SUBSEA UK NEWS THE MAGAZINE FROM SUBSEA UK WWW.SUBSEAUK.COM SEPTEMBER 2014
Pictured: Saab Seaeye’s Meridian Falcon
IN THIS ISSUE In-depth: Interview with ROVOP Subsea News and Events Worldwide New Technologies and Innovations
GROWTH
Design & Analysis Engineering & Innovation Project Expertise houlder combines innovative engineering with customer insight to deliver specialist equipment to the renewable energy, oil & Gas and marine markets. • offshore Achievement Award Winners 2013 • south tyneside manufacturer of the year 2013
London Portsmouth tyneside Aberdeen houston, usA e : enquiries@houlderltd.com W: www.houlderltd.com
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Subsea UK News | September 2014
FOREWORD
Welcome to this Edition of Subsea UK News When Subsea UK was established in 2004, it was with the intention of recognising the UK’s position as the global leader in terms of market size, experience and technology development. Over the last decade we have seen the industry grow significantly; it now generates revenues of £8.9billion per annum and supports around 70,000 jobs. Having recently welcomed our 300th member, we are taking that message further than ever before. September sees our second annual ROV conference in Aberdeen, which will examine the increasing role ROVs are playing in our sector. In the latest edition of its World ROV Operations Market Forecast, Douglas Westwood states that the ROV market is anticipated to see a compound growth rate of 11.3% between now and 2017 – rising from $1.6billion to $2.4billion. We expect to see an unprecedented level of activity in the UK North Sea in spite of its age and it will be in the deeper waters and more complex fields that ROVs will play a crucial role. Conference sponsors ROVOP outline how it expects to meet the challenges ahead on page 16-17.
Subsea UK Subsea UK News, produced by Subsea UK, reaches over 15,000 subsea-affiliated people each issue. Subsea UK is the champion for the UK subsea industry. We act for the entire supply chain bringing together operators, contractors, suppliers and people in the industry. With some 53,000 employees, worth almost £8.9 billion in services and products and with over 750 companies, the UK subsea industry sector leads the world in experience, innovation and technology. The UK will maintain a leading technological edge by sustaining and expanding this important business sector. Whether you are a company looking to join and reap the benefits or an individual looking to develop your career in the subsea industry, explore our website or contact us to find out how Subsea UK can help you, your business and your industry. Find out more at www.subseauk.com
New Members Advanced Industrial Solutions
Hayward Tyler Ltd
AMSIS Ltd
Hempel Special Metals Ltd
Apache North Sea
Mactech Europe Ltd
Aquaterra Energy Ltd
Newcastle University
Atlantas Marine Ltd
Oleum Resourcing (part of the STR Group)
Aurecon Blueprint Subsea Clockwork Engineering Ltd Design Incorporated Elmeridge Cables Limited
In this issue we also look at BEL Valves and how they have successfully diversified over 50 years to capitalise on new opportunities in the market. Diversification remains a watch word for our industry; our ability – and readiness – to do so is what sets us apart and ensures our position as the global leader.
GSE Rentals Ltd Halliburton Manufacturing & Services Ltd Hardide Coatings Ltd
Power Jacks Ltd SR Technical & Lifting Ltd Subsea Job Match Subserv Pro Limited Swathe Services (UK) Ltd The Valve Institute Total Maintenance and Engineering Ltd University of Strathclyde
To view the full Subsea UK members list, visit the Subsea UK Directory at www.subseauk.com
I hope you enjoy this edition of our magazine.
Neil Gordon Chief Executive, Subsea UK
Subsea UK News | September 2014
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BUSINESS
STL Urges the Subsea Sector to Promote its Capabilities Around the UK as it Welcomes Public and Industry Figures to its Premises The Managing Director of Subsea Technologies Limited (STL), Drummond Lawson, has urged subsea businesses in the North East to do more to raise the profile of the industry across the UK. He made the remarks during a visit by Lord Provost George Adam and Subsea UK Chief Executive, Neil Gordon, to STL’s premises. STL has been recognised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers for its business processes and innovations. The company has been shortlisted for the Best SME Award at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Manufacturing Excellence Awards. Of the 21 finalists in all categories, STL is the only firm based in Scotland and one of two operating in the global oil and gas sector. The assessment day served to evaluate STL’s performance in order to judge whether the subsea well intervention and well control specialist is the overall winner in its category. Mr Lawson said, “STL’s management team are delighted that STL is the only Scottish business to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award. As members of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers it is an honour to be recognised for our products and processes. “The oil and gas sector is one of the UK’s biggest manufacturing success stories. The majority of the UK oil and gas sector’s technology and infrastructure is designed and manufactured in the UK and a great deal of industry talent is developed here too. As a result, many oil and gas rich areas around the world look to the UK for support from its technologies and personnel. “This year marks the launch of a new, streamlined online process for the Institution’s Manufacturing Excellence Awards and it couldn’t come at a better time. In recent years manufacturing has been portrayed as a dwindling contributor to the UK economy, so it’s been good to see record growth rates in the past eight months. “The Manufacturing Excellence Awards are raising the profile of manufacturing in all sectors across the UK. However, more can still be done to raise awareness of the contribution the oil and gas sector has made to the increase in the UK’s manufacturing rates and it’s up to politicians, businesses
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The Lord Provost George Adam with Subsea UK Chief Executive, Neil Gordon, at STL’s premises.
and industry bodies like the Institution and Subsea UK to work together to make it happen.” Mr Lawson also believes that if individuals and businesses across the UK had a better understanding of the skills and talent the industry requires, it might be possible to improve the skills shortage it faces. Mr Lawson said: “At STL: we regularly find it difficult to recruit the engineering talent we require. The skills gap is a very real issue for our business and greater awareness of the sector as a whole, across a wider geographical area and multiple demographics, could help to alleviate this.
“ In particular, oil and gas businesses need to build stronger connections with educational institutions, like schools and universities.” Neil Gordon, Chief Executive at Subsea UK, said: “The British subsea sector is world renowned for its innovation, technology, and skillset which has formed a crucial part of oil and gas extraction for over 40 years in the UK Continental Shelf. The North Sea
Subsea UK News | September 2014
was the test-bed for a host of technologies that continue to dominate the market to this day. Some of the most sophisticated and successful technology has been developed by UK firms and the size of our industry, coupled with our diversification and willingness to embrace new challenges, means that we rightly deserve our position as a world-leader. Subsea Technologies represents the vision that sets our industry apart and I congratulate them on being shortlisted for this prestigious award.
“ At £8.9 billion, the British subsea industry captures almost half the global market share and enjoys healthy overseas sales; UK exports are valued at £4.3 billion, equivalent to 48% of the total value of the UK sector. If we continue to grow at this rate, the sector could be worth a staggering £11 billion by 2016. However, as Mr Lawson points out, there needs to be a concerted and joined up approach across academia, government and industry if we are to achieve that goal.”
Seaeye Sabertooth Seaeye Falcon
Seaeye Falcon DR
Seaeye Lynx Seaeye Tiger
Seaeye Cougar-XT Compact Seaeye SeaOwl
Seaeye Cougar-XT
Seaeye Panther-XT Plus Seaeye Cougar-XTi
Seaeye Panther-XT
Seaeye Leopard
www.seaeye.com
Seaeye Jaguar
BUSINESS
Future Looking Bright… for the Past The ‘Capturing the Energy’ (CtE) initiative, which is working with the offshore oil and gas industry to preserve a record of the North Sea success story, has been boosted by the recent award of funding by Oil & Gas UK and the subsequent appointment of a full-time Project Development Officer, Katy Johnson, based at University of Aberdeen.
“ The availability of direct funding has provided an injection of momentum into our efforts and will greatly enhance our ability to encourage all levels of the sector to make provisions for historical records,” comments Katy. “For example, in conjunction with the Glasgow-based surveying officer of the Business Archives Council of Scotland (BACS), we will be recommencing our programme of surveys in local companies and organisations to assess what historically significant records are held across the industry, including the subsea sector.”
Launched in 2006, CtE has already successfully completed a documentation project for TOTAL’s cross-boundary Frigg Field and is currently in discussions with CNR International to develop a framework for retention of records relating to the Murchison Field. “Our inclusion in DECC’s “Guidance Notes for Decommissioning” is a significant step for CtE as it encourages operators to discuss their historical records with us at decommissioning,” Katy explains. “We hope that this will lead to further documentation projects and develop a comprehensive archive of the industry’s achievements. Our current direct interface with individuals, the supply chain and membership organisations, like Subsea UK, is assisting us with developing an appropriate process model for the increasing number of potential new projects.”
