TPi March 2014

business & market news

Butt-welding fittings approval Erne Fittings Middle East (EFME) has achieved ExxonMobil approval for butt- welding fittings up to 12". EFME, part of the Erne Group, is the sole producer of butt-weld fittings such as elbows and reducers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ExxonMobil is the world’s largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, as well as the world’s largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products. requirements of the industry and is able to produce according to one of the most demanding standards in the oil and gas industry. Manfred Havrilla, head of sales and marketing at EFME, commented, “The world’s most modern production site with the latest technologies assures first class quality based on European standards, produced in Jubail.

to exceed expectations in regard of meeting standards and adhering to specifications.” With technological expertise in moulding, heat treatment and weld-end preparation, Erne Fittings produces elbows, tees and reducers for use in many areas, including the construction of power stations, refineries, and oil and gas plants, and in many other demanding applications.

Since 1998, the parent company Erne Fittings GmbH has been listed on the Exxon Approved Manufacturers List. By achieving this approval Erne Fittings Middle East underlines that it understands the respective

“Approvals like Saudi Aramco, Qatar Petroleum or Saudi Electricity Company certify this. We are happy to add another important accreditation to our list. We will take this as further motivation

Erne Fittings Middle East Co Ltd – Saudi Arabia

sales@ernefittings.com www.ernefittings.com Van Leeuwen enters Brazilian market

be on the international energy market, specifically the oil and gas segment.

Tubexpress, founded in 1990, is a stock holding distributor, offering products according to ISO 9000 standards, and has extensive product knowledge and expertise in the oil and gas market. The company has two branches in Brazil, in Osasco and São Carlos, both in the state of São Paulo. Founder and managing director Mario Zupo will transfer his day-to-day responsibilities but will remain closely involved for the next two years, to ensure a smooth transition and to further expand the business. With Tubexpress, the focus of Van Leeuwen in Brazil will primarily

The Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group has acquired Tubexpress, a Brazilian distribution company supplying pipes and tubes to the petrochemical and oil and gas industry. The acquisition was effective from 1 January 2014. Van Leeuwen’s strategy is aimed at expanding and strengthening its market positions in several countries and industrial segments through acquisitions and autonomous growth. Acquisitions focus on expanding specialisms, and enlarging the company’s geographical footprint. The acquisition in Brazil is in line with this growth strategy.

Peter Rietberg, chairman of the board of the Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group, commented, “With the takeover Van Leeuwen expands again following expansion in, for instance, Africa, Asia and the USA. The acquisition provides us a platform for growth particularly in the oil and gas segment in Brazil.” Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group – Netherlands cc@vanleeuwen.nl www.vanleeuwen.com

Technip awarded four North Sea contracts Technip was awarded four contracts by Shell UK, Fairfield Energy, Ithaca Energy and TAQA during 2013. As the longevity of fields represents a key challenge for the energy industry, Technip aims to deliver a suite of subsea maintenance services including inspection, repair, maintenance, decommissioning, and asset integrity management, as well as brownfield construction. Brent facilities, under a newly awarded framework agreement to support its UK and Norway assets; intelligent pigging operations for Fairfield Energy’s Merlin field development (completed September/October 2013); light construction work for Ithaca Energy on the Causeway field; and conductor centraliser maintenance services for TAQA’s Harding field development. including the Orelia and Skandi Arctic . Steve Beddows, business manager of life of field services (LOFS) at Technip, commented, “We provide our clients with a complete range of life of field services with each scope demanding a specific set of core skills and expertise. We are keen to assist operators as they look to prolong the longevity of their fields in the UK Continental Shelf and beyond. The LOFS market is growing apace and these new awards underpin our capabilities in this area.”

Technip’s operating centre in Aberdeen, UK, is managing the projects. The specialised work scopes, which equate to around 75 vessel days, have utilised the group’s diving support vessels,

Specifically, Technip has delivered, or is in the process of delivering, the following scopes of work: diving operations to prepare for decommissioning of the Shell Delta

Technip – France www.technip.com

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Tube Products International March 2014

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