< Previous30 TECH TRAILBLAZER oilandgasmiddleeast.comNovember 2023 I n an exclusive interview with Eman Kawas, Co- Founder of Thynkli Enterprises, a pioneering technology services company specializing in Digital Twin technology speaks to Oil and Gas Middle East about this technology, women in engineering and technology, and the drive towards net-zero. Thynkli is at the forefront of transforming businesses, emphasizing digitisation, automation, intelligence, and adoption for TECH TRAILBLAZER EMAN KAWAS ON DIGITAL TWINS AND THE ENERGY TRANSITION Eman Kawas of Thynkli discusses digital twins, women in tech, and driving the energy transition towards net-zero in the oil and gas sector By: Dean Mikkelsen maximum ROI. Headquartered in Vancouver and with global hubs in Atlanta, Dubai, and Riyadh, Thynkli has redefined operations in logistics and infrastructure through digital twins that go beyond asset replicas. Eman Kawas, a certified Enterprise Architect with over 15 years of experience, specialises in aligning processes, people, and technology to drive business growth and profitability. In our discussion today, we’ll explore how Thynkli’s innovative solutions are shaping the energy transition and the oil and gas industry. These sectors are undergoing a profound transformation, and Thynkli is helping businesses leverage digital twins to navigate these changes by optimising operations, enhancing sustainability, and improving efficiency. Join us as we delve into the future of digital transformation and its impact on the energy landscape with Eman Kawas, the driving force behind Thynkli Enterprises.31 TECH TRAILBLAZER oilandgasmiddleeast.comNovember 2023 What is a digital twin, and why is it gaining traction in the market? A digital twin is gaining traction in the market because it enables transformation to happen at scale with speed. The definition of the Digital Twin expands beyond a single virtual representation of a physical product. It encompasses multiple interconnected digital twins that can provide insights on pretty much anything related to the data you feed into it. Digital twins are part of or an extension of (but don’t replace) business applications. What are the primary types of digital twins, and how do they differ in their applications? There are three types of Digital Twins: Discrete, Composite, and Digital Twin of Organization. Discrete digital twins’ example is field service management where it can monitor resources to minimize the impact of equipment repair. Composite digital twins’ example is asset performance management where it can increase “The key to running a successful digital twin is a robust information management system that combines a centralised data repository with enterprise-level information access and visualisation” equipment reliability and optimize performance. The digital twin of an organisation is where the maximum value is, a good example will be production planning and execution where digital twins can monitor closely resources to optimise scheduling, track inventory, and recommend proactive operational decisions. How does a system digital twin differ from asset and process digital twins? Looking at the different types of digital twins described above, think of the asset digital twin as (Discrete) and Process Digital twin as (Composite) these types of digital twins include a single or couple of data sources maximum. Vs. Digital Twin of Organization is a system digital twin platform implemented at a scale that aggregates data from all corners of business operations, therefore you have one view to see your operational model and understand where transformation will make the most impact. This is why it is valuable to not only have asset digital twins’ data but also aspire to acquire and combine data sets that put assets in the context of business operations. Systems of systems thinking and architecture, bring digital twins value to life. Digital twin platform needs to have an essential technical capability which is data ingestion. Different types of data from all sorts of systems. This pool of data then needs to be contextualized. The context comes from business strategy and operations. Therefore, Digital twins are a powerful tool to support decision-makers in exploring alternatives, evaluating risks and benefits, and selecting the most appropriate course of action based on available information and analysis. What should decision-makers prioritise when considering digital twin procurement and implementation? Consider an eco-system, understand the technical capabilities you already have, and go about procuring the gaps from data acquisition to data ingestion and intelligence. A combination of technical capabilities in various products, and the necessary service provider can bring it all together to achieve business outcomes. Digital Twins are not one size fits all. Why is understanding the “Why” and the “How” crucial in digital twin adoption? We often hear the term “Data is the New Oil”, it is well understood across industries now that the story behind the data is where the unique business power and the competitive advantage are. Yet the story of the data must be relevant to the business decisions and needs to be told in a way that provides the results -value- that the business is looking for. Every business objective, competition, and operation are different that’s why it is important to know the WHY before going about major technology investment and transformation. The why and how are interrelated, once you know the Why you will get to the How by knowing who is involved from the stakeholders’ perspective, understanding the impact of transformation and change will help the decision on how to go about implementation to increase