“ Our growing archive will not only ensure retention of valuable historical records for future generations, but is also creating an invaluable, publicly-accessible resource, in conjunction with other projects at the University.”
Steve McGregor (left), Communications Analyst of CNR International discussing potential Murchison archive item donations with Capturing the Energy’s, Katy Johnson (Project Development Officer) and Steering Group Convenor, Jim Rae (right) at Aberdeen Maritime Museum.
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Subsea UK News | September 2014
BUSINESS
North-East Marine Equipment Specialists Invests Six-Figure Sum in its Subsea Basket Range A leading Aberdeenshire marine equipment specialist has invested a six-figure sum in its subsea equipment in order to achieve industry standards. Motive Offshore, which was launched in 2010 by James Gregg, Dave Acton and Bob Smit, and is headquartered in Boyndie, near Banff, in Aberdeenshire, has invested over £400,000 to develop its range of DNV GL certified multifunctional subsea baskets. The significant investment has enabled the firm to implement improvements to its subsea basket range, and secure full certification to standard 2.7-3 from DNV GL - the leading technical advisor to the oil and gas industry. The firm’s innovative baskets, which range from small tooling baskets to pipeline recovery baskets capable of retrieving up to 23 tonne payload, underwent prototype testing witnessed by DNV GL to ensure they are safe, reliable and efficient for the sector. Motive Offshore now has one of the largest rental fleets of innovative and multifunctional subsea baskets in the industry, with its research and development department continually striving to develop its existing products and create new ones to meet customer requirements. The firm has a comprehensive catalogue of equipment, including subsea winches available for rental and sale, and is currently working on new products including a 50 tonne payload basket. Operations director of Motive Offshore, Dave Acton, said: “DNV GL’s proactive approach to problem solving has proved invaluable during the recent refurbishment of our subsea basket rental fleet. As a business, we are fully committed to our clients, and we recognise that the market requirements are changing, with more assurances required. Over the last few months, we have worked with DNV GL to enhance the specifications of our baskets, and we can now provide the industry with a new generation of high quality subsea equipment.
“ We are delighted that our designs have been approved and the fleet of baskets is now fully certified and ready to deploy to the international market on a rental or purchase basis, offering our customers a high-quality product, and also helping us to maintain a competitive advantage. We are also working with DNV GL on several other type approval projects for our baskets, offshore crash frames and lifting winches.”
Lead/Principal Surveyor at DNV GL, Stan Bruce, said: “It is always a pleasure to visit a company that is proactive in bringing new products to the market, especially a relatively new and expanding company, who are committed to innovation and continuous improvement.” Motive Offshore, which now has over 80 employees across its three locations in Banff, Aberdeen and Stavanger, specialises in the manufacturing and rental of high capacity winches, wire rope spooling and inspection, umbilical deployment equipment and specialised subsea equipment. The firm services include in-house design engineering, fabrication, machining, assembly, testing and competent personnel for equipment installation and operations offshore.
Dave Acton, Chief Operating Officer, Motive Offshore; Stan Bruce, Lead/Principal Surveyor, DNV GL and Angus Rothnie, Draughtsman, Motive Offshore admire the new DNV GL certified subsea baskets now available internationally for purchase and rental.
Subsea UK News | September 2014
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BUSINESS
WFS Technologies and Fugro Team Up to Offer “Industry First” Wireless ROV Integration WFS Technologies (WFS), the global leader in the delivery of underwater wireless instrumentation and control solutions to the Offshore Oil and Gas and Renewables industries and Fugro Subsea Technologies (Fugro), which designs, builds and delivers the FCV range of ROVs to its Subsea Services Division, are pleased to announce an agreement to offer subsea wireless capability on all FCV Work Class ROVs from 2015 onwards. Having successfully worked together in the past to deliver Seatooth® Video deepwater systems to Fugro for the Moho Nord project in Congo, the companies agreed to enter a partnership which will benefit Fugro’s customers, delivering enhanced ROV solutions for subsea projects. With WFS supplying more than 7,000 communication and control devices to date, subsea wireless has come of age. This agreement means that Fugro ROVs can communicate with all Seatooth® enabled subsea devices, such as WiPS (wireless pressure sensor), Pipelogger (wireless pipeline integrity monitoring platform) and
Video (wireless video camera) wherever in the world they are deployed. The integrated systems support three functions: • High speed data for video streaming and downloading data from wireless dataloggers • Medium speed data for command and control of remote wireless devices • Wirelessly wake up remote devices from a very low power state Wireless subsea technology is becoming a fundamental part of the oil and gas industry worldwide. Fugro is one of the leaders in
the subsea industry, and this partnership aims to advance ROV capabilities by making them ready to support a growing number of wireless applications. Subsea radio technology has a distinct advantage when operating in adverse water conditions such as in the presence of gas bubbles or high turbidity. Radio signals are unaffected by acoustic noise or bio-fouling, and are free from multi-path problems. As a result Seatooth® is often the only technology that can offer reliable data transmission in the real operating environment.
Subsea UK Launches Call for Speakers at Subsea Expo Subsea UK, the organisers of Subsea Expo and trade body for the subsea industry, have launched their call for speakers at the annual subsea exhibition and conference in February 2015. Following the success of last year’s technology showcase, Subsea UK is now asking any interested presenters to submit their proposals for abstracts. The Subsea Expo conference will cover subsea technology, subsea integrity management, offshore renewables and subsea mining. Presenters are also invited to speak on the state of the market and future opportunities. Attendance at the conference is free, but speakers will be asked to contribute £250 + VAT for the opportunity to present, to cover the costs of room hire, equipment, etc. Subsea Expo will take place 11-13th February 2015 at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. For more information on how to submit an abstract, please visit www.subseaexpo.com and click on “Conference Programme”. The deadline for entry is 17th October 2014.
GROWTH
Successful Start for Newcastle Bibby Offshore is delighted to report a successful first quarter for its recently opened office in Newcastle. With existing premises in Aberdeen and Liverpool, it has been great for the business to expand its offering to the North-East of England. Since opening in November 2013, the office has employed 23 skilled personnel, with a further 10 to be recruited over the coming months. The 4,724sq foot office, located in Gateshead Quays on the River Tyne, will provide an excellent hub in the region both now and as the business continues to increase staff numbers and service offerings. The team in Newcastle is supporting North Sea UKCS projects, equipped with a multi-disciplined project management team. However, it is anticipated there will be opportunities to utilise the team’s skills further afield as the company rolls out its services overseas. Bibby Offshore’s Newcastle Office
One of the key strategic advantages presented by the new office has been access to the skilled labour market located in the region. Shawn Bulgen, Project Director, said:
“ Our expansion into the North East of England is in response to the industry-wide skills shortage. For a number of years skilled engineering professionals have been commuting to Aberdeen based oil and gas companies on a weekly basis. Our expansion into Newcastle will make us well placed to attract talent from the strong engineering tradition in the area.”
The team is currently working on a number of projects including an annual Inspection, Repair and Maintenance (IRM) contract for Danish Oil and Gas company, DONG Energy, and a delivery solution for ConocoPhillips for its operations in the North Sea and East Irish Sea. The team is also extremely proud to have successfully delivered a fast-track project for BG, offshore in Tunisia, under budget and to a very tight timescale. Shawn Bulgen, Project Director Bibby Offshore
Company Expansion Leads to New Premises for Online Valves Limited in Aberdeen Due to ongoing business growth at The Online Electronics Group (OEG) a second Aberdeen facility on Great Northern Road commenced operations in July. The new premises are in close proximity to the Group Head Office, Online House on Auchmill Road, both buildings being strategically located alongside the main road to Aberdeen City Centre and Aberdeen International Airport. Online Valves Limited (OVL) has achieved exceptional growth since 2012 when the business was established and with the support of OEG Business Units in Houston; Dubai; Singapore and Perth, WA, OVL is planning for trends in growth to continue both in home and overseas markets. OVL’s new premises offers a combination of modern office space, meeting and conference, storage and workshop facilities. The building, some 4,000 square feet in area, has all of the heavy lifting and handling capabilities suitable for planned expansion in to stock holding.
