ABL’s scope of work was to mark up the plant’s piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) drawings, build an asset hierarchy and material masters system, and catalogue all actuators and solenoids. Consequently, the client was no longer required to go out in the field to check equipment as it was all loaded up in its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. 

“Digitising and optimising the data configuration of the gas plant’s asset base will provide significant time and cost savings for our client in the execution of their asset management programs,”

says Luis Gonzalez, ABL’s US country manager for asset integrity management. 

The asset hierarchy build and material masters were done using ABL’s Effio software. Effio is a cloud-based master data build and optimisation software that makes it easy to build and upgrade an asset management strategy and optimise data during operations. 

In addition, ABL used its ePAV software to conduct an on-site physical asset verification, identifying missing data for actuators connected to shutdown valves in the plant and compression stations. ePAV is a digital data collection, audit, and verification tool that enhances the accuracy of the on-site physical asset data collection process and ensures alignment with company data standards. 

ABL’s asset integrity management team in Houston, Texas, managed the project. The company has not disclosed the value of the contract.   

“This project exemplified ABL’s commitment to advancing industry standards and operational excellence, focusing on optimising the client’s work management processes and data architectures across facilities in the United States.

“Utilising our software on this scope of work allowed the team to accurately mark up the plant’s P&ID drawings so they were correct first time and didn’t have to be manually uploaded to the EAM system, which prevented the need for rework from the client’s team,”

adds Luis Gonzalez.   

ABL has coast to coast presence in the US

ABL’s extensive footprint runs coast-to-coast in the USA and Canada, supporting with the full range of marine assurance & risk services, ports and harbours consultancy, asset integrity management, and offshore and onshore wind consultancy.

Our US Asset Integrity Management team are based in Houston and can support your business by offering invaluable advice and helping to implement a range of fully optimised asset management strategies including:

• Maintenance strategy optimisation
• Benchmarking and analysis
• Data migration
• Inventory and materials management
• Process safety management
• Asset life extension
• Training and competency

Find out more about our services and get in touch with our Houston office by clicking the buttons below:

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“As the largest region in ABL, these meetings are integral to strengthening collaboration between countries and technical teams, exchanging best practices and knowledge, and in identifying key areas for growth, to ensure that we are best placed to support our clients and markets.

“In 2024 we saw significant growth in the region in several areas. We expanded our Black Sea operations with a new office in Constanta, Romania. We diversified our service portfolio with the introduction of the water management and numerical modelling consultants, Hidromod – which also substantially reinforced ABL’s operations in the strategic market of Portugal. Lastly, we continued to develop our presence and activities to support African marine and energy markets, with gains made in Nigeria, Senegal and Mauritania, and the Republic of Congo.”

Hugues Delanoue, Regional Managing Director for ABL in Europe and West Africa

The meeting was the first in which Hidromod was able to participate since its acquisition by ABL’s parent company, ABL Group, in October 2024. It, therefore, was a chance to deepen understanding across the regional operations, of Hidromod’s unique expertise and software solutions to support hydrological forecasting in different marine, energy and agricultural scenarios.

Other topics for discussion covered ABL’s European and West African offering in the following areas: marine warranty survey (MWS), dynamic positioning (DP) and critical systems, rig inspections operations, maritime services including ports and harbours consulting and engineering, electrification and the expansion of ABL’s expertise in both technical due diligence and owner’s engineering for energy and maritime sectors.

ABL Europe and West Africa includes offices in Bulgaria, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Holland, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Romania, Senegal and Turkey.

ABL Europe and West Africa in the news in 2024

ABL won a wide range of contracts across energy and oceans in 2024, including several significant energy infrastructure projects for European and African countries, as well as to support high-profile renewable energy construction projects, and the development of emerging energy transition technologies.

Here is a small selection:

ABL to assess navigational risk for Finland’s 1st open-sea offshore wind farm. Read more.

TenneT appoints consultancy ABL for Dutch 2GW export cables. Read more.

