Global Energy/Automotive News to January 22, 2025
London, January 22, 2025 (Oilandgaspress) –-A new website to help workers move around the UK’s energy sector – including offshore oil and gas and offshore wind – has been launched. It promotes a skills passport to help workers transition their training and accreditations from oil and gas jobs to similar roles in the renewables sector will be expanded across the UK. Developed by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) and RenewableUK, supported by the UK and Scottish Governments, the Energy Skills Passport website will enable workers to easily identify which qualifications, such as technical and safety standards, are needed for specific roles Read More
Africa Oil Corp. notes the announcement by its investee company, Impact Oil & Gas Limited (“Impact”), regarding the approval of a dividend of approximately USD 80 million to Impact’s shareholders. This dividend represents USD 0.0702 per ordinary share and will be paid from January 29, 2025, to shareholders on Impact’s register at the close of business on January 20, 2025. The dividend payment net to Africa Oil’s shareholding of approximately 39.5% (449,464,396 Impact shares) is approximately USD 31.6 million.
Impact Board’s approval for the dividend distribution follows receipt of the associated cash payment of USD 99 million from TotalEnergies following completion, in November 2024, of the farm down transaction relating to Blocks 2912 and 2913B, offshore Namibia. Read More
Saudi Arabia has maintained its position as the world’s leading producer of desalinated water, boasting a total capacity of 4.19 million cubic meters annually, according to the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.
The Kingdom also owns what it describes as the largest water pipeline network globally, stretching 14,210 kilometers with a daily capacity of 19.42 million cubic meters. Saudi authorities attribute these achievements to the government’s “Water Strategy.”
The country holds several Guinness World Records, including the largest potable water storage network at 8.9 million cubic meters per day and the biggest drinking water storage facility in Riyadh, with a daily capacity of 4.79 million cubic meters.
Officials say the Kingdom also has the world’s largest single production site, with a total daily output of 2.99 million cubic meters, and the biggest water storage tank in Riyadh, holding 3 million cubic meters.
In desalination, the Kingdom maintains what officials call the world’s largest thermal evaporation unit in Shuaiba, with a daily capacity of 92,000 cubic meters, and the world’s biggest mobile desalination plant, with a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters per day.
Saudi Arabia also has the lowest energy consumption rate in desalination plants, at 2.271 kWh per cubic meter. Read More
The Gujarat Hybrid Renewable Energy Park, or Khavda Solar Park, Located very close to the India-Pakistan border lcovers such a huge area – around 72,600 hectares or 280 square miles – that it will be roughly the size of the entire country of Singapore.
It is so vast that it can actually be seen directly from space.When completed, it will be the biggest hybrid renewable energy park in the world, with a capacity of as much as 30 gigawatts (GTW) from both solar panels and wind turbines.This amount of electricity could power around 18 million Indian homes.
It is also hoped the park will avoid an estimated 58 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, according to energy institute. Over 70% of India’s electricity is still generated by fossil fuels, especially coal. The country is also the third-largest emitter of planet-warming gases behind China and the US.
The park’s proposal was approved by the Government of Gujarat in September 2020, and 60,000 hectares of salt desert were allocated near Vighakot village in the Kutch district of Gujarat. The proposal initially mentioned a total 41.5 GW capacity. Read More
Investing in renewable energy isn’t cheap. In fact, globally, we are pouring nearly $500 billion into it every year.
That’s a staggering amount of money, especially when you consider how it could be used elsewhere. Building solar farms, wind turbines, and other renewable infrastructures requires a lot of upfront cash.
These high costs are often justified by the promise of a cleaner, more sustainable future. Yet, for many, the question remains: are we getting enough bang for our buck?
