Ltd (RasGas) will oversee the FEED work. The Barzan project is planned in order to meet the natural gas requirements of the growing local market for electricity and water in Qatar. The Barzan Project is included as a part of the gas development scheme for the North Field, the world's largest non-associated gas reserve. The FEED & execution planning work scope is for two gas processing trains with a nominal feed gas design capacity of 1700MMscfd. The scope also includes definition of a possible third train. The onshore portion of the Barzan Project will be constructed on a green-field site within Ras Laffan Industrial City in the State of Qatar. The FEED work is targeted for completion in the 2nd quarter of 2009.

China: Dalian LNG terminal

China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) (Beijing) has begun construction on its Dalian LNG terminal to receive LNG from Australia and Qatar. The project is located in the heavy industrial region of Liaoning Province in NE China. CNPC plans to invest USD 1.43 billion to build a port, the terminal and pipelines. Phase I of the terminal will be designed to receive 3 million tons per year of LNG, supplying 4.2 billion cum of natural gas. Phase I will cost three-fourths of the total investment and is expected to begin operation in 2011. Phase II will double the capacity of LNG received and gas supplied. The terminal's maximum capacity can reach 7.8 million tons of LNG and 10.5 billion cum of gas every year. The main gas pipeline will link Dalian and Shenyang cities, both in Liaoning. Total length of the lines will be 475km of which 86km will be used in two branches. The main line will connect to the planned Northeast China Gas Transmission Network, which transfers gas to homes and factories.

Kuwait: LNG regas terminal

The Kuwait government, faced with domestic demand growth exceeding its own supplies of natural gas, has signed a USD 150 million contract with Excelerate Energy, The Woodlands, Texas, to build a regasification terminal at Ahmadi port by April 2009. The country plans to begin importing LNG before the summer of 2009 to defray any shortfall. In February, Kuwait announced plans for the construction of facilities that would allow the import of 500-700MMcfd of gas. At the moment, Kuwaiti officials are in talks with Qatar for the supply of LNG for the facility.

Myanmar: hydropower projects

On 25 April 2008 China Southern Power Grid Corp. (Guangzhou), Sinohydro Corp. (Beijing), and China Three Gorges Project Corp. (Yichang) signed an agreement to develop hydropower projects in Myanmar's Thanlwin River Valley. The agreement was signed under the arrangement of the Great Mekong Subregional Cooperation, the National Development and Reform Commission's guideline regarding the participation of Chinese enterprises in cooperative hydropower development in Myanmar. The guideline is based on the principle of mutual benefit. Plans for the Thanlwin River Valley involve five hydropower stations with a total installed capacity of 12,000MW.

Emerson helps bioethanol plant

Emerson Process Management has announced start-up and operational gains following completion of the second year of operation of its PlantWeb® digital automation architecture at a new bioethanol production plant operated by TARK?M in Mustafakemalpa?a-Bursa, Turkey. The new plant processes grain, usually corn and wheat, to produce ethanol to be used as a fuel additive. Rapid startup of the plant was critical and the contribution made by Emerson during the startup phase meant that TARK?M was able to start up one month earlier than scheduled. This provided cost savings of EUR 220,000 and helped book early revenues. The plant has been operating for over two years and during that time there have been no off-specification product or quality concessions made. During this operational period, the reliability of the plant has been outstanding with only two or three unexpected shutdowns. The PlantWeb architecture has contributed to a 28% increase in production at the plant from the planned level. The control system at the new bioethanol plant is based on Emerson's PlantWeb digital plant architecture. This includes a DeltaV™ digital automation system communicating with 381 field instruments, 108 control valves and 124 on/off valves using HART communications protocol. There are over 1200 input/output points. Emerson also supplied redundant controllers and power supplies.

EMS Group appoints

EMS Group (EMS), a North American provider of operations and maintenance services to the energy industry, has announced that James S. (Steve) Schroder has been appointed as Vice President of Sales. Mr Schroder will oversee and manage the sales teams throughout North America and will be based at the Bering Drive, Houston Headquarters Office. Mr Schroder joins EMS from Baker Hughes where he was GM/Director of Baker Hughes Pipeline Management Group Inc. During his tenure in the global energy services industry, Mr Schroder has held key management positions in Sales, Operations, Technology and Manufacturing. As the key sponsor and lead in multiple acquisitions and integrations, he understands the growth opportunities represented by adding high value services as part of a successful business strategy.

