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ASTEC Services, the Cheshire-based engineering consultancy and managed contractor service provider, has secured contracts with three of the best known names in the oil and gas world.

After working under an agreement with AMEC Nuclear, a division of the leading international project management services company, for a number of years, ASTEC has now reaped the rewards of the client service it has delivered and been accepted on to the approved supplier list of the company’s oil and gas division.

Brenda Fraser, senior recruitment adviser for AMEC Oil and Gas, said: “Our division looks forward to working in partnership with ASTEC in the productive manner in which our nuclear division has worked with the company in recent years. ASTEC has the ability to match our requirements based on the fluctuations of the market place and labour force. It is a highly professional and honest company which responds to client needs and tailors its services accordingly.”

In addition to its new AMEC agreement, ASTEC has signed supply agreements with the subsea engineering and construction contractor, Subsea 7 and Genesis Oil and Gas Consultants.

Andy Thompson, ASTEC managing director, said: “These prestigious agreements represent a major inroad by the company into the oil and gas sector. They provide the opportunity to achieve our strategic aim of extending to this sector the proven service we have delivered to the nuclear industry for the last 13 years.

“The fact that such key players in the industry have put their faith in ASTEC is a significant boost for all of our staff who work in the sector.”

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In recognition of continued growth, CETCO Oilfield Services, specialists in cost effective waste water management systems for the oil and gas industry, has moved to newly built premises in Portlethen, Aberdeen. In 2000, CETCO only had one UK based employee, seven years on the company now has more than 40 employees and Aberdeen has become the company’s regional headquarters for the rest of the world.
Having outgrown offices in Maitland Quay, CETCO has moved to new, larger premises in Portlethen which have the capacity to allow for continued future growth.

The new site is home to a modern office building on two floors, including a large workshop and warehouse. Having invested substantially in the move, CETCO, owned by American mineral specialists AMCOL, believe its new premises marks the company’s commitment to continue developing Aberdeen as its regional headquarters.

“The level at which we have grown and expanded over the last seven years has been incredible, and this move signals our commitment to the North East economy,” said Morris Hoagland, General Manager of CETCO Oilfield Services Company. “The new workshops and office space allow for our personnel to work in an environment that is spacious and modern. We also believe that this move marks the beginning of our long term investment in the North Sea industry - in addition to our global operations.”

CETCO Oilfield Services specialise in cost-effective environmental systems and products designed to treat completion fluid, acid flowbacks and produced water for the oil and gas industry.

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Providing advanced protection against a wide range of hazardous industrial gases and oxygen deficiency, the TS4000 intelligent toxic gas detector from General Monitors is now rated SIL 2 suitable.

The TS4000 toxic gas detector has been third-party certified for SIL 2 applications, and is approved by CSA, ATEX, CE Marking and GOST. Its sophisticated design offers many advanced features, including long distance remote mounting up to 2,000 feet, dual redundant MODBUS communications, eight Amp relays, three-digit display, 4-20 mA output, and an indication of remaining sensor life.

All electronics are contained within an explosion-proof housing so that sensor information can be processed at the sensor site. The detector provides complete status and control capability in the control room. Additionally, the interface module’s galvanically-isolated, intrinsically-safe design supports sensor field replacement without special tools or hot work permits.

Easy to install, the TS4000 features one-person calibration and can virtually self-calibrate by activating a magnetic switch and applying gas. Process engineers who need to protect people and equipment will find the TS4000 toxic gas detector ideal for chemical, oil and gas, water and wastewater treatment, pulp and paper, and other hazardous environments. Additional applications include public utilities, refineries, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage.

The TS4000 monitors a variety of toxic gases in the parts per million (ppm) range, including ammonia, carbon monoxide, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, oxygen, ozone and sulfur dioxide. The system displays gas concentrations up to 500 ppm, fault codes for troubleshooting, prompts when calibration is needed, and provides complete status to the user. Additionally, the TS4000 simplifies operation and maintenance and reduces downtime by indicating remaining sensor life.

The TS4000 is comprised of a base unit, sensor housing with interface module and electrochemical sensor. The interface module processes information at the sensor site and communicates detected gas values to the base unit for data control and display. By combining explosion-proof certification with intrinsically safe inputs, the TS4000 provides high performance in hazardous locations.

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Hayward Tyler Ltd, a leading manufacturer of pumps and motors for the power, oil and gas industry, is pleased to announce it has delivered 16 gear driven side entry mixers for the Yemen Refining Company’s two refineries, based in Aden and Marib, Yemen. The first eight side entry mixers were delivered in March 2006 and the remaining eight being delivered this month.