ABL part of North Sea green hydrogen initiative. Read more.

ABL to support offshore installation of French-Spanish interconnector. Read more.

ENI drafts ABL for Congo floating LNG transportation and installation verification. Read more.

ABL electrifying zero-emission offshore charging station. Read more.

ABL to provide marine warranty survey for Neptun Deep in the Black Sea. Read more.

The post ABL Europe & West Africa Power Up for 2025 appeared first on ABL.

The team at ABL Group shares the passion, vision and values for working in energy and the world’s oceans, de-risking and driving the energy transition. We are driven by the idea that the best work is born from professionalism, diligence… and fun. You know ABL Group, but do you know our team?

What does your day-to-day look like at ABL ?

My day-to-day activities really depends on my priorities. Some days, the focus is on engaging with potential clients, introducing them to our Asset Integrity Management (AIM) services, and exploring how we can enhance the performance and longevity of their assets. Other days are dedicated to strengthening relationships with existing clients, identifying new ways to support them, and provide solution to their challenges together.

Project delivery is also a key part of my role, whether that’s overseeing ongoing work or training junior colleagues to ensure high-quality service and technical excellence.

What inspired you to join your industry?

“My passion for engineering and data analysis led me to the energy sector, where I saw an opportunity to work at the intersection of both. The oil and gas industry, in particular, stood out as a field where I could apply my technical skills while contributing to real-world problem-solving on a large scale.”

Can you tell us about something exciting you are working on right now?

Currently I am working on expanding ABL’s Asset Integrity Management service offerings in Africa. It’s an exciting challenge because there’s huge potential to help clients improve operational efficiency, safety, and compliance across a rapidly developing market.

What does the future look like for Asset Integrity Management in the next 3-5 years?

“In the next 3–5 years, AIM will be more critical than ever as operators focus on life extension for aging assets amid tighter budgets. Efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and data-driven solutions will be key. ABL is ready to support this shift with tailored services and advanced analytics to optimise asset performance and maximise operational life.”

Why should people visit our ABL stand at the Sub Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference

We have a lot to offer at SAIPEC 2025 and I encourage people to visit our stand to have the opportunity to gain insights into best industry practices across Asset Integrity Management, Marine Warranty Services and Renewable Energy Development. There will be opportunity for one on one discussions and breakout meeting sessions for presentations on how ABL supports clients in getting the maximum value out of their assets.

What do you enjoy most about working as part of the ABL Group team in Aberdeen?

ABL is a fun place to work, and I do take part in and enjoy lots of fun activities being organised.

There are always social events including team building activities – bowling, foot golf, curling, etc and charity events to part in.

More about Emeka

Position: Regional Manager AIM, Africa

Office: Aberdeen

Hobbies: Running, cooking

Favourite Book: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Seasons of life by Jim Rohn

Next week, Emeka and the local ABL Lagos team will be exhibiting at Sub Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference – SAIPEC 2025. Book a meeting with him ahead of the event and find out more about how ABL AIM’s offerings and software solutions can enhance your upcoming projects:

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Until now, the industry has had to rely on international guidelines on training in the port sector, supported by an internationally recognised ports training course that covers the fundamentals of occupational safety and health specific to the port sector. While such offerings provide basic frameworks relating to shoreside working generally, they do not meet the requirements of senior positions who manage marine safety at terminals and high-risk berths and jetties.

“This is the gap we are aiming to fill with our specific job competency profiling framework for port marine personnel,”

says Daniel Wood, ABL’s head of ports & harbours governance.

11 competency profiles

ABL’s newly developed port marine competency framework consists of 11 job competency profiles that are designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of port marine staff, including terminal management teams. The framework includes verification, definition, measurement, analysis, and design of competency requirements across four focus areas: ship management, maritime assurance, terminal management, and marine logistics.

