Pdh News

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) said on Friday it has been awarded a task order from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) to conduct a manufacturing assessment of several new propulsor bearing concept designs for U.S. Navy submarines. The task order is under the Propulsor Demonstration Hardware (PDH) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract previously awarded to GA-EMS.“Manufacturing feasibility evaluations such as this are crucial steps in determining whether a new concept design will deliver greater performance…

Wärtsilä won a contract in April to supply the cargo handling and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel supply systems for two new very large gas carrier vessels (VLGC) being built for China-based Oriental Energy, a company mainly focusing on operation of PDH (Propane Dehydrogenation) factories and LPG trading.The 93,000-cubic-meter-capacity vessels are being built at the Jiangnan yard in China, and are among the largest of their type ever built.In addition to the cargo handling system…

Texas-based PetroLogistics II, a portfolio company of Quantum Energy Partners, has awarded McDermott International, Inc. a contract to provide front-end engineering design (FEED) services for a new U.S. Gulf Coast propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant.Under the scope of the contract, McDermott will assist in the development of a PDH plant to be constructed on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The plant has a design basis of 500 KTA."McDermott is pleased to be working with PetroLogistics II in the development of a facility that will support the growth of propylene in the U.S.," said Mark Coscio, McDermott's Senior Vice President for North, Central and South America.

U.S. liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports have grown year-over-year by 22% to 22.5 million tons year-to-date (YTD) and Middle East exports have grown on the same basis 3.5% to 22.6 million tons, said Dorian LPG.For the first time, U.S. and Middle East volumes were equal, said the owner and operator of modern very large gas carriers (VLGCs)."Our expectation is that the U.S. exports will grow faster than those from the Middle East. U.S. propane inventories continue to push towards the higher-end of their 5-year range, having reached 80 million barrels on July 26th, 21.4% higher than last year, which was almost equal to the percentage increase in exports," it said.North American export capacity continues to expand, further supporting global LPG trade.

North American liquefied petroleum gas  (LPG) export capacity is forecast to grow considerably over the next two years, said Dorian LPG.According to the LPG shipping company, bolstered by additional volumes out of Marcus Hook in the northeast U.S. due to the startup of the Mariner East 2 pipeline, U.S. exports reached their highest levels for the first calendar quarter of 2019 in January with over 3 million metric tons of LPG exported during the month.However, significant reductions in U.S. exports were seen during the rest of the first calendar quarter of 2019 due to closure events in the Houston ship channel.Additionally, there was tightness in the East due to a reduction in Middle Eastern supply related to OPEC production cuts and U.S. sanctions on Iran.

The biggest market change in the fourth calendar quarter of 2018, was the decline in crude oil prices, with Brent falling from a monthly average of nearly $82/barrel in October, finishing the year below $51 per barrel. As a result, global  liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)prices followed the downward trend.Dorian LPG, the Stamford-based owner and operator of 22 very-large gas carriers, said that without the additional LPG cargoes out of Marcus Hook from Mariner East 2, which started operations in January 2019, U.S. exports remained similar to the third calendar quarter of 2018, if not slightly lower.Total LPG exports from the U.S. are estimated at 32.8 million metric tons for the full year, up nearly 10% year-over-year.

Europe’s largest petrochemicals company Ineos has chosen the Port of Antwerp as the location for a mega-investment of three billion euros ($3.4 billion).The British chemical company's investment will be the biggest in the European chemical industry in two decades.Belgium port will be the location for iIneos' project for an ethane gas cracker and world-scale PDH unit in Europe. The two new factories will employ a total of 500 people.Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO and Chairman of Ineos said: “Our investment in a gas cracker and world-scale PDH unit is the largest of its kind in Europe for more than a generation and is an important development for the European petrochemical industry.

The Austrian petrochemical company Borealis has announced that it is to build a new production plant on its existing site in Kallo, in the Antwerp port area.According to a press release, the propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant will use the very latest technology in terms of sustainable production and energy efficiency. With this initiative the port of Antwerp confirms and reinforces its role as the largest chemical cluster in Europe.The intention to build a new PDH plant to convert propane into propylene has been known for some time. The propylene in turn can be used to make polypropylene, a plastic with many applications which is employed in among others the car industry.Borealis has now decided to build this new plant at the existing Borealis production site in Kallo.

French energy group Total and Algerian state-owned firm Sonatrach have signed new agreements, including a contract to develop the Erg Issouane gas field and plans to create a joint venture.The new concession contract to jointly develop the Erg Issouane gas field located on the TFT Sud permit, signed by Sonatrach, Total and Alnaft (the National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources).The TFT Sud permit is located south of the Tin Fouyé Tabankort (TFT) field, of which Total is a long-standing partner. Sonatrach (51%) and Total (49%) will develop the reserves of Erg Issouane located on the TFT Sud permit estimated at more than 100 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe).The development…

A slowdown in fleet growth should begin the recovery cycle from the second half of 2018, although freight rates will not reach the levels seen during the bull run of 2014-15, according to the latest edition of the LPG Forecaster published by global shipping consultancy Drewry. 2017 was one of the toughest years in the history for VLGC shipping as ample vessel supply squeezed the freight market. VLGC earnings in the spot market (on the benchmark AG-Japan route) averaged $12,500pd; way below the break-even rate of $21,000pd. Shipowners are hoping for a better future as annual fleet growth is set to slow down from 16% in 2016-17 to a more manageable 5% over 2018-19.

