Keeping the work and life balance
Work life balance for many people has been a challenge recently. As we approach vacation season it's important to take time out to rest and recharge, but time off means different things to each person. In this post we've captured anonymously some of the out of office replies we've received.
The value of Digitalization
January 14, 2019
Duncan Micklem, EVP Strategy and Marketing
For many beginning their Digitalization journey, there is a strong pressure to deliver something big using one of the latest buzzwords – IIoT, Industry 4.0, Cloud, Edge, Big Data, Analytics. Proponents of this input-oriented approach risk applying technology for the sake of technology, without realizing its true value. Here we explore the outcomes and how Digitalization can deliver and sustain true value.
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Digitalization - Upstream's 'electric car' moment
December 7, 2018
Duncan Micklem, Strategy Director
A plant’s success is balanced on the collaboration between its engineers yet differing attitudes towards correlation-based analytics has driven reservoir engineers and process and production engineer’s worlds apart. Here, KBC's Duncan Micklem discusses how Digitalization could be the key to bridging this gap and unlocking trapped value within the upstream oil and gas industry.
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Turning Vision 2050 into a reality
November 27, 2018
Stephen George, Chief Economist
Europe’s refiners, through their industry organization Fuels Europe, have set out their long-term ambitions in a new program called Vision 2050. The outlook sees them staking a claim to remain at the center of transport fuels supply, the petrochemicals industry, renewable fuels and energy - even as Europe’s Energy Union strategy mobilizes a low-carbon, sustainable energy transition. Here, KBC's Stephen George explains how refiners can turn Vision 2050 into a reality.
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Why the time to Digitalize is now
November 6, 2018
Duncan Micklem, Strategy Director
Rising operational costs, a retiring knowledge pool and aging, inflexible infrastructure are just three of a number of threats the process industries currently face. These challenges, however, can be resolved if plants adopt an efficient Digitalization strategy. Here, Duncan Micklem, Director of Business Strategy at KBC, argues why urgent action needs to be taken and the time to Digitalize is now.
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Improving energy and sustainability with cloud-based services
October 12, 2018
Tim Shire, New Solution Strategy and Launch
We’ve seen a huge rise in the number of refiners adopting cloud-based monitoring services in recent years. Tim Shire, New Solution Strategy and Launch at KBC, discusses ways to fully utilize these services to improve energy and sustainability.
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Addressing the importance of energy efficiency
June 25, 2018
Tim Shire, New Solution Strategy and Launch
We’ve discussed how cloud technologies can benefit the Hydrocarbon Industry with regards to connecting site data with remotely located experts, and providing support where the in-house workforce is limited in skillset. But how does the industry ensure it manages the energy and carbon emissions of their plants, which is a hotly debated issue within the industry today?
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Why oil and gas downstream is turning to digitalization for sustained excellence
June 12, 2018
Mark Routt, Chief Economist
The combination of US tax reforms and changes to the global bunker fuel specifications in 2020 as part of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) new regulations are set to turn US oil and gas downstream into a cash cow. However, refiners shouldn’t rest on their laurels and must improve their bottom line to stay ahead of rivals and remain profitable in a highly competitive landscape. Here Mark Routt, chief economist, discusses how they should go about making the most of this new opportunity.
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Reliability engineers are wasting your time only telling you about reliability
May 23, 2018
Andrew Normand, Global Product Manager
The focus should be on providing information and understanding directly to the decision makers in a way that drives the business as a whole to make improvements in reliability. Read more in this blog post based on our article published in Hydrocarbon Engineering magazine.
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Why optimization programs are critical for the survival of marginal refiners
April 19, 2018
Duncan Micklem, strategy director
The global refining industry is constantly evolving and responding to new crude supplies and sources, more stringent fuel/product specifications, perpetually changing demand patterns and other trends. Increased competition from large, efficient refineries is forcing small- to mid-sized refiners to rethink their approaches to remain competitive. With this in mind, aggressive optimization programs have become a very attractive strategy for marginal refiners. Here, Duncan Micklem, strategy director at KBC, takes a look at the key benefits of such programs and explains why they are key for survival.
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