SUBSEA UK NEWS THE NEWSLETTER FROM SUBSEA UK WWW.SUBSEAUK.COM SEPTEMBER 2011

SUBSEA ECONOMIC SURGE

IN THIS ISSUE Next Chapter in Subsea Growth Subsea Success Stories New Innovations Latest Technologies ...and more 2 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 3 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 SUBSEA UK NEWS SUBSEA UK NEWS

Tel: +44 (0)845 505 3535 The subsea industry is one of the most exciting E-mail: [email protected] sectors to be in. I fi rmly believe subsea is where Best Subsea Photograph Competition www.subseauk.com the real action is in the wider energy industry. It’s challenging, fast-paced, high-tech and growing Do you have a great subsea with a long-term future and major opportunities in photograph you want to share? the emerging alternative energy markets. New Members Subsea UK is searching for the At the cutting edge, the skills and technology Bowtech Products Ltd, Coract Group Plc, EPTM Ltd, HCL of our subsea companies are in demand to best subsea photographs in the Fasteners Ltd, Jee Ltd, Net Survey, SETS Ltd, Turbios meet the challenges of extracting the remaining world to help promote the sector. offshore oil and gas reserves around the world, The winning companies will have their Member List safely and in an environmentally-friendly way. The picture promoted with credit on a mission critical projects our members are involved wealth of marketing material put out Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, Aberdeenshire Council, in require innovation in engineering and technology by Subsea UK for one year, including AC-CESS Co UK, AGR Integrity UK, AGR Subsea Ltd, Aker Qserv, Energy Institute’s Dr Cameron Stewart & printed literature, inclusion on the Aker Solutions, Allomax Associates Limited, ANSYS UK Limited, Subsea UK’s Chief Executive Neil Gordon development, creativity and the ability to solve Ashtead Technology, Atkins, ATR Group, Aubin Limited, Baker reviewing the guidelines for obsolescence highly complex problems all over the world. front page of our website’s rolling Hughes Process and Pipeline Services, Baule UK Limited, Bel slides, and will be featured at our Valves, BG Group, Bibby Offshore Limited, Bond Pearce LLP, The sector is also entering a really strong BP Exploration Operating Company Limited, BPP-TECH, Bridge period of further growth, having recorded 40% growth from 2007 until 2010. upcoming Subsea 2012 exhibition Energy UK, Britannia Engineering Consutlancy Ltd, Bruck UK This is the message we have to convey to our young people because we need the in February. Limited, Buchan Technical Services Limited, C3 Global Limited, best of the next generation of engineers. In fact, it would be great if we could get The winners will be announced at Categories: Caley Ocean Systems Limited, Cameron Limited, Castrol Offshore Ltd, Central Insurance Services Ltd, Centrica Energy, them now! the forthcoming Subsea UK Annual Chevron Upstream Europe, C-MAR, Cranfi eld University, CSL, In the last two months, I have visited a signifi cant number of member General Meeting in November. • Safety CTC Marine Projects, Cutting Underwater Technologies Ltd., companies, industry bodies and other stakeholders. Everywhere I go there is talk If you have a compelling • Skills/learning/ Deepwater EU Ltd, Delmar North Sea Ltd, DOF Subsea UK, Dominion Gas, DUCO Ltd, Dunlop Oil & Marine Ltd, Dynamic of skills gaps looming. What are we doing to avoid severe shortages? It was only a photograph showing subsea at technology Positioning Services (DPS), E.ON Ruhrgas North Sea UK Ltd, few years ago, we saw the escalating costs of fi shing in the same pool for limited its best and would like to enter, • Diversifi cation/ East of England Energy Group, Ecosse Subsea Systems Ltd, EPC talent. This time we should be making sure that we attract and develop a steady send it to [email protected] renewables Offshore Limited, ESS Support Services Worldwide, EV Offshore Ltd, Expro Group, EXSTO, Fathom Systems, First Subsea Ltd, stream of new talent that have a positive perception of the industry and see a no later than Friday 28th October • Global reach/exportss Fisher Offshore, Flexlife Limited, Flowline Specialists Limited, long term future ahead. 2011. There is a maximum limit • Teamwork/people Forum Energy Technologies, Framo Engineering UK Ltd, Frazer- After two months, I don’t have the solution but helping members attract and of fi ve entries per company. This Nash Consultancy Ltd, Fugro General Robotics Limited, Fugro develop the skills needed in practical ways will be high on the agenda for Subsea UK. impROV, Fugro Subsea Services Ltd, Furmanite International competition is for Subsea UK Please state which category each Limited, Genesis Oil and Gas Consultants, Global Energy Our other priority will be ensuring that members capitalise on members only. entry falls into. Good luck! Group, Global Marine Systems Limited, Granherne Limited, internationalisation. Already, exports account for around 50% of the UK subsea Hallin Marine (UK) Ltd, Helix Esg - Well Ops, Hydrasun Limited, sector’s output. With a fl attening domestic market, we have to widen this to build Hydratight, IHC Engineering Business, Imenco, Infi eld Systems Limited, Innospection Limited, Inspectahire Inst. Co. Limited, our long-term sustainability. Integrated Subsea Services Limited, Inuktun Europe Ltd, ISIS With UK subsea fi rms commanding a third of the global market and benefi ting Technical Services Limited, iXBlue Limited, J + S Ltd, J Kenny from an established reputation for subsea excellence, we are in an ideal position to New Appointments in the Subsea Industry Subsea Capability (Caledonia) Ltd, JDR Cable Systems, K.D. Marine Limited, Kiltie Pipeline Technology Ltd, Kongsberg Maritime Limited, L&N exploit the emerging markets in Brazil, Australia, Russia and the Arctic. (Scotland) Limited, Litre Meter, Marin Subsea Ltd, Marketec, By pioneering the use of British skills, expertise and technology into new Subsea mooring connector specialist, First Subsea Ltd, has appointed John Shaw Brochure Launched Master Flo Valve Co (UK) Limited, Matrix Composites & frontiers, we can maintain our world-leading position. Many companies still over- as global sales and business development manager. Formerly head of Engineered Engineering, MCS Kenny, McDermott International Inc., Modus estimate the risks with internationalisation and under-estimate the rewards, with Seabed Intervention Limited, Molecular Products Ltd, MSi Products Group at Trelleborg Offshore, he will be responsible for developing First UK Trade & UK Trade & Investment Kenny,, National Hyperbaric Centre, National Oceanography the potential to miss out to overseas companies. Subsea’s innovative ball and taper connector business worldwide. (UKTI) and Subsea UK have been Centre, National Subsea Research Insitute Ltd, Nautronix, NCA - On another note we have been working with the Energy Institute (EI), and have working together to produce the Norse Cutting & Abandonment Ltd, NCS Survey Limited, NETmc created new guidelines targeted at obsolescence and risk management for subsea Technip has also announced the appointment of Bill Marine Ltd, Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd, NGP UK Ltd, Noordhoek 2011 Subsea Capability Brochure, Offshore B.V, NSIG (Northern Scotland Industries Group), systems. This initiative is the fi rst joint project with EI and follows on from a Morrice as managing director. Bill joined Technip following now available online. This document NSW Technology Ltd, Nylacast Ltd, Oceaneering International previous project undertaken, targeting Subsea Integrity. a nine year tenure at subsea well intervention specialists, Services Ltd, Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen, ODS-Petrodata, provides directory information on The document provides high level management policy and principles for subsea Helix Well Ops, part of the global Helix ESG Group. the capabilities of many of the UK Offshore Installation Services, Offspring International Limited, obsolescence, plus the framework for successful obsolescence management OMB Offshore Applications Limited, Online electronics, Optical companies in the oil and gas sector. Metrology Services Ltd, Pangeo subsea Scotland Ltd, Pan-Ocean processes. It is recommended reading for all senior managers whose Fugro GRL, the leading European developer of subsea Neil Gordon, Chief Executive Engineering Limited, Paradigm Flow Solutions Ltd, PDL Solutions responsibilities are associated with the design or operation of offshore assets. simulator and visualisation systems, has appointed of Subsea UK, said: “The UKTI (Europe) Limited, Penspen Limited, Peritus International, Perry It contains more detailed guidance for lifecycle management and strategies, tasks Simon Marr as Business Development Manager. Simon’s Slingsby Systems Limited, PFC Energy, Photosynergy, Pipe Capability Brochure is a valuable Coil Technology Ltd, Polar Media, Port Services Group, Project and responsibilities, monitoring, risk assessment, and a review of equipment. principal responsibility will be growing FGRL’s sales of resource and directory of subsea Development International Ltd, Proserv Offshore, Prospect, Subsea UK will be bringing out many collaborative initiatives for the industry software and services and extending awareness in the companies in the UK, listing the Quadrant EPP UK Ltd, RBG Limited, RiserTec, Robert Gordon over the coming period and I look forward to helping build a stronger future for subsea community of the engineering and operational University, Rotech Subsea Limited, Roxar Limited, RRC Controls services, capabilities and and Services Limited, Saab Seaeye Limited, Saint-Gobain Isover, the industry. benefi ts of simulation technologies. contact information of a vast and Saipem UK Limited, Sonsub Division, Schilling Robotics Ltd, I hope you enjoy this issue. Schlumberger Subsea Surveillance, Scottish Enterprise, Seal- Market leading asset rental business Ashtead Technology diverse range of businesses in the Tite UK LLC, SECC, Seebyte Ltd, SgurrEnergy, Shell UK Ltd, Neil Gordon, Chief Executive, Subsea UK has appointed of Chris Braithwaite as Non Executive industry. We are very pleased with Simmons & Co International Limited, SMD Ltd, Smit Subsea this publication and are confi dent Europe BV, Society for Underwater Technology, Solstad Offshore Chairman of the Group. Chris has over 25 years’ (UK) Limited, Sonardyne International Limited (Aberdeen), experience in the Oil and Gas Services sector, and was that it will prove a useful reference Sonavision Limited, Sonomatic, Specialist Subsea Services, most recently Chief Operating Offi cer of Wellstream guide to everyone involved in the Speciality Welds Ltd, Strategic Resources European Consultants Forthcoming Events in 2011-2012 subsea sector.” Ltd, Stronachs LLP, Sub- Atlantic, Subsea 7, Subsea Deployment Holdings. Systems Ltd, Subsea Integrity Group (SIG), Subsea Supplies Top: Bill Morrice In addition to listing the 03 November 2011 Subsea UK Annual General Meeting & Dinner Middle: Simon Marr Limited, Subspection Ltd, Technip UK, Teijin Aramid BV, TESS- Meanwhile DeepOcean Group Holding AS, an integrated capabilities of UK companies, the JNW Ltd, The Underwater Centre, Titanium Engineers Ltd, Total Gordon Highlander’s Museum, Aberdeen Bottom: Chris Braithwaite E&P UK plc, Tracerco, Tritech International Limited, UKPS/ provider of subsea, trenching and marine support directory also offers case studies; SUBCO, UnderSea Sense Ltd, Underwater Engineering Services 14-15 November 2011 Subsea Europe 2011 vessels and services, has announced the formation of its Board of projects carried out by these Ltd, Univation, Universal Engineering Ltd, Universal Pegasus, companies which exemplify the University of Aberdeen, University of Strathclyde, UTEC Survey, Paris Directors. The Board is currently comprised of fi ve directors, including three industry veterans, as well as two representatives of the company’s new UK’s subsea excellence. Valeport Ltd, Vector International, VerdErg Connectors Limited, 01 December 2011 Subsea Pipeline Integrity Management Vetco Gray UK Ltd, Viper Subsea Ltd, Visualsoft Limited, shareholders. These are: Thomas Andersen, Chairman of the Board; You can access the UKTI Weatherford Production Optimisation (UK) Ltd, Webtool, London Bart Heijermans, Director; Harald Norvik, Director; Arvid Trolle, Director; Capability Brochure through Welaptega Marine UK Ltd, Wellstream International Limited, www.subseauk.com Weston Compliance Services Ltd, WFS Energy & Environment, 08-09 February 2012 Subsea 2012 and David Weinstein, Director. WGIM, William Hackett Chains Ltd, Wilton Engieering Services Aberdeen Ltd, Worldwide Business Portfolios Ltd, Xodus Group Limited 22-24 February 2012 Subsea Australasia 2012 Perth For all the Designed by www.designinc.co.uk Please visit 20 www.subseauk.com for details1 of forthcoming1 events. Latest News Visit: www.subseauk.com @subseauknews facebook.com/SubseaUK 4 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 5 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY

