Euro Petroleum Consultants (EPC) was founded in May 1996 by Colin Chapman to provide consulting advice and quality assistance to the refining and petrochemical sectors, throughout all the stages of project analysis and implementation.
EPC’s mission is to support the needs of its clients in strengthening their business operations and catalyse their overall business growth by providing high-quality consulting services and highly relevant industry specific events.
On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of establishing EPC, Colin Chapman, president of EPC, speaks with Martin Menachery, Refining & Petrochemicals Middle East (RPME), on the vibrant role of EPC in the global refining and petrochemicals industry landscape.
You have spearheaded Euro Petroleum Consultants [EPC] for the past 25 years. What are the major accomplishments of EPC under your direction?
During these past 25 years Euro Petroleum Consultants has constantly grown, developed and evolved - we are recognised as a reliable partner to assist and support International Clients to develop and manage large investment projects within the downstream sector. Our activities have taken us to all regions with a special focus in Russia & CIS Countries, SE Asia, Africa and Europe.
We have also during that time firmly established Euro Petroleum Consultants as a leading conference organiser for the downstream industry. We have been holding 20 or so International Conferences each year: in Russia & CIS, Europe, the Middle East, China & Asia
Our model from day one has been to focus on the latest technology developments in Refining, Gas processing and Petrochemicals as well as providing a platform to inform and share knowledge on key industry topics; from Operational Excellence (OpEx) and Safety to Project Strategies & Implementation. In all we have held over 250 conferences in 25 countries. An achievement I think we can be proud of.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my team in London, Dubai, Moscow, KL and Sofia for their strong support and commitment over the past 25 years.
Colin Chapman and Salambek Khadjiev, former minister or Oil Refining and Petrochemicals of USSR
Can you please elaborate on the scope of your consultancy business and also explain Euro Petroleum Consultants’ mission to act as ‘Client Project Engineer (CPE)’?
Our primary objective is to provide assistance, expertise and guidance through all project stages. Our model offers different options and flexibility to the client. Our approach always starts by listening to the client’s needs and adapting our approach to meet those requirements.
The CPE approach is to focus on providing support to a Client through all project stages by means of forming an Integrated Project Team and providing specialist Consulting services only when and if required
Our compact project teams bring together vastly experienced Consultants who have gained experience working with major Licensors, Contractors and Producers – many in excess of 30 years.
This helps the Client develop realistic strategies for project Implementation and also benefits their younger engineers whilst working on specific Projects.
Our expertise covers all key project steps: Contracts, Technology, Engineering Procurement and QA/QC, Construction Supervision, HSE, etc.
We are present to assist the Client to finalize configuration and strategies for new projects by helping to select Licensors, helping to select FEED and EPC Contractors, and helping to form efficient Integrated Project Teams to manage & control the project through all stages of implementation.
You are instrumental in the diversification of the conferences – both in domains and geographic locations. How your conferences are helping refining and petrochemical professionals in updating their professional knowledge and skills?
With our events the primary goal is to provide a platform where, all sectors active in the downstream industry can meet to exchange ideas, share experiences and be informed on the latest industry developments. These events help owners, managers, engineers and operators keep up to date with the latest technology and catalyst developments and also be informed about important market developments & potential disruptors, which may impact our Industry.
Suppliers (Technology, Catalyst, Equipment, Software, etc.) have the opportunity to showcase their latest products and real case studies.
All this, is very important for companies when developing future Investment plans. This has proved to be a very efficient model for our Consultants to keep up to date with new technology developments and market changes which has proved to be beneficial to our Consulting business activities.
How you are managing your business – both consultancy and conferences – during the havoc created by Covid-19?
The past year has been a challenging time for all sectors and for all companies. With regards to our consultancy activities, despite an initial and understandable slow down, there has been a number of projects either starting or continuing – which has been positive to see. It highlights that the industry is resilient and firmly looking forward.
With conferences the situation has presented a number of important challenges. In-person events have been very sparse during the past year. At EPC, we have had to adapt quickly to the situation, and with the support of our industry partners, we have been able to provide a number of online events.
We feel that it was very important for the industry to keep meeting albeit in a virtual format.
We developed in-house a virtual event platform – this required a lot of preparation, input and hard work – we are very proud of the result. With this platform we were able to hold several Virtual conferences and Seminars and enable Producers, Licensors and Service providers to continue to share ideas and experiences relating to their activities and ongoing and planned projects.
These improved tools for communicating and online meetings platforms have been a real help in facilitating our activities during this difficult context.
How important is the Middle East region for EPC?
The Middle East region has been and will continue to be very important – the region is at the forefront of our industry – with its important natural resources and geographic location.
We are seeing real activity in all sectors within the ME downstream sector – with important projects & assets coming online. There is also great interest in developing a more sustainable industry through renewables and the energy transition.
What is the contribution of EPC to the worldwide refining and petrochemical industry during the past 25 years?
Our company tagline is ‘Sharing Knowledge Shaping Business’ and I think this resumes very well what we try to bring to the industry.
We support the needs of our clients in strengthening their business operations and contributing to their overall business growth by providing high quality consulting services and highly relevant industry specific events.
