GeoSphere: Mapping-while-drilling Evolution

Logging-while-drilling (LWD) technologies have evolved significantly in the past decade. Today they integrate sophisticated algorithms that take advantage of the ever-increasing technical complexity combining mechanical, electrica, and software systems that are implemented downhole. These achievements helps the users gain a better understanding of the reservoir while bring drilling into a new area of efficiency and cost savings.

Vesper Marine to Protect LIS Underwater Cables

Vesper Marine announced that it has provided its virtual Automatic Identification System (AIS) to New York Power Authority (NYPA) to protect submerged power cables in Long Island Sound. The WatchMate Asset Protection System is the first U.S. installation of a system combining virtual AIS technology to mark subsea cables in conjunction with highly integrated and advanced software for monitoring vessel…

Harkand Completes $10.5 mln DSV Upgrade

Harkand informs it has completed the $10.5 million upgrade of its Gulf of Mexico based dive support vessel (DSV) Swordfish. Originally built in 2007, the Swordfish is the youngest DSV in this region. The fully International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) compliant, ABS classed, 104-meter-long, DP2 DSV features a newly upgraded 15-man saturation diving system with a three-man bell along with a new 165-foot surface diving system.

Record Swim Against Flow for Hibbard with Sabertooth

Using the Saab Seaeye Sabertooth AUV/ROV hybrid, Hibbard Inshore has set the record for the longest flooded tunnel inspection against flow ever attempted, Saab Seaeye informed. Used as a tethered ROV, which was important to Hibbard for real time data feedback, vehicle control and safety measures, the Sabertooth swam the eight kilometers of tunnel against a 0.3 kilometer-per-second flow whilst fitted with a range of surveying and filming systems.

Offshore Industry Instant Weather Forecasting by TerraWeather

Singapore's Terra Weather say that Offshore planners and asset managers will now be able to plan critical offshore activities with greater confidence and accuracy, by taking advantage of a first ever cloud-based weather planning tool that allows users to get real-time, instant weather information any time, anywhere. An internet connectio is all that's needed. TerraWaves is a global online weather service…

Acoustic Pingers Aid Robosub Contestants

The Robosub competition began 18 years ago to advance the development of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV). Cosponsored by the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR), the competition’s goal is to challenge a new generation of engineers to accomplish realistic missions in an underwater environment and get young people excited about careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Venezuela Picks Falcon ROV for Dam Inspection

For inspection of its vast Guri Dam and associated turbines, the Venezuelan Government has chosen a Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV fitted with a special survey system. Built in the 1960s and one of the largest reservoirs on earth, work is underway to extend the life of the dam by 30 years. For their vital inspection work, the Venezuelan Government chose the Falcon ROV after reading favorable reports of its technological capability and the range of work undertaken by the ROV for the hydro industry.

3D Printed Drone Launched from Warship

A team of engineers from the University of Southampton launched a 3D printed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the bow of a Royal Navy warship in a bid to demonstrate the potential use of lightweight drones at sea. After being launched from HMS Mersey off the Dorset coast in the south of England, the UAV was flown autonomously on a pre-programmed route for a few before landing on Chesil Beach. Known as the Southampton University Laser Sintered Aircraft (SULSA)…

ASV Deployed to Complete NOAA Charting Survey

The first use of an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) to perform bathymetry for updating the U.S. nautical charts for NOAA occurred in the Alaskan Arctic this summer, according to survey services provider TerraSond. Surveying alongside TerraSond’s mother-vessel, the ASV collected data simultaneously on adjacent survey lines, effectively doubling the production rate. The ASV also surveyed by itself in areas too shallow and dangerous for the larger vessel to work…

TE SubCom Announces Contract for Jupiter Cable

TE SubCom, a TE Connectivity Ltd. company and an industry pioneer in undersea communications technology, together with a consortium of six prominent telecom and content service providers, has announced that the supply contract for the JUPITER Cable system has come into force. Scheduled to be ready for service by early 2020, the JUPITER Cable system will connect the following locations: Maruyama, Japan; Shima, Japan; Los Angeles, California, USA; and Daet, Camarines Norte, Philippines.

