Colene Woolcott, Author at Penspen

Early Production Facilities

May 14, 2018 2:31 pm Comments Off

Maximising recovery in the modern oil and gas industry means maximising financial returns as quickly as possible. One way to do this is through early production facilities (EPFs), which provide operators with a flexible, relatively low cost solution for bringing discoveries on stream in rapid time and opportunities for early cash flow generation with a minimal outlay in capex and opex.

EPFs can deliver fast track real time insight into initial well, reservoir or infrastructure performance, generating income and assisting field evaluations in advance of the deployment of more expensive and longer-term systems. Furthermore, because of the relatively small financial commitment required, they can be well suited to the exploitation of smaller, marginal or remote reserves which may be economically too risky to run with a more costly permanent production facility.

Penspen’s EPF engineering and construction management capabilities cover a wide range of services designed to help operators move hydrocarbons from the wellhead to the export pipeline as quickly as possible. That can be through highly efficient gas compression and dehydration systems, crude oil treatment, stabilisation, metering and pumping or through production water treatment to injection wells. It also includes all the necessary support systems including power generation services, fuel gas systems, instrument air, control systems, fire and gas systems and the miscellaneous utilities that can be part of the EPF process.

A major international oil and gas service company selected Penspen to provide detailed engineering support for the planning and construction of a gas, oil and water processing facility in the Middle East. The production facility includes gas, oil, and water separation, oil export, gas treatment, effluent water treatment and disposal, sulphur recovery and associated systems.

The customer required a partner that could deliver multi disciplinary detailed engineering expertise, including PDMS and 3D modelling. Penspen engineering team, out of our Abu Dhabi office, successfully supported the client by providing the necessary detailed engineering and PDMS 3D modelling within a tight and challenging tight frame.

Following the success of this project, we were chosen to carry out a similar scope of work for another Middle East production facility. The facility also includes gas, oil and water separation, oil processing, oil export, gas treatment, effluent water treatment and disposal, a sulphur recovery unit and associated systems.

Penspen have the capability and experience to deliver fast, cost-effective solutions that bridge the gap between discovery and profitable production.

ADNOC In-Country Value (ICV) Certification

April 8, 2018 9:50 am Comments Off

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) have recently launched the In-Country Value (ICV) strategy, which aims to strengthen relationships with the UAE’s private sector. Businesses must now complete an ICV assessment as part of their partnership with ADNOC, which will form part of the tender evaluations and award process.

Introduced in February 2018, the new strategy is procurement led and designed to increase ADNOC’s ICV contribution. In order to do this, they will be focusing on the selection of local suppliers, the development of UAE nationals and the localisation of critical functionalities in the oil and gas industry.

ADNOC will undertake a series of strategic initiatives as the ICV strategy continues to develop. These will include:

Strategic identification of suppliers and long-term collaboration
Developing of key procurement categories for small and medium sized local companies
Sharing future CAPEX and OPEX spending plans to encourage investment in the UAE
Focused training programs facilitated for Emiratis, increasing the employability of the local workforce

Penspen welcomes the implementation of ADNOC’s ICV strategy and the value it will bring to the UAE oil and gas industry, as well as to the country.

Through our Abu Dhabi office, we have provided onshore and offshore engineering and project management services to the UAE oil and gas industry for over 40 years. We have successfully completed more than 250 projects during this time.

We have helped our clients to develop new energy assets and rehabilitate existing brownfield assets through customised engineering solutions. As a multi-discipline company, we combine quality and technical excellence with agility, providing the full range of services over the complete lifecycle of a project.

With an engineering workforce of over 200 personnel based in our Abu Dhabi offices, we offer detailed engineering and project management services. Our areas of expertise include conceptual and feasibility studies, basic and FEED, detailed design, operability and risk assessment. We also provide project management and procurement services, as well as engineering support to EPC contractors.