The Aden refinery is one of the country’s major refineries with a design capacity of 170,000 b/d of oil. Currently, it is undergoing a modernization program to increase capacity to 150,000 b/d as the plant presently produces about 100,000 b/d of oil due to the significant damage it sustained during the civil war. The estimated cost of upgrades for both refineries is roughly US$500 million.

Paul Noble, General Manager at Hayward Tyler Fluid Handling in Glasgow, said: “We are very pleased to have received and fulfilled the order for the side entry mixers for Aden Refinery. It was encouraging working with Aden Refinery and we hope to continue our positive relationship with the company on the basis of our over 40 years of experience in a wide range of applications for some of the largest oil companies in the world.”

Hayward Tyler has been supplying mixers to the oil industry since the early 1960s and has also sold a large number of side-entry mixers for general chemical applications to a wide range of blue chip clients. The company also provides a full after-sales service and guarantees.

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ECISGroup is pleased to invite you to the 20th World Energy Expo in Rome on 13th - 14th November 2007.

You can find us at in Hall B 8 stand F 42.

Come and let’s talk about business together.

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In response to requests from our clients, Reflex Marine has now developed the Frog-6, a high capacity unit for six passengers. This new unit is specifically designed to provide substantially increased transfer rates. Operators benefit from reduced crew change times, and, as vessels and cranes are tied up for less time, increased efficiency and reduced impact on other operations. It also results in reduced risk, as vessels spend less time working in close proximity to offshore structures.

Proven Capability

After a decade of operations throughout the world and over a million crew transfers, Reflex Marine’s original 3-person Frog(TM) has set a new standard for safe and efficient transfer operations. The Frog, proven in demanding applications from the tropics to the Arctic, has demonstrated its reliability in challenging sea-states and extreme weather conditions. It is now widely acknowledged as the most capable transfer device in the industry.

Design Excellence

Internal spatial design provides increased capacity, whilst maintaining a compact footprint (only marginally larger than the original three-person Frog)
New triple suspension with motion dampening provides exceptional impact protection
Integrity confirmed by advanced computerised stress modelling
Materials used by the aviation industry ensure high strength and light weight
Light weight and compact footprint allow easy storage
Improved MedEvac response (faster stretcher handling)
The unit has undergone rigorous design and verification programme, including impact testing and immersion trials

Type Approval
An application has been made to American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for Type Approval of the product.

Protection

Quick release harnesses virtually eliminate the risk of falling:

Advanced suspension system protects passengers in the event of heavy landings
Stainless steel frame protects passengers against lateral impacts
Buoyancy configuration provides self-righting and stable upright flotation

Commitment to our clients

High quality training and technical support materials are supplied with each unit. We also offer a range of client support options including operational reviews, risk assessments and offshore and onsite training.

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Lloyd’s Register EMEA, in conjunction with Caledonian Geotech and the Maritime Institute in Gdansk, has recently conducted what is believed to be the first offshore North Sea pipeline in-service survey using a Multi-Beam Echo Sounder (MBES).

MBES technology has the ability to map 100% of the seabed by sending out a fan of narrow acoustic beams from a fixed unit aboard a vessel. These beams ‘echo’ back data which generates a detailed 3-D image of the terrain; including, in this case, the pipeline. This technique provides a higher quality survey at a lower cost compared to conventional methods and avoids the practical and safety hazards associated with deploying equipment over the side in adverse sea conditions.

The specialised Polish research vessel RV IMOR, which normally performs coastal zone and shallow water exploration and research, was used for the 190km long survey carried out for Interconnector (UK) on their gas pipeline linking Belgium and the UK.

John Thornton, Lloyd’s Register project manager for the Interconnector contract, said, “multi-beam echo sound surveys provide us with excellent data for managing the integrity of sub-sea pipelines. The technique is commonly used for limited, specialised work but this is the first time it has been used as part of a routine offshore pipeline survey as far as we and Caledonian Geotech … are aware. The IMOR proved to be an ideal workboat for this pipeline and everyone involved worked extremely hard to make this first survey in the North Sea a success.”

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Designed to meet the demands of the modern industrial inspection environment, the Olympus IPLEX FX provides a tough, portable and intelligent remote imaging solution.

The compact system is housed in a magnesium chassis and weighs only 6kg, including batteries. It incorporates a fully functional videoscope, suited to quick-check inspections and more detailed movie-image recording and advanced stereo measurement applications. A new ‘multipoint measurement mode’ is perfect for blending operations in turbines, and the ‘wide dynamic range’ feature enhances the high resolution and quality images associated with Olympus.

