Over the last 45 years, the energy industry has witnessed a seismic shift, shaped by developments in technology, geopolitics, and, more recently, sustainability. Dietsmann, a global leader in operational maintenance for the oil, gas, LNG, power, and mining industry, has not only navigated these tumultuous waves of change but has skillfully turned them into catalysts for innovation, growth, and service excellence.
In an exclusive interview, the man at the helm of this transformation, Cesare Canevese, Dietsmann’s CEO, shares some insights on how the company has managed to stay on top despite the varying landscapes.
Integrated turnkey services
Reflecting on the past four decades, Canevese notes that the oil and gas industry has undergone significant changes. The initial model of manpower provision transitioned to a comprehensive, integrated approach, encapsulating critical functions like mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation. “We have moved from a manpower provision model to a more global one,” he states, outlining the shift to turnkey service contracts.
Dietsmann’s shift from manpower provision to integrated services wasn’t merely a change in service delivery but an incorporation of skills and experiences that the staff had garnered over time. “This has allowed our company to build a core team made of specialists and engineers able to transfer their academic and practical background to those who were gradually hired in the newly awarded projects,” Canevese remarks.
The strategic transition allowed Dietsmann to build an intercultural team, strengthening its global footprint. However, the journey wasn’t devoid of challenges. Numerous factors threatened the oil and gas industry’s existence, from conflicts and geopolitical instabilities to oil price drops. “Despite all these risk factors and difficulties, Dietsmann has always managed to find effective solutions through a constant evolution of its service model,” Canevese affirms.
Embracing technology
Technology has become a primary driver for change across industries, and the energy sector is no exception. “In the last decade, new technologies for oil & gas exploitation became available, and Dietsmann immediately seized the moment to integrate them into the service model,” states Canevese.
Today, the Monaco-headquartered company is actively investing in implementing robotics – in collaboration with its partner Taurob – and digital solutions, such as big data analysis, in global maintenance scenarios to help clients improve asset safety and reliability, and hopefully reduce costs significantly.
The company’s forward-thinking attitude extends to its recently established NewTech division, which prepares and proposes service packages based on advanced solutions, such as the use of robots designed for the manipulation of system items and the acquisition of field data.
Canevese explains the process: “Our Engineering Department is tasked with the interpretation of those data captured during normal operations or predictive maintenance campaigns (vibration analysis, thermography, lubricant tests). This is one of Dietsmann’s key strengths that allows us to provide our clients with detailed information on their asset integrity and equipment performance, along with indications on how to possibly implement additional measures to improve equipment reliability and achieve asset life extension.”
Continuing, Canevese draws on his ample experience and expertise: “Dietsmann has a new set Maintenance 4.0 strategy that encompasses a series of new technology solutions such as digital twins, robotics, data analysis, and data interpretation in combination with predictive maintenance best practices.” He asserts that the goal is to measure a plethora of equipment parameters/data and analyse their trends in real time.
According to him, the company is devoted to providing its clients with accurate and timely warnings of imminent equipment failures. Such a proactive approach helps avoid unplanned downtime, extends equipment lifetime, and curtails maintenance costs. Furthermore, in partnership with Arundo, Dietsmann enhances its maintenance prowess with advanced analytics solutions. “The aim is to provide accurate and timely warnings of imminent equipment failures, avoid unplanned downtime, extend equipment lifetime, and reduce maintenance costs,” he adds.
In addition, at the heart of Dietsmann’s forward-thinking approach is the successful deployment of fully autonomous gas and methane detection and measuring devices developed via its Taurob Inspection Robotics subsidiary. These devices are now actively used in numerous oil & gas production installations across the globe, affirming the firm’s commitment to leading the industry in advanced technological solutions.
Navigating the unpredictable landscape of the energy sector requires robust resilience and an adaptive spirit, both of which Dietsmann has demonstrated amply. “The 45 years of expertise Dietsmann built up allows the Group to adapt to the numerous changes in the energy sector, to confront the challenges, to be market-driven, and even to be a forerunner in every new strategy or innovative approach that may lead to optimisation and sustainability,” Canevese points out. Even during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic, Dietsmann showed its tenacity by rolling out large projects and providing efficient project management solutions.
