UT3 February March 2012
The magazine of the Society for Underwater Technology
Oceanology Remote Vehicles Survey
1 UT2 February March 2012 UT2 February March 2012 2 Contents
Exhibitions Market Reports Projects Orders Sensorbots Diving Installation IRM Mulberry Harbours Pipe Cables ROVs Submersibles
Compression Feb/Mar 2012 Equipment Vol 7 No 1 AUVs Renewables Organisation UT3
Oceanology 2012 Society for Underwater Technology Training 1 Fetter Lane Seismic London EC4A 1BR People +44 (0) 1480 370007 SUT Editor: John Howes [email protected]
Sub Editor: Michaelagh Broadbent [email protected]
Advertising: Stephen Habermel Published by UT2 Publishing Ltd for and on behalf of the Society for Underwater Technology. Reproduction of UT2 in whole or in part, without permission, is Production: Sue Denham prohibited. The publisher and the SUT assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material, nor responsibility for content of any advertisement, particularly Design and Layout infringement of copyrights, trademarks, intellectual property rights and patents, Torpedo Design nor liability for misrepresentations, false or misleading statements and illustrations. These are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Opinions of the writers are not necessarily those of the SUT or the publishers. ISSN: 1752-0592
3 UT2 February March 2012 Exhibitions Exhibitions Catch The Next Wave Focuses On A Marine Revolution
Revolution will be in the air when Catch the Next Graham Hawkes of Deep Ocean Engineering. Wave, a one day conference organised by New Scientist and Oceanology International, is held on 12 March at The Royal Institution of Great Britain. possible the routine forecasting of the oceans.
Catch the Next Wave, with its theme ‘Tomorrow’s solutions to today’s ocean challenges’ includes presentations by leading world authorities on key ability to collect unprecedented real-time data about the marine disruptive and emerging technologies – power environment and the emergence of ocean observatories of sources, sensors, nanotechnology, materials, the type that will be described by John Delaney, Professor of robotics and cyber infrastructure. Their thoughts Oceanography, University of Washington in his presentation. will be complemented by presentations from their counterparts working at the highest level in marine research and the ocean industries highlighting where migrating into marine applications. these technologies are migrating to the marine sector. “So, Catch the Next Wave is about putting leaders from across the marine technology and engineering sphere alongside blue As conference chairman Ralph Rayner, Professorial skies thinkers at the forefront of researching new disruptive, Research Fellow, London School of Economics; and Sector Director, Energy and Environment for the to provide an update on what is becoming possible in the next BMT Group explains: “It was research into electricity, decade and too spark new ideas for applications in the ocean.” at the Royal Institution, which ultimately led to the technologies we use to monitor and measure His fellow conference committee member Professor. Gwyn the marine environment by electronic rather than ! " mechanical means. Robotic Systems, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton cites another two examples, which prove that “In more recent times, many new technologies have some good ideas take a long time to migrate to other sectors: found a home in the marine world. For example, new battery technologies, driven by the boom in consumer O$ % " & ' P % / O 6 electronics have extended the capabilities of all sorts depend on the physics of Doppler shift, proposed in 1842, but of self-contained devices that operate in the marine as in so many cases, it is the technology that is lacking to use environment. the principles of physics, or chemistry, or biology, in ocean applications. It was the migration of work on the Doppler radar “Mobile phone technology too has been adapted to for lunar landing modules that led to self-contained acoustic be of use in the oceans – we have seen the migration Doppler instruments for the ocean, thus growing a whole new of ultra-low power signal processing developed by industry sector. that industry into powerful self-contained devices able to provide very accurate underwater navigation and “Another example is Wireless Fibre Systems. The severe positioning over very long periods of time.” limitations of electromagnetic signalling through a conductive medium (seawater) were clear once James Maxwell formulated He adds: “It’s not going too far to say that we face his equations in the early 1860s. By applying new signal a coming revolution with today’s emerging and processing algorithms and hardware initially devised for land disruptive technologies, and Catch the Next Wave =>& is designed to help ensure that the marine sector this company has forged ahead to develop a new market.” takes full advantage of what is on offer. Our March conference is something of a call to arms, as we think “Two marvellous examples,” says Ralph Rayner. “We hope for of the exciting possibilities that are within our grasp: quicker adoption of the ideas that will be promulgated at Catch the Next Wave, but of course Gwyn’s examples show that some good ideas just have to wait for the timing to be absolutely and the automotive industry that is making possible right!” lightweight pressure housings and the construction of an ‘underwater plane’ capable of diving to the Taking place on the eve of Oceanology International 2012, deepest point in the ocean – something we will be Catch the Next Wave is supported by the Society for hearing about in the opening keynote presentation by Underwater Technology.
UT2 February March 2012 4 FMC Technologies’ subsea solutions and experience are leading the way in all-subsea arctic development. And that makes life easier when you’re working offshore in a sea that’s ice-covered up to seven months of the year. Our total solutions include proven subsea processing and pumping, long distance tie-backs and clean, all-electric control systems with robust condition monitoring and flow manager systems. Don’t let the ice freeze you out of the arctic. Talk to us instead.
www.fmctechnologies.com
Schilling Robotics’ HDTM ROV sets new remote intervention standards with 1-hour maintenance, industry-leading stability and position control accuracy.
© 2011 FMC Technologies. All rights reserved. 5 UT2 February March 2012 Reports
Market Reports Subsea Market Report To 2016
@ K6 Q Prospects for manufacturers are also other mature areas. Total is leading its latest edition of the Global looking positive. The market outlook the subsea bill with a projected Perspectives Subsea Market Report shows a well-supplied market with a US$8 billion of expenditure within To 2016. The eighth edition of this total capacity of 690 trees. Towards the forecast period. ground breaking report is devoted the end of the forecast period, to the global subsea market and @ K6 % Asia is also becoming an provides a comprehensive analysis utilisation rates and the start of a increasingly important part of the of its many facets. saturated market, driven mostly by world for the global oil and gas the increasing demand for subsea market as it is the fastest growing Information is presented in such trees in main phases in Brazil and region in terms of energy demand, a way as to highlight the differing West Africa. Global subsea tree and the hub of the global LNG market dynamics, the changing manufacturers’ utilisation rates are sector. The unfortunate events of investment opportunities, the expected to increase to an average 2011 in Fukushima, Japan, have emergence and implementation of 75% in the next 3 years, up from also served to increase the region’s of new technology and the 49% in the 2009-2011 period. dependency on natural gas. dominance of different companies and manufacturers in each regional Advances in technology are Australia is emerging as a major market. increasingly being tested and player in the global natural gas deployed in response to the market due to the development of As operators face the dual offshore industry’s demand for offshore natural gas and (onshore) challenge of sustaining their solutions to challenges, such coal bed methane (CBM) projects. production levels in mature regions as: deeper and harsher waters, ' _`{| and effectively exploiting the sustaining production rates in major projects is predicted to provide uncapped reserves in growth areas, \ a boost to the market. More than such as, West Africa, US Gulf of rates in low pressure reservoirs, 50% of the forecast subsea market Mexico and Brazil, the potential accommodating a larger number is expected to relate to subsea for subsea capital expenditure % \ throughout the forecast period has and ensuring the energy and cost terminal facility. increased dramatically. 6 Q / The European energy market is In order to leverage against ' Q one of the largest in the world yet it declining production, Operators are from the use of advanced seabed is also a region facing oil and gas being forced to venture into remote technologies include: the mature production decline. The declining and harsher locations. These ] K ^K production in this mature region projects require top tier equipment GoM, where a large number of dictates the need for additional 6 small developments are expected expenditure on infrastructure, V / @ to be tied back to existing platforms EOR technologies and exploration Systems estimate that ultra-deep in order to be commercially viable. campaigns in order to sustain or installations will account for almost @ K6 % enhance existing levels. 25% of the annual tree market by West Africa will be one of the key 2016. regions for implementing subsea Latin America, particularly Brazil, has processing because of its already the potential to emerge as a major As anticipated, the oil companies extensive deepwater production, offshore energy frontier in the global that lead the market are heavily oil market. Petrobras has begun to involved in the booming Latin importantly the geographical reveal reserve estimates for its pre- American and West African V 6 prospects. Petrobras is leading multiple wells being tied-back to one increase Brazil’s total estimated level the board with an expected capital central processing facility. of reserves. 38% of the projected expenditure of US$18.9 billion over subsea Capex will be needed to the 2012-2016 period. Important In Africa, oil companies such as develop the pre-salt projects. developments include the pilot Total, BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Q Eni will try to take advantage of the Finally, the North American market and a series of EWTs in Tiara, Libra, area’s ample resources to leverage } Z @ [ / against the declining reserves from global recession followed by the
UT2 February March 2012 6 S-Boom Geophysical Systems
By harnessing the combined power of three of their AA202 Boomer Plates to provide a single pulse, the Applied Acoustics’ S-Boom System is re-defining the boundaries of shallow seismic surveying. Already recognised for producing high resolution seabed profiles, the fusion of these three transducers delivers a source level high enough to significantly increase sub-bottom penetration without loss of data quality.
Shallow water seismic reflection surveys Deep penetration >200mtr Ultra high resolution <0.25mtr Clean, stable, repeatable pulse signature Single and multi channel streamer compatible
+44 (0)1493 440355 : [email protected] : www.appliedacoustics.com
Deep-water Horizon disaster, the last geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East development drilling and subsea two years have seen a change in the and North Africa and its impact on V regulatory environment governing the supply and price of oil. projects requiring the greatest operator activities across the region. amount of capital expenditure are Any future subsea equipment and > " 6 highlighted. Finally, information infrastructure will need to comply with provides a more in-depth analysis these regulations and have higher of the main subsea participants: operators is provided. 6 oil companies and subsea tree that will lead to greater capital manufacturers. With regard to oil " 6 > expenditure per development. In companies, this section analyses Forecasts contains detailed addition, the rise of the local Shale @ K6 % analysis and forecast of each of the Gas market threatens to mix up operator to invest and provides main sectors in the subsea market: the offshore market dynamics by R development drilling and subsea diverting the operators’ attention major future projects. In addition, equipment expenditure. In addition, onshore. an analysis of subsea equipment various types of subsea equipment manufacturers’ client portfolios is such as subsea trees and manifolds Executive Summary provides provided along with a presentation are presented in more detail. an overview of the Subsea market of their current subsea frame highlighting the main points of the agreements. Finally, a discussion On a closing note, all key changes report and identifying the most on the current subsea processing in the cost methodology are important subsea regions and developments is provided. discussed together with any operators and presenting the largest subsea tree manufacturers in terms = " 6 > Z Q 6 of market share. contains a detailed analysis and shocks such as the Macondo oil forecast for each of the following spill and macroeconomic and Global Market Overview reviews regions: Africa, Latin and North political issues. the drivers behind the global America, Europe, Asia, Australasia offshore oil and gas business, and the Middle East and Caspian. including current oil market supply For each region subsea capital @ K6 and demand fundamentals, oil price expenditure for the forecast period +44 20 7423 5000 trends, and the growth of deepwater 2007-16 is presented together with production and its impact on the the number of subsea equipment V / global oil market. It also provides installations. In addition, investment / a comprehensive analysis of
7 UT2 February March 2012 Reports Market Reports The World AUV Market Forecast 2012-2016
The 4th edition of Douglas- Segmentation by demand for Competitive Landscape – Westwood’s World AUV Market AUV units manufacturers and commercial Forecast 2012-2016 expects major Segmentation by commercial, operators % 6 > Market Drivers – detailed by years. The size of the existing Review of developments in 6 > \ 6 technology sectors stands at 560 in 2012 (up from 390 Review of commercial The World AUV Marke Forecast – in 2009) and Douglas-Westwood landscape introduction, the forecasting process, forecast this to rise to 930 by 2016. potential for upside, global forecast, A detailed review of unmanned 6 > Sectors of the AUV market are markets forecast by sub-sector for already rapidly maturing and respective roles of AUVs, ROVs and each market. the value of the technology is USVs, the technology involved and receiving widespread acceptance their applications is included in a Volume 2: Technology & in applications such as deepwater separate Volume 2. This describes Applications > the development of the industry gas industry, in ocean research and gives many examples of the A detailed overview covering all types and mine counter-measures 6 "^ =$ > of unmanned marine vehicles. surveys. The sector is also USVs. Individual sections discuss evolving, with pre-commercial the fundamental technologies of Introduction – types of unmanned 6 > positioning and obstacle avoidance; vehicles and alternatives main vehicle components such as Autonomous Underwater Vehicles together with increasing use of umbilical cables, tooling, survey "^ M low-logistics vehicles and those sensors, cameras and manipulators. and evolution designed for shallower waters and Remotely Operated Vehicles \ % 6 / @ The World AUV Market Forecast =$ M 6 2012-2016 is the latest in an and evolution developments in many areas such acclaimed series of business studies Unmanned Surface Vehicles as civil hydrography programmes used by organisations in over 70 ^K M and for ultra-long endurance / and evolution missions in both the ocean > Q $! Technology – autonomy, user research and military sectors. contractors, and government > 6 > / > Awareness is growing with > 6 6 AUVs receiving increased media Contents > > 6 coverage since their involvement in The report consists of two volumes: > the post-incident monitoring of the Volume 1: The World AUV Market > Macondo blow-out in the US Gulf Forecast Applications – introduction, oil of Mexico and in the search for > 6 \ " " 6 6 > Z \ [ / focusing on the AUV industry and its nuclear industry, seabed resources, % 6 6 > The World AUV Market Forecast years safety. 2012-2016 contains: K 6 > M 6 @ Introduction to AUVs – Douglas-Westwood of key underlying drivers and their introduction to inspection, survey, +44 (0)1227 780999 \ "^ 6 > "^ f: +44 (0)1227 780880 by sector gliders. Review of commercial, Forecast activity 2012 to 2016, military and research applications. e: research@ 6 > Technology trends douglaswestwood.com
UT2 February March 2012 8 9 UT2 February March 2012 Skuld Fast Track
Statoil has received the green light tracks are expected to produce injectors. These will be tied in to from the Norwegian Ministry of almost 90.000 barrels of oil equivalent the Norne PSV through a 14-inch Petroleum and Energy for the fast- per day in 2014, Skuld accounting for \ / track Skuld plan for development more than half of this. First oil from Skuld will be important to the future and operation (PDO). Skuld is & ] / Z K R 2012, well over one year after PDO already been extended from 2016 PDO, and the largest fast-track submission. to 2021. Skuld phase-in will be / " essential to utilising idle capacity on are scheduled to come on stream by 6 the Norne production and storage vessel (PSV), and maintaining a high year-end2 2012/early 2013. standard subsea templates with six UTIn combination,February theMarch approved 2012 fast- production wells10 and three water production. estimated at 90 million barrels of utilise idle capacity on the PSV. This oil equivalent, primarily oil. Total % investments are estimated at NOK new exploration activities and further 9.8 billion. The project organisation is development in the Norne area. Plans located mainly in Harstad and Oslo. for further life extension until 2030 are ] /
Recoverable reserves in Skuld are 11 UT2 February March 2012 Projects Projects
Vile South
Subsea infrastructure in the Vilje area tying into an FPSO
Aker Solutions has been production control system, wellhead Technip was awarded two awarded a contract by Statoil for system, remote connection system contracts by the international the engineering, procurement and a 150m static umbilical. energy company Statoil, worth a and construction of a subsea This contract is an extension to the total of around €55 million, for the production system for the Vilje subsea production system Aker Q K ] South project on the Norwegian K R Q developments These contracts continental shelf. The contract in 2006. cover: value is approximately NOK 225 {` million. Management, engineering and \ procurement of the subsea V The Vilje South project production system will be primarily tie-ins, Q K performed at Aker Solutions’ / project located in the middle part of headquarters in Oslo, Norway. the North Sea, about 20 kilometres Technip’s operating centre in Oslo, northeast of Alvheim and just north Fabrication and manufacturing will Norway will execute the contracts. take place in Tranby, Moss and Flowline welding will take place in depth of approximately 120m. Egersund in Norway and in Aberdeen the Group’s spoolbase in Orkanger, in the UK. Norway, while installation will be Scope of work includes a subsea performed with the Apache II, a \ Final deliveries will be made in Q2 6 R \ and protection structure, subsea 2013. in mid-2013.
UT2 February March 2012 12 Projects
LUCIUS UNIT Gulf of Mexico
ANADARKO ACREAGE DISCOVERY OIL FIELD Lucius DISCOVERY GAS FIELD PROSPECT FUTURE TIEBACK Anadarko recently sanctioned the FMC Technologies signed an development of its deepwater agreement provide subsea systems KEATHLEY CANYON WALKER RIDGE Lucius development in the Gulf of 793 794 LUCIUS UNIT Future Facility Mexico on Keathley Canyon Blocks Lucius project. The work scope (APC WI 35%)
{ {/ 6 874 87575 876 877 SPARTACUS in a water depth of 2172m (7126 ft production trees and two manifolds. Prospect / 6 % 918 920 (APC WI 67%) 919 producing wells. The equipment will be supplied MARCUS Prospect from the Company’s operation (APC WI 50%) Technip was awarded a lump in Houston and deliveries are South Hadrian sum contract for the engineering, expected to begin in the fourth PHOBOS Prospect construction and transport of a 23 quarter of 2012. (APC WI 50%) 39 40 41 000 ton truss Spar hull. Lucius will be the seventh Spar Technip has Aker Solutions was awarded 82 83 84 delivered to Anadarko. a contract for eight steel tube umbilicals. The scope of work SIGSBEE ESCARPMENT AMERY TERRACE K \ includes the project management, production facility will have a design, engineering, and nameplate capacity of 80,000 manufacturing of two electro/ barrels of oil per day and 450 million hydraulic dynamic production cubic feet of natural gas per day. umbilicals, two gas lift dynamic umbilicals, three electro/hydraulic These umbilicals will utilise the Technip’s operating center in patented Aker Solutions PVC Houston, Texas, will provide the % overall project management. The associated ancillary equipment predictable estimates of fatigue and detailed hull design and fabrication required for installation and friction, and improved crush and will be carried out by Technip’s yard interface with the existing impact resistance. Final deliveries in Pori, Finland. development. will be made in late 2013.
13 UT2 February March 2012 Golden Eagle
Golden Eagle
Technip has been water injection and 1 gas lift including awarded a lump \ Apache II and Orelia. sum contract worth 1 main umbilical and approximately €135 2 subsea isolation valve Jackets million, by Nexen, for umbilicals, Heerema Fabrication Subsea News the Golden Eagle subsea equipment, Group (HFG) has been development located awarded the contract 110km North-east of \ for the fabrication of two Aberdeen in 115m of tie-ins, protection, jackets for the Golden water. pre-commissioning and Eagle Development project commissioning support. of Nexen Petroleum UK. This contract is the largest Genesis, Technip’s ever awarded to Technip consultancy subsea and The contract consists of for a project in the United offshore engineering the fabrication of a 6,000 Kingdom Continental Shelf company, will complete the tons wellhead jacket and and features the reeling of detailed design workscope. a 6,000 tons jacket for the lined pipe which provides \ PUQ (Production Utilities a cost effective alternative manufactured at Technip’s Quarters). for high temperature, \ % highly corrosive materials. France. The construction will be This contract covers the executed at the Vlissingen engineering, procurement, The Group’s umbilical fabrication location and installation and manufacturer in Newcastle, is scheduled to start in commissioning of: UK, DUCO, will provide the February 2012. Both umbilicals and vessels from jackets will have a height 2 export, 1 production, \ of 130 m with a foot print of 1 mechanically lined for the offshore campaign, 45 x 45m
UT2 February March 2012 14 Bøyla Subsea News
Aker Solutions has signed a contract with Marathon Oil Norge AS to supply programme. We are working a subsea production system for continuously to further minimise the operator’s Bøyla project on the execution time, risk and cost. This Norwegian continental shelf. Contract \ R value is approximately NOK 210 competitiveness. We have a frame million. agreement with Marathon that dates back to 2004 and are very pleased to continue working with them on this The Bøyla contract is another project,” says Alan Brunnen, executive vice president of Aker Solutions’ subsea business. programme. Engineering and manufacturing of the Scope of work includes engineering, subsea trees will be primarily performed procurement, construction and at Aker Solutions’ technology centre delivery of four subsea trees, four at Tranby, Norway. Engineering of the over-trawlable subsea structures and over-trawlable structures will be carried control systems. out at Aker Solutions headquarters in Fornebu, Norway. =6 " The subsea control systems will back to the Alvheim FPSO. The water be delivered out of Aberdeen, UK. depth is approximately 120 meters. Installation and commissioning will be handled by Aker Solutions’ service base “The Bøyla contract is another at Aagotnes, Norway. Final deliveries will be made in early 2013.
15 UT2 February March 2012 Projects Projects
Wheatstone Troll
FMC has won the contract for the offshore Western Australia in water Aker Solutions has been awarded design, manufacture and supply depths between 330 and 850 feet a contract by Statoil to deliver six of subsea production systems to (100 to 260 meters). subsea trees and a tool package support the Wheatstone Project. for Troll on the Norwegian FMC’s scope of supply includes continental shelf. Estimated The contract has an approximate 11 subsea production trees, 11 contract value is NOK 350 million. value of $325 million in revenue to wellheads, three manifolds, subsea FMC Technologies. and topside controls and well access R systems. The equipment will be biggest subsea development with The Chevron-operated Wheatstone Z! R " ' regards to the number of subsea Project comprises the Wheatstone operations, with deliveries scheduled wells. Last year, Aker Solutions @ to commence in 2013. reached a major milestone in delivering the 100th subsea tree / awards and deliveries for Troll have helped to shape and develop Aker Solutions’ subsea business.
Having been involved in Statoil’s Troll projects from the beginning in 1996, we are proud to still play a part in this industrial milestone.
Scope of work includes six subsea trees, with a possible option for nine further subsea trees, including control systems.
northern part of the North Sea, approximately 65 kilometres west of Kollsnes, near Bergen in ] 6/ ` cent of the total gas reserves on the Norwegian continental shelf and is also one of the largest shelf. Under this contract, Aker Solutions will deliver equipment to the oil section of Troll.
“Having been involved in Statoil’s Troll projects from the beginning in 1996, we are proud to still play a part in this industrial milestone” says Alan Brunnen, executive vice president of Aker Solutions’ subsea business area.
Last year, Aker Solutions reached a major milestone in delivering the 100th subsea tree to the Troll /
UT2 February March 2012 16 Projects
Fletcher Finucane
Subsea 7 has been awarded a SURF contract valued at Saipem Frame Agreement approximately $60 million from Saipem has been awarded new Technip was awarded the last option Santos Limited on the Fletcher- Offshore contracts worth $1.8 billion for the Statoil frame contract for Finucane Development offshore which will be carried out by the diving, pipeline repair, contingency Western Australia. newly-built Castorone pipelay vessel. / The contract scope includes the In Australia, Saipem has signed The frame contract has been held by project management, engineering an Engineering, Procurement, Technip since January 2007 and is and installation of: approximately Construction and Installation now extended to the latest possible \ % \ } (EPCI) contract with INPEX for the completion date of December 60km of umbilicals and; associated gas export pipeline (GEP) on the 2014. The yearly revenue under structures to connect the wells Ichthys project in the Browse Basin, the contract is expected to be in the to the existing Exeter Mutineer approximately 200km offshore of range of €50-80 million. facilities. The scope also includes Western Australia pre-commissioning activities and This contract is an exclusive other associated services. Saipem’s scope of work will include agreement for all diving and diver the engineering, procurement, assisted operations offshore for Project management and construction and installation of Statoil. This is an important milestone engineering will commence 889km of a 42in subsea pipeline, in an expanding diving market. It immediately with offshore in water depths of up to 275m. covers management and execution operations scheduled to It connects the offshore central of subsea marine operations within commence late 2012 using processing facility to the onshore inspection, maintenance and repair Rockwater 2. processing facility in Darwin. and diving.
17 UT2 February March 2012 Projects Projects
HILD
Total has announced the the Norwegian North Sea. This development will represent an investment of US$4.2 billion (NOK 25.6 billion) and is subject to the approval of the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and Norwegian Parliament.
Hild’s reserves amount to approximately 190 million barrels Projects of oil equivalent (boe). Production is expected to start end of 2016 and will reach 100,000 boe per day at peak.
Innovation has opened up new opportunities for Total offshore Norway, where we will continue to invest annually an average of ^K_ % years.
The stand-alone development, in a water depth of 115 meters, accesses separate gas/ condensate and oil reservoirs. It includes the installation of an integrated wellhead, production and accommodation platform. Processed gas will be exported to St Fergus in the UK via a new link to the existing Frigg UK Pipeline (FUKA). Liquids will be sent to a dedicated storage vessel where water is separated for reinjection, and oil will be exported via shuttle tankers. The Group strives to minimize its environmental footprint as part of its concern for sustainable development. Therefore Hild’s power needs will be supplied from the Norwegian mainland electrical grid via a new 170 kilometres long cable, the world’s longest alternating current (AC) power line from shore to an offshore platform. Total holds a 51 % interest together with its partners Petoro (30 %) and Statoil (19 %).
UT2 February March 2012 18 Projects
Fionn
Antrim has signed an agreement with Valiant Petroleum to proceed with early installation of subsea facilities for the development of the Fionn Field in the UK Northern North Sea block 211/22a South East Area (the “Fionn Agreement”).
Antrim holds a 35.5% working interest the block.
The Fionn Field was previously referred to as the Central Causeway fault block. In December 2011, the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) assigned Fionn Field and the Causeway Field, the latter containing the two fault blocks previously referred to as the East Causeway and Far East Causeway fault blocks.
A Field Development Plan (FDP) for the Causeway Field was approved by DECC, as announced & _ _`{{ expected in mid-2012.
Under the terms of the Fionn Agreement, various subsea facilities 2012 coincident with the installation of facilities for the Causeway Field as a pre-investment for the future tie-in of the Fionn Field in order to minimize development costs.
It is planned that Fionn production will be combined with the Causeway Field production, transported for processing to the Cormorant North platform operated by TAQA Bratani Limited, and exported to the Sullom Voe terminal for sale. First oil from the Fionn Field is anticipated in mid-2013. Development of the Fionn Field is subject to approval from DECC. Antrim’s working interest share of development costs for the Fionn Field, including the pre- investment costs, is estimated to be approximately US$22 million.
