The sector encompasses all activities related to oil and natural gas, from the extraction of hydrocarbons to their conversion into fuels, plastics or chemicals. It all starts with exploration and drilling: geologists identify deposits, then offshore platforms or onshore wells extract crude oil and gas. These raw resources are then transported by pipeline, LNG carrier or oil tanker to refineries and petrochemical plants, where they are transformed into finished products: petrol, diesel, kerosene, but also polymer raw materials for plastics and synthetic products for fertilisers and medicines. Finally, a vast distribution network (petrol stations, storage terminals, pipelines) transports these products to consumers. It is a huge industrial ecosystem that still provides nearly 60% of the energy consumed worldwide.
An industry under pressure
The oil and gas industry is under going a period of transition. Conventional operations are reaching their limits, extraction costs are rising, and decarbonisation of the entire value chain is becoming a major challenge. However, fossil fuels remain indispensable: global demand for oil still exceeds 104 million barrels per day according to the IEA (International Energy Agency), and consumption is expected to remain stable until 2030 in several regions, particularly in Asia. Added to this is a tense geopolitical context, with regional conflicts, fragmented energy alliances and regulatory uncertainties disrupting global value chains. Operators must therefore maintain their production levels, modernise their facilities and secure their assets, while embarking on a real and credible transition.
‘Industrial performance and ecological transition are not mutually exclusive. The real challenge is to do both at the same time,’ summarises Bruno Tamic.
It is also necessary to attract new skills to an industrial sector that has been battered by its poor reputation, which does not encourage young people to join. The decline in activity and lack of investment linked to geopolitical uncertainties and the profitability of refining and chemicals (particularly in Europe) could divert engineering companies away from this sector, as has happened with nuclear power.
‘We need to change the image of industry and engineering by sharing our passion with younger generations for professions that will continue to exist for many years to come, within a sector that will remain active, strategic and indispensable.’
Reliability, agility, results
In this complex landscape, clients expect more than just technical engineering: they want strategic support. ‘Our clients want engineering that anticipates, proposes and secures operations over the long term. We need to be able to unders tand their businesses, speak their language and co-develop tailor-made solutions.’
This implies
→ Managing complex projects in a changing environment
→ Reducing delays and operational uncertainties
→ Providing pragmatic solutions that can be deployed immediately
→ Guaranteeing improved performance without increasing costs
Engineering as a decision-making lever
At SEGULA, engineering is not limited to producing plans: it becomes a management tool to help clients make the right choices at the right time in an uncertain environment. This involves a profound transformation of methods through the integration of digital technology, the strengthening of project management, the standardisation of deliverables and the continuous training of teams.
Innovating to produce better (and protect better)
In an industry where every unplanned shutdown can cost millions, innovation is not a gimmick: it is an operational imperative.
Solutions designed to adapt to the constraints of industrial sites
SEGULA deploys concrete solutions designed to improve safety, reduce intervention times, optimise costs and support transitions.
→Remote inspection of hazardous areas using smart sensors and robotic tools. ‘This limits human exposure to risks while speeding up response times.’
→ Automation of the placement of welding clamps on assembly lines: ‘This work, which used to be done manually, could take an engineer two weeks to complete. Today, thanks to a tailor-made AI solution, the operation takes just a few minutes, saving several hundred thousand euros each year.’
The sector in figures
- 60 % of the energy consumed worldwide (80% including coal)
- Ageing facilities: many refineries are over 40 year old.
- + 50 % by 2030 : Share of oil and gas investments related to decarbonisation
(Source : McKinsey / Global Energy Perspective 2023) - 105,5 million barrels per day : This is the global demand for oil forecast for 2030 (Source : IEA – Oil 2025 / Analysis and forecasts to 2030)
Between 2018 and 2020, SEGULA participated in the project to commission the oil field in the Italian town of Tempa Rossa, led by Tecnimont on behalf of Total Energies. This project involved up to 110 people at its peak. SEGULA supervised the civil, mechanical, electrical and instrumentation works, as well as document management, planning and project control.
The SEGULA offer
→ Comprehensive coverage of the entire life cycle, from design to compliance
→ Recognised process expertise (refining, chemistry, utilities)
→ Strong field presence, close to the facilities
→ Useful and operational innovations
→ A structured, scalable project approach, adapted to the challenges of transition
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