OVL Sales Director Dave Sim commented:
OVL staff in Aberdeen: Dave Sim, Sales Director; Bill Priest, Project Coordinator and James Padgham, Operations Manager
“ Despite being a very young company we are delighted to have outgrown the parent company building so quickly. I believe this rapid growth is due to our total commitment to providing a quality service with fast response and fast deliveries to meet the urgent requirements of the Oil, Gas & Petrochemical markets worldwide.” Subsea UK News | September 2014
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FEATURE ARTICLE Scrabster Harbour Photo by Studiograff Photography’
National Strategy for Servicing the Atlantic Frontier On the 1st October 2014, Subsea UK and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will host an event at the AECC (Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre), showcasing what the area can offer the oil and gas industry. Subsea UK talked to Roy Kirk, area manager with HIE to discuss what makes Caithness an ideal hub for firms looking to develop a northern hub. Situated between the British mainland and the Northern Isles, Caithness is perhaps best known in the energy industry for Dounreay, the nuclear research establishment set up in 1955 to develop fast breeder reactor technology. This resulted in the development of a strong supply chain that continues today. Since decommissioning began on Dounreay, attention has been turned to the wider energy industry and the last 30 years have seen Caithness become home to several industry leaders including Subsea 7, Kongsberg Maritime and ASCO. HIE believes that Caithness, with its mainland harbour, can make the most of its strategic location to develop as an operations hub for the oil and gas industry.
“ We are excited by the amount of opportunities we have got at the tip of the mainland of the UK,” says Roy. “Logistically, the region offers companies a real opportunity to make considerable savings in their operations. Rather than sending boats to Norway to refuel and restock, for example, we can offer a mainland harbour which is a cost effective solution.”
“Ultimately we see the region developing not only as a supply base but also as a distribution and operations base. We already have strong air connectivity and with good rail and road access we are able to address some of the issues that arise from working from islands. By 2021, we anticipate about 20 projects in the Atlantic Frontier that could come forward and Caithness is the ideal location for companies to base themselves in order to capitalise on these.” While the region offers logistical advantages, it also boasts one vital asset – people. “Due to the legacy of Dounreay, we are fortunate to have a strong engineering skill base located here,” explains Roy. Indeed, research conducted by Munro Executive in 2013 demonstrated that around 1,200 people from Caithness and Sutherland commute to Aberdeen every week to work in the oil and gas industry. “Many people choose to base themselves in Caithness owing to the quality of life and there is an understanding that many of these commuters would prefer to work from a home base,” he says. “Obviously the ideal situation is to utilise your home grown talent and we see benefits for both the employer and the employee. For example, if you have a satellite office in Caithness, it means that some of the labour market churn that you see happening elsewhere can be reduced.” Dounreay employs just under 1,000 workers and with the decommissioning process well underway, they are understandably keen to seek out new opportunities. “These people are skilled in a variety of disciplines, not simply
FEATURE ARTICLE
RIGHT PLACE - RIGHT TIME - RIGHT PEOPLE
£50m
Invested in infrastructure over last three years
£9m
£2.3m 2025
invested
In new Engineering, Technology and Energy Centre (ETEC) Thurso
Skills transition programme
people. We want to make the industry aware of the labour availability, people, infrastructure and savings that can be capitalised on by using Caithness as a hub.
engineering,” explains Roy. “We have designers, safety case workers, planners and costers as well as people in a variety of supporting roles. Furthermore, the local supply chain that was built to service Dounreay is now diversifying into oil and gas.
“We are also looking to engage with companies to find out directly from them the type of barriers to investment they face and to understand where their pressure points are in developing the Atlantic Frontier. Finally, HIE sees this as an opportunity to facilitate networking between ourselves and the industry so that we can better understand each others’ requirements.”
“Instead of losing this expertise, we want to further develop it by applying it to the oil and gas industry.” HIE acknowledges the need for incentivising industry to see the area as a future hub. “We already have some accommodation available for office space and we are looking to build more,” explains Roy. “We also have financial incentives for those companies who look to base their operations here and are in the process of developing a pipeline of talent in connection with the University of the Highlands and Islands. Many young people in the area have spoken of their desire to get involved in the industry through design or engineering, and this is something we will look to not only encourage but also facilitate.”
Roy believes that there is considerable scope for a strong partnership between the two areas. “There have been historic links between Aberdeen and Caithness that go back 150 years to the fishing industry and I think that many in the area would agree that Caithness is closer in spirit to Aberdeen than it is to Inverness. “We would like to see this heritage and partnership continue to flourish in the 21st century.”
Roy sees the event offering a variety of opportunities for those attending. “Our chief reason for holding this event is to inform
ATLANTIC OCEAN
ORKNEY
SHETLAND
Kirkwall
SCRABSTER
Lerwick
The conclusion of the Dounreay Nuclear site
Make The Right Connections
Closest UK Mainland Port to Shetland Oil & Gas Fields
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Thurso
Wick John O’Groats Airport
Stornonway
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Miles by road from John O’Groats Airport
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Minute Direct Flight Three Daily
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Inverness
Aberdeen
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ATLANTIC OCEAN
Dundee
38,089 (2011) 7,770,000 hectares THURSO SCRABSTER (THURSO)
Stirling
Glasgow
CAITHNESS - AT A GLANCE
Edinburgh
WICK WICK
FEATURE
...and still looking good!
1982
First subsea valve installed in the North Sea
re n
tic
esh
ip inta ke
BEL Valves turns 50 this year. Join us on a journey through time, as we follow the path that took them to where they are today!
1966
T
ta irs f e h
pp
1980
1964 t va Firs
1986
1970
trained
First valve designed and delivered - a 7/8� high pressure valve and actuator for a Polyethylene plant
lue export
re n ti ce s
1960
100
p ap
FEATURE
2000 First High Integrity Pressure Protection System delivered (HIPPS)
Ye ar s
of Ex ce lle nc e
To understand BEL Valves’ beginnings, we need to go back to the 1950s. This was the era that colour TV and seat belts were introduced, saw the Queen’s Coronation, the 4 minute mile and the first animal in space - and, of course, the birth of BEL Valves.
So North East based BEL Valves are celebrating their 50th year anniversary this year. It has been a long and prosperous focus for the British Engines Group having seen employee numbers double in 10 years and turnover double in the last five years. As you would expect, BEL Valves have achieved some significant milestones of their own in their 50 year history, as the timeline below shows!
Va lve En gin ee rin g
“ We’ve been part of this global industry for 50 years and been involved in some fascinating developments throughout this time, but none more so than now.”
in
Neil Kirkbride, CEO at BEL Valves, commented:
The business was manufacturing valves under licence for ICI for high pressure petrochemical applications, but didn’t start their own designs until 1964 as British Engines Valves. As older readers may recall, 1964 was also the first year that Match of the Day aired on BBC2, the average weekly wage was £16, Prince Edward was born and it was the year that launched Pirate radio.
50
2004 First of the deep water projects installed in the Gulf of Mexico at 1036m
2010
Design of the Subsea Electric Actuator
2007
1990
– Highest pressure, water depth & bore size combination for the Gulf of Mexico
First Subsea High Pressure valve installation
2002 Development of the double isolation Eccentric ball valve
1994
First order value over £10m destined for Norway
BEL Valves are investing heavily in the future, embarking on significant expansion plans with a five year development that started last year. BEL’s footprint will increase from 42,000m2 to over 55,000m2 enabling them to double capacity at their manufacturing and R&D facilities to meet an increasing demand. The additional space also makes room for the growing number of personnel.
2013 Largest high pressure subsea HIPPS valve
With increases in demand from their focus markets, BEL Valves is continually developing its capabilities to provide facilitating technology for onerous service conditions, high pressures, high temperatures and ultradeep water. Investing in markets where they anticipate growth, providing a path for sustainable success in 2014 and beyond.
GROWTH
VALVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE TOUGHEST SUBSEA ENVIRONMENTS
Another Cougar for Wind Power Demand from the offshore wind industry has led Innovatum to add a second Saab Seaeye Cougar XT Compact to its ROV fleet. This comes as Innovatum’s reputation grows in the offshore wind industry for cutting the cost of inshore survey work. They have achieved this by creating the world’s smallest system of compact and rapidly mobilised packages for the location, tracking and survey of inshore and coastal pipelines and cables. For survey work close inshore in the strong currents and tidal flows of the southern North Sea, the Cougar’s six-strong thruster power is essential, says Innovatum’s managing director Terry Slater.
