Oil and Gas APAC

PhD Devices: Bringing Precision and Intelligence to Fuel Additive Dosing
PhD Devices
PhD Devices: Bringing Precision and Intelligence to Fuel Additive Dosing
Pauline Horan Dunn, Founder and Managing Director, Alan McCoy, Co-Founder and Software Director
For decades, fuel storage operations have relied on manual calculations and conventional time-based, flow-rate-based and blending methods to apply additives. While fuel chemistry has advanced significantly, these approaches can make it difficult to accurately match additive quantities to changing fuel volumes, often resulting in inconsistent dosing, overdosing or underdosing, and unnecessary product waste. The process of delivering precise amounts of additives at the right time remains a challenge, particularly across large-scale storage operations.

PhD Devices set out to address this gap with TankDose, a patented volume-based dosing solution designed to bring greater accuracy, consistency and automation to fuel additive management.

Recognised as one of the Top Automatic Volume-Based Dosing Device Solutions, PhD Devices developed a small and versatile device, TankDose around a simple but important principle: dosing should be based on actual changes in tank volume rather than estimated flow, time intervals, blending processes or a particular shape.

Most existing dosing technologies struggle with ultra-low additive ratios, often forcing operators to rely on manual measurements and calculations. TankDose changes this approach by continuously monitoring liquid levels and calculating volume changes in real time. This allows the system to deliver precise quantities of additives with accuracy as high as 0.001 percent.
AddFuel: The Science Behind Cleaner Combustion
AddFuel
AddFuel: The Science Behind Cleaner Combustion
Stuart Martin, Director
Shipping operators know the number. Ships use between 20,000 and 200,000 litres of fuel per day. Every liter of wasted fuel shows up in operating costs, emissions and CII ratings that determine what operators pay at port.

Most of the industry has responded by raising the use of cetane or octane levels to produce a stronger combustion event.

“Unlike technologies that seek to alter fuel characteristics, AFC focuses on fuel conditioning, water management, fuel system cleanliness and combustion optimization,” says Stuart Martin, director of AddFuel, an Australian manufacturer of environmentally friendly fuel enhancement solutions.

AddFuel developed AFC around a different ideology—leave the fuel alone and focus on the engine.

AFC uses fuel as a delivery system. It does not alter fuel specifications or affect OEM warranty conditions. Traveling through the combustion system, AFC breaks the residual water globule’s surface tension, reducing them to microscopic particulates that pass through the combustion cycle and vaporize into steam. The process assists fuel system cleanliness and supports cleaner injector operation. AFC also breaks down the hydrocarbons, waxes, gums and varnishes that accumulate over time inside pumps and internal engine components. It helps condition and protect critical fuel system components, keeping equipment running at factory specifications and allowing operators to extend maintenance schedules. “One biodegradable, non-hazardous product doses directly into existing fuel systems and delivers measurable gains in fuel efficiency, emissions and asset life,” says Colin Irvine, finance director.

Automating Precision: The Future of Dosing in APAC Industries

In APAC, liquid-handling processes in industries that require accurate liquid handling are starting to look into automation as a way to ensure consistency and efficiency in the processes. Volume-controlled liquid dispensers offer an ideal solution for dispensing exact volumes of liquid in various industrial settings.

By allowing control of dosing volume by way of programmable settings and predictable processes, such systems can help minimize any variations that could arise through manual dosing methods. In terms of value to the business, accuracy is not the only factor that goes into deciding on a dosing technology.

Improving Precision across High-Volume Operations

The systems for volume dosing allow for the delivery of known amounts based on the set process criteria. The benefit of such an approach lies in the fact that it is especially helpful when the minor changes in the volume of liquid have an impact on the quality of the product, its formulation or even the costs of production. The automation can ensure repeatability of the process without the need for measurements.

The APAC region encompasses a variety of manufacturing conditions, including highly evolved manufacturing plants and increasing manufacturing capabilities that are undergoing changes. As manufacturers increase their output capacity, it may become increasingly hard to control manual dosing throughout different shift schedules. An automatic system can offer a more systematic process by combining dosing with production machines. The operator will be able to use pre-defined dosing parameters, and management will be able to keep track of the process through controls and records.

" Integration has started to play a significant role in creating automated dose dispensing methods. "

The use of materials is yet another factor that needs to be considered. Excessive dosing leads to excess raw material usage, while under-dosing might lead to variations in the quality of the product, which will lead to reprocessing. Thus, effective dosing might also help in improving material efficiency. Organizations can analyze the dosing efficiency as well as the cost of materials used for operations.