The framework aims to address skills dilution and misaligned job competency profiles, ensuring alignment with international maritime standards such as STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping), IMHA (International Maritime Health Association), SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea), MARPOL (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships), and OCIMF (the Oil Companies International Marine Forum).

The framework has been developed in partnership between ABL’s maritime and asset integrity management teams.

“This innovative approach has significant potential for global application. By combining our expertise and resources, we have developed a scalable model that addresses industry challenges, supports continuous improvement, and sets new benchmarks for competency management,”

adds Daniel Wood.

Nigerian first mover  

The terminal management team of, NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, based in Port Harcourt, is the first to adopt the framework.

Supported by ABL’s teams in Aberdeen and London, NSML has created job competency profiles for more than 40 roles. Each profile is aligned with recognised international standards and integrated with current job descriptions. A structured roadmap for personnel development has also been identified.

“The delivery of these 11 new Job Competency Profiles has elevated our team’s skillset to exceed the constantly evolving international maritime standards. This collaboration has set a benchmark for excellence and ensures we strive towards our vision of being a leading international maritime services company.”

Dr Effiong Ekanem Attah, NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML).

In 2025, NSML will implement the job competency profiles and thereafter assess and verify resources to ensure ongoing alignment and capability development.

“Investing into making port and terminal operations safer and more efficient is also an investment in its competitiveness. We are impressed with NSML’s desire to further enhance its operations and competitive edge in the market,”

says Daniel Wood.

ABL offers a wide range of capabilities to ports, harbours and terminals globally. Its ports and harbour specialists, ex-pilots, master mariners, naval architects, maritime civil engineers and risk analysts have many years’ experience associated with providing consultancy services, reviews, evaluations, audits, assessment and studies for ports.

The post Nigerian company becomes first to embrace port marine competency initiative appeared first on ABL.

The Cilacap Refinery Unit IV (RU IV) is one of the largest oil refineries in Indonesia. It plays a critical role in meeting domestic fuel and petrochemical needs.  RU IV processes crude oil into various petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, aviation fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).  In addition to fuel products, RU IV produces asphalt, petrochemicals, and other byproducts essential for industrial applications. 

As part of its modernisation of RU IV, Pertamina has embarked on a programme to improve the management of the refinery unit’s 85,000+ assets, and implement a maintenance master data improvement project as the initial step. The project’s primary objective is to ensure that all maintainable items are correctly identified and accurately classified, with maintenance and assurance activities fully defined and ratified for the update of Pertamina’s computerised maintenance management system (CMMS).

ABL’s scope of work for the project involves conducting a physical asset verification of the facility and updating its entire asset register. ABL will also conduct an equipment criticality assessment and SCE (safety critical elements) identification, define and assign maintenance strategies and optimise maintenance plans for all maintainable items and packages.

“Securing our first project with Pertamina’s RU IV maintenance master data improvement initiative is a significant milestone for us. We are proud to support one of Indonesia’s most vital refineries by leveraging our expertise. Using our proprietary Effio and ePAV software, ABL will assist Pertamina on its journey to enhance asset management practices, drive efficiency and ensure reliability across its RU IV facility,”

says David Heavey, ABL’s Asia Pacific regional director of asset integrity management.

ABL’s operations in Indonesia and Australia will lead the project, with support from ABL’s asset integrity management and software specialists in Aberdeen.

The project is expected to be completed in September 2025.

“This project is highly significant for us at PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit IV Cilacap as we are currently focused on strengthening our Asset Integrity Management System (AIMS). With the expertise and support from the ABL team, we look forward to adopting a more advanced and differentiated approach to asset management. This initiative is expected to enhance the reliability of our refinery and support the achievement of our operational targets.”

says Ahmad Rifqi Anda, Maintenance Planning & Support Manager at PT. Kilang Pertamina Internasional Unit Cilacap.

Contact our Asset Integrity Management (AIM) team to find out more about our global service offering in maintenance, data, asset management, operational excellence audits, software, inventory and materials management:

The post Pertamina appoints ABL to Cilacap refinery unit RU IV appeared first on ABL.

