http://www.fifthring.com Fifth Ring Latest News en-gb © 2009 Fifth Ring. All rights reserved Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:38:48 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:38:48 http://www.fifthring.com/images/fifthring/fifthring_logo.jpg http://www.fifthring.com http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=48 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:38:48
UAE

ADCO has awarded an EPC contract to National Petroleum Construction company (NPCC) to carry out works on Bab Field as part of Phase 1 of ADCO’s 1.8 million barrels of oil per day (MMBOPD) Project. This project aims to raise ADCO’s crude oil production from 1.4 million MMBOPD through and increase in production at the North East-Bab oil field and the commencement of production at three new oil fields. Production at bab field will be increased through the development of Habshan-2 and Thamama-G zones. Aggreko, the leading global provided or temporary power and temperature control, has signed a major contract with Oman Power and Water Procurement Company to provide 115MW to five sites across the country during the summer months. This power will help to support the national grid with the strain on the country’s resources during the extreme heat of the summer.

KSA

Saudi Aramco has announced the start up of it Jubail oil refinery has been delayed until late 2013. The original target has been March 2013. The 400,000 barrels per day plant is a JV between Total and Saudi Aramco.Saudi Aramco plans to inject carbon dioxide into the world’s biggest oilfield by 2012, a year ahead of plans. The Ghuwar field pumped five million bpd in 2008, more than half of Saudi’s oil output. Forty million standard cubic feet per day of CO2 will be injected into the field and has said this is part of the global push to trap emissions.

OMAN

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has announced discovery of three new oil fields, one with a major volume of oil in place. The company has also found a potentially large gas field. The discovery has been made at Al Ghubar South, close to the existing Al Ghubar and Qarn Alam fields. The amount of oil in place could be in excess of one billion barrels. Oman aims to boost its crude output to 860,000 bpd in 2010, with last year’s production at 812,500 bpd. The country also plans to award 11 new exploration and production contracts this year to help further this boost.

QATAR

Qatargas has delivered its first LNG cargo at the Fujian terminal in China, to the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, The cargo was delivered on a conventional size vessel with capacity of 140,000 cubic meters and follows a number of Q-Flex cargos at Guangdong Dapeng terminal.

KUWAIT

State run Kuwait Oil Company has signed a five year service contract with Royal Dutch Shell to develop pure gas fields in the north of the country. Demand has outstripped supply, forcing the world’s forth-largest oil exporter to import LNG. The deal with Shell is to boost output from gas fields not associated with oil output and Kuwait plans to increase output from the gas fields one billion cubic feet per day from around 140 million.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=47 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:38:48
It is in countries where such legislation does not exist that understanding of the importance of QHSE is low. Aggreko is currently trying to recruit trained QHSE managers native to the country that it is working in to better understand the culture of health and safety management and the ways in which we can work to heighten the standards and ensure application is consistent and correct

What challenges do you face in implementing a QHSE policy?

In the Middle East, and significantly the United Arab Emirates, one of the many challenges facing QHSE teams is the significant mix of nationalities, which can make communicating key QHSE policies even more difficult. Although some countries, including the UK and the UAE, have already implemented legislation to ensure that a minimum standard of health and safety must be followed, this is not true in many regions. Because of the varying standards of QHSE worldwide, companies must ensure that their own QHSE systems are communicated clearly to all employees, a task which involves a thorough educational process.

What systems do you have in place?

Key messages must be conveyed and vital procedures must be followed and understood no matter where in the world they are being implemented. One of our tools is an online portal, QHSE Share Point, is one of the simplest ways in which Aggreko communicates its QHSE policies. The intranet facility is a bank of all the company’s ISO and OHSAS certifications as well as Aggreko policies that must be adhered to. A translation strategy is now being put into place so that all materials are available in English, Chinese, French, Spanish and Portuguese, with further languages being added as needed.

We have a formal induction process is an essential part of this, helping any new employees to understand the procedures and also the reasons why they are so important from the very beginning of their career with the company. Following this induction, workers are provided with a gradual introduction to hazardous situations, which helps them to ensure that precautions and QHSE actions become a regular part of the working day.

Another one of our successful initiative that has been put into place is to have all necessary hazard warning signs on site in the dialect of that location, whether Hindi, Arabic or Mandarin, to ensure that workers are aware of the most important health and safety procedures that they must abide by. Further to this, Aggreko is using more pictorially based signs to convey warning signs on site, and has launched ‘Safety For Life’, which is a collection of eight cartoon based posters which explain hazardous situations through imagery to help get the message across quickly and effectively.

