–– UT THREE UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY Issue FOUR 2020

PIPELINES PLOUGHS VEHICLESLIFTING 1 ARCHAEOLOGY TWO

MERMAC R series UT Electrical AHC winches for ROVs UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY

iXblue's volumic sonar Remote support SeapiX-C over ethernet High capacity, low maintenance

SOCIETY FOR UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY

2 John Street, London WC1N 2ES ISSN: 1752-0592 Vol 14 No 4

Editor: John Howes [email protected] +44 7859905550

Editorial Assistant: Ronny Nose

Production: Sue Denham

Research: Melanie Hamilton-Perry

Advertising: Zinat Hassan [email protected]

Flexible and Tel: +44 (0) 845 6522 483 modular design High performance, Mobile: +44 (0) 781 1200 483 low noise

Published by UT2 Publishing for and on behalf of the Society for Underwater Technology. Reproduction of UT2 in whole or in part, without permission, is prohibited. The publisher and the SUT assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material, nor responsibility for content of any advertisement, particularly infringement MacArtney global solutions of copyrights, trademarks, intellectual property rights and patents, nor liability for misrepresentations, false or misleading Denmark Norway Sweden United Kingdom France statements and illustrations. These are Italy Germany Netherlands USA Canada Chile the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Brazil Singapore China Australia Opinions of the writers are not necessarily 2 those of the SUT or the3 publishers. Looking out over Nigg Bay Image: Niall Clark 4 5 Technology you can trust. NEWS Valeport are the UK’s THAYERMAHAN leading manufacturer OASIS NYCLAST SUPERGRIP ThayerMahan has acquired chips has been a key element Supergrip has been acquired by of Hydrographic Ocean Acoustical Services and applied to automated unmanned Nylacast. Supergrip manufactures Instrumentation Systems (OASIS). vehicles. a range of polyurethane (PU) products including; cable and Oceanographic OASIS has extensive experience protection equipment, clamping performing ocean acoustic VALARIS FILES systems, flexible riser equipment, experiments in both coastal and deep pipeline isolation plugs, pipeline instrumentation. water. FOR CHAPTER 11 repair systems, and subsea sealing Valaris has filed for bankrupcy - the third systems. The company has been active in major offshore drilling contractor to a number of government-funded file for bankruptcy this year, following research efforts focused on ocean Noble Corp in July and Diamond acoustics and oceanography and Offshore Drilling in April. FORSSEA TIDE . WAVE . CURRENT . ECHOSOUNDERS & BATHYMETRY . SOUND VELOCITY . Ifremer—the French National Institute has developed a real-time system CTD & MULTIPARAMETER . TELEMETRY . SOFTWARE . OPTICAL . (patent pending) for calculating the The company will undergo a financial for Ocean Science—recently acquired position and the transmission loss of restructuring that it said is intended an equity interest in Forssea. This a programmable acoustic target. to reduce its debt load substantially, will allow the company to accelerate support continued operations diversification in the sectors of marine Another core service provided by during the current lower demand renewable energy and of deepsea +44 (0) 1803 869292 OASIS has been real-time advanced environment, and provide a robust scientific exploration. signal processing utilizing state-of- financial platform to take advantage of www.valeport.co.uk [email protected] the-art DSP (Digital Signal Processing) market recovery over the long term. Since its creation in 2016, Forssea has developed smart ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) equipped with visual positioning sensors. Their WWC and OSRL proprietary ROV systems have BALTIC PIPE PROJECT recently reached final qualification with Oil & Gas offshore operators and FRAMEWORK contractors. Nova People, subcontractors Fulkrum Technical Ifremer anticipates Resources and P.U.I. EKO-INWEST has secured these systems will have a major contract for a significant role in the promising applications ongoing Baltic Pipe Project operated by Gaz- in the context of marine System S.A. renewable energy and of oceanographic Norway-based Nova People, together with campaigns, especially Aberdeen-based Fulkrum and Poland- when interacting with based EKO-INWEST, will provide specialised existing of future personnel to support survey, construction scientific deepwater and inspection activities across both offshore observatories. Atoll pipelay and landfall operations. The industry specialists were chosen to secure the highest level of professional quality in their provision of personnel, specifically relating to survey, SBM INSTALLER construction and inspection activities both onshore and offshore. Wild Well Control (WWC) and Oil Spill as provided through OSRL’s Subsea Well SBM Offshore is the long-term Response Limited (OSRL) have signed Intervention Services (SWIS). charterer of the diving support and construction vessel (DSCV) SBM The Baltic Pipe Project is a strategic a strategic alliance agreement, which infrastructure project developed in provides an increased capability to Designed to meet industry and Installer under a contract ending in 2026. collaboration between Gaz-System S.A. and the Oil & Gas industry. regulatory expectations for an aligned Energinet.dk (Denmark) and is co-financed by and robust Source Control Emergency the European Union to create a new inter- The collaboration between WWC Response Planning (SCERP) solution, The Company has 25% equity ownership in the entity holding the European gas corridor that will supply gas and OSRL has been strategically the partnership will offer industry best directly from Norway via Europipe to the implemented to further enhance practice relating to response planning, vessel, OS Installer Limited (OSI). The vessel operates in a non-core market markets in Poland, Denmark and adjacent the capabilities of the Global Subsea exercises and when responding to a countries. Response Network’s (GSRN) services, well control incident. for the Company.

