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Scientific solutions provider, 3M, has released via Offshore Network a case study illustrating how Indonesian oil and gas corporation Pertamina Hulu Mahakam deployed its ceramic sand screen for its multiple benefits over traditional methods

While coiled tubing-deployed chemical sand consolidation (SCON) or slickline deployment of through tubing metallic screens are the conventional approaches to sand control, a ceramic screen material reinforcement can be comparatively cost-effective, allow bigger perforation flow area and minimal water contact. 

3M's ceramic sand screen solution saves around US$400,000 in terms of rig costs, and 50% when compared to the SCON method. It gives 200% more productivity than possible via the metallic screen. 

The ceramic medium’s slick-line deployment can reach a depth accuracy of +/- 0.5m, and can be easily repositioned without the need for a specialist. 

Sand control is an especially challenging issue in Indonesia as its hydrocarbons resources are known to be characterised by marginal and multi-layered sand-shale series. Sites such as Tunu and Pecikco, for instance, comprise deltaic sedimentation of poorly sorted sands with an average of 20-30% clay size particles. As the operator of these sites, Pertamina has deployed 3M's offering to initiate active sand control downhole to effectively begin production from the well. 

Download the case study to learn about: 

*How 3M's ceramic solution is making life easy for operators 

*How 3M's ceramic solution gives an edge over other sand control methods 

*How Pertamina is designing a pilot application with the help of 3M's ceramic solution 

Click here to know more. 

Global law firm White & Case LLP has released a new report, Currents of Capital 2025, revealing strong investment momentum in water infrastructure, technology and services throughout 2024, with capital deployment set to rise further in 2025.

The findings are based on a survey of over 300 senior leaders from across the water value chain, including utilities, multinational corporations, investment funds, engineering firms and technology providers in more than 20 countries.

According to the report, 30% of respondents invested over US$500mn in the water sector in 2024, with 15% allocating more than US$1bn.

Infrastructure funds led this activity, deploying an average of US$1.3bn each, nearly matching the average US$1.5bn from public sector entities.

Multinational corporations accounted for much of the remaining investment.

Looking ahead, 72% of organisations expect to increase their water-sector spending by up to 50% in 2025, while 4% anticipate even steeper increases.

This signals rising confidence in the sector, underscoring growing awareness of water’s importance to both economic security and sustainable development.

Investment priorities are shifting, with 40% of respondents now viewing water as their top investment focus and 33% targeting portfolio growth, moving away from maintenance-driven spending towards strategic expansion.

Technology is seen as a central enabler of this shift, with more than 60% citing AI as the most likely driver of transformation in the sector.

While Western Europe and North America remain the top destinations for capital deployment, geographic diversification is picking up pace.

Asian investors are expanding into Western markets to tap advanced water management technologies, while 29% of all respondents are exploring new regional opportunities.

Growth in MENA

Notably, 40% of infrastructure funds identified the Middle East as a major growth opportunity, suggesting that they are taking a targeted yet calculated approach to broadening their investment horizons.

While just over one in three infrastructure funds believe the Middle East offers their company the greatest growth potential, private equity funds and multinational firms are increasingly turning to Asia for expansion.

The trend is being driven by infrastructure funds, technology providers, and international organisations, but the survey data indicates that only 29% of respondents are actively considering global diversification.

Transatlantic investment flows between North America and Europe remain strong, reinforcing a deepening relationship that facilitates both capital movement and knowledge exchange.

However, challenges persist. Water scarcity topped the list of sector concerns, with 88% of respondents ranking it as important or very important.

The high cost of technology solutions was also flagged, with 81% noting this as a significant barrier to progress.

The International Code Council (ICC) has launched the 45th edition of its annual Building Safety Month campaign this May, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of safe and sustainable construction practices worldwide.

The campaign underscores the critical role of modern, consistently updated building codes in ensuring structural safety and resilience.

Running throughout the month, the initiative seeks to enhance understanding of the key elements and professionals that contribute to safe building practices.

This year’s theme, “Game On!”, is a call to action, urging individuals, businesses, and communities to engage in strengthening building safety through education and active participation.

From schools and worksites to city halls and job sites, the campaign promotes local involvement—especially in fast-developing regions such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where urban growth heightens the need for robust regulatory frameworks.

