
USVs Secure Offshore Oil and Gas Infrastructure
, this CONOPS will secure the integrity of the rig while also dramatically reducing the false alarms generated of other methods. Conversely, if the investigation does not reveal an issue, the MANTAS can return to its autonomous mission profile that the operator had previously programmed for the USV.Oil and gas rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, while not necessarily bunched together, in some areas are close enough for several rigs to share one MANTAS T-12. With a cruise speed of 20 knots, a burst speed of 40 knots and a cruise radius of 60 nautical miles, several rigs can share one MANTAS USV. Further, the T-12

U.S. Rig Count Drops, But E&P Spend Up 13%
.Analysts at Simmons & Co, energy specialists at U.S. investment bank Piper Jaffray, this week forecast average total oil and natural gas rig count would rise from 876 in 2017 to 1,037 in 2018, 1,097 in 2019 and 1,232 in 2020, little changed from last week.So far this year, the total number of oil and gas rigs active in the United States has averaged 1,003. That keeps the total count for 2018 on track to be the highest since 2014, which averaged 1,862 rigs.A total of 1,047 oil and gas rigs are currently in service this week. Most rigs produce both oil and gas.The U.S. Energy Information Administration

Interview: Antony Croston, Trelleborg Offshore
to convert the tested values of drag and VIV suppression into tangible terms such as the increase operational uptime or reduction in fuel usage. This is essential for us to be able to effectively communicate the benefits of the technology.What is Trelleborg doing to help minimize fire escalation on oil and gas rigs?We are currently doing several things to help minimize fire escalation on oil and gas rigs including developing our next-generation Firestop material at our in-house laboratory in Norway. Based on proven technology, the material is lighter and thinner than our first-generation material. Both

Ocean Autonomy: Norway to the Fore
are also different levels of autonomy, he says and different approaches. One, the human is still in the loop. Two, management by consent, using teleoperators, a field which started in the space industry because of the time delay in relaying signals. Three, management by exception. “A lot of oil and gas rigs and offshore installations are on level three, management by exception. On ship, there’s thousands of signals just to control the power plant. So the system is more or less autonomous. Four, highly autonomous. Sørensen says fully autonomous tends not to be used – the discussion

InterMoor Opens New Facility in Norway
IOS InterMoor, an Acteon company, has opened its new mooring base in Fensfjord, Norway near Bergen to serve oil and gas rigs operating in the most active area of the North Sea, such as the Troll field, the Statfjord and Gullflaks fields, and the new Johan Sverdrup field. Located on the Wergeland Base in Sløvågen, the facility will cater to all requirements for mooring equipment storage, supply, inspection and maintenance for IOS InterMoor and its customers. The facility boasts modern office space, a large meeting room for mobilization briefings and a 2,000 sq. meter warehouse

ADCP-based Monitoring System Aids Operations in Darwin Harbor
Asia. Founded in 1869, today Darwin is a major multi-modal port serving shipping and cargo markets. Ships range from container and general cargo to cruise and naval vessels. Exports include livestock and minerals as well as bulk liquids like LNG. As well, the port provides services for offshore oil and gas rigs. Due to Australia’s increasing trade links with Asian neighbors, the port and facilities have expanded for increased shipping and business. This expansion has seen a renewed focus on the interplay between the port’s operational, maritime and natural environments. For example

Diving Deep for Conservation
Amber Jackson and Emily Callahan reimagine the future of California’s oil and gas rigs with their organization Blue Latitudes The California coast is lined with 27 offshore oil and gas rigs that can be seen jutting out across the horizon—a reminder of humans’ dependence on fossil fuels. Below the surface, however, these platforms are home to some of the most dynamic ecosystems in the world, harboring everything from mussels and scallops to garibaldi and rockfish. As many of these enormous rigs are approaching the end of their viable production lives, scientists, environmental
Boskalis Posts Highest Profit
near term, those activities aimed at the capacity-driven spot markets such as Marine and Subsea Services are expected to be impacted hardest. The picture at Marine Contracting and Subsea Contracting is more favorable, fueled by structural developments in offshore wind energy, the dismantling of old oil and gas rigs and new developments in the Middle East and surrounding LNG, such as in Western Canada. Boskalis expects to see a prolonged period of low energy prices and lean market conditions in the offshore oil and gas market and is tightening things up where necessary in terms of organization, fleet

‘Millennium Falcon’ Launches ‘X-Wing’ into Marine World
quality and speed, and a stereo camera to collect photos and video. A fiber optic cable connection allows for real-time monitoring and control. Dr. Polagye said the system is unique for its ability to attach to most types of underwater infrastructure, ranging from tidal turbines to offshore oil and gas rigs. This allows researchers to easily deploy the instrumentation far offshore and recover it quickly at a relatively low cost compared with other approaches. Speedy deployment and recovery is possible because the instrument pod attaches to the Falcon for delivery to a docking station,