energize oil & gas 01/2011 - GL Group

GL Noble Denton 

energıze 

e nergy. e fficiency. e ngineering. 

Structured 

Services 

australia Tapping Resources 

integrity Ongoing Maintenance 

corrosion Protecting Pipelines 

oil & gas 

ISSUE 01 • 2011 

www.gl-nobledenton.com

Oil & Gas 

change. 

The world’s leading oil & gas companies work with 

GL Noble Denton to implement operational change 

and mitigate risk. 

GL Noble Denton’s asset integrity software solution, 

GALIOM, manages the safety and integrity of assets 

across their lifecycle, and is built upon more than 

30 years of on- and offshore asset integrity and risk 

management experience. 

See more of what we do at 

www.gl-nobledenton.com 

Email: glnobledenton@gl-group.com

01/2011 

editorial 

John Wishart 

To Our Readers 

After a prolonged period of turbulence, the New Year has seen a number of 

independent bodies forecast growth in the oil and gas industry with cautious optimism. 

In particular, a new Economist Intelligence Unit report on the outlook for the oil and gas 

sector for 2011, which has been sponsored by GL Noble Denton (download your copy from 

www.gl-nobledenton.com), suggests that we are likely to see increased investment in 

innovative solutions to industry challenges over the next 12 months. But the growing 

demand for energy is taking the exploration, production and distribution of oil and gas to 

tougher extremes of geography and climate, and pushing the boundaries of the industry’s 

technical knowledge to its very limits. Against this backdrop, key players in the industry 

will need to find more innovative solutions to mitigate risk, while operating more efficiently 

and sustainably. 

The sector’s ability to demonstrate safe operations will also be brought into sharp 

focus this year, following the Deepwater Horizon incident last April. A strong approach to 

assurance and risk management will be key. GL Noble Denton has recently joined forces 

with stakeholders from across the industry to explore today’s issues in assurance and risk 

management, and help define best practice in areas such as inspecting blow-out preventers 

and reviewing safety frameworks. We are also pleased to be developing guidelines for 

blow-out preventer certification to complement our industry-leading guidelines on marine 

operations and recently published standards on float-over installations and mooring (p. 29). 

As exploration and production continue to take us into deeper waters, the role of 

the FPSO is becoming increasingly important to efficient energy generation. GL Noble Denton 

helps operators across the world establish risk management practices that are both effective 

and economically feasible, and our role in hosting the 25th FPSO Research Forum in Aberdeen 

last autumn reinforces our reputation as a world-class provider of FPSO expertise (p. 36). 

While the price of oil has been volatile over the past few years, it’s encouraging to 

hear that industry leaders have begun to predict a period of stability, fuelled by strong growth 

in both demand and supply from the Asia Pacific region. Australia’s profile as a substantial 

producer of oil and gas is growing rapidly, and GL Noble Denton has recently opened a new 

office in Perth (p. 6) to better serve our current and future clients in this exciting market. We 

look forward to developing our presence in Australia alongside other industry operators over 

the coming years. 

Yours sincerely, 

John Wishart 

President, GL Noble Denton 

3

contents 01/2011 

26 

intErviEw 

Martin G. Brown 

about fpSo 

asset integrity 

Cover photo: An FPSO at night 

(Getty Images/Flickr RF) 

32 

SoftwArE i 

inspection data 

acquisition by 

GALioM 

38 

CorroSion 

pipelines: fighting 

the ravages 

of time 

22 

trAnSportAtion 

Experience and 

guidelines for dynamic 

positioning 

42 

City GAS 

Expert knowledge 

regarding the 

infrastructure 

46 

inSpECtion 

Quality assurance 

services for ZpMC 

cranes 

35 

SoftwArE ii 

taking hull 

maintenance to 

the next level 

4 energıze

16 

12 

intErviEw 

richard palmer 

about challenges 

in Australia 


rESourCES 

Quality 

standards for 

unconven - 

t ional gas 

14 

pipELinES 

Ensuring the 

integrity of 

pE systems 

08 

ovErviEw 

the Australian 

oil and gas 

market 

profile inbrief 

GL noble Denton in Brief 

GL Noble Denton is a tEChniCAL ADviSor AnD truStED pArtnEr 

for the oil and gas industry. 

The oil and gas business segment of the GL Group helps to design, 

build, install and operate oil and gas onshore, maritime and 

offshore assets to ensure SAfEty, SuStAinABiLity AnD 

SupErior vALuE. 

GL Noble Denton is the MErGEr BEtwEEn GErMAniSChEr LLoyD’S 

oiL & GAS BuSinESS AnD noBLE DEnton, a premier provider of life 

cycle marine and offshore engineering services. Since January 2010, 

they have been offering their services as GL Noble Denton. 

GL Noble Denton is a fullservice provider with broad upstream and 

midstream competence for thE CoMpLEtE ASSEt LifECyCLE. 

GL Noble Denton combines excellent engineering and analytical skills 

with operational experience of offshore, maritime and onshore oil and 

gas assets. The oil and gas business segment of GL employs MorE thAn 

3,000 EnGinEErS AnD ExpErtS in 80 CountriES. 

We have strong expertise in complex oil and gas assets such as 

MODUs, FPSOs, pipelines, subsea systems, OSVs – and assurance, asset 

integrity, safety and risk, marine operations, project management and 

software services to match. The scope of technical services includes safe 

ty, integrity, reliability and performance management. 

GL Noble Denton is A truLy inDEpEnDEnt ADviSor without any vested 

interest in selling a design, installation, fabrication or equipment. 

GL Noble Denton services oil and gas clients in onshore production, 

onshore pipelines, storage, import terminals, LNG, refineries and pet 

rochemicals, distribution networks as well as mobile offshore drilling 

units, mobile offshore production units, fixed platforms, subsea, risers 

and flowlines, offshore support vessels, tankers and shipping and offshore 

pipelines. We oversee and support the full lifecycle of an asset 

from project concept to decommissioning. The business segment has 

A GLoBAL rEACh in thE oiL AnD GAS CEntrES of the world. 


www.glnobledenton.com 

5

australia 

oil & gas merger 

6 

energıze

Photo: iStockphoto 

Australia’s resources 

sector is thriving. 

GL Noble Denton’s 

experts support the 

oil and gas industry 

with engineering 

services on site. 

01/2011 7

australia gas 

Down Under: 

the Future is Gas 

Hidden beneath Australia’s coastal waters lie immense 

natural gas reserves. Australia is about to become one 

of the world’s key players in the market 

Australia’s upstream oil and gas industry will 

grow significantly over the next 15 to 20 years. 

The biggest opportunity lies in gas production. 

As Saudi Arabia is all about oil, Australia is all about gas. 

The country down under has some of the world’s largest 

gas reserves but has made little use of them to date. The 

realization of major gas projects, as well as the recognition 

of the low-carbon emission benefits of gas, have increased 

the profile of Australia’s natural gas industry. In recent 

years, Australia experienced a boom as operators sought 

FPSO. 

The mobile offshore 

production 

unit "Northern 

Endeavour" in the 

Timor Sea, 550 km 

Woodside 

north-west of 

Darwin. Photos: 

to develop and export Australian gas as liquefied natural 

gas (LNG). According to the Australian Petroleum Production 

and Exploration Association (APPEA), the LNG production 

capacity is set to increase from 19.5 million tonnes per 

annum (mtpa) in 2010 to 38.8 mtpa from 2014. About a 

dozen consortiums are putting together plans to explore 

major LNG funds. The race for Australia to become one of 

the leading gas exporters has started. 

Export Opportunity 

Australia’s main frontier for exploration has moved in recent 

years to the deep-water area of the Timor Sea, although 

the nearby Carnarvon Basin off the coast of Western 

Australia is still a busy area in terms of drilling activity. 

There are also significant reserves of coal seam gas and 

oil shale. Coal seam gas is a fast-growing industry with 

the bulk of onshore drilling and production focused within 

the state of Queensland. Increasing demand for petroleum 

8 energıze

Production. 

The Pluto LNG project 

is located about 190 km 

north-west of Karratha 

in the Northern Carnarvon 

Basin. 

products (particularly LNG) is fuelling the exploration, development 

and production of both existing and new fields 

across Australia. 

“Australia has just 1.7 per cent of the world’s gas reserves, 

but almost 20 per cent of the OECD’s gas reserves,” 

says Australia’s Minister for Resources and Energy Martin 

Ferguson. “Our gas reserves are large enough to support 

projected domestic and export market growth beyond 

2030.” Most of Australia’s gas lies in the deep-water area 

beneath the Indian Ocean off the isolated northern coast of 

Western Australia. It represents a huge export opportunity 

for Australia given its close proximity to gas-hungry Japan, 

Korea and the fast-growing markets of China and India. 

The Carnarvon Basin is Australia's biggest gas-producing 

region, followed by the Gippsland Basin in Victoria and the 

Cooper-Eromanga Basin in the red centre. Together they 

account for 96 per cent of Australia’s total gas production. 

A 50 per cent of Australia’s gas production is exported. The 


geographic distance between Australia and its key natural 

gas export markets prevents trade by conventional pipeline 

transport. By cooling to – 161 ºC the gas is turned into a 

liquid, reducing its volume and enabling transportation by 

ship. “Australia is currently the world’s fourth largest ex- 

porter of LNG; major project developments off Australia’s 

north-west are projected to increase 

this ranking to second by 2015,” pre- 

dicts Minister Martin Ferguson. 

LNG Facilities 

AbstrAct 

The increasing LNG production 

capacities will enable 

Australia to become the 2nd 

largest exporter by 2015 

To face the technical and 

Australia’s two producing LNG facilities 

environmental challenges 

are the North West Shelf Joint Venture more skilled workers from 

abroad will be needed 

and the Darwin LNG project. Australia’s 

first LNG project, the North West 

Shelf Venture, began shipping LNG in 1989. The project 

has since grown to include five production units and now 

produces up to 16.3 mtpa of liquefied natural gas. 

9

australia gas 

The Darwin LNG plant produces up to 3.5 mtpa and 

will supply LNG to Japan for the next 17 years. There are 

three other large LNG projects currently being built in Aus- 

tralia: Pluto by Woodside, Queensland Curtis by the BG 

Group and Gorgon by Chevron. Once completed, Gorgon 

will be one of the largest natural gas projects in the world. 