Penspen awarded PIMS extension for Chilean mine

February 22, 2017 11:36 am Comments Off

Penspen, a leading global provider of engineering and project management services to the energy industry, has been awarded a nine-month contract extension to provide pipeline integrity management systems (PIMS) for Chile’s Minera Los Pelambres copper mine, the fifth largest in the world, by Antofagasta Minerals.

Penspen was first employed to work on the project – located at 3,600m above sea level in the Andes Mountains and 200km north of Santiago de Chile – in 2010, when it conducted a gap analysis. Two years later, it developed a PIMS, corrosion management system, risk assessment and risk based inspection (RBI) and began providing specialist training for operations and maintenance staff at the mine. In 2014, Penspen implemented its PIMS and corrosion management system. It also introduced emergency plans, technical notes, a RBI update and provided in-line inspection support.

With this latest contract extension, Penspen will continue with the implementation of the PIMS and will provide additional technical assistance.

The work undertaken by Penspen will minimise the probability and consequences of failure to the 320km pipeline, which transports fluids from the mine.

Penspen’s Carl Mook, ‎EVP Americas, said: “This contract extension win marks the continuation of a great partnership between Antofagasta Minerals and Penspen.

This is a really interesting project due to its mountain location and the different geological and technical challenges that may arise. I am delighted that Penspen can both continue to support the project with our PIMS, and provide staff at the mine with the requisite training to ensure the continued health and longevity of the pipelines.”

Ignacio Rivera, Penspen’s General Manager Asset Integrity, Chile, added:

“I am immensely proud of the work which Penspen’s mining team has undertaken. It is because of their exceptional work ethic and dedication that we have secured this extension to the contract.”

The Minera Los Pelambres project was the first mining-related venture for Penspen, but the company has since undertaken a number of mining projects across Chile and Peru, as more businesses realise the potential of using pipelines to transport minerals and associated products.

Penspen Forms an Alliance With Crestech Engineering Ltd

December 21, 2016 6:16 pm Comments Off

Penspen, a leading provider of engineering and project management services to the energy industry, announces that it has signed a strategic alliance agreement with Nigerian engineering firm Crestech.

The partnership will enable the two businesses to provide engineering, project management and asset integrity services and operation and maintenance services for oil, gas and energy assets in Nigeria. This project will combine Penspen’s global expertise with Crestech’s strong domestic reputation.

Penspen has been active in Sub-Saharan Africa since 1972 and carried out a number of strategic projects in Nigeria including the Escravos – Lagos Gas Transmission System and Nigeria’s National Petroleum Products Pipelines and Depots. Over the past 12 months, Penspen has been working on a number of vital regional projects including the West Africa Gas System project for ECOWAS.

Crestech currently offers engineering and project management services to oil & gas companies and other energy assets across Nigeria and West Africa.

Penspen’s Vice President Europe & Africa, Neale Carter, said: “We are very pleased to be joining forces with Crestech to bring new opportunities to the Nigerian market. We see this alliance as the ideal way to further build on our presence in Nigeria.

“The skill sets of the two companies are very complimentary; Penspen can offer services across an entire project lifecycle, from engineering design to asset management and integrity, and covering the full range of offshore production facilities, from subsea production systems to oil and gas transportation networks, as well as expertise in offshore engineering for floating production units, platforms and subsea structures. Crestech, meanwhile, have excellent local market knowledge and experience. We look forward to exploring many new possibilities together”.

The Managing Director of Crestech, Peter Tabiowo, adds: “Crestech is delighted with this joint alliance with Penspen to further enhance and consolidate our expertise in the network of crude oil, multi-products, gas pipeline, depots/terminals as well as the onshore, offshore and deep water platforms in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. This alliance will undoubtedly bring the requisite technical skills gaps locally and eventually reduce costs of engineering projects in the industry in the very near future.”

Penspen Collaborates With the Industry to Enhance Standards for Pipeline Integrity

November 29, 2016 2:57 pm Comments Off

Penspen, a leading global provider of engineering, asset management and integrity services to the energy industry, is pleased to announce the launch of its Pipeline Defect Assessment Manual (PDAM), second edition. This 456-page best-practice guide is a collaborative industry venture, involving a number of leading oil and gas companies, which collates expert advice and guidance for pipeline engineers.

