INTERVIEW: Kris Kydd, Head of Robotics, at Total E&P UK; Total’s “Stevie the Robot”
these systems to operate in an offshore environment?Total believes that robots have a huge amount to offer to our industry. We are pioneering their use on oil and gas sites, and the last seven years have seen progress, and lots of lessons learned! Robots offer immediate advantages such as increased safety and efficiency. In the long-term, they offer us new ways of working and are limited only by our imagination.A major lesson learned is that the performance of any autonomous wireless robot is only as good as the quality of its surrounding digital architecture. We have taken this to heart and
Fugro Orders Two SEA-KIT USVs
in Aberdeen in the first quarter of 2021.The first order is already under construction at SEA-KIT’s bespoke facility in Tollesbury, Essex, where the fit-out of the hull and the integration of the onboard systems and sensors will take place.Together, Fugro and SEA-KIT are committed to improving safety and efficiency and to reducing the environmental impact of offshore operations. The new USVs will consume up to 95% less fuel than traditional, crewed vessels, supporting international ambitions for net zero global emissions in the marine industry
Case Study: Unmanned Tech Narrows Data Gap on Yellow River ... World’s "Most Sediment-laden River"
USV. Through the USV shore-based control base station, the lifting mechanism can be remotely controlled to raise or lower the wet end equipment. There is no need for personnel to stay on board for retracting operations. The lifting mechanism reduces the risk of equipment damage and better guarantees the safety of personnel.According to the real-time measured water depth and multi-beam span, the surveyor set up parallel survey lines and inspection lines with the base station software from the dock. The USV navigated according to the survey line instructions, and the collected data was sent back to the shore-base
Subsea Cable Specialist JDR Breaks Ground on US HQ
acquire engineers and highly qualified service technicians, to expand its local presence. "The key focus of the facility will be to construct and test new-build IWOCS equipment and support service activities on-site. It will allow for more physical space (10 acres) to improve efficiencies and safety measures in its supply chain, as well as reduce transportation costs," JDR, owned by the TFKable Group, said.Brian Davis, Houston General Manager at JDR, commented, “Beginning construction of our new Houston headquarters marks a significant milestone for our US business, and we’re
NOAA, Scripps Partner on Unmanned Systems
unmanned systems,” said retired Navy Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and deputy NOAA administrator. “Innovative use of unmanned systems will benefit many NOAA programs—augmenting data collection often at a lower cost, increased safety, and reduced risk, especially in remote or extreme environments.”The agreement also helps NOAA meet the objectives of the Commercial Engagement Through Ocean Technology Act of 2018. In Fiscal Year 2020, NOAA received $12.7 million from Congress to improve and expand UxS operations across the
Salvors Outline Plan to Recover Titanic's Telegraph System
scheduled to embark on the mission to recover the system this summer, the private company with exclusive rights to salvage artifacts from the ship announced it has shifted its expedition to spring/early summer of 2021 to abide by ongoing travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic."The safety of our crew, ports where we conduct business and foremost the care of the artifacts is our top priority," said Bretton Hunchak, President of RMS Titanic, Inc. (RMST). "Given the ongoing pandemic, current travel restrictions and the changing landscape, we have no choice but to move this
Tech File: Hybrid-Electric Propulsion for Crew-less Vessels
.XOCEAN is embarked on a mission to to transform the way subsea data is collected, and the three-year-old company based in Ireland provides turnkey underwater data acquisition services with its growing fleet of innovative unmanned surface vessels (USVs) which deliver an unprecedented combination of safety, versatility, efficiency and productivity.The XOCEAN vessel is powered by a pair of Torqeedo Cruise 2.0 electric pod drives, with a Power 24-3500 lithium-ion battery and a lightweight micro-generator. Solar panels on deck provide efficient recharging during daylight hours. The two electric thrusters
Malaysia: Cortez Subsea Installs Subsea Pipeline Using Weld-Free Tech
Connector (SDDC), which we brought to the market in partnership with AFGlobal. Using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and a deployment frame, the connection is made from the pipeline to the host facility without the use of divers.“A complete diverless approach reduces cost and increases safety for the team offshore and this mechanical alternative to welding results in a safer work environment, which is free from hot-work and radiography.“A reduction of reliance on equipment and people, thanks to the technology, allowed us to reduce our carbon footprint. At Cortez, we form genuine
UKHO Taps Sparkes as Acting Chief Executive
Chief of Defense staff’s liaison officer in the Pentagon, Washington D.C.In his role as national hydrographer, Sparkes has acted as the U.K. government’s representative at the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), working with partners to set and maintain standards that protect the safety of mariners around the world. In addition to this, he has overseen key international partnerships to support the sharing of global marine geospatial data. On behalf of U.K. government, his teams have also delivered numerous hydrographic and capacity building programs that help U.K. overseas territories