Some argue that this enormous investment is a necessary step towards combating climate change. Others worry that the financial burden is too great, especially for developing countries struggling with more immediate needs. Read More
Renewable energy technologies, while clean in operation, aren’t always clean in their creation. Many of them depend on rare minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. Extracting these resources is often an environmentally taxing process. It can lead to deforestation, water pollution, and even human rights abuses in regions where these minerals are found. The irony is that in our quest for sustainable energy, we might be causing harm elsewhere. There’s a growing need for better recycling and more sustainable mining practices. Without addressing these concerns, we might just be swapping one environmental issue for another. Read More
Aker Solutions enters a strategic partnership agreement to deliver maintenance and modification services on Vår Energi operated assets and projects on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). The partnership also includes Honeywell and StS-ISONOR and builds on an already established collaboration model with clear incentives to work as an integrated team towards common goals.
The contract has a duration of 5 years with the option to be extended up to 11 years.
“We are proud to be a trusted and strategic partner for Vår Energi. At Aker Solutions, we believe that strong partnerships drive efficiency, foster continuous improvement, and enable a leaner project organization,” said Paal Eikeseth, executive vice president and head of Aker Solutions’ Life Cycle segment.
The strategic partnership aims to create value through joint project planning, safe and efficient execution, collaboration and shared objectives.
Vår Energi’s chief operating officer, Torger Rød, is pleased to initiate a four-party collaboration with the team: Read More
Aker Solutions has secured a contract with Statkraft to supply all electromechanical equipment for the new Svean hydropower plant, located near Trondheim. The contract is an important step in the modernization and efficiency improvement of the plant. Statkraft will be constructing the new, state-of-the-art Svean hydropower plant in parallel with the existing facility, incorporating advanced technologies designed to boost energy efficiency. The modernized plant will feature three Francis turbine units, each capable of processing up to 26,000 liters of water per second and generating approximately 12 MW. The upgrade will increase the maximum power output from the plant by about 10 percent. As part of the project, Aker Solutions will supply key electromechanical components, including intake pipes, control system, turbines and generators, cooling and drainage systems, high-voltage equipment, and transformer refurbishments. Installation is scheduled to begin in February 2026, with the project expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Read More
Bentley Motors is proud to announce its inclusion in the 2025 UK Top Employer list, underscoring the company’s commitment to further developing an innovative and inclusive workplace. This is the fourteenth consecutive year that Bentley has been named in the internationally-acclaimed list by The Top Employer Institute.
This year, Bentley has been awarded for its outstanding commitment to creating an exceptional workplace by exceeding benchmarks in its approach to strategic direction, working environment, learning and development, as well as Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB).
The Top Employer Institute awards this prestigious certification following a comprehensive review of six categories of HR and business practices. Bentley achieved an increased score across each category compared to the previous year, highlighting the company’s commitment to continually investing in its exceptional colleague experience. Read More
Lamborghini Squadra Corse will write a new page in its history by entering the top class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship as an official factory team for the very first time, fighting for overall honours at the season-opening 24 Hours at Daytona this weekend.
Competing as Automobili Lamborghini Squadra Corse, the Lamborghini SC63 enters its second season of racing after making its debut in both the IMSA and FIA World Endurance Championships in 2024. This year, Squadra Corse has elected to concentrate its efforts purely on the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds of the North American series.