Engepack is a pioneer in the manufacturing of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) packaging in Brazil. It has the largest and most modern PET preform factory in Brazil which provides packaging solutions to its customers in the food and beverage industries – soft drinks, water, juices, teas, dairy products, edible oils, mayonnaise, etc. – and household products.

The purpose of ABL’s operational excellence audit is to assure that the plant is operating safely, and to its maximum design capacity, building a roadmap to address potential issues, and improving the efficiency of their asset, people and operations. Further, ABL will also identify areas that pose a significant business risk and identify mitigation actions, plus assure return on investment (ROI) by focusing budget on fixing high priority opportunity initiatives.

ABL’s approach includes an initial asset health check tool / operational excellence audit, followed by a software-based analysis to validate the issues and a diagnostics phase including an engineering analysis summary. Finally, the project will deliver a sequence of steps with a list of prioritised improvements based on projected ROI vs effort.

ABL’s office in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will head up the project, with support from the company’s global asset integrity management team, who have delivered business performance improvement and operational excellence programs globally for the last two decades.

“We are thrilled to partner with Engepack on this innovative project, and we look forward to leveraging our global AIM expertise and local Brazilian market knowledge to drive operational excellence and improve efficiency for the plant, which in turn will allow Engepack to deliver an even more efficient service to its customers,”

says Peter Adam, Group Managing Director for Asset Integrity Management.

Contact our office in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to find out more about our service offering in asset integrity management:

The post Brazilian Engepack appoints ABL in operational excellence drive appeared first on ABL.

In today’s competitive environment, when developing a new facility or greenfield project, it is crucial to define all Asset Integrity Management (AIM) strategies in advance, starting at the design and construction phases. This proactive approach ensures that you can operate and maintain your facilities properly and efficiently from the start-up day, guaranteeing operational efficiency and effective risk management throughout the asset’s lifecycle.

ABL’s US Country Manager for Asset Integrity Management, Luis Gonzales, has reflected on his extensive experience in the energy sector and delved into key strategies and methodologies essential for preparing new facilities to achieve long-term success, operational efficiency, and sustainable performance.

The challenge with managing assets in Greenfield projects

Implementing an Asset Management Readiness program during the design and construction phases of new facilities or greenfield projects is crucial to overcoming challenges in the operations and maintenance phase. Key areas include:

Asset management tasks and work management

Without predefined strategies, new facilities risk unplanned downtime, reduced asset lifespan, and safety hazards. Developing preventive and predictive maintenance plans early, while including integrity management, process safety, and compliance measures, ensures maintenance activities are seamlessly aligned with operations, safeguarding both performance and safety.

Risk management

Identifying and addressing potential hazards in untested facilities is vital. Using FMECA (Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) early allows systematic evaluation of failure modes, prioritisation of mitigation efforts, and the creation of a detailed risk register to enhance preparedness.

Data management and integration

A Master Data Management (MDM) framework ensures critical asset information—such as equipment specifications and maintenance history—is accurate and accessible. Selecting the right Asset Information Management software early aligns data with operational needs. Stakeholder involvement in configuring and testing ensures successful implementation.

Resource allocation

Effective allocation of personnel, materials, and finances is essential for operational efficiency. Careful planning ensures resources align with asset management goals.

Regulatory compliance

Adhering to evolving regulations is mandatory to ensure safety and avoid legal penalties. Processes for monitoring compliance are essential.

By addressing these challenges through an Asset Management Readiness program, incorporating MDM frameworks and tailored AIM software—organisations can ensure long-term operational success and sustainability in Greenfield projects.

How to set new facilities up for success

Setting up a new facility is a significant undertaking that requires detailed planning, especially when it comes to Asset Integrity Management. Here is how you can provide a solid foundation for long-term success in your new facility:

Asset registers and equipment criticality

Challenge: New facilities often start with little to no formalised asset register, which is crucial for tracking and managing equipment over time. Without a structured asset register, essential equipment may be overlooked and unprioritised, leading to inefficiencies and increased risk.

