Articles by Asdza Nadleehe

S upervisory C ontrol A nd D ata A cquisition or SCADA systems are now in place in the majority of the world’s facilities, especially where large-scale automation is a key constituent. SCADA systems monitor and control internal operations by gathering data from sensors embedded in the facility or remote terminal units (RTUs) and then relaying it to a centralised computer system that sorts...Full Article »

Since 2009, a number of high-profile offshore events have heightened the emphasis on health and safety practices in the energy industry. Five of the most significant incidents to have happened in the previous years are listed below: WEST ATLAS In August 2009, there was a blowout and fire on a wellhead platform in the Montara field off Western Australia. The cantilever jackup, West Atlas, was...Full Article »

A lot has changed since the commissioning of India’s first oil refinery in the Assamese city of Digboi in 1901. Extraordinarily, the Digboi refinery is still refining products at the rate of 13,000 barrels per day 111 years after it first opened, making it the oldest working refinery in the world.    Before Digboi celebrates its 112th birthday, the world will see India emerging...Full Article »

On 1 January 2012 new anti-indemnity law came into effect in Texas with important ramifications for the oil industry. Passed into statute books by Texas Governor Rick Perry, the Texas Anti-Indeminity Law, or HB 2093, makes certain ‘broad form’ indemnity provisions between operators and contractors void and unenforceable. Texas Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act HB 2093 originated as a bill...Full Article »

For firms which are using floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, one of the biggest and most costly issues they have to deal with centres around the issue of corrosion management and how to deal with it most effectively. It is a particular worry for firms which operate production services in Asia and this is the case simply because of the fact that the climate and conditions...Full Article »

A shutdown and turnaround is the most important period in the lifespan of an oil refinery. If the TAR plan is well-executed, then thousands of man hours and potentially millions of dollars can be saved. If it goes badly, then there is a real potential for both monetary and physical disaster. In this article, Oil & Gas IQ’s Asdza Nadleehe takes a look at the new breed of “super...Full Article »

Spearheading M&A in the energy sector It would seem there are those on both sides of the aisle willing to vehemently present their argument for or against the emergence of shale, which is already making major ripples in the energy industry. Houston-based PLS, Inc recently released figures showing M&A activity in the upstream oil and gas industry set records in 2011 for both the number of...Full Article »

All industries are under pressure to reduce their carbon emissions and increase efficiency. A global push by governments to cut carbon has seen more, tighter regulations introduced to boost the move towards energy efficiency, especially as many will face fines if they miss their targets. However, as the number of deepwater oil and gas operations increases and easily accessible resources become...Full Article »

The contemporary shipping industry accounts for three to four per cent of man-made carbon dioxide emissions worldwide and this figure is expected to rise to six per cent by 2020 and then double by 2050. The IMO makes an emissions deal Carbon emissions from shipping are already double that of international aviation, and asingle large container ship one can throw out as much acidifying sulphur...Full Article »

Africa has a number of significant pipeline projects in various stages of development as the demand for fuels increases and countries look to collaborate for a more secure and diverse energy supply. Branching out - pipeline expansion in East Africa East Africa Community permanent secretary, David Nalo, recently revealed construction will soon begin on a 550 km pipeline linking...Full Article »

In order to maximise profitability and reduce costs, organisations in the oil and gas industry need to do all they can to guarantee the efficient and safe maintenance of hydrocarbon flow. In a sector that is dashing to stay abreast of technological advances, regulatory changes, and the hurdles presented by ageing assets, this is a harder task than it seems at first glance. Much of the oil and...Full Article »