Having made its IMSA bow at Sebring last season, Lamborghini Squadra Corse therefore is embarking on its first full campaign in the Endurance Cup, utilising the highly experienced quartet of Mirko Bortolotti, Romain Grosjean, Daniil Kvyat and Edoardo Mortara for the opening round of the year. Bortolotti and Kvyat move over from the WEC programme and will contest all five rounds of the IMSA Endurance Cup season at the wheel of the #63 Lamborghini SC63. They will team up with Grosjean, who returns to the Lamborghini fold following a number of impressive drives in 2024, most notably in the early stages of the Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis where the Frenchman mastered wet conditions to lead. The trio will benefit from the expertise and prowess of Mortara at Daytona, before the Swiss driver embarks on a GT3 campaign with Lamborghini for the remainder of 2025. Read More
Statement on Jan. 21 UAW contract offer
Volkswagen continues to work hard at the bargaining table with the UAW to reach a strong first contract that makes our great Chattanooga jobs even better. We have a compelling offer on the table that guarantees employees a 14% pay raise over the four-year contract and a 25% raise over five years following recent pay increases. We heard our employees’ feedback and, for the first time ever, offered COLA and profit sharing so they can feel confident in their wages and share in the company’s success. We worked to decrease health care costs and guarantee those lower costs over the course of the contract. The auto industry is facing massive challenges and our own company is making tough decisions around the globe to remain competitive. We want to improve our employees’ experience, but we also won’t agree to anything that could limit our ability to invest in Chattanooga in the future. We are committed to getting creative and reaching an agreement that keeps Chattanooga thriving. Read More
As an innovation-driven brand, Mercedes-Benz is constantly reinventing the automobile. The company has been continuously setting standards and accompanying social change since 1886. Its history is correspondingly rich in events and stories. Here is a brief summary of some of the important anniversaries and milestones from its history. Mercedes-Benz introduced the Electronic Stability Program into series production
Presentation of ESP® in the S-Class Coupé of the 140 model series in northern Sweden
Milestone innovation for active safety
ESP® in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class helps the system achieve a breakthrough in large-scale production Read More
The Mercedes‑Benz E‑Class has been awarded the overall safety title “Best Performer” in 2024 by Euro NCAP, making it the safest car tested last year. To define the ‘Best in Class’, Euro NCAP experts calculate a weighted average of four areas of active and passive safety: Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection, and Safety Assist Technologies. The E‑Class achieved standout scores across all these safety categories.
“Mercedes-Benz is synonymous for safety. We set the standard as true pioneer in vehicle safety. I am proud that Euro NCAP’s ‘Best Performer’ award recognises our efforts to increase safety for all road users.”
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG. Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement.
Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) is an organisation made up of European transport ministries, automobile clubs and insurance associations. The organisation conducts crash tests and other safety evaluations. Read More
Enilive announces the commissioning of its first plant to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at the Gela biorefinery, in Sicily.
Production has started at the plant, which has a capacity of 400,000 tonnes per year, representing almost a third of the expected European SAF demand in 2025*, following the implementation of the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation. Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 requires aviation fuel providers to ensure that jet fuel supplied to aircraft operators at each airport in the European Union contains a proportion of SAF. The required proportion of SAF will increase over five year increments from a minimum 2% from 1 January 2025 to 6% from 2030, 20% from 2035, 34% from 2040, 42 % from 2045, until reaching 70% from 2050.
Since September 2022, Enilive has signed agreements with several airlines for the supply of SAF, thanks to the initial production achieved through synergies between the Gela Enilive biorefinery and other Eni facilities, using waste-based feedstocks. Enilive aims to increase its biorefining capacity to over 5 million tonnes per year by 2030 and enhance its optionality for SAF production to 1 million tonnes per year by 2026, with further potential to double production by 2030. These targets will be supported by ongoing projects at the Venice biorefinery and the construction of new biorefineries in Malaysia and South Korea.
The Gela biorefinery has the capacity to process 736,000 tonnes of biomass per year, which is primarily derived from waste and residual feedstocks such as used cooking oils, animal fat and by-products from vegetable oil processing. The innovative SAF production in Gela has been made possible by plant modifications, in particular to the isomerisation unit, which has been equipped with a reactor and a product separation section, as well as upgrades to the tank farm and logistics infrastructure. Investments to improve the feedstock pretreatment section, including the construction of a third degumming line, are nearing completion. These improvements will further enable the diversification of waste and residues feedstocks that can be converted into HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) biofuels. Read More
Driver assistance systems make road traffic safer, but so far mainly cover standard situations. Using artificial intelligence, Porsche Engineering is working to make identifying traffic situations that occur less frequently—known as corner cases— easier and more reliable. The aim is to improve ADAS. A freeway, sometime in the early hours of the morning. The sun is low, rushhour traffic is getting heavier. A passenger car is driving in the middle lane and cutting in behind a flat-bed truck on the right. The truck is carrying a vehicle that is positioned backwards on the flat bed with its front facing to the rear. The camera sensors on the car that is cutting in interpret the cargo as an oncoming vehicle, and the emergency braking system intends to intervene. Traffic situations such as these are very rare, but not unheard of. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) must therefore also be trained for these unlikely events. “Rarely occurring cases such as a vehicle transport like this are a classic corner case,” says Arsen Sagoian, Specialist Project Manager in the AI and Big Data division at Porsche Engineering. The term refers to unusual traffic situations that tend to occur rarely. They also include pedestrians or cyclists on the freeway, lane boundaries that are no longer recognizable because of snow, or roads that, due to their nature, make it difficult for the systems to recognize lane markings clearly. Read More
Aker Solutions, in a consortium with Siemens Energy, has reached an important milestone by receiving the full notice to proceed from RWE for the Norfolk Vanguard West and East offshore wind farms. The Norfolk Vanguard West and East represent the first phase of RWE’s Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone, which also includes the Norfolk Boreas developments. Once complete, the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone will produce enough renewable electricity to power more than four million homes.