The ICC’s growing presence in the GCC region reflects the organisation’s belief in the necessity of enforceable, evolving building codes that keep pace with technological advancements, climate concerns, and population pressures.

This year’s programme also includes the second annual International Building Safety Day (IBSD) on 22 May 2025.

Introduced last year with backing from 28 international organisations, IBSD spotlights the link between building safety and public health, wellbeing, and economic resilience.

It serves as a global reminder to governments, policymakers and industry leaders to keep safety at the forefront of construction practices.

In celebration of Building Safety Month 2025, the International Code Council (ICC) and its global partners will mark the month of May with a series of themed weeks, highlighting the many facets of building safety through official recognitions, public education and community outreach.

Key themes

Building Safety Month 2025 will be marked throughout May with a series of themed weeks aimed at raising awareness about the critical role of building safety in everyday life.

The following weeks explore strategies for strengthening safety frameworks, from advocating for policy improvements to preparing for natural disasters. Professionals who uphold safety standards will be celebrated during the fourth week, while the final week, themed “Going into Overtime”, will examine emerging trends and innovations shaping global resilience. Through these activities, ICC’s campaign aims to foster a broader understanding of modern building practices and inspire ongoing commitment to safety across the built environment.

Mohamed Amer, managing director of ICC MENA, stated, “ICC MENA’s mission has always been to strengthen the safety and integrity of buildings while supporting the region’s extraordinary pace of development. As cities across the GCC continue to grow vertically and technologically, the importance of compliance with unified, robust building codes becomes even more essential, not only to protect lives and property but to drive sustainable and inclusive growth.”

He further added, “Building safety is not a one-time action; it’s a continuous commitment that involves government leaders, private-sector innovators and community stakeholders. Through our advocacy and partnerships, we aim to create a culture of safety that lasts for generations. We are proud to be participating in multiple regional events across the full ecosystem of building safety, and we’re pleased to see growing momentum around both Building Safety Month and IBSD — a timely reminder of the shared responsibility and collective action needed to elevate safety standards across the built environment."

In the high-pressure world of mining, quarrying, and construction, fuel efficiency is a make-or-break factor for both profitability and environmental impact.

Garry Moore, a veteran customer support manager at Rokbak, a Scottish manufacturer of articulated dump trucks (ADTs), has spent nearly 20 years refining strategies to optimise heavy equipment performance.

Here, Moore unveils seven expert tips for harnessing Rokbak’s Haul Track telematics system to slash fuel expenses, curb carbon emissions, and boost site productivity.

Here are seven ways to achieve it

1. Keep engines in top shape for fuel savings

A neglected engine burns more fuel and pumps out excess emissions. Haul Track’s real-time diagnostics alert managers to issues like blocked filters or suboptimal fuel systems, enabling quick fixes. By acting on these email notifications, operators ensure ADTs run lean, saving fuel and reducing environmental harm.

2. Spot and fix delays with idling insights

Trucks idling in queues waste fuel and stall progress. Using Haul Track’s GPS and idle-time tracking, managers can identify bottlenecks where ADTs wait for loaders. Moore suggests rebalancing fleet setups—adjusting loader or hauler sizes—to keep operations moving, cutting fuel use and CO₂ output while ramping up efficiency.

3. Maximise loads with precision weighing

Half-empty trucks force extra trips, inflating fuel costs and equipment wear. Rokbak’s On-Board Weigh, synced with Haul Track, provides live load data, empowering operators to fill trucks to capacity every time. This approach boosts output, conserves fuel, and keeps production targets on track.

4. Redesign sites for shorter, smarter routes

Inefficient haul roads and traffic snarls sap fuel economy. Haul Track’s movement tracking, combined with fuel and idle reports, works across all equipment brands to highlight trouble spots. By streamlining routes and easing congestion, managers can trim fuel bills, lower emissions, and extend machine life.

5. Coach operators for smoother driving

Aggressive driving habits, like rapid acceleration or sudden stops, can inflate fuel consumption. Haul Track’s fuel usage comparisons reveal when specific trucks burn more than peers on similar tasks. Moore advocates using these insights for constructive training, helping drivers adopt smoother techniques to save fuel.

6. Protect tyres, save fuel

Underinflated tyres increase drag, forcing engines to work harder and wear out faster. Haul Track’s real-time tyre pressure monitoring catches issues early, allowing quick corrections. Proper inflation optimises fuel use, prolongs tyre durability, and enhances site safety.