- Subsea choke valves - Process control valves - Offshore intervention equipment
Our expert service includes design, manufacturing, project management and life of field support – all in accordance with international standards, specifications and legislation.
S AT VISIT U& GAS RIO OILANDS: AT ST
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Designed especially for working in shallow waters and in tight situations, the low-profile Cougar XT Compact version minimises the effect of current with its reduced frame size, buoyancy and weight – and a thinner 17mm tether cable that reduces the effect of drag. Despite its small size, the Cougar XT Compact can be fitted with a wide range of equipment including Innovatum’s ‘SMARTSEARCH’ six-metre wide gradiometer array for UXO detection. Despite the use of this very large sensor system the high power to weight ratio still allows a performance comparable with work-class ROVs. The Innovatum model is also fitted with its own Smartrak system along with a high-resolution imaging sonar and dual-headed scanning profiler for mean seabed level measurement. Innovatum’s Smartrak is the only system in the world that can sense cables carrying either AC or DC current; and cables carrying no current or signal at all. It can also undertake passive tracking of steel pipelines.
BRITISH ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE FOR OVER 45 YEARS Koso Kent Introl Limited, Armytage Road, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6 1QF T. +44 (0)1484 710311 E. info@kentintrol.com W. www.kentintrol.com
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Subsea UK News | September 2014
For survey work the Cougar has the advantage of a low electrical and acoustic noise signature for optimum survey sensor data. The Innovatum system creates comprehensive reports and charts showing accurate cable route and depth of burial along the route. This data is required by installation contractors, owners and regulatory authorities, to ensure that the cable is properly buried and not in danger of being exposed to damage. The system can undertake submarine cable surveys in shallow water depths - the typical scenario for offshore wind farms - interconnector power cables and coastal communications cables.
ROV
ROV Market Responds to Trends and Challenges within the Offshore Sector Across the offshore sector ROVs are now seen as an indispensable tool, working on a spectrum of life-of-field applications from exploration drill support to decommissioning of offshore infrastructure. Infield Systems’ ROV database (InfieldROV) tracks some 1,600 operational ROVs and trenchers across the market, whilst this sector is also now viewed as the forefront of offshore technological innovation; responding to an increasing E&P requirement driven by the search for resources in evermore remote, harsh and deeper waters. With the greater movement into deeper waters, the requirements for ROVs is also increasing. Developments offshore Gulf of Mexico and Brazil now commonly see water depths of more than 1,500 metres, whilst 2013 saw Oceaneering break the record for the deepest Drill Support ROV activity offshore India at a depth of 3,165 metres. With the increase in deepwater activities, ROVs capable of operating in depths of 3,000-4,000 metres are now becoming the standard. An additional implication of ultra-deepwater ROV utilisation is that deployment times are also likely to increase going forwards. Within harsh environments and areas where it is imperative to keep the environmental impact of developments to a minimum, the use of all-electric ROVs is also increasing. Within the Arctic sector for example, the sensitive environment means that all-electric ROV systems are necessary in order to avoid the risk of hydraulic leakage into the surrounding environment. A great deal of progress has already been seen regarding the development of such systems, with the Saab Seaeye range leading this market sector.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, AUVs, are also taking on a larger role in the offshore oil and gas industry. AUVs are increasingly being used not only for seabed survey and long-loiter environmental surveys where their long uptime can be used to its full potential, but they are also increasingly being used for autonomous inspection, with the ability to manoeuvre around structures and along pipelines, performing inspections without human input. ROVs are likely to continue to become more competitive going forwards, pushing divers out of some operations as the manipulators become more capable and acquire the ability to carry out more sensitive manoeuvres. ROVs are also likely to become increasingly automated, carrying out many of their activities without the need for pilots.
Figure 1: Global Deepwater Capital Expenditure (%) by Water Depth (m) 2009-2018
Source: Infield Systems’ Deep and Ultra-deepwater market report to 2018
Subsea UK News | September 2014
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FEATURE ARTICLE
ROVOP Size Up the Future A succession of major achievements since its outset in 2011 has seen visionary and agile company ROVOP carve out a niche for itself as a leading player in the field of ROVs. The independent subsea specialist is 100% focused on providing ROV services to the oil & gas and offshore wind sectors and, as a result, has established an enviable track record by delivering across a diverse range of high-profile projects, winning new contracts and continuing to win repeat business. “Our approach in using only the most advanced equipment including the most sophisticated diagnostics and automated control systems - and selecting the right ROV for the job at hand, combined with the best personnel and quality of service, has become self-sustaining. “Through this combination, we are being recognised as the service provider of choice for remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for many of our clients.” One of ROVOP’s latest business landmarks is an investment of £4million in a new purpose-built headquarters (HQ) including training facilities, a full ROV test tank and 40tonne internal overhead crane. ROVOP has built up an impressive client portfolio of oil & gas companies and contractors through its work on drilling rigs, platforms and vessels while also expanding its renewables footprint across Europe. It has been involved in the construction of over half of the offshore windfarms, although the majority of its work is now in oil & gas. Within three years, the company has also achieved one of a number of key goals by increasing its team to more than 130 staff. “We provide a single service, and we do it well,” says Steven Gray, co-founder and managing director of ROVOP, which is the principal sponsor of Subsea UK’s ROV conference. “Through combining the most advanced technology with highlyexperienced operators, I believe we’ve established a service that is second-to none and shown a step change in the market as to what operators can expect from their ROV service. “Poor equipment and personnel have in the past cost operators dearly because the focus was often only on day rates, which makes no sense when it can cost vessel or rig downtime running to hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The next generation facility at Westhill, Aberdeenshire, will bring support for the company’s extensive fleet of ROVs and its ROV Academy under one roof. In addition, the three-storey HQ at Silvertrees Business Park will feature high-quality offices for up to 80 members of staff including training and breakout amenities as well as full maintenance facilities, including electrical and hydraulic workshops, enclosed yard and a car park with more than 50 spaces. Gray says: “Establishing our own HQ is the next step in ROVOP’s evolution and enables us to both consolidate and build upon our specialist services in one hub, which is a major development from working across three sites. “The addition of the test tank will also allow us to carry out maintenance or fit sensors and tooling and then wet test our ROVs on site ahead of their deployment offshore, as well as use them for demonstration and training purposes. “With work contracted already as far ahead as 2020, we look forward to our new HQ providing us with the scope to grow our team and fleet to continue to meet future demand for high quality ROV services.”
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But while the ROVOP team value the recognition, Gray is quick to point that awards are not what they set out to achieve. Through their passion and ambitions for both ROVOP and the energy industry, the company wants to contribute to the subsea sector’s long-term prosperity hence why they chose to sponsor Subsea UK’s ROV conference. Gray said: “The considerable changes to the global oil and gas landscape over the last decade have seen the subsea sector rise to the challenge of increasingly complex and remote environments.
“ ROVs, which have been fundamental to the oil & gas industry’s evolution for more than 40 years, are now integral to facilitating the exploration and production of hydrocarbons from below the seabed in complex environments and deep waters... “Significant advances have been made in ROV technology and capability as the offshore industry has grown in complexity and taken advantage of increasingly powerful software, fibre optic communications and robotic tooling. As part of this, I believe ROVOP represents a new generation of service and technologyled businesses in the energy sector operating globally from a UK base. “Operators need to control costs while improving safety and environmental performance in order to make many subsea oil and gas fields viable – particularly in the UK. With this in mind, it has never been more crucial that the sector works together to make sure the industry continues to prosper. “Therefore, we fully support Subsea UK’s call for industry collaboration and want to share our expertise and experience of the fast-evolving ROV market to help the subsea sector both address and overcome the challenges ahead.”