The Last Piece of the Jigsaw: Technology Hallin’s New Design: Compact Semi Evolution in Subsea Pipelines Submersible “CSS Derwent” Since the late 90’s two technology Today a service provider is faced with how to meet challenges – the move to deepwater the need of increased and challenging technology and fl ow assurance – have dominated requirements, yet respond to the expectations of the Subsea Umbilicals, Risers and the operator, in addition to meeting the challenge Flowlines industry (SURF). of maximising vessel utilisation and day rates to To address these challenges, offset recovery. Technip embarked upon a decade of Hallin’s new design, the “CSS Derwent”, a compact research and development focused semi-submersible, is the fi rst vessel of its class and on expanding the application of reeled manages to capture the leading technology providers such pipelines and in particular pipe-in-pipe as Rolls Royce, Kongsberg and ABB in its fi t out, control (PiP) systems. Notable achievements and power management systems. were made, namely the installation Built as a vessel under ABS classifi cation, the CSS of reeled PiP steel catenary risers Derwent is DP3 and one of a few vessels to be able in the Gulf of Mexico, the world’s to claim to be MODU as well as fully compliant with deepest water PiP installation and the latest Special Purpose Ships rules with an staggering most thermally insulated PiP using accommodation capability of 155 heads. passive insulation systems. This latter The vessel build concept is to provide a ship that is application was installed for the Total complimented reel-lay installation deployment, albeit as an addition able to work across a spectrum of duties including subsea Dalia project offshore Angola, and until techniques. Technip completed its R&D to the base case fl ow assurance installation, construction support work, IRM and Well recently marked the zenith in the use programme in 2003. Subsequently, solution, which itself represents a Intervention. With the motion characteristics equal to or of PiP technology using such passive the anticipated requirement for more novel approach of seabed conditioning. better than a 120m monohull the vessel is ideally suited insulation alone to solve fl ow assurance demanding fl ow assurance applications Following an extensive onshore to provide an intervention solution. problems. did not immediately materialise with industrialisation process, including The vessel has a short hull of 84m and a beam of 32m. Anticipating the market would market needs being fulfi lled by passive major infrastructure enhancements at This notation is assigned to a mobile offshore structure require evermore thermally effi cient The “CSS Derwent” insulation alone, or in a limited number Technip’s Evanton Spoolbase in Scotland that depends upon the buoyancy of columns for fl otation PiP systems, and the realisation that of cases, the use of direct heating to accommodate ETH-PiP assembly, and stability for all afl oat modes of operation of raising The MHS is supported by a 150t active heave Dalia was close to the threshold for technology. the Islay ETH-PiP will be commissioned and lowering the unit. compensated crane and are cable of working at depths passively insulated PiP products, had From 2009 Total Group has worked later in 2011. When operational the The twin hull design maximise the deck space and of 3000m and each giving a lift capability of 120mt at some years earlier prompted Technip to closely with Technip and others to ETH-PiP will represent the last piece of 2 gives a 1300m back deck with a starboard side working 2000m. The vessels two built-in deepwater 3000m embark on the development of a heated advance the ETH-PiP concept with the SURF technology jigsaw foreseen 2 platform. The huge deck of 10t/m around the moon pool construction class ROV units allow the operator PiP product. subsea design solutions enabling since the late 90’s, and once again allows loads to be moved around the deck without using to have a single source contract for all the vessels After careful evaluation Technip its pre-qualifi cation. As part of this demonstrate the criticality of the North the crane at sea. intervention and support services. opted to focus on Electrically Trace process Total has awarded Technip Sea in providing an arena for transfer The active heave compensated Module Handling System The multi service vessel with an intervention Heated PiP (ETH-PiP) since it provided the Islay Development Project where of ground breaking technology to the (MHS) can lift up to 160mt (dynamic) with a stacking capability has a substantial competitive advantage, a low power solution which also ETH-PiP will see its world’s fi rst fi eld world-wide subsea industry. height of 31 metres. The upper draw works alone can split especially when equipped with permanent McGregor load up to 100mt offering a fl exible handling capability. The module handling systems and a deepwater lifting tracked lower deployment cursor reduces the effect of capability to depths of 3000m. the vessel transverse and heaves motion characteristics The vessel is designed to interface with the sister Secc Unveils Next Generation Emergency during launch and recovery of a module. The motion is company Wild Well Control’s 7/3/8” deepwater minimised due to the unique hull design reducing roll and intervention solution that has the capability to deploy Disconnect Solution for Subsea Market heave in the region of the working moonpool. the deepwater capping systems.

