KBC to expand Middle East, North Africa process technology business

KBC Advanced Technologies announced Monday that it is immediately expanding its business in the Middle East and North Africa.

The company says it has assisted major national and international oil companies for many decades through its expert consultants and process simulation software, and is now undertaking a "major growth program" to expand the business.

As such, KBC chairman Ian Godden is relocating to Abu Dhabi, UAE, to oversee the expansion.

Additionally, a new partner, Andy Sakka, has joined KBC to "build a much stronger consulting and software presence" in the region.

"Our clients already include most of the major national oil and gas companies [in the Middle East and North Africa], but a significant increase in high-quality specialists in the region, both locally and internationally trained, will allow us to grow substantially," said Sakka. "This region contains seven of the top 20 worldwide oil and gas companies and our mission is to assist these clients to become world-class in every aspect of their operations.

The expansion strategy involves the creation of a joint venture with a world-leading Middle East company in upstream, investment in the UAE, continuation of business in Oman, the appointment of agents in Kuwait, increased resources for Qatar and a further focus on business in Iraq and Libya as conditions allow.

Furthermore, some of KBC's oil and gas leaders are also being transferred to the region, such as Mark Avis, a senior professional in KBC's mergers, acquisitions and commercial practice business in London.

"I look forward to developing our team here," said Avis, who has already worked for a number of years in Kuwait. 

"Our expertise covers all aspects of profit improvement in upstream, midstream and downstream assets using skills in yield, energy efficiency, reliability and maintenance (RAM), organisational effectiveness, and expert advice during strategic investments," he added. "We are underpinned by world-leading technology, such as our own Petro-SIM process simulation whole-plant models for upstream production, downstream refineries and petrochemical plants.”

KBC is headquartered in London and has 17 offices worldwide, including major oil and gas hubs such as Houston, Denver, Calgary, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing and now the UAE.

"I am pleased to be part of a growing company in this region," said Azhari Daafala, a consultant based in Bahrain with KBC. "I gained my experience in a number of the region's refineries and upstream production units and KBC has enabled me to work on a variety of operational programs, being focused currently on major energy efficiency improvements."