MainOne Cable System to Extend to Francophone Region
Undersea communications technology company TE SubCom has secured a contract from connectivity and data center solutions provider MainOne to extend its active submarine cable system into West Africa’s francophone region with two additional branches connecting Senegal (Dakar) and Cote D’Ivoire (Abidjan). These new branches will connect to MainOne’s 7,000km cable system, which extends from Portugal to Nigeria, and will inject new technology that upgrades the system to a potential capacity of 10TBps by November 2019 when the subsea system becomes operational.With this development
Navy Divers to Have Automated Logging from Worn Dive Computers
at sea into a system known as the Dive/Jump Reporting System (DJRS). Manual entries can be time-consuming and allow human error.Enter the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global TechSolutions program, a rapid-response science and technology program focused on solutions to problems submitted by Sailors and Marines.ONR TechSolutions and industry partners have created a new tool called the Scuba Binary Dive Application (SBDA) 100 to digitally plan, record and report dive-profile information to DJRS. The application will accelerate the process of logging and uploading dive information, and will help eliminate
The Ocean Cleanup Kicks Off
primary objective is to prove the technology and start the cleanup, a secondary goal is to collect performance data to improve the design for future deployments. The system is equipped with solar-powered and satellite-connected sensors, cameras and navigation lights to communicate its position to passing marine traffic, and enable extensive monitoring of the system and the environment. The Maersk Launcher will also remain active as an observation platform for several weeks after delivering System 001 to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.In order to begin tackling the Pacific debris patch covering an area
Subsea Defense: Extending Unmanned Capabilities
The defense sector is looking for ways to extend its reach and capabilities, with underwater robotic and autonomous systems and sensors.Extending the capabilities of submarine warfare systems without the need for humans is a key focus in the marine defense space. Navies feel under threat; they have limited budgets and worries about resurgent maritime forces from Russia and China, while new technologies – robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems – are increasingly available to an ever-wider range of players, creating what are termed asymmetric threats in an ever-wider
Nemeth Joins BIRNS as Manufacturing Engineer
BIRNS, Inc., an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer of high performance lighting and connector systems, announces the appointment of Abel Nemeth as Manufacturing Engineer at the company’s headquarters. In his new role at BIRNS, Nemeth will be responsible for designing efficiency, cost-effectiveness, environmental and safety controls into each process, and will design, develop and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production procedures.Nemeth brings more than 25 years of expertise to the position, having served previously in senior Engineering roles for a range of companies and
Swire Seabed Awarded Wintershall Framework Agreement
Swire Seabed announced it has secured a framework agreement with Wintershall Norge AS for the provision of marine subsea services (MSS) in the North Sea.The agreement will commence this year and has a duration of three years plus four yearly options, the subsea services firm said.The work scope includes the supply of vessel and services which encompasses survey, IMR and light construction.The agreement is call-off based, meaning that during the course of the frame agreement, Wintershall can award MSS contracts on an as-needed basis.