The LNG processing facility will be located on Barrow Is- 

land, approximately 130 km off the remote northwestern 

coast of Western Australia. Gorgon LNG will be off-loaded 

Gas Reserves 

Overview. Australia’s mar- 

ket share of OECD countries 

accounts for about 20 per 

cent. Most of the gas lies off 

the isolated northern coast of 

Western Australia. 

The three biggest gas-pro- 

ducing regions are Carnar- 

von Basin (Western Australia), 

Gippsland Basin (Victoria) 

and Cooper-Eromanga Basin 

(Queensland). Together they 

account for 96 per cent of 

the total gas production. 

Australia’s economic and 

sub-economic gas resources 

as at 1 January 2009 

Source: APPEA. State of the Industry Report 2010 

Carnarvon 

Basin 

94.4 tcf 

Perth 

Basin 

0.8 tcf 

Karratha 

Browse 

Basin 

33.6 tcf 

Broome 

Western Australia 

Perth 

Bonaparte Basin 

23.7 

tcf 

Conventional gas 

Coal seam gas 

tcf = trillion cubic feet 

Darwin 

Northern 

Territory 

South 

Australia 

Queensland 

Cooper-Eromanga 

Basin 

0.8 tcf 

Adelaide 

Otway 

Basin 

1.7 tcf 

Bowen, Surat, 

Sydney-C 

Gunnedah and 

other Basins 

42.3 tcf 

New South Wales 

Victoria 

Melbourne 

Bass 

Basin 

0.5 tcf 

7.9 

tcf 

Surat-Bowen 

Basin 

0.4 tcf 

Brisbane 

Sydney 

Gippsland 

Basin 

10 energıze


via a four-kilometre long loading jetty for transport to international 

markets. The domestic gas will be piped to the 

Western Australian mainland. 

Upcoming Challenges 

Photos: BP 

Gas Industry. The Karratha gas plant is one of the most advanced integrated systems in the world. It has an annual 

LNG capacity to produce 16.3 million tonnes. 

Australia’s low geopolitical risk profi le attracts major oil 

and gas players. Nevertheless, the companies have to deal 

with enormous technological challenges. For the ambitious 

LNG projects, large offshore platforms will be required and 

the topsides may be amongst the largest worldwide. Deep 

water drilling operations will be necessary for fi eld development. 

Subsea assemblies connecting multiple wells to 

the fi xed or fl oating platforms will use the latest developments 

in engineering and equipment manufacturing. 

Most main fi elds will run subsea pipelines to onshore 

processing plants. The industry is also pursuing alternative 

development models such as fl oating LNG, which will expand 

the options for developing many of Australia’s smaller 

and more isolated gas resources. 

Furthermore, environmental constraints are a challenge 

for the oil and gas industry. Many of the operations are 

located in remote and environmentally sensitive areas. As 

a consequence, all operators must comply with strict en- 

vironmental regulations, such as the requirements issued 

by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Services. Barrow 

Island, for instance, is home to over twenty unique animal 

species and rated as an A-Class Nature Reserve. 

If Australia wants to take full advantage of its abundant 

natural resources, the country will need to import workers. 

The huge gas developments require a more mobile work- 

force and more skilled migrants than are currently available 

on the domestic labour market. MD 

GL NOBLE DENTON EXPERT: 

richard bailey 

executive vice President Asia/Pacifi c 

Phone: +60 3 2160 1088 

e-Mail: richard.bailey@gl-group.com 

11

australia interview 

Expertise for Australia 

Richard Palmer about the challenges of the growing Australian gas market 

and the services GL Noble Denton is able to offer its clients 

In July 2010, GL Noble Denton opened a new 

office in Perth, Australia. Perth is one of the 

most remote cities in the world, surrounded 

by 1,700 miles of red desert in the east and 5,000 miles of 

blue ocean in the west. energize spoke with Richard Palmer, 

head of GL Noble Denton’s business in Australia. He told 

us what the company has on offer for its clients, current 

projects and the fast growing gas market Down Under. 

ENERGIZE: Why did GL Noble Denton expand its presence 

in Australia? 

RIchARD PALMER: Before opening the Perth office, we 

served the Australian market typically from Singapore. The 

oil and gas industry in Australia is warming up, and big 

Australian-based projects are coming up. GL Noble Denton 

opened the office to be best placed to serve their traditional 

and future clients by adding value to these projects 

and bringing industry experience to them. A number of 

the development concepts are new to the operators, and 

they are looking for the complete range of GL Noble Denton’s 

independent offerings from assurance to advanced 

engineering and consulting and to marine operations and 

execution. 

Australia is a large country by area but not by population. 

Thus, skills are limited. We can provide substantial 

support thanks to our expertise. The country is very remote, 

covering several time zones. Our clients therefore prefer to 

be served and interfaced locally. We are now closer to our 

Australian customers. 

ENERGIZE: Which services does GL Noble Denton offer to 

its clients Down Under? 

PALMER: Major clients of GL Noble Denton are operators of 

pipelines, upstream oil companies, EPC (engineering, procurement 

and construction) companies, offshore drilling 

companies and contractors, FPSO companies, LNG facilities, 

storage operators, financial institutions, as well as utilities. 

From our location in Perth, we provide a comprehensive 

service portfolio covering assurance and verification, 

risk and safety studies, advanced engineering and consulting, 

marine operations and project execution. The portfolio 

covers areas such as marine assurance, marine warranty, rig 

moving, naval architecture services, design verification, NDT 

(nondestructive testing) inspection, vendor inspection, risk 

and safety, RAM (reliability, availability and maintainability) 

modelling, flow assurance, transportation and installation 

consulting, due diligence, and dynamic positioning services 

12 energıze

Photo: Thewinchester 

across Australia. The Perth team is supported by expert per- 

sonnel from other regional and global offi ces with specifi c 

capabilities, such as asset integrity management and analy- 

sis of production performance, and the capability to sup- 

port clients across the entire LNG supply chain. 

ENERGIZE: What are your team’s current main projects? 

PALMER: Current projects are focusing on reliability mod- 

elling of LNG operations, provision of marine representa- 

tives for rig moves, screening studies for drilling units and 

effects of cyclones support for an FPSO. Further, we are 

working on third party verifi cation and decommissioning of 

a platform. We are doing vendor inspection work as well as 

marine survey work. 

Location. GL Noble Denton’s new office in Perth. 

ENERGIZE: What is the biggest business in Australia? 

PALMER: LNG is the big prize at the moment. Growing en- 

ergy demand, improved techniques for gas exploration and 

shipping as well as rising oil prices makes gas more interest- 

ing. Australia has one of the world’s biggest gas reserves. 

There are a number of companies working to get a licence 

for LNG exploration. GL Noble Denton brings a lot of gas 

skills and this is what Australia needs. Some of the projects 

are about pipelines thousand kilometres in length. GL No- 

ble Denton is supporting the LNG companies by performing 

risk assessments, concept reviews, concept optimization 

and shipping studies as well as general marine consultancy. 

ENERGIZE: What are the biggest challenges in Australia? 

PALMER: Australia is fairly unique in many ways. The envi- 


Profi le 

Richard Palmer is a Na- 

val Architect with over 

12 years experience, pre- 

dominantly in the fi eld 

of transportation and in- 

stallation projects world- 

wide relating to offshore 

oil and gas exploration 

and production. He is 

currently in charge of GL 

Noble Denton’s Austra- 

lian operations. Richard 

was previously responsi- 

ble for the management 

and development of GL 

Areas of Expertise 

load-out and dis- 

charge engineering 

for buoyant and non- 

buoyant cargoes 

dry transportation en- 

gineering 

marine towages 

fl oat-over engineering 

and operations 

stability calculations 

RICHARD PALMER: 

Phone: +61 (0)8 6365 4940 

E-Mail: richard.palmer@glnobledenton.com 

Noble Denton’s Trans- 

portation and Installa- 

tion business line. As a 

member of the Techni- 

cal Policy Board he leads 

the development of the 

transportation and fl oatover 

guidelines. 

FPS(O) towage and 

installation (moorings 

and risers) 

motion analysis of 

fl oating bodies 

hydrodynamic analysis 

and wave simulations 

quasi-static and 

dynamics mooring 

analysis 

ronment on the biggest island in the world is very sensitive. 

The remoteness of the country and its small population 

both limit resources and skills. All projects draw on the 

same, very limited pool of experts. That is where GL Noble 

Denton steps in. Most operations are very complicated 

since offshore is a long way from anywhere, which brings 

an added logistical challenge. MD 

13

australia pipelines 

Operative 

learning + 

development 

Best practice 

roll-out 

Leakproof PE Pipelines 

The development of coal seam gas reserves requires significant pipe networks to transport 

gas and water. Pipeline integrity is paramount – GL Noble Denton ensures it 

GL Noble Denton provides the gas and water 

sectors with consultancy services and test fa- 

cilities associated with Polyethylene (PE) pres- 

sure pipelines. These services are delivered by highly skilled 

consultants and engineers coupled with unique test facili- 

ties. GL Noble Denton has been involved in the technical 

development of PE for over 40 years. 

In order to develop the coal seam gas reserves in 

Queensland, a signifi cant number of wells will be drilled 

over the next fi ve years. Each well will produce both gas 

and water, requiring appropriate pipe networks for trans- 

Policy + 

procedure 

development 

+ update 

Training 

Client/ 

GL project 

meetings 

Best practice identifi cation 

(water + gas) + business 

improvement 

Data capture 

Audit 

Zero non-compliance 

Reduced Audit Right 1st time 

Management 

information 

reporting 

Findings 

Exception report 

+ serious 

non-compliance 

On-site 

mentoring 

Operative 

learning + 

development 

Reported KPI’s 

portation. The material of choice for much of these networks 

is PE. GL Noble Denton’s considerable expertise in PE 

pipelines is now being focussed on this new and exciting 

market, as Australian operators look to tackle the issues associated 

with installing leak-tight PE systems. 