Investment into new HQ
£4m
HQ to feature Internal crane
40 Steven Gray Co-founder and managing director of ROVOP
TONNE
Over 3 years staff grew to
ROV GROWTH
Ocean Modules V8 ROVs for Offshore Wind Following success in the Oil and Gas sector, underwater inspection specialists Atlantas Marine have announced that they will supply Ocean Modules V8 ROVs to operators in the UK Offshore Wind sector. and other sensors, enabling the ROV to perform a wide span of services around the wind farm including precision manipulation tasks, thickness inspections, scour monitoring and debris clearance. The Ocean Modules V8’s innate reliability, compact footprint and reduced operational requirements make them particularly suited for constant mobilisation around the wind farm sites and allows substantial cost reductions to be made. Fi Edwards, Sales and Marketing Coordinator, said: The V8 range are an intelligent new breed of ROV built on the six degrees of freedom concept developed by Ocean Modules’ founders in the 1980s. The V8 minimises the effect of current and tether drag with its hydrodynamic frame design and advanced control system. The ROV can automatically compensate for and correct outside forces as well as move in any direction and at any angle. Atlantas Marine say the compact profile and the ability to pitch and roll 360° in any orientation make Ocean Modules V8 ROVs ideal for working in shallower waters and tight spaces. Their incredible manoeuvrability and unmatched stability provides a superb platform for cameras, sonar
“ The effectiveness Atlantas Marine’s V8s previously demonstrated in Offshore Vietnam and Morocco, providing ROV support for drilling operations in the challenging high current conditions, meant the customers could be confident of the ROVs eight powerful thrusters and innate stability for survey work in the strong currents and tidal flows around the turbines.”
Hardide Coatings Partners with Seatronics in First ROV Application Hardide Coatings, provider of advanced surface coating technology, has completed its first application for a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for Seatronics with exceptional test results resulting in a greatly improved performance, which has led to production orders. Since using the coating on a critical part of the thruster system, the Predator ROV manufactured by Seatronics has increased in performance and power, with critical wear issues also vastly improved. David Currie, Managing Director at Seatronics, said: “The Observationclass ROV sector is a growing market for us and we want to make the Predator as maintenance-free as possible. The Hardide coating solved the wear issues we were facing and increased the performance of the ROV. Using the Hardide coating on the Predator was like tuning a car to get more miles per gallon and getting F1 performance.” Seatronics, an Acteon company is a global leader in the sale and rental of subsea marine electronic equipment. The company manufactures the Predator ROV mainly for the oil and gas market to support operations using a diver or larger ROV to provide backup and support. ROV operations are a growing market, with recent reports highlighting an 80% increase in ROV expenditure from 2013 to 2017 compared to the previous five year period (Douglas-Westwood World ROV Operations Market Forecast). Hardide plc CEO Philip Kirkham said: “This is the first time Hardide coatings have been used in the ROV industry. The results from the tests with Seatronics have shown the capability of the coating to make a significant contribution to the performance of this subsea equipment.”
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Subsea UK News | September 2014
Hardide Coatings has completed its first application for a ROV with Seatronics
Seatronics has advanced its services with the Predator, now offering a fast response with the Rapid Deployment Platform (RDP). The company is also exploring other markets such as hull inspection in the maritime sector, port security, fish farm inspections, with added interest in search and rescue applications further down the line.
GROWTH / PROJECTS ROV
MTCS & KBA to Bring ROV High Voltage Course to Aberdeen Maritime Training & Competence Solutions (MTCS) say thoroughly assessed aptitude in High Voltage used on ROVs is essential among trainees - and even experienced personnel in the subsea field. In commercial ROVs the voltage can be in the area of 48volts and can go up to 1000, so correct use when carrying out repairs and maintenance is imperative. With this in mind, MTCS and KB Associates Group of Companies (KBA), who already run courses in Singapore, will be jointly delivering Open Courses in High Voltage Safety at KBA’s facility in Altens, Aberdeen. The ROV High Voltage course builds skills in troubleshooting, repair and maintenance, which will prepare a Pilot Technician to operate the ROV in a safe and skilful manner. With training and competence playing a key role in today’s industry, the joint partnership has been a leading initiative that will establish new benchmarks within the ROV industries. Moreover, the synergy and passion for safety, training and competence by both organisations has certainly placed them in the frontier to continuously deliver a more comprehensive training solution to the subsea industry. KBA provide an integrated professional specialist solution for consultancy and training that fosters safety excellence and quality in the Offshore Oil & Gas industry and onshore terminals construction industries. Darren Brunton (CFIOSH), the Managing Director of KBA, brings a wide range of safety management expertise, hands-on experience of offshore
operations, compliance and training deliverables in all the courses planned by both companies. Darren commented: “The aim of the partnership is to raise safety awareness alongside with first-class training to the subsea industry, whereby the model has been extremely successful in Singapore and will be replicated in Aberdeen. In addition, KBA’s facility is strategically located in Altens, Aberdeen; offering MTCS a platform to bring its brands and training to the Scottish region.” Gail Bartolf, Global Sales Coordinator for MTCS, said: “MTCS and KBA have a proven track record in delivering high-quality training together and our high voltage courses are the defacto standard for much of the ROV industry, reflecting both industry best practice and current legislation whilst satisfying IMCA R005.”
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ROV
Savante Targets Caisson Integrity with Laser-guided AUV Savante Offshore Services Ltd, the world-leading manufacturer of subsea laser scanning and metrology systems, has developed an autonomous underwater vehicle, K-ZON®, for the assessment of caissons, risers and J-Tube integrity using a hybrid ultrasonic-laser scanner. Caissons, risers and conductors are a vital yet, often overlooked element of any installations integrity with major consequences for the asset, productivity, personnel and environmental safety in the event of a failure. With a substantial number of UKCS platforms operating in excess of their original 25 year intended lifespan, accurate inspection and integrity assessment forms a critical part of any diligent asset lifeextension program. The K-ZON® AUV is deployed into a caisson with an integrated suite of tooling combining high-pressure cleaning, high-definition stereo-video inspection, laser topographic mapping and ultrasonic thickness (UT) mapping tool in a single pass with descent and data collection controlled automatically. The level of automation enables a complete survey to be performed with only two personnel, ideal when accommodation availability is under pressure.
Dr. Grant Thomson, Savante Managing Director, said:
“ The development of a hybrid ultrasonic-laser scanner has been essential for the collection of key critical structural information; overlaying UT wall thickness data into a 3D model of the caisson interior. Previously this was not possible due to an often rough, corroded “as-found” surface quality.
“Subsea laser scanning has enabled us to bridge the gaps left inaccessible by traditional ultrasound wall thickness mapping, providing higher resolution data quality with greater coverage and the detection of defects that historically go undetected such as hairline cracks, wall Digital 3D model of welded steel plate loss defects or the detection from “Vergence 3D” HD camera of circumferential preferential root-weld corrosion. Our aim is to deliver the most accurate information in the shortest time frame possible, especially given the typical schedule pressures involved in replacing and reinstating firewater caisson pumps.” The K-ZON® AUV has exceptional data bandwidth, enabling additional third-party sensors such as ACFM or TOF-D probes to be selected according to client requirements. Having safely delivered caisson inspection campaigns to three major operators in the North Sea and supporting clients in the Gulf of Mexico, Savante is supported by a pool of dedicated technicians and operating bases in the UK, Mexico and UAE. Savante will be proudly presenting the 2nd generation K-ZON tool on stand 26 at Subsea Expo, Aberdeen, UK, February 2015.
K-ZON AUV entering a caisson; configured to traverse 175mm wide internal constriction
Subsea UK News | September 2014
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TECHNOLOGY
OSBIT Power to Deliver Two Heavy Weather ROV LAR Systems
How the twin ROV launch and recovery system will look in place on board the Q7000
OSBIT Power, a leading North East subsea engineering and technology company has been awarded a multi-million pound contract by Helix Well Ops for the supply of twin, heavy weather ROV launch and recovery systems (LARS). OSBIT, based in Riding Mill, Northumberland, has to meet challenging space constraints and a need to operate in severe weather conditions to deliver the tailored heavy weather Cursor type ROV Launch and Recovery systems to Helix Well Ops early next year. The LARS will be installed into the Q7000, Helix’s new semi-submersible light well intervention rig, which is being built in Singapore. Among other design drivers, OSBIT Power’s solution has to fit within the below-deck ROV hangars onboard the Q7000 and cope with operations in up to 5m Hs conditions. “We have worked very closely with Helix’s engineers to ensure the systems will provide reliable operation in harsh conditions while meeting the packaging constraints within the hangars,” said OP Engineer Steve Binney. “OSBIT’s expertise in developing practical, elegant and reliable solutions within challenging constraints has been invaluable in engineering a system that meets the demanding operational requirements of Helix, within a very limited space.” To cope with the potentially severe weather, each deployment system includes a fast-acting Active Heave Compensated umbilical winch to allow for wide weather windows when deploying and retracting the ROV and TMS from the cursor system. Mounted on guidewires, the cursor provides positive down force when deploying the ROVs through the
moonpool and down through the splash zone to prevent damage to the ROV and TMS during deployment.