19 UT2 February March 2012 Projects Projects
Ichthys McDermott has received and to be produced over an operational Storage and Offtake vessel and signed a letter of award for the life of more than 40 years. Central Processing Facility as well Ichthys Gas-condensate Field as installation engineering for future Development subsea umbilical, INPEX is the Operator of the Project. \ / \ K^=Z Q 6 Gas from Ichthys will undergo INPEX. preliminary processing offshore McDermott has already begun to remove water and extract engineering and procurement The contract value is in the order condensate. work and is expected to start of magnitude of US$2 billion and fabrication of more than 16 000t is the largest subsea contract This project includes engineering, of subsea equipment, including a McDermott has been awarded to procurement, construction, subsea Riser Support Structure date. installation (EPCI) and pre- and installation aids, at its Batam \ Island, Indonesia fabrication facility Ichthys is located in the Browse systems, a MEG injection system, beginning in 2013. Basin, off the north-west coast plus start-up condensate transfer of Western Australia and \ The complex offshore installation approximately 820 kilometres systems, control systems as well as campaign will see McDermott south-west of Darwin. other associated SURF elements in undertake the installation of water depths up to 275m. subsea hardware, moorings, risers, Most likely resource estimates are \ [ 12.8 trillion cubic feet of gas and McDermott will also install mooring specialty subsea vessels Emerald 527 million barrels of condensate systems for the Floating Production, Sea and North Ocean 102.
UT2 February March 2012 20 Projects
Svalin Aker Solutions has been vice president of Aker Solutions’ awarded a job by Statoil for subsea business area. the engineering, procurement and construction of a subsea Management, engineering and production system for the procurement of the subsea Svalin project on the Norwegian production system will be primarily continental shelf. The contract performed at Aker Solutions’ value is approximately NOK 400 headquarters in Oslo, Norway. million. Fabrication and manufacturing will take place in Tranby and Egersund We are very proud to be in Norway and Aberdeen in the awarded this subsea production UK. system project from Statoil. Final deliveries will be made in Q3 Scope of work includes two 2013. McDermott is working with Heerema subsea trees, one four-slot for transportation and installation of a integrated template structure K portion of the offshore scope, utilizing with process distribution project located in the middle part the heavy lift, J-Lay and Reel-Lay manifold, subsea and topside of the North Sea, about eight capability of Heerema’s new-build production control systems, kilometers southwest of the Grane vessel Aegir. wellhead systems and remote % 6 { connection systems. kilometres west of Haugesund, in The gas will then be exported to a water depth of approximately onshore processing facilities in “We are very proud to be 120 meters. Darwin via an 889-kilometer subsea awarded this subsea production pipeline. The Ichthys LNG Project system project from Statoil and is expected to produce 8.4 million pleased to be further involved tonnes of LNG and 1.6 million tonnes in the development of delivering of LPG per annum, along with standardised subsea solutions approximately 100,000 barrels of for fast-track developments,” condensate per day at peak. says Alan Brunnen, executive
West Franklin GWF Subsea 7 has been awarded a $185 million contract FMC has signed an agreement with Woodside for the design, from Elf Exploration for the work on West Franklin in manufacture and supply of subsea production systems to the Central Graben area of the North Sea. support the Greater Western Flank (GWF) The contract scope includes engineer-ing, procurement, Phase 1 Project. fabrication, installation and commissioning of the Sealines Package associated with the West Franklin The GWF Phase 1 Project will develop the Goodwyn GH and Phase 2 Development. % Q for the Woodside operated North West Shelf Project. The The Sealine Package consists of a 6.2km pipeline Z bundle incorporating two insulated pipe-in-pipe 230–425 ft (70–130m). production pipelines to connect the new West Franklin A and Elgin B platforms, and represents the largest FMC’s scope of supply includes six subsea production trees, diameter bundle produced and installed to date. A six wellheads, two manifolds, subsea and topside controls 6.6km umbilical will be laid and trenched adjacent to \ 6 / & % the bundle. commence in the second half of 2012 and continue through 2013. Engineering and project management will commence later this year, with offshore operations due to commence in 2013.
21 UT2 February March 2012 Projects Projects
McDermott Helix Spool Base
McDermott has signed a 10-year spool base services with frame agreement for spool base McDermott’s state-of-the-art welding automatic welding equipment and services in the Gulf of Mexico with technology to support our newest technology and skilled technicians. Helix Subsea Construction. subsea construction vessels and With record-setting welding expanding subsea engineering procedures, state-of-the-art welding This agreement allows McDermott, resources, we can further offer full- technology and in-house welding when contracting with Helix, to offer service engineering, procurement, experts, McDermott will ensure full-service, shore-based pipeline construction and installation for stringent welding criteria required for stalking and spooling services from deepwater and ultra-deepwater deepwater subsea pipelines, such Helix’s premier 120-acre Gulf of subsea projects for Gulf of Mexico as fatigue sensitive Steel Catenary Mexico spool base at Ingleside, and Atlantic customers.” Risers, meet or exceed clients’ Texas, to pursue deepwater / and ultra-deepwater installation Through the cooperation agreement, base is also designed for fabrication projects,” McDermott would fabricate the of pipeline end terminations, pipeline required mile-long stalks at end manifolds, subsea manifolds “By combining Helix’s established Ingleside, and employ its own in- and jumpers.
Spoolbase
UT2 February March 2012 22 Projects
Julimar $ > as well as and domestic gas in the subsea equipment supply contract processing facility. worth more than $150m from Apache for the Julimar project off $ > the Western Australia coast. Australia David Leslie said: “Field conditions for the Julimar project Located near Dampier, the dictate the use of large-bore development will supply raw gas equipment with high pressure and from the Julimar and Brunello gas temperature requirements. We are able to supply the right technology Wheatstone project. to meet those standards while also taking advantage of our local Under the terms of the deal, GE presence and global experience.” will supply subsea manifolds, well systems, in addition to fully GE will be responsible for project integrated subsea and topside management, engineering and control systems. procurement of the subsea equipment for Julimar project. It will also provide equipment for Shipments are set to begin in June the Wheatstone project, which next year, with installation starting in V the fourth quarter of 2013.
23 UT2 February March 2012 Subsea News
Subsea News Well Ops Talisman
Subsea well intervention specialist The 114m (374ft) DP2 vessel features Helix Well Ops has been awarded a a purpose-built derrick for well multi-service contract by Talisman. intervention above a 7m by 5m moon- pool and a travelling block rated to 80t The contract will see the Aberdeen- lift capacity. 6 MSV Seawell has a saturation diving subsea workscopes that include capability of up to an 18-man. well maintenance and production enhancement operations, and a The abandonment of wells is number of well abandonments at R proportion of the estimated £30billion portfolio of assets. expenditure that will be spent decommissioning the UK’s oil and The multi-service campaign is gas infrastructure. Industry body anticipated to last upwards of two $ > ^ months and will be undertaken from 2012 and 2020, it is estimated Well Ops’ mono-hull saturation diving that £1.6billion will be spent and well intervention vessel MSV decommissioning wells. Seawell.
UT2 February March 2012 24 MSV Seawell
25 UT2 February March 2012 Orders Orders
NASeBOP DSIT Nautronix have been awarded an With the important emphasis DSIT Solutions has received order worth around $4m from a well placed on safety in the drilling its largest order ever for known American BOP supplier to industry, Nautronix reviewed their underwater security systems. supply their NASeBOP (Nautronix existing acoustic BOP switch Emergency BOP Acoustic Control product line and developed The contract calls for the System) to be used on the four new NASeBOP. This product delivery of a large number of ultra-deepwater drillships for Noble expanded on the existing EBOP AquaShield Diver Detection Corporation. This order comes just product which provided high Sonar (DDS) and PointShield after their recent success in securing integrity control and monitoring Portable Diver Detection Sonar an order to supply the drillships with of BOP critical functions both as (PDDS) systems that will protect their NASDrill RS925 Hydro-acoustic primary or secondary control in offshore oil platforms, coastal positioning system from a Norwegian conjunction with the standard BOP energy terminals and high value DP supplier. umbilical. vessels against underwater intrusion and sabotage.
The value of the contract between DSIT and an iTech undisclosed Asian customer is i-Tech Announces Award from ROVs which will be deployed by $12.3 million. Initial delivery of Statoil for Provision of Services bespoke launch systems onboard systems is scheduled to begin Subsea 7, through its i-Tech from both rigs. immediately with the remainder division, announces today in 2012. the award by Statoil ASA for Each ROV services contract is the provision of ROV services 6 Dan Ben-Dov, DSIT’s Vice $ K to extend by a further three one ' K > ! Ltd (COSL)’s new build Innovator year options. Offshore work will said, “As far as we know this and Promoter rigs currently under commence when both rigs arrive in is the largest contract for construction in China. Norway during 2012.The Innovator underwater security systems and Promoter are the second and 6 $ > i-Tech’s workscope includes third in a series of three COSL industry. the provision of two new build contracted rigs by Statoil; the Centurion QX work class and two ' 6 existing Tiger observation class operations in the 3rd quarter 2011. DSIT as the world leader in
IHC Merwede IHC Merwede Receives New suction hopper dredger with BAE with Subsea 7 is for the design, Orders Worth EUR 200 Million Systems (USA); an environmentally engineering and construction of a IHC Merwede is pleased to friendly deep-water dredger for new advanced pipelaying vessel, announce that it has recently Zheijang Dredging (China); and which will have an overall length of secured orders for advanced a 5,000-tonne capacity carousel- 146 metres, a beam of 30 metres vessels and equipment in lay system for Royal Boskalis and a Class-2 dynamic positioning its core markets of dredging Westminster N.V. system. Subsea 7 has selected and offshore to the value of IHC Merwede due to its reliability €200million. These orders further reinforce the 6 group’s belief that there will be orders. This latest vessel will be continued demand for its innovative by IHC Merwede include: a new vessels, advanced equipment and off the coast of Brazil on behalf of pipelaying vessel for Subsea 7; life-cycle support in the future. Petrobras. an engineering and components package for the build of a trailing IHC Merwede’s assignment In addition, IHC Merwede has been
UT2 February March 2012 26 6 systems for the energy sector.
DSIT pioneered this market in 2007 with the sale of its AquaShield Diver Detection Sonar to a leading European Oil Terminal. Since then we have accumulated vast experience in testing and operating our underwater surveillance solutions in many energy sites around the world, including nuclear power facilities.”
“The AquaShield DDS boasts a unique combination of features, making it an ideal tool in the 6 / @ offers the longest range threat detection, while its advanced guarantee accurate threat 6 alarms.
The system is fully automatic, eliminating the need for a trained sonar operator. It is almost to by our customers every day- its robust design ensures long years \ /P
successful in securing an agreement for an engineering and components package with BAE Systems, which has been contracted to build a 6,540m3 trailing suction hopper dredger for Weeks Marine, Inc., USA.
IHC Merwede earlier supplied the basic design of the vessel – which will have a length of 109 metres and a beam of 24 metres – to Weeks Marine, Inc. This important landmark has highlighted IHC Merwede’s ongoing strategy of internationalisation.
27 UT2 February March 2012 Vessels
DeepOcean Wins Contracts
Statoil has signed a one-year option for the vessel Edda Fauna under its existing inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) frame contract. Furthermore, Statoil has decided to upgrade the scale squeeze system onboard the Edda Fauna to further strengthen the vessel’s performance. Scale squeeze is a chemical well stimulation operation performed to enhance well production. This will support Statoil in their efforts to maintain and improve the production of their North Sea subsea wells.
Statoil has also extended for an additional eight months its existing IRM frame contract with Edda Fonn. Edda Fonn has for several years been dedicated to inspection work with Statoil.
Both the Edda Fauna and the Edda Fonn operations are supported by onshore project & $ R /
UT2 February March 2012 28 Te Edda Fauna
29 UT2 February March 2012 Sensorbots
Sensorbots are spherical devices microscale modules to measure “We are leveraging our automation, equipped with biogeochemical multiple parameters in living cells sensors, biotechnology, and sensors, that promise to open a in real time in order to correlate systems expertise to develop new chapter in the notoriously cellular events with genomic unique robots that can be deployed challenging exploration of earth’s information. As Meldrum explains, by the hundreds, travel in formation, largest ecosystem – the ocean. K Q 6 and communicate together for expands the scope of oceanographic exploration and discovery. The The devices are being designed investigations carried out by Sensorbots will enable continuous and developed in the laboratory Biodesign’s Center for Biosignatures spatiotemporal monitoring of key of Deirdre Meldrum, senior Discovery Automation: elements in the ocean and the scientist and director of the Center ability to respond to events such for Biosignatures Discovery Automation at Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute.
Much of Meldrum’s genomic research focuses on deep ocean environments and leverages her extensive technology development for human health and disease.
In 2001, her group was awarded an $18 million grant for a National Institutes of Health Center of Excellence in Genomics Science, which led to the establishment of the Microscale Life Sciences Center (MLSC) – currently headquartered at the Biodesign Institute in the Center for Biosignatures Discovery Automation. (The MLSC grant was subsequently renewed for an additional $18 million.)
Meldrum’s Center brings together researchers in electrical, mechanical, chemical, and bio- engineering, chemistry, computer science, materials science, laboratory medicine and microbiology as well as personnel from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington and Brandeis University. Together, they work on developing microscale devices to analyse cells and their DNA, RNA, and proteins to understand and eventually diagnose or prevent diseases such as cancer and \ /
To accomplish this, Meldrum Sensorbot and her colleagues develop
UT2 February March 2012 30 Richard Harth, The Biodesign Institute
as underwater earthquakes and The cabled observatory with high “We’ve built 3 versions of hydrothermal vents. Such research power and bandwidth provides Sensorbots over the years is essential for a more thorough the Sensorbots with the ability and now we’re moving on to understanding of the multiple to recharge their batteries and a fourth,” he says. This latest systems in the oceans – microbes download their data, allowing iteration – known as p3N – will and other sea life, geology, and immediate transmission via the function independently and chemicals.” internet and making the information provide networking capabilities, available to scientists and educators allowing members of the swarm to Cody Youngbull and Joseph Chao, anywhere in the world. communicate with each other. assistant Rresearch professors, are both integral members of the K The optical signals transmitted Sensorbot team and have spent sized transparent robotic orbs, by the Sensorbots will be years developing the technology. which communicate via brilliant linked, using so-called multi-hop Much of this creative tinkering has \ / networking technologies, not taken place in the labs at Biodesign, house electronics and batteries, unlike those used for cell phone situated in landlocked Arizona. But while their surfaces have 3 sensors and other land-based wireless in the summer of 2011, Youngbull for measuring pH, temperature networks.” took the Sensorbots to the deep or oxygen. Sensorbots report ocean, aboard the Thomas G. surrounding environmental “Sensing webs are an exciting Thompson, a global-class research conditions to the inner electronics thing,” Youngbull says, “because vessel operated by the University \ the scale of phenomena are of Washington, as part of UNOLS light, providing a sort of visual Morse vast in the oceans.” Rather than (University-National Oceanographic code. delivering a very expensive robot Laboratory System) and used as part to a single point in space and then of the National Science Foundation’s A high-speed camera situated on serially moving it around, often Ocean Observatories Initiative. \ missing dynamic phenomena, an and stores them for later decoding array of inexpensive Sensorbots The ambitious Sensorbot project aboard the ship. As sensorbot is utilizing the National Science technology develops, these orbs may real-time investigations of Foundation’s Ocean Observatories blanket large areas of the ocean and earthquakes, biological blooms, Initiative – in particular, the Regional transmit information regularly to a and other episodic phenomena. Scale Nodes (RSN) project, led central data hub. by John Delaney, professor at the “Networking will allow us to trail University of Washington. This Utimately, Sensorbots will be capable sensorbots like a string of pearls \ of operating in semi-autonomous over great distances – so we’ll construction of a cabled underwater robotic swarms, moving under 6 ' remote control, in a 3D geometric communication speed and energy Ocean, off the coasts of Oregon, formation through precisely 6 Washington, and British Columbia on controlled volumes of seawater. optical loss and attenuation in sea the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate. water,” Youngbull says. Sensor swarms operating This area is home to many dramatic autonomously could function During the most recent research undersea features, including in complex, harsh, and remote cruise, Youngbull helped volcanoes and hydrothermal vents – environments. With appropriate position the Sensorbots on the wellsprings of unique life forms. microanalytical systems mounted \ =$'$K The cabled observatory provides on the Sensorbot platforms, these – a Canadian remotely operated high bandwidth and power for real- synthetic mariners could perform vehicle. The Sensorbots were time oceanographic observations spatially and temporally indexed deployed to a crushing depth of and experiments. These include the genomic analyses of microbial over 1500 meters in and around study of mineral concentrations, gas communities, as well as observing a 6 compositions, biological blooms, and broad variety of macro events. cauldera of an undersea volcano. detailed analyses of extremophiles M \ As Youngbull explains, the Sensorbot Twenty Sensorbots were deployed environments usually considered technology has undergone several over hundreds of square meters inhospitable to life. stages of development. and monitored continuously for
31 UT2 February March 2012 three days using a high speed underwater camera.
The new p3N sensorbots currently under construction will have inertial monitoring units, allowing them to sense when and where they have been moved.
Eventually, the devices will have their own onboard propulsion systems, allowing them to be controlled independently from afar. The challenges of creating such systems / @ 6 6 be designed to automatically adjust their buoyancy to take advantage of the natural movements of ocean current.
The group will be continuing their Sensorbot experiments in a new undersea cabled environment belonging to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).
While the team’s focus will be on undersea microbial research, the concept of a multi- hop capable node, that functions to detect many different analytes in an inexpensive, compact format has other potential applications, including national security, epidemiology, and contaminant plume monitoring.
In addition to MBARI, the Center for Biosignatures Discovery Automation collaborates with other schools at ASU, including the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the Global Institute of Sustainability.
“Nobody brings it all together like we do, with the sensors, the embedded systems, the data transfer and communication,” Youngbull says.
Meldrum is very enthusiastic about the use of this technology for advancing science in previously inaccessible realms of the deep ocean: “Sensorbots will provide a continuous presence in the ocean over space and time, from nanometers to kilometers and nanoseconds to years, enabling us to discover and understand the complex An ROV used for deployment biogeochemical systems of our oceans that play a key role in our quality of life.”
UT2 February March 2012 32 33 UT2 February March 2012 Orders Orders Aker EMAS Claxton Aker Solutions has been awarded a EMAS AMC has been awarded two Claxton Engineering is supplying a 6 & K > contracts from Statoil, for chain and Norwegian client with a complete Marine Engineering (DSME) for the riser replacements. The combined subsea drilling riser package. The delivery of a deepwater drilling riser contract value is estimated to be up 7000-psi, 24-in. riser will be used system to the DSME shipyard in to NOK 600 million. With these two to drill one well and two completion South Korea. The riser package will latest awards, EMAS AMC is closing wells in 135m of water: the deepest be installed on Atwood Oceanics, in on its US $1 billion short term water in the Norwegian North Sea Inc.’s ultra-deepwater drillship, the order book target tackled to date. Atwood Advantage. The contract value is approximately $48 million. The scope for the mooring chain Comprising riser joints, custom replacement contract includes \ % The 10 000 ft deepwater drilling replacement work on part of vibration suppression fairings, a riser system will be manufactured the mooring system for several bespoke tension system and a and delivered out of Aker Solutions’ \ / proprietary Claxton NT2 handling manufacturing plant in Port Klang, planning of the work will commence tool, the riser system is the result of Malaysia. immediately, and the offshore close collaboration between Claxton operations will take place in the third and several sister companies: 2H The 10 000 ft deepwater drilling quarter of 2012. Offshore, Subsea Riser Products and riser system will be manufactured Pulse Structural Monitoring. and delivered out of Aker Solutions’ EMAS AMC has done similar work manufacturing plant in Port Klang, for Statoil previously in 2009. Subsea Riser Products is supplying Malaysia. Delivery of the drilling \ / riser system is scheduled for March 2014.
6 two options included in the drilling riser contract announced in July 2011.
“We are very pleased to see our customers DSME and Atwood exercising their option for the Aker Solutions CLIP riser systems,” says Thor Arne Håverstad, executive vice president of Aker Solutions’ drilling technologies business.
Aker Solutions has delivered 16 drilling riser systems in the past 16 months, with positive feedback from operations.
“I am proud to see that we are able to deliver another deepwater CLIP riser to our returning customers. These achievements are the results of the CLIP risers’ operational advantages, our technology expertise and service offering in the deepwater drilling market,” says Tom Munkejord, president of Aker Solutions’ drilling riser business.
UT2 February March 2012 34
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35 UT2 February March 2012 Diving Diving
Subsea 7 The state-of-the art diving support vessel, the Seven Havila, owned by Subsea 7 and Havila Shipping, has divers working on the seabed.
Gael Cailleaux, Vice President for Offshore Resources at Subsea 7, the seabed-to-surface engineering, construction and services contractor to Projects 6 6 the achievement that eight divers were in action at the same time.
He said: “To our knowledge, there have never been so many divers on the seabed from one single dive support vessel simultaneously. We wanted to test having eight divers on the seabed at the same time. Both diving bells were in action together. While one diver stayed inside each diving bell, three divers from each diving bell worked outside.”
The diving test took place near Stavanger, Norway, in a depth of 30m.
The diving system, provided by the German company Dræger, includes a 10 chamber 24 men saturation suite, fully computerised, with double bell handling system, able to work down to 400 metres and up to 6m Hs.
The Seven Havila, one of the most advanced diving support vessel in the latest diving systems.
In 2011 it was presented with the highly prestigious Support Vessel of the Year award at the OSJ Conference in London. It is designed by Havyard & > Z Norway and constructed at Havyard Ship Technology in Leirvik, Sogn, Norway.
The Seven Havila is designed with a focus on operating in challenging environments, while achieving maximum 6 6 / In addition, there is an emphasis on a good working environment for the offshore personnel, along with quality and security during all operations.
UT2 February March 2012 36 Diving
Diving Training A multi-national offshore technology destructive Testing (NDT) Course company has chosen a leading at The Underwater Centre, and will subsea testing and training facility in ^ Scotland to test and photograph its Thickness Gauge (UTG) to be wrist latest product. mounted. Students will use the new model. Cygnus Instruments decided to use
Projects subsea trials and training centre, Cygnus Instruments are one of The Underwater Centre, based many companies who have used in Fort William, to test their new The Underwater Centre in recent metal thickness meter because of months, utilising the diverse range its unique replication of offshore of facilities on offer to ensure facilities that are not available optimum testing is carried out on elsewhere. new industry equipment.
Representatives from Dorset-based David Crosthwaite–Eyre, Managing Cygnus spent time at the Centre Director at Cygnus Instruments, where a photographer dived with one said: “Without a doubt The of the classes and used students Underwater Centre had the best to test the equipment and act as facilities for our purposes. The models for promotional shots. facilities are as close a replica to the offshore environment we could The new metal thickness meter, hope for, with the likes of the mock the ‘Cygnus Dive’, is the latest oil leg structure. development from the company. The device measures the thickness O 6 of a material, using ultrasound, to because the structure is made of determine if corrosion or erosion has steel, as it would be offshore – and taken place over time. so when we were testing the meter a realistic reading was given. This It replaces the Underwater Gauge, also enhanced the photography of which is currently used on the Non- the equipment.
“The divers at the Centre were highly knowledgeable about North Sea offshore work and our industry which meant that we were able to achieve exactly what we needed V 6 6/P
The Underwater Centre, Fort William, which also has a school in Tasmania, is based on the shore of a seawater loch, and is well sheltered by the surrounding mountains.
The Centre’s unique location allows it to provide year-round training and testing in an open- water environment, whilst still being centrally located in the largest town in the Scottish Highlands. Diver testing
37 UT2 February March 2012 Installation Installation
17m Super Flying Jib Huisman has successfully completed to 59m above deck and 55m radius the installation and load testing of a respectively. { \6 Q 6 Lift Mast Cranes onboard BigLift \6 Q Happy Shipping’s Happy Buccaneer. The Buccaneer, the crane has a maximum \6 Q load of 350mt up to 35m outreach and and outreach of the crane by 50% a 250mt load at a 50m outreach.
UT2 February March 2012 38 39 UT2 February March 2012 Installation Installation J Lay Tower Flex-lay In late 2011, Jumbo Shipping brought the J-lay tower Huisman has secured a new contract with Subsea back home from Port Gentil, Gabon to the port of 7 to supply and install a 550mt Flex-lay system and Flushing, the Netherlands. a 400mt Offshore Mast Crane onboard their newest vessel. Delivery of the equipment is scheduled Jumbo lifted the almost 1800t weighing pipeline for 2014, installation will take place at Huisman production facility from Subsea 7’s Pipe Laying barge Schiedam, The Netherlands. The vessel will be built Acergy Polaris onto its J-type Fairpartner. 6 @ $ > ! K 6 aan den IJssel, also in The Netherlands. In 2006 Jumbo set the world record in heavy lifting when Jumbo was awarded the transportation of the The 550mt Flex-lay system will be the highest J-lay tower from Schiedam, the Netherlands onto 6 \ % 6 6 6 Subsea 7’s (Acergy Offshore at the time) Polaris, at and will be designed and built for the installation of that time also located in Gabon, off the coast of West \ % |``` / Africa. Key specialists who were responsible for the project at that time, were also part of Jumbo’s current \ % project team. risers to rigid pipelines which are retrieved from the seabed. The system’s tensioners are retractable Lifting the tower onto Jumbo’s Fairpartner was ">= ' completed in 8 hours including the hooking on. In installation procedures. order to prevent the J lay tower from twisting during the seavoyage it was decided to completely suspend They have been designed according to the most the tower from vessels tanktop and to seafasten the stringent requirements and are equipped with a unit on the side of the vessels hold. Squeeze Control System which allows for accurate control of squeeze loads, also at low values. This Due to the weight of tower, the associated point loads is important when handling umbilicals. Huisman and the centre of gravity, the tower had to be placed previously designed and built pipelay systems well away from the quayside in order to prevent for a number of Subsea 7 vessels. A 600mt S-lay damage to the quay. system for the Seven Borealis is currently under construction
DeepOcean DeepOcean has been awarded The four-year frame agreement, ROV surveys with hull mounted a long-term frame agreement for plus two one-year options, includes Multi Beam Echosounder (MBE) offshore survey services for Statoil. services covering light construction, and ROV surveys without MBE.
As part of this contract, Statoil has also awarded DeepOcean the services work on the Norwegian continental shelf. This call-off has % six one-month options included.