Subsea connector specialist, SECC Oil & Gas, has unveiled of 10,000ft or more, will instantly seal each section of its next generation of emergency disconnect solutions the line with no risk of fl uid spill. SECC’s patented full-bore to help offshore operators reduce the risk of pollution design also means there is no obstruction in the fl ow path, and provide protection to offshore personnel, subsea enabling servicing companies to achieve a high fl ow rate equipment and the marine environment. with minimal pressure loss during pumping. Marin Subsea Delivers The Mid Line Valved Breakaway Connector, which was “The need for robust risk reduction measures is recently delivered to Wild Well Control in Houston for use greater than ever in the wake of the Macondo oil spill, on their new 7 Series Subsea Intervention System, is the as oil companies face increased pressure to protect the a One-stop Asset Removal Service latest in SECC’s portfolio of full-bore, pressure-balanced safety of their offshore staff and the environment,” says connectors. Justin Marshall, Business Development Manager at SECC Excavation and troubleshooting assets and decommissioned features specialist full ocean

The connector was developed specifi cally for projects Oil & Gas. specialist Marin Subsea is now equipment protected by rock dump depth shearing and CO2 cutting using offshore vessels that could experience a loss He believes the growing trend towards rigless offering a new one-stop approach or by bitumen or conventional technology and can be delivered of dynamic positioning, causing drift-off. In the event intervention and wider use of vessels at deeper levels to asset recovery, removal and concrete matting. It can also offshore anywhere in the world of a vessel shifting from its position, its movement is making breakaway technology more important than decommissioning. be used to recover cut pipeline in a single 20ft container, which applies tension to the line on which the connector sits. ever before: The Evo Marin Recovery System sections for transfer into disposal includes all the equipment needed The connector automatically disconnects when a pre- “The steady shift from using rigs for intervention and (MRS) has been specifi cally baskets. to address a broad range of asset determined load level is reached, self sealing each end of well stimulation towards a greater reliance on smaller, engineered to support a broad The new tool complements recovery and decommissioning the bore and ensuring the safety of the vessel and its less expensive vessels, particularly in deeper water, has range of subsea asset handling the Evo MRS grab, which has applications. personnel while avoiding the potential damage caused by an dictated the way our technology has been developing. projects, in particular recovery and already been used on major Marin Group’s full spread of uncontrolled disconnection or emergency guillotine device. “This new approach creates even greater challenges removal. decommissioning projects including services includes ROV-mounted and It features SECC’s unique pressure balanced technology associated with working in harsh environments, deep water Among the technology Frigg in the Southern North Sea in diver excavation tooling, specialist which makes connection and disconnection 100 per cent and higher pressures, and means technologies like ours, underpinning the service is a new 2010 and pipeline removal in the drilling tooling and support, inshore dry. In practice, this means automatic or manual breakaway which are designed to support this type of work, have a full ocean depth tool specifi cally nearby Frost fi eld earlier this year. jet sled technology, and customised in an emergency, under full working pressure and at depths clear and crucial role to play.” designed to recover both dropped The complete Evo MRS also module and container supply. 6 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 7 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY

MEC-Combi Crawler for Subsea Subsea Installation Game Changer

Subsea Deployment Systems Ltd through the splash zone. Structure Inspection has developed an exciting Step The reduced weather sensitivity Change in Subsea Installation. The increases the operating window for Developed as a customised solution through the splash zone under its Subsea Deployment System (SDS) is hostile regions, offering greater for a North Sea operator, the MEC- own power, unhindered by the effects a method of installing or recovering schedule fl exibility. This is a distinct Combi Crawler inspection system of turbulence and wave action. large subsea structures without advantage in emergency response was built to enable the inspection of The electromagnetic technique is a Heavy Lift Vessel (HLV). It offers scenarios. The low dynamic loading platform legs where conventional rope less susceptible to surface condition potential cost savings of 60% on and avoiding the need to recover access was not possible. and the preparation of the inspection multi-structure installations and structures to deck offshore makes By combining the Magnetic Eddy surface is less critical than with up to 80% on single structure the system particularly attractive for Current fast sensor array system other inspection techniques. The installations. salvaging redundant structures. with an Ultrasonic sensor, the MEC- MEC-Combi Crawler will only require The SDS has been designed for All the individual aspects of the Combi Crawler provides valuable data the removal of heavy marine growth. the transportation and installation SDS are developed from very basic on the internal and external wall Capable of external and internal of medium to large structures (100t principles and existing technology, thickness through the identifi cation corrosion detection with a to several 1,000t) in water depths but the combination has resulted of localised defects and general wall penetration of up to 40mm wall of 100m – 3,000m, without the in a potential “game changer” loss. The fi tted camera and light thickness, including through coating need for an HLV and enables even the for the development, installation Inspection solutions and technology system supports a visualisation of and painting, the MEC-Combi Crawler smallest crane vessels to install very and decommissioning of subsea provider, Innospection Ltd, has the scan while the position encoder is capable of providing instantaneous large subsea structures in hostile structures. developed the MEC-Combi Crawler system enables its location on the Eddy Current and Ultrasonic wall environments. An affordable and readily available to support the inspection and inspected surface to be determined. thickness data. Together with The SDV is fully submerged subsea heavy lift capability offers the lifetime assessment of subsea The key feature of MEC-Combi Innospection’s comprehensive throughout the installation/recovery potential to develop fi elds with fewer structures ranging in size and Crawler is its ability to crawl up reporting software with advanced process and consequently the surface and larger structures avoiding costly complexity from small diameter the structures and through the colour condition mapping, an analysis weather conditions have little impact inter-structure connections. It will risers through caissons and pipes, splash zone while performing the of the internal and external defects on the tow or lowering operations. also facilitate the development of to platform legs and fl at surfaces scanning. The integral buoyancy of in terms of the location, size and Final positioning and set down is more marginal fi elds. for their forthcoming projects, like ship hulls. It is designed for the the scanner, in combination with its severity of wall loss is provided. achieved by means of chains lowered Operators and contractors reducing costs, but perhaps even deployment from work class Remote magnetic system, allows the system The inspection of the platform’s into the SDV which behave as soft worldwide are currently looking at more importantly reducing the project Operated Vehicles (ROV) operated to remain in stable contact with structural legs was successfully springs and minimise dynamic loading. this new system and reviewing its schedule. SDS is looking to align with from a support vessel. the inspection surface and travel completed in June 2011. It also avoids the often critical phases applications with interest, with an innovative partner to bring this of offshore over boarding and lowering respect to widening their options concept to market.

