Borealis selects Aspen Technology software to improve reliability at PE production site in Sweden

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Aspen Technology, Inc. the asset optimization software company, has announced that Borealis, a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers, has selected Aspen Mtell software, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The scope of the first rollout is their production site in Stenungsund, Sweden.

Aspen Mtell is part of the aspenONE® Asset Performance Management (APM) software suite combining big data, machine learning and process knowledge expertise to maximize performance across the design, operations and maintenance asset lifecycle. Aspen Mtell mines historical and real-time operational and maintenance data to discover the precise failure signatures that precede asset degradation and breakdowns, predict future failures and prescribe detailed actions to mitigate or solve problems.

The company’s selection of Aspen Mtell was based on its successful performance in a competitive predictive maintenance “proof of concept” project for a business-critical compressor on site. Predictive maintenance is a key initiative for Borealis and this initial project effectively demonstrated the tangible benefit of automating such data analysis and knowledge work. The decision to move forward with Aspen Mtell was further supported by the demonstrated rapid speed of deployment, accurate early detection of asset degradation and ability to scale the solution system-wide.

Through asset performance management - enabled by a blend of historical and real-time process, asset and enterprise data - organizations can transform asset maintenance into optimum reliability, extending the life of assets and maximizing the return on capital employed.

"Borealis has embarked on a digital journey and the ability to bring transparency to all our operating processes is a priority for us. Aspen Mtell predictive maintenance software’s ease of implementation will allow us to develop data analytics, including pattern recognition and early anomaly detection, in all operating functions, leading to increased performance in safety, quality, reliability and overall improved performance in manufacturing," Martijn van Koten, Executive Vice President Operations, Borealis said. "With significantly earlier warning of asset degradation provided by Aspen Mtell software, we will have the time to work collaboratively to mitigate the losses of unplanned downtime and to minimize disruptions to our customers."

"Borealis’ implementation of Aspen Mtell builds on its investment in AspenTech advanced solutions to support its overall digital strategy. These technologies intelligently extract knowledge and value from the multiple large data sources available to end users in order to drive asset optimization. Adding Aspen Mtell will give Borealis predictive and prescriptive maintenance capabilities that will drive optimum reliability, extending the life of assets and maximizing the return on capital," Antonio Pietri, President and Chief Executive Officer, AspenTech.

As MRC reported earlier, in late March 2018, Borealis and United Chemical Company LLP (UCC) signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for the development of a world-scale polyethylene project, integrated with an ethane cracker, in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Borealis is a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers. With headquarters in Vienna, Austria, Borealis currently employs around 6,500 and operates in over 120 countries.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- French energy company Total on Thursday reported record high quarterly oil and gas output while beating profit forecasts helped by higher prices, Reuters.

New projects and recent acquisitions powered an increase in output of more than 5 percent to 2.703 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), topping the 2.663 million boe/d expected by analysts.

It raised output from new projects such as Yamal LNG in Russia and Moho Nord in Congo, while adding assets, including Maersk Oil and Al Shaheen in Qatar.

Net adjusted profit of USD2.9 billion topped the USD2.77 billion expected by analysts in a poll.

Higher oil prices are helping energy companies too, with Royal Dutch Shell also posted higher profits on Thursday.

“Oil prices continued to rebound in the first quarter 2018,” Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne said in a statement.

“Brent rose to an average of USD67 per barrel, supported by strong demand, OPEC-non-OPEC compliance and geopolitical tensions,” he said.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Ukraine's polypropylene (PP) imports totalled 28,400 tonnes in the first three months of the year, which was practically equal to the level in the same time a year earlier. The decrease in demand for homopolymer PP was offset by the growth in demand for propylene copolymers, according to MRC DataScope.

March PP imports into Ukraine rose to 9,700 tonnes, compared with 8,900 tonnes in February; the main increase accounted for the supply of propylene copolymers. Overall imports of propylene polymers reached 28,400 tonnes in January-February 2018, which is practically the same as in Q1 2017. Demand grew only for propylene copolymers, with PP random copolymer accounting for the greatest increase.

The structure of PP imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.

March imports of homopolymer PP to the Ukrainian market dropped to 6,200 tonnes from 6,500 tonnes a month earlier. Homopolymer PP raffia grade from Saudi Arabia accounted for the main decrease. Overall shipments of homopolymer PP reached 20,200 tonnes in the first three months of 2018, down by 9% year on year.