The project will be executed from the survey and light construction support vessel Volstad Surveyor. The project will be lead by an onshore project team in & $ R /
Volstad Surveyor
UT2 February March 2012 40 Installation
Psv Blue Fighter Delivered Ulstein Verft delivered M/V Blue many types of supply contracts. The 6 6 / Z ship is optimised for certain types the hull and choice of propulsion sized platform supply vessels (PSV) of operations and adapted to the system make the vessel of the new PX121 design from requirements for longer and deeper particularly suited for North Sea ULSTEIN to Blue Ship Invest. boreholes and activities further from and North Atlantic conditions. The shore. In addition to tanks for oil, vessel is equipped with a dynamic Ulstein Verft was contracted to \ positioning system IMO Class II. build the two vessels for Blue Ship has four stainless steel tanks for Invest, a shipping company in \ V / The ship has a length of 83.4 ULSTEIN, at the end of 2010, and metres and a beam of 18 metres. 6 _{ The vessel is built with the X-BOW It has a cargo deck of 875 square delivered to the agreed terms. hull line design, which is particularly metres and a load capacity of well-suited for this type of vessel. The 4200 tonnes (dwt). The ship meets 6 \ % 6 $ 6 the requirements of DNV’s Clean the focus in the development of draught range, which is important for Design notation and is prepared the PX121 design. With optimised PSVs as they frequently operate with Z Z @@/ @ \ % varying loads. Moreover, the X-BOW has a maximum speed of circa 15 segregated tank arrangements, the has unique, advantageous qualities knots and modern accommodation multifunctional vessel is suitable for in terms of motion and propulsion for 24 persons.
41 UT2 February March 2012 IRM IRM Modular Dock for the Flex-lay Port of Djibouti A Damen Modular Dock (DMD) 4020 is being constructed for Djibouti - one of the most important gateways to the African continent and is strategically \ Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Besides maintenance of the ' " R \ dock will be used for repair and maintenance of port-calling vessels.
The dock, that measures 50 by 20m, is to be used for repair and maintenance of the Authorities’ \ supporting vessels such as tugs, shoal busters and pilot vessels.
The delivery of the DMD 4020, currently under construction in Dubai, is scheduled for the second half of 2012. After testing in Dubai and delivery of the dock in Djibouti, a Damen Services team will stay Subsea Gels on location for two years to give Aubin, a leading independent operational and technical support. supplier of specialist chemicals to Damen Services in Gorinchem the energy industry, is launching a (The Netherlands) will support new product range. the dock operations by supplying parts, equipment and expertise. is DiveGel, a new application of The Damen Modular Dock 4020 the company’s game-changing Gel Lift System (GLS), which will accommodation units, roller blocks, revolutionise the way divers operate workshop units, sandblast curtains offshore. and dock mooring systems. DiveGel, offers an easier to control It is characterised by simplicity and much safer alternative for of construction, consisting of two manoeuvring equipment subsea wing walls that are coupled to a than the traditional airbag. number of individual pontoons. Every unit measures 10m. The The second product, DeepGel, is dock can be enlarged to 100m an insulating gel designed for use whenever required. on deep-water structures and can withstand up to 120 degrees celsius. The modules and wing walls \ Finally, DeepSeal is a robust gel- it is equally simple to unlock the 6 components. to stop leaks and corrosion of
UT2 February March 2012 42 IRM
Stork lands WA subsea Inspection Stork Technical Services has won a DPII dynamic positioning system for including air and nitrox diving, major £10million contract for subsea safe and cost-effective operations. subsea IRM (inspection, repair inspection activity with a major and maintenance), wet welding operator, offshore West Africa. air and nitrox diving spread and and mechanical and bolting daughter craft. solutions. K R subsea project in the region, Approximately 60 Stork Subsea The division has an experienced involves the complete underwater employees will be involved in the team of more than 300 skilled Z'K$ \ project, with the onsite operatives divers and specialist project \ working from the Adam’s Vision and managers and utilises the vessel) and loading facilities’ subsea dive intervention craft supported by company’s bespoke dive infrastructure to ensure integrity of an onshore project management intervention craft and chartered the hull and associated equipment. team in Aberdeen, UK. mother vessels to deliver innovative subsea solutions To service the contract and future The contract will be serviced by safely for the most technically subsea activity across the globe, Stork’s dedicated subsea division, challenging workscopes. Stork has entered a 15-month Stork Technical Services Subsea, charter of the specialist dive which was re-named following the K % support vessel, Adam’s Vision, recent rebrand of RBG. Stork Subsea plans this year and will be which is equipped with highly- delivers the full range of underwater investing in new vessels, [ services from across the Stork group equipment and people.
subsea equipment and is suitable Scottish Development International in developing and implementing its as during the manufacture and strategic growth plans over the years. installation phase. The company is also supported by the Carbon Trust Entrepreneurs Fast Aubin managing director Paddy Track, which helps create step-change Collins said: “The launch of these growth in the UK’s best low carbon three new products is extremely technology businesses. important for Aubin as they will allow us diversify into a number Aubin was established in Ellon, of new markets. There is currently Aberdeenshire, in 1987 and has a team nothing else quite like them out of 20 people. It designs researches, there so this opens up a wide develops, manufactures and supplies range of possibility for increasing high-quality chemical technology our service offering. for a wide range of energy industry applications. “We recently increased our manufacturing capability by The company received SMART funding investing in a new 7,500litre ribbon to develop the GLS technology from blender, capable of producing over the Scottish Government scheme 20,000 litres of product per day, to support this product launch.” individuals and SMEs to help support commercially viable projects which Aubin has been supported by Scottish Enterprise and advance.
43 UT2 February March 2012 IRM IRM FlexGel Flexlife has announced the annulus breach, displacing seawater method allowed time for the FlexGel and preventing further corrosion in to settle and displace all water and innovative product FlexGel, in the structural tensile armour wires air to fully surround the breach. a North Sea operation for an oil \ % major. possible lifespan of the riser. The advantage of FlexGel is that it can be deployed from topside or FlexGel, an oil-based product that 6 Z % subsea without the need for costly is non-soluble in water and with carried out following consultation with intervention by rope access or diving a density that can be adjusted the HSE by Flexlife for an oil major. teams and thehe associatedass health depending on the application, An annulus breach was discovered > 6 6 6 was devised to halt corrosion of during testing by Flexlife in a 4.5in operation.operation. \ % \ % or umbilicals within caissons and 4.5msubsea. 9500 l of FlexGelFlexGel waswas “Once“Once it’s in place, FlexlifeFlex carries help safely extend the operating 6 @ {{/ @ {{/ out predictive engineeringengineeri and life of assets within the oil and gas above seawaterawater levels to 33.5m \ % \ % production process. subsea.bsea. benchmark for continued ooperation and allowing the pipe to remainrem in The patented substance canan FlexGelFlexGel was pumped in approximate safe service rather than havinghav to be pumped into a caissonaisson to metremetre increments above the MSLMSL be changed out at considerableconsiderab completely surroundurround a riser with an withinwithin the I-tube. This deploymentdeployment expense.”
Cable Connection When working in some of the harshest conditions on earth — at the bottom of the ocean, whether in warm-climates or sub-zero Pin Dam – Stops any Wire Dam – Prevents Jacket Dam – blocks temperatures , it is necessary for leak water along the wire leakwater from travelling outside seawater from cable connections to be reliable and strands from passing along an insulated initial entry over a non- watertight. through the electrical conductor bondable cable or pigtail splice jacket This prompted PMI to develop its DAM/BLOK electrical splice kit design and unique combination their ‘built-in’ squeeze. Depending which is designed to make reliable of precision precast polyurethane on the application, customers can electrical connections capable of compression dams and waterblock choose from three levels of protection surviving harsh marine applications. solder pins, encompassed by an to suit their needs. It enables watertight electrical amber polyurethane overmould and optical connections between to encapsulate the splice, which Each DAM/BLOK electrical splice dissimilar cables. produces a chemical bond to all system arrives in kit form, with job- surfaces of the compression dams. 6 “The DAM/BLOK offers high installation. protection against seawater This combination of mechanical intrusion,” said Carl Petersen, New seals, chemical bonds and positive The kit includes a disposable mould, Products Development Manager at waterblocking prevents leakwater room-temperature cure polyurethane, PMI Industries. “It has been tested in passage from one conductor to waterblock pins and compression our laboratory to 10 000 psig and has another along the dam surfaces. dams. The three standard kits are proven reliable in assemblies used manufactured to tight tolerances worldwide by the US Government, At any depth, a pressure 6 offshore oil industry and the corresponding to the external pressure a customer’s cable/connector oceanographic research industry.” exists throughout the overmould application. If a job should require structure. Thus, the leakwater additional leakwater protection, PMI‘s The key to preventing leakage produces no pressure differential experienced engineers are available can be found in PMI’s distinctive across the compression dams with to design a custom solution.
UT2 February March 2012 44 Fast, agile and powerful Introducing the Tomahawk™ ROV
You asked for it. We built it.
Introducing the Tomahawk – the latest Sub-Atlantic™ ROV from Forum Subsea Technologies.
The compact Tomahawk has unbeatable speed and agility for fast- flowing subsea environments and is rated for deepwater operations. The Tomahawk can be easily monitored and controlled using our SubCAN™ system. Its efficient design allows a wide range of intervention tooling, manipulators or camera arrangements to be fitted.
To learn about the game changing Tomahawk email: [email protected] or visit: http://f-e-t.com/subsea 45 UT2 February March 2012 Pipe Pipe OMS Manages Pipe Measurement and Fit-up on Sakhalin p
Specialist pipe measurement technology company for the oil and gas industry, Optical Metrology Services (OMS) Ltd, has successfully completed a pipe Q for McDermott on the ExxonMobil/ Neftegas-operated Sakhalin " & project in Russia.
Using its groundbreaking Smart- Fit™ software, OMS avoided any McDermott with fast, good pipe 6 stage. Smart-Fit™ uses pipe measurement data to predict pipes are brought into the bead stall for welding. This prevents 6 up and manages the assembly of problem pipes to maximise welding productivity.
K {R " & located off the northeastern coast of Sakhalin Island in the Far East of Russia. Operations and facilities this line had already been installed board the Crest 289 material barge, the are located on both the island and by McDermott during a ‘Beach Pull’. Maritime West material barge and the mainland Russia. Development McDermott contracted OMS to DLB-KP1 laybarge. " & 6 } the remainder of the project. This Pipe measurement data was made which is planned to commence in was a challenging project due to the available to a Smart-Fit™ station the northernmost portion of the onboard the pipelay barge. This _`{/ high pressure line in a seismically- comprised a laptop located prior to the sensitive region. / " The Arkutun-Dagi development will 6 employ an offshore, ice-resistant OMS deployed four personnel to the software. This enabled the pipes to % % Sakhalin from 13th September to 10th be sequenced so that the most closely to become the largest oil and gas November 2011. These personnel matched ends were brought together production platform in Russia. The used OMS’ PipeCheckerTM laser- for welding. Pipes were then loaded into % based measurement tool to measure bevelling in the planned sequence. there in 2014. the geometry of the internal walls of more than 3,000 pipe ends. OMS’ Rotational positions for each pipe end Part of McDermott’s work scope Smart-Fit™ system was also used to were also determined, to put adjacent for the project was the installation optimise the sequencing of pipes on pipes into the best relative rotational of a 20” Water Injection line, position in order to minimise HiLo. comprising of 1,978 joints of 20” x line. Rotation marks were added to pipes, 33mm WT linepipe and 21 joints of allowing the optimal rotation to be 20” x 36.3mm WT linepipe. Prior Pipes were measured onshore at achieved when pipes were brought into to OMS’ involvement, portions of Kholmsk and at the pipe lay site, on the bead stall. Production delays due
UT2 February March 2012 46 Pipe project Kipper Trenching
CTC has completed the trenching CMR3 remotely operated trenching work for the Kipper Tuna Turrum vehicle in Bell Bay, Tasmania, Project in the KTT Field located following its transportation from the 45 kilometres offshore Victoria, UK. Australia. The trenching spread, which when The work was undertaken on transported weighed 112t over 10 contract for McDermott. The units, was then mobilised onboard Company performed trenching the client-operated vessel DSV of the recently installed hydraulic Emerald Sea. and electrical umbilicals located in 100m of water. Following the completion of this project, the spread has been Prior to going offshore in late demobilised and is ready to December 2011, CTC pre- commence further work in the APAC assembled the A-Frame and region.
Q1400 Trenching System
Fugro and Soil Machine Dynamics consists of a common trenching (SMD) have developed a high module and separate tracked performance, modular jet jetting and mechanical cutting trenching and mechanical cutting skids, with a customised launch system. The Q1400 system, will and recovery system (LARS) be available early 2012 for the rated to Lloyd’s sea state 6. A to mismatched pipes were therefore marine renewable and offshore unique deck-transfer skidding avoided. oil and gas and markets, and system enables mode changes will complement the many other safely at sea without the Dr Richard Gooch, Director of specialised services Fugro’s group requirement of cranage. The Technology at OMS commented: “The of companies provides to these Q1400 will be able to operate arctic conditions in Sakhalin means markets. from vessels within the Fugro that the ocean freezes over in October \ / or November. It was therefore critical The Q1400 system was developed that OMS completed its measurement from considerable market / @ R research and based on market / McDermott’s welders, the ocean might for the Q1400 was jointly have frozen over before the pipe developed over a three-month could be laid. Heavy lift vessels had period with SMD and offers a already been booked for Spring 2012 tracked trenching system capable to perform work on the platforms. If the \6 water depths of up to 3000 m. opportunity would have been missed for one year. Basically, without using The system has the capability to K Z perform high quality jet trenching much larger quantity of pipes would in soils of up to 100 KPA and have been rejected and it would have mechanical chain cutting in soils 6 of up to 250 KPA. project on time.” The Q1400 trenching system
47 UT2 February March 2012 Cables Cables Walney 2 NEC
Walney 2 offshore wind farm has Anders Eldrup, CEO at DONG NEC Corporation has signed a multi-million dollar supply contract started delivering CO2-free electricity Energy, said: “Walney 2 is the world’s to the UK’s national grid, with fastest ever installation of an offshore with the global consortium of electricity now being generated from wind farm and this accomplishment communications companies, including { / underlines DONG Energy’s position NTT Communications, KT, Chunghwa as a strong market leader within Telecom, and others, to construct the Walney 1 was fully operational May offshore wind. " ' 6 "' 6 2011 and Walney 2 is expected to be a high-bandwidth optical submarine fully operational by the end of 2011, “We developed our techniques cable system that will link 9 countries making Walney the world’s largest and territories in Asia. The signing took offshore wind farm, with a total installation methods in the place at Beijing. capacity of 367.2MW of renewable challenging conditions in the Irish energy production. This is enough to Sea. This is an important step in The APG system is designed for a power around 320,000 UK homes or the continuing drive to reduce the transmission speed of 40Gb/s per one-and-a-half times the number of cost of construction of offshore wind wavelength, utilizing the latest Digital homes in Cumbria. farms.” Coherent detection and OADM (optical add-drop multiplexing) technologies. DONG Energy (50.1%), SSE Colin Hood, SSE’s Chief Operating Total length is expected to be (Scottish and Southern Energy) $ O Q 10 400km, linking China Mainland, (25.1%) and OPW (24.8%), a milestone in the development of the Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, company jointly owned by Dutch Walney offshore wind farms and it Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam pension administrator PGGM and demonstrates the excellent progress and Singapore. APG is expected Ampère Equity Fund (managed by being made on the project. to meet the demand for intra-Asia Triodos Investment Management), connectivity. are the companies behind Walney SSE has committed to helping Windfarms Limited, with DONG to increase further the amount of Energy as the leading partner in the renewable electricity generation in construction and operational phases the UK, and the export of electricity of the projects. at Walney is a step towards this.” ChoQin (China M(C Nanhui (China Mainland(China)
Touchen (Taiwan) Tseung KwanTai Po O (Hong(Hong Kong) Kong) S6
Da Nang S1.6 (Vietnam) S
S8 S1.7 Songkhla (Thailan)(Thailand) S9 S1.9 S1.8 Kuantan S1.10 (Malaysia) S9 TanahChangi Merah (Singapore)
UT2 February March 2012 48 Cables
SBSS NKT S. B. Submarine Systems was requirements for this project. nkt cables has entered a contract 6 K > K6 An experienced deck team was /$] > = (LSCS) to installed 15km of bundled 6 Central Europe GmbH at a value of __ UP Pipe cable protection for the around € 20 million for the offshore cables from Jindo, South of Korea. bundled cables for added cable wind farm Amrumbank West. For The system owner is KEPCO protection. nkt cables, Amrumbank West will (Korean Electric Corporation) and be another project with armoured the 2 segments are to be laid as The work in South Korea was 33 kV submarine cables. The part of the Jeju to Jindo cable met with challenging weather cable will be manufactured at the system network. conditions down to -18oC with production facilities in Cologne. 6kts of currents and a very tight SBSS DP2 cable ship Bold weather window. The powerful The German wind farm Maverick cable ship was utilised dynamic positioning system Amrumbank West will be situated to do this work and specialised onboard the Bold Maverick and in the North Sea Region, north of engineering and systems integration the crew met up with the challenge Helgoland and west of Amrum. was required to prepare the vessel of maintain an accurate course of The Amrumbank West wind farm to perform the bundle lay of cables the cable route. consists of 80 wind turbines of 3.6 with 3 different sizes. MW each. The overall result is a challenging KKK | marine project being implemented The inner park array cabling shall cable engines, a 3 to 1 converging and executed in record time be realised in 12 lines which trackway system and an automated while meeting the demanding are connected to 33 kV medium bundling system onboard the expectations of the customer voltage switchgear on offshore vessel to meet the customer’s (LSCS) and (KEPCO) . substations.
Busan Shima ShinMaruyama (Korea) (Japan) (Japan) nngdaogming MCainland)hina)S3 S1.1
S4 )) S1.2 S1.3 ng S5 S1.4 )
S1.5
La Union S7 (Philippines)
7
9 countries and territories in Asia
49 UT2 February March 2012 Laying power cables 1
Cables Cables Taiwan and Penghu Islands Power Cables Sumitomo and J-Power Systems Corporation have won a joint contract to install submarine power cables between the main island of Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, located about 60km west off the southwestern coast of the main island. Laying power cables 2 This is a full turnkey project worth about 32 billion yen and involves the installation of six single-core {¤{ ' / JPS will manufacture the submarine power cables and auxiliary equipments, Sumitomo Corporation will install the cables and conduct other related civil and engineering work.
With a total installation distance of 350 km or longer and an installation depth of up to approximately 150 m, the project will be one of the world’s largest installations of high voltage XLPE submarine cables of this kind.
' @ 6 and tourism as their local industries and are blessed with beautiful natural areas. Taiwan is fostering the redevelopment of these islands in order to transform them into “low-carbon islands” to be a model of a future low-carbon society achieved through protection of the island’s nature reserves.
As part of these efforts, Taiwan is promoting Laying power cables 3 a shift toward the use of renewable energy by discontinuing the operation of the local diesel power plant and has already constructed a new wind farm.
The project to be implemented by Sumitomo Corporation and JPS will play an important role in helping stabilize power supply to the islands during the transition period and is regarded as an essential project for their transformation into these “low-carbon islands.”
In Taiwan, demand for electricity will increase in step with high economic growth, so the Taiwan is also placing importance on energy conservation and on the reduction of environmental impact.
Accordingly, multiple projects are being planned in the region to replace aged power plants with more 6 6 power plants.
UT2 February March 2012 50 Cables
Perth-Singapore $30 million order
ASSC-1 Communications Group Pty demand from the only existing ABB, the power and automation Ltd (ASSC-1), a private Australian cable on this route, which is the technology group, has won an submarine cable developer, today ageing SEAMEWE3 system. In order worth around $30 million announced the development of a addition we expect to provide from Energinet.dk, the Danish new Perth to Singapore submarine 6 transmission system operator, to cable system. Asia to the US via Australia,” he supply a high-voltage submarine said. and underground power cable "KK { system for the Little Belt strait in pair cable system which will span Huawei Marine Networks, a Denmark. This is a shipping lane a distance of 4,600 kilometres with joint venture combining the that connects the North Sea to an initial design capacity of 6.4 telecommunications systems the Baltic Sea, and separates the terabits per second (TBps), to be expertise of Huawei Technologies island of Funen from the Jutland delivered through 40 gigabits per and the marine segment Peninsula and continental Europe. second (GBps) technology, with the experience of Global Marine The cable system is one of several capability to be upgraded to 100 Systems, will supply and install government-initiated projects to GBps in the future. the ASSC-1 system. Matrix Cable replace high-voltage overhead Systems (Matrix) will supply the lines and transmission pylons in The ASSC-1 system will comprise Jakarta Landing through their own environmentally sensitive areas. % cable landing station and will also Perth and Singapore, and one work with ASSC-1 to manage the ABB will supply single-core 420 ' Indonesian permit process. kilovolts (kV) underground cables Jakarta and Singapore. Telstra, the with a total length of 30 kilometers “The Telstra and Huawei Marine (km) and two, three-core 420 kV to the new cable, has agreed to Networks agreements entered submarine cables with a total length into by ASSC-1 underpin the of 15km. This is part of a turnkey "KK {R solution in which ABB will design, cable and will also provide landing of this new state of the art, high supply and commission the cable party services in Perth. P system, including cable terminations Mr Chen said. and the laying of the submarine Mr James Chen, Chief Executive cable. When completed in 2013 $ "KK { "KK { A carrier neutral cable system, this cable system will be the world’s is a low latency system which will ASSC-1 will meet domestic and most powerful three-core alternating provide the fastest transfer speeds international carriage demands by current (AC) submarine power cable. between Australia, Asia and Europe. providing access to its partners “ASSC-1 will dramatically increase and customers including Tier 1 One three-core 420 kV submarine the capacity for internet and data Carriers, ISP’s and secondary cable will be laid instead of three " 6 service providers. The project separate single-core cables, which the west coast, Asia and Europe, will reduce costs considerably and and we expect it to take up excess quarter of 2012 reduce the cable’s footprint.
CeltixConnect
CeltixConnect, provider of will deliver the resilience, diversity lease high capacity managed Europe’s most advanced sub-sea and low latency connectivity now services on this uniquely designed telecommunications network, has demanded by enterprises, carriers route. commenced construction of an and mobile operators alike. 6 6 The CeltixConnect cable will sub-sea cable that will connect CeltixConnect with its unique uniquely land directly in the heart Ireland to the UK. business model will allow end users of Dublin’s business district at East 6 Point Business Park and the Irish Once deployed, CeltixConnect on the sub sea cable or alternatively Financial Services Centre.
51 UT2 February March 2012 Tomahawk
Forum Sub-Atlantic has announced development andand supply of a new underwater vehicle - Tomahawk. UT2 caught up with Sub-Atlantic at the Underwaterer @ 6 to introduce a vehicle sized 80% of a Comanche ROV.ROV.
“Don’t judge Tomahawk by size alone” said Ian Garioch, technical sales engineer at Sub-Atlantic, “Take a closer look and you’ll realise Tomahawk iss a big step forward for Sub-Atlantic. It is the result of two guiding philosophies: Sub-Atlantic’s ‘technologygy that simply works’ and Forum Subsea Technologies’es’ ‘everything remotely possible.’”
“It may be 80% of the Commanche’s size, but it hasas 100% of its power; re-using the larger ROV’s provenen low drag tether, transformer and thrusters. The combination of smaller size and powerful thrusterss makes the Tomahawk very fast, suiting applicationn in \ /P /P
Having one fewer vertical thruster than the Comanchenche gives the Tomahawk 5KW more user power which it can make available to operate a wide range of hydraulic drill support and well intervention tooling.. Recent trials with its tooling division have includedd the use of disc cutters, dredge pumps, pressure jetters and BOP actuators.
The design of the Tomahawk’s frame affords largee amounts of easily accessible deck space. The largerge area of buoyancy above the open deck also givess excellent weight distribution, making Tomahawk a veryvery stable platform ideal for survey applications.
The aluminium frame and lower deck are strong enough to support payloads as large as 175Kg, =$/ @ removable grilles, allowing payloads to be easily swapped between missions. To survey pipe, for example, the Tomahawk is powerful enough to carry all the necessary equipment.