Through the acquisition of Advantica, GL Noble 

Denton’s heritage can be traced back to British Gas 

Research and Development whose research activities led 

to signifi cant advances in PE technology, facilitating the 

introduction of PE as a material of choice to the UK gas 

sector. GL Noble Denton continues this proud tradition, 

offering high-end consultancy services to PE manufacturers 

and pipeline operators around the world. 

PE Quality Assurance 

Extensive research and test facilities allow GL Noble Denton 

to provide quality assurance and certifi cation to manufacturers 

and operators of PE pipelines, backed by over 30 

years experience in the PE business. Tests are performed 

to recognized standards (GIS standards PL2 or equivalent 

European standards). In addition to assisting the industry 

in the development of new products, carrying out type approval 

tests and supporting production testing, GL Noble 

Systematic Approach. GL Noble Denton assists clients in 

the development of their own working practices to build 

safe, leak-tight systems. This specifi c approach delivers 

real benefi ts in terms of construction improvements, 

safety culture and reduced joint failures on PE pipework. 

14 energıze

ABSTRACT 

Polyethylene (PE) is the material 

of choice for pipe networks – 

to ensure system integrity 

GL Noble Denton offers 

high-end consultancy ser - 

vices to PE manufacturers 

and pipeline operators 


joint quality testing 

product development 

Denton offers a technical service for all 

types of PE pipes and fi ttings and is ac- 

credited under the BS ISO 9001:2000 

standard. Testing services include: 

full scale rapid crack propagation 

(RCP) testing 

type approvals testing 

Continuous Improvement 

Its heritage in developing engineering procedures for PE 

construction enables GL Noble Denton to assist clients in 

developing their own internal policies, procedures and 

working practices to build safe, leak-tight systems. This 

is especially important in Australia as the produced saline 

water is categorized as a pollutant. Even small leaks will 

very quickly lead to incidents that must be reported to the 

environmental regulator. The integrity of the PE system is 

therefore paramount. 

In-depth knowledge of PE, gas industry best practice in PE 

construction and a detailed understanding of on-site construc- 

tion and safety practices, coupled with highly-skilled auditors, 

deliver real benefi ts in terms of construction improvements, 

safety culture and reduced joint failures on PE pipework. 

Accelerated Pneumatic Pressure Testing 

Many years of research led to the development of com- 

plex algorithms to account for pressure, temperature and 

PE pipe creep which would otherwise mask leakage when 

undertaking pressure testing. Applying these calculations 

ensures accurate pressure testing and reduces pressure test 

time by up to 75 per cent. This can yield signifi cant time 

savings for pipeline operators where pneumatic pressure 

testing is undertaken SB 

Stability Test. 

High pressure can 

have disastrous 

effects on a pipe. 


Simon Brooks 

Head of Technology Business Development 

Phone: +44 1509 282 326 

E-Mail: simon.brooks@gl-group.com 

15

australia resources 

Shale GaS Coal Seam GaS 

Unconventional Gas 

The increasing demand for energy is boosting the search for unconventional gas resources. 

GL Noble Denton offers new solutions to the challenges faced in taking gas to market 

Unconventional gas resources will play an in- 

creasingly important role in fulfilling future en- 

ergy requirements as conventional sources of 

natural gas mature and decline. This has become the case 

recently in Australia where coal seam gas is emerging as a 

significant source of gas supply and is a potential feedstock 

for liquefied natural gas exports from Eastern Australia. GL 

Noble Denton has worked on several key projects utilizing 

unconventional gas sources and transporting them to market 

– an area of expertise which is going to expand into the future. 

16 energıze 

Photos: Dreamstime (3), Wusel007

The main sources of unconventional gas are: 

Coal seam gas – this is gas deposits that are stored 

within coal formations, either adsorbed into the coal or 

trapped within the pore spaces within the coal seam. 

Shale gas – this refers to natural gas which is stored in 

shale formations. 

Natural gas hydrates – these are crystalline solids com- 

posed of water and natural gas in a form of a physical 

compound where individual gas molecules exist within 

‘cages’ of water molecules. 


Biogas – this is a mixture of methane and carbon di- 

BioGaS 

oxide produced from the anaerobic digestion of waste 

materials. 

Natural GaS hydrateS 

Considerable Knowledge 

The gas composition from these uncon- 

ventional gas sources differs from typi- 

cal natural gas. In certain cases the gases 

will need gas treatment to remove trace 

components in order to meet pipeline 

transportation specifications. GL Noble 

aBSTraCT 

Denton has developed considerable knowledge in 

GL Noble Denton uses technoeconomic 

models to identify the 

most appropriate gas processing 

technology 

The use of OPTAGON software is 

helpful in taking unconventional 

gas reserves to the market 

17

Monterey 

australia resources 

TraNSporT. 

LNG, Compressed 

Natural Gas (CNG), 

Adsorbed Natural 

Gas (ANG) and Gas 

to Liquids (GtL) 

are technology 

options for 

unconventional gas 

transportation. 

Mowry 

Bakken 

Gammon 

Mancos/Green River/ 

Baxter 

Niobara 

Cane Creek/ 

Hovenweep Pierre 

McClure 

Lewis and 

Mancos 

Barnett and 

Woodford 

Woodford 

Palo 

Duro 

Barnett 

New Albany 

Excello/Mulky 

Pearsall 

Caney and 

Woodford 

Haynesville/ 

Bossier 

Antrim 

Utica/ 

Marcellus/ 

Huron 

the production and processing requirements for 

these unconventional gas streams and has developed 

techno-economic models which assess each 

technology option from a technical, economic 

as well as environmental (carbon footprint) perspective. 

These models allow the most appropriate 

gas processing technology to be selected 

to treat the unconventional gases to meet the 

gas quality specifications. 

Gas Quality and Safety 

Chattanooga 

Horton Bluff 

Floyd and 

Conasauga/Neal 

Shale Gas. The total resource potential of all 

the basins in the USA is about 500 to 1 ,000 tcf. 

The potential adverse impact of these trace components 

on the gas network and end-users also needs to be as- 

Recent 

Unconventional 

Gas Projects 

carried out by 


Techno-economic modelling of coal seam gas 

and conversion into LNG 

Assessment of the impact of unconventional 

gases on the network for the HSE 

Techno-economic modelling for the treatment 

of biogas streams for various clients 

Production, processing and transportation of 

natural gas hydrates for the BG Group 

Assessment of transportation options for coal 

seam gas wells in Scotland 

Supply chain availability modelling of coal 

seam gas and conversion into LNG 

sessed. GL Noble Denton has a substantial track record 

in gas quality measurements and can provide guidance on 

the impact of gas quality variations on gas grids and end 

use equipment. In a recent project, this expertise was put 

to use for the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) where 

safety cases and risk assessments were carried out to de- 

termine the impact of introducing coal seam gas, shale gas 

and biogas into the network. 

Often these unconventional gas sources are stranded – 

transportation by pipeline is not a feasible option, which 

means that alternative transportation technologies need 

to be considered. GL Noble Denton has developed tech- 

no-economic models to assess the various transportation 

18 energıze

Carnavon 


Perth 

options and provide cost comparisons for the different 

options. 

Supply Chain Availability 

To ensure the fi nancial viability of developing unconventional 

gas resources, steps must be taken at all stages of 

the project life cycle to maximize production availability. 

Given the often complex and extensive nature of the facilities 

and infrastructure required to take unconventional gas 

reserves to market, this extends beyond the process plant 

alone. In assessing the availability of such a project, all aspects 

of the gas supply chain must be considered. These 

may include the production facilities, gathering systems, 

process plant, transportation technologies (e.g. LNG liquefaction), 

logistics, and export routes to market. GL Noble 

Browse 

Bonaparte 

Estimated 

Australian gas 

reserves 

Coal Seam Gas. Most of the 

exploration takes place in the 

eastern part of the continent. 

Amadeus 

Cooper- 

Eromanga 

Otway 

Adavale 

Bowen-Surat 

Bass 

Gippsland 

Photos: Dreamstime (3), Woodside, Wusel007 

Denton has extensive capability and a long track record 

in developing fully integrated gas supply chain availability 

models using their own OPTAGON software. Such models 

can provide essential input to inform key decisions at each 

stage of a project’s life cycle. SB 

GL NOBLE DENTON EXPERTS: 

Luisa Shelenko 

Consultant Unconventional Gas 

phone: +44 1509 282 852 

E-Mail: luisa.shelenko@gl-group.com 

Neil Wragg 

Senior Consultant asset optimisation 

phone: +44 1509 282 390 

E-Mail: neil.wragg@gl-group.com 

LNG Tanker. Berthed at the Karratha Gas Plant, 

North West Shelf Venture, Western Australia. 

19

offshore 


The offshore industry faces 

huge challenges. Through 

the GL Group synergies, 

GL Noble Denton specialises 

in the provision of worldclass 

personnel and 

expertise in support 

of offshore marine 

operations. 

20 

energıze

Photo: Dreamstime 


offshore dynamic positioning 

Brain Power for Moving 

Heavy Equipment 

As oil and gas exploration has to enter into ever more remote and hostile 

environments to extract hydrocarbons, technical challenges keep mounting. 

Smart solutions can help, such as DP float-overs 

Placement. The “Rong 

Doi” topside was successfully 

installed via fl oatover 

in offshore Vietnam. 

22 energıze


Neither direct positioning nor fl oat-over installa- 

tions are by themselves innovative technologies. 

Direct positioning was invented in the 1960s as 

a method of keeping ships and other fl oating structures in 

more or less fi xed position using a number of thrusters arranged 

around the hull. Computers nowadays pick up much 

of the fi ne-tuning during the process, using position input 

from a variety of sources, such as wind and motion sensors, 

seafl oor beacons, radar or GPS signals to compute the 

amount and direction of compensation movements. 

Attractive Alternative 

Float-overs have been the preferred method of installing 

oil platform topsides and similar large structures on top of 

their subsea supports. The conventional approach involves 

complex mooring and tethering systems whereby the barge 

carrying the topside to the installation site is slowly manoeuvred 

into the correct position so it can lower its cargo 

onto the supporting structure and hold it there while the 

topside is welded into place. It was the enormous effort, 

time and cost associated with this method that prompted 

GL Noble Denton to look for alternatives. On the open sea, 

the window of opportunity for such a complex procedure is 

often very small, and risk increases 

in proportion to the duration of 

ABSTRACT 

the operation. 