March imports of PP block copolymers into the country increased to 1,300 tonnes, compared with 1,100 tonnes in February. Demand for injection moulding propylene copolymers improved from local companies. About 3,300 tonnes of PP block copolymers were imported over the stated period, whereas this figure was slightly over 2,900 tonnes a year earlier.

March imports of PP random copolymers reached 2,000 tonnes versus 1,200 tonnes a month earlier, demand for PP increased from pipes and injection moulding products producers. Overall imports of PP random copolymer reached 4,400 tonnes in January-March 2018, whereas this figure was 2,800 tonnes a year earlier.

Overall imports of other propylene copolymers were about 580 tonnes over the stated period.


MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- McDermott International, Inc. and CB&I announced that, following the closing of the combination, the combined company intends to retain the name McDermott, according to Hydrocarbonprocessing.

"The name McDermott provides a strong foundation for the combined company and a platform on which we can build our future together," said McDermott President and Chief Executive Officer David Dickson, who will continue to lead the combined company. "We are known today as a company that delivers excellence in project execution in a cost-efficient delivery structure for the global energy industry. Together, McDermott and CB&I will have the integrated technology, engineering expertise, unmatched experience and global reach to design and build the energy infrastructure of the future."

CB&I’s industry-leading business that provides proprietary process technology licenses, associated engineering services, catalysts and engineered products will use the Lummus brand name. Lummus also offers process planning, project development services and a comprehensive program of aftermarket support primarily for the petrochemical and refining industries. The Lummus business will be housed with the combined company’s leading edge initiatives, including McDermott’s "Digital Twin” software platform Gemini XDTM, under the umbrella of McDermott Technology.

CB&I’s world-renowned tank business will also keep its current branding. CB&I has the most extensive global experience of any storage tank construction company in the industry, having built in excess of 46,000 storage structures in more than 100 countries on all seven continents.

The combination is expected to close in May 2018. It remains subject to customary conditions, including approval by McDermott’s and CB&I’s stockholders and other closing conditions.

As MRC informed before, Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, has been awarded a contract by Dongguan Grand Resource Science & Technology Co. Ltd. to develop a new propane dehydrogenation unit in cooperation with CB&I. The project includes the license and engineering design of the unit, which is to be built in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China.The Dongguan plant will be one of the largest single-train dehydrogenation units in the world. Clariant's technology partner CB&I will base the plant's design on its Catofin catalytic dehydrogenation technology, which uses Clariant's tailor-made Catofin catalyst and Heat Generating Material (HGM).
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced it is establishing a new trading unit within its Marketing, Sales and Trading Directorate, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The unit will introduce and manage non-speculative trading to further maximize value from every barrel of crude oil and refined product that is produced and marketed by the company.

As ADNOC accelerates delivery of its 2030 strategy, the trading unit will capitalize on the size and scale of the company’s crude oil and refined products portfolio, the flexibility within ADNOC’s refining system, and will leverage synergies and integration opportunities across its downstream value chain.

H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO, said: "As ADNOC grows and expands its upstream and downstream businesses, we will produce more products, and in turn, our Marketing, Sales and Trading function will play an even more critical role. Engaging in non-speculative trading will allow us to maximize value from our domestic and, over time, international downstream operations.

“By utilizing the flexibility in our downstream production facilities, accessing market opportunities and optimizing our supply chain, particularly to key growth markets, we aim to capture more value further along the value chain. Proactively managing our crude oil and refined product flows across key geographies, combined with the optionality provided by our first-class assets and geographic location, will allow us to constantly optimize our operations, capture market opportunities, and secure the highest value."

ADNOC will set out the roadmap for its downstream growth strategy when it hosts its Downstream Investment Forum, in Abu Dhabi next month, at which it will also provide details of co-investment opportunities across its downstream value chain for new and existing partners.

"Looking out over the next two decades, we anticipate the sharpest growth within the energy sector will be petrochemicals, with demand forecast to climb 150 percent by 2040," H.E. Dr. Al Jaber said. "To capitalize on this opportunity and make ADNOC more resilient against possible price volatility, our goal is to become a major global downstream player, creating a strong pull for our products, combined with the flexibility to respond quickly to shifting market needs."

As MRC wrote previously, ADNOC plans to almost triple its petrochemical production to an annual 11.4 MMt by 2025 from 4.5 MMt at present, group chief executive Sultan Al Jaber said in November 2016.

ADNOC's petrochemicals are produced by Abu Dhabi Polymers Co (Borouge), which makes polyolefin, and Ruwais Fertilizer Industries (Fertil), which produces urea and ammonia fertilisers.
MRC