MTR100: RJE International, Inc.

No. RJE International, Inc specializes in creating innovative solutions to solve needs for subsea acoustic relocation of aircraft flight recorders (Black Boxes), ship voyage recorders, subsea vehicles, and offshore equipment moorings. In addition, it also supports the needs of Military Special Forces combat swimmers and EOD clearance divers with navigation solutions and non-magnetic sonars to meet their critical mission needs. Its public safety division supplies pool safety products.

Schlumberger Debuts StingBlade Bit

Smith Bits, a Schlumberger company, announced today the introduction of StingBlade* conical diamond element bit. StingBlade bits increase run length and rate of penetration (ROP) while delivering improved steering response in directional applications. “In the continuous drive for increasing efficiency and lowering costs while drilling, our customers expect that each section is drilled from shoe to total depth with one drill bit at a high rate of penetration…

Emerson, Statoil Ink Collaboration Agreement

Emerson has signed a collaboration agreement with Norwegian operator Statoil to further develop its Roxar RMS reservoir characterization and modeling software. The announcement is the latest in a series of partnerships between Emerson and Statoil that has spanned many years and includes high-value contracts on a number of Statoil’s North Sea fields as well as R&D collaborations. Under the terms of the three-year agreement…

Compact Semi-Submersible Launched by DW for Hallin

Floated for final fit out at Drydocks World (Nanindah, Indonesia) CSS Derwent is a compact semi-submersible designed and equipped to meet current and anticipated subsea industry demand. She will be ready for operation in Q1 2013. With accommodation for up to 152 personnel, she is a multi-service vessel built for complex subsea operations and work scopes that cross a wide spectrum of duties including construction support, IRM and light/medium well intervention.

No Red Tide Expected on Florida’s West Coast

Research conducted by a team from the University of South Florida College of Marine Science and the Florida Fist and Wildlife Conversation Commission suggests conditions are such that no major red tide outbreaks should be expected along Florida’s west coast this year. Their conclusions are based on elevated nutrient levels in the Gulf of Mexico that favor the emergence of organisms other than those related to red tide.

Engineers Seek Flexible Benefits from Virtual Classrom

Looking at the global application of Online Distance Learning (ODL), according to a 2014 report from the International Council for Open and Distance Education, in 2007 there were 150 million students worldwide engaged in distance learning, with a predicted 400 million students by 2030. Truly highlighting the worth and potential of online learning. These predictions are certainly supported by Jee Ltd…

U.N., Marine Companies Get Side Scan Sonar Help

The almost twenty year old Somali civil war devastated the capitol Mogadishu and left the city devoid of basic urban services and infrastructure. In an effort to rebuild and modernize the port, the Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) launched the Mogadishu Port Rehabilitation Project. Assisting in this work is Washington based Bancroft Global Development, an organization that receives some funding from the United Nations and the US State Department.

MTR100: SeaView Systems, Inc.

No. Seaview Systems (SVS) has developed a world-class tunnel inspection solution incorporating inertial navigation into an articulated ROV body. The system merges several new technologies engineered by SVS including a distributed control topology (ROVbus) and an ultra-compact optical fiber multiplexer system. The ROV is capable of accessing tunnels through tight valves to inspect and geo-locate the tunnels for distances in excess of 20,000 feet.

Another Step toward Wind Energy off California

BOEM assessing competitive interest in proposed floating wind turbine project site offshore Morro Bay, Calif. Signaling a major step forward in supporting wind energy development in federal waters offshore California, U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Abigail Ross Hopper announced that the department is issuing a Request for Interest in a lease area requested by Trident Winds, LLC for its proposed 765 megawatt (MW) floating wind energy project.

MTR100: OceanGate, Inc.

OceanGate Inc. provides subsea manned submersible services for industry, research and exploration. Its five-man submersibles are geared for site survey and inspection, research and data collection, film and media production, and as deep sea testing platform for hardware and software. Since 2009, OceanGate has served the marine subsea market with manned submersible solutions developed from innovations in engineering, material science and technology.