The FX also has interchangeable insertion tubes with a simple, sealed interface to the base unit. These insertion tubes are available with maximum diameters of 4mm and 6mm, and Olympus has further enhanced their strength and resilience, to protect against the risk of damage. The new TrueFeel™ joystick-controlled angulation mechanism also allows precise placement and control of the tip, allowing users to see exactly what they want to, and from the most advantageous position.

This is the first industrial videoscope with interchangeable optical tip adaptors, incorporating integral LED’s, which provide very bright images, but with low power consumption. Additionally, for easy set-up and operation, the FX’s SmartTip™ technology enables the system to automatically recognise which tip adaptor is connected.

A removable and rechargeable internal lithium ion battery allows inspections to take place anywhere, and the FX’s sealed-unit construction, with no cooling fan, is compliant to MIL-Std-810F for resistance to rain, humidity, salt fog, sand, dust and electronic interference.

Steve Toogood, Olympus’ director of industrial business, commented: “Our design philosophy is to maximise performance through the use of advanced technologies, but keep the intelligence inside, providing a simple, intuitive operational interface for users, with the high-quality images and information they need to make the right decisions. Our system’s mechanical and environmental resilience is a long way ahead of anything else on the market and this product truly meets the needs of the industrial customer ‐ we are sure they will like it.”

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CTC Marine Projects (a subsidiary of DeepOcean) is building the world’s largest and most powerful rock-trenching vehicle. The RT-1 ‘Rock Trencher’ will set a new standard in subsea trenching.

Designed specifically for hard ground operation, the RT-1 is a 170t machine with a 2.5MW power base, offering a scale of trenching capability and productivity that has never previously been attainable.

The RT-1 will be able to operate in soil conditions of up to 40MPa, offering significant benefits in terms of hard ground pipeline stabilisation.

The vehicle is scheduled for worldwide operation and will offer particular benefits in hard ground regions such as the Arctic, the north-west Australian shelf and the Shetlands.

CTC’s managing director Tony Inglis commented, “The RT-1 offers a step change in hard ground trenching. It will provide the market with unparalleled performance and develop our service range into more extreme geo-technical environments.”

Part of the DeepOcean group, CTC is continuously investing in its asset base
and the development of RT-1 further extends its market-leading position.

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Specialist bending company Angle Ring is celebrating 55 years of providing metal bending services to industry by announcing a continued commitment to offer a full range of services to the oil and gas sector.

Angle Ring is well established within the curved structural steel market for its extensive steel bending capabilities. The entire range of universal sections, including the deepest beams and heaviest columns can be curved at their Tipton facility. Coupled with their induction bending and heavy plate forming equipment they provide a unique one-stop-shop for all metal bending requirements.

The Midlands-based company is Britain’s largest manufacturer of large curved steel components. It has earned an outstanding reputation for its ability to produce large sections of curved steel and other metal alloys to order.

Many pipeline contractors and equipment manufacturers supplying multinationals such as Statoil, Exxon Mobil and Shell use its bending services. Along with providing curved components to other oil and gas producers, Angle Ring manufacture steel pipes from plate to ASTM specifications, not only for the oil and gas sector but also the nuclear and defence industries.

Angle Ring’s expertise in induction bending, pipe forming, and heavy plate cold rolling has more recently been developed to provide these services to an ever-increasing number of clients involved in some way with onshore and offshore oil and gas applications.

CUSTOMISED CURVED PIPELINE SECTIONS

Marketing manager Paul Middleton said: “The offshore oil and gas industry uses our expertise in providing made-to-order curved pipeline sections. Our induction bending system means we can provide not only longer lengths and larger diameters of shaped steel tubes than anyone else in the UK, but [these tubes] also have far stronger structural integrity where they bend than can ever be achieved through normal welding.”

Much of Angle Ring’s success has been due to its continuing innovation in steel bending and associated skills. The company has been at the forefront of steel tube shaping developments but has also built its reputation on its expertise in associated technology such as rolling, forming and welding carbon steel and steel alloys, as well as exotic materials such as nickel alloys, titanium and aluminium.

Middleton said: “The offshore industry is becoming increasingly aware of Angle Ring’s capabilities and these are often incorporated into their pipeline and process equipment designs. Not only do we provide a unique range of bending services but we also offer sound technical advice, which is a very important consideration in the high technology market. We are committed to providing an excellent all round service for this very important and growing sector of our overall business.”

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