7. Drive progress with clear performance goals

Haul Track’s robust data lets managers set fuel efficiency targets and monitor results over time. By analyzing trends and sharing feedback, teams stay motivated to improve. This data-driven approach fosters smarter decisions and a culture of continuous progress.

Moore’s strategies show that Haul Track is more than a data tool. It is a  game-changer for cost-conscious, eco-aware operations. With these seven tactics, site leaders and operators can transform insights into action, driving down costs and emissions while keeping their sites running at peak performance.

The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI) and Dar Alwd Construction (DAW) have reaffirmed their shared commitment to delivering sustainable, high-performance infrastructure during a strategic visit to a Polymer Resin Concrete (PRC) manufacturing facility in Qatar.

The visit offered a first-hand look at innovations in material science, quality control, and sustainable manufacturing, further highlighting DAW’s role in advancing PRC solutions within the UAE’s infrastructure landscape.

Known for their exceptional durability, resistance to corrosion, and lower environmental impact, PRC technologies are playing a growing role in raising infrastructure standards across the region.

This collaboration between MOEI and DAW underlines a joint ambition to build more resilient, efficient, and environmentally responsible infrastructure systems, aligning with national development goals and broader regional sustainability targets.

“We are committed to integrating innovative, sustainable technologies into our infrastructure projects. Our engagement with advanced materials like PRC reflects our strategic focus o building resilient, future-ready assets that meet the UAE’s long-term development visio,” the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure stated. 

Tarek Musbah Abdulrahman, General Manager of Dar Alwd Construction (DAW), added: “At Dar Alwd Construction, we remain deeply committed to supporting the UAE’s vision for sustainable infrastructure by delivering innovative, high-performance solutions. We are proud to contribute our expertise toward building resilient, future-ready developments that align with the nation’s growth objectives”.

France’s top mobility innovators converged in the UAE for the UAE-France Rail & Mobility Days 2025, held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on 23-24 April. The event, spearheaded by Business France, showcased cutting-edge French expertise in rail and sustainable transport, while deepening strategic cooperation with the UAE.

As the UAE ramps up investment in next-generation transport infrastructure, the event offered a platform for French companies to engage directly with Emirati stakeholders. Major developments include:

• A US$13.6bn share in the GCC-wide 2,117 km rail network.

• A high-speed rail line linking Dubai and Abu Dhabi, expected to be completed by 2030.

• Dubai Metro’s expansion, aiming to serve 200,000 passengers daily by 2030, with construction underway and a total investment of US$4.9bn.

• Abu Dhabi’s US$6.8bn investment in 155 transport projects, targeting a doubling of public transport use by 2028.

• A national goal to reach 50% electric vehicle adoption by 2050.

In this context, Rail & Mobility Days 2025 was designed to match French innovation with the UAE’s ambitious infrastructure and sustainability goals.

High-level meetings and industry engagement

In Abu Dhabi, the French delegation was welcomed by H.E. Nicolas Niemtchinow, French Ambassador to the UAE, before engaging with key stakeholders such as Etihad Rail, Hafeet Rail, Abu Dhabi Mobility, and the Abu Dhabi Transport Company. Delegates also toured the Etihad Rail Al-Faya depot and attended the Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit to explore opportunities in the EV space.

The Dubai leg of the programme featured opening remarks by H.E. Jean-Christophe Paris, followed by panel sessions with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), DEWA, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, Al Naboodah Transport, and others. Discussions spanned metro and tram development, electric mobility, and the broader energy transition.

French capabilities on display

French companies demonstrated their leadership in transport innovation. Dassault Systèmes, the event’s gold sponsor, presented its advanced 3D design and virtual simulation tools for mobility planning. Other major players included VINCI Construction Grands Projets, specialists in large-scale infrastructure; and RATP Dev, experts in public transport operations.

SMEs also had a strong presence, including Apave, ATEIS, ATM Internationale, CBM Company, Codra, MPH Experts, OXYSIGN, MIPI, Manquillet Parizel, and Saarstahl Rail—each offering niche expertise in areas such as infrastructure safety, maintenance, digital engineering, signage, and railway metallurgy.

The initiative was organised by Business France, with support from Terracotta Manpower, reinforcing France’s long-term commitment to supporting the UAE’s infrastructure evolution.