Float-overs are the preferred 

method of installing 

While many fl oat-over instal- topsides for offshore rigs 

lations have been done in recent Direct positioning technology 

lowers the cost and 

years, the fact that each instance 

risk involved in complex 

is celebrated in the press as a ma- installation projects 

jor accomplishment proves that 

they are by no means routine. And the bold idea of fl oating 

a barge carrying a large topside into the tight space, 

or “jacket”, between its future legs without holding on to 

something tangible can seem adventurous to an outsider. 

The fi rst such installation combining advanced direct 

23 

Photo: Ken Doerr

offshore dynamic positioning 

Equipment. 

Large thrusters 

bring the offshore 

vessel 

into the computercalculated 

position. 

positioning equipment and know-how with a floatover 

installation – a 2006 topside installation in the Gulf of 

Thailand – was thus carried out not only with the necessary 

redundant equipment, some of it specifically developed for 

this purpose, but also with a mooring system ready for all 

eventualities. 

The Precision of the Process 

GL Noble Denton engineered and planned the entire operation 

and was awarded the marine superintendency. 

Extensive Experience 

In addition to the many feasibility studies, GL Noble Denton has performed 

these float-overs to date: 

Bunga Raya A topside (DP assistance) 

Bunga Raya E topside (DP assistance) 

Rong Doi topside (DP) 

EGP-3A topside (moored) 

Bunga Orkid A topside (DP) 

Umm Shaif CSP-1 topside (DP) 

Umm Shaif UAP topside (DP) 

Umm Shaif CP-1 topside (moored) 

Maersk Oil Qatar – BG topside (DP) 

Maersk Oil Qatar – BE topside (DP) 

The installation went so smoothly that a subsequent sister 

project was carried out solely relying on direct positioning, 

without a mooring system as a back-up. The speed and 

precision of the process soon convinced other operators 

to try this method. The advantages speak for themselves: 

a DP float-over takes considerable less time and saves substantial 

cost compared to the traditional mooring method. 

In addition, it reduces risk exposure significantly. There are 

fewer parties involved, and no moorings or anchor handling 

tugs are needed. 

Photo: Ken Doerr 

Operation. Float-over 

of a topside by a 

semi-submersible 

heavy lift vessel. 

24 energıze 

Photo: Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc.

Guidelines for Float-Over Installations and Moorings 

GL Noble Denton has issued new guidelines for fl oat-over installations and for moorings. They have been developed on the basis of 

the company’s experience as the industry’s leading consultancy and assurance service for fl oatover operations and mooring instal- 

lations. They are now available for oil and gas companies, designers and contractors and describe current “industry good practice” 

which help oil and gas companies to have their mooring systems or fl oat-over operations approved by GL Noble Denton. 

All GL Noble Denton guidelines can be downloaded from: www.gl-nobledenton.com/en/rules_guidelines.php 

Industry fi rst: Float-over Guidelines 

THE “FLOAT-OVER GUIDELINES” (0031/ND) are an industry fi rst 

and refl ect the current popularity of fl oat-over operations. The 

guidelines draw on GL Noble Denton’s unique experience of 

fl oat-over operations, both on to fl oating hulls and fi xed plat- 

forms. The recent trend to use dynamic positioning (DP) for the 

fl oat-over operation is also covered. The guidelines now com- 

plete the whole topside or deck installation sequence namely, 

loadout, transportation and the fl oat-over operation itself. 

THE “MOORING GUIDELINES” (0032/ND) embrace not only 

the ISO 19901-7 standard on station keeping, but also ad- 

dress quayside moorings and short term moorings for marine 

operations such as loadouts and fl oat-overs. These guidelines 

are drawn from the involvement of GL Noble Denton in the 

design and operation of fl oating installations, mobile offshore 

units and installation vessels around the globe. 

Nevertheless, a DP installation requires careful prepara- 

tion, highly specialised equipment and careful guidance by 

highly experienced experts. In 2011, GL Noble Denton is- 

sued new guidelines for fl oat-over installations (0031/ND), 

including the use of direct positioning for fl oat-over opera- 

tions. Describing current “industry good practice”, these 

guidelines draw on the extensive experience gathered in 

fl oat-over projects over many years. GL Noble Denton also 

offers approval services for fl oat-over operations based on 

these rules to minimise operational risk and fulfi l the re- 

quirements of insurance warranty. Furthermore, GL Noble 


Four further guidelines updated 

THE “SELF-ELEVATING PLATFORMS – GUIDELINES FOR ELE- 

VATED OPERATIONS” (0009/ND) incorporate the recent up- 

dates to SNAME T&R Bulletin 5 and include GL Noble Denton's 

“Good Practice Recommendations for Preloading at ‘Diffi cult’ 

Locations” and for “Jack-Up Recovery from Punch-Throughs”. 

THE “GUIDELINES FOR LOADOUTS” (0013/ND) now reference 

“Guidelines for Mooring” to update the mooring sections. 

THE “CONCRETE OFFSHORE GRAVITY STRUCTURES – GUIDELINES 

FOR APPROVAL OF CONSTRUCTION, TOWAGE AND INSTALLA- 

TION” (0015/ND) include many updates and now also reference 

“Guidelines for Moorings and Float-over Installations”. 

THE “SEABED AND SUB-SEABED DATA REQUIRED FOR AP- 

PROVALS OF MOBILE OFFSHORE UNITS (MOU)” (0016/ND) 

now incorporates clarifi cation of the required depth of in- 

trusive site investigations, and the data expected from them. 

Denton, having pioneered fl oat-overs using direct position- 

ing, continues to offer independent expertise, consulting 

and assurance as well as operations management and ex- 

ecution services for fl oat-over projects. SNB 


Robert W. Thomson 

Dynamic Positioning 

Phone: +1 832 300 6718 

E-Mail: bob.thomson@gl-nobledenton.com 

25

offshore fpso 

26 

Offshore. 

FPSOs have experienced 

massive growth over 

the last ten years, with 

more growth predicted. 

energıze


Oil and gas production is increasingly moving 

to remote, offshore locations and into deeper 

and deeper waters as new fields are found in 

extremely challenging environments. Fresh oil and gas dis- 

coveries, such as those off the coast of West Africa and Bra- 

zil or in the North Sea, require new thinking from industry 

experts who must join forces to combine the best technolo- 

gy available. To extract remote hydrocarbons safely and ef- 

ficiently, operators now tend to prefer floating production, 

“Maximizing Asset Integrity” 

Floater Integrity Management (FIM) is the key to a long, productive and successful life of 

an FPSO, says Martin G. Brown, Consultant Naval Architect with GL Noble Denton 

ABStRACt 

storage and offloading (FPSO) systems to sea-bed mounted 

platforms. At the 25th FPSO Research Forum held in Aber- 

deen, Scotland, in September 2010, the international del- 

egates reported on progress made at Forum-inspired joint 

industry projects and exchanged other technology news. 

The FPSO forum is one 

of the most important 

opportunities to discuss 

technology-focused topics 

GL Noble Denton focuses 

on FIM – without effective 

maintenance programmes, 

floating structures will 

quickly deteriorate 

To learn more about the technical 

challenges facing the global FPSO market 

we spoke with Martin G. Brown, Consul- 

tant Naval Architect with GL Noble Den- 

ton. He was lead organizer for the very 

successful Aberdeen Forum, a fact that 

highlighted the group’s role and reputa- 

tion as a global supplier of FPSO expert- 

ise. The event is held in different centres 

around the world to share the burden of travel. The first 

FPSO Forum for 2011 will be held in Monaco in March. 

ENERGIZE: Why is the FPSO Forum so important to the 

industry, and what were the main results of the particu- 

lar meeting last September in Aberdeen? 

27

offshore fpso 

BROWN: The first FPSO Forum was held in 1998 and 

the event – which is held twice a year – is now acknowl- 

edged to be one of the most important opportunities for 

industry experts to discuss technology-focused topics sur- 

FIM. 

rounding the use of FPSOs. Forums are held in the middle 

of so-called “JIP Weeks” where the steering 

The aim is to ensure 

management and 

continuous follow-up 

teams of a number of Joint Industry Projects 

(JIP) share knowledge and experiences. 

of floating units from 

During these meetings, progress reports are 

a safety, environmental, 

operational, 

maintenance and 

given on several active JIPs such as those studying 

fatigue, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), 

quality management mooring integrity, corrosion and rogue waves. 

viewpoint. The JIP meetings are closed to the media, allow- 

Aberdeen. 

The latest FPSO 

Forum, organized 

by GL Noble 

Denton, was held 

in the Scottish oil 

capital of Europe. 

ing participants to speak freely and to share experiences, 

whether good or bad, in confidence. To date, meetings have 

been focused on hydrodynamic, structural and marine issues. 

ENERGIZE: An FPSO can be described as a cross between a 

ship and an oil processing facility. How does this affect GL 

Noble Denton’s approach to working with such vessels? 

Hybrid. 

FPSOs are a cross between a 

ship and an oil processing 

facility. 

BROWN: Seeking a balance between the marine and pro- 

cess functions is one of our industry’s key challenges. The 

two aspects require very different technical backgrounds, 

and it is important to get the balance right between these 

disciplines. Due to production demands and the remote 

areas FPSOs operate in, these units are only dry-docked 

for exceptional repair and maintenance needs. If GL Noble 

Denton engineers and designers are involved from the start 

of the design process then we are in a position to identify 

opportunities for safe, efficient life-long operations together 

with tangible cost savings at this vital early stage. Introducing 

concepts such as Floater Integrity Management 

(FIM) at an early design stage is key to a successful and 

productive life of an FPSO. It includes recommendations 

on inspection, maintenance and repair based on a project 

specific risk-based assessment. It also allows operators to 

optimize the value of their oil and gas assets throughout 

their life cycle while at the same time reducing the risk of 

accidents and production shut downs. 

ENERGIZE: How is the cooperation between GL Noble 

Denton and owners and operators evolving? 