Sonomatic Takes Ultrasonic Inspection to a New Level Taking Plastics to New Limits Sonomatic has launched the fi rst pipelines, storage tanks, pressure remotely steerable UT scanner vessels and columns to carry out a capable of being deployed at up to range of inspection types, including 300 metres water depth. time of fl ight diffraction (TOFD) and The MAG-Rover 300 can be automated pulse-echo inspection attached subsea by ROV or diver of welds and corrosion mapping for and then remotely manoeuvred to plate material. the exact inspection location, making The MAG-Rover 300 was initially it among the company’s most conceived to meet inspection versatile tools yet and ideally suited challenges in the offshore oil and Example of comparison of wall thickness distribution to a range of topsides, splash zone gas industry, and is designed to plots for reliable identifi cation of changes between New applications require new solutions inspections and subsea applications. operate in all but the most extreme Are traditional materials like metals causing too many issues and downtime in Until now, inspection could only weather. Specifi c subsea applications your environment? be carried out by diver, involving include the periodic inspection of system is incorporated for proven the costly hire of dive support jacket closure welds on a range measurement reliability, and Is corrosion, weight, or performance at extreme pressures and temperatures vessels and restricted operating of installations, particularly in the the tool can utilise the ROV’s limiting your possibilities? windows due to weather and other North Sea, with other applications communications system. Quadrant’s engineering plastics outperform traditional materials in a broad constraints. envisaged on semi-submersible Sonomatic launched the range of industries and applications – our solutions have a proven track record Now the MAG-Rover 300 greatly structures. Sonomatic is also company’s fi rst manually manipulated in the Offshore sector. widens operators’ choices. Uniquely, exploring the new and emerging subsea ultrasonic inspection Let our polymer solutions take off some of the stress that other materials it can be attached to a structure offshore wind sector. scanner in 1989. This was followed cause you. Visit us at Offshore Europe 2011, booth number 3A 140, and at a topsides location, even by rope The standard MAG-Rover 300 by a motorised subsea UT scanner, ask our experts what we can do for you! access technician, and then driven unit comprises a steerable crawler the diver-deployed Nautilus, which from there — under an operator’s driven by two magnetic drive wheels remains in constant use to this day, control — to the subsea inspection which allow the scanner to adhere and by last year’s launch of the ROV- location. to any magnetic surface. At the deployed Sonomatic ROViT-2000, The design also allows topsides or front is the UT transducer, which which can operate both vertically You inspire … we materialize® www.quadrantplastics.com onshore inspection without the need gimbals to follow the contour and horizontally and has been for scaffolding, and can be deployed of the surface being inspected. successfully used on projects in the Quadrant EPP AG, Hardstrasse 5, CH-5600 Lenzburg, Tel +41 (0) 62 885 81 50, [email protected] to areas of restricted access on Sonomatic’s Microplus ultrasonic Southern and Northern North Sea. 8 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 9 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY

The New Hybrid from Saab Seaeye Paradigm Flow Solutions Boosts Production – AUV/ROV Combined for Supermajor with New Technology to A new underwater vehicle And in places where access is seasonally restricted, it Unblock Subsea Pipelines concept has been created by can remain for a year at an isolated location, in resident Saab Seaeye that can go places mode, at its docking station, ready to be launched on task Paradigm Flow Solutions has and undertake tasks where as needed, under the remote guidance of an operator. successfully increased production ROV deployment is diffi cult or At the docking station tooling packs can be stored for a supermajor in a North Sea fi eld impossible. ready for use; its batteries re-charged, data and video by over 3,000 barrels of oil per day Called Sabertooth, the downloaded and fresh instructions uploaded. using new groundbreaking technology. hybrid vehicle combines the The whole hybrid AUV/ROV concept is expected to bring The Aberdeenshire headquartered technologies of both AUV and signifi cant savings in operating costs as a vehicle like company revealed how it has ROV vehicles into a single unifi ed Sabertooth is easily deployed from a platform, shore-base, cleared subsea pipelines that had resource. or small low cost vessel. been blocked for over a decade. The For operators it offers the Managing director, Dave Grant, sees the concept as campaign took less than a week range and manoeuvrability of offering an important new technological resource to the oil to unblock multiple fl owlines in the an AUV, yet with the tooling and gas industry - and the renewable energy market where central North Sea fi eld. Dave Grant, Managing capability of a light-work ROV. there is a growing need for inspection and intervention as Rob Bain, Managing Director of Director of Saab Seaeye, The concept comes from a activity moves further subsea. sees hybrid vehicles offering Paradigm Flow Solutions said: “The new ways to solve current reconfi guration of Saab’s hovering He says: “Sabertooth is the fi rst of a new range of operator had tried various other operational problems AUV, built for defence operations, deep water, long-range, hovering hybrid vehicles that will conventional methods to tackle the to one suited to the oil and gas solve current operational problems and open up new cost issue, but these blockages were industry using ROV technology proven in that sector but effective solutions for survey, inspection, light work and stubborn and their efforts were with the same exceptional stability proven for the defence intervention.” not successful. Using Pipe-Pulse, application. our engineers cleared fl owlines and For subsea operators, the Sabertooth offers a choice subsea chemical umbilicals of long- of three operational modes: autonomous roaming; term wax inhibitor cores in less than attached fi bre-optic cable; or umbilical carrying power and a week.” communications. Pipe-Pulse is a remote, non- It has an excursion range of 20 to 40km, depth rated intrusive method of locating and option to 3,000 metres, and can embark on either long removing blockages in long distance blockage several miles away. Pipe-Pulse in operations around range programmable missions, or under operator control pipe-work up to 30 miles. The system Prior to Pipe-Pulse, these the world as it delivers dramatic around set targets, with obstacle avoidance and precise is designed to be connected on problems were usually treated by cost savings. In the case of manoeuvrability for safe and easy access, including working the topsides of the host platform expensive methods such as deploying chronic blockages which have gone inside complex structures. through either the pig launcher or a coiled tubing system from a rig into unresolved over a number of years, Indeed, where space is limited, the Sabertooth’s 360 the umbilical termination unit to the pipeline, or undertaking subsea the only solution has often been degree manoeuvrability means it can orientate itself into clear the blockages. interventions using a Remotely to replace the affected piece of any position − even directly up, or down – from where it The Pipe-Pulse unit delivers high Operated Vehicle (ROV) or saturation pipework which can cost millions of Sabertooth combines AUV and ROV technologies into one unifi ed resource can attend to its light work or inspection task. energy and volume pressure pulses divers. pounds. This is sometimes more than into the pipeline or subsea umbilical, Mr Bain added: “There is a the margin of the fi eld, rendering it Subsea Technology Solutions can Attract up to 100% Funding which are transmitted to the signifi cant market opportunity for economically unviable.”

ITF is calling on technology developers oil and gas players, but they can also The call also identifi es priority focus to come forward with innovative secure funds to realise their novel areas in the Australasian region DiveCert Makes Dive solutions to subsea challenges, with technologies.” which aim to create a step change the potential for successful proposals Industry forecasts have predicted reduction in development cost and to receive up to 100% funding. that around £10 billion of future improve recovery. This includes water System Certifi cation Easy Identifi ed by ITF’s members as a subsea activity will be focused on separation and disposal direct to key priority, the Subsea Technologies deepwater, production, profi tability ocean, pipeline corrosion management DiveCert is a new software enabling rapid access and Call for Proposals resulted from two and viability of remote and deepwater and remote power. However, these package that controls air diving and ease of auditing. Technology Challenge Workshops operations, all of which are key challenges are not unique to Australia saturation diving system certifi cation The system maintains all which took place in June. Oil and gas elements within the call. and solutions may also be applicable while organising it in accordance with certifi cation and identifi es operators and service companies The call is an open invitation for to other regions. IMCA Guidance documents. when they are due to expire gathered in London and Perth, organisations to submit high quality The deadline for proposals is 6 The software allows companies or overdue, ensuring that Australia, and explicitly identifi ed proposals for research, development October 2011. Interested companies to create, control, store and the user has full control and the current shared challenges in the and/or fi eld trial of potential solutions can fi nd out more at oil-itf.com or by synchronise entire dive system awareness of the status of subsea fi eld. to deal with issues faced with subsea calling 01224 222410. certifi cation from one easy to use system usability. Neil Poxon, Managing Director technologies. Specifi c areas of A not-for-profi t organisation, ITF portal. It compliments Planned David Smith, Managing the requirement in the market for of ITF said: “The subsea sector interest have been identifi ed by ITF has 28 global oil and gas operator Maintenance Systems through Director of the NHC commented: DiveCert program, which has made continues to grow in importance members as follows: and service company members. ease of use, ease of access to “Common feedback from attendees of certifi cation and audits a walkover.” as more aspects of oil and gas • Subsea Power Widely regarded as the global certifi cation and timed reminders. our DESIGN Auditor and Dive System The software is ideal for new operations are moved to the seabed. • Flow Assurance funding programme of choice, ITF DiveCert has been designed Auditors courses is that many diving system builds and indeed some We are interested to hear from • Subsea Separation has assisted in the funding of new to utilise IMCAD023 & D024 companies have no real systems manufacturers are buying the organisations that can help close • Temperature Management technology developments from and assists with the discipline in place to organise certifi cation. software to supply a coherent the existing technology gaps in • Pipeline Integrity Management / early stage joint industry projects and organisation for audits and Many of these companies are losing certifi cation system on new build the sector. Not only do technology Cost Reduction (JIPs) through to fi eld trials and quality control purposes. Over 350 track of when certifi cation is due sat systems. developers have the opportunity to • Low Cost Intervention commercialisation. certifi cate templates are available, and where the certifi cation is kept, have their ideas reviewed by major • Specifi c Australian Regional Challenges covering all sections of IMCA D018 therefore failing audits. We saw 10 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 11 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 SKILLS / BUSINESS BUSINESS