How do you ensure your initiatives are implemented and upheld?

We take our QHSE policies very seriously and make this very transparent to all our employees and clients. We ensure that before any project goes ahead the system is already an integral part of all planning and procedures. We conduct a risk assessment of all activities at two points before any work begins, with a Pre Tender QHSE Review and then a Post Contract QHSE Review, which takes place before mobilisation. A Compliance Review is then conducted following the commissioning of the project and then again every six months for its duration. These reviews are carried out by a professional QHSE auditor with further monitoring performed by a member of Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), also at six-month intervals.

Such reviews are then presented to the company’s senior management who act on any discrepancies. In fact, QHSE is regarded so highly by our management team that the managing director has a note of the most dangerous hazards on any project site, so when visiting these sites he can ensure that all measures are correctly in place to reduce the possibility of any accidents occurring.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=45 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:38:48
In its UK offices, new business value exceeded £700,000, much of it achieved with new clients including prestigious organisations operating internationally and regionally including oil majors and leading international service companies including GE Oil and Gas and Tendeka.

The company’s Dubai office achieved significant new business worth more than £200,000 in the oil and gas and consumer sectors. Fashion firm Landmark International has taken on Fifth Ring to promote its fashion brands New Look, Reiss, Koton and Aftershock in the Middle East and North Africa. Fifth Ring in Dubai also secured a six-figure contract with dmg world media for three of the Middle East’s largest trade exhibitions INDEX, The Big 5 and The Office Exhibition.

Fifth Ring, which has been operating in the Middle East since 2004, specialises within the energy, property and construction, education, leisure and professional services sectors, and have been working with dmg on two of its international energy exhibitions: ADIPEC and Gastech, since 2008.

Fifth Ring’s Houston operation, which enjoyed its first full year in business in 2009 has already generated almost £400,000 since opening in August 2008 and has seen the company win significant business with US clients including a major international exploration and production company, GE Oil and Gas and Expro.

Fifth Ring’s business development director, Ian Ord, said: “Many of our new business wins have been as a direct result of the international offering we can deliver to our clients. In an era of unprecedented turmoil in the world economy it is greatly encouraging to have secured an impressive level of new business. This has been won thanks to a great deal of hard work from our teams around the world and augurs well for the business in 2010.

“When Fifth Ring set out to establish our offices in the world’s main energy centres our focus was on increasing market share in the energy sector and increasingly businesses are channelling their corporate communications challenges to us because they recognise the benefits of the integrated approach in different geographies.”

Fifth Ring, which now employs 70 people, works with clients to develop and execute impactful strategic campaigns to maximise a company’s brand, regionally and internationally.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=46 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:38:48
The Office Exhibition surveyed over 1,000 office workers across the UAE, with the following results:

• Time for tea: a staggering 150 million cups of tea are made by office workers in the UAE every year, with each person spending almost four and a half working days making them
• Good to gossip: office workers in the region believe that it is good to chat to colleagues – so much so, that on average they spend nearly seven working days a year doing it
• Socialising online: some 62 percent of companies have an IT policy relating to social media and personal Internet usage which is adhered to, but 33 percent either have a policy that is ignored, or do not have a policy at all. In line with this, 44 percent of respondents said that they did not use social networking at work (Facebook, Twitter etc), although UAE office workers still manage to spend almost 11 days each a year doing this, in addition to eight days per year instant messenging with friends (MSN, Facebook chat etc).
• From banks to breaks: online banking and paying bills is a popular in-work-time activity, with each office worker spending 11 days a year doing it; in addition to six days a year spent online at work researching and booking holidays
• Email mountain: email is by far the preferred method of communication at work, with 60% of respondents preferring this over phone or face to face contact. Office workers send and receive a total of a staggering 3.5 billion emails every year, which averages out to 47 emails each working day

Speaking about the research, Sinead Bridgett, Show Director, The Office Exhibition said, “It’s well known that people in the UAE spend long hours in the office, but our survey has uncovered some fascinating facts about what actually happens during the working day. Whilst email now dominates official communications, people still want to spend time chatting with colleagues about non-work related issues.

“The majority of companies have IT policies in place regarding social networking and internet use, but almost a third do not, and this is something we would encourage them to look at as a significant number of days a year are spent on these activities at work.”

Now in its 9th year, The Office Exhibition is a leading showcase for the high-end products, technology and services that combine to create outstanding working environments. Set to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 9-11 February 2010, the show will feature over 250 companies, covering an area of approximately 15,000 m2.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=42 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:38:48
Last year saw 843 conference papers submitted with a final 250 selected to speak at the event. Over half of those entries came from the region, highlighting the knowledge and expertise emerging from the industry in the Middle East and the increase in home grown research being carried out.