The PDAM project commenced in 1999 and was originally developed to address the industry need to have a single document that contained definitive advice to assist pipeline engineers in maintaining pipeline integrity. Since its creation, the manual has become widely recognised as leading reference material in the pipeline industry and as a result the content has been embedded into the standard procedures of many of its sponsors.

The manual contains the detailed methods needed to assess a variety of defects commonly found in pipelines. The best available methods are presented in a simple and easy to reference manner. The pipeline defect assessment literature reviews are written and peer reviewed by internationally recognised experts within the pipeline integrity industry to provide a sound technical basis for the recommended methods contained within PDAM.

The updates in this second edition include the following:

A new chapter on fatigue assessment guidance.
A new literature review of mechanical damage, fatigue, weld defects, cracking, fracture propagation and subsea integrity issues and associated assessment methods.
A general update of the manual to improve guidance clarity and additional worked examples.

Nigel Curson, EVP Technical Excellence, Penspen, said:

“We have put a lot of work into ensuring that this guide contains the go-to reference material for assessing pipeline defects. Many of our sponsors have saved a considerable amount of time, effort and money by referencing PDAM, which has in many instances enabled them to avoid unnecessary and costly damage repairs.

It’s a collaboration which works and which benefits everyone involved.”

PDAM membership currently stands at 33 international sponsors comprising operators, regulatory bodies, consultancies and inspection companies. The project continues to be updated and developed as more sponsors join. Sponsors are able to dictate the direction of the manual in order to address their current pipeline integrity topics and concerns.

Current sponsors include: ADMA-OPCO, Atteris, BG Group, BP plc, Canadian Natural Resources International, Centro Sviluppo Materiali SpA, Chevron Energy Technology Company, China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Corporation, China Petroleum Pipeline Inspection Technologies, Compania Operadora de Gas del Amazonas, DNV GL, Equity Engineering, ExxonMobil, Engie, HSE, MACAW, Mero, FGSZ Ltd, National Grid, Open Grid Europe, Petrobras, PII Pipeline Solutions, PGN, Promigas, , Saipem UK, Samarco, SASOL, Shell,, SNAM Rete Gas SpA, Statoil ASA, Toho Gas Company Ltd, Total and Woodside Energy Ltd.

Penspen awarded Detailed Engineering Services contract for works on ADCO’s Bab and Asab fields

October 4, 2016 2:49 pm Comments Off

Penspen, a leading global provider of engineering and project management services to the energy industry, has signed an agreement with Matrix Construction to provide modification works at Bab and Asab fields, located west of Abu Dhabi. The fields are owned and operated by the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Petroleum Operations Ltd (ADCO).

Earlier this year, ADCO commissioned a project to upgrade the facilities at the fields, in order to improve reliability, integrity and performance. Penspen has been sub-contracted the detailed engineering works by Matrix Construction, the EPC contractor.

The works on Bab and Asab fields comprise of planned modifications and improvements on non-associated gas facilities.

Penspen previously carried out the FEED work for this project and is therefore well positioned to deliver a highly successful outcome.

Chafic Mansour, Project Manager at Matrix Construction, says: “We chose to work with Penspen because they presented a highly competent team to us, with a strong mix of skills which will complement our requirements, particularly in the Instrument and Control arena. What’s more, since Penspen had already completed excellent work on the FEED, we had confidence that they were the best team for the job.”

Michael Simm, EVP Middle East and APAC, Penspen, adds: “We have worked on a number of ADCO projects and I’m delighted to be working with Matrix Construction in helping to upgrade the instrumentation and controls performance of these two key fields.”

Penspen and Dar Al Handasah sign a new USD $10m deal with Kuwait Gulf Oil Company

July 5, 2016 3:30 pm Comments Off

Penspen and Dar Al Handasah, operating as a joint venture, have been awarded a new project management contract by Kuwait Gulf Oil Company to manage the engineering, procurement and construction of a new gas and condensate pipeline. The pipeline runs both offshore and onshore from Khafji in Saudi Arabia to the final destination of Mina Al Ahmadi in Kuwait.