New ASV Delivered for Post-hurricane Surveying
sidescan/bathy multibeam echo-sounder (MBES), R2 Sonic 2022 MBES, Applanix WaveMaster POS MV inertial navigation system (INS), a SeaRobotics’ cast winch and a castable AML BaseX² sound velocity probe (SVP). The two multibeam systems were chosen to provide exceptional data quality in multiple marine environments, aiding in the rapid assessment of navigation hazards. The lightweight SeaRobotics’ cast winch deploys the SVP used to generate corrective sound velocity profiles by the onboard data acquisition computer.“The rapid deployment and ease of assembly of the ASV, as well as the
5 Minutes with Mike Read, President, Teledyne Marine
Teledyne Marine Group has been a consolidator in the subsea space for more than a decade, today totaling 23 companies. Teledyne Marine’s MTR100 entry is focused on insights on the moves in the market from Mike Read.As we continue to navigate through a historic downturn in the offshore energy sector, can you give us your view of the market? Where you see opportunity in the coming 12 to 24 months?We are optimistic on the health of the marine market across all market sectors over the next 12 to 24 months. Our interconnect and instruments businesses are beginning to see the effects of stabilization
Shearwater to Buy Schlumberger’s Seismic Business
Norwegian marine geophysical services company Shearwater GeoServices Holding AS has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the marine seismic acquisition assets and operations of Schlumberger’s geophysical services product line, WesternGeco.The transaction, which remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018.Houston based Schlumberger will receive cash consideration based on an enterprise value of $600 million plus a 15 percent post-closing equity interest in Shearwater. For a limited period, Schlumberger
OSIL Debuts Deep Sea Camera System
Ocean Scientific International Ltd (OSIL) launched its new expandable Deep Sea Camera System, a pressure activated self-contained system which allows for the integration of additional instrumentation.The system is activated by a pressure switch in the intelligent battery pack which can be programed at the surface to turn the camera on and off at specific depths, preventing users from having to record and review hours of wasted footage, and can also independently or concurrently activate any instrumentation that is connected to it.Data is recorded onto a standard Micro SD memory card. Several hours of
MTR’s “Top 10” Ocean Influencers
Out today is the 13th Annual “MTR100”, Marine Technology Reporter’s profiling of 100 leading companies, people and technologies in the subsea space. This year for the first time the editorial staff, with input from the global industry, delivers a listing of the “Top 10 Ocean Influencers.” Marine Technology Reporter’s Top 10 are profiled in short below; for the full editorial see the July/August 2018 edition at: https://magazines.marinelink.com/nwm/MarineTechnology/201807/No. 1Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman, Nippon FoundationYohei Sasakawa, Chairman, Nippon
US Destroyer Wreckage Discovered off Remote Alaskan Island
For almost 75 years, the stern of the destroyer USS Abner Read lay somewhere below the dark surface of the Bering Sea off the Aleutian island of Kiska, where it sank after being torn off by an explosion while conducting an anti-submarine patrol. Seventy-one U.S. Navy Sailors were lost in the aftermath of the blast, during a brutal and largely overlooked early campaign of World War II.Heroic action by the crew saved the ship, but for the families of the doomed Sailors, the final resting place of loved ones lost in the predawn hours of Aug. 18, 1943 remained unknown.On July 17, a NOAA-funded team of
IMR Contract to IKM Subsea
Aker BP has awarded IKM Subsea an ad-hoc call of agreement for light IMR services on the Norwegian continental shelf. The duration of the contract is 3 years with additional six years of options. IKM Subsea will provide onshore project management, engineering, tooling preparation and offshore operations utilizing its Merlin ROV fleet.
Ocean Networks Canada: 'Wiring the Abyss'
late July. The collection of detailed measurements over two years will assess the deep-sea site, approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Vancouver Island, for future use.“A potential full-scale neutrino observatory at Cascadia Basin would benefit particle physics, astrophysics, ocean science and marine biology by offering reliable long-term detection capabilities,” said Benoit Pirenne, ONC’s executive director of user engagement.The equipment being used to detect neutrinos is also sensitive to bioluminescence, providing scientists with data to study trends in this emission of light