Aker Solutions has provided work for the projects under a limited notice to proceed announced in November 2023. The full notice to proceed represents a significant milestone, and underscores Aker Solutions’ ambition to contribute to the global energy transition. The project is being executed through a consortium consisting of Aker Solutions and Siemens Energy. Aker Solutions’ scope includes engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) of the high voltage direct current (HVDC) offshore platform, while Siemens Energy is responsible for the onshore station as well as the high voltage equipment in the offshore substations. The joint venture between Aker Solutions and Drydocks World will deliver the two HVDC platforms. Fabrication of the platform topsides will be executed by Drydocks World in Dubai, UAE, while the fabrication of the substructure will be executed by Aker Solutions’ yard in Verdal, Norway. Read More
Porsche paint shop
Robots, artificial intelligence – and a human touch. How the Porsche plant in Leipzig ensures only the finest finishes leave the paint shop. Until relatively recently, these labour-intensive and time-consuming inspections would have to be carried out manually – and, even with the keenest of eyes, always with the natural risk of human error. With modern technology, however, this process in the paint shop at the Porsche plant in Leipzig has been significantly streamlined. Team members in the inspection area are assisted by an automatic defect detection system. Equipped with powerful sensors, these robot arms scan the entire outer surface of the body shell of every series-production car produced at Leipzig.An image is captured every 2.5 millimetres, resulting in about 100,000 pictures being gathered during the 72-second inspection cycle.
These extensive scans are analysed by a network of 10 powerful image-processing computers searching for even the smallest of imperfections. Pinholes, craters and particles of dust or other debris (known as ‘inclusions’) are identified with precision and total objectivity, which presents a major advantage over the subjective nature of manual visual inspections.
If a defect is found, its exact location is recorded with millimetre accuracy. The complete data is then forwarded to the finishing line, where the skilled team carries out the necessary paint corrections. The location of the defect is presented to the team members via a digital model, which is enhanced with high-resolution close-up images and details of the category of defect. This enables the team to quickly target the issue and choose the appropriate method of rectification. Read More
| Oil and Gas Blends | Units | Oil Price | Change |
| Crude Oil (WTI) | USD/bbl | $76.25 | Up |
| Crude Oil (Brent) | USD/bbl | $79.70 | Up |
| Bonny Light 21/01/25 CBN | USD/bbl | $82.20 | Down |
| Dubai | USD/bbl | $80.90 | — |
| Natural Gas | USD/MMBtu | $3.80 | Up |
| Murban Crude | USD/bbl | $82.70 | Up |
| OPEC basket 21/01/25 | USD/bbl | $81.74 | Down |
Vestas has received a 384 MW order for the second phase of DTEK’s Tyligulska project in Ukraine. This order adds to the 114 MW Tyligulska I order which Vestas received in March 2021 and successfully commissioned in the spring of 2023.
For this order, Vestas will be supplying 64 wind turbines and is responsible for the supply, delivery, and commissioning of the turbines. Together, the first and second phase of Tyligulska will have a capacity of 498 MW, with a total of 83 V162-6.2 MW wind turbines in 6.0 MW operating mode, making it the largest wind energy project in the country.