6 7 SIMPLE TO USE! Subsea Test Tools NEWS INSULATION RESISTANCE • SUBSEA TDR • PRESSURE • SENSOR MONITOR

C-Kore subsea testing tools are simple and automated, no specialised offshore personnel are required. With their compact size, they can quickly be mobilised anywhere in the world for fault finding or umbilical installation.

Automated Testing MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS AKER SOLUTIONS No personnel required Chevron has bought Noble Energy development and carbon capture and Aker Solutions has been awarded a for around $5 billion in shares – the storage (CCS) businesses. letter of intent from Equinor for the Hand-carry mobilisation industry’s first major deal since delivery of a subsea system for the the coronavirus triggered a severe l TSC Subsea has acquired the Breidablikk project in the North Sea. Remote C-Kore support slump and the largest takeover since Eddyfi/NDT subsidiary of Halfwave. Occidental outbid Chevron to acquire The field will be developed as a Anadarko for $37 billion last year. The Halfwave business was previously subsea field with a tie-back to the divided into two main services – in- Grane platform. The contract value This enlarges Chevron’s Eastern line inspection and subsea inspection is approximately NOK 2 billion, Mediterranean footprint in the by services. The subsea inspection excluding options. adding the Leviathan gas field off the services of Halfwave will now be fully coast of Israel. integrated with TSC Subsea for the The scope of work covers a complete new company to provide operators subsea production system and l Rockrose Energy has been taken with a wider range of inspection associated equipment including 15 over by Viaro Energy in a deal valued solution services. subsea trees in the first phase. at £243m. Viaro has plans to extend further in the UK offshore sector. l McDermott has completed Aker Solutions has also been the sale of Lummus Technology awarded a letter of Intent from l Premier Oil will buy non-core assets to a joint partnership between Equinor for Askeladd Vest to deliver from BP in the Andrew Area including Haldia Petrochemicals ( part of the the subsea production system for Tel: +44 (0)1904 215161 • Email: [email protected] www.c-kore.com a stake in Shearwater. BP will retain Chatterjee Group), and Rhône Capital the next phase of the Askeladd 100% of Shearwater’s decommissioning having received all required regulatory natural gas development in the liabilities and 50% of Andrew's. approvals. Barents Sea in northern Norway. Askeladd Vest is phase two of the l Aker Solutions will merge with Proceeds from the sale of Lummus Snøhvit gas development. WORKOVER SYSTEM Kvaerner and appoint a new chief Technology will repay the debtor-in- Aker Solutions has also developed completion, diagnostics, maintenance, picks up the stack and commences the executive. In this “statutory merger”, possession financing in full The scope of the expansion of a modified workover system that repairs, enhanced production and intervention campaign. in that Aker Solutions will “absorb” the Askeladd field includes one enables faster and more cost-effective finally plugging and abandonment. Kvaerner. l ROVOP has received a multi-million- template with a manifold, and two planned interventions. The concept The mobilisation of the workover pound investment by its shareholders subsea trees with associated control will first be applied on Equinor’s The operational concept entails system can be executed well in advance Based on last year’s performance, Blue Water Energy and BGF. systems. The scope of work covers a Visund field in the North Sea. delivering Aker Solutions’ multiWOS of the intervention activities, hence the enlarged Aker Solutions and will complete subsea production system, system by vessel and landing the system the operator will have more flexibility have around 15 000 employees in 50 l Dril-Quip will rely upon Proserv for and associated equipment that Workover systems enable safe well on either a subsea platform or a well. both before and after operations, as the locations and revenues of £3.3 billion. the development and manufacturing includes 15 subsea trees in the first access for subsea installation and The vessel then extracts, and the rig system can be parked subsea. At the start of 2020, the companies of its subsea control systems phase. employed 18 800 people.