“ This industry demands the best from its suppliers, due to the critical nature of its subsea operations. Ensuring an ROV can be safely deployed at all times is vital to success of our clients’ operations,” said Steve. OSBIT Managing Director Tony Trapp, adds “OSBIT (On Specification, Budget and In Time) has grown rapidly in for four years, and our engineers have spent many decades supplying highly-complex offshore, subsea and military systems. That experience is invaluable when delivering projects such as these, and with our well established supply chain in the North East of England, we can manufacture the most high performance and reliable offshore equipment available anywhere in the world.” A recent wave of 23 orders over nine months bringing in more than £10m means OSBIT will soon take its workforce from 35 to around 43.
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Subsea UK News | September 2014
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TECHNOLOGY
The World’s First Vessel-based Training Course The world’s first vessel-based training course in work class ROV operations delivered by an independent training provider has been launched by The Underwater Centre in Fort William. The first intake of students recently completed the five-week course on Work Class ROV Operations, which will change the way industry recruits and trains its staff. Further courses have been scheduled for the latter part of 2014 to cope with the huge demand forecast by the industry. The training comes under the umbrella of the new ROV Industry Training Academy, which will aim to ensure training closely reflects the needs of the industry. The syllabus for the course includes ROV industry familiarisation, electrical and electronic systems, high voltage awareness, an introduction to hydraulics, working at height training, ROV operations from a vessel, Launch & Recovery operations, piloting an observation class ROV and work class Triton XL26 ROV in a marine environment, and an introduction to ROV maintenance, including electrical retermination of armoured umbilical and tether. The Underwater Centre invested heavily in establishing the training, including the purchase of a new work class ROV support vessel from which training and operations can take place. It also dedicated significant personnel resources to the establishment of the training, as well as to the installation and operation of the system on the vessel.
The Centre also created a Mechanical Workshop, which houses two of the work class ROVs, and an Electrical Workshop where other elements of the practical training take place, including in the area of fibre optics and electrical and electronic systems. Significant industry support, including the provision of technical assistance and hardware, was provided by companies including Fugro, Technip, Lawsons Engineering, Forum, Kongsberg, FMC Schilling Robotics, and Digital Edge. Technip also led the development of the course syllabus, in conjunction with the International Marine Contractor’s Association (IMCA) and the ROV industry, to ensure that the training provided met the needs of industry as well as raised the standard of ROV training.
Steve Ham, General Manager of The Underwater Centre, said the course had been a great success:
“ With this first course we have shown that we can deliver an intensive programme of highly relevant work class ROV training which has prepared candidates well for working in the industry. “ We believe it will make new entrants to the industry, and those with perhaps limited offshore experience, far more productive team members more quickly than would normally be the case. We will now continue to focus on the industry needs, which we see as including shorter, tailored courses as well as this five week intensive introduction to work class ROVs.”
Subsea UK News | September 2014
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TECHNOLOGY
A Safer Subsea with LIGHTPATH Award-winning technology developed by a team of scientists at the University of St Andrews has been making waves in the global subsea sector.
A diver with an LED LIGHTPATH tether
PhotoSynergy Ltd (PSL) has been inundated with calls from all over the world since its unique patented fibre illumination system, LIGHTPATH, scooped Subsea UK’s Innovation for Safety Award earlier this year. The simple, yet highly effective, LED umbilicals can be used for a wide range of applications, from guide path illumination through to the extremes of challenging, hazardous and submerged environments, enhancing safety for all parties operating in subsea, including the individual diver, colleagues in the water and the bell-man. It also allows ROV pilots to be more aware of the route of the umbilical, minimising the risk of collision and helping to detect dive umbilicals which may have become snagged. PSL Director Don Walker said that reaction to the product has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’, with both divers and companies alike endorsing it as a significant contribution to safety. “LIGHTPATH has a lot of wow factor - it is colourful and makes an impact when first seen, and it very obviously makes a difference in whatever environment it is used,” he said. “The strength of the fibre used in the product is huge and the life expectancy of LIGHTPATH is long. Also, because it is operated by LED and not electricity, it is very low maintenance and safe, as well as being extremely cost effective, costing around £15 a year to run 100m of fibre. “There is increasing investment by oil and gas companies in deep and ultra deep water operations, and PSL has already been asked to
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Subsea UK News | September 2014
develop products which are capable of being used at more significant depths, from 900 to 1,300m. “We are very happy to develop new products as and when requested, particularly when it is for the increased safety of those participating in diving operations, which is a major concern for the industry.” Colours adopted by the subsea sector are green, blue and white, while for nonsubmerged operations PSL has developed a red system. Interest in the LIGHTPATH has been such that a much wider range of applications for the product has been identified, including the lighting of tool boxes, tether lines and restraint systems such as the golden gate. Meanwhile, ROV pilots have highlighted the lighting of manifold valves, control panels and docking or garage guidance systems and salvage divers have identified guide routes into wrecks using a continuous line of light.
TECHNOLOGY
Severn Subsea Technologies Develops Zone 0 Tool Detection Alarm Severn Subsea Technologies (SST), part of the Severn Glocon Group, has developed Zone 0 rated tool detection sensor technology that reduces the risk of damage to the wellhead during tool string retrieval. The Tool Detection Alarm (TDA) offers a safer method of locating the tool string as it is recovered to the surface. The whole system, including the control box and battery, is ATEX and IECEx certified intrinsically safe equipment for use in Zone 0 gas environments. The TDA system positively locates the position of a tool string as it exits the well into platform pressure control equipment. A sensor informs the winch operator to take action to prevent the tool string hitting the riser seal head, reducing the risk of damaging completion equipment and potential loss of the tool string down the well. The TDA is particularly suitable for ‘closed in’ wells where there is no opportunity to see the tool string as it leaves the well.
SST’s Tool Detection Alarm (TDA)
Brian Green, SST managing director, said:
“ The Tool Detection Alarm provides a safe method of monitoring a tool string during well intervention operations. Knowing when action needs to be taken will prevent damage to completion equipment and avoid the loss of the tool string.”
Mooring Line Inspection with MEC-Wire Scan Inspection Tool Innospection completed its first mooring line inspection project on a FPSO in Norway in May 2014. Two mooring lines were inspected at dedicated areas for possible zinc layer removal or damages at the steel wires, due to seawater ingress as a result of the damaged plastic jacket. Cracks and damages in the outer plastic jacket of mooring lines were detected during a visual wire rope inspection in 2012. This follow-up inspection was to detect the loss of the wire zinc cover and possible corrosion of the mooring line steel wires as a consequence of the damaged sheathing. The inspection was performed utilising the customised MEC-Wire Scan tool which incorporates the MEC (Magnetic Eddy Current) technique with a specific developed flexible Eddy Current sensor array system.
The original MEC-Wire Scan inspection tool was designed to open and close around the mooring line with the opening of the two magnet halves being fail safe arranged. Although the scanner sensors and magnet poles ran at a consistent standoff to the inspection surface, only the polyethylene covered wheels were in contact with the mooring line. The field tool for this specific inspection was modified to overcome the mooring line patched area. Deployed by ROV, the inspection data was transferred via the ROV fibre optic cables to the control room where the inspection engineers evaluated and analysed the findings immediately while the offshore team continued with the inspection simultaneously.
The MEC technique is a further development of the fast corrosion screening Saturation Low Frequency Eddy Current technique proven in the field to be highly sensitive and accurate in the detection of internal and external defects and wall loss caused mainly by corrosion. This technique has been used for the inspection of subsea risers with typical Neoprene coating, caissons, pipelines, structures as well as for flexible risers in the detection of cracks and corrosion at the armoured wires. The flexible Eddy Current sensor array system was specifically developed for larger circumferential area coverage due to the thickness of the polyethylene outer sheath and to follow the mooring line diameter changes where a repair patch might be in place. Hence, the induced electromagnetic field of the customised sensor array system was able to overcome a standoff of 33mm.