BROWN: FPSO technology has developed significantly since 

its introduction in the early 1980s when most vessels were 

28 energıze

converted oil tankers, which limited options for major chang- 

es in vessel layout. Today many FPSOs are newbuilds. Where 

GL Noble Denton is involved with vessel design at any early 

stage, we can provide an effective cradle-to-grave service. We 

believe that maintaining a lifelong involvement in the asset 

is in the best interests of the FPSO, its crew and its opera- 

tor. Each vessel has its own idiosyncrasies, maintenance and 

repair history and we believe that it is operationally effective 

to keep the knowledge and experience within the company. 

FPSOs are frequently relocated at the end of their field life 

and thus need to be maintained in a safe and suitable condi- 

tion to enable a prolonged profitable life and low risk removal. 

ENERGIZE: What are the key challenges facing FPSO op- 

erators? 

BROWN: The technical complexity of an FPSO requires a 

different approach compared to managing tankers and 

fixed offshore platforms. Generally, aging offshore infra- 

structure presents the industry with a constant and grow- 

ing challenge, made more acute by a shortage of people 

with the combined experience of both marine (shipping) 

and offshore (oil and gas) operations that are needed to 

support the growing FPSO fleet. 

Also, as many floating production systems are now ap- 

proaching the middle or end of their design lives, operators 

are seeking assurance regarding continued integrity of their 

assets, from the process train to the risers, subsea architec- 

ture, hull, marine systems and moorings. If maintenance 

regimes have been kept up to date, then extending the 

working life can be very cost-effective. If not, a costly refit 

might be necessary. 

ENERGIZE: Human factors and aging equipment are key 

parameters affecting the safe and effective long-term 

operation of an FPSO. What is your approach? 

BROWN: Yes, these are indeed some of the most difficult 

issues the industry is facing. Aging offshore infrastructure 

presents the industry with a constant and growing chal- 

lenge. Our approach is to focus on FIM – without effective 

integrity programmes, floating structures will deteriorate 

quicker than bottom mounted fixed structures. 


Profile 

MARtIN G. BROWN The Consultant 

Naval Architect with 

GL Noble Denton was Project 

Manager for the 25th FPSO Research 

Forum in Aberdeen last October. It was the 

first time GL Noble Denton hosted the event which 

takes place twice a year. 

GL NOBLE DENTON ExPErT: 

Martin G. Brown, 

Consultant Naval Architect 

Phone: +44 1224 289 108 

E-Mail: martin.brown@nobledenton.com 

ENERGIZE: Asset integrity is a key concern in FPSO man- 

agement. How does GL Noble Denton approach this issue? 

BROWN: Maximizing asset integrity is key to ensuring FPSOs 

have a long, safe and productive life. If you visit an FPSO at 

a shipyard, there can be hundreds of people working on- 

site. Offshore, however, the number of maintenance people 

present at any one time is limited due to limited personnel 

on board (p.o.b.) accommodation constraints. The integrity 

of the hull, topsides and subsea systems must be maintained 

without the risks and high costs incurred by dry-docking. As 

the vessel ages the number of problems increases but with 

well planned interventions maintenance backlogs can be 

kept under control. 

ENERGIZE: What will be the future role of GL Noble Denton 

in the FPSO market? 

BROWN: GL Noble Denton draws on over 100 years of maritime 

and offshore energy experience. Much of this time was 

dedicated to working with the huge variety of vessels used 

to find and safely extract hydrocarbons from under the sea. 

Floating production is a growing market in which we can 

put our extensive experience and expertise to good use. We 

look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with this 

market. BMM 

29

integrity 


30 

energıze

Photo: Dreamstime 

Safety, effi ciency, environment 

protection: 


offers a holistic asset 

integrity management 

capability for the 

entire life cycle of 

oil and gas assets. 


integrity software I 

32 

Gas Plant. 

The software product 

GALIOM improves the 

reliability of inspection 

and maintenance. 

GALIOM Makes Inspection 

Data Acquisition an Easy Job 

ultrasonic wall thickness reading is one of the more labour-intensive inspection 

tasks. using a data logger and galiom cuts time, effort and costs 

energıze

Photo: BP 

abstract 

Carrying out technical inspections and compil- 

ing inspection data is laborious work. Oil and 

gas operators spend millions on having their 

platforms and pipelines inspected and wall thickness data 

collected. While electronic data loggers, which record data 

over time or in relation to location, are commercially avail- 

able and used extensively, data reporting is often done 

manually using paper forms. Electronic data is rarely kept 

in a centralized database. 

Automatic Process 

“This poses a challenge to managing advanced risk assess- 

ments,” says Mathews Varkey, GALIOM Programme Man- 

ager at GL Noble Denton, referring to Risk-Based Inspec- 

tion (RBI). During the analysis, engineers spend numerous 

hours gathering and formatting data before some mean- 

ingful trend can be derived. An advanced risk-based in- 

spection and maintenance software product such as GL 

Noble Denton’s GALIOM can ease operators’ minds, he 

The advanced risk-based inspection 

and maintenance 

software product GALIOM 

reduces risks and costs 

GALIOM facilitates data 

acquisition and helps 

inspectors to validate the 

results and plans 


explains. “The data logger module as- 

sists inspectors with wall thickness 

measurements, reducing the time it 

takes them to enter the huge amounts 

of data collected during inspection.” 

“To give an example,” Mathews con- 

tinues, “a petrochemical company that 

had been using a legacy system for sev- 

eral years decided to switch to a more 

advanced process. Implementing GALIOM brought a totally 

automated solution to this scenario.” The GALIOM imple- 

mentation team first examined the data loggers the client 

GALIOM 

GALIOM is a combined asset integrity management 

and risk-based inspection and maintenance 

software product that can be used for 

any oil, gas or petrochemical facility. 

The data logger module assists the inspector 

with the wall thickness measurements 

and also reduces the data entry time for huge 

amount of data collected during inspection. 

GALIOM helps to achieve the best possible 

balance between cost and risk by minimizing 

unplanned downtime and optimizing production. 

GALIOM enables risk mitigation and inspection 

strategies to be developed and implemented 

with the aim of optimizing maintenance 

whilst staying within acceptable risk levels. 

was using. The team then used the GALIOM data logger 

integration module to enable the software to communicate 

with the hardware and automate the ultrasonic wall thick- 

ness recording and data synchronization processes. Now 

the customer can capture data with the existing data log- 

gers and process and monitor them using GALIOM. 

The GALIOM module deployed by the customer plans, 

prepares and defines the scope of the inspection work. The 

two-way communication between GALIOM and the data 

loggers accelerates the inspection activities considerably. 

The test points are automatically generated by the GALIOM 

data logger module, and subsequently downloaded into 

the logging device for the inspection. 

“In the field, the inspector does not need to create 

test points any more, which saves a tremendous 

33

integrity software I 

Maintenance. Due to GALIOM data inspectors and 

engineers stay on top of things. 

amount of time,” says Mathews. Following each inspection, 

or at the end of the day, the data is downloaded 

into GALIOM for validation and reporting. GALIOM helps 

the inspector to validate the results and plans, and to 

create packages for reinspection. Finally, the wall thickness 

data collected is transferred into a monitored database for 

trending and analysis. Anomalous data goes through 

GALIOM’s inspection memo and the anomaly screening 

module to initiate repairs and replacements. “GALIOM 

allows inspectors and engineers to acquire high-quality 

data effi ciently,” says Mathews. MV 

Thailand: GALIOM Software 

Manages Risk for PTT CHEM 


mathews Varkey 

galiom Programme manager 

Phone: +60 321610088-1059 

e-mail: mathews.varkey@gl-group.com 

Thailand’s petrochemical manufacturer PTT CHEM has selected GL Noble Denton’s GALIOM software to 

manage risk anD reliability in their “Risk and Reliability Methodology (RRM) Implementation Project”. The 

software solution from GL Noble Denton will be applied to plant insPection anD maintenance in 13 PTT 

CHEM plants in Thailand. 

PTT CHEM has been faced with the challenge of having a consistent risk and reliability methodology across 

all its petrochemical and chemical production plants. The implementation project will make GALIOM fully integrated 

with PTT CHEM’s SAP system for asset synchroniZation, work orDer generation anD trans- 

Ferring insPection Plans. The scope also includes data migration of risk based inspection (RBI), reliability 

centred maintenance (RCM) and safety integrity levels (SIL) data from existing RRM software. 

34 energıze 

Photo: Dreamstime

Taking Hull Maintenance 

to the Next Level 

Maintenance of a vessel’s hull structure is a major concern for shipowners and FPsO operators 

alike. a well-chosen and effectively implemented hull maintenance strategy not only reduces 

the risk of incidents but assures integrity and safeguards the environment 

Ship managers continuously monitor their ves- 

sels’ structural condition in order to detect de- 

ficiencies in the hull structure at an early time 

and initiate necessary maintenance actions. Typically, moni- 

toring is done by appointed crew members through peri- 

odic visual inspections. Because of the size and complexity 

of the tanks and cargo holds, the location and extent of 

coating breakdown, defects, corrosion, etc. are hard to 

document with sufficient accuracy us- 

abstract 

ing text descriptions and photos only, 

GL HullManager is a soft- unless their exact location in the strucware 

application designed 

ture can be expressed reliably. 

to support the entire hull 

structure inspection process 

Offshore FPSO operators Critical Work 

will benefit from GL Hull- 

Manager as an integrity tool FPSO operators may not always have 

and communication aid the option of dry-docking their units. 

Tank structure inspections must therefore 

be conducted on a campaign basis. This is critical work, 

and several operators have discovered material cracking 

and defective coating in their FPSOs that must be addressed 

if these units are to continue operating for the long term. 

Planning, preparing, executing, reporting on, and assessing 

hull structure inspections is a crucial process that 

requires utmost diligence. This is where GL HullManager 

maintenance software and service package comes in. 


integrity software II 

“GL HullManager uses a 3-D model of the vessel to 

show actual plates and stiffeners or frames of each tank 

or other space in the ship,” explains Dr Christian Cabos, 

GL’s Head of Department – CAE Development. “Inspection 

forms with images of the structural members of the inspected 

tank can be printed out to mark findings and positions 

on photos using a pen during the inspection. This 

information can be entered into the software in an easy 

onboard interactive process with the 3-D model.” 