It can Measure altitude and lateral position with a Doppler velocity log Measure depth for bathymetry Measure and hold heading and attitude with a 6 Avoid obstacles with a scanning sonar Look at the wider area with a side scan sonar Locate and track the pipe with an active pipetracker and search coils When exposed, follow the pipe with a choice of
UT2 February March 2012 5252 53 UT2 FebruaryFebruary March 2012 HD cameras and lights. developments to be integrated this '
ROV year. 6 (SVP) SubCAN has proved a very capable Inspect it with dual hydraulic system since it was introduced into & the Comanche in 2008. It is now and LED lights K " =$ Take cathodic protection (CP) central to the reliability and future measurements with a vertical stab development, Remove marine growth with a rotating brush All equipment connected to Photograph points of interest SubCAN’s multitude of inputs SubCan \ and outputs are independent and All the time using SubCAN for isolated from one another with hands free navigation. voltage, current, and ground fault detection. SubCAN protects the Sub-Atlantic found inspiration in its “It’s not just performance that system with self-healing fuses on previous ROV, the Mojave. While makes Sub-Atlantic ROVs each input and output. much smaller, it was designed to popular,” said Garioch. “ We put 6 a lot of thought into the operation If external equipment fails, SubCAN range of missions. Mojave uses multi- and maintenance of our ROVs, protects the ROV. When the fault purpose junction boxes to interface ensuring technological advances is corrected, the fuse will self-heal, equipment. are always simple to use.” restoring operation to the external equipment without need to access The junction boxes permit easy Tomahawk builds on Comanche’s electronics. Keeping electronics integration of standard and optional power system foundation; pods sealed has been a huge boost equipment to the SubCAN system and introducing a single atmosphere to system reliability. provide direct CAT7 tether connection housing with easy access to fuses, to surface for high bandwidth smoothing capacitors and two Sub-Atlanitc ROVs have been used equipment such as multi beam sonar. boards providing independent for a very wide range of tasks. power to and diagnostics for Clients have different requirements All interfacing on Mojave is achieved thrusters. and Sub-Atlanitc has considerable without need to disturb the single experience in listening and atmosphere electronics pod, ensuring Tomahawk was conceived and 6/ Mojave remains reliable despite built to exploit the capabilities of the SubCAN control and diagnostic “We surveyed operators, asking hostile environments. system. Thruster diagnostics what vehicles they would like to see are but one example of further added to our range of ROVs. It is “Tomahawk takes the concept a big no surprsurpriseise ththatat talking to so many step further,” said Garioch. “Our deep people proproducedd a long list of =$ mmissions.issio It was not just the voltage power transmission to achieve list ooff mmissions that was very small diameter tethers, optimising llong,ong, hhowever. ROV manoeuvrability and operational range. We ffoundou that clients prefer didifferentfferen makes and models O % ooff equiequipmentp to achieve media converter interfaces to route their mimissions.s So what data. Our traditional method has % TTomahawkomahaw to do any mission and media converter interfaces in - wwithith any eequipment - as the electronics pod. We want users sstandard?”tandard?” to be able to use Tomahawk for all missions, but we don’t want them accessing the electronics pod to The Mojave, an inspiration for the Tomahawk
UT2 February March 2012 54 achieve it.” users are never going to run out of water operation worldwide. The solution was to house the options,” said Garioch. “ We made “Look beyond its size, thrust, % sure they were never going to run payload, open deck space, stable and media converters) in an oil /P platform, control system, reliability, % numerous subsea connections As standard, Tomahawk uses a redundancy, easy access fuses for potential mission. This is called technique proven on previous Sub and capacitors, and it’s top entry Tomahwk’s communication junction Atlantic ROVs, combining all data TMS,” concluded Garioch. box. Q / “Tomahawk’s triumph is the ease “We split the box into two so thereis no practical limit to with which it can be endlessly re- compartments so that they can the amount of data that can be 6 be accessed independently,” transmitted by Tomahawk. to changing demands without said Garioch. “One compartment compromising reliability. This is terminates the tether power The SubCAN system receives mission critical engineering. It’s conductors and single mode optical continuous diagnostic information reliable capability; “technology that / 6 % simply works” making “everything to access this compartment when V 6 remotely possible”. / $ 6 end to end between ROV and are connected between this and surface, in turn monitoring all other the second larger compartment / which contains all communication interfaces with external subsea $ 6 equipment. / @ is available, identical data can O be transmitted on both passes, for different missions can safely providing communication link access the large communication redundancy. compartment secure in the knowledge that all high voltage is = segregated in the tether termination cost down, especially for Tether / Management System (TMS) % systems which require two optical $ / 6 slip rings. also let technicians see diagnostic LEDs on the multiplexers and media Tomahawk can be supplied with converters.” a new Type 4 TMS. Rated for 3000m operation, the Type 4 TMS Up to three multiplexers or media reliably spools more than 700m of 6 Tomahawk tether. Traditionally, Sub- side on an easily accessed swing Atlantic’s garage TMS route tethers out panel providing easy access to to the rear of the ROV. SubCAN the boards and a means of tidying switches the joystick direction and cable connections behind. Multiple pilots use a rear camera to reverse interface boards can be stacked on the ROV into the TMS. the multiplexers, and the box has ample depth to accept these. All the The Type 4 introduces a simple subsea connectors are terminated revision allowing users the option to inside the box to permit easy re- route tether to the top of the ROV. wiring whenever needed. ' 6 \6 TMS rather than reversing with “With a comprehensive range of a rear camera view. Tomahawk interfaces available, and effortless No.1 has been supplied to AALEA connection of subsea equipment, Offshore with a Type 4 TMS for deep a Tomahawk and LARS
55 UT2 February March 2012 ROVs ROVs SeaBotix on Track For many years, the Little Benthic The ROV that the designers chose system tended to hunt for traction on Crawler (LBC) has been regarded to base the new vehicle on was the slippery surfaces. as one of the most popular vehicles vLBV300. in SeaBotix’s product range. Last Furthermore, when it came up to a lip year alone, the company sold 40 “This has six thrusters instead of or other obstruction, the front wheels such units. P wound raise and climb over it this ridge. Rodocker. “There are vectored If the ridge was too high, however, the Based on SeaBotix’s vLBV300- working the horizontal plane whereas vehicle might become trapped, the axles 5 ROV, the attachment of a the original one had two forward, straddling the raised lip in a ‘high centre’ skid consisting of four wheels one lateral. The size of the thrusters arrangement. surrounding a central vortex suction are also a lot bigger, providing device, turns the free-swimming considerably more power and a The designers solved this problem by device into a crawler. This is able variable thrust. proposing a pair of tracks to replace the \ four wheels. They argued that tracks (such as the hull of a ship) and “They also provide greater would have more contact with the surface \ / @ redundancy – if a thruster is lost, it is area of the ship’s hull which means it can reach maximum speeds of 30m/min not necessary to retrieve the vehicle travel straighter. (100 ft/min). until the end of the survey project.’ “There are tracked crawlers on the Recently, however, design Perhaps the most obvious market, but some are effectivelyy a front engineers at SeaBotix met to characteristicharacteristic ooff ththee nnewew vvehicleehicle is suggest ways of improving its thee wawayy it moves. Experience with capability in the form of a new thee orioriginalginal LBV showed that on an vehicle. This was to sit alongside undulatingndulating surface, the wheeled the existing LBC, but augmenting the range rather than acting as a replacement.
One suggestion was to produce a larger, crawler, based on a more powerful ROV in Seabotix’s range. This would result in a larger platform, able to physically handle much heavier payloads. The enhanced electronics incorporated in the larger ROVs would also provide greater bandwidth, allowing the use the ethernet and the serial data communications.
The result would be the ability to incorporate some of the larger, couldn’t previously be carried with the smaller model.
“Capability and payload of an ROV is usually related to the size and how much mass it has in water,” said Jesse Rodocker, marketing vice-president at SeaBotix. “Some companies have tried putting bigger sensors on small ROVs but have 6 Tracked Crawler manoeuvre.”
UT2 February March 2012 56 ROVs
Saab Seaeye for Belov and rear wheel linked by a Brazilian-based underwater track, “ said Rodocker. In this operator, Belov Engenharia, has of hi-spec equipment. This includes one, however, each track has a switched to Saab Seaeye ROVs. number of wheels which means @ K camera, a Kongsberg mono Low that the entire track is pushed Seaeye vehicles by Belov, founded light camera and two Konsberg against the surface for better in 1981 and a key provider of compact colour zoom cameras; a attraction. services across civil, harbour and Tritech Super SeaKing Sonar, along offshore operations. & 6 / The tracks are intrinsically more capable of riding over any The Lynx has the power to handle A detachable tooling skid is also undulations on the surface. a wide range of work-class tooling, supplied together with a Gauntlet not usually possible in an ROV of Plus, four-function manipulator and a “Ensuring the vehicle adheres its size. The Lynx – and deep-rated CP contact probe. to the surface, the new vehicle Falcon ROV, also ordered – will would have exactly the same % The tether management system, patented Vortex VRAM generator jackets and semi-submersibles, from which the ROV is launched, as in the LBC. This device is able where operationally quick and easy has 1200m of armoured umbilical to create a strong 28kg/f (62lb/ft) system re-location is important. cable and 250 metres of ROV tether of attraction,” said Rodocker. cable. The TMS also comes with its “The ROV system will be in a state > / “Experience has shown that this of constant mobilisation as it will incredibly small vortex generator be moved from one side of a rig The 1000m- rated Falcon is also 6 to another,” says André Weber Cameiro, who sees the Lynx especially magnetic attractors system, with its tether management cutter and CP probe.in electric that some other companies cage, as being particularly easy to ROV manufacture for commercial employ. Magnetic attractors move around. applications and now incorporates suffer from requiring the surface Saab’s underwater vehicle systems to be ferrous metal and relatively The 1500 metre rated Lynx ordered which provide tethered, autonomous smooth in order to ensure the by Belov, with its six powerful and hybrid underwater vehicle close proximity of the magnetic thrusters and four simultaneous systems for the defence industry. attractor.
The track allows a far more consistent and closer contact with the attachment surface that the wheel-based LBC.
“ The amount of suction the Vortex VRAM creates is relative to the distance to the surface of the ship. The father gets from the surface the less attraction it has When the wheeled vehicle axle goes over a bump, it then drops down potentially on the VRAM, whereas the tracked system will maintain a constant clearance/ height”. We also believe it is possible to get rid of the suction device entirely and use it as a bottom \ / @ carry heavy weights and is Saab Seaey Lynx inherently stable.
57 UT2 February March 2012 ROVs ROVs
Ten More Falcons for Russia
Ten Saab Seaeye Falcon ROVs Sayano-Shushenkaya hydro-electric cameras, lights, tracking system, have been ordered by Russia’s power plant; and helped to recover manipulator and sonar, plus the JSC Tetis Pro, bringing the total victims when the Bulgaria sank and option of adding special tooling on a sold into the Russian Federation to when an aircraft crashed in Teletckoe removable skid. 24. More are planned. lake. For survey work, the Seaeye Falcon Dmitry Voytov, head of ROV at Tetis “Quick reaction is often essential, has the advantage of a low electrical describes the Falcon as small and which is why we need, small, mobile and acoustic noise signature that mobile, yet powerful and simple systems that can be thrown into allows for optimum survey sensor to use. He also likes that it can be whatever area of operation is needed.” data. quickly deployed for many different The Falcon’s success has come from tasks. being small enough to manhandle into Half of the Falcons ordered by Tetis the water, yet powerful enough to hold this time round are the Falcon DR, “Various tooling skids can be added steady in strong cross currents and deep rated to 1000 m, and others the and changed as needed,ed, and opoperateerate toolintoolingg of all kinds. standard 300m rated Falcon. upgrading is easy,” hee said. “It can also work in the most ddemandingemanding IItsts trusted design is packed witwithh conditions and in powerfulerful currents, ttechnologicalechnological iinnovationsnnovations sucsuchh as despite its compact size.”ze.” intelligent ‘‘plug-and-go’plug-and-go’ electronics fforor % % Most of the ten ordereded willwill bebe usedused which means that uupp to 128 different for civil defence emergenciesgencies andand % % dealing with the consequencesequences of natural disasters.
They will be installed aboardaboard search and rescue vessels,ssels, reareadydy to survey for objects uusingsing multi- beam sonar. Two will also go to EMERCOMMERCOM – the Russian Centre ofof Preparation to be deployedloyed aboard a Russian Navalval vessel.
According to Voytov, earlierearlier Falcons have been usedsed inin a wide variety of roles acrosscross Russia, including surveyvey and inspection work; icebreakereaker support work where theyhey for light work tasks; preparingreparing underwater cargo readydy fforor lifting; undertaking pipelinepeline free-span monitoring; carrying out mine detectionection prior to pipe-laying; marine biology work; and deployment within the Russian Navy.
He said that they were used during failure of the
UT2 February Marchh 20120122 58 Mini ROV fleet to Dutch Navy VideoRay and Dutch partner Department, Saudi Border Guard and capabilities in all water clarities and Nautikaris of Ijmuiden, Netherlands, Norwegian Navy, as well as several in very strong currents, keeping have completed acceptance testing other governments and agencies. The divers out of dangerous waters while of four VideoRay Pro 4 submersible latest improvements to this advanced searching for hazardous devices. systems. The missions required by the crawler were funded with over US$2 ROV included: million by the US Department of Most mini-ROV systems consisted of Ship hull inspections Defense Combating off-the-shelf components delivered Harbour wall and wharf piling K $ / with VideoRay’s Pro 4 Port Security inspections Securing ports and harbours remains / 6 a key mission in defending against contract, Tritech altimeters and very shallow areas terrorist acts. Desert Star Systems long baseline Inspection of potentially dangerous transponders were integrated, along objects while maintaining a safe stand- The US Coast Guard (USCG) requires with VideoRay lateral thrusters. off distance between the object and the the capability to conduct timely and operator effective hull searches/inspections SeeByte, and VideoRay have Quick-look inspections/ \ § entered into a partnership with the assessments prior to diver deployment or anomalous events (parasitic aim of developing solutions to improve Shipwreck inspections attachments, drifting or moored mines, value to their customers. The decision Small object recovery and improvised explosive devices). follows the success of SeeByte’s SeeTrack CoPilot integration with the Objects of interest are primarily small The Coast Guard currently maintains VideoRay micro ROV. objects such as limpet mines, sea ROV) systems devoted to the port mines and ammunition, as well as security mission. Current system The demonstration, which featured contraband and drowning victims. performance is limited in certain Teledyne RDI Phased-Array DVL An factor in winning the contract was capacities. This project aims to (Doppler Velocity Log) navigation, VideoRay’s hull crawling system, which enhance the USCG’s current ROV real-time monitoring and DP (Dynamic was also a critical in the decision by systems with an improved sonar, Positioning) control, supported both the US Coast Guard to standardise manipulator, image enhancement companies’ strategies to bring new these on VideoRays for these types of system, hull crawler, and an improved piloting solutions to the Inspection missions. non-acoustic navigation system. Class ROV market.
VideoRay has recently won contracts The upgraded ROVs supplied to the Dave Phillips, Undersheriff of St. Louis and sold multiple units to the US Coast Dutch Navy will provide better search County Minnesota commented, “I was Guard, US Navy, New York Police truly impressed by the ability to plan a survey and have the ROV follow it – it VideoRay Pro 4 was done so easily”.
This advancement will dramatically shorten searches and increase M 6 /P
Having witnessed the success of the SeeTrack CoPilot and VideoRay integration, CEO’s Bob Black and Scott Bentley formalised the companies’ agreement to develop a partnership that will continue to address industry requirements and add value to the VideoRay product line.
59 UT2 February March 2012 ROVs ROVs
Subsea 7 Seatools ROV Schilling Robotics have announced 6 & the delivery of two 150hp, ideal solution for their needs. Remotely Operated Vehicles 3000m-rated HD ROV systems to The HD ROV provides increased specialist Seatools is currently major contractor Subsea 7. reliability and availability through an building two fallpipe ROVs (for rock integrated design philosophy for all dumping) with a dynamic positioning “We are very pleased that Subsea major sub-systems. system. 7 has selected to continue to implement the HD ROV in their The new ROVs will enable highly projects,” said Tyler Schilling, in components, enables modular accurate pre-programming of the % K maintenance, and reduces major routes along which rocks are to be Robotics. “The HD is fully compliant component replacement timeframes dumped, which they will then follow with the most demanding offshore from potentially tens of hours, to meticulously. This method is highly energy industry requirements.” one hour or less. The HD ROV also / provides industry leading stability and This follows the sale of two 150hp, position control accuracy to perform The Jan De Nul Group has 3000m rated HD ROV systems from remote intervention activities. instructed Seatools to deliver two of GMB for delivery to the Republic this type of fallpipe ROVs. The latest of Korea (ROK) Navy. One system Schilling has also delivered order, concerns a rock dumper for will be delivered for the amphibious a HD ROV system to underwater the new side-dump vessel Willem submarine rescue vessel and the 6 K / De Vlamingh. second for their auxiliary towing was for HD 23, a 150hp, 4000m-rated salvage vessel. ROV system. The ROV can operate at a maximum water depth of 200m and has an & The HD is a work-class ROV installed power of 75kW. Jan De Nul purchased this year by the ROK 6 \ % 6 had already ordered a larger ROV, ] 6 \ % construction, intervention and IMR which can operate at a maximum their salvage and rescue operations. applications. water depth of 2km and has a total The exceptional performance and installed power of 600 kW, in July Schilling ROV 2011.
SeatoolsS will be delivering the ROVs in the second and third quarters of 2012.
Schilling ROV
UT2 February March 2012 60 ROVs
Seatools fallpipe ROV
Seatools ROV
61 UT2 February March 2012 ROVs ROVs
Six ROVs from Perry
Forum Energy Technologies, FET has also sold four Perry XLX external positioning data reference (FET) has signed a contract with G2 ROVs to Technip information allowing automatic DOF Subsea AS (DOF). navigation. Technip, a world leader in project Under the contract, FET will management, engineering and The vehicles will be deployed using supply six complete Perry construction for the energy industry, FET’s proprietary Type 5 Flying XLX Generation 2 (G2) 150 will deploy two of the vehicles in Garage Tether Management System. horsepower Remotely Operated Southeast Asia on its newbuild The all stainless steel Flying Garage Vehicle (ROV) systems including \ % 6 has greater than one ton of on-board tooling and survey packages. Deep Orient. thrust capability and is fully equipped All six systems are scheduled for with TMS Dynamic Positioning. delivery in 2012. The other two will be deployed on the world’s largest purpose-built Forum has also sold Sub-Atlantic Two Perry XLX systems will be ultra-deep water pipelay and subsea Mojave Observation Remote delivered to DOF for mobilisation construction vessel, Deep Blue, Operated Vehicle System (ROV) in Singapore onboard the primarily in the Gulf of Mexico. to the St. Clair County, Michigan Skandi Hawk for work within the K R $ ! & / Australasia region. Four Perry The Perry XLX G2 is a heavy XLX systems are to be delivered Work-Class ROV that provides ROV K / 6 K R $ to DOF for mobilization into Brazil Dynamic Positioning technology that maintains a Marine Division with and will support DOF’s expanding is useful in deep-water operations. ` Brazilian operations. Features include auto waypoint responsible for patrolling St. Clair control, remote mission navigation, County’s waterways and maintaining With this new order, the DOF autopilot command interface plus a dive team responsible for search K =$ \ auto-pipe and auto-cable following and recovery efforts on the County’s 34 Perry ROV systems, including capabilities. waterways, which include Lake the Perry XL, Perry XLS and the Huron, Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair Perry XLX. The system can also accept River.
“The Mojave is a valuable tool for the team to have,” said Wayne Bromate, dive team leader, “because it can withstand conditions that humans cannot. There are approximately 110 miles of shoreline and waterways in the County, much of it a busy commercial waterway with international borders.
The Mojave will be deployed in higher-risk exploratory missions, such as diving beneath the ice in the wintertime and observing possible explosive devices. The Mojave is the most powerful observation ROV for its size” says Bromate.
“Navigating the swift currents in the St Clair River requires the use of an ROV with more power than the ROVs employed by other dive teams in Michigan. The Mojave was the most powerful of the observation ROVs we tested under actual conditions.”
UT2 February March 2012 62 WE BRING CLARITY Shallow to medium water depths TO THE WORLD BELOW
! 6 ` {`` [ V 6 _``` 6 6 [ 6 [ § `/ _ THE FULL PICTURE 6
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63 UT2 February March 2012 Submersibles
Submersibles NATO Submarine Rescue System
$ and happily, so far, it has never been ready to go, lowered into the water have been carryout out used. by the giant cranes that are part of operations with the NATO the kit. Submarine Rescue System During the test, 25 volunteers were If a submarine’s hull is breached it is Through its Paces entombed in the NSRS’s two giant automatically sealed and the rest of Costing £130m and weighing decompression chambers for 18 the hull becomes pressurised. The 360t, the NATO Submarine hours to see how they would react NSRS’s decompression chambers, Rescue System is one of the which can take up to 35 people at most sophisticated pieces of atmosphere and pressure that they a time, are set up and the rescue equipment in the world. For four would experience during a rescue submersible transfers survivors days, 70 experts from three from a stricken sub. straight into them. If the hull of the countries put it through its paces. The NSRS can be on the move stricken submarine is still intact, the within three hours - on 27 lorries. rescue submersible can do the job The NATO Submarine Rescue Ships all around the world are on its own, bringing up 15 survivors System (NSRS) is stored and designed to take the loading platform, at a time. maintained in a giant purpose- decompression chambers and built hangar at HM Naval Base rescue submersible - if there was an Timing is important because it can Clyde. It is so sophisticated emergency the nearest ship would be take up to four days to get someone that it can dive to 2000 feet alerted. fully decompressed. So the rescuers (610m) - deep enough to operate need to get as many people out of anywhere around the world’s The whole loading platform is bolted the submarine as they can and as continental shelves. onto the ship’s deck and the system’s quickly as possible. Owned by Britain, France and The decompression chambers are Norway, it is always on standby - movie with its glass-fronted nose - is staffed by professionally trained
UT2 February March 2012 64 divers and nurses who can tend to the injured, clean any who are contaminated, and generally run things until it is safe to open the doors to the outside world.
Lieutenant Commander Kevin Stockton, who runs HM Naval Base Clyde’s Northern Diving Russian Navy Acquires ‘Consul’ Group, said: According to the Russian shipyard by the order of “It is a quite brilliant stand-alone system Defense Ministry Press Russian defense ministry designed simply to save lives.Speed is essential Service, the autonomous and is used for underwater in getting to a stricken submarine and the fact deep-sea submersible Consul technical and search/ that we can be on the move in three hours with was formally accepted at JSC rescue works, planting of 360 tonnes of equipment is impressive in its Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center transponder beacons on own right. after state trials. underwater objects, lifting and transportation ashore “Although it is essentially a NATO asset, the As was earlier planned, Consul equipment with the mass of brotherhood of the submariner is such that I am submersible was commissioned up to 200 kg, preparatory sure we would respond to a request from any by the order of Russian Navy works by manipulators on government which had a submarine in distress. Commander-in-Chief. underwater objects for further lifting by a platform ship. “The brutal reality is that if a submarine were to State trials of the Consul go down in really deep water there is nothing deep-sea submersible were The hull is made of high- that anyone could do because the pressures completed in May 2011 with tensile titanium alloy would become too great for anything to survive.” effective submergence to the purposely developed by the depth of 6270m in the North Prometei Central Research The divers, doctors, nurses and specialist Atlantic. Institute of Construction operators from Britain, France and Norway Materials. operated as a seamless team for four days. Project Consul was developed by JSC Malakhit Design Bureau Length of the submersible is The exercise, called Massivex, ran the (St. Petersburg). 8.4 meters, beam/height is course of an actual rescue timeline, from 3.9 meters, weight is 26 tons, initial alert response to 18 hours of simulated The submersible was built crew is 2-3 men, endurance decompression time. 6 ¨K " 6 is 12 hours, speed is 3 knots.
Jiaolong will attempt 7000m Dive
China’s manned submersible urged sound efforts in organizing efforts in the international Jiaolong, which reached 5,188 and conducting the dive mission. seabed ore deposit areas that meters below the sea during it has gained rights to explore, ' China will promote the development Liu said. Ocean this year, will attempt of deep-sea technologies a 7,000-meter dive in 2012, and equipment, including Jiaolong successfully reached according to the State Oceanic comprehensive research ships, 3,759 meters below the sea Administration (SOA). mothership of manned undersea during a dive mission in the grafts, and deep-sea autonomous South China Sea in 2010, During a national meeting held underwater vehicles, according to 6 Monday to sum up the work of Liu. able to send a man 3,500 oceanic authorities this year meters below sea level, and to list tasks for the coming The country will further polar following the United States, year, Liu Cigui, head of the SOA, research and step up surveying France, Russia and Japan.
65 UT2 February March 2012 A brief history of subsea com
6 K Power and Process at Aker Solutions. K / O' subsea compression as one of four \ V commercially critical technology \ subsea compressor and pump for areas. It planned to bring a working particularly concerning gas-rich boosting.” system to fruition by 2015 and to multiphase wellstreams in long- complete a ‘subsea factory’ by 2020. distance lines, while working as a “At the time, there were no real manager at the SINTEF multiphase applications for long distance While subsea compression is a \ / transport however Kvaerner, which technology that has clearly come was looking to set up a subsea of age, its history dates back to “The main problem with long distance division, became aware of the around 1983. One of the pioneers wellstream transport is when the advantages of subsea compression
Subsea Compression was Dr Kjell Olav Stinessen, a pressure after some years production would provide. subsea engineer at Kvaerner Subsea although now, First Chief Engineer, \ P Such a system would be unmanned,
Subsea habitat on a monopile foundation
UT2 February March 2012 66 pression Subsea Compression
% 6 than 5000 are employed in subsea / @ 6 succeeding. in Aker Solutions and is therefore a reduced weight and thus less energy % 6 consumption during construction and Upon joining the just established 18 0000 employees and with a production. A subsea system would be Kvaerner Subsea Contracting (now insensitive to severe wave conditions Aker Subsea a part of Aker Solutions) company, and subsea has a variety of and the seawater could cool the in 1985, Stinessen showed the sketch subsea products imaginable.” equipment. Importantly, it would have to the Director, Rolf Kvamsdal, former reduced CAPEX and OPEX while the =>& At the time, the general idea was that wellheads, being closer to the reservoir, director of Kvaerner and Statoil, who subsea equipment envisaged a dry would give increased recovery.” believed in the idea. He became solution in which for instance valves 6 for Xmas threes and separation, Such a solution therefore appeared Subsea. pumping and compression equipment very attractive, however, still only were installed in a one atmosphere an idea, and it was realised that the “In June ’85 there were four of us, sphere. One such project was SAS V ie, director, assistant director (Eva (Subsea Atmospheric System) that technical solution approved by oil Karal), a Swedish submarine captain was initiated by Mobil and performed companies would require considerable (Jonny Magnusson) and myself, and 6 =>& efforts by skilled engineers, time and no products,” he recalled. “Now, more support by Mobil and Statoil.
A mock up of a SAS for Xmas trees was built at Kvaerner Brug.
An alternative idea being proposed was called Super Subsea. This was based on a subsea habitat with submarines used to carry supplies and personnel from the surface.
“In 1985, we revisited the challenge withwith a blankblank sheetsheet ofof paper,”pape said Stinessen.Stinessen. “Instead“Instead ofof a topsidesto systemsystem inin a subseasubsea enclosure,enclos we consideredconsidered iitt advantageousadvantageou to have a totally unmanned system basedb on a compressor iinn didirectrect contcontacta with the seawater.seawater.
“We looked at a topsides layout,la removedremoved anythinganything thatthat waswas unnecessaryunnecessary and put the restr into a pressurepressure vessevessel.l. TheThe susubseabs design An early sketchketch by SStinessentinessen isis based on the principleprinciple oof a motor conjecturingng on what would connected to a compressorcompresso via a gear be requiredd for a subsea integratedintegrated iinn a common ppressurer processingg systesystemm housinghousing directlydirectly exposeexposedd tto sea.
“Bearings“Bearings and ggearear was oioil lubricated. A lubricationlubrication systemsystem wwithith lubelu oil tank, pumppump and cooling was, therefore,the a vitalvital but also quite vulnerablevulnera part of thethe motor-compressor.”motor-compressor.”