Global seaborne LPG volumes saw continued growth in 2017 reaching 91.9 million tonnes, 4.3% higher than the 88.1 million tonnes shipped in 2016, says Epic Gas. Epic Gas loaded 2.8 million tonnes in 2017 and was involved in 2,486 cargo operations in 266 different ports. LPG cargoes made up 80% of the cargoes lifted with the balance being petrochemical. At the year end, we had 4 vessels operating in the Americas, 18 in the Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) belt and 19 in Asia. Propylene imports into China reached a record high of 3.1 million tonnes, a 6.8% year on year increase despite a 16% increase in domestic Propane DeHydrogenation (PDH) capacity. Monthly imports in the last quarter averaged 295,000 tonnes indicating strong downstream demand.

After reaching record levels during the first four months of 2017, U.S. LPG export cargoes have seen a number of cancellations or deferments in June and July, said Dorian LPG in a press statement. Steady domestic demand has kept U.S. propane prices firm and, therefore, priced above levels conducive to the arbitrage trade. U.S. propane inventories have continued to build in recent weeks and could reach levels of 75 million barrels by the end of September 2017. The overall U.S. exports at the half-year mark remain at similar levels to 2016 due to the cancelled cargo volumes from the U.S., driven by waning Far East demand caused by seasonal factors and high inventories.

LPG shipping rates are expected to decline from the second half of 2016 as a bloated orderbook for VLGCs (very large gas carriers) fuels fleet growth that will far exceed shipping demand, according to the latest edition of the LPG Forecaster, published by global shipping consultancy Drewry. VLGC earnings have had another stellar year, averaging above $2.0 million per calendar month in the period to September 2015. This has been driven by three principle factors: rising US exports…

Trimble announced today that registration has officially opened for its International User Conference—Trimble Dimensions—being held November 3-5, 2014 at the Mirage and the Treasure Island Hotels in Las Vegas. The three-day conference addresses innovations in agriculture, construction, civil infrastructure, engineering, government, mapping, natural resources, surveying, telecommunications, transportation and logistics and utilities. Trimble Dimensions provides insight into how information technology can transform the way professionals work by using integrated workflows to increase productivity. Hear how industry colleagues use Trimble’s end-to-end technology to easily transform data into intelligent, usable information.

The American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) will host the High Performance Craft (HiPer Craft) Forum on June 19-20, 2013 at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in Norfolk, Va. •    Dr. •    Dr. •    Mr. •    Mr. •    Mr. Jonathan Hill, AMRINA, AFNI, Training Director at FRC International Ltd and Trident Marine Ltd. •    CAPT D.B. •    Mr. Dave Menna, Donald L. Blount & Associates, Inc. •    Mr. •    Dr. •    Mr. •    Dr. Trevor Dobbins, STResearch Ltd. •    Mr. Tyler Brand, President, StrongWake Ltd. •    Mr. •    Ms. •    Mr. Walt Pullar, Chief Executive Officer, RMGS, Inc.

FRC International is running the first WBV Manager course in the U.S. on 18th June at HiPer Craft 2013 in Norfolk Va. Due to the continuing restrictions on Defense Department budgets, FRC International is offering reduced-rate registration for the WBV Manager course at HiPer Craft. The reduced-rate registration is $200 for all active duty military and civilian government employees (non-contractor civilian and military). The standard course fee is $400 per person. Attendees also receive free admission to all three days of HiPer Craft.

FRC International is running the first WBV Manager course in the U.S. on June 18 at HiPer Craft 2013 in Norfolk, Va. The course fee per person is $400 and places can now be booked. WBV Manager attendees also receive free admission to all three days of HiPer Craft 2013. The WBV (Whole Body Vibration) awareness course is part of the professional program organized by ASNE (American Society of Naval Engineers) at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in Norfolk, Va. WBV Manager…

FRC International will run WBV Manager at HiPer Craft 2013. The WBV (Whole Body Vibration) awareness course is part of the professional program organized by ASNE (American Society of Naval Engineers) in Norfolk Virginia from June 18 to 20. WBV Manager is a one day workshop that covers the latest international technology and methods for improving high speed craft operations. It is recognized for six PDH (Professional Development Hours) by ASNE and course attendees will receive The Nautical Institute certificate. All organizations operating RHIBs and planing craft are invited to attend.

Rising demand from emerging country economies has prompted owners to order more and larger LPG vessels, according to Drewry. The increased demand has been further improved by a growing consumption base in emerging economies, with supply bolstered by an expected emergence of new export sources, notably the US and the Russia. LPG demand in the so-called saturated markets, such as Japan and South Korea, is also expected to remain robust on the back of government support and increasing consumption in sectors other than the residential sector.

As an education partner of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Governor Control Systems (GCS) is authorized by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) to offer CEU credits for the Woodward Training Program. Approximately 42 states require engineers to earn CEUs to maintain their Professional Engineer (P.E.) licenses. The IACET CEU is the hallmark for quality in continuing education and training. IEEE is also an Authorized Provider for the Florida State Board. Governor Control Systems is the #1 Woodward distributor in North America.