The ability to represent all findings visually is particularly 

helpful in the oil and gas sector, where marine management 

have to present their assessments to senior operations 

management, who are not typically from 

3D modelling. The software solution 

GL HullManager is based on a 3D geometric 

representation of the particular vessel. 

35

integrity software II 

Fleet. The FPSO unit 

Petrojarl Cidade DRDO 

belongs to the Teekay 

Corporation. 

a marine background and benefit from the ability 

to visualize the issue at hand using a virtual model of the 

unit. 

Uniform Reporting Standard 

GL HullManager can make information on the condition of 

hull structures available to any employee across the company 

once the inspection results have been ap- 

Iacs. 

proved and synchronized. Stored in a lifecycle 

International 

database, hull condition data for each individu- 

Association of 

Classification 

al vessel can be traced over time. Sister vessels 

Societies, 

from the same fleet can be compared easily. A 

headquartered 

dashboard overview of the entire ship makes it 

in London, was 

founded in 

easy to pinpoint any critical findings by crew or 

Hamburg in 

third-party inspectors. 

1968. 

“For shipping companies, the true value of 

hull inspection can be seen once you apply a 

uniform reporting standard,” says Christian Cabos. Pregenerated 

inspection forms, including a checklist based on 

IACS recommendations and the accompanying GL guideline 

for rating defects, ensure such uniform reporting across 

a fleet of vessels with varying crews. “Since the images on 

the inspection forms are based on the 3-D model of the 

actual vessel, the quality of reports prepared by crew members 

increases significantly.” 

As for the oil and gas producer, there is considerable 

value to be gained from a consistent assessment process 

across the entire range of assets, from marine systems to 

topsides to subsea equipment. GL Noble Denton’s full suite 

of modular integrity software, including GL HullManager, is 

a major step towards implementing a truly consistent risk 

management approach. 

The GL HullManager shipping package comprises shipboard 

and onshore software, associated training and a 

hull survey guideline. The software solution supports the 

inspection, reporting, and assessment of the condition of 

a ship’s hull with respect to coating condition, corrosion, 

structural defects and findings on outfittings. A compre- 

36 energıze

FPSO. The 3-D model of the vessel helps to 

improve the quality of inspection reports. 


Application. 

GL HullManager 

makes it possible 

to attach 

photos and 

mark fi ndings 

on the 3D 

model in the 

onboard application. 

hensive database synchronized with the onshore offi ce allows 

staff to monitor the status of tanks, cargo holds and 

other spaces throughout the asset lifecycle. 

Christian Cabos continues: “Among the outstanding 

features of GL HullManager are its straightforward user interface 

and its robustness. Both are essential if the solution 

is to be accepted by users on board.” An additional key 

benefi t is the comprehensive fl ow of information from the 

vessel to the shipowner’s onshore offi ce. 

Unique Feature 

Integration of thickness measurements into the owner’s 

maintenance system is another unique feature of GL Hull- 

Manager. Thickness measurement results can be easily 

transferred into the software and will also show on the 

graphical ship model. This is made possible by GL Pegasus, 

an application based on the same 3-D model of the ship. 

Used by the thickness measurement fi rm contracted by the 

shipowner, GL Pegasus maintains historical data in stan- 

Background 

GL HULLMaNaGEr development 

started in late 2007 in close cooperation 

with key customers who 

were using GL Pegasus, a tool 

designed to accelerate the thickness 

measurement process. These 

customers were asking for en- 

hanced support of their visual hull 

inspections. 

Prototype testing began in 

summer 2009, and GL HullManager 

has been available to customers 

since early 2010. The 

application GL HullManager is 

dardized formats for comparison and – like GL HullManager 

– supports the requirements for any ship type. 

Hull maintenance software has been available for several 

years. Yet it has not been adopted by the majority of 

the maritime industry to date. New capabilities, such as 

the ability to easily associate defects with structural members 

and their visualization, may change that. In particular, 

offshore FPSO operators will benefi t tremendously from GL 

HullManager as an integrity tool and communication aid. 

“With its ease of use and comprehensive support for 

the hull inspection process, we believe that GL HullManager 

can take hull maintenance to a new level,” Christian 

Cabos concludes. “You may call it a platform for hull structure 

lifecycle management.” AM 

GL EXPERT: 

Dr christian cabos 

Head of Department, caE Development 

Phone: +49 40 36149 576 

E-Mail: christian.cabos@gl-group.com 

actively used onboard several 

vessels today. A significant orderbook 

exists for implementation 

aboard bulk carriers, container 

vessels, tankers and other ship 

types, proving its wide acceptance 

among the industry. 

37

integrity pipeline corrosion 

Fighting the Ravages of Time 

Nothing lasts forever. While that may boost the economy, pipeline operators face 

tough maintenance and safety challenges caused by simple rust. A look at state-ofthe-art 

research into the prediction of pipeline service life 

Transmission pipelines are lifelines, carrying 

energy from far-away sources to our cities and 

factories. Pipelines are made of steel, and steel 

is prone to corrosion. A rusty pipeline can burst, and some 

do, causing environmental as well as economic damage. So 

the question is: How can an operator determine how long 

his pipeline will last? Using a variety of in-line inspection 

(ILI) tools, operators check the condition of their pipelines 

Simulation. Result of 

a full-scale burst test 

on line pipe with 

simulated corrosion 

defects. 

regularly. When corrosion features are detected, a decision 

must be made whether to replace, repair, or accept and 

monitor each feature, based on a prediction of the failure 

pressure of the corroded pipe. Making this prediction, 

however, is the real challenge. 

The method used to assess the remaining strength of 

corroded pipelines was developed in the United States in 

the late 1960’s and led to the development of assessment 

38 energıze

AbstrAct 

methods such as ASME B31G and RSTRENG which are rou- 

Corrosion is a major cause 

of pipeline incidents 

FE analysis. 

Three-dimensional 

finite element models 

of corroded pipelines 

were constructed and 

analysed to predict the 

failure pressure for 

different loading 

conditions. 

tinely used by the pipeline industry. Since then, extensive 

research has been done to improve the 

methods for assessing the remaining 

strength of corroded pipelines. 

GL Noble Denton has been 

carrying out research using 

New Assessment Methods 

pipeline damage tolerance 

studies 

GL Noble Denton, a leader in studying 

GL Noble Denton has devel- 

pipeline damage tolerance, has conoped 

improved assessment tributed substantially to recent updates 

methods for the pipeline 

industry 

to assessment standards, developing 

new criteria such as the Line Pipe Corrosion 

(LPC) method and extending the range of assessment 

methods to include numerical analysis. 


Pipe. Corrosion represents a threat to long term integrity. 

39

integrity pipeline corrosion 

In the meantime, new, tougher steels have been devel- 

oped to extend the life of pipelines. Their physical properties 

and strain to failure, differ signifi cantly from standard steels, 

raising new questions. Furthermore, the legacy standards 

leave a number of open questions for inspectors attempting 

to estimate the remaining service life of corroded pipelines: 

interaction between closely spaced defects 

effects of combined internal pressure and ex- 

ternal loading 

effects of cyclic internal pressure loading 

Ring Expansion 

PIPELINE damage tolerance studies can be under- 

taken by measuring the failure pressure of rings ma- 

chined from line pipe, with artifi cially introduced 

defects. 

The ring is subjected to radial expansion only, 

without axial loading. This arrangement simulates a 

pipeline subjected to internal pressure loading with 

an infi nitely long, axially-orientated defect. 

properties of high-strength line pipe 

(up to API 5L grade X100) 

pipelines constructed from vintage, low 

toughness line pipe 

Pipeline Research Council International, Inc. (PRCI), the US 

Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 

Safety Administration (PHMSA) and BP have funded 

a multi-year research project with GL Noble Denton in recent 

years to address these issues. 

Test. Pipe- 

linesub- jected to 

internal 

pressure 

loading. 

40 energıze

FE models. The results 

of the fi nite element 

analysis and burst 

tests were used to 

develop the improved 

guidelines. 

X100 Line Pipe. Materials 

from two manufacturers 

were used for this largescale 

trial at GL Noble 

Denton’s Spadeadam test 

site in the UK. 

GL Noble Denton conducted a series of material characterization 

tests, ring expansion tests and burst tests. In addition, 

an operational trial was conducted using grade X100 

line pipe at GL Noble Denton’s Spadeadam test site in the UK. 

This large-scale test covered an accelerated operational period 

of two years to simulate 40 years of operation. The 

800-metre test pipeline, consisting of line pipe with a 1,22mm 

nominal diameter from two manufacturers, was subjected 

to pressure cycling. One pipeline section included damage 

of various types, such as simulated volumetric corrosion. 

New Guidance 

To gather additional experimental data, various lengths of 

pipeline with “artifi cial corrosion” defects were subjected 

to different loading conditions in a full-scale burst test to 

simulate the stresses the pipe must withstand in various environments, 

over several decades. GL Noble Denton applied 

combinations of static internal pressure loading, cyc lic internal 

pressure loading and external bending moments. 

Using advanced numerical modelling and analysis 

methods, engineers then studied the hidden effects of dif- 


ferent loading conditions on pipelines with simulated dam- 

age. They constructed three-dimensional fi nite element 

models of corroded pipelines and examined 

them to predict the failure pressure for different 

loading conditions. 

Gathering the results of the fi nite element 

analysis and burst tests, the experts went on to 

write a new guidance document for pipeline in- 

spection and the assessment of the remaining 

strength of pipelines in operation. 

The outcome of this work will help pipeline 

operators in supporting their inspection activities, remain- 

ing strength assessments and integrity management efforts. 

In addition, adhering to the new guidance document will 

enable them to gain acceptance with regulators when us- 

ing high-strength transmission pipeline. VC 


Vinod chauhan 

Principal consultant Integrity Asset Management 

Phone: +44 1509 282363 

E-Mail: vinod.chauhan@gl-group.com 

sPADEADAM. 

The team of 

scientists and 

engineers working 

at the test site in 

Cumbria, UK, 

possess a wealth 

of experience in 

carrying out 

full-scale testing. 