adoption. Digital twins are the orchestrator and the narrator of the unique data story, where you can ingest data, process it, apply AI/ML techniques then put the information in the hands of the users with advanced user-friendly visualization. Why is digital twin architecture important, and how does it relate to scalability? Systems architecture is the foundation for scalability, architecture design identifies the crucial technical capabilities that must be present to enable value creation at scale. The architecture design exercise identifies the different tools and products needed to build digital twins while accommodating business objectives in the long run. How does interoperability play a role in building a successful digital twin ecosystem? Interoperability is an ecosystem enabler. Without interoperable systems, it is not possible to build 32 TECH TRAILBLAZER oilandgasmiddleeast.comNovember 2023 an ecosystem as there will be no information exchange which forces the business to be in silos defying the purpose of digital transformation. How can digital twins be leveraged in the oil and gas sector to improve the efficiency and sustainability of drilling operations, aligning them with the goals of the broader energy transition towards net-zero emissions? In oil and gas today, digital twins are mostly used in discrete and composite forms, very task-oriented and less strategic. An oil producer estimated it uses only 5% of the terabytes of seismic data already available. In order to leverage Digital twins in drilling operations while achieving the broader energy transition goals, we need to understand what data in drilling operations is relevant and necessary for energy transition, and what decisions are required to be made in operations to increase efficiency and sustainability, once these questions are answered from the business then you can design and implement digital twin of operations that will gather relevant data, process, predict and automate business decisions guiding your operations towards net-zero emissions. In what ways do digital twins facilitate real- time monitoring and predictive maintenance in offshore oil rigs and pipelines, potentially reducing environmental risks and optimising energy production in a net-zero carbon landscape? The key to running a successful digital twin is a robust information management system that combines a centralized data repository with enterprise-level information access and visualization. This setup allows users to conduct seamless live monitoring, as well as access updated critical info and operational data about assets throughout the entire asset lifecycle. In addition, surveillance tools can be used in the field to spot issues before they have a major impact on production producing environmental risks. The most important component of the digital twin is the intelligence that is used to analyse the data received and produce alerts and commands. Could you elaborate on how digital twins help oil and gas companies minimize methane emissions and improve the environmental performance of their operations, which is crucial in the context of achieving net-zero emissions? To achieve impact with digital twins a combination of digital investments needs to be made in the industry in the following areas: Platform as a Service, Digital Thread, Partnership Ecosystem, and Agile Implementation. With necessary technology investments, digital twins can create transparency across the value chain and facilitate data sharing to create continuous improvements, lower costs and drive long-term value. Data transparency will inform decision- makers of the necessary change required towards zero emissions and incentivize investors to discover ROI on the change. How do digital twins assist in simulating and optimising the carbon capture and utilisation (CCUS) processes within the oil and gas industry, supporting the reduction of carbon emissions, and contributing to the net-zero energy transition? Digital twin models can be used to optimize process control targets to maximize captured CO2 while minimizing energy consumption to reduce total capture costs based on the current process inputs. Once operational data is available the accuracy can be continuously enhanced with plant data taken directly from the process as it becomes available. Digital twins can simulate and analyze any scenario depending on the defined outcome and data available. Can you provide examples of how digital twins are used to model and optimise the integration of renewable energy sources into oil and gas operations, demonstrating a pathway towards a more sustainable energy mix and eventual net-zero emissions? For Digital Twins to work data sources must be available. Smaller clean power technologies have integrated IoT that can be used as data sources for digital twin simulation. When data is captured from renewable sources and from site operations digital twins can correlate and calculate the site’s load offset of CO₂ and the associated cost of emissions reduction based on renewable energy generated. As a woman working at the intersection of technology, specifically digital twins, and the traditionally male-dominated oil and gas industry, what unique perspectives and opportunities have you found to drive innovation and sustainability? The unique perspective lies in collaboration. While the industry is still pulling in the direction of traditional system implementation Digital Twins introduces a new collaboration framework Eman Kawas, Co-Founder, Thynkli33 TECH TRAILBLAZER oilandgasmiddleeast.comNovember 2023 emphasizing data availability and sharing which breaks barriers and maximizes potential. The opportunity is in leading change. Operating in a rigidly moulded environment