Curtiss-Wright appoints

Curtiss-Wright Corp. has announced changes in its financial staff. Kevin McClurg has accepted the position of Vice President of Finance for the corporation's Flow Control operating segment. In his new position, Mr McClurg will be responsible for the segment's financial activities, systems, corporate planning, corporate development, real estate, risk management and internal audits. Mr McClurg has been Corporate Controller of Curtiss-Wright Corp. since 2002. Succeeding Mr McClurg as Curtiss-Wright Corp.'s Vice President/Corporate Controller is Glenn Coleman. Prior to joining Curtiss-Wright, Mr Coleman held various positions of increasing responsibility with Alcatel Lucent (formerly Lucent Technologies), including most recently Vice President, Finance of the Wireless Business Group. In addition, he served as Vice President, Finance and Americas Controller, Audit Vice President and Finance Director/Shared Services. Prior to joining Lucent, Mr Coleman commenced his career with the accounting firm Coopers and Lybrand, L.L.P.

Metso acquires MAPAG Valves GmbH

Metso Automation and The Linde Group have signed a purchase agreement regarding MAPAG Valves GmbH, a manufacturing company of high performance butterfly valves for the petrochemical, air separation and LNG industries. The enterprise value is EUR 36 million. In connection with the transaction, the parties have made a long-term partnership agreement. The acquisition will require relevant regulatory approvals. MAPAG Valves operates a modern factory in Horgau, near Munich. It employs around 100 persons and its net sales in 2008 is estimated to be EUR 36 million. The company's special strengths are in engineering, project management and process know-how for demanding applications.

FFSAMC established

The Fieldbus Foundation has announced the establishment of the Fieldbus Foundation Southern African marketing committee (FFSAMC) to promote an increased awareness and adoption of FOUNDATION™ technology throughout the Southern African region through promotional activities and a range of end user focused activities including training, technical support, trade show participation and end user seminars. The FFSAMC was formally launched at an inaugural meeting held on 25th October 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa. At the meeting, the FFSAMC elected the committee and named Paulo De Sousa Gomes (Yokogawa) as Chairman, Paulo Da Silva (Honeywell) as Vice-Chairman, Brandon Topham (Hans Turck/RET Automation Controls) as Treasurer, Hennie Blignaut (Endress+Hauser) as Secretary, Gary Friend (MTL/Extech) as training officer, and Vinesh Nundkishore (Emerson Process Management/Alpret Control Specialists) as communications officer. Fully supported by the Fieldbus Foundation EMEA Executive Advisory Council and the Fieldbus Foundation EMEA Steering Committee, the FFSAMC will play an important role in promoting the primary value propositions of FOUNDATION technology, which include process integrity, business intelligence and open, scaleable integration of information across process manufacturing plants.

Petrotec to service support equipment

Petrotec, a technical support partner to oil and gas companies in Qatar, has inaugurated the first certified Masoneilan Authorised Service Centre (MARC) in Qatar which will allow Petrotec to service and support equipment sold from the Masoneilan®, a subsidiary of Dresser, and Consolidated® - companies specializing in process control valves, actuators, instruments, and associated software solutions. The MARC will now be able to take advantage of the sizeable Middle Eastern oil and gas industry by offering technical support within Qatar on Masonelian and Consolidated valve product ranges.

Safety valves to be made mandatory

U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, the chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Infrastructure, Safety, and Security, called on the US federal government to improve the safety of homes across the country by completing a critical rule that requires excess flow valves (EFVs) to be installed on all new or replacement gas pipes that connect to single-family homes. The Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement and Safety (PIPES) Act, which was passed in 2006, included a provision that required PHMSA to complete the rule by the end of 2007 that would make the use of EFVs mandatory by 1 June 2008, which PHMSA has failed to meet. The EFV's can automatically shut off a ruptured line, which will help prevent gas leaks. Furthermore, the bill also authorized more federal pipeline safety inspectors to inspect the country's 2.3 million miles of natural gas, oil, and hazardous liquid pipelines, and created new regulations for the nation's low-stress oil transmission pipelines.