TheThe principle oof integrationintegratio of motor and compressorco inin theth same housingho Kjell Olav Stinessentinessen whichwh was
6767 UTUT2 FebruaryFeFebrbruauary MMarch 2012 described in a Norwegian patent that 10 0000 bbld, and the volume of the contract. was granted to Kvaerner in 1987 separator around 9m³. The KBS could The Pilot is now being tested by Shell and in US in 1991 became from then therefore have been used to boost the that has taken over the prototype, at the on the commonly accepted concept Ormen Lange gas terminal Nyhamna at Subsea Compression for all subsea compressors, ie, not its associated gas. the west coast of Norway. In the years assembly of compression system between we carried out a number of of ‘topsides type’ in large pressure The KBS was thoroughly tested vessels. according to a demanding test boosting. programme at the SINTEF Multiphase Additionally to the patent, Kvaerner Flow Laboratory (MFL) almost the By these studies the design of the designed the integrated motor-gear- whole of year 1993. A 6 m diameter, subsea gas boosting system was further compressor system and commissioned {_ Loher, Germany, to build the motor to carry out submerged testing. requirements,” continued Stinessen “and in 2001 we established a joint industry The KBS was connected to the 800 project (JIP) where we “brushed the from the Swiss manufacturer Maag. \ !Z dust off” the KBS compressor, made The compressor was built by Nuovo was utilised to create all sorts of improvements and tested it. We added Pignone (now GE). \ things that were not available when the expose the unit for an intensive and P “We designed the system and won demanding test programme including Stinessen “and parallel to the testing, the patent, although Nuovo Pignone off design conditions. assessment of status of magnetic bearings took responsibility of integrating the and fast speed motors was included in the 850 kW unit and testing it as a part The conclusion was that the KBS was JIP. of the Kvaerner Booster Station a well working and robust subsea (KBS) Project. There was very good compression system and a sound The conclusion was that both had cooperation.” basis for further development to larger a maturity status usable for subsea The next step was to design a systems suitable for gas and gas- compressors, and this resulted in a layout that would incorporate a / / / number of individual compressors motor and compressor with magnetic together to see how they behaved. “The total cost of the KBS project bearings and compressor directly An arrangement consisting of three was NOK 105 million of which driven by high speed motor and no gear motors/compressors pump trains Kvaerner’s share was NOK 65 million. between.” were modelled on a computer. The remainder was provided by sponsorship from companies including “We went to a magnetic bearing vendor “This 1986-7 original design is Esso and Statoil.” in France back in 1987 and looked at not dissimilar to the arrangement magnetic bearings which looked fairly proposed for Ormen Lange and “At the time we new that there weren’t acceptable,” he said, “but we considered it Asgard today,” said Stinessen. 6 M impossible to marinise the control system for the magnetic bearings with the state of “An important step forward was boosting” said Stinessen. the art of that time. taken by the end of 1989 when it was decided to build and test a prototype “The intention was therefore to install “Moreover, we found out that high speed of a complete subsea compression K 6 motors with a rotational speed in the system, the KBS, in 1990-93. The qualify the technology and create range of 10000 rpm to directly drive a goal was to demonstrate to ‘the oil 6 compressor without a gear, did not exist and gas world’ the feasibility and for the power range we needed, say 5-10 ultimately create a new market MW. – subsea compression. tie back and subsea gas boosting. “A solution with a low speed motor, say “The KBS is a complete subsea It proved, however, impossible 3000 rpm, magnetic bearings and an oil compression system designed to V lubricated gear, was not attractive, but form a compact unit by stacking immediately after the KBS testing would give a more complex and vulnerable compressor, separator and pump in was concluded. It actually took 12 solution. We therefore decided to ‘wait a column structure with a minimum of years before Statoil supported by their and see’, which was a clever strategy piping and connectors easy to install $ because today high speed motors with 10 and retrieve.” established the Ormen Lange Subsea 000rpm and power of 10MW and more are Compression Station Pilot to qualify commercially available.” The pump had a power of 300 kW a subsea compression system for with a capacity of in the range of which Aker Solutions was awarded the O V
UT2 February March 2012 68 in the Ormen Langege has therethereforefore mmagneticagnetic bearinbearings,gs, high speed motor and consequently no gear. This resultresultss in a quite attractivee andand veryvery compact motor-compressor design, but as normallyrmally when you resolveresolo vev one problem, some other challengenge turns up.
“In this case the challengehallenge is related to long distance transmission of highgh voltage high power electric currecurrentnt with high enough ffrequencyrequency for the highhigh speed motor. The speed of a motor iss proportional to the ffrequency.requency. NormaNormall frequency in homeses is 50Hz, and at such a frfrequencyequency a motor of the type uusedsed for subsea compressors would run at only 3000 rpm, and therethereforefore not at hhighigh speed.”
To get 10000 rpm,, it is necessarnecessaryy to supplsupplyy the electric current at a frequencyency ooff 167 Hz. For sursurfaceface located compressors this iiss no problem because a frequency converter, often calledalled a variable speedspeed drive ((VSD),VSD), can be placed close too the motor and supply it with the righrightt frequency.
“But it is not possibleble to transmit high voltage power at such high frequencycy more than approximately 50 km, said Stinessen, “ TThehe nature of electric power is such that the transmissionion then becomes unstable with very high voltage peakss than can harm or even damage the subsea motor and ototherher susubseabsea eelectriclectric eequipmentquuipipment liklikee transformers and ccircuitircuit breakersbreakers..
The introduction ooff hihighgh speed motmotorsorrs for the Ormen Lange Pilot to qualifyalify forfor operation at 120 km step outout from the onshore ppowerower source therefore necessitated K& K& has been successfullysfully resolved.resolved.””
For Åsgard the step-outep-out is less than 50 km, and subssubseaea VSDs and associatedated electric eequipmentquipment can be installedinstalled dry on the platformm and hihighgh frequencfrequencyy electric current can be transmittedd iinn tthehe cacableble aalonglong tthehe seaseabedbed to tthehe compressor motors.rss.
“I have now describedibed a technolotechnologicalgical develodevelopmentpment oveoverr many years.” Stinessen.essen. ““hopefullyhopefully this is not because I am over-focused on the past, but because experiencexperiencee both including whatat went rrightight andand whatwhat did not gogo too well, is an importantant basis fforor ffurtherurther develodevelopmentpment ooff subsea compressionion and subsea processing in generalgeneral..
The industry is wellell equipped to bring to the market next generation of solutions.tions.
Such solutions are;e;
More compact ccompressionompression ssystemsystems especespeciallyially susuitableitable K / @ $ / @ $ called Large and ÅsgardÅsgard medium size.
Compression stationsttattiions forfor ice infectedinfected areas including KvaernerKvaerner BBoosterooster SStationtation appropriate methodsods and equipment for installation and
69 UT2 February March 2012 Installation Installation Articulating A-Frame MacArtney has developed a new clear of the frame, the A-frame can operators can conveniently remove articulating A-frame which reduces be lifted up, past 90deg and then and replace equipment and make the time required for equipment onwards over the side or the rear any necessary adjustments to the change-over and adjustment. of the vessel and lowered down to A-frame without having to be hoisted 20deg for launch into the water. up the frame. A-frames installed along the side or at the rear of vessels For retrieval, the process is reversed Lowering the A-frame to 11deg from are used for launching a wide and the A-frame raised past the the deck also makes any service range of equipment and often for 90deg point and lowered to 11deg and maintenance work easier and several tasks during a voyage. over the vessel deck. From here, faster to perform. Dismounting equipment, adjusting the A-frame for a new task and mounting new equipment can be a The articulating A-frame during testing time consuming and often complex task.
Because the equipment can be large and heavy, the A-frame often needs adjusting for different equipment, requiring a technician being raised up to the top bar.
Operators often have to be hoisted up in a chair or a harness up to 3–4m to reach the top, making adjustments time-consuming – and because of the potential hazards in working at height on a moving vessel, such work involves a number of safety precaution procedures.
MacArtney has designed and built a new kind of A-frame that makes accessing equipment more convenient and safer for personnel. It makes it possible to access the top of the A-frame from the deck of the ship.
This hydraulic design, using just 2 rams, articulates the A-frame a full 149deg, from the 20deg angle for launching equipment over the side or the rear of the vessel, to 11deg over the deck of the vessel. It has a high total safe working load of 89kN throughout the entire process.
Equipment, for example a full ROV launch system, can be installed on the A-frame on deck by operators working at deck level and readied for launch. With all operators
UT2 February March 2012 70 Installation
ArticulatingArticulating A-frameA-frame
71 UT2 February March 2012 Equipment Equipment L3 SSS
L-3 Klein Associates, Inc. has applications. The system utilizes “During L-3 Klein’s extensive introduced a new lightweight, proprietary dual-frequency (455 and performance and reliability rapidly deployable side scan 900 kHz) wideband FM Chirp sonar testing, using typical tow speeds sonar (SSS) for search and to provide high-resolution imaging, of 4-6 knots, our new HydroScan recovery (SAR) applications. outstanding contrast ratios, and system consistently captured The state-of-the-art HydroScan under certain conditions, as much very high-resolution imagery over implements advanced as double the range of competitive 80m per side using 900 kHz, technologies not previously lightweight systems in disaster, and also over 175m at 455 kHz,” available in side scan sonars, 6 said John Cotumaccio, general resulting in a highly compact surveys. manager of L-3 Klein. quality imaging and range The HydroScan is rated to a full “That’s more than a 50% performance than other small 100-meter depth and is designed improvement over anything SAR SSS systems. with rugged components that available in the marketplace are built to last. In addition, the today. We are very pleased From nose to tail, L-3 Klein’s new design features an easy-to- to offer such an outstanding 6 K 6 access tow cable connection and performance capability on a designed to anticipate the needs a well-placed handle for effortless lightweight and rapidly deployable of today’s SAR and related transport. platform.”
HydroScan
UT2 February March 2012 72 SUT S U T
Worldwide Underwater Technology R&D Engineering System Integration Sales Service LaunchLaunch & RecoveryR
Remote Technology Project Management & Engineering
InfrastructureInfrastructure Instruments
Telemetry
www.macartney.com
Hot Stab
The industry’s only full-bore, straight- through, pressure-balanced hot stab, based on patented technology from subsea connector specialist SECC Oil and Gas, is being injection and pumping projects in without having to pump at the Gulf of Mexico to help operators higher pressures or use larger and heavier connectors and lines. \ / Max Flow hot stab SECC’s stab uses pressure-balanced The Max Flow hot stab has been technology to eliminate net forces designed to achieve the highest stab that would otherwise push the stab \ 6 out of position and creates reliable “To combat the problem of pressure with exceptionally low pressure connections. A simple J-Latch is drop typically associated with drops. used to align the ports and protect conventional connectors, we have the connection against loads on the V \ Unlike traditional hot stabs, SECC’s attached hose. that is ideal for subsea injection and Max Flow is based around a straight- pumping projects, including those through bore with no obstacle or “In our industry, the use of conventional 6 \ change of bore angle to throttle hot stabs introduces unnecessary \ V \ \ \ / through it. equates to increases in cost,” says Gareth Black, Engineering Manager “As well as reducing the cost Measuring a quarter of an inch to K $ > / O implications of these types of projects, four inches and with zero head loss result of having to use larger hoses and we are also helping operators reduce caused by directional change, the lines, or commissioning larger vessels the risks associated with working at innovative design enables operators to manoeuvre equipment into position high pressures and protect the safety 6 \ and taking more time to complete of personnel, equipment and the a smaller equivalent diameter bore projects. environment.
73 UT2 February March 2012 X-Stream
A novel concept has been developed The design derives from the principle the during the initial stages, after 6 ] that if the internal and external \ / society DNV, which could increase pressures are equal, they can cancel the cost-effectiveness of employing each other out of the design equation. An alternative option is to use a long distance gas pipelines in deep In order for this to happen, however, much lower pressure de-rated line waters. it is necessary to ensure that the and a HIPPS system consisting of a internal pressure is not allowed to series of pressure transducers, logic “Offshore operators are progressively drop below a minimum level. DNV controllers and automated valves. pushing the boundaries of technology came up with the elegant solution in order to explore and produce of using the High Integrity Pressure If a surge of high pressure is detected, / ! 6 Protection System (HIPPS) in an the logic controllers trigger the HIPPS developments lie in deep waters, inverted way. valves to shut. This prevents the which present particular export pressure rising above a critical level. challenges.” said Dr Henrik Madsen, , HIPPS is an idea favoured around % $ &]/ the world, although notably, not totally Conversely, in the X-Stream system, accepted the Gulf of Mexico. a similar arrangement is used to “If oil is discovered long distances prevent the internal pressure from from land, it may be developed using Between the well and the installation falling below a critical level. \ @ \ Z'K$ / " is use thick walled pipes and risers “By controlling the pressure differential arrangement for gas production, fully rated to withstand the maximum between the pipeline’s external and however, is in its infancy and currently pressure the reservoir can deliver. internal pressures at all times,” said unavailable. The heavy riser may be inhibited by Madsen, “the amount of steel and its own weight constraints, making it thickness of the pipe wall of a gas “Instead, the only recourse is to make impossible to design. pipeline in water depths of 2500m can use of long distance pipelines laid be reduced by as much as 25-30 % The reservoir will typically only depending on the actual project and is to be exploited. When engineers produce at its maximum pressure at its parameters. design such a line, one of the factor they have to take into account is that the pipe has to physically withstand the ambient pressure pushing against it form the outside.
6 waters and pipeline designers, therefore, typically specify a greater wall thickness than might be expected Safe area in shallower water pipelines. Collapse critical area One drawback for the thicker walls, iHIPPS however, is that they necessitate valve proportionally larger quantities of steel for their manufacture. Furthermore, when installing pipelines, the heavy weights are iHIPPS valve are challenging to weld. The dividing line between safe and collapse critical depth indicates the boundary below which the external pressure can compromise the pipeline. If a leak occurs above this Only a limited number of pipe-laying line at the rig or shallow water near the shore, an immediate isolation is required at the vessels are available for deep-water seabed to avoid loss of internal pressure in the collapse critical part of the pipeline. pipelines and there are only a few V / @ Any leakage below the limit will not be collapse critical because the high external the future, the demand is expected to pressure will prevent the loss of internal pressure below the critical pressure. If there is increase, driving costs further up. ! "
This prompted DVN to develop the The iHIPPS uses a double block and bleed arrangement to isolate the pipe if the X-Stream concept. pressure starts to fall. This maintains the pipeline pressure above the critical level.
UT2 February March 2012 74 Reduced Wall Thickness 18in
Pipeline Traditional X-Stream X-Stream Data Pipeline without with concrete concrete
OD 0.457 0.457 0.457 Wall (mm) 25 17 15.6 Concrete (mm) 12 min Wall thickness saving 32% 36%
Wall thickness savings
“It can reduce both the pipeline wall thickness and time spent on welding and installation compared to deep-water gas pipelines currently in operation. The exact reduction in the wall thickness depends on the water depth, pipe diameter and actual pipeline /
Advantages include reduced steel quantity, faster lay rates, easier to manufacture higher strength steel, reduced weight of line pipe with easier handling. The thinner walls reduces welding timesand improve weld quality. More mills can deliver the pipe, with greater competition
“The inverted (called i-HIPPS) and the associated inverted double block and bleed valves (i-DBB) immediately and effectively isolates the deep-water pipe if the pressure starts to fall. In this way, the internal pipeline pressure is maintained above a critical level for any length of time,” said Asle Venås, DNV’s Global Pipeline Director.
During installation, it is necessary to fully or partially \ / During operation, the i-HIPPS and i-DBB systems ensure that the pipeline’s internal pressure can never drop below the collapse pressure – plus a safety margin. A certain minimum pressure will be maintained in the pipeline at all times.
“It will also be important to maintain the minimum pressure in the pipeline during pre-commissioning. This can be done using produced gas separated from the water in the pipe by a set of separation pigs and gel. This technology is not new to the industry. This method has already been initiated as standard practice by several oil companies,” says Mr Venås.
The DNV study is a concept study, and a basic and detailed design will need to be carried out before the X-Stream concept is realised on a real project. DNV 6 test the concept.
75 UT2 February March 2012 AUVs for Pre-engineering Route
Over the past ten years, a variety include the Iver2. modular approach. of autonomous underwater vehicle The majority of AUV designs either The company developed and nurtured (AUV) designs have evolved to descended from military projects, the introduction of this technology exploit a range of subsea market particularly to conduct mine counter via a cooperative agreement niches. measures or were built to carry out with the University of Delaware’s oceanographic research. Each of Oceanographic research department. At the upper end are the high logistic, these systems were typically built to The agreement was signed in early maximum duration AUVs capable of % 6 / 2010, with the work led by Dr. Art autonomous operation over extensive Trembanis. The associate professor periods. Capable of transporting high At the same time, however, other had conducted shallow research technology payloads, these large manufacturers began to develop activity over a number of years with vehicles require dedicated support vehicles based on a modular design. the university. infrastructure including sophisticated These allowed the sensor payload to launch and recovery systems. A be adapted to the direct requirements Following the signing of this successful example is Kongsberg’s of the client’s mission. agreement, UTEC was given the HUGIN AUV. ability to trial the system prior to Gavia (part of the Teledyne family) purchasing and upgrading the Around eight to pioneered this modular approach, capabilities to 500m water depth. This ten commercial which culminated in its ‘Offshore led the survey company to observe systems exist Surveyor’ variant. This medium 6 globally from duration (8hr), low logistic, multi- thethe systemsystem whichwhich hadhad multiple service sensor AUV capability is in use with operatedoperated over providers. a number of commercial survey a numbernumber companies. of yearsyears Towards the withwith limitedlimited other end of the One such company is UTEC Survey, a universityuniversity spectrum are relative newcomer but growing quickly less demanding in the provision of AUV services. vehicles. Typical UTEC began its venture into the AUV examples include market following a two year appraisal the Marport SQXL of existing technology, coupled with (dual chamber extensive research into clients’ needs design), the Remus and possible future requirements. "^ with medium The current UUVs assessed by UTEC sensor capabilities. had a limited inspection, repair and A HUGIN AUV Low-cost man- maintenance (IRM) capability. The portable vehicles company, therefore, decided to adopt a Command module for the GAVIA
UT2 February March 2012 76 and Pre-lay Surveys By Trevor Hughes, UTEC Survey
maintenance funding. services are undertaken with multiple sniffers’ which enable pipeline leak sensor payload which include: multi- V 6 6 When the university commissioned beam echosounder, sidescan sonar, in the event of natural disasters their original AUV, Dr. Trembanis had (hurricanes) or infrastructure failure magnetometer sensor. with a high accuracy inertial navigation system, coupled to a doppler velocity The ability to call upon a log (Kerfott T24/ RDI 1200). combination of sensors provides the client with an AUV in an When coupled with survey quality acquisition sensors, this provided it is required to carry out. the high accuracies suitable for hydrographic and oil and gas survey Subsea data acquisition is applications. \6 "^ between 2–10m altitude above UTEC duly commissioned a dual \ build schedule of two 1000m GAVIA poor surface weather which stops Offshore Surveyor AUVs (build activity for vessel mounted or numbers 26 and 27) and took delivery towed sensor systems. of the systems in the late 2011 and early 2012 respectively. The offshore construction industry immediately viewed The thrust of the UTEC’s operational sales activity has been focused around this technology for both pre- offshore pre-engineering route studies. engineering and pre-lay activity, with the AUV acquiring data at These have necessitated the 3.5kts. enhancement of the AUV’s capabilities to enable acoustic inertial navigation In particular pre-lay surveys system/Doppler velocity log (INS/DVL) which previously required a DP updates, as well as additional sensor vessel and ROV operation at integration, through water mission typically 0.5kts, is offering huge quality control and acoustic ultra short / base line (USBL) tracking. All these additions make the core system highly / of this AUV platform provides the opportunity to develop additional The pre-engineering route survey modules such as ‘hydrocarbon Prototype(as seen launch in the system recent for Gulf the ofGAVIA Mexico oil spill).
77 UT2 February March 2012 Renewables Renewables
30/11/2011 understand how an array of devices SCOTTISHPOWER RENEWABLES would operate. The information PELAMIS WAVE MACHINE SETS gathered from the trials will help the SAIL FOR TESTING IN ORKNEY companies to consider how larger, Following its manufacture and testing more commercial schemes could in Leith, ScottishPower Renewables’ be designed. new P2 Pelamis wave power device set sail for the European It is expected that the 300 mile Marine Energy Centre in Orkney journey to Orkney will take around today (Sunday 6th November). The 2 days, with testing due to begin machine, which measures 180m in at the European Marine Energy length, converts the motion of waves Centre during November. into electricity via hydraulic cylinders. The power generated is then fed ScottishPower Renewables is back to shore using an undersea currently developing a wave cable. The P2 is the second energy site at Marwick Head in the generation machine developed Pentland Firth that could host up to by Pelamis Wave Power, and is sixty-six Pelamis P2 wave power 6 generators. The Pelamis device is single P2 device generating 750kW widely recognised as a leader in of electricity – able to provide enough power to supply approximately 500 trials at a number of locations homes annually. around the world. Link: It will join another P2 Pelamis machine installed in Orkney last year by E.ON. This collaborative approach is seen as a step forward for the marine energy industry. The two machines will operate in tandem, allowing the companies to better
UT2 February March 2012 78 79 UT2 February March 2012 Renewables Renewables NorWind Contracts Ulstein to Design New Foundation Installation Vesse Norwegian based NorWind have been developed for the various on starboard side, while a pre- Installer contracted the ULSTEIN installation modes on top of the piling template can be located on & ^ generic vessel platform provided by a support structure at the stern. Sea of Solutions and Ulstein ULSTEIN. The vessel can carry four jackets, IDEA Equipment Solutions as alternatively at least 24 piles or up their design partners for a new The approach for this design has to 12 transition pieces on the large foundation installation vessel for been unique in the sense that open aft deck. the offshore wind industry. The NorWind Installer and ULSTEIN vessel is a customized version of started this project by going through To enhance vessel operability, the Deepwater Enabler design from the ULSTEIN Accelerated Business the anti-heeling system has been ULSTEIN. Development process. Technical designed in such a way that the and operational options from both main crane can revolve over 180 The DP vessel is designed for NorWind Installer and ULSTEIN degrees with a full load in its main world-wide operations with a focus were discussed in a transparent hook within 5 minutes, which is very on pre-piling and jacket/tripod/ process resulting in the most viable favourable having a large jacket in transition piece installation for the option, which met NorWind Installer’s the crane hook. offshore wind industry in North business model and requirements. Europe. When operating in the pre-piling The vessel is designed aiming mode, the pre-piling template is Different deck layouts, based upon % 6 positioned on the seabed by the NorWind Installer’s installation effectiveness and features an 800t main crane, in parallell a pile is experience from Alpha Ventus, heave compensated offshore crane picked up by a gantry crane, put in
UT2 February March 2012 80 Renewables
el
the upending frame on starboard layout version of the vessel has also side and upended. The main crane been developed for tidal turbine 6 ^K @] installations. 6 the piling hammer with its main hook Voith Schneider propellers of 3,900 and then connect to the upended kW each will allow for a cruising pile with its auxiliary hook. speed of 13 knots and enhance the DP capabilities of the vessel. To When the hammer is working on minimize the environmental footprint driving the pile into the seabed, the an NOx reduction system is installed next pile is upended by the upending in the exhaust lines. frame and made ready for crane lift out. Main dimensions of the vessel are: Loa 160.3 m The large aft deck and AHC Lpp 145.5 m \ % 6 Beam (moulded) 32.0 m alternative subsea and offshore Depth (moulded) 12.6 m markets in the future, which is Draught (operational) 8.0 m further increased by the two large Service speed 13 kn holds suitable for carroussels Installed power 6 x 4,680 kW located below main deck. A deck Main crane 800t (AHC)
81 UT2 February March 2012 Renewables
Renewables Wave Power Park Ucluelet Wave Converter Fortum and Seabased AB Wave energy developer Carnegie RME has successfully completed unite for construction of a wave Wave Energy Limited has ocean trials of a wave energy power park in Sweden. Fortum announced the development and converter prototype that it is and Seabased AB have today funding application for a 5MW CETO developing pursuant to a Phase signed an agreement on the demonstration project off British II SBIR grant from the US construction of a joint wave power Columbia, Canada. Department of Energy (DOE). park in Sotenäs, Sweden. After The prototype is a near-shore, completion, the wave power Carnegie, through its British surge-type wave energy converter park will be the world’s largest, 6 ' (WEC) that is mounted on the full-scale demonstration project Coastal Wave Energy Corporation \ Q [ of its kind. The total budget for (PCWE), has been developing the and captures energy from waves the project is about e25 million, Ucluelet Wave Energy Project for that pass overhead. of which Fortum’s share is about 6 / K 6 half. Project is supported by the Province In addition to funding from DOE, of British Columbia through the RME received valuable support @ _`{_ K award of a CA$2m grant from the from the University of North will start serial production of Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Carolina Coastal Studies Institute buoys, Fund. (UNC-CSI) and the North Carolina generators, substations and Aquariums Society which owns converters at a factory to be In addition, Carnegie’s subsidiary, and operates the Jennette’s Pier established in the Lysekil PCWE, has now submitted a facility where testing took place. municipality in Sweden. formal proposal to the Canadian Government, via Natural Resources RME Senior Engineer Cliff The goal is for marine installation Canada, for project grant funding Goudey said, “These tests were _ under the ecoENERGY Innovation 6 buoys and related equipment Initiative (ecoEII). after many years of hard work during autumn and winter of . developing computer models 2012. Phase-two installations Project development activities to and conducting numerous tests are planned to be take place date include site and wave resource in wave tanks. “We learned a lot after a research period of about assessment, environmental scoping, about the behavior of our WEC one year. When completed, the \ in real-world conditions and now wave power park will consist of analysis and securing of an offshore we’ll move on to the next design 420 buoys, with a total output of investigative licence through the iteration and ocean trials in what about 10 megawatts, installed BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and we hope will be a pre-commercial in a 0.5km2 area. The plant is Natural Resource Operations. context.” scheduled for completion in 2014- 2015.
The technology for the wave power park is based on Uppsala University’s wave power research in which Fortum has participated since 2007. The Swedish Energy Agency has decided to grant investment support for the project.
Fortum is also participating in the Finnish Waveroller development project, in which wave energy is converted into electricity close to the shore. The project’s goal is to build a 300-kW demonstration plant during 2012 in Peniche, Portugal, to produce electricity for the grid. Aerial photo of Ucluelet Inlet and Amphitrite Point
UT2 February March 2012 82
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83 2 UT February March 2012 AUVs AUVs
REMUS 100 Discovers Helicopter Wreck in Adventfjorden Bay
An Autonomous Underwater this September, he discovered that summer. In addition to his ongoing Vehicle (AUV) manufactured the REMUS had photographed the oceanographic research, by Hydroid, a subsidiary of missing helicopter wreckage. Kongsberg Maritime, has Professor Moline also now hopes discovered the wreckage of “The wreck is located in shallow to use the REMUS to locate a a helicopter that crashed in waters close to the North shore German plane that crashed in the Svalbard, Norway in 2003. The of the Adventfjorden, where Adventfjorden during World War II. helicopter’s crew escaped alive, bigger boats are unable to travel,” “This is the latest in a series of but the wreck had not been seen Professor Moline said. “But one since it sank into Adventfjorden reason the REMUS is so useful REMUS vehicles,” said Christopher bay. in our research is its ability to von Alt, President and co-founder of Hydroid. Mark Moline, a professor from terrain.” California Polytechnic University “Hydroid is proud to be part of who is currently a Fulbright Arctic REMUS AUVs are renowned for important undersea explorations Chair at the University Centre maneuvering in and around unusual like this one. Time and again, the in Svalbard, had been using oceanographic features with REMUS continues to perform well, the REMUS 100 to research greater ease, and at a lower cost in even the toughest situations.” climate-related changes to the than boats and other submersibles. " Q R \ / Professor Moline currently has no formal plans to investigate the Hydroid’s REMUS AUVs are When he downloaded the images helicopter wreck further, but he may 6 from an oceanographic survey attempt to explore it again next large number of different sensors and have been used to aid in hydrographic surveys, harbour security operations, debris and mapping, as well as many basic and applied research programs funded by ONR, DARPA and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense.