with continuous challenges in the last 10 years the industry is desperate for change and women across the industry are rising to the challenge to lead innovation and sustainability. Could you share your experiences and insights regarding the challenges and opportunities for women pursuing careers in technology-driven roles within the oil and gas sector, particularly in areas like digital twin development and implementation? Being a woman working in an innovative emerging space digital twins is not easy, because the technology is new, and we work hard to educate customers and the market on the value of it, and how to eliminate the noise around the hype to cultivate the value. The challenge is to be heard and find a support system that can relate to these challenges to help implement success stories. Because women are less inclined to self- promote, I take the opportunity to advocate for representation on all levels and mentor interns to join the tech workforce. In your career journey, how have you seen the role of women evolve in shaping the adoption of digital twin technologies in the oil and gas industry, and what strategies or initiatives have contributed to increased diversity and inclusion in this field? The number of women leading oil and gas divisions is on the rise. Through their drive and exceptional talent, these women are conquering structural obstacles and systemic bias. Along the way, they’ve developed tools to mitigate challenges to their advancement, such as self- awareness, being courageous in speaking up, and speaking out to get noticed and show how they think. I see that Oil and Gas industry transformation initiatives are mostly led by women. I think the gender bias is still there yet throughout my career I have seen major changes happening in leadership and sustainability initiatives that relies heavily on collaboration, policies, and dialogue led by woman which is promising for the future of diversity and inclusion. With the global energy transition towards net- zero emissions, how do you believe women can play a vital role in bridging the gap between technology, digital twins, and the transformation of the oil and gas sector to align with sustainability goals? I think women are, can and will play a vital role in energy transition if they leverage their unique leadership styles. Women leaders have a vision for the future that is safer, cleaner, and harmonious. Setting up high expectations, and achievable goals then leading people by example helping team members grow both personally and professionally. Open communication and collaboration position women to create sustainability strategies that are inclusive of all stakeholder’s interests. Technology is the tool to help us get where we need to be. The power of a digital twin.34 INTERVIEW oilandgasmiddleeast.comNovember 2023 I n an era where environmental consciousness has become a driving force across industries, Tristar Group, a global integrated energy logistics company, is at the forefront of reshaping the future of logistics. Its ambitious plans to incorporate GH2 (green hydrogen) and biofuels into its operations are poised to revolutionise the energy dynamics of its fleet, aligning with its long-term objective of mitigating carbon emissions, and with the UAE’s NDCs. Tristar has already embraced the use of biofuels across all its operations, pushing the boundaries of what’s permitted. However, its vision extends much further. Sanjeev Sinha, COO for Gas and Energy at Tristar Group, states, “Early adoption of hydrogen-diesel dual fuel (DF) mobility is another example of our commitment to reduce emissions and combat climate change, through energy conservation and environmental protection strategies. This ambitious project will let Tristar surpass our own sustainability goals, and reiterate industry leadership as a first mover in the oil and gas sector.” Tristar is actively collaborating and testing this cutting-edge technology for heavy vehicle mobility, with plans to adopt it across its road transport fleet. Tristar Group’s CEO Eugene Mayne sees the challenges ahead but remains optimistic. “Hydrogen is the hot ticket to a sustainable future for the oil and gas industry,” he asserts, acknowledging the current challenges, including the lack of infrastructure, scarcity of supply and supporting infrastructure to produce cost effective green hydrogen. However, Mayne believes the price will drop as more electrolysers or hydrogen production facilities are established, paving the way for widespread adoption. He adds that, to explore best fit options, Tristar plans to build a small-scale hydrogen refuelling station at its premises to pilot the use of hydrogen for its own fleet. Tristar’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond hydrogen. The business is L - R; Tristar Group CEO Eugene Mayne and KPI Group Chairman Faruk Patel GREEN REVOLUTION IN SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS Eugene Mayne, CEO of Tristar Group and Sanjeev Sinha, COO for Gas and Energy at Tristar Group, delve into how the company is leading the charge in pioneering eco-conscious practices and innovative technologies for sustainable logistics “Hydrogen is the hot ticket to a sustainable future for the oil and gas industry” EUGENE MAYNE, CEO, TRISTAR GROUP35 INTERVIEW oilandgasmiddleeast.comNovember 2023 clients in the country and across the region,” he adds. Furthermore, Tristar’s commitment to sustainability extends to its operational framework. The company have incorporated biofuels for its heavy commercial vehicles and introduced EVs as light commercial vehicles for local distribution operations. The company also has ongoing plans for improved fuel efficiency, including the adoption of