41

integrity city gas 

Bringing City Gas 

to Asian Homes 

Natural gas has become popular in Asian 

cities as an economical, climate-friendly, safe 

and reliable source of energy. Building the 

infrastructure takes expert knowledge 

The rapid development of utility infrastructures 

in Asian and Middle Eastern countries and the 

increasing availability of in-country natural gas 

supplies have made natural gas a preferred form of energy 

for many urban areas. For cities contemplating investment 

in a new city natural gas supply infrastructure, feasibility 

studies and expert advice on project development are 

essential requirements. 

When city gas is brought to a city for the first time, 

the designers of the gas network must 

ensure system integrity, security of sup- ABstrAct 

ply and sufficient capacity to match City gas projects establish 

the infrastructure needed 

the predicted gas demand profiles. A 

to supply natural gas to 

financial analysis of the expected costs municipalities 

and revenues must verify the economic GL Noble Denton supports 

numerous city gas projects 

viability of the gas distribution compa- in India by providing comny. 

The social benefits to the country prehensive expertise 

and its people are another key factor in 

the final decision. 

City gas project scenarios typically include: 

the conversion of existing piped networks 

to transport natural gas 

new infrastructure 

the extension and/or replacement of 

existing networks 

Natural Gas. 

Delivering it 

takes more than 

just pipes. 

42 energıze


Photo: iStockphoto 

GL Noble Denton has signifi cant expertise in gas 

distribution from its UK legacy of National Grid and Advantica 

to provide expert consultancy and engineering services 

to developers in the two main stages of City Gas projects. 

The project to build and commission the natural gas 

network and associated infrastructure, and 

The business to operate and maintain the natural gas 

network and associated infrastructure in accordance 

with declared aims and objectives. 

GL Noble Denton provides a wide range of services, 

from assessing the initial concept and evaluating the business 

requirements to designing a complete gas distribution 

network using its proprietary SynerGEE modelling software. 

Following the design, the network construction costs 

are assessed by develping a CAPEX/OPEX model. The resulting 

initial budget estimates are input into the full fi nancial 

model, enabling development of a complete business model 

for a 20-year period including the economic vari- 

Concept 

Feasibility 

PROJECT BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS 

FEED Depends on 

business model 

EPC 

The Assets 

the citY gAs utilitY 

The Businesses 

Careful Planning. From feasibility studies to 

implementation and operational support, the 

city gas project cycle has many stages that must 

be understood. 

43

integrity city gas 

ables. The fi nancial model provides an overall commercial 

position as to the viability of the project. The gas 

tariff structure is crucial and has to deliver the required rate 

of return and the expected revenue and cost streams. 

City Gas Distribution (CGD) in India 

In the past, CGD use in India was confi ned primarily to a 

few cities due to the limited domestic availability of natural 

gas and the relatively small pipeline network (7,000 km). 

Over the last few years, however, the CGD business in 

India has gained signifi cant scale and momentum, driven 

by an increase in domestic gas supplies, a conducive regulatory 

roadmap propelling the growth of 

iNdiA. 

CGD networks and the attractive economics 

The country is a 

net importer of 

of natural gas vis-à-vis other fuels like petrol, 

fossil fuels. But 

diesel and liquefi ed petroleum gas (LPG). 

recent offshore 

There is clearly a huge potential for 

discoveries are 

growth in this segment as most of the de- 

raising hopes for 

stronger domestic 

velopment has taken place in areas that are 

production. 

in close proximity of the existing pipeline 

network. 

Over the last two years, projects have been implemented 

in more than half a dozen states, including Uttar 

Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, 

Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. CGD networks 

have developed in about 42 cities, and CGD development 

is under way in about 20 cities. 

Going forward, there are CGD network development 

projects in various phases in 313 areas in the country, of 

which 243 are located near existing or planned natural gas 

pipelines. Given the government’s ambitious plans, investment 

is likely to accelerate. With an average investment 

of US$ 60 million per city, this translates into investments 

of US$ 600 billion in the sector. 

44 

The regulator has introduced a new bidding system 

encouraging private investors to bid for CGD networks. 

GL Noble Denton, by virtue of its rich expertise within the 

UK gas industry, is a key technical consultancy partner for 

potential investors. GL Noble Denton has prepared a business 

model for private investors and provides pre-bid services 

including demand assessments, preliminary network 

design, preparation of feasibility reports and bidding assistance. 

In case a bidder wins the bid, GL Noble Denton will 

assist the investor during project implementation and startup. 

With this model, GL Noble Denton is currently working 

with fi ve investors who are bidding for six projects. CB 

Software. 

SynerGEE Software 

models 

distribution 

networks. 


mukesh Patel 

transmission & distribution services 

Phone: +44 1509 282 107 

e-mail: mukesh.patel@gl-group.com 

Photo: Fotolia


Case Study: City Gas Project for a Gas 

Distribution Company in Southeast Asia 

Background 

In this project, GL Noble Denton is provid- 

ing a range of consultancy services to: 

Assess the feasibility of designing, 

constructing, owning and operating 

a city gas distribution network 

Advise the client on how to change 

and develop their business systems, 

pro cesses and structure to own and 

operate a gas distribution network 

Determine the basic design and engi- 

neering parameters and constraints 

the client needs to incorporate to 

design, construct and operate the 

gas distribution network 

The client currently owns and operates 

intermediate and high-pressure natural 

gas transmission pipelines. It was observed 

during the delivery of the city gas project 

that the client had limited experience of 

the unique characteristics associated with 

designing, constructing and operating a 

low-pressure gas distribution network in a 

densely populated area. In order to ensure 

successful delivery of the project and gain 

the client’s confidence in the work that 

was being delivered, GL Noble Denton had 

to implement a method of transferring 

knowledge on gas distribution systems to 

key client personnel. 

GL Noble Denton’s Role 

GL Noble Denton was commissioned to 

transfer knowledge to the client through 

presentations and workshops to: 

A) Provide AN overAll AwAreNess 

ANd uNderstANdiNg of gAs distriButioN 

Networks iNcludiNg: 

benefits that a city gas distribution 

network would bring to the region 

typical demand profiles and peak loads 

importance of security of supply 

B) Provide fouNdAtioN kNowledge 

regArdiNg the uNique desigN, eNgi- 

NeeriNg ANd mANAgemeNt AsPects 

AssociAted with gAs distriButioN 

Networks iNcludiNg: 

distribution network design and planning 

processes 

Creep Regulator 

Outlet 

range of engineering materials 

pressure regulation/control equipment 

and regimes, see figure below 

main and service laying construction 

techniques 

commissioning processes and 

techniques 

key business activities and issues includ- 

ing: asset integrity management, gas 

metering and billing, emergency man- 

agement and managing public relations 

By sharing its expertise of gas distribution 

systems through presentations and workshops, 

GL Noble Denton enhanced the 

client’s trust and confidence in the 

comprehensive support GL Noble Denton 

provides when delivering a city gas distribution 

network. 

Safety 

Filter 

Inlet 

Plant. 

Typical pressure 

reduction station 

layout. 

45

integrity crane inspection 

Gaining Momentum 

After several successful projects with ZPMC, GL Noble Denton’s Shanghai-based industrial inspection 

team has been commissioned to provide quality assurance services for eight more cranes 

Following the successful delivery of three 

ship-to-shore (STS) container cranes to Piraeus 

Container Terminal S.A. (PCT) last October, GL 

Noble Denton’s Shanghai team has put efforts into the 

next phase of PCT’s Piraeus port project, without a pause. 

“We’re honoured to win another bid for eight rail-mounted 

gantry cranes given that we cooperated very well in the 

first phase with the buyer and the manufacturer ZPMC,” 

Manfred Bernitt, Technical Assurance Manager for GL No- 

ble Denton’s Shanghai office, said. 

AbStrACt 

Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy 

Industry Co., Ltd. (ZPMC) 

builds cranes for Piraeus 

Container Terminal S.A. 

GL Noble Denton ensures 

timely and successful delivery 

ZPMC (Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd) has 

a total of eight manufacturing bases in 

China. One of them is located in Nan- 

tong of Jiangsu province. These gantry 

cranes were built at the Nantong base 

and shipped to Piraeus Port, Greece, in 

mid-January 2011. “Upon their arrival 

one and a half months later, we will dis- 

patch two colleagues to do operational inspection on site,” 

Bernitt said. 

46 energıze

Photos: Mondhe 

Inspection. Within a fi ve-month time limit, GL Noble 

Denton completed its technical assurance services for the 

construction of three ship-to-shore (STS) container cranes 

and for their installation at the Greek port of Piraeus. 

Another crane inspection project has started. 

Then, another three STS container cranes will be produced 

at ZPMC’s production base on Chang Xing Island near 

Shanghai. GL Noble Denton has also obtained the order to 

provide quality assurance services for these three cranes. 

Without doubt, 2011 will be a busy year for Manfred Bernitt 

and his team as GL Noble Denton has further involvement 

in the continued expansion of the port in Piraeus. 

PCT is the wholly-owned overseas container terminal 

operation of COSCO Pacifi c who hold a concession to operate 

piers 2 and 3 of the terminal facility at the port of 

Piraeus. ZL 



Manfred bernitt 

technical Assurance Manager 

Phone: +86 21 2308 3868 

E-Mail: manfred.bernitt@gl-group.com 

47

oil&gasxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

around the world 

projects in brief 

Study Oil and Gas Industry Trends 2011 

market report GL Noble Denton has 

teamed up with one of the world’s most 

respected research and analysis bodies, the 

Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), to launch 

a leading new report on the outlook for 

the global oil and gas industry in 2011. 

The comprehensive report, which is enti- 

tled “Deep Water Ahead?” provides a ba- 

rometer for the industry at a crucial mo- 

Inspection Authorisation of GL Industrial Services 

new zealand GL Noble Denton has enlarged 

its service portfolio in New Zealand: 

the Department of Labour has accredited 

Germanischer Lloyd Industrial Services 

GmbH for various inspection activities regarding 

DIN/EN ISO/IEC 17020. 

As a recognized inspection body under 

Regulation 25(2) of the Health and Safety 

Exploration. 