Benefits: Establishing a comprehensive asset register and defining equipment criticality helps make sure each piece of equipment is accounted for, prioritised, and documented based on its importance to operations and the business.

A thorough asset register provides visibility and enables targeted maintenance efforts, improving reliability, integrity, and reducing the likelihood of unexpected failures. By focusing resources on critical equipment, organisations can ensure smoother and more efficient operations from the outset.

Reliability-centred risk management

Challenge: Implementing an effective risk management strategy in new facilities is challenging due to the difficulty in identifying potential failure modes and their consequences. Without a structured approach, organisations may overlook critical hazards, leading to costly breakdowns, increased downtime, and safety incidents.

Benefits: Employing methodologies like Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) during the design and construction phases enables a thorough assessment of potential failure modes. This process helps evaluate the likelihood and impact of each failure, facilitating the development of targeted mitigation actions or tasks to be integrated into AIM strategies.

A reliability-centred approach to risk management allows organisations to proactively identify and address issues before they escalate, thereby protecting assets, personnel, and the environment. This strategy reduces downtime, enhances safety, and establishes a robust operational foundation for the facility’s lifecycle.

Comprehensive asset management strategies

Challenge: New facilities require integrated asset management plans encompassing operations, maintenance, integrity management, and process safety to achieve production targets safely and consistently. Without a well-defined strategy, unplanned outages, inefficiencies, and safety incidents can occur due to inadequate preparation.

Benefits: Developing customised asset management strategies involves:

• Operations: Establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training programs to ensure efficient and safe facility operations.
• Maintenance: Creating preventive and predictive maintenance plans, supported by a comprehensive Bill of Materials (BoM) that includes necessary spare parts.
• Integrity Management: Implementing systems to monitor and maintain the structural and functional integrity of assets throughout their lifecycle.
• Process Safety: Identifying potential hazards and implementing controls to prevent incidents, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

An optimised asset management strategy enhances operational reliability, extends equipment lifespan, and improves safety performance. By having critical spare parts readily available and well-trained personnel, facilities can respond promptly to maintenance needs and ensure smooth operations. Additionally, robust integrity management and process safety measures protect assets, personnel, and the environment, contributing to sustainable and efficient facility performance.

Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Training

Challenge: In new facilities, operational staff are often unfamiliar with the specific systems and processes in place. Without structured training, staff may be unprepared to manage equipment, leading to inefficiencies and increased risk.

Benefits: Providing in-depth O&M training materials tailored to the facility’s unique requirements equips staff with the knowledge and skills needed to manage assets effectively and safely.

Competent staff are more capable of operating and maintaining equipment, reducing the likelihood of user errors, improving efficiency, and most importantly supporting a culture of safety. This foundation of knowledge contributes to smoother, more effective facility operations.

Asset Information Management system selection and implementation

Challenge: Selecting and implementing a comprehensive Asset Information Management system—such as a Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS), Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), Asset Performance Management (APM), Asset Investment Planning (AIP), or Integrity Management System (IMS)—is critical for efficient operations.

New facilities often face the challenge of choosing the right system without prior operational insights, which can lead to integration issues.

Benefits: A structured approach to system selection and implementation ensures that the chosen solution aligns with the facility’s goals, supports future growth, and integrates well with other operational systems. Involving key stakeholders, such as the document control team, in the system’s configuration design, testing, and rollout is essential for successful implementation.

A carefully selected and implemented Asset Information Management system simplifies data management, maintenance scheduling, benchmarking, analysis, and performance monitoring. The right system enables data-driven decision-making, automates processes, and provides a foundation for scaling operations efficiently as the facility grows.

The outcome: full visibility and optimised Operations and Maintenance processes

By implementing the strategies above, you can obtain complete visibility over your equipment and operations, allowing you to operate and maintain assets at optimal levels, assuring performance and monitoring and managing risk.