Bibby Offshore Join Schools Career Nautronix Secures Multi Million Dollar Digital Acoustics Contract for Ultra-Deepwater Drillships

Industry Partnership (SCIP) Nautronix are to supply NASDrill aided INS positioning solution. RS925 deepwater acoustic positioning For drilling, NASDrill RS925 also Bibby Offshore, a provider of subsea construction, of Don Academy for work experience during the summer systems for Noble Corporation’s three provides Differential Riser (Flex Joint) IRM (inspection, repair and maintenance) and offshore holidays. The pupils worked in different departments new ultra-deepwater drillships due for calculation and monitoring capability. management services, has recently become a member of throughout the company, gaining further knowledge on delivery second and fourth quarters Multiple seabed transponder groups Schools Career Industry Partnership (SCIP). the oil and gas industry as well as giving them the chance of 2013, and second quarter of 2014 can also be assigned to simplify SCIP’s programme is aimed at helping 4th-6th year to experience working life. respectively. batch drilling, where separate pupils throughout the North East of Scotland who are On the last day they gave a short presentation to These new rigs will be constructed transponder arrays can be deployed transitioning directly into work after leaving school. The members of the management team about their time at Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard at several locations on the seabed, programme is designed to bridge the skills gap and give working at Bibby Offshore. The children were also taken in Ulsan, Korea and are based on a allowing the rig to move between pupils a clearer understanding of what employers require on board the Bibby Sapphire and shown around the state Hyundai Gusto P10000 design. The them without the need to collect and from them and also how to be prepared for an interview. of the art diving support vessel. rigs will have DP-3 station keeping redeploy seabed arrays each time, It focuses on building self-confi dence, understanding Andrew Duncan, Business and Commercial Director abilities and the ability to handle two saving valuable rig time. their own strengths and areas they can improve on, for Bibby Offshore, has been greatly involved in the complete BOP systems allowing for repeatable input to the vessel DP The system is also fully upgradable how they think and communicate with others and how programme and has attended many of the participating operation in water depths of up to system; with SBL mode providing to use NASeBOP and NASNet® to maximise these skills in an interview situation. They schools, has commented: “These sessions have been a 12,000 feet. accuracies of 0.15% slant range and (Nautronix unique underwater GPS) build a professional and effective CV throughout the day tremendous experience, not just for the pupils but for all NASDrill RS925 systems have LBL mode providing accuracies up to in the future. with input from business professionals; experience a of us at Bibby Offshore. We hope that this initiative has been designed specifi cally to meet 1m RMS independent of water depth. As with all Nautronix leading one-to-one interview situation with honest, constructive helped provide the children with a positive insight into our the requirements for a reliable, The Noble vessels will be fi tted commercial acoustic systems, feedback. Finally they learn what is involved in an business and the industry as a whole. The pupils might stable DP and position reference with dual redundant, six-hydrophone NASDrill RS925 utilises Nautronix Assessment Centre and take part in a group exercise. just become employees of the future and we’ve been system for demanding offshore NASDrill RS925 systems offering proprietary ADS2 (Acoustic Digital Bibby Offshore have been working closely with several greatly encouraged by their aptitude to learn and their operations, in particular deepwater signifi cant built-in redundancy in both Spread Spectrum) broadband Academy schools in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, this overall enthusiasm. All in all, it’s been a great success drilling vessels. topside and subsea elements. signalling technology which has involvement led to Bibby inviting three pupils from Bridge and we look forward to continuing our support next year.” NASDrill RS925 combines the two The NASDrill RS925 system been proven, with over 10 years most accurate deepwater acoustic is complete with all external of successful subsea operations, positioning technologies – Short interfacing to the Dynamic to provide superior accuracy, Baseline (SBL) and Long Baseline (LBL) Positioning System for automatic repeatability and reliability for - to calculate multiple independent station keeping and can be used as dynamic positioning of vessels Kongsberg Maritime Secures Over position solutions providing reliable, part of an integrated acoustically- during deepwater drilling operations. £1 Million in Orders from Fugro A&P Group Complete Second Project for Offshore Sector A&P Group has completed another The contract represents Kongsberg Maritime’s fi fth subsea structure for an offshore oil consecutive year working as prime camera and scanning and gas fi eld. The Mid Water Arch sonar supplier under a consolidated supply framework left the ship repair and fabrication with Fugro. By the end of this project the leading yard at Hebburn bound for a North underwater camera supplier will have delivered over 500 Sea oil fi eld. cameras to Fugro to date. For the last six months, 50 During 2011 Kongsberg Maritime will supply more men worked daily on the project to than 170 high resolution underwater cameras and over cut, shape and weld the shell-like 40 avoidance sonar systems for use on Fugro’s existing structures wrapped around two global fl eet of ROV Systems and the company’s planned pressurised buoyancy cylinders. The newbuild ROV Systems, including its own in-house entire structure is built in steel and designed and built FCV 3000 and FCV 2000 Work Class the yard also built the gravity base, ROV Systems and the new Lynx and Panther XT Saab clump weights and piles that will Seaeye ROV Systems. secure it to the seabed, weighing a The order includes a number of the latest OE14-502 massive 600 tonnes altogether. multi standard High Defi nition (HD) cameras, an The subsea arch is headed for indication of the company’s increased investment the Athena Development in the in this latest technology. Outer Moray Firth, which will be The other equipment purchased includes the latest operated by Ithaca Energy. The units the earlier subsea arches structure – which is 17 metres Low Light, OE13-124/125 BIT navigation camera, the fi eld is expected to produce around were built around. long, 15 metres wide and 7 metres OE14-366 colour zoom camera, the OE14-376/377 22,000 barrels of oil per day once “The pressure vessel buoyancy high – onto a barge to sail up colour light ring camera, the OE15-108 general purpose production starts. tanks are a new design and required to a yard in Invergordon for mono camera together with the latest ultra high It is the second such order very high standards of welding and fi nal assembly. The base, clump Fugro’s FCV 2000 ROV resolution imaging sonar. secured by A&P Group; earlier this fabrication. In fact the project weights and piles are to follow Bill Stuart, Sales Manager at Kongsberg Maritime year it completed two buoyant required us to meet extremely high on a coaster. Kongsberg Maritime is pleased to announce an order Ltd comments: “Our team has worked hard to develop subsea structures for an African standards in all aspects. The Athena fi eld is due to start of over £1 million from Fugro, the largest, world-wide and maintain a fruitful relationship with Fugro and we are offshore oil fi eld. “As it’s suspended underwater production towards the end of integrated supplier of geoscience, survey, and geotechnical pleased that orders have increased year on year. This Project director Iain Campbell the arch is painted to NORSOK this year. When it does the subsea related services. Kongsberg Maritime will supply a range of latest order reinforces Fugro’s satisfaction with the said: “This job was totally different coating standards, so it will last for arch will support control cables its latest high resolution cameras and Mesotech scanning products and services we offer and gives us confi dence in that the Athena arch is supported 25 years.” from the well-heads to the fl oating sonar systems as part of Fugro’s 2011 ROV Sensor that we can continue to build on this success and support by pressurised steel cylinders as A 1,000 ton crane was needed production, storage and off-loading Refurbishment and Newbuild programme. Fugro’s future demanding ROV imaging requirements. opposed to the polymer buoyancy to lift the bright yellow subsea vessel on the surface. 12 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 13 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 BUSINESS BUSINESS

