The global process manufacturing industry has been facing several challenges as market conditions remain volatile and demand patterns, particularly in the energy sector, change. But the use of technology that optimises the design and operations of production facilities could help companies increase their “bottom-line profitability”, says an AspenTech executive.
“The globalisation of markets is placing pressure on margins and this means that process manufacturers must be able to design, build and operate plants in emerging markets efficiently and economically. Additionally, maturing assets present further challenges, especially in the areas of safety and compliance,” says John Hague, senior vice-president and managing director of AspenTech in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena).
AspenTech provides software solutions that optimise process manufacturing, allowing companies to increase capacity, improve margins, reduce costs and promote energy efficiency. The Massachusetts-based company has been working closely with major oil and chemical companies in the Mena region and the rest of the world.
One of their latest products, the aspenOne software suite, has been designed to meet the distinctive needs of the exploration and production, refining and marketing, chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries.
Hague explains that the aspenOne Manufacturing and Supply Chain suites contain applications that deliver operational benefit including advanced process control, performance management and execution, as well as refinery and chemicals planning and scheduling.
“Guided workflows enable engineers to build, test and deploy multiple control applications faster, accelerating operational stability and performance benefits while significantly reducing rollout and maintenance costs. Automated application testing [meanwhile] reduces engineering support requirements across the organisation,” he added.
Middle East expansion on the agenda
Hague says AspenTech has made their presence felt in the Middle East with offices in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Oman. In addition, the company has developed a network of partners in Egypt, Algeria and Libya as it confirmed plans to further strengthen its market share in the next five years.
“AspenTech defines the Middle East overall as an emerging region with great opportunities for growth. Over the next five years, we intend to grow in the region through developing [our] team and [investing] in new offices,” Hague said.
The company also seeks to further promote the use of its products and solutions, particularly its key-point products in the aspenOne suite.
Hague mentioned that they also plan “to develop key customer accounts” such as Petrofac, Saudi Basic Industries, Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Kuwait National Petroleum Company, Bahrain Petroleum Company, Rasgas, Qatar Chemicals and Qatar Petroleum.
Banking on Saudi and Qatar’s hydrocarbon sector
AspenTech’s Hague says they believe the dynamic growth that Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been experiencing in their oil and gas industries creates the need for products and solutions, as well as consultancy services that their company offers.
“With the world’s largest proven oil and gas reserves, it is natural that we become more involved in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Oil and gas companies in both countries are increasingly keen to drive up incremental revenues by finding and developing new reserves, fully exploiting their current reserves and extending the life of existing assets. AspenTech can help them optimise across the entire process to achieve their commercial targets,” he said.
Hague also mentioned that they have a strong client base in both Gulf countries, in addition to other companies across the Mena region.
Your comments