The Technical Conference featured a series of impactful engagements where industry leaders and experts proposed actionable solutions and innovations for optimizing production, energy efficiency, asset integrity, and integrating renewable energy into the energy mix to ultimately achieve a secure and sustainable energy future.
Innovative Practices for Operation and Asset Integrity Session
Abdullah Wagdy, Artificial Lift Account Manager at SLB, addressed the cost-effective low-flow multiphase gas handler on a depleted mature field in Ecuador, increasing production by 20% and improving ESP performance by 6%.
Wagdy also mentioned that, from the business viewpoint, such enhancements and optimizations result in benefits. He stated, “An increase in production and recovery from reservoirs with high GOR, stabilizes pump operation, maximizes production, and improves ESP run life.”
He concluded his presentation by saying that achieving cost optimization is tricky but not impossible in the oil and gas industrial sector. Wagdy then concluded that MGH systems improve operational excellence while enhancing performance and production.
Another presentation addressed “Enhancing asset reliability with a tailored corrosion management chemical program to protect hydrotreating units from high chloride contaminants that can’t be removed in a desalter.” The speaker was Arindam Roy, an Industrial Technical Consultant at Nalco Water an Ecolab Company.
Roy started off by introducing a detailed study on corrosion management through a series of detailed experimentations. Additionally, Roy noted that evaluating the efficacy of such a chemical program has some priorities, such as “managing chloride and corrosion risk by neutralizing the chloride with a proper neutralizer, injecting wash water to dilute corrosivity to improve desalter performance.”
In doing so, asset reliability of hydrotreating units can be achieved. Roy said, “Some of the benefits of using wash water to neutralize the hydrotreating units from high chloride contaminants include quench, scrub, dilution and wash.” He then added, “The wash water injection rate was optimized to dilute and was the corrosivity.” Roy concluded by saying, “So, results include increased performance of the units in a sustainable manner and enhanced operational efficiency.”
Shipping, Logistics, and Infrastructure Session
Ahmed AbdulRahman, Country Manager at Fluid Codes, gave an intriguing presentation on the “Design of high-pressure gaseous hydrogen vessel for cyclic service using a fracture mechanics approach.”.
According to AbdulRahman, “The growing importance of clean energy and the need to reduce carbon emissions has led to a significant increase in the demand for hydrogen as a fuel source.” He also added, “There are four types of pressure vessels used to store gaseous hydrogen, which is a mix of metal, composite (fiber and resin), and polymers.”
However, only the most basic metal containers are used due to the simplicity of their production and low cost in the market. Despite this, AbdulRahman discussed the experimental benefits of new designs that could become advantageous over simple designs for end-users. He concluded with some recommendations stating, “While more complex designs are good for small storage, for medium stationary applications, the most basic Type I metal design is seen to be the best.”
In addition, Omar ElSebeiy, Senior Operation Engineer at Egyptian Natural Gas Company (GASCO), delivered the third presentation on the “Computational predictions of permeability, diffusivity & weld structural integrity in hydrogen transport pipelines.” ElSebeiy discussed the impact of the microstructure of the pipeline in terms of design life, permeability, and efficiency.
He supported his statement by saying, “Mixing hydrogen with natural gas can decrease the life of the pipeline while increasing the percentage of hydrogen to natural gas to 50% each is not practical and risky.” This was followed by a conclusion that there is an impact on the pipeline’s efficiency when it comes to permeability, structure, and welding efficiency.
Increasing Renewable Energies in the Energy Supply Mix Session
The conference placed a strong emphasis on the integration of renewable energy technologies within the oil and gas sector. Ahmed Ismaeel Kandil, Process Safety Assistant General Manager from Belayim Petroleum Company, presented a case study on the implementation of a 15 MWp photovoltaic (PV) power plant in the Abu Rudeis oil field in Egypt. Located in the Belayim region, the PV plant is synchronized with the 10.5 kV national grid feeder. During daylight hours, it generates electrical energy that supports critical operations such as water injections and disposal packages.
Kandil underscored the potential for renewable energy to enhance operational resilience and sustainability in energy-intensive industries.
“Over the first nine months of operation, we achieved an average reduction of 31% in energy consumption from the national grid. Compared to 2022 levels, our PV plant contributed to a remarkable 27% decrease in gross CO2 equivalent emissions. This translates to an estimated yearly saving of over 18,000 tons of CO2 equivalent,” Kandil said.
Unlocking Potential Through New Data, New Interpretation, and New Insights Session
Ibrahim Mohamed, Senior Geologist from Pharaonic Petroleum Company (PHPC), delivered a presentation on the Oligocene reservoir delineation and characterization at the Atoll Field in the Offshore Nile Delta. The Atoll field, which produces over 60% of the company’s gas, has faced challenges due to limited seismic data and complex reservoir systems.
Mohamed emphasized the importance of intra-disciplinary data integration to tackle these challenges as it enhanced the understanding of reservoir connectivity and quality. This approach supports ongoing production and paves the way for future exploration efforts in the region, as he noted.
