Enhancing performance in oil and gas
With an ongoing raft of upgrades and new products , valve and actuator manufacturers are demonstrating their long-term commitment to the petroleum sector .
Innovation , it seems , really can help to raise operational efficiency and reduce footprints – be they physical or environmental .
By KCI Editorial
Whatever your world view , there is no denying the fundamental role played by the oil and gas industry in shaping global society . And that influence looks set to continue . For example , in its January Oil Market Report , the International Energy Agency ( IEA ) 1 indicated that global demand for oil will continue to grow . Following a boost in consumption in 4Q24 , annual growth for 2024 is now put at 940 kb / d , with 1.05 mb / d the figure anticipated for 2025 . In real terms , expectations are that global oil supply will rise by 1.8 mb / d to 104.7 mb / d in the current year . These figures are supported by direct evidence ‘ from the ground ’. Just as a single example , heavyweights Saudi Aramco , SINOPEC , and FPCL recently announced a new integrated refining and petrochemical complex is to be built in Fujian Province , China . 2 The facility is planned to have a 16 million tons-per-year oil refining unit ( 320,000 bpd ), a 1.5 million tons-per-year ethylene unit , a two million tons paraxylene and downstream derivatives capacity , and a 300,000 tons crude oil terminal . FPCL , a 50:50 joint venture between SINOPEC and Fujian Petrochemical Industrial Group Company , will own a 50 % stake in the complex , with Aramco and SINOPEC each taking a 25 % stake . The project is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2030 . Across the Pacific , it seems likely that the US will continue to break records for oil and natural gas production and exports . Tellingly , on January 20 th ,
President Trump issued an executive order 3 with the title of ‘ Unleashing Alaska ’ s extraordinary resource potential ’ whilst in early February Doug Burgum ( DOI Secretary ) signed a first round of Secretary ’ s Orders designed to ‘ unleash American energy ’. 4 Of course , it remains to be seen if , how and when oil and gas executives can respond to these initiatives but there could well be interesting times ahead for the flow control community .
Well efficiency
Whatever the chatter , OEMs seem determined to continue innovating in order to deliver superior assets to the oil and gas sector . Norwegian company InflowControl for example , are deploying their subsurface , operational and research experience to improve yields from wells . For example , their autonomous inflow control valve ( AICV ® ) can autonomously manage the restriction of unwanted water or gas . According to the company , gas wells face challenges with unwanted water whether they are vertical , slanted , or horizontal well completions . Water breakthrough reduces the gas production , both rate and recovery , often causing wells to be shut in prematurely . Understanding how to manage unwanted water production from the reservoir is critical to maximise gas production , minimise downtime , and improve profitability . Gas AICV enables efficient gas production as the valves remain ‘ open ’ for gas and condensate yet the
14 Valve World March 2025 www . valve-world . net