Businesses Scaling Automated Dosing Efficiently

The success of an adoption is based on choosing the equipment that is compatible with the application, properties of the liquid, volume of production, and the environment where operations will take place. There may be huge differences between liquids when it comes to such features as viscosity, temperature sensitivity, chemical compatibility, and other parameters. Thus, the equipment should be right for handling this substance and the dosage range.

Scalability becomes an important issue within APAC, considering that corporations may own production facilities that have different capabilities. A dosing system that functions efficiently in one setting might need to be modified in order to function well in another place. Equipment that is modular, controls that are flexible, and operating systems that are standard could make things easier for businesses in this case.

Automation can help enhance the productivity of the staff by enabling them to work towards surveillance, quality control, machinery handling, and many other activities. Nevertheless, there is a need to conduct training and provide guidelines for the employees when automating. There is a need for the staff to learn about dosages, verifications, maintenance of the machinery and how to react in case of deviations. This makes sure that the automation process is well incorporated into operations.

Building Reliable Dosing Into Business Operations

Integration has started to play a significant role in creating automated dose dispensing methods. Companies are looking for machines that can easily integrate with other production processes and monitoring operations. Integration can help get process information easily, allowing people to analyze performances and create maintenance schedules. When the process of dose dispensing is connected with operational information, it becomes easy to analyze usage statistics.

Reliability has a direct impact on business continuity as well. The dosing systems must be analyzed based on durability, maintenance, replacement parts and technical support needs. Availability of technical support and replacement parts in the geographically diverse APAC region can play an important role in the overall feasibility of the proposed solution. The organizations may find it useful to consider the total cost of ownership instead of just the equipment cost.

Regulations and quality guidelines could further affect procurement decisions. In industries that deal with food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, or any other regulated substances, there may be requirements for procedure documentation and process information. Automated dosing systems can help meet such requirements if they are set up correctly and maintained properly. The documentation must always conform to the existing quality guidelines.

In relation to expanding organizations, the aforementioned skills can help in carrying out capacity planning as well as standardizing processes. This is because uniform dosing parameters will make it easy for an organization to replicate proven manufacturing processes from one line, factory, or shift to another.

As APAC manufacturers and process-centric companies try to improve their efficiency levels, volume-based dosing systems that are automated come in handy in enhancing measurement consistency and efficiency of operations. Such dosing systems are most valuable if technology choice and implementation are associated with manufacturing needs, worker processes, maintenance plans, and financial considerations.

Proper implementation of such automated processes will assist the firm in managing its resources in an efficient manner, ensure consistency of its operations, and create scalable workflows. It is not just about measuring quantities using technology; it is about creating a process.

APAC Energy Systems: Non-Hazardous Fuel Additive Advancements

Non-hazardous fuel additive solutions in APAC operate within an energy landscape shaped by diverse fuel standards, evolving environmental priorities, and varied industrial usage patterns. These additives are formulated to improve combustion quality, stabilize fuel composition, and reduce undesirable byproducts without introducing harmful chemical risks. Their relevance extends across transportation, power generation, and industrial operations, where fuel performance directly influences efficiency and maintenance outcomes.

The regional context adds complexity, as fuel types, climatic conditions, and regulatory expectations differ widely across markets. Within this environment, additive solutions are positioned as functional enhancements that align operational performance with safety and environmental considerations, without introducing additional handling or storage burdens.

Evolving Patterns in Fuel Performance Optimization and Additive Integration

Non-hazardous fuel additive solutions in APAC are increasingly integrated into fuel management strategies that emphasize both performance consistency and environmental alignment. Fuel systems are no longer evaluated solely on energy output but on how efficiently combustion occurs and how residues are managed within engines and equipment. Additives are being designed to support cleaner burn characteristics, reducing deposits that can affect engine components over time.

Adoption patterns reflect a shift toward solutions that can be incorporated without requiring significant modification to existing infrastructure. Non-hazardous formulations are favored in environments where safety protocols and handling requirements must remain straightforward. This has led to broader acceptance across sectors that prioritize operational continuity, including logistics networks and distributed power systems. The ability to introduce performance improvements without altering storage or transport conditions supports smoother integration into established supply chains.

Another notable development involves the alignment of additive use with emission management objectives. Combustion efficiency is closely tied to emission output, and additives that support more complete fuel utilization contribute to lower particulate formation and reduced exhaust irregularities. In this context, additive solutions are increasingly evaluated not only for their direct performance impact but for how they influence broader environmental outcomes within operational settings.