The MEC-Wire Scan Inspection Tool
Subsea UK News | September 2014
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TECHNOLOGY
Trelleborg and Proserv: Working Together to Meet the Challenge of Rapid Gas Decompression Trelleborg is supplying advanced elastomer materials to enhance the performance of Proserv’s subsea product line in order to provide a solution to rapid gas decompression. One of the leading global players in the supply of seals and bearings to the offshore oil and gas market, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, has supplied its XploR™ grade elastomer seals for initial testing. This is to help address the low temperature / high-pressure sealing performance of Proserv’s subsea equipment and combat the issue of sour gas chemical compatibility. The seals are to be used in an expanded range of Proserv’s downhole and pipeline sampling tools, which are being upgraded and developed, including the Prolight, Procorro and Profisc product lines. Daniel Grainger, key account manager at the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions oil and gas marketing office in Aberdeen, explains how industry leaders are turning to the sealing specialists in increasing numbers in a bid to overcome extreme conditions. He said: “Seal damage and observed gas leaks caused by rapid gas decompression in elastomeric seals are extremely costly with significant safety and environmental implications for oilfield operators and equipment suppliers. “We are proud to be Proserv’s partner for sealing technology. The partnership between the two companies is a meeting of like-minded players in the oil and gas industry, both striving for excellence and pushing the barriers of harsh environments.”
Trelleborg & Proserv staff, holding a Type 5 Sample Bottle
David Bird, a senior engineer at Proserv, said: “Consistent and robust sealing solutions are a fundamental requirement in the design and development of every Proserv sampling system. “Proserv’s oil and gas division is now actively harnessing Trelleborg’s expertise in the development of projects that are tailored toward expanding our sample cylinder product range into more hostile service environments.”
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TECHNOLOGY
A Global First for Ashtead Technology Global subsea equipment specialist Ashtead Technology, headquartered in Aberdeen, has taken delivery of the new advanced OCTANS NANO system from leading navigation, positioning and mapping solutions experts iXBlue.
Tim Sheehan, Commercial Director, Ashtead Technology
Ashtead Technology is the first company to offer the advanced OCTANS NANO system on a rental basis globally, having launched the innovative product in conjunction with iXBlue recently at its Aberdeen facility, attended by key customers from across the industry This latest delivery follows an investment of more than £3 million ($5.1 million) with iXBlue to support current and future demand throughout our global facilities in Aberdeen, Houston and Singapore for superior market leading subsea equipment. The OCTANS NANO is the smallest and most adept state-of-the-art 4,000m depth rated attitude and heading reference system on the market. Based on the tried and tested Octans technology, the NANO delivers fast and reliable navigation grade heading, roll and pitch in harsh subsea environments. iXBlue’s expertise in fibre optic gyroscopes and underwater acoustic technology enables Ashtead Technology to offer underwater positioning solutions capable of high operational performance even in the most extreme conditions. Olivier Cervantes, iXBlue’s VP of EMEA and LATA sales and marketing said: “The OCTANS NANO offers an outstanding performance solution, with rugged titanium housing. Delivering superior robust performance, the equipment offers fast and reliable navigation in the subsea environment.”
Tim Sheehan, commercial director of Ashtead Technology said:
“ This delivery continues our strategy of supporting our customers through investing in the most advanced products available. Our customers trust the reliability and performance of our iXBlue inertial and navigation products and we are delighted to be working with iXBlue in launching the OCTANS NANO, for which we foresee strong market demand.”
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Subsea UK News | September 2014
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ACHIEVEMENT
Mud, Sweat and Tears for Team Motive Two North-east firms have successfully raised over £5,000 for two local charities by taking part in a series of fundraising events. Employees from Motive Offshore and Motive Renewables, which are both headquartered in Boyndie, near Banff, joined as a team to take on three gruelling challenges in the last three months, as part of their fundraising initiative to raise vital funds for their chosen charities for the year: The ARCHIE Foundation and Cancer Research UK. The adrenalin-loving employees who established their own charity group, Team Motive, at the start of the year, successfully got 17 members round the brutal 13-mile Tough Mudder challenge in Dalkeith recently, complete with underwater tunnels, ice baths and extreme climbing walls, to smash their initial fundraising target of £5,000. In the run up to the Tough Mudder, members of the team also participated in the Knock Hill Race - a gruelling eight and a half mile race to the top of Knock Hill and back, as part of the Cornhill Highland Games, and some members completed the Inverness Race for Life in May.
Team Motive member, Vivien Rae, said: “It has been a very busy month for Team Motive with some of our biggest challenges. The Tough Mudder was extremely hard work and it took a great amount of energy to get through the mud but it was a fun experience for the whole team – even if we were covered head to toe in mud. Most of us had never experienced anything like it before, but we were determined to do it as a team, and if any of the members were struggling we all stepped in to make sure we could cross the finish line as a group. Although it was very muddy, it turned out to be a great team building activity and we are already planning to do it next year. “Team Motive has grown organically with the simple aim to do something fun as a group, whilst also raising money for local and national charities, as well as increasing the social and health benefits of the team. We now have over a quarter of staff involved, with new members joining after witnessing our enjoyment, as we started training and practising together.
“ We have now raised well over our target of £5,000, with our current total at more than £8,000. We are very grateful to those who have donated, as both charities are very worthy. As a company we are very focused on community engagement so along with fundraising we have also sponsored upcoming Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in Portsoy.”
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Subsea UK News | September 2014
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TRAINING
GE Oil & Gas Launches GirlsGetSET Initiative to Encourage More Female Students into Engineering GE Oil & Gas today announces the launch of its GirlsGetSET initiative in the North East of Scotland. A fiveyear programme, it has been designed to raise awareness amongst female pupils of the wide range of opportunities available through pursuing a career in the fields of science, engineering and technology (SET). With women making up just 6 per cent of the engineering workforce in the UK and only 5.3 per cent of females involved in SET-related roles , the initiative - the brainchild of engineering graduates from GE’s Aviation business - seeks to contribute to closing the gender gap between pupils choosing SET subjects at secondary school. Kimberley Kirkham, the initiative’s co-founder, introduced the programme to GE Oil & Gas’ Subsea Systems business when she joined its global operations team in Aberdeen. She said: “My dad is a structural engineer and was pretty instrumental in encouraging my interest in the field. He spent some time as a university lecturer when I was younger and used to bring cool experiments home for my brother and I to play with. I never realised there was an engineering stereotype until I went to university and was the only girl in a class of about 60.
“ Until I started at GE, I didn’t have any strong female role models. Engineering is a great outlet for creativity and innovation and I want to help more female pupils to understand and appreciate that.
“ Some of the pupils involved will almost certainly become the future of our industry and it’s important that we invest in them now.” GE invited 120 girls (aged 11-15) and teaching staff from Bridge of Don Academy, St Machar Academy and Montrose Academy to the launch event at its subsea headquarters in Aberdeen. Pupils kick-started the day by taking part in a series of fun workshops designed to simulate some of the challenges faced by those working in the oil and gas industry. This was followed by a networking event, in which they met GE employees to find out more about the variety of different roles available in energy sector, before ending the day with a prize-giving ceremony. GirlsGetSET is an ongoing programme in which the girls will be mentored for the duration of their academic careers, before leaving for work, apprenticeships, college or university. Across the next five years, they will be given the opportunity to take part in a variety of fun and increasingly challenging activities, from day-long events and mini teamwork-based projects, to a year-long engineering project. Complementing this, they will have the chance to visit universities, take part in careers evenings, and join a personal branding workshop hosted by GE, designed to equip them with the soft skills required to kick-start their chosen careers. A GE Volunteer shows pupils the ropes during the K’Nex Bridge Building Challenge (l-r): Nicole Muir, Emma Reid, Kirsty Bruce (St Machar Academy)
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Subsea UK News | September 2014
TRAINING
NHC DSAA Course Delivered in Singapore National Hyperbaric Centre (NHC) has received excellent feedback from their second Dive System Auditing & Assurance course delivered in Singapore. The three day course comprised theory and practical elements enabling delegates to develop their auditing knowledge and competency as per industry recommendations and IMCA guidelines. The course was well received by a range of candidates including diving & construction managers, operation managers and dive technicians who were impressed with the course content and organisation. The DSAA course was developed by the National Hyperbaric Centre’s highly experienced diving personnel and is successfully run throughout the world in various locations including Aberdeen, South Africa and Dubai. NHC is delighted to add Singapore to their list of training locations.