Fugro to Conduct Marine Lidar Bathymetry Survey in Australia
Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), on behalf of the New South Wales Government, Australia.The project will deliver data as part of OEH’s Seabed NSW program, announced earlier this year, and involves the collection of high resolution, seamless bathymetry across the New South Wales coastal and marine environment. The data will assist in mapping the seafloor and sediment compartments along the NSW coast. This information will enable councils, scientists and government agencies to better understand nearshore processes and allow them to model coastal hazards at a local scale with far greater accuracy
New Site Hosts Corps’ Hydrographic Survey Training
What do hydrographic surveys ― the scientific measurement and description of physical features at the bottom of bodies of water ― have to do with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and marine construction? In a word, plenty.Francis Postiglione, chief of the New York District's Survey Section, Operation's Division, said, "Surveying is at the root of all projects in coastal and inland waterways," adding, "Surveying also plays a large role during the bidding process and awarding of contracts, especially with estimating costs."Importance of SurveysHydrographic surveys are important
New Long-range RTsys Recorder Launched
, flat or geometric) equipped with 16 omnidirectional hydrophones. The system is less than 20m long and can be launched by two people from a light boat. The multiple hydrophones, in combination with digital processing, reduce noise and therefore improve signal quality. The equipment can record below the marine background noise over a frequency range up to 100 kHz.The success of this challenge essentially rests on a modification of the SDA (Synchronous Data Acquisition) circuit board which is at the heart of all RTsys products. While maintaining an identical format and a power consumption that is still
ABB Wins Order for World's Biggest Offshore Wind Farm
ABB has won orders worth more than $150 million from Danish energy company Ørsted to supply technology to transmit wind energy from the 1,400 megawatt (MW) Hornsea Project Two, slated to be the world's largest offshore wind farm.The orders were booked in the second quarter of 2018 and are the first tranche of a global five year frame agreement for the supply of electrical and automation equipment for offshore and onshore wind power connection and integration to the grid, ABB said.ABB will supply its Static Var Compensation (SVC) Light technology with ABB Ability MACH control systems, High
Elon Musk Sends Submarine to Aid Thai Cave Rescue
Billionaire inventor Elon Musk has sent a “kid-size submarine” to aid rescuers working to save a Thai soccer team that has been trapped in a flooded cave for more than two weeks.A team of Thai and international divers began rescue attempts this weekend and have so far freed eight boys, while another four and their coach face their 17th night trapped on a ledge more than two miles inside the flooded Tham Luang Nang Non cave complex.“Mini-sub arriving in about 17 hours. Hopefully useful,” Musk said in a tweet Sunday. “If not, perhaps it will be in a future situation.”&l
Another IMR Contract to IKM Subsea
Equinor, Norske Shell and IKM Subsea have agreed to adopt the terms and conditions of the contract originally signed between Norske Shell and IKM Subsea for provision of Light ROV & inspection services for Equinor operations. The services specifically ordered by Equinor will include onshore project management, engineering and offshore operations utilising the Siem Pride which is subject to a vessel share agreement with Norske Shell. The requested services and equipment will be delivered based on a call off mechanism and contract arrangement is estimated for two years with options to
Meet Kraken’s Tentacle Autonomous LARS
From elephant trunks to octopus legs, nature abounds with tentacles that are adept at precise manipulation.At Kraken Robotics, we wanted to see what nature could teach us about better manipulation methods for launching and recovering marine vehicles and equipment. Inspired by the sophisticated feedback loops and dynamic response times found in creatures such as the elephant, octopus and jellyfish—and even the occasional carnivorous plant—we undertook an 18-month research and development program into biomimetic design.Getting into or out of the water is by far the highest-risk operation for
Unmanned Vehicles May Soon Take Up Residency Subsea
infrastructure for resident vehicles, regulation relating to unmanned vehicles, and skepticism and resistance to change. But, with a string of roadmaps in place, from vendors to operators and service providers, resident subsea vehicles are just a matter of time.(As published in the May 2018 edition of Marine Technology Reporter