climate change by reducing the UK’s CO2 emissions by over 750 million tonnes by 2030. One of the ways it is Litre Meter Supplies Geveke Pompen with Oil and Gas planning on doing this is through carbon capture and storage (CCS) techniques. Jee found that the experience Know-How Could gained in the oil and gas industry transfers itself well to Positive Displacement Meters for Wingate these types of projects. Jee’s experienced pipeline design engineers are now tackling the problem of safely transporting liquid CO at Meg Skid Help Renewables 2 very high pressures to storage sites beneath the seabed. They are also assessing the suitability of existing pipeline UK fl owmeter specialist Litre Industry Settle in infrastructure for the same purpose. Likewise geologists Meter has shipped VFF positive are now looking at the best ways to fi ll a reservoir, displacement fl owmeters to instead of emptying it; enhanced oil recovery (EOR) being Dutch oil and gas package The renewable energy industry is a technique used to do both. supplier Geveke. The meters developing rapidly in response to The fundamentals of the engineering work remain the will be used in a monoethylene ambitious targets set by the UK same, whether designing a pipeline for oil extraction or glycol (MEG) injection skid for government. As a nation, we’ve carbon dioxide injection. It is imperative that lessons Wintershall’s new Wingate got to reduce CO2 emissions and learned from the extensive haul of pipeline projects over natural gas platform in the increase power generation from the last 40 years are put into practice for the emerging North Sea. renewable sources such as wind, CCS projects. In fact, engineers from the oil and gas Under conditions of low wave and tidal power. We are literally industry are being hunted for their expertise in developing temperature and high pressure, at sea in new territory and as a this concept. gas hydrates can solidify as consequence may suffer from a skills Our young aspiring engineers are fully aware of crystals which may block the shortage in the renewable energy the shift in attitude towards greener energy and the pipeline and valves, sector. This is where Jee has found resulting demand for associated skills. Jee run training impeding the its experience in the oil and gas Mike Hawkins, courses predominantly for clients in the oil and gas transfer of the Technical Director at Jee industry in lending a helping hand. sector but its subsea engineering techniques can be oil and gas. This In 2009 the UK government set applied to any subsea application. can result in a a target of getting 15% of our energy from renewable Mike Hawkins, Technical Director at Jee Ltd, says: “The shutdown and the sources by 2020; almost a seven-fold increase in the oil and gas industry is not always seen in a positive light. risk of explosion share of renewables in more than a decade. It also But the experience gained from the successes and failures or unintended planned to create up to half a million jobs as a result of within the oil and gas industry should not be overlooked. I release of around £100 billion investment. Whatever your opinion on believe the knowledge gained from the oil and gas industry hydrocarbons into renewable power, it is clear it is here to stay. will help scale the steep learning curve we have to climb so the environment. Left: Litre Meter has supplied VVF meters to Geveke Pompen used to monitor MEG The UK renewable energy strategy also aims to tackle that we meet the targets of 2020 and beyond.” MEG is injected which helps prevent hydrate formation in lines on the new Wingate natural gas well in at high pressure the North Sea where there is a risk of hydrates (dew) forming then freezing at low temperature. Litre Meter VFF positive displacement fl owmeters measure the correct amount of MEG needed Real Downhole Multiphase Measurement to prevent hydrate formation. Subsea The process, known as bullheading, forcibly pumps Market Forecast Report MEG into the bore hole to act as an ‘antifreeze’ to Finally Made Possible! lower the freezing point of gas hydrate. This protects KīƐŚŽƌĞƵƌŽƉĞ^ƚĂŶĚϮϭϬϬ the wells’ sub-surface valves from hydrates forming under high pressure and low temperatures during long ͻ dŚĞ ŶĞǁ ϳƚŚ ĞĚŝƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ 'ůŽďĂů shutdowns. WĞƌƐƉĞĐƟǀĞƐ ^ƵďƐĞĂ DĂƌŬĞƚ ZĞƉŽƌƚ Roxar announces the launch of a complete Subsea repairs and the associated loss of production ƚŽ ϮϬϭϱ ŝƐ ĚĞǀŽƚĞĚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŐůŽďĂů /ŶĮĞůĚ^LJƐƚĞŵƐŝƐ downhole flow sensor system which are high cost, so protecting deepwater well bores ƐƵďƐĞĂ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ ŝŶͲĚĞƉƚŚ ĂŶŝŶĚĞƉĞŶĚĞŶƚ provides full in well multiphase flow rate from hydrate formation and plugging is a major fl ow ĂŶĂůLJƐŝƐ ŽĨ ƚƌĞŶĚƐ͕ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ͕ ƌŝƐŬƐ ĂŶĚ ĞŶĞƌŐLJƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ assurance concern in offshore operations. Hydrate ƚĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐŝĐĂů ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ĂŶĚĂŶĂůLJƐŝƐĮƌŵ measurements - applying technology ƐĞĐƚŽƌ͕ĂŶĚŚŽǁƚŚĞƐĞǁŝůůĂīĞĐƚĨƵƚƵƌĞ prevention strategies provide protection during normal ƚŚĂƚŝƐĚĞĚŝĐĂƚĞĚ previously in existence only topside and subsea. operation, start-up and shutdown. ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚƐŽǀĞƌƚŚĞŶĞdžƚĮǀĞLJĞĂƌƐ͘ Geveke project engineer Eric Wijnen said: “We ƚŽƚŚĞƉƌŽǀŝƐŝŽŶ ͻ ŽŵƉƌĞŚĞŶƐŝǀĞ ĂŶĂůLJƐŝƐ ĂŶĚ selected Litre Meter VFF meters because we have used ŽĨĂĐĐƵƌĂƚĞĂŶĚ ĐŽŵŵĞŶƚĂƌLJŝƐƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĚďLJƌĞŐŝŽŶĂŶĚ them successfully in the past. We know that they are ĐŽƵŶƚƌLJ͘ĐƟǀŝƟĞƐŽĨƚŚĞƉƌĞĚŽŵŝŶĂŶƚ ƵƉͲƚŽͲĚĂƚĞĚĂƚĂ͕ versatile and operate accurately at the fl ow rate and Žŝů ĐŽŵƉĂŶŝĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƐƵďƐĞĂ ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚƌĞƉŽƌƚƐ͕ pressure that we need – in this case 1.19 cubic meters ŵĂŶƵĨĂĐƚƵƌĞƌƐ͕ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ĐĂƉŝƚĂů ŵĂƉƉŝŶŐ͕ĂŶĂůLJƐŝƐ OFFSHORE EUROPE: per hour at 344 barg.” ĞdžƉĞŶĚŝƚƵƌĞ͕ ĂƌĞ ƐƉůŝƚ ďLJ ĚƌŝůůŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ Visit Roxar at the Emerson booth #5C40 The VFF fl owmeter is suitable for measuring liquids at ĂŶĚĨŽƌĞĐĂƐƚƐ ĐŽŵƉůĞƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƐƵďƐĞĂ ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ͗ to learn more about zonal contributions pressure ratings up to 4,000 bar (60,000 psi) and fl ow ĨŽƌƚŚĞŽīƐŚŽƌĞ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ƐƵďƐĞĂ ƐĂƚĞůůŝƚĞ ǁĞůůƐ͕ rates from 0.0004 l/m (0.5 litres per day) to over 270 ƚĞŵƉůĂƚĞĚǁĞůůƐ͕ƚĞŵƉůĂƚĞƐ͕ŵĂŶŝĨŽůĚƐ ŽŝůĂŶĚŐĂƐĂŶĚ l/min. It is of intrinsically safe design and manufactured ĂŶĚƐƵďƐĞĂƉƌŽĐĞƐƐŝŶŐ͘ ĂƐƐŽĐŝĂƚĞĚŵĂƌŝŶĞ to operate reliably at temperatures ranging from -40 to www.roxar.com ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĞƐ͘ 100°C. ͻ dŚĞ ƌĞƉŽƌƚ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ƵƐŝŶŐ Litre Meter CEO Charles Wemyss said: “Litre /ŶĮĞůĚ ^LJƐƚĞŵƐ͛ K&&Wy DĂƌŬĞƚ Meter’s VFF fl owmeter is ideally suited for use in the DŽĚĞůůŝŶŐ Θ &ŽƌĞĐĂƐƟŶŐ ^LJƐƚĞŵ ĂŶĚ The Emerson logo is a trademark and service mark of Emerson Electric Co. Emerson Process Management. ©2011 Roxar. oil and gas industry and in particular for low fl ow/high ƚŚĞ KīƐŚŽƌĞ ŶĞƌŐLJ ĂƚĂďĂƐĞ ŽĨ Ăůů pressure applications. ŽƉĞƌĂƟŽŶĂůĂŶĚĨƵƚƵƌĞĮĞůĚƐ͘ “Years of experience in chemical injection applications onshore and offshore have confi rmed the instrument’s capability to reliably measure fl uids under extreme www.infield.com conditions of both temperature and pressure.” 14 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 15 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 BUSINESS GROWTH