Digital monitoring is also influencing how additive performance is assessed. Fuel usage data and engine diagnostics provide insights into how additives interact with specific systems, allowing adjustments that reflect actual operating conditions. This creates a more responsive approach to additive application, where performance improvements are measured and refined based on observed outcomes rather than static assumptions.

Managing Variability and Compliance through Structured Additive Solutions

Non-hazardous fuel additive solutions in APAC must address challenges related to fuel variability, regulatory diversity, and operational consistency, each approached through structured solutions that maintain reliability without introducing complexity. One of the more persistent challenges arises from differences in fuel composition across regions, where variations in base fuel quality can influence how additives perform. This is addressed through formulation adaptability, where additive blends are calibrated to function effectively across a range of fuel types, ensuring consistent performance regardless of source variation.

Storage and transportation conditions introduce additional considerations, particularly in climates where temperature fluctuations can affect fuel stability. Non-hazardous additives are designed with chemical stability that withstands these environmental variations, allowing them to maintain effectiveness without requiring specialized handling. This ensures that performance benefits are preserved from distribution through end use, supporting reliability across extended supply chains.

“Combustion efficiency is closely tied to emission output.”

Regulatory alignment presents another layer of complexity, as standards related to fuel composition and environmental impact differ across jurisdictions within the region. Compliance is addressed through formulation strategies that meet broad regulatory criteria while maintaining performance characteristics. Documentation and testing protocols are integrated into development processes, ensuring that additive solutions can be deployed across multiple markets without requiring significant modification.

Operational consistency also depends on correct dosing and application practices. Variations in how additives are introduced into fuel systems can affect outcomes. This challenge is managed through precise dosing guidelines and delivery mechanisms that ensure uniform distribution within fuel volumes, maintaining predictable performance across different usage scenarios.

Advancing Fuel Efficiency through Safer Additive Innovation

Non-hazardous fuel additive solutions in APAC continue to evolve through advancements that refine both their functional impact and their integration into broader energy systems. One area of progress involves the development of formulations that target specific combustion characteristics, allowing additives to influence how fuel interacts with engine environments at a more detailed level. These refinements support improved energy release and reduced residue formation, contributing to longer equipment life and more stable operation.

Analytical capabilities are also shaping how additives are developed and applied. Data derived from fuel performance and engine diagnostics is used to identify patterns that inform formulation adjustments. This creates a feedback-driven approach where additive effectiveness is continuously refined based on measurable outcomes, allowing solutions to remain aligned with real-world operating conditions.

Integration with emission management strategies continues to expand. Additives are being designed to complement broader efforts aimed at reducing environmental impact, supporting cleaner combustion without introducing additional chemical risks. This alignment allows fuel systems to meet performance and environmental expectations simultaneously, reinforcing the role of additives within sustainable operational frameworks.

Advancements in formulation chemistry are contributing to improved stability and consistency, allowing additives to maintain their properties over extended periods and across varying conditions. This durability supports reliable performance in diverse environments, reducing the need for frequent adjustment or intervention.

Building a Resilient Future through Technology
Petra Energy Berhad [KLSE: PENERGY]
Building a Resilient Future through Technology
Mohd Hanapi Bisri, Head of Group ICT

A certified ICT leader with over 30 years of global experience, Mohd Hanapi Bisri leads digital transformation at Petra Energy Berhad, overseeing ICT for upstream oil and gas. His work integrates AI, cybersecurity and ESG to drive sustainable innovation and he speaks globally on the strategic and geopolitical impacts of emerging technologies.

Leading Digital Change: From Insight to Impact

I am a certified ICT leader with over 30 years of global experience in digital transformation across sectors including energy, healthcare, finance and government. Currently at Petra Energy Berhad, I oversee ICT systems for the group’s upstream oil and gas operations, focusing on strategic transformation and business process re-engineering. My work integrates AI, cybersecurity and ESG principles to drive sustainable innovation and operational efficiency. Passionate about emerging technologies, I regularly speak at global forums on their strategic and geopolitical impacts. My approach enables organizations to achieve faster, smarter and more resilient outcomes through responsible, future-ready digital solutions.