Seawater desalination plant

In west-central Florida, where the proximity of the Gulf of Mexico belies the land's diminishing supplies of drinking water, the Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant successfully lends Mother Nature a hand in supplementing river and groundwater sources. American Water-Pridesa, a joint venture of Acciona Agua of Spain and American Water, operates the largest seawater desalination plant in the USA, the Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant. It produces up to 25 million gallons of water per day (mgd) with the help of 9408 Filmtec Reverse Osmosis membranes provided by Dow Water Solutions, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Co. The plant output provides drinking water supply for 2.4 million of the Tampa Bay area residents. There are seven trains of Filmtec membrane elements installed at the Tampa Bay plant, with the nameplate capacity to produce 28.75mgd. The membranes, each with 380sq/ft of active area, are highly resistant to biofouling and handle cleaning well, which, with routine maintenance, should provide a useful life span of three to five years or longer. Filmtec SW30HR-380 membrane elements offer extremely effective salt rejection to meet drinking water specifications (including less than 200 parts per million of chloride ions).

IsysNet system

Parker Hannifin has released pneumatic valves that meet ISO standard 15047 parts 1 and 2 (ISO sizes 02, 01, 1, 2 and 3). The IsysNet system is based on a modular construction, using quick-fit latching mechanisms that enable valve, I/O and communication modules to be installed on common manifold units in seconds and without the need for extra connector plates. In addition, modules can be reconfigured on site, while serial modules can be changed even when the system is powered up and without affecting the controlling software. I/O modules are also colour-coded for quick identification. The serial modules use a fast backplane with the latest change of state connections which allow an IsysNet manifold unit to be linked directly to sensors, limit switches and encoders and to remotely operated solenoid valves or other pneumatic devices. The IsysNet system provides a choice of digital, analogue and high-wattage I/O, with individual modules incorporating comprehensive safety features such as short circuit and open circuit detection. The system can be extended considerably using communication modules, which support up to 62 I/O modules and up to 252 inputs and 252 outputs. Both electronic and pneumatic connections are built into a single manifold-mounted end plate.

Rotork appoints

Rotork's Pakscan and open network systems activity has been strengthened by the appointment of Chartered Engineer Shelley Pike as Systems Sales Manager. Ms Pike is now responsible for supporting and guiding Rotork customers on the best choice of network system for their valve actuation applications and sales support for the Rotork network product range. In addition, Ms Pike will be actively involved in the definition of Rotork's future networks strategies.

Saudi Arabia: Manifa offshore project

Halliburton has been selected to provide a variety of oilfield services in support of the offshore portion of Saudi Aramco's Manifa mega-project. The Manifa project has a production target of 900MBCD, making it Saudi Aramco's second largest incremental oil production project. The three-year contract calls for the provision of directional drilling, logging-while-drilling, cementing, logging and perforating, coiled tubing and stimulation services for 93 wells offshore NE Saudi Arabia. The offshore component of this project will utilize 10 jack-up rigs.

Canada: oilsands project

A joint venture between Northern Transportation Co. Ltd (equally owned by the Inuvialuit Development Corp. (IDC), and Nunasi Corp.) and The Netherlands-based Mammoet, a heavy-lift transportation company, may successfully carve a new shipping channel through Canada's Arctic and down the Mackenzie River, allowing big chunks of oilsands projects to be built in modules as far away as China. Inuvik-based IDC is also a partner in the proposed USD 16.2 billion Mackenzie Pipeline. The joint venture, called Arctic Module Inland Transportation Ltd (AMIT), was hired this month by an established oilsands developer to look into opening an Arctic gateway to supply the Alberta-based oil deposits. The new marine route would allow the movement of cargoes by barge at cheaper rates. Cargoes could weigh as much as 2000tns, and measure up to 19m long, 30m high and 30m wide. AMIT estimates that a typical shipment from China would take two to three months. A go-ahead decision by the oilsands company, which wants to keep its name confidential at this point, is expected by October and could result in the first fleet of barges sailing to the oilsands in 2011.

Azerbaijan: EMS contract

AMEC plc has been awarded a five-year Engineering Modification Services (EMS) contract for BP in Azerbaijan. The value of the new contract is estimated to be USD 500 million over the five years. Under the contract, which is an extension of an existing eight-year contract, AMEC will provide engineering and construction management services to enhance and extend the life of all of BP's offshore installations in the Azeri sector of the Caspian Sea, which represents around 20% of BP's global production. The facilities include the Chirag, Central Azeri, West Azeri, East Azeri and Shah Deniz and the soon-to-be-developed Deep Water Guneshli assets, which are of strategic importance to Azerbaijan. Together, they currently produce over 1 million barrels of oil and 700 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.