BIRNS Achieves ISO 9001:2015 Certification
BIRNS, Inc., designer and manufacturer of lighting and connector systems, announced that its Quality Management System is now certified to ISO 9001:2015 by DNV GL.The company recently underwent an audit of its business and manufacturing processes, and completed the certification to the new standard as of May of this year.The new ISO 9001:2015 standard has a focus on risk-based thinking and accountability in all organizational processes, an emphasis on leadership involvement and demonstrated commitment to understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties, with the result of continual
NORBIT Establishes Oceans Business Unit
domain.NORBIT Oceans will include the following:•NORBIT Subsea AS, which provides wideband multibeam sonars for hydrographic applications and subsea leakage detection for the oil and gas and maritime industries.•NORBIT Aptomar AS, which provides integrated field monitoring services for the marine and offshore industries. NORBIT acquired the company from a group of venture investors last year.•NORBIT Aqua; a range of specialized solutions for the aquaculture industries, including high power submersible and dimmable multispectral lights for fisheries and cage-based farming.•NORBIT
Nekton Aids Exploring Ocean's Potential
“In fact we estimate that between one and ten million new species are waiting to be found in the oceans. How could these help us understand the origins of life? How could they propel new medical advances in microbiology, genetics, virology and biotechnology? We already use biological materials from marine organisms in around 18,000 products, including many key drugs, so how could new species be utilized? What possibilities could they unlock? The potential is limited only by our understanding.” Mission critical It’s Steeds’ mission to create a (far) deeper understanding
Mappers Look to Chart World's Ocean Floor by 2030
Using data collected from underwater drones, merchant ships, fishing boats and even explorers, a new scientific project aims to map the ocean floor by 2030 and solve one of the world’s enduring mysteries.With 190 million square km (73 million square miles) of water - or about 93 percent of the world's oceans with a depth of over 200 meters (650 feet) - yet to be charted, the initiative is ambitious.Satinder Bindra, director of the Seabed 2030 project, said the work can be completed within the period and will shed light on everything from tsunami wave patterns to pollution, fishing movements
Old Sea Ice is Disappearing from the Arctic Ocean
Sea ice grows throughout the fall and winter, and melts throughout the spring and summer. But not all Arctic sea ice melts; some portion of the ice survives at least one melt season, persisting throughout the summer months. This ice is usually thicker and more resistant to melt than ice that's less than a year old, and therefore more likely than first-year ice to survive the coming melt season. As Arctic sea ice often reaches its maximum extent around late February or early March (around the ninth week of the calendar year) that's a good time to measure multiyear versus first-year ice.In the
Damen Shows New Class of Fish Farm Vessels
Damen has held the first viewing of its UV 4312 Fish Farm Support Vessel. The new class is the result of extensive discussions with the global fish farming industry and the result is a versatile vessel specifically designed to undertake the maintenance and support tasks particular to saltwater fish farms. The open day took place at the group’s headquarters at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem and was held for the benefit of operators from across the global sector. The 43-meter, 499 metric ton GT Utility Vessel (UV) 4312 builds on the development work that went into its smaller predecessor; the
Statoil Awards Contract for Subsea 7’s Seven Viking
Subsea 7 S.A. said it has received a contract from Statoil to provide subsea inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) services on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.Subsea 7 did not specify a dollar amount for the awarded work, but said the contract is worth between $150 million and $300 million.Offshore activities will begin in January 2019 using Subsea 7’s IMR and light construction vessel Seven Viking, built at Norwegian shipyard Ulstein Verft in 2013.The contract involves the provision of a life of field support vessel Seven Viking for five years, with options for extensions. The vessel,
University of Limerick Buys ROV for Renewables Research
