Author Archives: Colene Woolcott

  1. Penspen Partners with Ankaa Consulting to Expand Asset Integrity Services in Asia

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    Penspen, a leading global provider of engineering and project management services to the energy industry, has partnered with asset risk, integrity management and digital solutions services company, Ankaa Consulting, to help bolster our asset integrity offering in the Asia region.

    We are currently providing asset integrity services to a number of clients in the region and the agreement will strengthen our presence in the area, by growing our pool of local resources and helping us to gain valuable knowledge and expertise.

    Noel Denton, Regional Director, said: “Penspen has operated in Asia for 38 years and grown our team and client base over this time. The agreement will allow us to be even more accessible to our clients in Malaysia and we look forward to developing alongside Ankaa Consulting to create a superior service to all in the Asian market.”

    Raza Amin, Managing Director of Ankaa Consulting said: “Ankaa Consulting complements Penspen service offerings and together we are able to meet all aspects of our clients’ risk and integrity management needs, including delivering a customised asset integrity management digital system, fully integrated with our client’s enterprise system. Our partnership provides Ankaa Consulting with a wider market foot-print to serve our customers across Asia and strengthens our joint technical capabilities in Malaysia.”

    If you would like further information regarding Penspen’s asset integrity services in Asia, we will be exhibiting at Oil and Gas Asia on booth 7005 from June 18th-20th 2019.

  2. World Day for Safety & Health at Work: Top Tips for Driving for Work Safely

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    At Penspen, driving is a major risk. We’re marking World Day for Safety & Health at Work 2019 with some of our top tips for driving safely for work.  

    We are committed to the goal of Zero Harm and have established clear guidance when driving for work, to help reduce accidents on the road.  

    According to the World Health Organisation, road traffic accidents are the 8th leading cause of death across all age groups and have increased to 1.35 million per year.  

    Safety is our number one priority, which is why we implement our company driving rules throughout Penspen.

    We aim to drive SMART:

    Secure – wear your seatbelt and secure loads

    Manage – plan and assess journeys and check vehicles before setting off

    Alert – be alert  to hazards, fit and fully rested before journeys

    Reduce – reduce your speed to road, weather and vehicle conditions

    Telephone – do not make or receive phone calls whilst driving

    Using this guidance, we’ve put together the following tips for staying safe when driving for work. 

    Tips for Driving for Work Safely

    • Set your mobile phone to ‘Do Not Disturb’ while driving  

    This will prevent distractions from your mobile phone by all stopping calls or texts from coming through whilst you are driving. A message will alert those attempting to contact you that you are currently driving and will respond when you are parked up and it is safe to do so. 

    • Always drive within the speed limit 

    Travelling at higher speeds can mean that you have less time to react to potential hazards around you and will increase stopping time. 

    • Plan your journey in advance and allow adequate time to reach your destination 

    When planning your journey, ensure you include enough time for regular rest breaks and consider any foreseeable changes to traffic and road conditions, which may increase your journey time. 

    • Check the weather forecast before setting off

    When driving, wet weather and slippery road surfaces can increase stopping distances, while fog can reduce visibility, leading to an increased risk of accidents. 

    • Service and maintain your vehicle on a regular basis 

    Check your vehicle before every journey and ensure that you check the tyres, oil and brakes on a regular basis. If you notice any issues with your vehicle, get these looked at immediately.

    • When travelling in winter, ensure you have the following emergency supplies within your vehicle: a fully charged mobile phone, a change of warm/waterproof clothing, emergency food, a warm drink, salt and a shovel.  

    Adverse winter weather conditions can cause additional hazards when driving. Assess your journey and take note of advice on whether or not it is safe to travel. 

    • Take regular breaks when driving long distances 

    Take a 15-minute break for every 2 hours of driving and stop in a safe place if you are feeling tired. 

    • When possible, try to avoid driving at high risk times 

    Between 02:00-06:00am and 14:00-16:00pm are likely to be the higher risk times to drive. Avoid driving when you would usually be sleeping; if necessary, arrange an overnight. 

    • Ensure you have access to emergency equipment within your vehicle

    This can include: a first aid kit, a high-visibility jacket and a hazard warning triangle for use in the event of a breakdown.  

  3. Penspen Opens New Office in Aberdeen Following Growing Demand for Services

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    Penspen, a leading global provider of engineering, asset integrity and project management services to the energy industry, has opened a new office in Aberdeen following a growth in demand for its engineering and asset integrity services in the area.

    Opened in March, Penspen can now deliver projects for both local and global clients from the office as well as grow its presence in the area.  Based in the City’s Queen’s Gardens, the new location allows the company’s specialist consultants to work more closely and efficiently with its North East clients, to deliver services such as conceptual engineering, field development studies, operational support, independent design reviews, process engineering services, life extension and decommissioning services for Offshore and Onshore developments.

