Chris Kleinhans
OEG’s sustainable cargo solutions and global network enhance efficiency, reduce costs and lower emissions while supporting the transition across the energy sector, Chris Kleinhans tells OGN
OEG, a global leader in cargo logistics, has transformed into a comprehensive all-energy solutions provider, with renewables now driving 55 per cent of its revenue.
From expanding its cryogenic tank fleet to enhancing global logistics, OEG is redefining efficiency and environmental responsibility.
With a 50-year heritage, OEG has evolved from a trusted oil and gas equipment provider into a leader in offshore renewables and energy transition solutions.
Strategic acquisitions and organic growth have broadened its service portfolio, enabling cost-effective, reliable project delivery across 65 global locations.
The company’s partnerships, such as with Venture Gulf Engineering in Qatar, and innovations like intermodal cryogenic storage solutions, underscore its commitment to operational excellence and sustainability.
OEG’s modern fleet and skilled teams ensure clients benefit from reduced costs, faster timelines, and lower carbon footprints.
In an exclusive interview with OGN energy magazine, Chris Kleinhans, Regional Director for OEG Middle East, explores the company’s rapid growth, strategic partnerships, and sustainability commitments.
Below are excerpts from the interview:
OEG has experienced rapid growth over recent years. What has contributed to this?
 |
Left to right ... Abdulla Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Nasr, Vice Chairman and Chief Operations Officer, Al Nasr Holding, Chris Kleinhans, Harish Baliga, |
Over the past few years, OEG has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a trusted global leader in the provision of cargo logistics equipment to the oil and gas industry (with a unique 50-year heritage) into a comprehensive, all-energy solutions company, with a leading offshore renewables services offering that is positioned for energy transition opportunities.
What sets OEG apart is our commitment to being a leader in the provision of best-in-class equipment and continuous improvement and innovation in our product offering.
The company’s modern fleet, in excess of 80,000 containers globally, is constantly evolving to meet and exceed the ever-changing demands of our clients.
As a cargo logistics solutions leader in the Middle East, we benefit from having the scale to ensure the availability of a broad range of products at short notice through our global network.
To support our extensive and growing fleet, OEG operates the most developed hub in the region for high volume unit handling (35,000 sq m between the UAE, Qatar and KSA) staffed with a skilled and talented team of specialists who ensure our clients receive the very best.
OEG recently signed a major evergreen partnership with Venture Gulf Engineering (VGE), a subsidiary of Al Nasr Holding in Qatar, building on its growing ISO cryogenic tank fleet. How do you envision this expanding fleet transforming logistics efficiency and safety in Qatar’s oil, gas and petrochemical sectors?
The Middle East, especially Qatar, has been seeing significant growth in its industrial and logistics sectors, with a focus on enhancing infrastructure to support large-scale projects.
The demand for efficient and safe transport solutions, particularly for high-risk materials like liquid nitrogen and other industrial gases, is on the rise requiring increased investment in sustainable and innovative logistics solutions to keep pace with global standards.
 |
OEG’s cryogenic tank |
Our partnership with Venture Gulf Engineering (VGE), a subsidiary of Al Nasr Holding, aligns with our shared strategic focus of developing a sustainable business model in Qatar, supporting the oil and gas, petrochemical, and industrial sectors.
Qatar represents one of the most mature DNV 2.7-1 cargo markets in the region, with operators driving adoption and innovation across multiple solution types.
By expanding our fleet from 40 cargo-carrying units to over 3,000 assets, we are enabling operators to access the new equipment and solutions they need.
Every asset is built to international standards and supported by skilled local teams, ensuring operational integrity and workforce well-being at every stage of the logistics chain.
With VGE’s strong local expertise and OEG’s active participation and investment, we are well-positioned to continue developing the next generation of DNV-certified solutions for safe and effective operations.
OEG signed another long-term agreement with Gulf Industrial Gases for additional cryogenic tanks in the broader Middle East. Could you elaborate on how intermodal cryogenic storage solutions are reducing both shipping costs and carbon footprints in the region?