Helicopter discovery
UT2 February March 2012 84 AUVs
OceanServer
Ocean Server
OceanServer Technology has forward, other survey applications in support of hydrographic surveying. recently delivered two AUVs to SC are expected to include mapping Marine Research SRL located in inland Romanian waters such as The Iver Platform ll Iver2 AUV Bucharest, Romania. lakes, reservoirs and sections of the models come standard with Danube River. OceanServer’s VectorMap Mission Marine Research is a new and Planning and Data Presentation tool, dynamic company devoted to the The AUVs are both equipped with which provides geo-registered data research of aquatic environments side scan sonar and one system 6 % in and around Romania. The two has the Imagenex Delta-T multiple other software analysis tools. This IVER2 systems will initially be used beam sonar system designed to unique AUV design has enabled to map the sea bottom around provide high-speed imaging for use OceanServer to carve out a very the Danube Delta located on the in hydrographic surveys of the Black strong position in the research Black Sea. The purpose of this Sea. space for Autonomous Underwater research is to identify and localize Vehicles, sensors and behavioral benthic habitats and document their In addition to the sonar systems, studies. The VectorMap program characteristics. the vehicles have the capability to can input NOAA ENCs or any geo- collect Acoustic Doppler Current referenced charts, maps or photo The Danube Delta is the second (ADCP) data along with conductivity, images, allowing the operator to largest Delta in Europe and temperature, and depth (CTD) for intuitively develop AUV missions considered one of the best continuous in-situ measurements using simple point-and-click preserved on the continent. Going used to characterize sound velocity navigation.
85 UT2 February March 2012 U.S.-Canada Arctic Ocean survey partnership
saved costs, increased data Story: NOAA
A recent mission marked from both countries, the U.S. Coast U.S. ECS work is not limited to the 6 Guard Cutter Healy and the Canadian Arctic and includes areas in the Bering collaboration between the United Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St- Sea, Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic, Gulf States and Canada to survey the Laurent. of Alaska, Marianas and Line Islands, Surveys Arctic Ocean. as well as areas off northern California “This two-ship approach was both and northwest of Hawaii. The bilateral project collected productive and necessary in the " R 6 In addition to Arctic survey work, the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical conditions,” said Larry Mayer, Ph.D., U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) led miles from the coastline, also known U.S. chief scientist on the Arctic missions in 2011 to collect seismic as the extended continental shelf mission and co-director of the NOAA- data in the Gulf of Alaska and the (ECS). University of New Hampshire Joint Bering Sea, and scientists from the Hydrographic Center. Joint Hydrographic Center collected The U.S. has an inherent interest in bathymetric data northwest of Hawaii. knowing, and declaring to others, “With one ship breaking ice for the NOAA and USGS funded the 2011 the exact extent of its sovereign other, the partnership increased U.S. missions. rights in the ocean as set forth in the the data either nation could have Convention on the Law of the Sea. obtained operating alone, saved Two U.S. ECS missions are planned For the ECS, this includes sovereign millions of dollars by ensuring data for 2012, one in the Atlantic and one in rights over natural resources on and were collected only once, provided the Arctic. under the seabed including energy data useful to both nations for resources such as: oil and natural % “The amount and quality of the data gas and gas hydrates; “sedentary” collected as part of these joint Arctic creatures such as clams, crabs, diplomatic cooperation”. missions met and often exceeded the and corals; and mineral resources expectations we would set each year,” such as manganese nodules, Preliminary studies indicate the U.S. said Deborah Hutchinson, Ph.D, a ferromanganese crusts, and ECS, including the Arctic Ocean geologist with the USGS and U.S. 6 / areas surveyed, total at least one science lead and liaison on board million square kilometers, an area CCG Ship Louis S. St-Laurent. The 2011 joint Arctic mission about twice the size of California. spanned nearly six weeks in August Additional data collection and analysis This year’s U.S. Arctic mission was and September and was the fourth will lead to more accurate estimates led by the Joint Hydrographic Center, 6 6 \ of the extent of the U.S. ECS. a partnership between NOAA and the
3-D view of an isolated seamount discovered during Arctic Ocean sonar work in 2009. The feature rises from a depth of more than 3800 meters (nearly 12,500 feet) from the abyssal plain to a least depth of 2622 meters (8,600 feet). In the far background approximately 440 kilometers (240 miles)) away is the Chukchi Plateau. (Credit: CCOM/JHC University of New Hampshire/NOAA)
UT2 February March 2012 86 SUT
^K 6 \ _``| " / (Credit: UNH/CCOM/NOAA)
87 UT2 February March 2012 NOAA NOAA
University of New Hampshire, while The Bureau of Safety and Arctic environment could prove to the Canadian mission was led by Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) be the most critical tool in effectively the Geological Survey of Canada of and the National Oceanic and preparing for, responding to, and Natural Resources Canada. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) mitigating situations where limited announced today they are partnering assets, personnel and facilities exist. Scientists on board Healy used a to enhance the Environmental We appreciate the Department of the multibeam echo sounder to collect Response Management Application Interior’s willingness to support us in bathymetric data to create three- (ERMA®) for the Arctic region by this important effort.” \ / summer 2012. ERMA® is the same Scientists aboard CCGS Louis S. interactive online mapping tool used “This emergency response tool St-Laurent collected seismic data by federal responders during the was invaluable when managing the to determine the thickness of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This Deepwater Horizon response,” said \ effort will help address numerous BSEE Director James A. Watson, better understand the geology of the challenges in the Arctic where who served as the federal on-scene Arctic Ocean. coordinator for the U.S. Coast Guard energy development are increasing during the disaster. The 2011 Arctic mission traversed the risk of oil spills and chemical more than 5,600 total miles over the releases. “Adding this tool to the Arctic region Beaufort Shelf, Chukchi Borderland, would provide a tremendous boost Alpha Ridge, and Canada Basin and “Launching this tool for responders, to the current oil spill response reached more than 1,230 miles north media and the public during capabilities there. We are very of the Alaskan coast. the Deepwater Horizon oil spill pleased to work with NOAA to was a groundbreaking technical provide this enhanced capability “As in previous Arctic missions, achievement and one of the most to those involved in planning and we obtained data in areas we were ]$"" response activities.” not entirely sure the ice would provided to the historic, large- allow us to proceed, even with scale response,” said Monica In developing this project for the a two-ship operation,” said Andy Medina, NOAA principal deputy Arctic, NOAA, with support from Armstrong, co-chief scientist on the under secretary for oceans and BSEE, will work with state, local Arctic mission and co-director of the / O= and indigenous communities as well NOAA-University of New Hampshire application to meet the needs of as academia and industry to share Joint Hydrographic Center. “This was responders in the remote marine information on how ERMA can best especially true in the eastern part of the Canada Basin where some of the thickest Arctic ice is found.” Mapping Data collected by these two nations Since the start of U.S. ECS work in maps to help determine the outer the Arctic in 2003, Healy alone has limits of the U.S. ECS, while revealing 2 / Z % ^K K mapped more than 320,000km (123 previously undiscovered mountains, 2 scientists collected baseline data on 000 miles " \ known as seamounts, and scours about the size of Arizona. created by past glaciers and icebergs from the National Ice Center scraping along the ocean bottom compared observed ice conditions “These data provided high resolution 400m below the surface,” said Mayer. with interpretations of the same ice seen on satellite imagery.
From 2006 to date, scientists on board CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent have collected nearly 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles) of seismic data, vastly increasing the seismic data holdings in this area of the deep Arctic Ocean. Scientists from the United States and Canada are using these seismic data to revise models of the origin and tectonic evolution of this poorly understood portion of the ocean.
UT2 February March 2012 88 SUT
support an emergency response and protect the region’s unique lifestyle and Biodiversity and coastal defence resources. ERMA will bring together all of the engineering research available information needed for an effective emergency response in the Marine consultancy and survey of engineering design and how Arctic. In an emergency situation, specialists EMU Limited, will 6 ERMA is equipped with near real- collaborate with global engineering to enhance both local and regional time oceanographic observations and consultancy Arup and the Russell ecological interactions. weather data from NOAA, and critical Group, University of Southampton information from BSEE and numerous on research into using sustainable The joint research will then assess other federal and state response engineering to further the how resultant intertidal communities agencies. Responders can further ecosystem services offered by 6 O P customize the tool with environmental, intertidal communities living on both biodiversity and also to coastal logistical, and operational data such as coastal defence structures. defence managers. 6 maps, and mariner notices, depending The work will seek to achieve Arup Senior Maritime Engineer, Dr on the need. engineering for biodiversity and Matilda Kitou said that it is not to biodiversity for engineering. ERMA integrates and synthesizes [ real-time and static data into a Entitled “Intertidal structures: the type of coastal defence structure single interactive map, providing a Engineering for sustainability that can be used. quick visualization of the situation and biodiversity”, the study will and improving communication and involve desk-based research “Rather we are looking to assess coordination among responders and whether the colonising community environmental stakeholders. defence structures in the UK. It will could be optimised for both also incorporate an assessment P/
89 UT2 February March 2012 WHOI Gets Grant for Seafloor Earthquake Obse
One of the most dangerous faults society,” said WHOI President and but land-based GPS is too far away
WHOI ] " ' Director Susan Avery. “The real- from offshore faults to be sensitive Northwest’s Cascadia fault – an \ enough to that motion. offshore, subduction zone fault \ 6 capable of producing a magnitude our understanding of earthquakes “So you have to have instruments 9 earthquake that would damage but can help city planners and out there to be really sensitive to Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and emergency response managers.” it,” said McGuire. “We know the Victoria, British Columbia, and fault is locked around the coast generate a large tsunami. Yet The Cascadia subduction zone is a but we don’t know how far offshore there are currently no instruments very long sloping fault that stretches it’s locked. So one of our goals is installed offshore, directly above from mid-Vancouver Island to to determine if the fault really is the fault, for measuring the strain Northern California. It separates the locked all the way to the trench or that is currently building up along Juan de Fuca and North American not. One reason that’s important the fault. plates. is for understanding what the next tsunami will be like. But a recent $1 million grant For many years, according to from the W. M. Keck Foundation conventional wisdom, the Cascadia The March Japan earthquake to scientists at the Woods subduction zone slipped without had such a big tsunami because Hole Oceanographic Institution earthquakes. But in the last 30 most of the fault motion was really (WHOI) will change that. An years, geologists have uncovered \ / interdisciplinary project led by sedimentary records as well as K % 6 WHOI geologist Jeff McGuire, historical records in Japan showing locking starts at the shallow end an expert in global earthquake that “indeed, the fault repeatedly of the fault is one of our primary seismology and geodesy, and had these huge earthquakes with goals.” John Collins, director of WHOI’s big tsunamis,” said McGuire. Ocean Bottom Seismometer To do this, McGuire and Collins Cascadia’s last big event occurred will install tiltmeters at a location \ 6 6 in 1700 and was likely very similar approximately 4 kilometers above above the expected rupture to the March 2011 Japanese the Cascadia subduction zone zone of the next great Cascadia earthquake – a magnitude 9 thrust interface. earthquake. quake and tsunami that traveled 6 ' / “Tiltmeters are standard “I think all scientists agree This similarity is foreboding for instruments on land – most there will be another magnitude earthquake scientists, as a key volcano observatories have 9 earthquake off Oregon and ¨ them,” said McGuire. “These Washington,” said McGuire. earthquake has been that the instruments are very, very sensitive standard datasets collected to tiny little deformations that “What we’re doing is trying to onshore are completely inadequate occur in the rock,” adds Collins. understand what that will look for characterizing the upcoming “The movements can be subtle. like. Information that is critically ruptures on an offshore subduction They can be slow. Something a important for modeling how much zone thrust fault. seismometer is not sensitive to.” the fault will slip – and hence how much the ground will shake One key limitation in the seismic The tiltmeters will be located – and for predicting the maximum hazard estimation for subduction within a 300 meter-deep borehole, height of the tsunami that could be zones is the use of geodetic data a study site established by generated.” recorded onshore – primarily GPS the Integrated Ocean Drilling data – to determine the extent to Program, and will take advantage “We are immensely grateful for the which offshore faults are locked and % \ support from the Keck Foundation, building up strain for the next big infrastructure – NEPTUNE Canada which has a long track record of earthquake. – enabling immediate access to the supporting important research data collected by the instrument. and technology innovations GPS can detect surface motion The instrument array should be to understand the Earth and to unprecedented precision – a installed and returning data by 6 fraction of a millimeter per year – summer 2013.
UT2 February March 2012 90 ervatory at Cascadia Fault WHOI
If such a data stream had been McGuire says the co-location of the of interesting signals collected in available in real time from the instruments in the IODP borehole, boreholes in the past,” he said. Japanese subduction zone in 6 \ the days preceding the March 11 pressure in the Earth, will also Signals that provide clues to better V 6 enable the scientists to collaborate understanding of earthquakes. “It might have known that the across disciplines in new ways. all feeds back into understanding potential for a large earthquake the fault system – how the stress was very high because the fault “Part of the reason we’re installing changes over time in the fault was already slipping slowly. a tiltmeter in a borehole is because system.”
In this map of the area offshore of Vancouver Island Canada, the bright blue line denotes the surface expression of the plate boundary between the Juan De Fuca and North American plates. The white triangles denote the locations of the ODP889 and Barkley Canyon nodes of the NEPTUNE observatory. The IODP borehole is located ~2km from NEPTUNE’s 889 node. The red line shows the NEPTUNE cable route, and the white circles denote proposed locations of autonomous pressure gauges and \ / 6 $ @
91 UT2 February March 2012 Ocean Observing Systems and Unmanned
The ocean environment has always for UMVs and OOS are diverse 6 challenged the strength of technology and extensive. For the moment, undersea operations. Empowered by and the skills of sailors and seafarers. the applications in reach of current advances in digital signal processing, Today, most members of the ocean technology are well worth considering. venerable tones and pings have given community face an additional These include: way to broadband schemes. challenge; ever more constrained budgets with increasing requirements. Survey: Compact, low logistics These systems offer reliable UMVs provide big good cost connections between many platforms “Research budgets are shrinking effectiveness. Using affordable small and in some cases also provide despite new concerns from climate platforms, often vessels of opportunity, positioning information. Wise P survey operators can now conduct application of acoustic systems Justin Manley - Senior Director \ 6 {``` / increases productivity and reduces risk. Unmanned Vehicels Business Development, Teledyne Modular architectures allow diverse Benthos. “Civilian ocean agencies payloads and rapid battery changes. Today’s UMVs and OOS allow ocean must guard against tsunamis and Thus one UMV can meet multiple operators to stave off the impacts hurricanes, often with declining missions and maximise operating time, of declining budgets, however, resources. Vessel operators face and return on investment. most operations are accruing only volatile fuel prices.” / " Inspection: Small remotely The offshore industry must consider operated vehicles (ROVs) have technologies available. increased regulatory requirements, matured rapidly and are available especially in new sectors such as in many sizes shapes and price “It is much like the personal electronics ultra-deepwater and arctic regions. ranges. All enable rapid and effective scene of the late 1990s,” said Manley A Even the defence community must \ 6 consider their investments carefully as structures. New sensors support a standalone GPS receiver, mobile 6 applications such as leak detection phone and personal digital assistant new missions from anti-piracy to and pipeline imaging. While improved (PDA). The lucky few managed to harbor security. In this situation, ocean auto-pilots and subsea positioning connect that phone to the PDA and operators must do more with less. reduce the burden on operators. access a rudimentary world wide web, in grayscale and text.” Fortunately, unmanned maritime Observing: Extended endurance vehicles and ocean observing systems ^! “Likewise, the users of today must offer increased return on investment \ V as compared to more traditional vessel spatial and temporal, at low costs. missions. Modular architectures and based techniques. Academic or government programs shrinking sensors are increasing often share data collected by these utility for individual platforms. Some UMVs and OOS platforms freely and there is a wide programmes are ‘connected’ and Current technologies that improve the user base to advance new concepts sharing data and results much like the economics of ocean operations include and technologies, making them highly 6 unmanned maritime vehicles (UMVs) leveraged investments. in growing numbers. We are awaiting and sophisticated ocean observing the equivalent of the smartphone era in systems (OOS). Connectivity: While wireless ocean operations. network and satellite navigation have The technology and applications revolutionised life ashore, acoustic Oceans of Apps “An average smart phone user can currently take their device anywhere in the world and access voice calls, email, web browsing, map based navigation and a host of specialised ‘Apps’ for advanced tasks such as currency calculations or travel bookings,” said Manley.
“This capability is built upon enabling developments in hardware, especially compact processors and power sources, and accepted standards for connectivity. Such a reality is coming to Gavia AUVs the undersea realm.
UT2 February March 2012 92 Vehicles: Doing More With Less Unmanned Vehicels
to the need (and supplemental revenue) by a subsea SMS.
Seafarers tend to be conservative 6 / But those same seafarers today may video chat with their family from a vessel half a world away.
“In the not too distant future after hanging up the video call on their smartphone they can switch to a UMV app and guide a sophisticated sensor platform to its next mission; no cables, dive gear or joysticks required,” said Manley.
“The ocean is vast and will not be tamed easily but with tomorrow’s technology today’s tasks will be more like picking a restaurant in a handheld app than reeling in a net to Subsea glider 6/ & the app for that in the ocean is UMVs “Incoming years, UMVs and OOS will Inspection: A small, smart ROV and OOS.” draw upon acoustic, RF and optical is deployed from a similarly small connectivity to ‘network’ into ever commercial vessel. Sophisticated more productive roles. UMV payload autopilots link the ROV and vessel and modules will be swappable between the pair slowly follows the pipeline to a traditional survey AUV and a long inspect anomalies found by the UMV. endurance glider. Meanwhile gliders will include propellers to overcome the A trained watch stander ‘points and occasional current or better navigate in clicks’ the operation to completion operational areas such as under ice. freeing highly skilled ROV pilots for intervention tasks (optimising capital “Drifting and energy harvesting surface and operating investments). platforms will provide overhead coverage for acoustic telemetry and Observing: In open water, a drifting positioning to heterogeneous undersea \ systems. How might such a future detects a potential oil leak and adapts change the picture for actual ocean its dive to surface and alert operators applications?” ashore. The operators task a patrolling glider and nearby surface vessel (both Consider the missions: energy harvesting and thus on station for months or years). Survey: A UMV is deployed from 6 The UMV pair home-in on the oil site launches it over the side. The UMV and adaptively sample the plume locates and follows a pipeline well sharing the data with both commercial covered with undersea ‘cell towers’ that and Government observers. The guide the UMV and ensure operators regulators determine the event is a natural seep and response vessels are ^!R / not required (saving both organisations valuable funds and time). Pipeline condition is analysed and \ Connectivity: The original survey 6 6 UMV docks with a gateway node ROVs and AUVs communicating with a reducing cost). along the pipeline to await recovery by surface vessel
93 UT2 February March 2012 Oceanology 2012 Diver Held Thickness Probe Wrist-mounted gauge and helmet cam
Oceanology 2012 Cygnus has developed the Cygnus DIVE, a new wrist-mounted diver- operated underwater thickness gauge. It is simple to operate, provides enhanced measurement A-scan colour display together with data logging capabilities and a remote helmet mounted display.
“If metal is placed underwater, it may become susceptible to corrosion,” said Graham Haines, Sales Director. “It is necessary, therefore, for companies to periodically conduct an inspection programme to measure the simple to use with improvedimproved thickness of the metal and ensure extremely rugged construction and wee havehave a better that structural integrity is not however the design of the understanding of theh demandsdemands ofof compromised.” instrument meant divers needed the diver. both hands to operate it and the A common way of measuring red LED display was small and “The new tool has two ports, one metal thickness is by ultrasonics. on either side, which the probe A transducer sends ultrasonic in poor visibility. pulses into the metal. The signals \ The Cygnus DIVE display and detected by the transducer. offers a range of foreground A-scan The time between emission and and background colours to help detection is proportional to the visibility in poor conditions. It can distance travelled and this gives the display battery life, the frequency thickness. of the probe, the velocity of sound that the instrument is calibrated For over 25 years Cygnus to and in data logging mode, the Instruments has been supplying the last three readings taken. In poor Cygnus 1 Underwater Thickness visibility, the diver can hold the gauge to the subsea inspection displayp to the visor or up to the industry.industry. This instrument was helmeth camera, so surface Wrist-held measurement device support engineers can see the information.
During the past three years, Cygnus has carried out extensive market research, product trials of this new device Data Logger To verify the thickness measurements improvements on the and to help locate suitable ultrasound established system. \ 6 device does not detect one signal, but “Technology has moved a multiple echo of the wave internally on since the original tool \ was designed “said Graham metal. This is called the A-scan and Wrist-mounted Haines.Haine “Electronics have it is recorded when data logging the thickness gauge thickness measurement points.
UT2 February March 2012 94 Oceanology 2012
can plug into,” said The device also has an A-scan called Deep Coat which, when Graham Haines. display. This is a graphical selected allow measurements to “This makes it representation of the returning be taken through coatings up to comfortable for echoes from within the material 20mm thick. both left and right under test which helps verify that handed divers. the measurements displayed are In data logging mode the device Whichever from the back wall of the steel. can store 5000 measurements connector is free together with A-scan can be used to This technique is in addition to measurements. Multiple Echo Technique employed send the in the instrument which Cygnus If at some point after the survey, information pioneered over 25 years ago. This the client examines readings and to the surface technique, which is endorsed by all decides they did not correspond and readings Q with what they had expected to displayed on allows thickness measurements see, they can inspect the A-scan the surface with to be taken without removing results to help decide whether Cygnus DIVElink protective coatings. it is a true back-wall echo either software or the remote helmet due to a delamination or crack in mounted display HelmetView.” The DIVE has an enhanced feature the metal.
95 UT2 February March 2012 Oceanology 2012
Oceanology 2012 Tritex Multigauge 4000
Dorchester based, Tritex NDT have the metal substrate is measured. upgraded their Multigauge 4000 Additionally, they have Intelligent Series ROV Thickness Gauges Probe Recognition (IPR) and for mounting onto most work class " ! ROV’s. The range includes the System (AMVS). Multigauge 4100 and Multigauge 4400 which are for use in depths of Another upgrade includes a 1000m and 4000m respectively. The selectable RS422 or RS232 output Multigauge 4100 is now made from by means of a simple switch on the Acetal and the Multigauge 4400 from gauge. To accompany the Multigauge Titanium for extra durability. 4000 series, Tritex have developed Communicator Software, for use The gauges are used for inspecting on a PC or laptop, to display and metal thickness to check for record the measurements and corrosion in pipelines, pilings, ship’s associated data such as the time hulls and subsea structures without and a descriptive label if required. the need for using divers. They use Templates can be set up to store Multiple Echo to ensure coatings measurements in a grid, string or do not have to be removed, only combination of both.
Bowtech OSIL Requested by Shell UK, Bowtech $K@ have supplied a camera system splashproof housing for the {|Z / electronic controls. This will now Bowtech engineers, working with provide a fully wet-mateable system, Shell, designed a complete camera with all controls in a single, rugged, and lighting system, including corrosion proof suitcase. twelve of their LCC-600 cameras and twelve LED-G-800 lamps, all OSIL are also able to provide the umbilicals, all brackets, two CVIS-3 same housing for any ancillary compact video inspection systems systems the MiniBAT have, such as and two purpose designed video underwater video, or water quality switching junction boxes. sensors.
The OSIL MiniBAT is an extremely to various points on the well to lightweight, remotely controlled observe operations as the well was towed instrumentation platform worked on for abandonment. designed for use with a wide variety of data collection instruments. Doug Cowie, Senior Subsea @ % 6 \ % Intervention Engineer at Shell 6 UK, said “The Bowtech System lakes, rivers, and coastal areas, and installed on L13FH was easily set is easily deployed by 1 person from up, with good onshore support as virtually any size of vessel. required. This allowed it to prove itself as being very effective in its The MiniBAT is software controlled role as part of the abandonment and can be set to undulate over a program.” desired depth range, maintain a
UT2 February March 2012 96 The Orion PLUS inertial navigation system DMS-535RP
Teledyne TSS has launched the positioning (DP), wave DMS-535RP motion sensor, the height and structural stress latest addition to the DMS-500 monitoring. range of products. The new DMS-535RP has been developed to provide These have all been developed a unique combination of 6 accurate roll and pitch users that require a top-quality measurement combined with needing motion sensor with Ethernet power and data over Ethernet. a product connectivity, but do not require the that can provide subsea-rated housings that typify Last November, the company precise attitude, heading Teledyne TSS products. launched the new OrionPLUS and heave data for a wide range inertial navigation system which was of applications such as supporting The company is now steadily launched in multi-beam sonar surveys or the unveiling a range of conservatively- construction of major seabed priced sensors in the DMS-500 This is an advanced instrument that installations. range that incorporate a number of is considered ideal for users in the Teledyne TSS has already received advanced and innovative features hydrographic and offshore survey $ '^K for applications such as dynamic and subsea construction sectors from a leading offshore operator.
constant depth, and can even be knots, the MiniBAT enables users to programmed to follow the seabed collect large spatial datasets quickly with the MiniBAT automatically 6 altering its depth. and money. The software allows continuous measurement and real With an operational depth of 60 time display of the data, transmitted {` with water quality data from other sensors.
97 UT2 February March 2012 Oceanology 2012 Spray Glider
= R K 6 Oceanology 2012 recently completed a two-month deployment conducted by the Glider Research and Operations Center (GROC) at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI).
The Spray Glider operations took place at Pulley Ridge near the West Florida Shelf in approximately 60m water depth. It performed 3200 dives over 100km distance. The Spray Glider In addition to the Spray’s high quality conductivity, temperature and depth water; the next one will be in waters “The data acquired are providing payload, the system was equipped close to a mile deep. The Spray valuable information about the large with optical scattering and chlorophyll Glider’s combination of endurance, scale distribution of plankton and larval sensors. depth-capability, reliability and populations and the next mission will 6 6 % allow us to venture into much deeper “The Spray Glider is an ideal platform of oceanographic research and waters with two Spray units to also for ocean monitoring over large monitoring,” said Fraser Dalgleish, determine background hydrocarbon areas and in diverse environments. Director of the Ocean Visibility and levels around these deep coral reef This mission took place in shallow Optics Lab at HBOI. ecosystems.”