Innovative 

solutions are in 

great demand. 

ment in its development, based on a survey 

of almost 200 top-level industry leaders, 

including CEOs, other board-level execu- 

tives and policymakers. Among a number of 

key findings, the report forecasts growth in 

the oil and gas sector with cautious opti- 

mism. Despite concerns over tougher indus- 

try regulation and increased operating costs, 

the executives and policymakers surveyed 

in Employment Regulations 1999 GL is now 

entitled to inspect pressure equipment, 

cranes, and passenger ropeways. 

The authorization is based on GL’s DIN/ 

EN ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation. It allows for 

design verification and fabrication inspection 

of cranes. The authorisation is valid for 

five years. 

Photo: Ali Badri 

Photo: krug100 

for the report agreed that a period of relative 

price stability, particularly in the fastgrowth 

economies of Asia, may help to fuel 

investment in the industry this year. 

Commenting on the new EIU report, 

John Wishart, President of GL Noble Denton, 

said: “This research will help to bring clarity 

to a sector that has faced significant challenges 

in recent years. While it forecasts an 

upturn in growth with guarded confidence, 

the industry must concentrate on overcoming 

significant technical challenges if the 

market is to pick up dramatically.” 

The report also concludes that: 

Asia is an emerging market for the oil and 

gas industry, for demand and supply in 2011 

natural gas has appeared as a key industry 

“game changer” 

companies expect regulatory change in the 

wake of last year’s Gulf of Mexico disasterbut 

its precise impact is less clear 

a new breed of Asian international NOCs 

(INOCs) are emerging as strong competition 

to local operators 

The report can be downloaded after 

completing the registration form at: 


Auckland. GL Noble 

Denton inspects harbour 

equipment. 

48 energıze

GISG GL Noble Denton 

Wins Gas Industry 

Safety Award 

uk GL Noble Den- 

ton was awarded the 

Gas Industry Safety 

Award for Safety 

Related Research 

2010 by the Gas 

Industry Safety 

Group (GISG) as part 

of their “Decade of 

Excellence Awards”. 

Honour. Rose- The award recogmary 

McAll and nises safety research 

Mark Brundle programmes which 

accepting the have contributed to 

Gas Industry a continual improve- 

Safety Award. ment in gas safety in 

the UK over the last 

ten years. Between 1997 and 1999, GL 

Noble Denton developed the MRPS 

(Mains Replacement Prioritisation System). 

It allocates a risk value to each 

individual pipe segment based on analysis 

of historical data in order to predict 

its likelihood to leak and cause an explosion. 

The system was implemented in 

2000 by Transco. 

MRPS is also part of a long-term 

project to replace mains throughout the 

UK. In 2002, a 30-year mains replacement 

programme was introduced in the 

UK. MRPS was adopted as the primary 

risk assessment tool for the prioritisation 

of the replacement of approximately 

100,000 km of metal mains in the UK, 

corresponding to a 25 per cent reduction. 

Since 2010, this replacement process 

is considered the largest and most 

comprehensive mains replacement programme 

undertaken anywhere in the 

world. 


Prevention Macondo Well Incident Raised Questions 

usa GL Noble Denton joined forces with 

the oil and gas industry to address the questions 

how to inspect and certify blow-out 

preventers, how to review safety frameworks 

and how to promote best practice 

applications. GL Noble Denton’s Dr RV Ahilan 

participated in the Advisory Committee 

of the Deepwater Spill Forum in Galveston, 

Texas. They discussed the implication of the 

Macondo incident and how similar incidents 

could be avoided. 

One of the key observations was that 

increasing the assurance activities not only 

in well design, construction and control but 

also in the implementation of plans on site 

will become an inevitable part of future 

risk management of complex wells. A combination 

of performance based standards 

Photo: NASA 

with strict prescriptive requirements in 

focused areas was considered to be the way 

forward to enhance the integrity of complex 

wells. GL Noble Denton is currently 

developing a guideline for blow-out preventer 

certification. 

Aramco Master Service Agreement with GL Noble Denton 

europe GL Noble Denton has signed a 

Master Service Agreement with Aramco 

Overseas Company B.V. for vendor inspection 

services. GL Noble Denton will inspect 

the manufacturing process of all types of 

oil and gas equipment at the vendor’s site. 

The contract has a validity of three 

years and covers services to be rendered 

in all European countries. During the signing 

ceremony in The Hague in November 

2010, Aramco explained that they expect 

Mississippi Delta 

Oil slick 

Oil Spill. Incidents like Macondo – how 

can they be avoided in future? 

to buy materials for approximately five 

billion US dollars per year over the next 

five years. 

The Italian office of technical advisor 

GL Noble Denton headed the pre-contract 

phase and will act as contract holder as 

well as European coordination office, dealing 

with the Aramco office in The Hague. 

Aramco Overseas Company B.V. provides 

services to Saudi Aramco, the national oil 

company of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

The Hague. GL Noble Denton 

signs master service agreement 

with Aramco: GL Noble Denton's 

Country Manager Italy Paolo 

Caglio (left) and Mr A.M. Alzayyat, 

Aramco Overseas Company 

Managing Director (right). 

lOcatiOn Deepwater 

HOrizOn 

49

service 

dates 

Conferences & Fairs 

MARCH 

21. – 24.03.2011 

Gastech 2011 

Amsterdam, Netherlands 

23. – 24.03.2011 

Acquisition and Divestiture 

Summit 

London, UK 

30. – 31.03.2011 

City Gas Asia 2011 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

APRIL 

10. – 13.04.2011 

APPEA 2011 

Perth, Australia 

19. – 20.04.2011 

Counter Terror Expo 

London, UK 

MAY 

02. – 05.05.2011 

Offshore Technology 

Conference (OTC) 2011 

Houston, USA 

JUNE 

01. – 03.06.2011 

Oil & Gas Asia 2011 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

14. – 15.06.2011 

IGEM Annual Conference 

and Engineering Update 2011 

Loughborough, UK 

SEPTEMBER 

06. – 08.09.2011 

Offshore Europe 2011 

Aberdeen, UK 

Waldorf Hilton. Venue of 

the Summit in London. 

APPEA. Top event for Australia’s 

oil & gas sector. 

IGEM. GL Noble Denton is 

a principal sponsor. 

Gastech. A must-attend 

event for the global gas 

industry. 

Kuala Lumpur. City gas is 

a market of the future. 

Exhibition. 400 leading 

suppliers of CT equipment. 

Tradition. The OTC was 

founded in 1969. 

OGA 2011. Asia’s biggest 

oil & gas show beats all 

records. 

OE 2011. “Securing safe, 

smart, sustainable supply”. 

IMPRINT 

energize oil & gas, issue No. 01/2011, 

February 2011 Frequency energize oil & gas 

is published four times a year Published 

by Germanischer Lloyd SE, Hamburg, 

Germany Editorial Director Dr Olaf 

Mager (OM), Corporate Communications 

Managing Editors Anne Moschner 

(AM), Stefanie Normann-Birkholz (SNB) 

Authors of this issue Simon Brooks (SB), 

Charlotte Brown (CB), Vinod Chauhan (VC), 

Monika Dippel (MD), Zhang Li (ZL), Bruce 

McMichael (BMM), Mathews Varkey (MV) 

Cover photo Getty Images Design and 

production printprojekt, Schulterblatt 58, 

D-20357 Hamburg Layout Oliver Lohrengel 

Translations Andreas Kühner Prepress 

Fire Department Printed by Media 

Cologne Kommunikationsmedien GmbH, 

Luxemburger Straße 96, D-50354 Hürth 

Reprint © Germanischer Lloyd SE 2011. 

Reprinting permitted on explicit request – 

copy requested. All information is correct to 

the best of our knowledge. Contributions by 

external authors do not necessarily refl ect 

the views of the editors or of Germanischer 

Lloyd Enquiries to: Germanischer Lloyd SE, 

Corporate Communications, Brooktorkai 18, 

20457 Hamburg, Germany, Phone: +49 40 

36149-4509, Fax: +49 40 36149-250, E-Mail: 

pr@gl-group.com 

Subscription service: for address 

changes and orders please send an 

e-mail to publications@gl-group.com 

This product was 

printed on FSC 

Certifi ed Paper 

50 energıze 

Photos: Edward, Russ Hamer, Ángel Riesgo Martínez, U.S. Navy, PR

Oil & Gas 

trust. 

GL Noble Denton is trusted by WestLB to act as 

the bank’s independent engineer, and to provide 

technical due diligence support on project 

fi nancings. This includes the assessment of 

designs, input to fi nancial modelling, auditing of 

a borrowers’ capabilities, auditing of fabrication 

yards and regular attendance throughout 

construction, delivery and operation of the asset. 

See more of what we do at www.gl-nobledenton.com 

Email: glnobledenton@gl-group.com

GL Group 

Head Offi ce 

Brooktorkai 18 

20457 Hamburg 

Germany 

Phone: +49 40 36149-0 

Fax: +49 40 36149-200 

E-Mail: headoffice@gl-group.com 

The global independent 

technical advisor 

Region Americas 

Suite 900 

5177 Richmond Avenue 

Houston, TX 77056 

USA 

Phone: +1 713 586 7000 

Fax: +1 713 586 7007 

E-Mail: glnobledenton@gl-group.com 

www.gl-group.com 


www.gl-garradhassan.com 

Houston 

Rio de Janeiro 


Region Europe 

Brooktorkai 18 

20457 Hamburg 

Germany 

Phone: +49 40 36149-7700 

Fax: +49 40 36149-1781 

E-Mail: glis@gl-group.com 

Stavanger 

Oslo 

Aberdeen 

Hamburg 

London 

Cairo 

Abu Dhabi 

Region Middle East/Africa 

Zahret El-Maadi Tower 

66, Cornich El-Nile, El-Maadi 

35th Floor, Apartment 2 

11431 Cairo 

Arab Republic of Egypt 

Phone: +20 2 25287295 

Fax: +20 2 25287294 


Singapore 

Shanghai 

Kuala Lumpur 

Perth 

Region Asia/Pacifi c 

Level 39, Menara Ambank 

No. 8, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng 

50450 Kuala Lumpur 

Malaysia 

Phone: +60 3 2160 1088 

Fax: +60 3 2160 1099 


0E713 2011-10-02

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