highly efficient next-generation internal combustion engines and pilot implementation of DF technology to its existing fleet. Additionally, Tristar intends to implement parking air-conditioning equipment and new route and load optimisation techniques to minimise dead miles while gradually venturing into electrification, with plans to induct EVs in its heavy vehicles fleet by Q1 2024 and building a new hybrid fuel barge for coastal operations in Fujairah, which is slated to be commissioned in early 2025. These initiatives are, however, with their own challenges, including the limited availability of heavy EVs, charging infrastructure, and the still-pending regulatory approvals for transporting dangerous goods on EVs. SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS Tristar has partnered with India’s KPI Group to embark on renewable energy projects in wind and solar alongside green hydrogen and green ammonia production, harnessing the experience and expertise of both parties. The first milestone of the collaboration is commissioning a 1 MW green hydrogen showcase plant in Q1 2025 in India. Mayne sees this as a significant step towards establishing a footstep for Tristar in the green hydrogen domain and the larger remit of renewable energy, not only in the UAE and India, but also across the GCC states and beyond. “Looking beyond our own requirements, the Tristar-KPI partnership aims to make GH2 available to the mobility sector and other small and medium industrial and commercial introducing zero- or low-carbon emitting vehicles, as the final step. Sinha also elaborates on the importance of employee training, “Our drivers are slated to undergo intensive training in green band eco-driving. The smallest improvements in driving style, when repeated, equals big reductions in the amount of fuel burned, CO2 emitted, and money spent by any transport operation.” Tristar’s commitment to transparency in its sustainability efforts is evident through its GHG accounting, monitored and audited by independent bodies, and published in its annual sustainability reports. In addition, the company has been delivering exceptionally on scheduled goals to reduce emissions and lower carbon footprint. Tristar Group has also demonstrated its commitment to reducing its operational carbon footprint by generating approximately 1 MW of solar power at two of its operational hubs. Sinha summarises their long-term vision, “Tristar is on course to be a low-carbon player in the oil and gas industry. In the short term, we focus on alternative fuels, renewable energies, hybrid vehicles, operational efficiency, and biodiversity conservation. For the long term, we are planning for hybrid vessels, EVs, and using green and clean energy in all our operations. Sanjeev Sinha, COO Gas and Energy, Tristar Group36 BRAND VIEW oilandgasmiddleeast.comNovember 2023 I n recent years, there has been a growing concern about the need to diversify our energy sources and shift from a single-source reliance such as fossil fuels. This approach has become imperative as we face climate change and rising energy costs. For the past few decades, the demand for raw materials has multiplied, and the extraction, processing and tonnes of waste disposed of have heavily contributed to greenhouse gas emissions. Resources are depleting at an accelerated rate, and the fundamental challenge is our linear economy; it’s ‘’take, create, use, dispose”. Adopting a circular model is now an urgency to act upon immediately. A circular economy, which shifts from linear production processes to circular, regenerative processes, can contribute significantly to sustainable development and reduce the pressure on finite resources. CURRENT ECONOMIC CHALLENGES While the linear economy model has provided significant business prosperity, this has come with a heavy bottleneck of failing to achieve economic sustainability. According to the UN, by 2060, global material use could double to 190 billion tonnes (from 92 billion), while greenhouse gas emissions could increase by 43%. In the linear model, goods are produced by overusing natural resources, which is the reason for the depletion of such non-renewable resources. As we realise these resources are finite and becoming scarce, extraction costs and production increases, thereby reducing economic efficiency. Another major challenge we face is climate change; the greenhouse gas emissions from the heavy use of fossil fuels significantly contribute to global warming. CITY GOVERNMENTS’ ROLE IN THE TRANSITION As countries adopt the principles of a circular economy, the Middle East is already making efforts towards a regional shift in circularity. In the Middle East, there is an increased interest in PPP procurement, primarily driven by the desire to expand waste management services and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Developing legislative agendas and strategies, along with establishing targets, can stimulate the adoption of circular products and impact business operations and the consumer mindset. By transitioning towards a circular economy, city governments can enhance their ability to deliver against public capital expenditure and upgrade infrastructure and utility services. This, in turn, can influence how businesses and the consumer mindset operate. City governments can also influence consumer behaviour through education and awareness campaigns, providing access to circular products and services, promoting sustainable lifestyles and incentivising behaviour change through rewards and recognition programs. EVONIK’S CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY Driving circularity is one of Evonik’s sustainability focus areas. This quality is taking centre stage when it