    Penspen resources include a number of highly experienced engineers, many with over 25 years of North Sea experience across the full EPIC project cycle.

    Peter O’Sullivan, Penspen’s chief executive officer, commented:

    “Our new office opening in Aberdeen marks a positive return to the City. We have many exciting clients in the North East and it is an important base for us to have.

    “Having an office there will present more opportunities for us to work even closer with our clients, an important factor when delivering projects as efficiently and effectively as we can for clients.  Our team has a wealth of knowledge and experience and we will be able to provide a range of services to our new and existing clients.”

    Fraser Ross, Engineering Lead for Aberdeen, comments:

    “This is a fantastic and exciting opportunity to re-establish our engineering capability in the local market. Having worked in the previous office for over 10 years, I am proud to be part of the team here, tasked with building the business. Having the full support of Peter and his executive team in addition to our regional offices across the globe has made the process more achievable.”

  4. Penspen and JQEC Awarded Construction Supervision Contract by Kuwait Ministry of Electricity & Water

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    Penspen, a leading global provider of engineering and project management services to the energy industry and Jassim Qabazard Engineering Consultants (JQEC), a Kuwaiti multidisciplinary architectural and engineering consulting company, have signed an agreement with the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW), Government of Kuwait for supervision services of five power stations in the country.

    The project management consultancy contract, signed in March 2019, will be valid for a duration of three years. Penspen’s team will be responsible for the management and administration of the procurement and construction contractors for the following MEW power stations:

    • Doha West Power Station
    • Suwaikh Power Station
    • Sabiya Power Station
    • Az Zour Power Station
    • Al Kheiran Power Station

    The procurement and construction contractors’ scope includes residual engineering, detailed engineering (based on requirement), procurement and construction through to the commissioning stages of the power stations.

    Penspen’s Executive Vice President Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, Neale Carter said: “We have already worked extensively with MEW for successful completion of the Phase I (detailed engineering) and are confident that our experience will help the company to deliver its objectives more efficiently. We look forward to a great working partnership.”

    Penspen and JQEC have come together for this specific project wherein Penspen’s global technical expertise and JQEC’s local knowledge will help in achieving MEW’s objectives through successful project execution.

  5. Penspen to Deliver New NVQ Course with SGN

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    Penspen has been successful in securing a contract with SGN to deliver a Gas Pressure Control Level 3 NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) Diploma over the next two years. The programme will help to develop SGN’s pressure control staff, to ensure their continuous development and compliance with required safety technical competencies.

    SGN manages the network that distributes natural and green gas to 5.9 million homes and business across Scotland and the south of England.

    The completion of the NVQ program will be led and delivered from both Penspen’s purpose built training centre in Neath and SGN’s training facilities in Ashford. The course will also be supported by SGN’s own staff in the field.

    Penspen’s Head of Technical Training, Rick Murfet, commented: “Securing this contract to deliver the NVQ demonstrates the work Penspen has done over the last ten10 years in delivering an internal NVQ program, which has great relevance to the market as it faces key challenges with skills gaps and an ageing workforce.”

    The twelve-week Pressure Control Training Course provides hands-on experience in the functional maintenances and overhauls of pressure reducing equipment across all pressure ranges, up to and including high pressure systems.

    The training plan has been developed to ensure trainees undertaking the diploma in Engineering Maintenance (Mechanical) are provided with an understanding of the most common equipment and typical arrangements they will encounter in the field.

    This plan will build upon learners’ knowledge and understanding in a logical sequence and will be delivered over an 18-24-month period. Trainees will attend for formal off-job training in two groups, approximately every 6-8 weeks.

    On completion of the program delegates will:

    • Understand the operating standards and the legislation that impacts upon owners and operators of gas pipelines and assets;
    • Recognise safe working practices when working in hazardous areas, including site entry, safe use of electrical equipment and emergency/evacuation procedures;
    • Be qualified to oversee and perform functional maintenances and overhauls of pressure reducing equipment across all pressure ranges up to and including high pressure systems.

    To maximise the effectiveness of the training and consolidate learning, it is essential that the trainees are provided with opportunities for exposure to the plant and maintenance activities whilst working with experienced operators. Trainees must also be provided with on-the-job assessment opportunities at appropriate times throughout their training period. Penspen will support with each of these elements as the course progresses.

  6. Penspen Celebrates Colombian Success with New Office and Contract Win

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    Penspen, a leading global provider of engineering, asset integrity and project management services to the energy industry, has recently opened a new office in Bogota, Colombia. This follows the award of a two-year contract with CENIT, a subsidiary of ECOPETROL.