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UT2 February March 2012 98 a@(##@vv r vrrtysvrr ur tvvrvv u
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KAUST Tritech Gemini Teledyne Odom Hydroid has delivered a REMUS Tritech has sold 3 Gemini 720id Survey Equipment Services (SES) 100 AUV to Saudi Arabia’s King multibeam sonars to DPS Offshore, 6 Abdullah University of Science and the subsea rental division of Forum Teledyne Odom Hydrographic MB1 Technology (KAUST). The REMUS Energy Technologies (FET), as part systems sold within North America. AUV was procured by Naizak Global of a recent package worth in excess Engineering Services, KAUST’s of $400 000. The MB1 Multibeam system was purchasing agent and Unique Group, released in early January to meet the Hydroid’s representative in Saudi The Gemini 720id is Tritech’s requirements of customers looking Arabia. KAUST will use the REMUS deepwater multibeam imaging sonar for a low cost, yet high performance 100 AUV for marine ecology and (rated to 4000m) which delivers Multibeam, for a wide range of geology research and education in real-time, accurate data and us used hydrographic applications. the Red Sea. for real-time multibeam imaging, complementing the industry- Developed and manufactured The University chose Hydroid’s standard, mechanical scanning entirely within the Teledyne Marine =!^K {`` \ % technologies. group, MB1 features a 120deg swath enough to handle the University’s coverage, phase and amplitude education and research needs. The deep Gemini purchases, bottom detection at an operating alongside earlier purchases of frequency of 170 to 220kHz. KAUST, which is wholly owned Tritech’s high-performance imaging and run by the Kingdom of Saudi sonars, will allow DPS Offshoreore Arabia, needed a versatile AUV to meet the requirements of theirtheir that could study the Red Sea from clients’ work-class Remotely multiple angles and provide multiple Operated Vehicles (ROVs), fromrom its functions, from climate-related sea ^K" ^ K / / \ DPS Offshore. DPS has noww mapping. spent well in excess of $1M with Tritech over the past The University chose Hydroid’s 12 months to meet the =!^K {`` \ % increasing global demand. enough to handle the University’s education and research needs. Gemini 720id0id
99 UT2 February March 2012 2012 Oceanology 2012
Developments at OI12 3D SD Camera Oceanology 2012 RS Aqua has been looking at some Following the global interest of the major developments it will be generated in its Stereoscopic highlighting at the forthcoming OI12. & |& & l From Datawell, there will be Bowtech has developed a Standardd &= & K |& K& directional waverider. This fourth camera. generation unit will be accompanied a host of new features and accessories The compact and cost-effective 3D 3D-SD Camera including Waves4 software and camera system allows operators an intelligent battery management to easily integrate the stereo vision The signals can be input directly module. system to current assets without the to a 3D monitor with in-built need for expensive HD components processors to en-able the A joint collaboration between and associated infrastructure, which display in 3D. Alternatively, when RS Aqua and Datawell will see the has been prohibitive to the adoption synchronised and merged in an imminent opening of a UK calibration of 3D HD on a wide scale. external processor, it allows the and service centre for Waveriders at user to display the 3D images on the RS Aqua facilities in Hampshire. All that is required is 2 standard an array of 3D monitors, head mount displays, PCs or laptops Aanderaa Data Instruments for the camera to transmit to the and even televisions. (AADI) will be highlighting its new surface though standard connectors SOOGuard Ferry Box system, a and cable assemblies. The images can be recorded on collaborative venture with the UK’s Once at the surface, the two 3D recorders and even converted National Oceanography Centre, composite signals are digitised. to anaglyph to enable viewing on Southampton. At this point the user has several standard monitors with anaglyph options available. glasses. Also receiving considerable attention at the moment is the Hadal rated (10 000m) Doppler current sensor (DCS) as recently used successfully by OceanLab, Aberdeen on one of their New for 2012 will be Rosemount’s Turner Designs Inc will feature landers deployed in the Kermadec multi unit processing software and a the new deep water (5000m) version Trench. stainless steel mounting frame. 6 \ / This version enables deep ocean Contros Offshore Systems and Late in 2011, RS Aqua signed researchers to use the very popular Solutions will be featuring their a representation agreement with \ HydroC CO2 and Hydrocarbon Californian based Rowe Technologies parameter detection applications. Also detectors which are proving very Inc (RTI). The company’s experience being featured is the new Enviro-T popular within both the ocean in this technology sector enables it \ research and offshore energygy sectors. to offer single and dual frequency installs into a plumbing tee for direct devices spanning 20 to 2400 kHz. The in-line measurement of whatever From MetOcean Data SSystemsystem Oi12 show will be only the second UK \ \ / comes the brand new ‘MINI’‘MINI’ rangeran of opportunity to view some of the new NovatechNovatech locationlocation beacons.beacons. TheseThe RTI products and to speak with the Norwegian manufacturers SAIV devicesdevices combinecombine llatestatest tectechnologyhnolo design experts. will be highlighting the APB505 with smallersmaller size/ " ' 6 weightweight andand Germany’s Nautilus Marine their upgraded SD-204 CTD which robustrobust Systems GmbH will be showing their offers conductivity measurements to material. Vitrovex glass products including 0.005 ppm accuracy and temperature AlsoAlso on displaydisp deep ocean buoyancy spheres and to 0.001 deg C. The device includes instrument housings. short range wireless communication to will be enable cable free data download. thethe new NOVANOV During 2011 glass housings were " " From Tasmanian based Fiomarine IridiumIridium production company Ammonite which comes news of a low-cost, shallow telemetry.telemetry. used them to house the latest in video water version of their popular Fiobuoy camera technology in their Search for moored equipment marker. This TheThe nnewew NovatechNovatec MINI the Giant Squid programme for the 50m rated unit combines moored equipment security with affordability. MetOceanMetOcean Data SystemsSy National Geographic Channel.
UTU 2 FebruaryFFeebbrruary March 2012 100 S-Boom Geophysical Systems
By harnessing the combined power of three of their AA202 Boomer Plates to provide a single pulse, the Applied Acoustics’ S-Boom System is re-defining the boundaries of shallow seismic surveying. Already recognised for producing high resolution seabed profiles, the fusion of these three transducers delivers a source level high enough to significantly increase sub-bottom penetration without loss of data quality.
Shallow water seismic reflection surveys Deep penetration >200mtr Ultra high resolution <0.25mtr Clean, stable, repeatable pulse signature Single and multi channel streamer compatible
+44 (0)1493 440355 : [email protected] : www.appliedacoustics.com
BlueView Fugro Bluefin BlueView Technologies has announced the latest = 6 Q delivery of two P900-130 2D Multibeam Imaging Sonar with The Columbia Group to invest in the next for Fugro Subsea Services in Aberdeen making a total generation large submersible vehicle. of six units total delivered to the group over the past year. The Columbia Group currently is developing the hull mechanical and electrical systems for the large Dual The BlueView P900-130 2D Imaging Sonar features an Mode Undersea Vehicle, capable of operation in {|` either manned or autonomous modes. to deliver crisp, real-time imagery and accurate data. Installed on the latest batch of Falcon underwater Called Proteus, it will be advanced by incorporating remotely operated vehicles (ROV) from Saab Seaeye, R 6 6 the units will be used to provide real-time situational / 6 awareness in the tough underwater environments in capabilities and the power solution. Battelle is which the vehicles must operate. providing battery charging and systems integration support. Developers plan to hold an at-sea “Our vehicles are often called to work in the harshest of demonstration in the spring. conditions, a compromise in visibility just isn’t an option” commented Jim Mann, Global ROV Manager of Fugro. The Navy has persistently outlined the need for ! O [ industry to develop next-generation UUVs with extended range of the BlueView 2D MultiBeam Imaging increased mission time, range and payload capacity. K inspection class vehicles.”
“It is great to see Fugro adopting our 2D Multibeam Imaging Sonar to improve situational awareness for their ROV pilots” said Ed Cheesman, Director of Global Energy Sales at BlueView. Proteus
101 UT2 February March 2012 Acoustics Acoustics BlueView Deep Ocean Engineering Integration S-Boom for Fugro
BlueView Technologies and Fugro Survey (Middle East) Ltd has Deep Ocean Engineering become the latest offshore company has signed an agreement to endorse Applied that enables Deep Ocean Acoustics’ S-Boom sub bottom Engineering to re-sell 6 BlueView 2D and 3D products the equipment for their geophysical on Deep Ocean Engineering’s survey operations based out of Abu ROVs. Dhabi.
Deep Ocean Engineering recentlyently Developed for shallow water, ultra- high resolution surveys, the S- moved to a new facility in San A BlueView 2D on Deep Boom system had been undergoing Jose, California where it is building,uilding Ocean’s Trigger Fish 564 ROV designing and manufacturing ROV extensive trials with Fugro during the systems. BlueView’s compact, ROV navigation capabilities and late summer of 2011 before being multibeam imaging sonar will expand operation in low and zero visibility accepted and selected at the end of Deep Ocean Engineering’s real-time conditions. the year.
Multibeam Echo Sounder Teledyne Odom Hydrographic has sidescan launched the MB1, a new multibeam snippets echo sounder. light weight Titanium and Acetal construction, Designed and manufactured within optional integrated motion sensor the Teledyne Marine Group of and GPS heading system. companies, the new 120deg sonar operates on user selectable frequency By collaborating with Teledyne RDI’s from 170kHz –220 kHz. engineering team, Odom will now be able to offer a state of the art The MB1 features platform that can support all of the features required by today’s multibeam Phase and amplitude bottom users that are typically only found in detection expensive high end systems. The MB1 24 Bit water column backscatter data being released in 2012. MB1 multibeam echo sounder.
AUV with High res Sidescan OceanServer Technology has The UUV-3500 Sonar, introduced by unveiled a new Base42 vehicle L-3 Klein Associates earlier this year, equipped with the L-3 Klein provides both exceptional range and UUV-3500 high resolution side scan resolution, and operates as a true dual sonar. frequency simultaneously recording sonar. This new Iver2 AUV model incorporates increased battery This sonar is available in a size- capacity for extended mission time, weight-power package that surpasses a higher capacity 120GB solid state existing single-beam systems drive for logging days of imagery, employed on legacy shallow water an external USB port for rapid AUVs. data access, and OceanServer’s SonarMosaic software used for The system’s 455 kHz and 900 on-scene viewing and post-mission kHz operating frequencies provide analysis. extended swath capabilities at Base42 vehicle equipped with the L-3 Klein sonar
UT2 February March 2012 102 Acoustics
6G
Sonardyne has won a £1.3 million new 6G hardware. Seabed arrays contract from Allseas for 6G (sixth comprising a mix of Compatt 5 and generation) acoustic positioning Compatt 6 transponders will be equipment. The order will allow the deployed to create wide area, high offshore pipeline installation and precision subsea positioning networks subsea construction company, to take during the construction phases of the The S-Boom advantage of the performance and R / Gavin Willoughby, Applied Acoustics Sales Manager commented, “As the Sonardyne’s technology platform. Sonardyne has acquired the high market leader in the Middle East in technology marine company MARSS. 6 The 6G equipment bought by Allseas MARSS has led a pan-European team delighted that Fugro has chosen will be deployed in the Gorgon and of research and military institutes, to work with our systems, and I am ¨ [ {|` legislative bodies and commercial kilometres off the Western Australian operators in the development of 6 coast. The $43 billion Gorgon Project innovative command and control operations and enhance their position is the biggest resources venture in solutions for vessel anti-piracy, in the Middle East region.” Australia’s history, as well as the counter-terrorism and waterside largest single investment of its kind in security. K 6 the world. The MARSS team consists of a group boomer plates to provide a single Allseas is responsible for the of senior software and hardware pulse, driven by a single source power installation of the offshore pipelines engineers with a combination of NATO supply. The fusion of these three from Barrow Island to the drill centres and Silicon Valley experience. transducers delivers a source level / 6 The Company’s product portfolio sub-bottom penetration without loss of 6G products utilise Sonardyne’s ultra- includes NIDAR, an intuitive, data quality. wideband width, digital ranging and centralised command and control telemetry protocols. Not only does this platform which combines cutting Capable of operating at a maximum make subsea acoustic systems more edge technology with an easy to use energy setting of 1000 Joules per reliable and easier to operate, the multitouch user interface. technology has been proven to deliver second, the S-Boom has achieved The patented browser-based solution penetration results of over 200ms lower ownership cost through greater enables real time autonomous through sand and limestone whilst equipment utilisation. delivering the high quality resolution of multiple targets from sensors records expected from boomer Allseas’ vessels and their ROVs including camera, radar, satellite and systems. will be equipped with Dunker 6 and AIS as well as the diver detection RovNav 6 positioning and telemetry sonar data provided by Sonardyne’s transceivers that will be used to K 6 / ]@&"= command the company’s existing the added versatility of robust remote stock of Sonardyne products and the surveillance and control capability. higher resolution to dramatically increase coverage rates. This “game changing” capability is ideally suited for shallow waters and resolution- intensive applications such as mine countermeasures (MCMs), debris mapping, and general imaging of the seabed.
AUVs with modern sonars like the UUV 3500 can accurately and completely cover large areas of the seabed with minimum on-site support, and create geo-registered records for post-processing in any preferred analysis software. Acoustic positioning
103 UT2 February March 2012 SubseaInstallation and Lighting
LUXUS Aurora MacArtney has launched its LUXUS camera and light systems, breaking the BIRNS has launched what it claims series of video, camera and lighting. connector can cause major damage to to be the most powerful, cutting-edge Lighting The entire range has been designed the camera or light itself. MacArtney has underwater vehicle light presently to combine operational and service designed the connector on the rear of on the market – the BIRNS Aurora. \ % 6 the cameras and lights to be replaceable This new high intensity Light Emitting ensured reliability. Their compact size without causing damage to the whole Plasma (LEP) deep submergence and robust design make them ideal for 6/ light provides dazzling, electronically underwater applications – from shallow SubConn connectors or other connector dimmable, 14000 lumen brilliance to dives to deep water ROV operations. types depending on the customer’s usher in the next generation of extreme needs. depth subsea lighting systems. “Different ROV tasks can require different equipment and even the The compact design is based on 2 LEP is an exciting new lighting same job can require changes to standard sized titanium housings that technology that is a more powerful and the camera setup and lighting,” give the entire range a working depth of & said a spokesperson. “Changes in 4000m. Housings are light, strong and Halogen and Metal Halide lighting. Its operational depth, light levels and non-oxidising for long lifetime and minimal light sources use a solid-state device to turbidity have enormous effects on servicing. generate radio frequency (RF) energy imaging while light conditions can to power a plasma light source. also vary greatly in the water column. Ensuring reliability in new products is Being able to make adjustments and critical. MacArtney has based the LUXUS Unlike traditional metal halide lights, changes easily saves operator time series on standardised, tried and tested the BIRNS Aurora does not require and effort.” components. Everything in the range is metal electrodes to drive power into the pressure tested before leaving the site source, thus has a more robust quartz The LUXUS range is based on and each item is fully traceable. vessel. This unique LEP light has a standard housings, which makes 30 000 hour lamp life, and produces a swapping lights and cameras in the The range also includes 2 self-contained continuous spectrum, and delivers an / " video units that offer complete control of exceptionally high lumen density—in or light type can easily be removed a range of information inputs and provide fact, the single bulb (approximately from the bracket and exchanged with safe storage and straightforward, practical 2mm long) produces a blazing 14 000 another for a change in application. control – the LUXUS compact media lumens of brilliant white light at 5300K, controller and the top of the range LUXUS at a colour rendering index (CRI) of 94. Standard sizing makes camera or multi media controller. light changes more convenient The potent light offers physical and all the cameras anda The compact media controller is an easy dimensions that are smaller and lightslights in the LUXULUXUSS to use video unit for straightforward diving 6 rangerange use tthehe sasameme applications. Weighing just 8kg, the systems, and is engineered with brackets. Lights cancan also compact kit includes controllers, LED light a robust aluminum housing with a bebe dimmed ffromrom 0 tto and a camera. The touch screen is easy tempered 6km borosilicate glass lens. 100%, makingmaking it eaeasys to to use and the keyboard and controls are perfectperfect the lilightght lelevelve while all built in. Recorded data is stored on an It has an overall length of 15in, so it working.working. external memory that is unpluggable and is immensely powerful, yet has a very can be passed onto the customer at the / ProtrudingProtruding objects onon end of a job without needing the whole underwater systemssyste system for a lengthy download process. small vehicles. It runs on 28Vdc with a cancan ooftenften be 9.3A power draw. It weighs only 12lbs subjectedsubjected to The LUXUS multi media controller in air and 7.5lbs in sea water. damagedamage and system is also a portable video unit with cancan be a controllers, LED lights and cameras. The prototype Aurora was unveiled weakweak llink in Video data is automatically transferred last year. The original version had thethe to USB storage at set intervals for data its electronics in a separate system system.sy security and split power ensures that the / @ OnO safety light is always on. however, launched in January, the someso electronic driver is in the same Cameras can be dimmed a full pressure housing as the lamp. 0-100% without steps and extras like coloured locking sleeves for easy cable Also new for 2012 is the seamless % electronic dimming software (operable connectors have been included into a on any PC) which permits easy The LUXUSLUXUS range design that takes diver needs to hand. and continuous (ie, step-free) slide-
UT2 February March 2012 104 Lighting SeaLite 6 bar dimming down to 20% – with & K ' > automatically folds back the power no reduction in colour temperature introduced the SeaLite Six level to avoid overheating its or colour rendering index (CRI) underwater LED light – designed for electronic components. performance. ruggedness and multi-purpose use. This soft fold back technique The software also has pre-set 10% Many years ago the Multi-SeaLite enables the SeaLite Six to continue dimming increments (at 90%, 80%, introduced the idea of one light being to provide reduced levels of light 70%, etc.) enabling the Aurora to be 6 rather than simply cutting the dimmed with a single mouse click. The and as a result, it quickly became an light off altogether and leaving luminaire also has a hot-restrike feature industry standard for use on ROVs the operator in the dark, a useful which immediately brings the lamp to and many special purpose research feature for many applications. full brightness from any dimmed setting. applications. The SeaLite Six is offered as either The robust housing is hard-anodised, The SeaLite Six picks up on this a low voltage 10-36Vdc version turned aluminium, with a solid bolted theme of versatility and incorporates or a high voltage 90-270Vac/120- \ $ LED technology for increased 280Vdc version with both the low assembly. The connector for the system ruggedness and performance. voltage and high voltage models is a BIRNS Millennium 3M-9-BR, an being fully dimmable. electrical connector with nine pins, with The light is available with a wide an open face pressure rating of 6km. variety of LEDs from the standard A unique feature of the high The connector series is a miniature, white LEDs, to blue, green, red, voltage dimming is that it can be high density metal shell line, with either of two UV wavelengths accomplished using a Variac or a contacts with 50 microns of hard gold (365nm), and even IR LEDs for Triac dimmer making it closer to plating, with standard exclusive features special research applications. a true halogen replacement than such as dual self-guiding stainless steel many other LED lights. keys and keyways for positive indexing. By incorporating proprietary thermal transfer techniques in its The standard beam pattern is The connectors are engineered with a design, the SeaLite Six is offered \ } 15deg molded internal O-ring lead- with a variety of housing materials % \ in chamfer that’s specially angled to including aluminium, stainless steel, produce spot or medium beams ensure the dual O-rings’ longevity and titanium, and beryllium copper to \ reliability. optimise the weight and corrosion extremely wide angle beam so that resistance of the light for a variety it can meet most any application Since the BIRNS Aurora is designed as of applications. requirement. a deep submergence vehicle light, the new dimming software, along with the All versions feature a sapphire With lumen output equivalent to a incredibly rugged housing, connector, window and are rated for 6000m 100W halogen light and its compact lens and lamp, make it perfect for the operating depth. size of 48mm (1.9in) diameter by rigours of extreme depth applications. 1488mm (5.9in) long, the SeaLite When the light is operated in air, Six is ideal for a variety of uses with The dimming capability is a key it automatically senses its internal ROVs, divers, and special undersea feature, as having such a tremendously temperature and, if necessary, investigations. brilliant light powered all the way up can be problematic in certain subsea environments, making it impossible to see in murky water. Now with the new dimming options, technicians can control the amount of light from the powerful LEP lamp, and use it to full advantage in the entire range of dive conditions. BIRNSBIRNS AuroraAurora
SealLite Six LED Lights
105 UT2 February March 2012 Training Training
Underwater Centre
A leading subsea training centre has is now working for DOF Subsea said: “My training at The Underwater reported an increase in employment O@ Q 6 Centre was second to none and of their students, with 50% of one with DOF Subsea where I was taken has really set me in good stead for class being employed within a week out on a job as a member of the working in the industry, as I’ve found of graduating. team and learnt a huge amount. over these last couple of weeks.”
The Underwater Centre, Fort William saw half of a recent ROV class employed by leading providers of subsea services to the oil and gas industry, DOF Subsea, following the company’s attendance at an open day at the Centre.
A DOF Subsea representative attended the open day at The Underwater Centre to see the was impressed with the training and facilities, which has since led to the employment of the students.
The four ex-students have been taken on as Trainee ROV Pilot Technicians, working as the third man in teams of three operating across the Atlantic Region.
Colin Mackay, Regional ROV Manager at DOF Subsea said: “During a recent visit to the Underwater Centre I was particularly impressed by the enthusiasm and energy of the instructors who were obviously very proud of what they, and The Underwater Centre, were achieving. This enthusiasm and professionalism is instilled into the students.
“DOF Subsea recognises the need for individuals wishing to enter the industry to be given proper professional training to enable them to work in a safe and / 6 demonstrated by The Underwater Centre and resulted in our decision to commit to the recruitment of students from the Centre” Conal Ferguson, an ex-student, who
UT2 February March 2012 106 Jee
Due to the success and demand for key players within the energy Due to the huge demand for of the open day the Centre will be industry to view the training and subsea controls training from holding another one this spring. facilities offered by the leading companies in the oil and gas supplier of commercial diver and industry, the independent pipeline, The open day is an opportunity ROV training. riser and subsea engineering and training company, has responded by investing in a brand new training course. Interest for this 2 day as Brazil, Nigeria and the USA.
Designed as a follow-on course to Jee’s ever-popular Subsea systems how control systems operate, the engineering principles involved 6 are easily overlooked. Delegates will get to see what different parts of the system look like, get an independent comparison of the kit and equipment available and gain a greater understanding of this specialist area.
K controls will be held in Houston, 11-12 April 2012. It is ideal for all personnel who work on projects involving subsea control systems, from the offshore operators and technicians to manufacturers who integrate systems and through to subsea and system design engineers.
Jenny Matthew, Head of Courses at Jee Limited said: “Jee is a leader in subsea training and we aim to keep at the forefront of the industry by introducing new courses to meet the demands of our clients. This latest expansion of our training \ need for subsea skills in the oil and gas industry and we are working with clients to ensure that we continue to help them meet their future project needs”.
107 UT2 February March 2012 Seismic SeismicSeismic Alpine Adds Geotechnical Services Alpine Ocean Seismic Survey, market. With these services in in depths up to 2,500m; high-power the U.S. subsidiary of UK-based place, we’re able to provide the vibracorers and specialty vibracorers Gardline Group, has bolstered its turnkey marine data collection that maximize sample recovery in marine data collection offerings services needed for fast-growing deep-water soft soils as well as in with the addition of geotechnical offshore efforts in our waters,” says denser shallow-water sands and services. Robert Mecarini, president, Alpine gravels; piston corers suitable for Ocean Seismic Survey. The suite of all water depths; box corers for Working in conjunction with geotechnical offerings joins Alpine’s sampling surface soils with minimal Gardline Geosciences, a leading existing portfolio of geophysical, disturbance; and a range of hydraulic global provider of geotechnical hydrographic, oceanographic, clamshell grabs for obtaining bulk services, Alpine is adding a environmental, and positioning samples. 6 services. impressive suite of services designed to deliver one-stop data Geotechnical services and acquisition solutions for North technologies now available to Alpine American renewable energy, clients include: civil engineering, and oil and gas projects. Cone penetration testing: Provided through a choice of 16 EMGS SLB Research teams will leverage CPT units, each designed for a EMGS and Schlumberger have Gardline Geosciences’ global / announced the intention to enter experience, equipment, and data Wheeldrive ROSON units (25 – into a cooperative agreement processing technologies to offer 200kN), Neptune 5000 CPT units effective from 3 January 2012 in cone penetration testing (CPT), (10cm2 cones, 20m penetration), which the parties will offer to the offshore heave compensated ] |``` ' _ > _ industry their respective expertise drilling, and seabed sampling for cones, 10m penetration), wireline in the marine electromagnetic projects ranging from nearshore CPT units, and T-bar and ball surveys to offshore efforts in depths penetrometers. advanced modelling and earth up to 3000 meters. model building.
“Gardline’s extensive experience, Offshore heave compensated Schlumberger will immediately combined with Alpine’s localized drilling: Provided through seven withdraw from the on-going patent data acquisition knowledge, drilling rigs for use in such disputes in the United Kingdom, relationships with state and applications as nearshore civil The Netherlands and the European federal agencies, and work on a engineering projects, including wind ' $ / farms; site surveys for exploration projects, enables us to offer North jack-ups; offshore structure studies; Schlumberger and EMGS have American clients state-of-the-art and geohazard evaluation. The further entered into a cross-licence geotechnical services,” says Andy systems use standard API steel drill of patents relevant to the CSEM Barwise, business development pipe and can drill to 400m. Packages acquisition business. director, Gardline Geosciences Ltd. can incorporate a dedicated offshore “Because we leverage decades soil and rock laboratory to enable “We look forward to building on of experience in the offshore realtime processing and testing of both companies’ strengths and oil and gas sector, we can also samples. Features include 3m heave are hopeful that this agreement bring cutting-edge geotechnical compensation, Dando power swivel, will enhance the adoption of EM technologies, expertise, and safety 3m downhole CPT, 1m push Shelby technology,” says Roar Bekker, practices to the renewables market, samples, and downhole geophysics. ! K % / which providers moving to offshore “Furthermore, our combined service renewables from land-based offerings will provide the global oil projects can’t match.” Seabed sampling: Samples and gas industry with improved are captured through a range of integration capabilities and “We’re excited to bring Gardline technologies, including the Deep accelerate the growing portfolio of Geosciences’ suite of geotechnical Water Sampler, which enables the EM applications.” services to the North American capture of high-quality 10m samples
UT2 February March 2012 108 Seabird EM EIA
SeaBird Exploration has been processing capabilities to ensure the IAGC has announced the detailing contract updates resulting dataset is of the highest completion and publication of an quality. A full suite of deliverables will Environmental Impact Assessment Phase1 of the Osprey Explorer be produced during the processing (EIA) of electromagnetic (EM) multiclient survey in Gulf of Mexico to allow for further studies such as techniques used for oil and gas was completed in September 2011 basin modeling, AVO and inversion. exploration and production in the (approximately 8,000 km), and The survey has been designed to marine environment. we are pleased to report that the of the Philippines’ most important The EM EIA was funded by the agreement has been concluded. petroleum basins and to improve the member companies of the IAGC The sale agreement includes a imaging of the lower sedimentary EM Subcommittee and prepared further uplift value should there be a sections and basement. by LGL Limited environmental license awarded or a PSA entered research associates. into covering the data acreage The Hawk Explorer is currently acquired within 5 years. demobilizing from her survey in Electromagnetic (EM) survey West Africa, and will then mobilize techniques can identify differences In addition, Seabird now has 50% & [ in the resistivity of subsurface pre commitment for Phase 2 of the survey under the Spectrum Frame rocks that may be related to the survey, consisting of about 3,500km, Agreement (FA) reported in May presence of hydrocarbons. This scheduled for commencement in 2011 for an initial minimum survey information, when combined ª{ {_/K area of 5,000 km. The terms of this with measurements from other sales to other oil companies will FA are that Spectrum will commit to techniques such as seismic follow. SeaBird for USD 23 million value of surveys, can help oil and gas 2D data acquisition within 36 months, companies reduce exploration risk " \6 ª| {{ of which 50% shall be committed and improve drilling success rates. report and presentation, Aquila 6 Z"/ EM survey technologies currently Explorer is carrying out a non- in use offshore use an electric exclusive multiclient survey in the Harrier Explorer is undergoing her dipole antenna (source) towed Philippines for Searcher Seismic scheduled 2011 docking and will then behind a vessel. The electric and in cooperation with the Philippines be rigged with a long offset streamer Department of Energy. The survey and subsequently enter into the 12 and recorded by an array of commenced late November 2011 month charter with Fugro under the receivers. To date, these receivers using state of the art acquisition and SPA agreement. have usually been deployed on \ process the measurements. Tests Hawk Explorer are currently being conducted to commercialize a system that tows the receivers underwater behind the vessel, similar to the method used in most marine seismic surveys.