ADIPEC’s new Event Director, Hifazat Ahmad, is looking to strengthen further the exhibition as a must-attend event for the international audience. Ahmad said, “With each new ADIPEC, the bar is raised as the standard of abstracts increases. This year the quality of the papers must be even higher, with sessions now reduced but more focused. However, I am sure that the industry is more than ready to rise to the challenge.

“Abu Dhabi, and the Middle East, is one of the most buoyant oil and gas markets at present and as the second largest event of its kind in the world, ADIPEC has become the international meeting place for emerging economies. The conference has also become the place to share unique, ground breaking research and for companies to position themselves as thought leaders in the global energy world.”

ADIPEC and SPE now jointly invite delegates to submit papers for consideration by the programme committee. Papers should be submitted no later than 1 April 2010 and must include an abstract of no more than 500 words on the scope and nature of work upon which the paper will be based. These may be submitted either online at www.spe.org/go/adipec/cfp or via email to formsdubai@spe.org, and must specify at least one primary category relevant to the paper topic.

Topics

Sub-surface

- Drilling
- Field Development
- Geoscience & Reservoir Engineering

Surfaces

- Engineering, Projects & Contracting
- Operations, Integrity & Maintenance
- HSE

Vision

- Operations of the Future
- Future Exploration & Geoscience
- The Next Generation of Field Development
- Intelligent Fields
- CO2 Management
- Conservation Strategies in Hydrocarbon Production
- Enhanced Hydrocarbon Recovery
- HSE
- New Organisation Capabilities
- Other Visionary Ideas

Further information about ADIEPC, and a full list of conference topics and sub-topics can be found at www.adipec.com.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=40 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:38:48
Coinciding with the Valentine’s theme, the dress code for the evening is trendy and red.

The mouthwatering menu consists of Saffron spiced roasted asparagus with almond and paneer patties; Jasmine scented tandoori fish tikka with korma sauce; and strawberry pudding, crispy chocolate cannelloni and wild rose ice cream.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=44 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:38:48
With a specially selected mouth-watering menu and a bottle of Moet for only AED 600 per couple, Valentine’s at Mango Tree is guaranteed to put the spice into any romantic evening. Even better, couples will be offered the opportunity to have their photo taken by a professional photographer against the stunning backdrop of the Burj Khalifa, and will be sent a copy by email so that they can capture the memory forever.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=43 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:38:48
To start the New Year on a healthier note, The Office Exhibition has devised a Deskercise routine, which helps fight stress and tension and encourages flexibility and mental stimulation, allowing people to take time out of a busy working day to focus on wellbeing. The routine, which is simple and effective, can be carried out in the office, as it can be performed at the desk at any point throughout the day.

Deskercise focuses on regions of the body where tension is most likely to build up throughout the day, such as the neck, shoulders and back as well as providing toning workouts for arms, legs and stomach. The routine includes sets of fool-proof exercises which colleagues will not notice you doing:

• Neck Push - this can be done sitting or standing and helps to strengthen the neck muscles:

- Keep your head up-right
- Press one palm against your forehead and press head into your palm, which resists the push
- Hold for 10 to 15 seconds then release
- Clasp your hands behind your head
- Press head backwards, resisting the pressure with your hands
- Hold for 10 to 15 seconds then release
- Hold your right hand against the side of your head
- Press your head into your palm, resisting the pressure with your hand
- Hold for 10 to 15 second then release and repeat on the left side

• Heavy Hinged Shoulders - this exercise is done standing and will stretch the shoulders and release tension:

- Push both hands straight in front of you with your palms facing down
- Hold for five seconds
- Bend the arms in at the elbows with the fingers pointing straight ahead
- Hold for five seconds
- Repeat five to 10 times

• Tummy Toners - everyone wants a toned tummy, but sitting at a desk all day does not make for a slender stomach. Deskercise offers a way to tone whilst you type:

- Sitting up-right in your chair, hold onto the arms or underneath of the seat
- Keep your feet together and knees bent
- Lift your knees to your chest whilst tightening your abdominal muscles
- Hold for five seconds
- Relax and repeat five to 10 times

• Shapely Arms - give your wrists a break from typing and get your arms working with a simple exercise which can be done at any time of day.