Safeguarding Assets at Scale: Compliance Meets Cyber Resilience

Managing and securing data in the upstream oil and gas sector involves significant challenges due to regulatory demands, distributed field operations and critical infrastructure. Key risks include cyber threats to industrial control systems (ICS), data leakage, supply chain vulnerabilities and compliance lapses. These are addressed through secure OT/IT network segmentation, data encryption, role-based access controls and real-time monitoring. Compliance is ensured via ISO 27001 certification, automated governance and ESG reporting. Local contractor risk is mitigated through vetting, training and strict access protocols. Insider threats are addressed with staff training and analytics. Data integrity for safety and environmental reporting is preserved through tamper-proof systems and calibrated tools.

Staying Ahead of Disruption: AI, Cloud and ESG Aligned

To stay ahead in the energy sector, we continuously monitor and adopt emerging technologies such as AI, cloud computing and automation. These innovations enhance operational efficiency, safety and decision-making—particularly in oilfield operations, maintenance and project delivery. We assess their impact through ongoing evaluation of digital transformation efforts, targeting reduced downtime and optimized resource use. Our strategy also promotes local contractor participation and aligns with national energy goals. Guided by our Energy Sustainability Framework and international standards, we embed ESG principles across operations, ensuring transparency and long-term value as we build a more resilient, sustainable and digitally driven energy future.

“By deploying modular systems, IOT and digital twins, we enhance integration, predictive maintenance and data-driven decisions across offshore and onshore assets.”

Powering Growth with IT: Digital Twins and ESG Integration

To ensure IT infrastructure supports both current operations and future expansion, PETRA Energy adopts a scalable, secure and cloud-ready strategy aligned with operational and ESG goals. By deploying modular systems, IoT and digital twins, we enhance integration, predictive maintenance and datadriven decisions across offshore and onshore assets. A hybrid cloud model boosts agility and disaster recovery, while robust cybersecurity safeguards critical infrastructure. We enable local participation via digital procurement, compliance tools and workforce training. ESG integration includes tools for carbon tracking and certification. This digital transformation supports sustainable growth, stakeholder trust and PETRA’s evolution as a responsible energy leader.By aligning digital infrastructure with business and ESG imperatives, we are positioning ourself as a forward-thinking energy operator ready for scalable, sustainable growth in a complex and evolving sector.

Staying Regulation-Ready: Aligned Risk and Resilience by Design

To ensure compliance amid rising data use and connectivity, especially when managing sensitive operational or project data, we have strengthened our IT infrastructure and aligned with key international standards (ISO 27001, 37001, 9001, 14001, 45001). These certifications support secure data handling, risk management and operational integrity. We also embed ESG principles into our core strategy, guided by our Sustainability Framework, to promote responsible governance and long-term resilience. This integrated approach ensures regulatory readiness, supports sustainable business growth and safeguards stakeholder trust—helping us remain agile and compliant in a data-driven, evolving industry landscape.

Bridging Tech and Finance: Value-Driven, Disciplined, Resilient Decisions

To align technology decisions with financial goals, organizations must integrate ICT planning with core business objectives. Begin by linking technology investments to measurable outcomes like cost efficiency, operational uptime or asset performance. Conduct rigorous ROI analysis and prioritize projects that deliver tangible value. Implement structured ICT governance with clear approval workflows, cost-benefit reviews and ongoing performance tracking. Optimize budgets through vendor consolidation, cloud solutions and automation to reduce overheads.Local contractor participation is emphasized to maximize local content and reduce procurement costs, in line with our “Synergising Partnerships” philosophy. Align ICT initiatives with ESG principles, ensuring sustainability, compliance and stakeholder value. This ensures financial discipline while driving long-term organizational resilience.

Tech That Transforms Energy: AI, Cyber and Strategic Readiness

In the next 5 to 10 years, AI, predictive cybersecurity and digital integration will reshape the energy industry. AI will drive operational efficiency, predictive maintenance and support the energy transition. However, as digital systems grow, cyber threats become more systemic and geopolitical. Our organization is shifting to proactive, predictive security and embedding safeguards into governance. We align operations with sustainability goals through our ESG-integrated Sustainability Framework, audit compliance and ISO certifications. As an upstream oil and gas leader, we prioritize local content, safety and community development. We aim to build a resilient, ethical and secure energy future through innovation and strategic partnerships.

Entering Energy Tech: Prioritize AI, Cyber and ESG

To build a career in the energy technology sector, focus on emerging trends—especially AI, cybersecurity and sustainability. Today’s energy systems are hyper-connected, making cyber threats systemic risks, not just IT issues. Go beyond defense; embed cybersecurity into system design and advocate for ethical AI. Choose organizations that value ESG, like PETRA Energy, where sustainability and social impact are core to operations. Prioritize inclusive digital transformation by involving communities early. Stay informed, collaborate across sectors and commit to lifelong learning. The future of energy is intelligent, secure and equitable—build your career on innovation, responsibility and a drive for meaningful progress.

