Subsea Advantages Outshine Top-Side Structures

Q: What opportunities does MAN Diesel & Turbo expect with the arrival of international players in deepwater?

A: We will get involved when the companies responsible for confirming reserves develop and go deeper into the engineering phase. At the end of the day it depends on which technology these companies implement at each field. Some companies might decide to use water injection, for example, a service MAN Diesel & Turbo does not provide. We use natural gas injection and similar technologies such as nitrogen and CO2 injection.

MAN Diesel & Turbo has developed innovative solutions that involve putting gas compression equipment on the seabed rather than on conventional upstream structures such as platforms or Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO). This pioneering technology is in use in the North Sea by Statoil, which has the world's first subsea turbocompressor in operation at a depth of around 300m at the Asgard field, where we have two high-speed, oil-free integrated motor compressors (HOFIM) supplied to Statoil contractor Aker Solutions.

Q: What are the benefits of MAN Diesel & Turbo’s subsea technology?

A: Placing apparatus on the seabed compared to conventional upstream facilities not only saves investment costs but also raises recovery rates while reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions for oil and gas production. When compared to regular top-side platforms, the subsea system will demand less in terms of weight with no space requirements for the compressor equipment. We offer remotely controlled, encapsulated and emissions-free HOFIM compressors that meet all the conditions for a maintenance-free operation on the seabed.

Q: What opportunities will PEMEX’s search for a new partner to reconfigure its refineries create?

A: This will definitely create opportunities for our companybecauseMANDiesel&Turbohasexperience working in every single one of PEMEX’s six refineries. Whether it was on rehabilitation, reconfiguration or expansion, we worked with the NOC to help modernize its facilities. That affords us a unique and valuable insight into what the refineries need to improve operational
efficiency.

Q: What advantages do you have over the international players that might partner with PEMEX?

A: We have not only dealt directly with the company PEMEX Industrial Transformation but also with other subsidiaries such as PEMEX Logística, which focuses on transporting oil products from Mexico’s Gulf and Pacific coasts. We hold an important service and maintenance contract for the main and auxiliary engines of PEMEX’s fleet of oil tankers, which includes 16 vessels. MAN Diesel & Turbo’s advantage in Mexico is its local and well-trained manpower. We do not have production plants here in Mexico but we have locally trained people who provide our clients with savings and high-quality service. One of our global objectives is to be customer-centric, ensuring we are close and available to our clients to meet their needs.

Q: What unique services does MAN Diesel & Turbo offer and how will you diversify?

A: Natural gas is gaining a foothold in new areas. MAN Diesel & Turbo is looking for leads in the energy sector in Mexico, particularly, in the field of natural gas engines for power generation. We can replace a plant’s typical gas turbine-based units with gas engines, which offer the advantages of splitting the total power generated into several smaller units. This increases a plant’s availability. There is also no deterioration in performance due to altitude, whereas gas turbines lose power as altitude increases. Our engines also considerably reduce the time required to produce full power, which can be available in less than one minute. This would take several hours with a gas turbine.