UAE: LNG re-gasification terminal

Dubai Supply Authority has announced that it will develop a floating LNG re-gasification facility at the DP World Jebel Ali Terminal in Dubai. The new facility will supplement the Emirate's existing supplies of natural gas during summer peak demand, delivering environmental and security of energy supply benefits. Dubai Supply Authority has selected Shell as adviser and project manager for the development phase. Shell will also be the main LNG supplier and will continue to provide advice to DUSUP once the facility is completed. Golar Freeze, an existing LNG ship, will be chartered by Dubai Supply Authority from Golar LNG Co. and converted into a floating Storage and re-gasification Unit to be moored offshore within DP World Jebel Ali Terminal. LNG ships will moor alongside the Golar Freeze to offload their cargoes. Gas will be piped through a sub-sea pipeline from the Golar Freeze into the Dubai natural gas pipeline network to industrial customers.

China: LNG tanks

China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) (Beijing) has begun construction at its Nantong LNG terminal on LNG tanks, the first set of tanks to be built in a three-project plan. Construction began on a man-made island south of the Yangkou sea route of Rudong County (Nantong City, Jiangsu Province) about as large as 0.3sq/km. Last month, CNPC finished building the island in order to build an LNG terminal there. The terminal's long-term capacity could be as much as 13.5 billion cum per year. The current construction includes three 160,000cum gas tanks and related devices. In April 2007, CNPC received approval to build the USD 1 billion LNG project, which is now expected to be completed before 2011. CNPC will use the LNG station as a second source for the west-to-east natural-gas pipeline. CNPC's partners in the project are RGM International (Singapore) and Jiangsu Guoxin (International Trust) Investment Group Ltd (Nanjing City, Jiangsu). Reports state that the capacity of the current project is 3.5 million tons per year. Rudong's local government said CNPC will increase the capacity to 6 million tons in Phase II and 10 million tons in Phase III.

Spain: Enagas LNG Terminal

Fluor Corp. has announced that it has been awarded a contract for the detailed engineering, procurement services and construction management (EPCM) by Enagas for the new El Musel LNG Terminal along Spain's north coast. Enagas is Spain's top natural gas transportation, regasification and storage company and is the technical manager of the country's gas system. Fluor will be responsible for contracts and materials on the project that are worth approximately USD 320 million. The new facility will be located at the El Musel Commercial Port near the city of Gijon in the province of Asturias. The terminal will include two 150,000 cum LNG tanks along with a regasification send-out capacity of 800,000 normal cum/hr. Additionally, the LNG terminal will provide natural gas to combined-cycle power plants and will help diversify the fuel sources of electricity generation in the region. Groundbreaking is scheduled for early 2008, with construction completion and commissioning expected in 2011.

Green electricity biomass boilers

Andritz has been entrusted with the supply of steam boilers based on fluidized-bed combustion technology for power plants in Spain and Portugal using biomass as fuel. The value of the orders is over EUR 80 million. To Grupo Empresarial ENCE SA, Spain, Andritz will supply a high pressure steam boiler plant for their pulp mill in Huelva, Andalusia, Spain. The 170MW boiler will use energy cultivates and forest residues as fuels. Start-up of the plant is scheduled for the end of 2009. When completed, the plant will be one of the largest green electricity biomass power plants in Spain and will generate 50MWe of green electricity supplied to the grid. To Portucel - Empresa Produtora de Pasta e Papel SA, Portugal, Andritz will deliver steam boilers for their two power plants to be built at the Cacia and Setúbal mills in Portugal. Electric power output of the plants will be 15MWe each. Start-up of both plants is scheduled for the end of 2009.

Indonesia: DRI plant JV

Indonesia-based mining and minerals company PT Aneka Tambang and steel major PT Krakatau Steel will build a USD 60 million ore processing plant in South Kalimantan province this year. Both parties have signed a joint venture agreement to create Meratus Jaya Iron & Steel. Antam will hold 34% stake in the venture, while the remaining 66% stake will be held by Krakatau. The plant will have a capacity of 315,000tpy initially. The ore processing plant will produce direct reduce iron with all of the output consumed by Krakatau Steel in Banten province. The plant is expected to be built in November 2008 and on stream by 2010. Antam and Krakatau will finance 35%, while the remaining 65% will come from national bank loans. In the future, both companies plan to expand the facility's capacity to 1 million tonnes per year and the investment needed on the expansion program is expected to reach USD 600 million.