for the offshore renewables industry. The ROV is equipped to a high specification with precision positioning and navigation systems, camera and lighting systems and sonars. The systems will be used as a test bed for research to develop capabilities for inspection, maintenance and repair work on Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) infrastructure in the challenging strong wave and current conditions at MRE test-sites and offshore MRE sites in Ireland and further afield. The ROV system is home ported at Limerick Docks in the Republic of Ireland.University of Limerick President, Dr. Des Fitzgerald, stated
A Record-setting Journey to the Atacama Trench
and recovering a benthic lander named DOV Audacia (Audacity), three times to deeper than 8,000 meters, the last to a record depth of 8,081 meters deep. Using a Mocness Trawl the expedition also collected plankton at a record depth of 5,000 meters. The Atacamex 2018 expedition represent a milestone for marine science in Chile, as researchers there pursue seminal work in deep-sea exploration and research.The hadal zone is the deepest region of the ocean, from 6,000 to 11,000 meters below sea level. Their access and study is extremely difficult due to the high pressures and great difficulties of reaching
SMD to Supply Work Class ROV to China
Subsea equipment design and manufacturer Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd (SMD) has signed a contract to supply its Atom Mk1 1000m 100hp Work Class Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) system to Chinese power specialist China Southern Power Extra High Voltage Power Transmission Company (EHV, CSG), a subsidiary of the state-owned China Southern Power Grid (CSG). The ROV will be used for inspection of the 31km physical power cable connections in the Qiongzhou Strait between Hainan Island and mainland China. The Qiongzhou strait often experiences high currents so it was essential that CSG chose
Paul Allen’s Crew Finds Another Historic Shipwreck
The USS Helena (CL 50) is the latest in a string of historic shipwrecks discovered by Paul G. Allen’s expedition crew aboard the state-of-the-art research vessel Petrel.The U.S. Navy's storied St. Louis-class light cruiser began her World War II service at Pearl Harbor and took part in three significant battles during the Solomon Islands campaign before being sunk by Japanese torpedoes on July 6, 1943, during the Battle of Kula Gulf. All but 168 of Helena’s 900 crew survived the sinking and eventual rescue.Allen's team found the wreck 860 meters below the surface in the New Georgia
Boaty McBoatface Completes First Antarctic Mission
;deep water’ forms near the ice shelf, which is a key driver of global ocean circulation and therefore impacts upon the climate system everywhere on the planet.The PS111 research team involved many different disciplines including oceanography, meteorology, sea-ice physics, bathymetry, geology, and marine biology. Each share an interest in obtaining data from a region that, due to its permanent ice cover, can only be accessed using icebreakers such as the RV Polarstern and AUVs capable of traveling under the ice.This latest mission builds on what Boaty achieved in 2017 when it returned from its first
600 Gallons of Coolant Spills into Straits of Mackinac
Hundreds of gallons of mineral oil has been released from a leaking underwater utility line in Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac, this week. Initial reports from the responsible party, American Transmission Company (ATC), indicate that approximately 600 gallons of product has been released, with maximum spill potential of more than 4,000 gallons. The U.S. Coast Guard said it has established a Unified Command comprised of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, county emergency managers, local tribes, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S.
"The" Subsea Awards Edition: MTR100 - Apply Now
13th Annual MTR100 set to publish in the July/August 2018 edition of Marine Technology Reporter -- the world's largest circulation b2b subsea publication. Top companies in the global subsea sector are invited to apply now for the "MTR100". Marine Technology Reporter's annual MTR100 awards edition is the subsea industry's most awaited annual ranking of the leading companies serving the global subsea industry. The editorial team gathers candidates and stories from around the globe, covering the entirety of the global subsea sector: - Subsea Defense - Offshore Energy
OSIL: Oil Spill Monitoring Buoys Fuel International Interest
Integrated systems manufacturers Ocean Scientific International Ltd (OSIL) reports high levels of interest in its oil spill monitoring buoys following several recent installations in the Middle East and exposure at the ocean technology and marine science exhibition Oceanology International. The buoy systems are designed to integrate a real time noncontact hydrocarbon sensor in the high visibility top frame design, which is equipped with a pulsed UV LED beam and optical photo-detector with on-board software to enable the buoys to detect oil spills on water autonomously and immediately
