Latest News

New SA hydrogen plant to supply industry

27/10/2020 Posted by Dale

A pioneering hydrogen production plant in final commissioning in Adelaide is set to become a major supplier to industry – with the SA regional city of Whyalla to be the first beneficiary.

The breakthrough will position the new Hydrogen Park South Australia (HyP SA) facility at the Tonsley Innovation District as a major wholesale supplier of renewable hydrogen in Australia.

Project developer Australian Gas Networks (AGN) - part of the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) has completed the installation of the electrolyser, with final construction works due to be

finished shortly.

Australian Gas Industry Trust appoints inaugural Executive Officer

27/10/2020 Posted by Dale

The Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT) has appointed its first Executive Officer, Dr Jen Thompson, to further develop the Trust’s core objectives of promoting gas industry research and education.

“With a strong background in energy, research and science education, Dr Thompson is an ideal person to take AGIT’s activities forward through the energy transition,” said Trust Chairman, Dr Graeme Bethune. “I am delighted to have Jen on board.”

Dr Thompson has more than 20 years working with government and academia and many years’ experience in mining and energy strategy.

INPEX signs up for DUG McCloud

27/10/2020 Posted by Dale

DUG Technology has signed a deal with Japanese energy company INPEX to provide HPC cycles and software using DUG McCloud.

DUG Technology Managing Director Matt Lamont said the INPEX collaboration had the potential to lead to the DUG McCloud platform being used for other INPEX projects as part of a long-term relationship.

INPEX tested the platform at DUG’s headquarters in Houston before signing the contract.

“We know that once prospective clients try the software, test the algorithms and use the platform, the inherent benefits become obvious,” Dr Lamont said.

“The momentum continues to build around our High-Performance Computing as a Service business, with several companies evaluating the benefits DUG McCloud can provide.

Katalyst Data Management Launches Katalyst 360 Data Analytics Platform

17/10/2020 Posted by Dale

Katalyst Data Management has announced the launch of their new Katalyst 360 data analytics platform for the oil and gas industry.

Katalyst said This self-service data analytics environment “provides a 360-degree view of how subsurface data assets are being utilized within an organization. Katalyst 360 greatly expands the utility of Katalyst’s data management solutions, giving oil and gas companies the ability to gain greater insight into their valuable subsurface data assets.”

Katalyst 360 features analytics dashboards that are synchronized to an oil and gas company’s subsurface data.

LNG import facilities “imperative” for Victoria

17/10/2020 Posted by Dale

LNG import terminals have once again been flagged as a critical component of Australia’s imminent gas supply needs, especially for the State of Victoria.

In its latest report, New EnergyQuest has predicted that gas production offshore Victoria will start to decline ~2023, with Cooper Basin gas following suite around 2026. At this juncture, the southern states could be staring down an energy crisis barrel, with New South Wales’ Narrabri Project insufficient to meet demand should Santos proceed with the now sanctioned gas facility.

EnergyQuest CEO Dr Graeme Bethune said:

Senex’s $30 million Roma North expansion set to create 50 construction jobs

15/10/2020 Posted by Dale

Senex has taken a Final Investment Decision to increase its gas production near Roma, in south-west Queensland, by 50 per cent.

About 50 construction jobs are set to be created and more than $30 million will be invested in expansion of the natural gas processing facility at the Roma North development, drilling of wells and construction of supporting infrastructure. The expansion is expected to be finished within the next year.

The announcement comes after Senex said last month it was set to create 100 construction jobs and support hundreds of manufacturing roles after winning a competitive tender for gas acreage that will expand its successful Atlas domestic gas project 50 per cent.

CGG’S Smart Data Solutions business wins data management contracts

15/10/2020 Posted by Dale

CGG Geoscience has announced that its Smart Data Solutions (SDS) business group has recently been awarded data management contracts representing a total backlog of about $10 million. Given the current industry context, these awards reflect the continued high priority that clients have on digitalizing and thus enhancing the value of their legacy data.

The most significant contract is for a global framework agreement signed with a major international energy company that provides for the digitization and multi-year storage of its legacy data and procurement of services related to understanding and extracting the maximum value from this asset.

Top UWA mathematician elected to prestigious professional society

10/10/2020 Posted by Dale

A professor of applied mathematics at The University of Western Australia has been elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society, one of the world's largest organisations for scientists.

Professor Snezhana Abarzhi from UWA’s School of Mathematical Sciences is a leading mathematician and physicist whose research focuses on the theoretical analysis of complex systems in relation to plasmas, fluids and materials.

The appointment recognises Professor Abarzhi’s ongoing leadership in the scientific community and her work on the Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities – a mathematical theory that describes the dynamics of the interface separating two materials of different densities.

Fellowship of the American Physical Society (APS) is a distinct honour, signifying recognition from professional peers around the world.

Chevron personnel on Barrow Island at the carbon injection facility

WA Budget reinforces vital contribution of oil and gas

10/10/2020 Posted by Dale

Western Australia’s 2020-21 State Budget reinforces the critical role oil and gas plays in supporting local jobs and the economy, highlighted by the recent challenging months of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the need for natural gas to generate low emissions baseload power as the economy recovers.

APPEA WA Director Claire Wilkinson said the 2020-21 Budget demonstrated the important contribution the industry makes to the State’s bottom line, with Treasurer Ben Wyatt acknowledging that ongoing operations of the resources industry through the pandemic cushioned the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.

With the Budget also funding a number of new energy technologies, including renewable energy, natural gas will also be crucial to supporting development of these industries through its supply of baseload energy.

Saudi Aramco profits sunk 50% in H1 2020

10/10/2020 Posted by Dale

According to the research data analyzed and published by StockApps.com, Saudi Aramco’s profits dropped by 50% to $23.2 billion in H1 2020. During H1 2019, net income was $46.9 billion. Q2 2020 saw an even bigger decline at 73%, from $24.7 billion to $6.6 billion.

The company’s performance reflected the devastating condition in oil markets. According to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Brent crude was priced at $68.44 at the start of 2020. It had dropped to a low of $20.46 by the end of April 2020.

Saudi Aramco Pays $37.5 Billion Dividends in H1 2020

Aramco’s free cash flow during H1 2020 was $20.6 billion, compared to $38 billion in H1 2019.