Our intermodal cryogenic storage solutions help reduce shipping costs and carbon emissions across the region.
 |
OEG’s cryogenic tank |
Built from materials with built-in safety features, the tanks minimise heat transfer and prevent gas escaping into the atmosphere.
Their modular design reduces the need for multiple containers, cutting transfer and handling fees.
With fewer tanks in transit, emissions are lowered, while clients also have the flexibility to choose the most efficient mode of transport for each journey.
OEG’s 2024 results show that renewables now make up around 55 per cent of group revenue, marking a major shift in your business mix. What have been the main drivers of this transition, and how do they align with your long-term objectives?
Our growth in renewables has been fueled by strategic acquisitions, organic growth and a broader service portfolio.
These steps allow us to leverage our global footprint, optimise operations and consolidate expertise, providing cost-effective, reliable and rapid project delivery.
This fits with our long-term objectives to diversify services, enhance capabilities and capture global demand for sustainable energy solutions while keeping us on track to reach $1 billion in revenue within five years.
OEG continues to lead in offshore logistics infrastructure, operating in over 65 locations across six continents. Could you share how this global scale contributes to client value, particularly in terms of cost, time savings, and project efficiency?
Our presence in strategic locations gives clients ready access to established bases with equipment and logistics frameworks in place, avoiding the cost of new facilities.
With one of the world’s largest offshore fleets of cargo-carrying container units (CCUs), we drive efficiency through high utilisation across multiple sites, lowering per-unit transport costs.
This global footprint also enables rapid deployment of our personnel, vessels, equipment and containers, thereby reducing mobilisation times, accelerating project timelines and reducing downtime.
By consolidating supply chain needs, we eliminate delays from coordinating multiple vendors, enhancing schedule adherence.
Based on our established track record, we bring unmatched operational knowledge and consistency.
Clients gain from our optimised workflows, standardised procedures, and lessons learned across a wide variety of settings and challenges.
Operating as an integrated team across continents allows us to combine local understanding, for example, regulatory compliance, permitting nuances and local workforce logistics, with a consistent global standard, reducing project risk.
OEG’s Sustainability Report 2023 highlights ESG commitments, such as emissions reductions and zero fatalities. How are these embedded in your client services and what new sustainability innovations are you pursuing?
Sustainability is central to our purpose. As the world transitions to cleaner energy, we are adapting our services, reducing our footprint, and helping clients do the same.
During 2024, we advanced our sustainability efforts by generating our own renewable energy, transitioning to renewable or low-carbon energy and digitalising and democratising our data management to support better informed decision-making.
 |
Additionally, our commitment to upskilling has empowered our teams to drive forward and understand the value of these initiatives.
From a technology perspective, we have developed several new solutions designed to reduce overall environmental impact.
In the Middle East, we have invested in EV utility vehicles for our operations support vehicles. These EVs have replaced our internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in the UAE.
In addition, through strategic partnerships with prominent logistics providers, we also offer delivery services with electrified heavy goods vehicles/trailers for our global customers, equally sharing OEG’s pledge to emissions reductions.
In addition to this, we have built operations offices to the highest standards of sustainability, focusing on enhanced insulation (for AC efficiency), our base has solar-powered lighting for night activity and our offices run on 'dusk to dawn' sensors for lighting and air conditioning. These actions have seen our business improve in emissions reductions.
From a client’s perspective, how does OEG ensure that its expanding service portfolio delivers measurable benefits in terms of cost reduction, operational reliability, and faster project delivery?
Today, we deliver as one integrated energy company, with a comprehensive service portfolio helping clients streamline their supply chain, cut costs and simplify offshore projects. We see results on a regular basis driven by our integrated approach.
By bringing together assets, technologies, new innovations and our engineering know-how, we are boosting operational reliability through consistent high-quality delivery.
Our wide-ranging capability also allows for faster mobilisation and seamless project execution, accelerating timelines without compromising safety or efficiency.
By Abdulaziz Khattak