E&P Highlights: April 21, 2025

From a collaboration between Weatherford International and AIQ to two Texas-based acquisitions, below is a compilation of the latest headlines in the E&P space.

Activity

BP Loads First LNG from Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Project

BP has safely loaded the first LNG shipment from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Phase 1 project, turning Mauritania and Senegal into LNG exporters.

This first cargo of LNG at GTA is the third upstream major project start-up of the year for BP and the first of 10 expected by the end of 2027, in line with BP’s strategy of growing its upstream oil and gas business.

 “This is the culmination of years of work from the entire project and operations teams,” said Gordon Birrell, executive vice president of production and operations. “This first cargo from Mauritania and Senegal marks a significant new supply for global energy markets.”

The first shipment of LNG was transferred to a carrier from the project’s floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessel 10 km offshore.

GTA is one of the deepest offshore developments in Africa, with gas resources in water depths of up to 2,850 m. Once fully commissioned, GTA Phase 1 is expected to produce about 2.4 MMmt of LNG per year.

Contracts and company news

Weatherford, AIQ Sign Strategic Partnership

Weatherford International has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with AIQ, an Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence company.

The collaboration aims to integrate Weatherford's world-class software and hardware solutions, including the Modern Edge suite, Unified Data Model and WFRD Software Launchpad, with AIQ's AI-driven systems. By combining these advanced tools, Weatherford and AIQ will enable operators to optimize their production workflows, reduce downtime and significantly enhance operational efficiency across global oil and gas facilities.

Houston-based Weatherford delivers software and hardware solutions for energy companies, working in 75 countries. AIQ, which focuses on providing AI solutions to the energy sector, is a part of the UAE's ambition to lead the world in AI by 2031. AIQ also has agreements with SLB and Ecopetrol.

Earth Systems, EnviroTrac Join Forces in Strategic Partnership

Earth Systems has announced a partnership with EnviroTrac, a top environmental engineering, remediation and consulting firm. The arrangement expands Earth Systems’ geographic footprint in the Northeast and Midwest while enhancing its ability to provide full-service environmental and remediation solutions to clients across sectors including power and utilities, industrial/commercial and oil/gas.

For 32 years, EnviroTrac has provided comprehensive environmental solutions, adding to a growing Earth Systems partner portfolio that also includes Bio-Tech Consulting, Envirotactics and Spangler Environmental.

“This partnership with Earth Systems is an exciting new chapter for us,” said Joe Byrnes, founder and president of EnviroTrac. “It will provide EnviroTrac with the resources to strengthen and grow our segment of the business while preserving the core values we have built over the last three decades.”

Safety Monitoring System from Hanwha Ocean Receives ABS Approval

Hanwha Ocean has received the ABS SMART (SHM) Tier 3 approval in principle for its advanced hull monitoring system.

The system is designed to estimate structural damage to ships and offshore assets during operation. Tier 3 recognizes systems that employ hull sensors combined with additional algorithms to generate structural health insights at critical locations, even where no sensors are present.

The hull monitoring system from Hanwha Ocean is being developed in accordance with the ABS Guide for Smart Functions for Marine Vessels and Offshore Units.

TGS Expands Data Library Offshore Mauritania

Energy data and intelligence provider TGS has announced a significant expansion of its multi-client data library offshore Mauritania, with the addition of over 101,500 sq km of 3D seismic data.

This expansion adds to the existing library of over 19,000 sq km of reprocessed PSDM 3D seismic data and multiple regional 2D seismic surveys. Together, these integrated datasets provide a more comprehensive and nuanced view of the subsurface, helping to refine known plays while revealing new exploration opportunities.  This data was released in collaboration with the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

Early insights are emerging through the combination of regional geological knowledge and detailed mapping of trap trends, spanning from shelf-edge wells to deeper outboard fairways. Notably, evidence of Late Cretaceous channel-fan systems within the basin domain is providing a fresh perspective into the region’s hydrocarbon potential.

Scout Surface Solutions Acquires Kinetic Pressure Control

Scout Surface Solutions LLC, a provider of completions services and equipment to the oil and gas industry across North America and the Middle East, has acquired Kinetic Pressure Control Ltd., which specializes in pressure and flow control solutions.

The combined company will offer solutions and systems in applications like continuous frac, pressure control, pad automation and control systems. Both companies are based in Houston.

The combined companies will employ more than 300 people and operate 10 service and manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and the Middle East, including a significantly enhanced presence and footprint in Saudi Arabia.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Vertice Oil Tools Acquires Greenwell Engineering

Completions technology provider Vertice Oil Tools Inc. has acquired Greenwell Engineering Inc., expanding its completions portfolio and its presence across unconventional oil and gas markets.

“The addition of Greenwell Engineering’s cutting-edge wireline solutions aligns seamlessly with our mission to deliver best-in-class completions technology,” said Vertice CEO Mohamed Saraya. Greenwell CEO Cameron Kirkpatrick will become COO of the combined company.

Vertice said the benefits of the acquisition include a strengthened sales and service network, an expanded pipeline of new wireline and completion technologies and advanced testing capabilities.

Vertice is based in Missouri City, near Houston, Texas. Greenwell is based in Weatherford, near Fort Worth, Texas.