- Put your left hand on top of your right in front of you, palms together. Lift upward with your right arm while using your left arm to create resistance,
- Feel the pressure in your right arm and hold this for five seconds
- Switch arms and repeat. Do twice on each side

• Perfect Posture - posture can be seriously disturbed by sitting at a desk all day, which can lead to pain in your back, shoulders and neck:

- Whilst sitting, bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle, forearms parallel to the floor
- Squeeze your shoulder blades down and together
- At the same time gently press your elbows back
- Hold for five seconds then release and repeat

• Thunder Thighs – don’t neglect your legs, work your thighs with a simple exercise that no one else need see:

- Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor
- Bring one leg straight out in front of you
- With your back straight and chin lifted, hold your leg up for five to 10 seconds
- Lower leg then repeat with the opposite one
- Repeat twice with each leg


Speaking about the survey, Sinead Bridgett, Show Director, The Office Exhibition said, “People are now pretty aware of the importance of preventing DVT by exercising on longhaul flights, but few realise the potential health-hazards of a desk-bound job. Many people are now suffering serious health problems as a result of long working hours and the inability to take regular breaks from their desks.

“In order to optimise the brain, it is recommended that people should take regular breaks, have their lunch break away from their desk and exercise a few times a week after work. The Office Exhibition’s Deskercise routine is designed to go some way to ensure that office workers can exercise at any time of the day, providing some kind of release from everyday anxieties.”

Now in its 9th year, The Office Exhibition is a leading showcase for the high-end products, technology and services that combine to create outstanding working environments. Set to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 9-11 February 2010, the show will feature over 350 companies, covering an area of approximately 15,000 m2.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=41 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:38:48
Guest speakers included Bob Keiller, chief executive of PSN, Trevor Burgess, managing director of investment specialists Lime Rock Partners, Bob Borland, group HR manager with ITS, Mike Beveridge, managing director of Simmons & Company and Fifth Ring’s director of brand and strategy development Peter Lyall.

Mr Lyall explained why businesses ought to place as much emphasis on how the organisation is perceived as it does on refining its core products or services.

“By choosing some of Scotland’s finest malts as our theme, we have tried to illustrate that great brands are a combination of the tangible and intangible. In essence it is simple liquor, but it is sold on notions of promise, wonder, flavour and excitement. It is one of the nation’s most successful and profitable industries that is recognised and admired around the world.

“Scotch’s position of preeminence is not achieved through some kind of magical osmosis, or weird alchemy, it is down to sound planning based on research and investment in both time and money to create and manage reputation and image.”

Trevor Burgess, of Lime Rock Partners, spoke of how trust in an organisation was essential when introducing new technology to the market. Without the backing of a strong brand name and reputation, the chances of attracting investment, bringing a product to market, or filling order books was far harder.

“Bringing a product to market is like being the parent of a teenager. It’s emotional, costs more than you believed, but sometimes they can surprise you and perform better than you ever thought possible. Branding and market positioning can make a real difference as to whether your company will succeed. It is a myth that products sell themselves. Good products do not stand a chance if their value is not clearly explained or easy to prove.”

Mr Burgess spoke of overseeing the successful rebranding of Expro during his time as group director of marketing and technology, adding: “People want to be associated with cool products, so if you look good you feel good and I believe that strong branding played a major role in the successful floatation of Expro.”

Bob Keiller, of PSN, the specialist provider of engineering, operations and maintenance services to the owners of energy assets around the world, revealed that the PSN brand reflected the company’s core values.

Mr Keilller said: “When we created PSN from scratch we had to convince people it was a good idea. We needed to define what we were going to be, our reputation, how we were going to behave and what are the values of the company. It’s about the DNA. The real way to define those core values is to live by them. They have helped to shape and define the culture of the business.”

Bob Borland, of ITS Group, specialist provider of oilfield equipment and services to the global oil and gas industry, said: “A strong brand creates reasons to believe for employees and customers. Our proposition is in line with our commitment to hiring and developing local talent. We believe it gives us a better understanding of local dynamics.”

Mike Beveridge, managing director of Simmons & Company, investment bankers to the energy industry, said there were several examples of strong branding and investment in branding had a direct effect on companies’ valuation. He said building a powerful brand is important, but there is no substitute to financial performance.

“A strong brand creates opportunities for approaches and your negotiating position is strengthened. It is far better to have someone say ‘oh yes’ rather than ‘who?’ when they hear the name of your business”.

Mr Lyall said: “Our speakers have all appreciated the value of developing a strong brand identity and their prominence in their respective fields illustrates that a brand has to deliver on its promise, if it can do so, but also include elements of attraction and flare, then it is a powerful recipe for success.”]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=39 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:38:48