Expanded Underwater Robotics Ready for Oil Spills
(UPCT), 2University of Porto, Underwater Systems and Technology Laboratory (LSTS), 3University of Zagreb, Laboratory for Underwater Systems and Technologies (LABUST), 4University of Cyprus, Oceanography Centre, 5SASEMAR, Spanish Maritime Safety Agency, 6Irish Coast Guards, 7The Scottish Association for Marine Science - SAMS, 8Tallin University of Thechnology - TUT, 9University of Girona - UG, 10University of the Balearic Islands - UIB, 11Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskatelige Universitet – NTNU, 12Marine Technology Unit CSIC. Tracking in-water oil spills before reaching the surface
Decom North Sea Sheds Light on Supply Chain Capability
Decom North Sea has published aDecom Directory in conjunction with Scottish Enterprise and the Oil & Gas Authority, which provides details of companies which have the capability to service the UK/UKCS decommissioning sector. Supported by EEEGR, FPAL, EIC, FEDF and NOF, the directory captures the capabilities of almost 300 supply chain companies which can service the UK/UKCS across17 newly-defined supply chain activities within a decommissioning work break down structure (WBS); from planning stages through to site remediation and long-term monitoring. Created with the assistance of EEEGR
Optime Presents New Tree Control and Intervention System
At Subsea Valley 2017, Jan-Fredrik Carlsen, CEO of the Notodden based Norwegian company Optime Subsea, promised to revolutionize the intervention and controls segment of the subsea oil and gas industry through a new and disruptive technology. A year later at Subsea Valley 2018, Optime’s Subsea Controls and Intervention Light System (SCILS) was presented. "Our intent is not to be disruptive for the sake of being disruptive, but support the industry’s progress in providing cost reducing tecnology," Carlsen said. "I believe our SCILS demonstrates this. We identified an
The World’s Largest Ocean Garbage Patch is Growing Rapidly
The world’s largest heap of ocean garbage is growing at an alarming rate. The 600,000-square-mile collection of ocean plastic and trash floating halfway between California and Hawaii known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch now contains four to 16 times more plastic than previously estimated, with pollution levels increasing exponentially, new analysis reveals. It’s estimated some 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic weighing 80,000 metric tons are currently afloat in the area, and it is rapidly getting worse, according to a study published Thursday in the peer-reviewed journal
Record-size US Offshore Oil Lease Sale Draws Modest Bidding
Oil and gas drillers bid modestly on Gulf of Mexico acreage in the largest lease sale in American history on Wednesday, dealing a setback to the Trump administration's efforts to rapidly pump up investment in the region. The Interior Department had offered up a record 77 million acres (31.2 million hectares) for development in the Gulf with discounted royalty rates on the shallower tracts as part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump's administration to ramp up U.S. fossil fuels output. But companies bid on just 1 percent of that acreage, and won those tracts with bids
EdgeTech Sonar Utilized in USS Juneau Discovery
EdgeTech, developer of high resolution sonar imaging systems and underwater technology, said its side scan sonar technology was used in another very noteworthy underwater find. Just weeks after locating the USS Lexington, the research vessel Petrel and Paul Allen’s team has located the sunken remains of the USS Juneau. The USS Juneau, a US Navy light cruiser, was sunk in November 1942 during World War II. Located in over 4,000 meters of water the historic vessel can be seen in this very clear, low-noise EdgeTech 2205 sonar image. The amazing image shows the large 2 kilometer
Teledyne Brings Bathymetic Solutions to CHC-NSC
Teledyne CARIS and Teledyne Optech will have a combined presence at the 2018 Joint Canadian Hydrographic and National Surveyors Conference in Victoria, British Columbia, March 26-29. Visitors interested in the latest in ocean mapping software, and the swift progress taking place in lidar surveying and mapping solutions can drop by stand 407 to learn more. Teledyne CARIS is offering a half-day workshop on March 26th at 1pm. Learn about the new, simplified processing workflow found in HIPS and SIPS, capabilities and opportunities which can be leveraged through Bathy DataBASE, and advances in
The Evolution of Ocean Models
will improve the ocean’s predicted mean state and variability,” he says. “But the overall computational effort is rather big.” “So our ability to simulate the ocean will improve, but gradually.” (As published in the Mach 2018 edition of Marine Technology Reporter