Sustainability: A Core DNA of Dietsmann
In today’s era of heightened environmental consciousness, sustainability has been thrust to the forefront of corporate agendas. Dietsmann is no exception, as Canevese illustrates with examples of the company’s eco-friendly initiatives. “Environmental concerns have been an intrinsic component of Dietsmann’s DNA since its foundation in 1977,” he states, citing participation in international initiatives like the United Nations Global Impact and the Monaco National Pact for Energy Transition.
Moreover, the Group has designed innovative solutions like a washing station in Congo that collects rainwater for cleaning parts. He also drew attention to Dietsmann’s commitment to sustainability, reflected by its net-zero strategy and subsequent actions to decrease its carbon footprint.
In addition, Canevese states that detecting and fixing methane leaks in the atmosphere is a game-changer for the industry to bring down greenhouse gas emissions. “Dietsmann is very active in this regard,” he proudly asserted.
Leveraging a rich history
Discussing the theme of international operations, Canevese points out the central role of adaptability in Dietsmann’s success in maintaining consistent quality and service delivery across various regions and cultures. The company, which operates in over 15 countries worldwide, relies on an international team that brings together diverse perspectives and abilities, which Canevese attributes to its capability to meet the demands of diverse global markets.
Canevese believes that its multicultural approach widens the business scope and promotes diversity, creativity, and sustainability effectively. He emphasises: “All the Dietsmann managers have extensive experience and expertise in all the various sectors that qualify Dietsmann’s activity. The management team comprises highly educated and experienced professionals of various nationalities. There is excellent interaction between the many different nationalities and cultures at any staff level. This is achieved thanks to a strong company culture that fosters the values of mutual respect and teamwork.”
In terms of workforce dynamics, Dietsmann places high importance on technical competence, resilience, motivation, and adaptability. Canevese explains: “Besides bringing sound background and know-how, our personnel must show a true commitment to excelling in their job. Motivation, resilience, and constantly high performance are among the standard values of our people.” He adds that the company, which has over 28 office locations globally, focuses on finding the most suitable candidate for any given vacancy and offers fair pay, a healthy work-life balance, and a positive work atmosphere to retain talented workers.
Finally, Canevese shares his vision for the future of Dietsmann, saying: “Technology is opening new frontiers as it always has. In the petrochemical and power industries, this is a unique opportunity for companies and contractors to come closer to each other and change to digital and innovative business models based on Clients’ increasing requests.”
He envisages a significant transformation in the energy sector, with ample opportunities on the horizon. He elaborates further: “Dietsmann is best placed to meet expectations by providing integrated service packages that can significantly contribute to enhancing the asset performance both in the short term by shortening the response time in reacting to problems and in the long haul by predicting failures and avoiding impacts on people health and safety, environment protection, and production rate. Moreover, according to Canevese, Dietsmann has the broadest possible vision on this matter thanks to a 360-degree approach to maintenance.” Therefore, he believes the future of Dietsmann is projected to be as bright and impactful as its rich history.
The most challenging yet rewarding aspect of Dietsmann’s work, according to Canevese, is the scope of the projects they undertake. He says: “We have been involved in some of the largest and most complex projects in the energy sector. This presents unique challenges but also offers tremendous opportunities for growth and innovation.”
Looking forward, Canevese is confident in Dietsmann’s ability to continue thriving in the ever-evolving energy sector. “We are proud of what we have achieved so far and are excited about the future. We are committed to being a part of the solution to the global energy challenge. We will continue to leverage our deep technical expertise, innovative mindset, and strong customer focus to deliver the best possible service to our clients and contribute to a more sustainable and efficient energy sector.”
As it carves its path into the future, Dietsmann stands as a pioneer in operational maintenance for the global energy sector. Through continual innovation, commitment to sustainability, and a steadfast focus on its clients, the company is positioned to remain a leading force in the industry for years to come.