Being completely independent, we are in a position to advise refiners and petrochemical producers solely in their best interests and this is valid throughout each stage of project implementation.
Colin Chapman's journey caricature
What are the three major professional challenges faced by you during the past 50 years of your career?
In 1970 started my career in France at Foster Wheeler France as a Process Engineer with no knowledge of the French language. This was a steep learning curve. Fortunately, there was a great team of International Engineers in our group who helped me a lot.
A major challenge was when I was assigned by BEICIP (IFP Consulting group) to a Grass roots refinery project in Nigeria in 1978. Back in those days there was essentially no communications to home office or to family. No email, no telephones and a postal mail system that was unreliable. This meant many project decisions & strategies being made onsite – it was certainly different from projects today and was a great learning experience.
Another important milestone was when I decided to create Euro Petroleum Consultants (EPC) in May 1996. Having been responsible for the Former Soviet Union when I was at UOP from 1983 to end 1994 I soon realised that there were many extremely qualified scientists at the different Institutes and when the breakup of the Soviet Union started in 1990 I saw there was an opportunity to assist Clients to develop projects in a different model to what was their usual approach.
My first project was for Mozyr Refinery in Belarus for the installation of their MSCC Complex. EPC formed a partnership with UOP and Neftechimproekt St Petersburg to deliver the Engineering, Procurement services and Construction supervision – this was done working closely with the Project Directorate of Mozyr Refinery. The project was a success and established EPC as a reliable partner in that region - proud to say that we are still cooperating with Mozyr to this day. This success made me realise that if we can form a real team of experts to work alongside partners it is possible to deliver successful projects. 25 years on we are still working with such Clients as Mozyr Refinery.
Mozyr MSCC and Colin Chapman at ORSK
Can you please elaborate on few key projects in which EPC was involved in?
There have been many important projects but if I had to highlight a select few then I would say:
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SOCAR Azerbaijan
EPC worked very closely with SOCAR for many years and assisted them to develop many of their ongoing and future investment projects including- Gas to Petrochemicals Complex
- Ammonia Urea Complex
- Feasibility study for Modernisation of Baku Refinery
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LUKOIL (NNOS Refinery, Bourgas Refinery, Volgograd Refinery)
EPC have also worked on many projects with Lukoil including major projects:- Lukoil NNOS Refinery: FCC & HF Alkylation (2 Complexes)
- Lukoil Bourgas: Development of Residue Upgrading Complex from Feasibility study to Licensor selection + selection & supervision of FEED Contractor.
- Lukoil Volgograd: SDA Complex Development of FEED with UOP & Neftechimproekt
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Vietnam - PDH & PP Complex
EPC are currently working on this project as Client Project Engineer (CPE) supervising the FEED -
Sonara Cameroon
EPC was PMC for the Limbé Refinery Upgrade Phase 1 project supervising Engineering & Construction
This demonstrates our ability to work in many geographical regions using our International network of Consultants and Partner companies.
How do you evaluate the talent available worldwide for the downstream industry currently?
I believe that the talent is there and it is very important for our industry to be able to attract this new talent. The ‘type of work’ in all sectors within our industry has greatly evolved since I started in 1970. For example, 50 years ago, there were few computers widely available.
In recent years the pace of change has been clear to see with all these new tools, software and technologies being implemented. Today young engineers can benefit from all the modern tools available for designing Plants and also operating plants.
We have seen improved communications tools that allow to form project teams in all geographic regions. Digitalisation and data management have been great enablers, and this has tied in with a new generation of engineers – with new skillsets and a new approach to the industry.
The key has been the sharing of knowledge between the ‘older’ generation of engineers with the new incoming generation.
What is the focus of your training programmes?
We consider our Training programs as a vital tool in helping pass on the expertise & industry experience of our Consultants to the younger generation through a series of tailored seminars. These seminars can be adapted for single clients or multi-client formats. The trainings cover key industry topics including:
- Project Management
- Project Implementation Strategies
- Investment Planning
- OPEX & Safety
- Technology & Catalysts
- Refining & Petrochemicals Fundamentals
Our trainers have more than 30-40 years of industry experience and such seminars are ideal for passing on to the next generation such a wealth of knowledge.
What would be the role of Euro Petroleum Consultants in the worldwide refining and petrochemicals industry in general and the Middle East in particular in 2025?
I think our role will continue to evolve but will maintain its core values and focus. As an independent consulting company, we will continue to assist clients with their projects & strategies by providing expertise and support throughout all project stages.
The nature of the projects will most likely evolve with our industry turned towards a more sustainable future and with a strong focus on energy transition and renewables and move towards a Circular Economy.
I think we will also see this trend with our conferences with new topics and sectors coming into play. Interesting times ahead.
About Colin Chapman, President, Euro Petroleum Consultants:
Over 50 years’ experience in Downstream sector (> 35 years in FSU region)
- 1971 Chemical Engineering graduate in Loughborough University
- 1971-1982 Foster Wheeler France and Beicip Process Engineer
- 1982-1994 UOP Business Development Manager for Soviet Union and Eastern Europe
- 1996 Founded Euro Petroleum Consultants providing consulting services to clients
- 2003-2004 Head of Refining TNK Russia
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