comes to closing the loop and building circular value chains. Next Generation Evonik incorporates sustainability into a variety of important core processes, including portfolio and innovation management, production and technology, and human resources. Our strategic integration enables us to encourage sustainability across multiple markets and industries. In 2021, Evonik also launched a Circular Plastics programme to pool its circular plastics activities and push towards more sustainable solutions. Our sustainability strategy is focused on three core processes: Next Generation Solutions (market perspective), Next Generation Technologies (asset perspective), and Next Generation Culture (human resources perspective). As we grow our Next Generation Solutions, we aim to invest more than $3.18 billion by 2030 and increase the proportion of particularly sustainable products and solutions in our portfolio from 43% to more than 50% by 2030. CIRCULARITY AND ENERGY DIVERSIFICATION A look into circularity, PPPs and Evonik’s role in enabling a circular economy to contribute towards the diversification of the energy sector By: Joerg Syrzisko, Head of Middle East and Africa, Evonik Joerg Syrzisko, Head of Middle East and Africa, EvonikDRILL DEEPER The oil and gas sector is the heartbeat of Middle Eastern economies. Unlock OilandGasMiddleEast.com to keep your finger on the pulse Projects Empower your decision-making with timely updates about the latest upstream oil and gas projects in the Middle East. Events Take advantage of early bird access to be first in line for the industry-leading Middle East Energy Awards. Subscribe now to get every last drop of upstream insight from OilandGasMiddleEast.com, with exclusive benefits Lists Read our comprehensive annual rankings of the Middle East’s most powerful people and companies across upstream. Multimedia platforms Get insider information through our global webinars, podcasts, and video interviews with upstream leaders. Industry insight Get the story behind the headlines with in-depth analysis dissecting current events and the industry’s outlook. In-depth interviews Hear about the industry directly from oil and gas titans with in- depth interviews, features and multi-media. AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION38 CLIMATE CHANGE oilandgasmiddleeast.comNovember 2023 A lgeria is making headlines with an ambitious $1 billion project led by its state-owned oil and gas firm, Sonatrach. This monumental initiative aims to tackle climate change head- on by planting a staggering 420 million trees over the course of the next decade. The announcement, reported by Algeria’s Ennahar TV, was accompanied by a commitment from Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab to have renewables make up 30% of the country’s By: Dean Mikkelsen energy mix by 2035. While tree planting projects often grab attention for their potential to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and mitigate climate change, the key to their success lies not just in numbers but in the careful selection of tree species and responsible maintenance. Some iconic and local tree species, such as the Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) will most likely be tied into the nation’s reforestation efforts. The Mediterranean cypress, native to the eastern Mediterranean region, is a medium- sized coniferous evergreen tree celebrated for its ornamental beauty. This resilient species has been cultivated outside its native range for thousands of years and can thrive in climates similar to those found in California, South Africa, and Australia. However, it is not without its vulnerabilities, notably the threat of dieback disease. Remarkably, the world’s oldest living Mediterranean cypress, estimated to be 4,000 years old, stands in the ancient gardens of Iran, SONATRACH’S BILLION- DOLLAR TREE-PLANTING INITIATIVE IN ALGERIA39 CLIMATE CHANGE oilandgasmiddleeast.comNovember 2023 level of reforestation could capture two-thirds of human-made carbon emissions, according to the study. However, carbon capture is a gradual process, and restored areas can take decades to mature, as highlighted by Crowther Lab. Algeria’s commitment to investing $1 billion in showcasing the tree’s longevity. As governments and organizations worldwide pledge to undertake large-scale tree planting schemes to combat climate change and restore biodiversity, it is essential to recognize that the method of reforestation, as well as the species chosen, are paramount. Linda Freiner, Group Head of Sustainability at Zurich Insurance Group, emphasizes the significance of using native species, engaging local communities for long-term tree maintenance, and protecting and restoring existing forests to create healthy ecosystems. The importance of reforestation and afforestation cannot be overstated in the context of addressing climate change. Responsible tree restoration stands as one of the most effective tools available today for carbon capture and ecosystem restoration. Crowther Lab, an ecology research group affiliated with Swiss research university ETH Zurich, conducted a groundbreaking study in 2019. They identified a staggering 0.9 billion hectares of land worldwide suitable for forest restoration, an area roughly equivalent to the size of China. Achieving this planting 420 million trees over the next decade signifies a significant stride toward a greener and more sustainable future. With careful planning, disease management, and a long-term vision, Algeria’s bold initiative may prove pivotal in the global fight against climate change and enhancing biodiversity. Sonatrach HQ / Shutterstock LEADER IN TORQUE INNOVATION Contact us for demos www.radtorque.com Now in DubaiNext >