The two companies, both members of Sidara, have been providing FEED and project management services for this new pipeline since March 2010. The project is now at an advanced stage and will be completed under this new contract, which is set to run for 18 months.

Penspen’s EVP for Project Performance Chris Williams said:

“We have had a really good relationship with KGOC since we started on the FEED and we look forward to being involved right through to commissioning. We see this as a really interesting project involving facilities, multi phase flow and both onshore and offshore pipelines. The combined strengths of Dar’s track record in the region and Penspen’s broad technical expertise have made our partnership a real success”.

460697969

Penspen awarded Design Consultancy Services contract by ADNOC Distribution

May 3, 2016 1:31 pm Comments Off

Penspen, a leading global provider of engineering and management services to the energy industry, has signed an agreement with ADNOC Distribution to provide detailed engineering services for the modification and upgrade of various terminals and depot facilities in the United Arab Emirates. These include Al Ain Zakher Terminal, Mussafah Multi-Product Depot, Madinat Zayed (Beda Zayed) Depot, Dhow Harbor Depot and Saneyah Plot in AI Ain.

The Terminals and Depots within the scope of this project are ADNOC Distribution’s main downstream facilities which store key fuel products (petroleum products and liquified petroleum gas).

ADNOC Distribution intends to upgrade and modify its existing terminals and depots to meet the increasing demand for fuel products within the UAE. The proposed works will also allow ADNOC Distribution to upgrade the safety and security of storing their fuel products and integrate their system with the latest fire-fighting technology.

Penspen’s services will cover design and detailed engineering and the company will work together with other contractors to ensure successful completion of the entire project scope. This includes taking an active role in studies, reports, analysis, engineering, detailed design, system integration, documentation, calculations and engineering support.

Penspen’s Executive Vice President Middle East Michael Simm, said: “Penspen has enjoyed working with ADNOC Distribution for many years now and we are proud to be given this opportunity to continue to support them. We are driven to deliver high quality engineering services, on schedule, whilst adhering to our client’s strict safety and quality guidelines. We are delighted to be involved in this latest project, which will ultimately lead to a safer and more reliable delivery of fuel products for the UAE.”

Please click here to download a copy of the press release.

Comalcalco Superior Institute of Technology Student Joins Penspen Following Completion of Asset Management Internship Programme

March 23, 2016 12:32 pm Comments Off

Last year, Penspen joined forces with the Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Comalcalco (The Comalcalco Superior Institute of Technology) in Mexico, to offer second year engineering students the chance to undertake a six-month Asset Management internship in Paraiso, Mexico.

The programme has proven to be a great success and the first student to complete their six-month internship has now been offered a job with Penspen’s Americas team.

Cristhian de jesus De la cruz Carrillo shares his thoughts on his internship and subsequent job offer:

“The knowledge I acquired as a student with the Penspen has been invaluable. The support and expertise provide to me by the team has been hugely beneficial for both my professional development and my studies. I’d like to particularly thank Ing. Boris Eduardo Conde Castillo and Ing. Mayra Evelia Cambara Palmeros for their guidance, which has helped me to progress so well.

By joining Penspen’s Asset Management team, I know that my professional growth will continue, as it has a great group of people who will motivate and encourage me to improve my skills every day. I’m also proud to be part of a company which understands the value of recruiting students. Thank you Penspen for believing in the youth of this country!”

We are also pleased to announce that three new students from Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Comalcalco embarked upon their learning journey with Penspen this year and will be with us until June.

Throughout their internship, students become a part of the Penspen team, working on a range of activities and receiving coaching and guidance from a Penspen manager.

With a limited number of international internships on offer in Paraiso, working with Penspen in this way provides students with a coveted opportunity to build valuable experience.

Author Archives: Colene Woolcott