Leading Commercial Diver Training Subsea Specialist Acteon Group Bolsters Centres in UK and USA Form Alliance Flexlife Opens Subsea Services Leading certifi cation and training that will commercial increase their employability. with Acquisition of diver training As well as graduates from DIT, New UK Base centres in the the school will also assist any other UK and USA divers in the USA to access the NCS Survey have formed courses at The Underwater Centre, an alliance to offering advice, assistance and a Subsea services group Acteon has acquired Aberdeen- provide North straight-forward booking procedure. based NCS Survey Limited. The acquisition adds to American Both schools have recognised the Acteon’s capability in the rig-positioning market and students with need to maintain a high standard provides an additional suite of survey services to the opportunity of training, industry focused clients that operate rigs and vessels. Graduate Daniel Hammond to advance their competence and reliable certifi cation He said: “I have nothing but praise NCS Survey provides high-precision rig positioning, careers in the global market. on a worldwide basis, which the for The Underwater Centre. As far as construction support and subsea visualisation services The Underwater Centre in Fort alliance between the two centres the saturation dive training goes, it to the global offshore market, including upstream oil William, Scotland, will now offer will provide. appears to cover all the bases to give and gas and offshore wind. As the market leader in graduates of the Divers Institute The Underwater Centre has a you a great foundation to start your providing surveys through lightweight autonomous of Technology (DIT) in Seattle the reputation for offering internationally new career as a saturation diver.” underwater vehicle technology, NCS Survey has opportunity to complete their recognised certifi cations, resulting Finlay Finlayson, Managing performed over 600 projects in 35 countries since it saturation diver training and ROV in large numbers of the Centre’s Director of The Underwater Centre was founded in 2005. pilot technician training with them. students coming from overseas. said: “For some time now the Divers The company will retain its existing personnel and Currently nowhere in the USA In 2010, 67% of the graduates Institute of Technology and The management team, headed up by current managing offers the Closed Bell training from The Underwater Centre came Underwater Centre, here in Fort director, Andy Gray. He said: “NCS Survey has enjoyed required to complete internationally from outside the UK. William, have enjoyed a developing Andrew Lake (left) and John Marsden (right) continued growth, thanks to the early adoption recognised saturation diving Daniel Hammond, a graduate of the relationship based on shared and delivery of technologies that deliver tangible certifi cate, but The Underwater DIT, signed up to the three week HSE ethos of providing students with Oil & gas industry specialists in subsea project and benefi ts for clients. Joining Acteon will enable NCS Centre does. The alliance means Closed Bell course at The Underwater the best possible platform on which integrity management, Flexlife, have opened a new base in to accelerate this expansion through the group’s that DIT can provide American Centre, and was delighted with the to build a global subsea career in Newcastle and plan to recruit 25 staff by the end of this international footprint.” subsea workers access to training facilities and staff. diving and ROV.” year, rising to 50 within 18 months. The award-winning company has appointed Andrew Lake as Director of Operations in Newcastle. He is a Chartered Engineer with more than 30 years’ experience, including senior roles at Soil Machine Dynamics, BPP Technical Services and Wellstream International. He holds a 1st class Mechanical Engineering degree and is a Member of both the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and the Association for Project Management. As well as attracting new recruits into the industry, Flexlife believes the location will be a draw to many workers who commute weekly to Aberdeen and other energy hubs at present. The offi ce is at the newly developed Baltic Place on the quayside near to the Millenium Bridge. Chief Operating Offi cer John Marsden said: “We know Raising the bar globally from our experience that there is a talented pool of highly- skilled staff in the Newcastle area and we are hoping to tap into that. We have the best team in the industry and are confi dent we will quickly attract the same calibre of From our headquarters in Aberdeen and under a new management team, staff for our Newcastle offi ce. We are already off to a Dominion Gas supplies the worldwide market with a full range of diving, great start with Andy taking charge of our operations in industrial, welding and speciality gases. Newcastle.” Mr Lake said: “Flexlife is experiencing a period of Our subsidiary company, Argon Isotank supply liquid, cryogenic, chemical signifi cant growth and the new offi ce will expand our capability to offer specialised support to our clients. The and tank products and services to a global client base. choice of Newcastle for this latest expansion recognises Together we support our clients in their international operating regions in: the skills in the region and will be a new addition to the growing subsea sector in the North East of England.” - UK - Norway - Singapore - West Africa - Mediterranean - Caspian Mr Marsden added: “Looking ahead, the Newcastle offi ce will provide us with the capability to expand our www.dominion-gas.com range of services to include front end engineering design to support the ongoing work for our clients.” Flexlife reported an increase in turnover of more than 50% for year ending 2010/11, with a rise from £4.8 million Where Reliability Matters to £7.5 million. A further rise to £17.8 million is predicted for 2011/12. As well as the new offi ce in Newcastle, Flexlife has moved into premises in Brazil and taken on a new global HQ in Aberdeen. The company also operates in Africa, the Far East and Mediterranean and staff numbers globally are expected to reach 120 by the end of this year. 16 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 17 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 GROWTH ACHIEVEMENT

