Our Blog

Jan 21, 2019
Written by Alessandro Speranza, Product Champion

Whilst previously upstream producers have focused on managing their assets for maximum production volume, in the current business environment the main thrust should be on growth. One key growth pathway is flow assurance in pipelines and networks. Here, Alessandro Speranza, Product Champion at KBC, explores how effective KPI setting, analytics and digital twin technology will drive flow assurance.

Jan 14, 2019
Written by 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.

Dec 07, 2018
Written by 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.

Nov 27, 2018
Written by 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.

Nov 06, 2018
Written by 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.

Oct 12, 2018
Written by 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.

Jun 25, 2018
Written by 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?

May 23, 2018
Written by Andrew Normand, Global Product Manager

Apr 19, 2018
Written by 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.

Mar 19, 2018
Written by Tim Shire, New Solution Strategy and Launch

The use of simulation in the oil and gas industry is nothing new. Such tools have been widespread for more than 25 years, and as technology continues to develop, the level of intelligence of simulation systems has risen. Here, Tim Shire, New Solution Strategy and Launch at KBC, explains how simulation is changing from an occasional engineering tool into a core pillar of daily asset monitoring and a key source of inputs to big data analytics.