“We are proud to expand our partnership with DTEK and to deliver our technology solutions to the Tyligulska project that will power Ukraine’s energy system. I want to thank DTEK for showing visionary leadership and authorities in Denmark, Ukraine and EU for their strong support to this ambitious project that will help strengthen Ukraine’s energy security,” says Henrik Andersen, Vestas President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Today’s agreement is a big step towards a new energy future for Ukraine. From a system threatened daily by attacks, we are building a resilient and secure energy infrastructure that also helps Ukraine deliver on its climate commitments. Since the beginning of the invasion, we have already invested more than €1 billion in Ukraine. This deal signals not only our confidence in Ukraine, but our partners’ trust in DTEK to deliver major energy projects during a war. Thank you to all our European partners for the role you are playing in strengthening Ukraine’s energy security,” says DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko
The project is being realised with strong support from authorities in Denmark, Ukraine and EU and it is backed by a financial guarantee from EIFO, the state-owned Export and Investment Fund of Denmark. Read More
During the period from 13 to 17 January 2025, Eni acquired on the Euronext Milan no. 3,591,665 shares (equal to 0.11% of the share capital), at a weighted average price per share equal to 13.9217 euro, for a total consideration of 50,001,980.74 euro within the second tranche of the treasury shares program approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting on 15 May 2024, previously subject to disclosure pursuant to art. 144-bis of Consob Regulation 11971/1999, for the purpose of paying to the Shareholders an additional remuneration compared to the distribution of dividends. Read More
KBR announced today it has been awarded a contract to support sustainable production of energy resources in Saudi Arabia by contributing to the delivery of Saudi Aramco’s Master Expansion Program and increasing gas handling capacity at key regional locations.Under the contract, running through to 2028, KBR will support work to increase and maintain maximum sustainable capacity across the Shaybah field’s four Gas-Oil Separation Plants (GOSPs), as well as power plant and well injection facilities – helping support the Kingdom’s future energy requirements.
The project prioritizes sustainability by integrating carbon-free energy alternatives, carbon capture, and gas reinjection to reduce emissions, optimizing existing equipment and GOSP plot space, and evaluating a greenfield facility to enhance resource efficiency while supporting Saudi Aramco’s 2060 net-zero goals.
Jay Ibrahim, President KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, said, “We are pleased to continue partnering with Saudi Aramco and help shape a greener future for generations to come. This project underscores our commitment to delivering excellence and supporting sustainable energy generation in Saudi Arabia.”
KBR’s presence in Saudi Arabia spans over four decades of impactful collaboration and partnership. Throughout this time, KBR has played a significant role in advancing key sectors such as energy, infrastructure and sustainability, consistently delivering innovative solutions that align with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030. This enduring relationship reflects KBR’s dedication to excellence and shared progress. Read More
Baker Hughes Rig Count: U.S. U.S. -4 to 580 Canada +13 to 229
U.S. Rig Count is down 4 from last week to 580 with oil rigs down 2 to 478, gas rigs down 2 to 98 and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 4
Canada Rig Count is up 13 from last week to 229, with oil rigs up 12 to 156, gas rigs up 1 to 73 and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0.
International Rig Count is down 10 rigs from last month to 909 with land rigs unchanged at 712, offshore rigs down 10 to 197. International Rig Count is down 46 rigs from last year’s count of 955, with land rigs down 23, offshore rigs down 13.
The U.S. Offshore Rig Count is unchanged at 14, down 5 year-over-year.
The Worldwide Rig Count for October was 1,754, up 4 from the 1,751 counted in September 2024, and down 22, from the 1,776 counted in October 2023.
| Region | Period | Rig Count | Change |
| U.S.A | 17 January 2025 | 580 | -4 |
| Canada | 17 January 2025 | 229 | +13 |
| International | December 2024 | 909 | -10 |
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OilandGasPress Energy Newsbites and Analysis Roundup | Compiled by: OGP Staff, Segun Cole @oilandgaspress.
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