The Key To Reducing Fuel Consumption And Reduced Environmental Footprint
National Oilwell Varco [NYSE: NOV]
The Key To Reducing Fuel Consumption And Reduced Environmental Footprint
Frode Jensen, President Rig Technologies

Background

The offshore Oil & Gas industry is being challenged to reduce pollutant emissions. To achieve this, in the current market situation of low oil prices and very low newbuild activity, new and innovative concepts are needed to combine reaching environmental goals with improved economic viability. Reduction of system cost, as well as reduction of operational cost are essential to increase profitability under such economic climate or conditions.

One of the largest potentials for offshore installations and vessels to reduce both operational costs and emissions is by reducing fuel consumption. National Oilwell Varco has developed a compact and reliable high efficiency hybrid energy storage system that will enable significant fuel saving on floating drilling vessels where space is limited.

Challenge

Offshore installations far out at sea do not have the benefit of being supported by onshore power grids. They rely on local power generation by means of a set of large diesel-powered generators. For drilling vessels (floating installations in particular), strict requirements are set for the power supply system. The equipment they need to power is operated under challenging and constantly changing (weather) conditions and require large amounts of energy in order to perform their main task. Compensation of wave motions, sea currents, and wind, as well as hoisting and lowering extremely high loads are causing peak demands in the power supply. These peak power demands on top of the normal power requirement on board for utilities are causing a high fluctuation in the diesel engines powering the generators, resulting in low engine efficiency.

"In the current market situation of low oil prices and very low new build activity, new and innovative concepts are needed to combine achievement of environmental goals with improved economic viability."

Solution

National Oilwell Varco AS (NOV) is battling this inefficiency by introducing a kinetic energy recovery system together with a battery bank designed for assisting heavy electrical machinery. The system, named Power Blade Hybrid (PBH), will level out the power fluctuations seen by the generator engines and will be able to store excess energy and utilize this energy when needed.

The solution will optimize and improve generator supply performance, with fewer diesel engines needed online. Each engine-generator can be heavier loaded and will also offset the need to start new engines. It will lead to reduced engine running hours, while the running hours are more efficient. Machinery with great fluctuating power demands cause extreme loads on the power generating equipment, will experience the greatest benefits from this system.

The project to develop and test a full-scale prototype is in full motion. NOV has partnered up with Odfjell Drilling and the project received financial funding from the Research Council of Norway through their DEMO 2000 program.

The PowerBlade Hybrid system consists of a flywheel and a battery bank. The flywheel has been thoroughly tested by NOV in a previous development project, the innovation for this project is adding the battery bank creating a true hybrid system where two energy storage systems work efficiently together

Adding a battery solution with a flywheel enables the system to utilize the advantages of the batteries which the flywheel is lacking, and vice versa. An illustration of this relationship is shown in the matrix below:

A flywheel energy storing system is the best choice for reliability and long lifetime, but has practical limitations when it comes to energy storage density. However, peak power output performance is still very good.

A battery is the best choice with regard to storage density, but has practical limitations when it comes to limited cycle capacity and has a reduced lifetime. A hybrid solution allows superior support for all drilling modes: full peak power shaving in heave compensation and also when tripping in/ out. Batteries in combination with flywheel enables nonstop operation of drilling equipment also through periods of generator black-outs.

With its energy storage desnity, PBH will offer large electric machines to accelerate faster and work more dynamically. Ultimately, this results in higher operational speed and efficiency for the entire offshore installation.

Currently the prototype has been assembled and tested at NOVs R&D testing facilities in Vennesla, Norway, only 20 minutes’ drive from NOVs office in Kristiansand. Now that the testing is completed, Odfjell Drilling has selected a drilling vessel with an NOV drilling system package and other supportive power service equipment for use as a case-study and pilot for large-scale testing. The main objective of the project is to proof the key objectives regarding economic feasibility, energy storage capacity, safety, reliability and lifespan, and specific applications related to rules and regulations for drilling. Eventually show the industry that the new technology behind this concept should be embraced.

In conclusion the system greatly contributes to more energy efficient operations, reduction of environmental footprint, load leveling of generators by peak power shaving, and so lowering maintenance costs while increasing safety.