Ecosse Subsea Systems Turnover EV Expansion SeeByte are Named Business Impact Award Winners Grows To £1.9 Million SeeByte, the global leader in creating smart software technology for unmanned systems, has been named Petrie has been promoted to the role winner of the Business Impact of personnel operations director to Achieved award at the Impact Awards cope with an upturn in demand for Ceremony hosted in Glasgow by Ecosse Subsea Systems’ personnel PraxisUnico. division, which specialises in sourcing This award recognises projects experts for the subsea oil and gas that have made an outstanding and offshore renewables industries. business impact through successful The company is also a fi nalist in knowledge transfer. SeeByte has been the Wood Group Award for Innovation able to grow the outcome of a joint category of the annual Grampian project with Heriot-Watt University Awards for Business Enterprise. into a fi rst class business endeavour. Ecosse Subsea Systems has also In parallel SeeByte has generated been shortlisted for two prestigious its own intellectual property and has Northern Star Business Awards grown an extensive product portfolio. and has reached the fi nals of the Amongst only 12 entries to be categories for Commitment to short-listed for an award, SeeByte SeeByte receives Business Impact Award Innovative Use of R&D and the new was chosen by a judging panel led Energy Award. by Professor Sir Tim Wilson, retired commented: “It was an honour for is considered a leading independent Commenting on the success of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of SeeByte to be awarded the Business company in the development of smart past year, Ecosse Subsea Systems’ Hertfordshire. Impact Achieved award. SeeByte has software for unmanned underwater founder and managing director Mike Neptus wireless subsea camera Wilson commented on the awards: expanded its technology and market- vehicles for both commercial and Wilson said: “Much of our focus “The strength and diversity of the space steadily over the past decade government clients globally. Spun during the past 12 months has been Managing Director Mike Wilson with Personnel Fast evolving oil and gas camera entries made the task of the panel and it is encouraging to have our out from Heriot-Watt University 10 Operations Director Maureen Petrie on getting SCAR to the marketplace specialist EV, whose ground- extremely challenging. It is a privilege achievements recognised in this way. years ago, SeeByte now has offi ces and we are delighted at the global breaking technology is being used to be exposed to such a wealth of This award also demonstrates the in Edinburgh, San Diego and Seattle interest there has been in this piece Aberdeen-based Ecosse Subsea to obtain pictures in remote and ideas and innovations.” value of our ongoing relationship with with fl agship software SeeTrack used of technology. We are currently Systems has marked its 16th challenging environments such as Stuart Genet, COO of SeeByte, Heriot-Watt University.” as the de facto technology for 12 of tendering for work in many locations anniversary with news they have down wellbores and inside pipelines, attended the awards ceremony Having achieved 10 consecutive the world’s navies and a number of across the world including Hong received two nominations for has bolstered its global position by on the company’s behalf. Genet years of revenue growth, SeeByte leading oil and gas companies. prestigious business awards and Kong, the Unite Arab Emirates and expanding its reach across the US, that turnover has increased. Saudi Arabia. Scandinavia and the Far East. For the year to March 31st, “Alongside that, we have continued In order to enhance the 2011 the company saw revenues to work with Ellon-based Aubin on company’s rapid response to its grow to £1.9 million in a year which the DeepBuoy and GLS lifting gels, growing customer base in the RiserTec Achieves included the launch of the company’s and trials of the latter are about to United States, EV has established innovative and ground-breaking SCAR begin in Orkney. We anticipate that its regional headquarters in Two Milestones specialist trenching plough. these will revolutionise the subsea Houston’s energy corridor. New An increase in work prompted the lifting market and they also have very operational bases have also been set Aberdeen- creation of two student summer strong possibilities for use in the up in Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado based specialist placements for 2011 while Maureen renewables sector.” to complement EV’s existing consultants operational base in Lafayette, RiserTec have Louisiana, which services the Gulf of concluded two Mexico. An additional base in West milestone events Virginia is due to be opened shortly. for the company. Dominion Gas – Shaping the Future In Scandinavia, EV has The fi rst is an established a partnership with agreement with Dominion Gas recently opened a modern gas plant in Aker Well Services in Norway and Dutch manufacturer Ghana, West Africa. Established in 1987, Dominion Denmark which is already benefi ting Lankhorst to jointly Gas underwent an MBO in 2007 with funding provided customers with rapid response from RiserTec’s new Rotating Test Rig develop, design and MORE THAN JUST A SUBSEA SERVICE by Graphite Capital and The Royal Bank of Scotland. EV’s suite of electric line, slickline, test their range of Later the same year the company acquired Global Gas coil tubing and drill pipe cameras. dynamic bend stiffeners. The second is the start-up of an We are recognised worldwide for our pioneering excavation technology Supplies (GGS) and in 2008 the fi rm increased its range Meanwhile, in the Far East, a new offi ce in Houston. The agreement with Lankhorst will give and unique deepwater troubleshooting expertise. of products and services through the acquisition of operational base in Malaysia has RiserTec a mainstream manufacturing partner to develop Now we are adding a fresh dimension with the Evo Marin Recovery recently been opened in conjunction our designs and bring the tested products to the market. Argon Isotank. Service, a unique one-stop approach to asset recovery, removal and Russel commented: “This is a really exciting time with Highland Energy Partners. “We are really looking forward to this next phase of decommissioning. for Dominion Gas and for me personally. We are Operations have already commenced product development,” said Jonathan Jury, who has delighted to be acknowledged as one of Europe’s leading in the South East Asia region. worked on the development of the company designs for With our exclusive all-new full ocean depth grab, shearing and CO2 Managing Director independent suppliers of gases to the offshore industry. EV has further plans in place over four years. technology, we are building on 30 years’ experience to radically redefine what’s possible subsea. Russel Davies Our reputation has been established over the years as to continue its rapid geographical The second milestone of opening an offi ce in Houston a result of the hard work undertaken by the previous expansion based on strong demand has been supported by the amount of demand for a Contact us now — and let Marin make the difference. owners. With a proven track record based on many years’ experience, for both its industry leading specialist Riser Analysis and Design company. Marin House, Castle Way, we are able to offer our clients an extremely high quality service. We are downhole video technology and its RiserTec has long carried out work for several Castle Park Industrial Estate, constantly looking for new ways to improve and offer bespoke innovative innovative products for subsea and companies in Houston including BP America and Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland AB41 9EY products and technically competent solutions. Over the years we have pipelines such as the company’s Petrobras Inc and with the start of RiserTec Inc, the T +44 1358 722 526 developed an excellent relationship with our clients who are aware of our Neptus wireless subsea camera. company will now be able to better support its clients. E desire to continuously improve and offer them best value for money.” www.marinsubsea.com [email protected] 18 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 19 SUBSEA UK NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 ACHIEVEMENT ACHIEVEMENT

Wood Group Kenny Wins Australia’s Leading the Way – Subsea Company of the Year Nylacast Continue to Raise Standards

production, installation and service components and materials are of products for the petroleum, recognised as the perfect solution petrochemical and natural gas to the arduous environments industries”. encountered during operations within In a continual growth and the industry. improvement effort to offer their fi rst class solutions to its customers in the sector, the recent accreditation to ISO 29001:2010 further exemplifi es Nylacast’s commitment to the offshore, oil & gas industry. Nylacast have Nylacast lightweight, chemical, corrosion been proudly & abrasion resistant thruster nozzle operating in the Leicester based Nylacast has offshore, oil & gas become the fi rst UK company of industry for over 40 its type and one of only six UK years. With state of companies to have achieved the the art technology, industry recognised accreditation to a full R&D testing ISO29001:2010-Oil and Gas. facility and highly Nylacast are the fi rst and only experienced UK company in the production engineers, and manufacturing of engineering Nylacast polymers to achieve the standard. ISO 29001:2010-Oil and Gas was developed as a direct result of Wood Group Kenny accepts Subsea Company of the Year award at the inaugural a partnership between ISO and the Subsea Energy Australia award ceremony international oil and gas industry, led by the American Petroleum Institute. Wood Group Kenny has picked up the Subsea Company The quality standard defi nes “the of the Year award at the inaugural Subsea Energy management system requirements Australia award ceremony. Nominated companies were for the design, development, judged not only on their commercial and strategic performance, but also on people development, leadership culture and the impact they have made to their communities. In awarding Wood Group Kenny, t Subsea & Pipelines Engineering Design, the judges made specifi c reference to the company’s Renewables & Project Management signifi cant intake of graduates from the University Fugro Breaks World Record for Low- of Western Australia and Curtin University, and its t Riser Design & Advanced Subsea commitment to technology initiatives to help the future Technology Logistic AUVs Using SeeByte Software needs of the subsea industry. Wood Group Kenny opened an offi ce in Perth in 1985 t Flow Assurance & Process Optimisation SeeByte, the global leader in creating smart software technology for and now has over 400 staff spread across Perth, unmanned systems, has announced that Fugro Survey Pty Ltd (Fugro) has Melbourne and Brisbane, and an annual turnover well in t Integrity Management & Materials successfully broken the current world record for the longest uninterrupted excess of A$100 million. Engineering pipeline inspection using a low-logistics AUV. Since opening in Australia, the company continues The SeeTrack AutoTracker software was utilised by Fugro in conjunction to win major subsea and pipeline FEED (Front End with the Gavia AUV to survey a pipeline on the Northwest Shelf off Western Engineering Design) projects on the North-West See us on stand 2C30 at Australia in 90 metres of water. The vehicle successfully inspected 31 Shelf and Timor Sea. Recent contract awards include kilometres of pipeline on a single mission, surpassing SeeByte’s existing subsea and pipeline engineering for Woodside’s Offshore Europe 2011 record. The mission was manually ended due to low battery while AutoTracker deepwater Browse project and for Apache Energy’s was still operating successfully. The SeeTrack software was developed to Julimar gas fi eld development. enable AUVs to carry out export pipeline inspections. Through SeeTrack Steve Wayman, CEO for Wood Group Kenny, said: AutoTracker the inspection data is improved and time is saved by reducing “Australia is an extremely important growth region for repeat missions which are usually required due to missing data. SeeTrack the Subsea industry and is also one of Wood Group AutoTracker can also operate in areas where multiple pipelines and Kenny’s largest and most established global centres. unexpected burials are encountered. Having retained a permanent base in Perth for around Ian Hobbs from Fugro said: “The data attained from this successful mission 25 years, we are committed to continuing our pivotal has provided us with clear and accurate information regarding the status role, which includes developing new talent, establishing of the pipeline. The SeeTrack software operated at an ideal offset and it is innovative technology and delivering successful world www.woodgroupkenny.com apparent that, with practiced operations, the software provides a time- class projects for our many clients in this expanding The Gsvai AUV, using SeeTrack AutoTracker software, effi cient method for accurate pipeline inspection. We were very pleased with market.” inspected 31km of pipeline on a single mission the results.” NAUTRONIX

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Subsea UK The Innovation Centre, Exploration Drive, Aberdeen Science and Energy Park, Bridge of Don, ADVERTISE IN SUBSEA UK NEWS Aberdeen AB23 8GX Tel: +44 (0)845 505 3535 Email: [email protected] www.subseauk.com The Subsea UK Newsletter is a very effective While every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented in this newsletter is accurate, Subsea UK assumes no medium for communicating with your customers. responsibility for errors, omissions, or out of date information and shall not be liable in any manner whatsoever for direct, indirect, If you are interested in advertising in the next incidental, consequential, or punitive damages resulting from the availability of, use of, access of, or inability to use this information. newsletter, email [email protected]