The goal of the EIA was to provide a comprehensive resource summarizing available literature and potential effects of EM technologies on marine life. Designed for a broad audience, the document provides a basic description of EM survey technologies, naturally-occurring ! 6 groups.
109 UT2 February March 2012 People People Frank Eggink Steve Preston Gregory J. Heinlein
DeepOcean has appointed Frank Offshore Installation Group (“OIG”) ION Geophysical Corporation Eggink as the new Chief Financial announces a strengthening of the has named Gregory J. $ [ senior management team. Steve Heinlein as its Senior Vice Group Controller. Preston will join the company in President and Chief Financial the position of Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Heinlein will Frank Eggink has 23 years $ ¨ K Q assume the CFO position of global experience in the oil the company as Executive Vice previously held by R. Brian and gas, chemicals, renewable Chairman. Both Steve and John Hanson, ION’s President and energy and forestry sectors in will take up their positions in March Chief Operating Officer. the Americas, Europe and Asia. 2012. Before joining the DeepOcean Prior to joining ION, Mr. team in February 2012, Frank Steve Preston joins OIG from Heinlein has held a variety served as Vice President for Heerema Marine Contractors of senior management Finance and Planning for Shell. where he has been Executive positions, including serving Since 1988, he has held various ' > as the Chief Operating and positions at Royal Dutch Shell. Technology for the past 12 years Financial Officer of Genprex, responsible for the Group’s Inc., and Vice President worldwide commercial and and Treasurer and Vice business development activities. President of Global Sales and Marketing at Freescale Liz Collins Steve brings over 35 years Semiconductor, , leading the Liz Collins has held a number of industry experience to OIG with a post-IPO company through a strong background in commercial $17.5 billion LBO. countries including the USA, negotiations, engineering and UK and South Africa. Her most project management. Steve is a Prior to joining Freescale recent role was Group Financial past President and active board Mr. Heinlein served as Vice Controller for Acergy SA. member of the International Marine President and Treasurer at Contractors Association. Fisher Scientific International Liz holds professional accounting Inc. and at Great Lakes V K " John joins OIG from Clough Chemical Company, and held UK and the USA having graduated where, as CEO since August 2007, various financial positions from Cape Town University with a he led a successful turnaround during a twelve-year tenure at business degree. operation. The Dow Chemical Company
DeepOcean has appointed Frank Eggink as the new # $ Liz Collins as the Group Controller.
UT2 February March 2012 110 Bowtech Uwa Oceans Engineer Named Early The Subsea UK Global Export Award 2012, sponsored by Scottish Career Scientist Of The Year Enterprise, was presented to Bowtech Products Ltd of Aberdeen Professor David White of The challenges to the oil and gas at the Subsea UK 2012 Business Oceans Institute at The University of industry and when I moved to Awards Dinner held on Wednesday Western Australia has been named " 6 @ 8th February 2012. Held at WA Early Career Scientist of the attracted by the opportunity to the Aberdeen Exhibition and Year. conduct research that would be Conference Centre, attended by adopted by industry. over 750 of their peers, the event Professor White, who is based was an evening to celebrate the at UWA’s Centre for Offshore “The offshore oil and gas industry industry as a whole and to highlight Foundation Systems, is a is often front page news in WA, the success of the selected few geotechnical engineer working on so it provides an easy context in who received acknowledgement for research involving offshore structures which to highlight engineering in their achieve¬ments on the night. such as pipelines and oil and gas action. structures. Managing Director Steve Bowring, “The experimental research that I collecting the award on behalf of The award was announced in Perth. conduct is very much a team effort, Bowtech, said “Bowtech began and this award is also recognition 22 years ago as a net importer, “I’m very pleased for my research to of the world-leading capabilities we have changed our business be recognised in this way,” Professor at the Centre for Offshore emphasis and now design and White said from the United Kingdom, Foundation Systems, including our manufacture our own products. where he is currently on study leave. geotechnical centrifuge facilities and the new ‘O-tube’ cyclone By implementing an on-going “Geotechnical engineering is one of simulator.” aggressive strategic export plan, UWA’s strongest disciplines, and I and with support from Scottish hope this award will draw attention to Another UWA Oceans Institute Enterprise, Scottish Development the positive impact that our research researcher was also acknowledged International and UKTI, Bowtech has on the oil and gas industry in at last night’s science awards. are currently exporting over 70% WA. Winthrop Professor Mark of our turnover and Randolph, a colleague of Professor have doubled our “The seabed around Australia K turnover and staff presents unique engineering of the Year category. in the last 5 years as a result.
My co directors, Mike Winstanley and Brian Hector, and everyone at Bowtech, were immensely proud to considered for this award and to collect this award in recognition of our export efforts to date is a great honour.”
Professor David White (left) and Winthrop The Subsea UK Professor Mark Randolph, of UWA’s Centre Global Export for Offshore Foundation Systems and UWA Award 2012 Oceans Institute.
111 UT2 February March 2012 SUT SUT
London SUT Annual General Meeting and Dinner The SUT held its AGM, annual awards ceremony and dinner on board HQS Wellington, moored at London’s Embankment, on 1 December 2011. The AGM began at 5.30pm, followed by the annual SUT awards ceremony honouring those who have made exceptional contributions to underwater technology.
During the awards ceremony, SUT Fellowships were awarded to Gavin Anthony, Paul Evans, Kieran Kavanagh and Professor John Sharp. Others receiving Fellowship awards to be given locally are Dr Craig Shipp in Houston, USA; Stuart Bensley in Melbourne, Australia; and José Formigli in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Honorary Fellowships were awarded to Mike Borrow and Dr Bil Loth. Bil Loth is also the SUT’s new incoming President.
Mr Borrow was unable to attend the awards ceremony to accept his award in person, however, the Society wishes him many congratulations on his award.
The BP Award for the best thesis 6 underwater technology and subsea engineering was made to Vijit Vishwanathan of the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen for his thesis entitled ‘Processing of Natural Gas in Marginal Fields using Inorganic Hybrid Membrane Technology’.
While Vijit was unable to attend the 6 were forwarded to him after the event with congratulations from SUT.
The Houlder Cup was awarded to Dr John King for his contribution to diving and underwater operations. John’s extensive experience in diving medicine includes his role as Diving ! $ Project from 1975 to 1983, in addition to his experience in full-time Diving and Occupational Health practice in Harley Street from 1981. He was [Caption for image: Left to right: (front row) Jon Turton, Dr John King, Dr Colin made an Associate of the Faculty of Summerhayes; (second row) Dr Ralph Rayner, Kieran Kavanagh, Dr Bil Loth; Occupational Medicine in 1979 and (third row) Gavin Anthony, Paul Evans, Prof John Sharp]
UT2 February March 2012 112 SUT
has served on almost all the HSE panels and the Marine Assessment Reporting K K and discussion groups for subsequent Group within the UK’s Marine Monitoring the Global Ocean Observing System Diving Regulations in 1981 and 1997. and Assessment Strategy, as well as the (GOOS). European Surface Marine Programme Since retirement in 2009 he remains and its Data Buoy Advisory Group. Ralph continues to foster development active in diving and tunnelling circles. of the interface between science A member of the BTS Compressed Air During his career, Jon has quietly and industry, and is a leader of the Working Group, John is engaged in enabled the data to be gathered, the organising committee for the biennial a digital publication and update of the machines to be deployed and the right meetings of Oceanology International Registry 1967 Bone Necrosis Atlas, governmental policy to be in place within at the EXCEL Centre in London. His and the application of saturation diving 6 K^ contribution to the world of industry techniques to deep tunnel works. The was very pleased to award Jon the SUT has been recognised by recently being SUT wishes John many congratulations Oceanography Award for 2011. honoured as the Association of Marine on his award. K @ "!K@ The SUT President’s Award was Person of the Year. For his many The SUT Oceanography Award was awarded to Dr Ralph Rayner in achievements and leadership, it gave awarded to Jon Turton in recognition recognition of his distinguished career SUT great pleasure to award Ralph the in ocean science and technology and SUT President’s Award for 2011. oceanography in helping to expand the his contribution to the development frontiers of knowledge about the global of the SUT. Ralph received the SUT The AGM and awards ceremony ocean. His experience includes working Oceanography Award in 2006 and is a was followed by a drinks reception ! $ current SUT Council Member. He has from 18:15 to 19:45, and then dinner, ! $ R \ attended by over 80 members and ocean observations, and the Ministry of profession of operational oceanography guests. After dinner, a game of ‘Heads Defence, where he had responsibility for in a great many ways. and Tails’ was led by Dr Bob Allwood defence meteorological projects. and was won by Steve Hall, who Ralph is helping to advance contributed his winnings to the SUT’s Jon has been involved with government the development of operational Educational Support Fund. The game action groups on the Global Ocean oceanography globally, serving the raised a fantastic sum of around £1000 Observing System, the Marine Intergovernmental Oceanographic for the Fund, and all participants were Environmental Data Information Network Commission of UNESCO as Chairman thanked for their contributions.
Aberdeen Aberdeen Branch AGM and Annual Dinner
The Aberdeen Branch of SUT held its rather different format this year. Eight charged with the management of Annual AGM and dinner on the evening 42in plasma screens were placed nuclear reactors and sewage disposal. of Wednesday, 7 December 2011 in around the walls of the ballroom and With a biography such as Eric’s, it goes The Ballroom at The Marcliffe Hotel, 6 / without saying that he was always Aberdeen. going to deliver an extremely interesting Prior to and during dinner, these and entertaining after dinner speech! This year, the weather was in our screens were also used to continuously favour which made travel and logistics stream promotional material from our The Martin Richmond Award was again so much easier for the 276 extremely sponsors. SUT wishes to thank our presented during the dinner. The award, well-dressed members and guests who sponsoring companies, BP, Framo, in its sixth year, was set up between J attended! Fugro and Wood Group Kenny, for their P Kenny and SUT in memory of Martin support. who died from cancer in January 2006 Stuart McBride (father and namesake at the age of 52. Martin was employed of the well-known northeast author) This year’s after dinner speaker was by J P Kenny at the time of his death did an excellent job as our Master of Eric Thompson, MBE. Eric is a Royal and was Chairman of the Aberdeen Ceremonies for the evening, which was Navy submarine commodore, chartered Branch of SUT. kicked off with a champagne reception. engineer, after dinner speaker, stand-up The award is made to a mature comedian and poet. During the Cold postgraduate student who has Sponsorship of the event took on a performed most diligently throughout
113 UT2 February March 2012 SUT SUT
the course under demanding and 2008, with the arrival of her second Ibraheem, who received a monetary mitigating personal circumstances. baby in the same month. She then award sponsored by J P Kenny. Ade is in went on to encounter and overcome 6 ' This year the award went to Onyinye many challenges during her studies Course. Reginald-Ugwuadu who graduated – completing coursework assignments with distinction in MSc Drilling and whilst working full-time, moving house The Award of Merit was also presented Well Engineering from Robert Gordon to another city, taking care of three sons during the dinner. This award is given University (RGU) in December and dealing with health complications to an individual who has made an 2011. Onyinye is married with three during the birth of her third son. outstanding contribution to SUT branch young children and also holds a Onyinye’s determination, along with activities, underwater technology, the BSc in Mathematics with Second support from her husband, family and underwater industry and the aims and Class Honours. Living in Lagos and school of engineering team, has led to objectives of the Society. The Award of employed by Halliburton as a drilling Onyinye achieving her desired result. Merit for 2011 was awarded to Mr Bob consultant and trainer across Africa, MacDonald of J P Kenny. Onyinye took the decision to study The form of the award is derived from a for her MSc after experiencing lesser separate competition involving RGU’s The traditional game of ‘Heads and Tails’ Gray’s School of Art students submitting raised an outstanding amount of £3620 than her male counterparts due to pieces of original artwork. These pieces for SUT’s Education Support Fund. not holding a requisite Engineering are judged by Anne Richmond, Bob Thanks are given to all who contributed. degree. MacDonald (J P Kenny) and Nicola Taylor (SUT). This year, the winner of SUT wishes to thank all who attended Onyinye’s studies started in January the art competition was Adesina (Ade) and contributed to a fantastic evening
North of England
The Electric Subsea Field Evening Meeting and AGM
By Chris Williamson, BEL Valves and SUT North of England Branch Committee Member
The SUT North of England Branch processing require continuous valve the functionalities to control subsea held its evening meeting at the actuation, coupled with ultra-fast actuators have been expanded. Royal Station Hotel, Newcastle operation and integrated control. Upon Tyne, with a good attendance The second presentation was given of 46 attendees. The meeting also The performance of the 1st generation on the topic of ‘Subsea Power coincided with the branch’s third system, which has been in production Electrical Connectors’. AGM, and the evening was therefore since September 2008, has to started with a brief update of the date only recorded two unplanned This presentation was split between R system/well shutdowns that were a 6 ! Chairman Alan Dobson. direct result of the DC system. With Friars, Product Manager (SpecTRON), more than three years of successful and the second by Neil Knight, Design The North of England Branch is operation this technology continues to Engineer, both of Expro – Connectors grateful to both Cameron and Expro prove its advantages, with the initial > ! / Connectors and Measurements for development targets being met and sponsoring the evening. valuable feedback being received. The presentations began by Condition monitoring, lessons learned and trending of data have been proven ‘CE’ Controlled Environment was given by Jan van den Akker, extensive providing valuable inputs for principle which the connector Product Manager Controls Systems, the 2nd generation system, which is technology is based on. CE Cameron, and looked at the DC All- 6 / technology allows the connectors to Electric Subsea Production Control be wet mated without loss of integrity System – 1st and 2nd generation. The 2nd generation DC All-Electric to the surrounding seawater even with Subsea Production Control System voltage applied across the connector. ¨ 6 represents state-of-the-art technology 6 of all-electric systems as enablers for in several aspects. High voltage proven with over 100 000 connectors technology, such as environmental deployed worldwide using this demand for zero discharge, high step-out distances. The available patented design. availability requirements and high bandwidth enables a transfer of extreme offset and/or water depth. large data amounts even for complex Typical applications such as ESPs Additional to this, the needs of subsea / @ and electrical power distribution were
UT2 February March 2012 114 SUT
Mr Bob MacDonald of J P Kenny receiving the Award or Merit 2011
Aberdeen Branch Emergency Response Wednesday, 5 October 2011
By Richard Stark, Subsea Support Engineer - Apache North Sea Ltd discussed. The connectors available On Wednesday, 5th October at the preparedness. Her topic of ‘An covering both high voltage and high Treetops Hotel in Aberdeen, SUT’s introduction to Oil Spill Response current were presented ranging from Aberdeen Branch met to learn about and the Roles and Responsibilities 2kV 1000A for the SpecTRON 2 up and discuss the topic of Emergency of Government and Industry Bodies to 14kV and 200A for the SpecTRON Response in relation to its place Involved’ outlined the legislation 15. The design of connectors was within the offshore industry. relating to the operators’ levels discussed, with an outline of the of response required to deal with 6 Following some last minute different sized oil spills. \ 6 alterations to the programme, three design cycle, with the connector \ This included an overview of the 6 V chaired by Richard Stark from Apache procedures, equipment and methods to 3 000 meters. North Sea. available to combat an oil spill. Her talk was accompanied by data and Continuous research and In opening the event the Chairman photos of various oil spill incidents development is keeping Expro’s explained the trigger for the evening’s to underline to everyone that “it can technology at the forefront of oil topic: the Macondo incident in the happen”, keeping the 66 audience and gas industry requirements. The Gulf of Mexico and the response members on their toes after a long presentation concluded with video of the North Sea’s Industry to it, day at work. footage of Expro’s new test facilities highlighting the OSPRAG initiative showing a test on a high voltage and development of a pan-operator Next up was Albert Thomson from connector. capping device – the design criteria Altor Risk Management with an of which sparked heated discussion interesting lecture entitled ‘The All of the above presentations will be from the assembled audience! Three Paradigm Shifts in Emergency available on the SUT website, www. Response’. sut.org.uk. A viewing of the excellent OSPRAG video kicked off the evening, During this entertaining lecture we The presentations concluded at 6 were taken through the development 8.00pm after which discussions and night, Apache North Sea’s Dr Tina of the emergency response sector networking continued while all enjoyed Massoura. Tina is an environmental from its mainstream acceptance the hospitality of Cameron and Expro. advisor specialist in oil spill by business in the 1980s, following
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disasters such as those at Chernobyl Perth Branch and on Piper Alpha, to 9/11 where the wider effects of security became Inaugural Golf Day Friday, 21 October 2011 an integral part of any response plan. By Chris Saunders, Engineering Manager, WGIM
On Friday 21st October 2011, the it to the hole, the observer was looking on from the Macondo incident, SUT held the inaugural Perth Golf decidedly relaxed and didn’t seem to think from which calls for the set-up of Day. 92 competitors divided into 23 there was any real risk of the car going international standards have arisen. teams gathered at Burswood Golf home with anyone! Course for a light lunch of snags and The lecture was concluded by an ‘refreshments’ before teeing off. Burswood Golf Course provided everyone explanation of ‘the ripple effect’ with some challenging golf and I suspect which looked into the future and the Those who arrived early took the " $ K longer long-term effects of disasters opportunity to practise their driving, Wild Well Control got great advertising on the victims, relatives and others putting or chipping (thanks to a pro around the course from the golf balls affected, and predicts that these master class), and also network with they sponsored. I for one certainly will become an ever more important colleagues. Some early examination played my part in ‘strategically’ placing a part within companies’ emergency of the team lists made for plenty of number of their logos around the course. response plans. discussion, with the majority of the The sunshine held for all 18 holes (the 6 6 \ K Last, but by no means least, was a off a handicap of 27! Goody bags Granherne, Greatship Subsea Solutions, business continuity specialist from each containing sunscreen provided Wood Group Kenny, Pressure Dynamics Pracius: Duncan Salmon. Having by FMC, a pitch repairer provided and Statewide Oil), and by around been assigned the graveyard shift, by Greatships, a USB provided by 6.00pm everyone made it back to the and with a curry awaiting our hungry Pressure Dynamics and a polo shirt clubhouse to share stories and continue audience of subsea experts, he 6 K K $ > networking. adeptly took the group through the Gas and Pelagic were well received. art of ‘business continuity’, or how MacDermid Offshore Solutions sponsored you keep your business running With the Perth sun shining at full the post-golf dinner, during which Terry at business at usual (BAU) when force, everyone was glad of the K^ ' events mean that there is nothing buggies which had been kindly presented a range of generous awards to usual about what is going on. provided by Gold Sponsors FMC the day’s winners. As can be seen from Technologies, and judging by the the scores below, a close competition The lecture highlighted the major quantity of drinks being loaded onto was had: aspects of a business continuity each buggy, the competitors were plan along with the importance of its expecting it to be a thirsty afternoon Net scores: 1st: MacDermid {K categorisation as a ‘living’ document of golf. McKenzie, J Grainger, N Henson, K in need of regular updates to keep Gauld} (47); 2nd: S2V Consulting (51.75); in sync with the changing operations Prior to leaving the clubhouse, | $ > {/} and priorities of a business; as he everyone was briefed on the (53.625); 5th: Pressure Dynamics (54.5); quoted President Eisenhower, “Plans competition rules: it was an Ambrose 6th: IntecSea are nothing; planning is everything”. Shotgun event and the locations of Best gross score: Wood Group Kenny the novelty holes (nearest the pin, {A Burrows, E Soo, J Clancy, J Attkinson} We were guided through real-life longest drive, straightest drive, etc.), (63); Runner up: Genesis Oil and Gas instances and possibilities, with sponsored by Energy Agencies, (65) Duncan demonstrating, for example, Oceaneering, Pressure Dynamics, ] {} the effects on a business that spilling Greatship Subsea Solutions, Jenner (3) a can of Irn-Bru over a critical WoodGroup Kenny and Genesis, Nearest the pin: P Green (2); B computer system can have; what were explained. Particular attention Palmer-Owen (6); J.Clancy (16) exactly you would do if a third of your was also given to the location of the Straightest drive: M Green. workforce contracted food poisoning; on-course refreshments stations 6 6 which were kindly sponsored by With the awards made and some great headquarters became unusable. Castrol Offshore. food served up, everyone called it a day /`` \ 6 It made you think: what would my The SUT also sponsored the hole-in- in the sun with SUT colleagues. organisation do? The answer: use one competition prize, which was a my up-to-date and resilient business / V Thanks to event organisers, Ray Farrier, continuity plan to keep the business to monitor the green and formally Joyce Bremner and Chris Saunders for going and get back to ‘business as record the hole-in-one if it should organising a great day out for the SUT usual’ as quickly as possible. happen. By the time my team made Perth Branch.
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Optoelectronic Technologies for the Oil and Gas Industry Report on SUT Supported Third Annual Technical Meeting Held in Bergen, Norway, Tuesday, 8 November 2011
By Jon Oddvar Hellevang, Senior Facilitator, NCE Subsea
After being held in Aberdeen for two years, the annual Optoelectronic Technologies for the Oil and Gas Industry technical meeting was held 6 Norway. The event was co-sponsored by FMC Technologies, The Michelsen Centre, NCE Subsea, Society for Underwater Technology (SUT), Norwegian Petroleum Society and Institute of Physics. Around 110 people attended the technical meeting, which is a new record and continues the growth of attendees from previous years’ events.
This annual meeting has established itself as an international event with a unique mix of representatives from various operators, service companies, subsea systems suppliers, technology =>& universities. The evening commenced with an icebreaker reception attended by more than 60 people, held before the technical meeting began.
Optoelectronic technologies have Speakers and organising committee (not all present) developed rapidly over the last few decades, with telecommunication information to the appropriate people. mature, and distributed acoustic being one of the drivers for this rapid Increased oil recovery (IOR) is the sensing is also being developed. development. Principal researcher key driver for technology development High temperature capability and the Kjetil Johannessen from Statoil gave within the oil and gas industry. Aspects possibility for distributed sensing are 6 / such as high temperature and high pressure (HPHT), longer tie-back, optics for downhole applications. Kjetil explained that it has only deeper water and Arctic conditions Fibre-optical sensing allows the been ten years since Tampnet was are pushing this development. As the possibility of placing the transmitting established, but it now operates bandwidth is now available, this should and receiver optics and the the largest offshore high capacity be utilised so that the recovery rates electronics in a benign environment communication network in the world, from subsea wells approach those of topside or marinised subsea, with | 6 topside wells. the sensing element consisting of a for approximately 50 platforms in the / ] K In addition to the keynote addresses, backbone. It is only in recent years 10 technical presentations, 16 The meeting also included that Statoil and many other operators {` presentations on new optical sensor 6 displays were presented, with the developments with environmental optical communication for subsea main focus on optical sensing. Four \ installations. of the presentations were related to in addition to presentations covering Christina Johansen, from FMC area attracting much interest. test equipment. Technologies, gave the second keynote address and emphasised the Distributed temperature sensing (DTS) Select presentations will be available importance that all obtainable data is has been known and used for some from the event webpage, aggregated and presented as useful time, but distributed strain is now more www.optotechmeeting.com.
117 UT2 February March 2012 SUT SUT Sound and marine life in the Ocean
Sound has a special place in the ocean environment. Through and physiological responses of marine evolution, marine organisms like organisms and to carry out experiments to address the key uncertainties. New developed sophisticated ways of technologies are needed such as using the properties of sound and this miniature tags that can be attached capacity is now being paralleled by the way in which man is developing the the sound they are exposed to use of sound to image and investigate and their responses. This type of the undersea world. requirement needs the exploitation of new developments in microelectronics, However, human presence in the environmental sensing, low power marine environment is accompanied capabilities and on-board data by unintentional introduction of sound. processing to name but a few. This can propagate over very large distances and has the potential to Considerable momentum is now interfere with the sound perception / and transmission systems used by Finding ways of building offshore Examples of spectrograms showing marine organisms. In extreme cases, industrial capacity with minimal different forms of sound in the ocean. (a) Sound from a ship where the it can also cause the death of some environmental will depend upon making vessel had been travelling at full power individuals. The concerns this creates / between intervals of power off; and (b) leads to precautionary legislation and several different natural sounds. The could constrain the use of certain Based on paper published in the intensity of the colour represents sound industrial processes offshore. current issue of the Society for intensity with darker colour showing high Underwater Technology’s journal intensity of sound. The ranges to the Nevertheless, the knowledge of how Underwater Technology: ‘Technology different sound sources are not known anthropogenic sound affects marine requirements to investigate the effects so the relative intensity of colours is a life is accompanied by considerable of sound on marine wildlife’ by I Boyd combination of their distance from the uncertainty. This is because it is often (30.3, pp ). hydrophone and their source level.
Subsea 2012
Subsea UK has marked its Aberdeen annual conference and exhibition as the most successful after attracting a record number of visitors reaching over 3000 at this year’s Subsea 2012 UT – an increase of 700 on last year. The ONLINE magazine of the Winners of the awards were Society for Underwater Technology Jerry Baker, outstanding contribution Expro – Safety The last issue had 179 pages and over Nautronix – Innovation and Technology
Bowtech – global exports Robert Eddon – Emerging Talen 200 000 Specialist Subsea Services page hits. New Enterprise DUCO – Company of the Year Sign up for free now at [email protected]
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