From minimising downtime to effectively managing risks, having a well-defined asset management strategy is essential for achieving operational excellence.

By investing in each of these AIM readiness services, new facilities are well-prepared to handle operational demands from day one, setting you up for long-term success, sustainability, and resilience in any new-build facility.

Effio: our tool for simplified asset management

Our proprietary software, Effio is designed to be a one-stop solution for controlled, efficient, consistent, and connected deployment of your asset management strategy across a range of projects—whether for new facilities, operational upgrades, mergers & acquisitions, or plant modifications.

Ready to strengthen your Asset Integrity Management strategy?

Discover how our AIM services can set your new facility up for success. By investing in a structured approach, you can ensure long-term productivity, safety, and sustainability.

Click the button below to find out more or fill in the form to contact one of our Asset Integrity Management experts.

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ABL’s scope of work includes establishing a digital asset register, including equipment enrichment and bill of material (BoM) development, for client’s refineries located the USA and Canada.

In total, ABL will provide quality assurance for approximately 16,000 pieces of equipment, including describing and classifying them in a new asset register. It will also provide quality assurance for approximately 10,000 BoMs to equipment assignment.

ABL’s team in Calgary will manage the project. The work on the USA refinery was completed at the end of June 2024 and the Canada refinery will be completed by end of March 2025.

Afia McClenaghan, managing director of ABL’s asset integrity management operation in Canada says…

“ABL has a longstanding relationship with this client, and we are excited to grow our team and footprint with our asset integrity management services for these two refineries.

The objective is to realise cost savings and enhanced operational efficiencies for the refineries’ operations and we look forward to helping them achieve these improvements“

ABL has coast to coast presence in Canada

ABL’s extensive footprint runs coast-to-coast in the USA and Canada, supporting with the full range of marine assurance & risk services, ports and harbours consultancy, asset integrity management, and offshore and onshore wind consultancy.

Our Canada Asset Integrity Management team are based in Calgary and can support your business by offering invaluable advice and helping to implement a range of fully optimised asset management strategies including:

• Maintenance strategy optimisation
• Benchmarking and analysis
• Data migration
• Inventory and materials management
• Process safety management
• Asset life extension
• Training and competency

Find out more about our services and get in touch with our Calgary office by clicking the buttons below:

The post Canada and USA Refineries Strengthen Digital Transformation with ABL’s Expertise appeared first on ABL.

The overall scope of work for this assignment was to develop a maintenance build based on the fundamentals of Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM) and a failure modes, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA). ABL also developed maintenance strategies including a preventive maintenance schedule, bill of materials (BoM) for new assets, critical spares list for new assets, and an asset hierarchy for the acid plant.

Further, ABL provided training to site staff, as well as developed comprehensive work instructions for the applicable mitigating tasks, including preventive maintenance services, preventive maintenance and functional failures.

ABL’s asset integrity management teams in Houston, Texas, managed the project, with support from the company’s office in Calgary, Canada.

ABL’s US Country Manager for Asset Integrity Management, Luis Gonzalez says…

“The maintenance programme for the redesign of the plant has been designed to maximise uptime and minimise operational downtime.

We are very pleased with the collaboration with our client and impressed with their dedication to helping develop and taking ownership of the maintenance programme.”

ABL has coast to coast presence in the US

ABL’s extensive footprint runs coast-to-coast in the USA and Canada, supporting with the full range of marine assurance & risk services, ports and harbours consultancy, asset integrity management, and offshore and onshore wind consultancy.

Our US Asset Integrity Management team are based in Houston and can support your business by offering invaluable advice and helping to implement a range of fully optimised asset management strategies including:

• Maintenance strategy optimisation
• Benchmarking and analysis
• Data migration
• Inventory and materials management
• Process safety management
• Asset life extension
• Training and competency

Find out more about our services and get in touch with our Houston office by clicking the buttons below:

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