SMD Delivers Atom Mk1 ROV Systems to JFD
equipped with ultra-compact launch and recovery systems (LARS) and SMD purpose-designed control and workshop cabins, provide a complete turnkey solution, which is essential for JFD in providing their customer, the Indian Navy, with reliable equipment for time critical missions. Optimized for submarine rescue operations, each Atom system carries three emergency life support pods for delivery to a submarine forming the intervention element of JFD’s third generation submarine rescue system. For this order, JFD took advantage of the Atom’s ability to carry a large payload within
Digital Ocean: Making Subsea Data More Easily Accessible
The digital ocean is a reality and U.K.-based digital communications marine technology firm Sonardyne International Ltd is one of the organizations driving innovation to enable the extension of electronic and communications connectivity into the subsea domain. Based on a presentation given by Tom Rooney, Lead Trainer at Sonardyne, at the Digital Ocean conference held in Galway, Ireland in June 2017, this article describes the current state of play in the subsea acoustics and optical communications technology field, presents examples of the many ways these technologies are being applied and considers
ATLAS MARIDAN to Offer AUV Rental Services
ATLAS MARIDAN ApS. of Rungsted Kyst (Denmark), a subsidiary of the German naval systems supplier ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, has launched an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) rental service. The opportunity to rent ATLAS ELEKTRONIK’s latest unmanned underwater technology shall support customers within the offshore oil and gas, renewable energy, UxO and naval markets. The AUV SeaCat has recently finalized its serial maturity process and concluded certifications covering a wide range of requirements for system robustness, environmental conditions, navigational accuracy and transport safety.
Subsea 7 Wins Offshore Azerbaijan Deal
Subsea 7 S.A. announced the award of a contract by BP Exploration for the provision of subsea inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) services on both the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) and Shah Deniz (SD) fields, offshore Azerbaijan. Under the terms of this five year agreement, the scope of work comprises the provision of a Life of Field support vessel complete with work class and observation class ROVs, capable of performing inspection, survey, intervention, light subsea construction, surface diving and emergency response services. The life of field support vessel will be supported by a Baku based
Reach Subsea Charters Subsea Vessel Olympic Challenger
Reach Subsea has entered into an agreement with Olympic Subsea for use of the subsea vessel Olympic Challenger for two years, with an option to extend for one year. The commercial terms of the charter agreement are confidential between the parties, but is structured in a way that enables Reach to offer a competitive subsea service to our clients. The vessel already has two ROVs mobilized on board, which Reach will lease initially. Thus, investments associated with this expansionary move are limited at the outset. Reach will mobilize the vessel during April 2018
Log-In Logística selects COMPAC
eco-systems, we have a strict policy of ensuring our operations are environmentally sustainable. One of our core values is to use efficient solutions that help reduce our environmental footprint. The water lubricated propeller shaft concept meets this objective, as its operation does not contaminant the marine environment.” Log-In Polaris, based on a similar design to the two ships that the Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard has built for Lomar, will be built to DNV GL class and meet TMON notation requirements for extended withdrawal periods for water lubricated tail shafts. Log-In Logí
Interventek Appoints Stuart as Business Development Director
Interventek Subsea Engineering has announced the appointment of Bruce Stuart to the role of Sales and Business Development Director. Stuart brings with him over 30 years of commercial leadership experience and in-depth operational knowledge of the oil and gas industry. Stuart joins Interventek from Proserv where he was VP Business Development Subsea, having previously held a seven year tenure at FMC Technologies, responsible for U.K. and Canada sales and marketing for their subsea products and systems. This new position at Interventek will support increasing levels of commercialization
Light Well Intervention: TechnipFMC, Island Offshore Partner