    Opened in November 2018, the new project office will initially employ approximately 10 members of staff, with this number is expected to increase over the next year. Staff employed in the new office include specialists in integrity, corrosion and in-line inspection,

    The new office will fulfil the company’s latest contract win with CENIT. Penspen will provide an integral service of structural analysis for assessment and inspection of the hydrocarbon transport infrastructure. Work began at the end of 2018 and is expected to be completed by approximately the end of 2020.

    As part of this project, Penspen has formed an alliance with a non-destructive testing company, ADEMINCOL. The partnership will help to provide a comprehensive service and cover the technical  requirements of the contract, such as the provision of in-field inspection, including non-destructive testing.

    Peter O’sullivan, Penspen’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our presence in this area has grown over the past 15 years. The need for our services across projects in this region is increasing and our new office opening and this contract win is a testament to our work and commitment to this area.

    “Located in Bogota, we’ll be able to provide on the ground support to our clients from this base. Our team has a wealth of knowledge and experience and are able to provide clients with a range of our services. We look forward to working with CENIT and growing our presence in this area.”

  7. Penspen Selected to Provide Engineering Consultancy Services to Sonacol to Support MAIPU Aeropuerto AMB Pipeline

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    We have been selected to provide engineering consultancy services to Sonacol, in order to support engineering decision making on their MAIPU Aeropuerto AMB Pipeline in Chile.

    Penspen have been working in Chile for 9 years and have built a long term relationship with a number of clients including Sonacol. Commenting on the award, Sales Manager Ignacio Rivera said: “Having been in Chile myself for 4 years, I understand challenges that companies like Sonacol face and have ensured this knowledge has been at the core of the solutions we provide to them.

  8. Penspen Selected to Execute the First Phase of the FEED of the Proposed Gas Pipeline Between Nigeria and Morocco

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    Penspen, a leading global provider of engineering and project management services to the energy industry, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract by the Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to execute the First Phase of the FEED (FEED Phase I) of approximately 5,700 km gas pipeline proposed to run from Nigeria to Morocco. The award is a follow-up on the feasibility study completed by Penspen in July 2018.

    The FEED Phase I consists of a detailed review of the feasibility study results and in-depth evaluation of the gas demand and supply study. Further design of the pipeline system, in addition to the execution of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), will then be carried out with the aim of optimising the proposed pipeline route and project economics.

    Penspen will also support the client in marketing and promoting the pipeline project to potential stakeholders showcasing the wider benefits of its development.

    At the end of the study, key detailed outcomes will help the client prepare for the second phase of the FEED (FEED Phase II) which is expected to lead to a Final Investment Decision (FID).

    Penspen will be utilising the skills and capabilities of Dar Al-Handasah, Crestech and Control Risk to conduct number of special studies required for the FEED services, environmental impact assessment, Nigeria gas supply study and risk study respectively.

    Peter O’Sullivan, chief executive officer of Penspen, said “Following Penspen’s successful execution of the feasibility study, we consider it a huge privilege to be selected by both clients for the next stage of the project definition i.e. FEED Phase I where we will continue to provide our renowned world class services towards realisation of this strategic project.

    As the development of this proposed regional gas pipeline linking Nigeria with Morocco and several other West African Countries progresses, Penspen remains fully committed to the course and is confident that we have both the necessary experience and the required expertise to support the delivery of an optimal FEED study for the development of this pipeline”.

    The work has already started and is being executed from Penspen’s Abu Dhabi office.

  9. Future Energy Asia 2018

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    On 12th-14th December 2018, Penspen exhibited at Future Energy in Bangkok, where we also delivered a successful presentation as part of the conference.

    The event explored the advancements in Asia’s energy solutions, acting as a meeting point for policy makers, government leaders and integrated energy companies to consider future energy strategies.

    The Thailand Integrated Energy Blueprint was widely discussed, as this defines Thailand’s commitment to promoting more affordable and reliable, low-carbon energy alternatives.

    As well as exhibiting at the event, we were also invited to speak at the conference. Delivered by Asset Integrity Manager for the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific regions, Ali Alani, attendance to Penspen’s presentation was high.

    Entitled, ‘Assessment of Two Business Critical Unpiggable Subsea Pipelines’, the presentation highlighted the challenges that performing a condition assessment of unpiggable pipelines can pose to operators. By depicting the methods used to carry out risk and integrity analysis on pipelines with no available pig receiving facilities, we demonstrated how we have previously overcome these challenges. The audience appeared very engaged and asked a range of questions following the delivery of the presentation.

    During the Executive Panel, we were able to liaise with representatives from some of the major operators in the region to discuss the liquid natural gas market in Asia.

    Our stand remained busy throughout the exhibition, the results of which we are confident will be very beneficial in the future.

    Following the success of the event, we look forward to continuing our work within the changing Asian energy market.