Subsea UK News | September 2014
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PEOPLE
ADIL Boosts Projects and Developments Team Leading independent energy consultancy ADIL has expanded its projects and developments offering to the global oil and gas industry with the addition of two experienced senior leaders to the team. Peter Brawley brings 35 years of international experience to the company as he joins as head of field developments. Having worked on a wide range of major projects in the UK, Australia and the Middle East, he has spent the past six years working on BP’s $5 billion Clair Ridge project in the North Sea, taking the project from concept selection through to construction. Based in Aberdeen, he will be responsible for overall delivery of all field development projects and the front end group. Brawley is joined by new head of projects and package management Paul Williams. In a career spanning two decades he has senior subsea project and engineering management experience with operators and contractors having worked on a wide range of shallow and deepwater developments both in the North Sea and in other offshore sectors around the world. Most recently Williams was Apache North Sea’s subsea projects and operations manager responsible for the
L-R, Paul Williams & Peter Brawley
successful delivery of all subsea projects and operations on Apache’s North Sea assets. Williams, who has led a number of projects from early engineering to delivery, including the installation of the $160 million Bacchus development for Apache North Sea, will be based in the Aberdeen office.
OMS Appoints New CEO to Drive its Ambitious Growth Plans Oil & gas pipe measurement specialist Optical Metrology Services (OMS) has appointed Denise Smiles as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Denise replaces former CEO and founder Dr. Tim Clarke, who is appointed as Non-Executive Chairman at OMS.
Camelot Group, the operator of the UK National Lottery, where she was responsible for managing compliance strategy and special projects, including the setting up of the lottery in South Africa.
Denise will steer the company through the next important phase of its ambitious growth plans, which include a target of £20 million in sales revenues within five years. 2013 was OMS’ most successful year to date, achieving sales revenues approaching £5.1 million. In 2014, OMS is on course to achieve sales revenues of £6 million. The company will also be spending more than half a million pounds on new product development over the next 12 months. Denise has more than 20 years’ commercial experience working for a wide range of blue chip organisations. With a proven track record in developing and improving business revenue streams and profit, Denise has already made her mark at OMS since joining the company in 2006. Prior to OMS, Denise worked for Sony and management consultancy firm Proudfoot plc, before taking on a role at
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Subsea UK News | September 2014
Denise Smiles
PEOPLE
NHC Consulting Department Expansion The National Hyperbaric Centre (NHC) has recently restructured its successful consulting department. NHC has an established international consulting service providing clients with trained and highly skilled personnel to support onshore and offshore operations. An increasing number of subsea contractors are utilising NHC client representatives to support their global operations and the company is undertaking dive system audits across the world. The NHC Subsea Consulting Team ensures the correct specialist is selected for each client project on an individual basis. The decision is based on a review of the project summary by a team of skilled and experienced professionals. Fiona Brebner is welcomed as Subsea Personnel Coordinator; she has years of experience within the subsea industry and personnel logistics. Fiona will be the focal point for Client Reps, Auditors and Consultants. Barry Porter will be heading up technical matters for the consulting department. Barry has worked in senior positions with major diving contractors around the world. Group Sales Executive, Scott Lee will liaise with Consulting clients and head up business development for the division.
NEWS IN BRIEF MTCS Launches Fast & Efficient Online Competence Programme MTCS (UK) Ltd has devised a fast and efficient, virtual learning environment to help companies gain competence accreditation for their employees. The system has been built to aid companies whose individuals spend a lot of time offshore on vessels or rigs. Doug Greenhough (pictured), Head of Research & Development said: “It’s basically taking what we do in the classroom out to the worksites. It makes our products available anywhere, anytime, allowing companies to use one system to track and monitor learners’ progress throughout their offshore career. “This is a faster and more efficient way for MTCS to deliver solutions to our global client base and obviously has huge potential for companies.”
Investment in Hydraulic Installation Equipment TME Hydraulics has invested in a range of new equipment to support its growing hydraulic installation business which covers LARS, subsea vehicles and deck equipment. The recent purchases include a Parker® EO2 Form® F3 work station and programmable hydraulic pipe bending equipment, allowing TME to accurately form pipes up to 2” on-site. This investment complements the installer agreement with Tube-Mac® for weld free 37o Flared Flange and Retaining Ring products and allows TME to offer a fast and cost effective solution for all sizes of hydraulic installations. The application of weld-free technology for hydraulic piping reduces the installation time and eliminates requirements for weld procedure qualification and NDT testing. In addition to the equipment investment TME organised training for technicians in Parker A-Lok® products, as part of their technician development program, and to compliment an ongoing project for the provision of Hydraulic Power Units for a customer in the SURF sector.
Subsea Innovation Secures Seven-figure Contracts with Oil & Gas Multinationals Subsea Innovation has secured a number of new multi-million pound contracts from key players in the oil and gas industry. These include J-tube seals for numerous offshore projects, 16 suction pile plugs (which are 48” in diameter and weigh 3.5 tonnes, for an offshore project in Australia), four pipeline repair clamps and 15 Launch and Recovery Systems as part of long term contracts with major offshore contractors. The company’s long track record and its commitment to providing the highest levels of customer service in producing these specialist sealing solutions and systems were key factors in securing the contracts. Martin Moon (pictured), Managing Director at Subsea Innovation, said: “Winning these contracts demonstrates the significant progress Subsea Innovation has made over the last two years.”
Tritech Gemini Profiling Sonars for STR Tritech has announced the sale of multiple Gemini 620pd multibeam profiling sonars to Subsea Technology and Rentals (STR), Great Yarmouth. The sales of Gemini 620pd, the latest technology for subsea profiling operations, are significant for Tritech as they follow on from the successful introduction of the Gemini Narrow Beam Imager (NBI) to the company’s multibeam range. STR, who has recently refocused their business, already offers a comprehensive suite of Tritech industry-standard sensors and sonars for rental. This latest purchase will augment their rental pool and further support customer requests for a multibeam bathymetric profiling tool.
Norway Adopts WeldCraft-Pro™ Underwater Welding Programme Speciality Welds Ltd has announced that the NYD (Norsk Yrkesdykkersole) commercial diving school, based at Fagerstrand Quay, Nesodden in the south of Oslo has successfully completed their instructor/administrator training, allowing them to deliver the highly acclaimed Weldcraft-pro underwater welding course. The Weldcraft-Pro™ is an 80 hour training syllabus that follows the European Welding Federation (EWF) guidelines for underwater fillet-welder on plate and is certified through EAL. EAL is part of SEMTA Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies and is UK’s leading awarding-body for engineering qualifications.
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Subsea UK News | September 2014
Serious about your subsea business? We’re serious about helping you develop your business! Rio Oil and Gas Expo 2014
ROV Conference
An outstanding opportunity for national and foreign companies to display their products and services. The Conference also stands as a prominent place for networking, discussing major technological issues and promoting innovative ideas.
Radisson Blu Hotel Barra, Rio de Janeiro Confirmed speakers from Petrobras, Technip, SMD, Forum Subsea Technologies, Infield Systems, Bowtech Products, Seatronics do Brasil, the University of Sao Paulo and Subsea 7.
National Strategy for Servicing the Atlantic Frontier
Subsea UK’s Networking Dinner at DOT, Aberdeen
15 -18 September 2014
1 October 2014
Forbes Suite, AECC Come and hear about opportunities that exist in Caithness and the potential for Aberdeen and Caithness companies working together to enhance business which could support the energy sectors.
Manufacturing for Subsea in the North West - Conference 27 November 2014
Runway Visitor Park, Concorde Conference Centre, Manchester.
Subsea Expo 2015 11-13 February 2015
AECC Europe's largest annual subsea exhibition and conference.
Australasian Oil & Gas 2015 11-13 March 2015
Be part of Subsea UK’s Pavilion.
19 September 2014
15 October 2014
Balmoral Suite, AECC This dinner will feature a drinks reception, a three course meal with wine, with ample opportunity for networking.
Subsea UK Awards Dinner 2015 11 February 2015
Boyd Orr Suite, AECC Join us for an evening of celebration and recognition of the subsea industry's successes. Who will win the coveted Subsea UK Awards?
Subsea Tieback Forum & Exhibition 3-5 March 2015
New Orleans, LA, USA The premier event for one of the fastest growing sectors of the oil and gas industry.
Subsea Asia 2015 4-7 November 2015
Jakarta International Expo in Kemayoran, Jakarta, Indonesia. Held alongside Oil & Gas Indonesia 2015.
These are some of Subsea UK’s events but please visit our website for full details of all forthcoming events.
www.subseauk.com
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