TechnipFMC said it has signed an agreement with the Island Offshore group to acquire a 51 percent stake in Island Offshore’s wholly owned subsidiary, Island Offshore Subsea AS. Island Offshore Subsea AS provides Riserless Light Well Intervention (RLWI) project management and engineering services for plug and abandonment (P&A), riserless coiled tubing and well completion operations. Island Offshore Subsea AS employs approximately 80 staff. Island Offshore Subsea AS has developed proprietary designs related to subsea P&A and riserless coiled tubing. In connection
Smart Torque Tool Advances an Electric Future
A breakthrough in electric torque tool technology is set to further advance the capability of electric underwater robotic vehicles, says Saab Seaeye. The electric underwater e-robotic systems manufacturer has collaborated with Australia-based Total Marine Technology (TMT) to launch a new lightweight electric torque tool that is smart, light, simple to fit, fast to set up, has an advanced, high accuracy torque control system and can operate across the Saab Seaeye range of e-robotic vehicles, opening up new market opportunities. Considerable savings will come from using compact electric
Expedition to Capture First 4K Images of the Titanic
A manned submersible set to survey the RMS Titanic wreck site this summer will be equipped with a range of high-tech underwater imaging equipment that will capture the first ever 4K images of the historic shipwreck. Starting in June 2018, manned submersible services provider OceanGate Inc. will lead a group of scientists, content experts and mission specialists to explore and survey the wreck site in a series of week-long missions from St. John’s, Newfoundland. For the mission, OceanGate's manned submersible Cyclops 2 will be equipped with cameras and lights from Canadian firm SubC Imaging
Statoil Expands Frame Agreement with MMT
Statoil has renewed and expanded MMT’s frame agreement. The cooperation between Reach Subsea and MMT Sweden has resulted in a new frame agreement covering both survey and light construction for the next three years. The frame agreement is call-off based, which means that Statoil can award contracts for survey and light construction projects in the North Sea on an as needed basis. As part of the frame agreement, MMT Sweden has in cooperation with Reach Subsea been awarded a contract with Statoil for survey and light construction work offshore Norway. The value of the contract is confidenti
Philippines' Duterte Green Lights China's Sea Research
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte personally made a decision to let China conduct scientific research off the Philippines’ Pacific coast, his spokesman said on Monday, despite concern among critics about threats to maritime sovereignty. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that as chief architect of foreign policy, Duterte allowed China to work with the University of the Philippines in Benham Rise, an area roughly the size of Greece and believed by some scientists to be rich in biodiversity and tuna. The United Nations declared Benham Rise, off the Pacific coast, part of
Partners Aim to Revolutionize Subsea Boosting Pumps
Ask an equipment manufacturer for cheap, light and strong, and most will tell you it can’t be done. Fuglesangs Subsea, project manager for the JIP, will tell you otherwise. “We think we’ve cracked the code,” said CEO Alexander Fuglesang. “This project has the potential to deliver improvements in all three areas: cost, weight and reliability.” Statoil joins Aker BP, Lundin and National Oilwell Varco in the DEMO2000 JIP. The project aims to bring the Fuglesangs Subsea Omnirise single-phase booster to market by early 2019. “Once we
Scientists Say Sea Worm May Have Superpowers
A common sea worm that resides in muddy coastal seafloors may have powers that could potentially impact human health, according to researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego. Researchers discovered that a parchment tubeworm, the marine invertebrate Chaetopterus sp. – which is also known for its bioluminescence – is able to produce an important protein found in nearly all living organisms, ferritin, eight times more efficiently than humans. “We were surprised to discover that even though the tubeworm ferritin
Aquabotix Debuts New Integra AUV/ROV
UUV Aquabotix Ltd. debuts its second-generation hybrid underwater vehicle, the Integra AUV/ROV (autonomous underwater vehicle/remotely operated vehicle). Single-person deployable, portable and lithium ion battery-powered, the Integra AUV/ROV allows users to conduct multiple underwater missions, while providing a cost-efficient alternative to deploying separate AUVs and ROVs for individualized tasks. The Integra AUV/ROV can be configured with multiple sensors and maneuvered by an easy-to-use intuitive platform accessible from any web-enabled device. The vehicle is designed for use across
