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Oil-producing nations struggling with economic woes as society shifts towards electric movement

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Oil-producing nations located in the Middle East and North Africa are struggling with their economies, most of which are not diversified enough to offset the losses caused by falls in the price of crude.

A quick check shows that the current price of a barrel of crude oil – which is about 160 litres – is just above $40, which is significantly lower than certainly Arab countries need it to be.

According to the Economist, Algeria needs the price to be about $157 a barrel, while Oman wants to get to at least $87. [Read more…] about Oil-producing nations struggling with economic woes as society shifts towards electric movement

Eni to co-host Automa 2020 and to show ‘most powerful supercomputer in the world’

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An Italian major oil and gas company and BGS Group have recently announced their partnership in the run-up to Automa 2020 – Automation and Digitalization Congress that will be held in Italy, Milan, on October 19-20.

Regina Chislova, project director of Automa 2020, says: “Eni middle and senior management have been attending the congresses organized by BGS Group for a few consecutive years, flying to different European countries.

“This year we bring Automa to Eni’s home and, therefore, decided that it will be a mutually beneficial partnership.” [Read more…] about Eni to co-host Automa 2020 and to show ‘most powerful supercomputer in the world’

Delta acquires industrial automation software company Trihedral

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Delta Electronics is to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Trihedral Engineering, a Canadian SCADA and IIoT software company, for more than $33 million.

The acquisition will unite Delta’s hardware and Trihedral’s software in the rapidly growing field of automation, AI, and data analytics.

Delta says the initiative will further strengthen its sales expansion in various fields such as industrial automation for smart manufacturing. [Read more…] about Delta acquires industrial automation software company Trihedral

ExRobotics and Yokogawa to develop robotics for inspection of hazardous environments

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ExRobotics and Yokogawa Electric have signed a licensing agreement that will enable Yokogawa to sell and deploy ExRobotics’ inspection robot hardware and software platforms worldwide.

ExRobotics is a Netherlands-based developer of robotics technology for hazardous environments, and Yokogawa Electric Corporation is a global provider of industrial automation, control, and measurement technology.

ExRobotics was established in 2017 to commercialise robotics technology for use in the potentially explosive atmospheres found at oil and gas production and processing facilities, which are often in remote locations with harsh environments. [Read more…] about ExRobotics and Yokogawa to develop robotics for inspection of hazardous environments

Comau ‘Mate’ exoskeleton used in CC Jensen’s manufacturing processes

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Danish company CC Jensen is using exoskeletons from Comau in its manufacturing processes.

Comau calls its exoskeleton ‘Mate’ and has been supplying it to the market for around a year.

CC Jensen specialises in the design and manufacturing of oil filtration solutions, and says it uses Mate to better support workers in carrying out their daily activities. [Read more…] about Comau ‘Mate’ exoskeleton used in CC Jensen’s manufacturing processes

Total strengthens presence in industrial lubricants with new acquisitions

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Total Lubrifiants has strengthened its presence in the industrial lubricants market with the acquisition of a number of business units from Houghton International.

Total has acquired the aluminum hot rolling oil, steel cold rolling oil and tinplate rolling oil activities in the North American and European Economic Area markets from Houghton.

The transaction includes the associated technical support services in both regions. [Read more…] about Total strengthens presence in industrial lubricants with new acquisitions

Robotic test facility opens in the Netherlands

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Unique testing facility accelerates progress of robotics for inspection and maintenance

Quasset Test Facility has opened in the Netherlands to facilitate the experimentation and validation of robotic solutions for inspection and maintenance.

The 600-square-meter testing facility offers a highly flexible and controlled environment, housing a range of decommissioned assets which serve to test crawling, flying and swimming robotic systems.

As an independent facility, QTF provides third-party assessments of technology for robotic and inspection systems. From start-ups to leading oil and gas companies, service providers have the opportunity to work in consultation with QTF’s specialist robotics staff. [Read more…] about Robotic test facility opens in the Netherlands

Okuma and Hartwig open tech centre in Houston

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Okuma America Corporation, a world leader in CNC machine tool manufacturing, and Okuma distributor Hartwig, have opened a new Okuma Tech Center at Hartwig Houston in Texas, USA.

The 23,000 sq ft showroom which features more than 20 machine tools – including larger machines specifically built for the oil and gas industry.

Wade Anderson, Okuma Product Specialists Sales Manager and Tech Centers Manager, said: “The new space allows us to show the larger machines that are significant to the oil and gas industry, and our customers can see live-cutting applications demonstrated on these Okuma machine tools.”

Opec and big oil eyeing electric cars with trepidation, says Bloomberg

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The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Opec, and big oil companies around the world are looking at the growing popularity of electric cars anew, and revising their forecasts, according to a new report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. 

The prospect of a massive trend that shows consumers turning away from petrol-driven vehicles would have huge implications for the oil industry.

Petrol-driven vehicles account for almost half of oil production demand, according to the US Department of Energy, while other sources say it’s more than 50 per cent.  [Read more…] about Opec and big oil eyeing electric cars with trepidation, says Bloomberg

US manufacturing sector is seeing ‘record investment’, says Pence

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The manufacturing sector is experiencing a dramatic turnaround in business, according to figures released by the White House. 

President Donald Trump has consistently said he wants the manufacturing sector to grow and has personally intervened to persuade many large manufacturing companies to consider relocating or expanding their operations in the US.

However, the vast majority of manufacturing companies in the US are small businesses, of less than 100 people.  [Read more…] about US manufacturing sector is seeing ‘record investment’, says Pence