The cost-cutting drive should create annual savings of £130 million per year from 2019-21. l Halliburton and TechnipFMC has introduced Odassea, the first distributed acoustic sensing solution for subsea wells.

The technology platform enables operators to execute intervention- less seismic imaging and reservoir diagnostics to reduce total cost of ownership while strengthen digital capabilities in subsea reservoir monitoring and production optimisation. TSC Subsea inspection tooling

The company will also develop a wind Workover system

8 9 PETRONAS RESEARCH JOINS FASTSUBSEA’S GROUNDBREAKING SUBSEA PUMP DEVELOPMENT

FASTsubsea and PETRONAS’ subsidiary PETRONAS Research Sdn Bhd signed a Joint Industry Project contract to develop and test a low-cost, topside-less subsea multiphase pump. FASTsubsea is a joint venture between Aker Solutions and FSubsea.

According to the agreement, PETRONAS Research will support the development and testing program while FASTsubsea is bringing the product to the market in 2022.

"Getting this participation from a large operator such as PETRONAS is a significant achievement, not least given current industry conditions," said John Macleod, chief technology officer of Aker Solutions.

According to Alexander Fuglesang, managing director of FASTsubsea, the game-changing FASTsubsea technology allows operators to more rapidly extract additional hydrocarbons from existing offshore wells and installed infrastructure.

End users are drawn to the technology as increased recovery now can be done in a much more sustainable way, and at up to 50 percent lower capex investment than conventional subsea pumping systems, which is key in this market environment.

The participation from PETRONAS Research comes in addition to a NOK 11 million commitment from the Research Council of Norway and allows engineering activities to start immediately. The project is still open for two further operators to join as JIP partners, which would provide the opportunity to influence and gain early access to the ground-breaking technology. FASTsubsea technology

10 11 NEWS SeapiX-C: AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION real-time static bathymetry for high-precision marine works.

Oceaneering installing monobore diverless connectors for an offshore Western Australia project Oceaneering has won a contract to provide a number of stimulation, hydrate remediation, flooding and venting monobore diverless connectors for an offshore Western operations, acid injection, and scale squeeze. Australia project. The company will supply 3in M5 connectors, which will be used for Monoethylene Glycol l Oceanneering's Asset Integrity group has secured a (MEG) and Chemical Inhibitor (CI) service on the field subsea three-year contract with Chevron subsidiary. Cabinda Gulf distribution system. Oil Company Limited (CABGOC), will provide inspection services onshore Cabinda, Angola, and offshore Angola on The 3in M5 Connector enables the intervention of subsea Blocks 0 and 14. The contract is scheduled to begin in Q2 SeapiX-C 3D volume sonar assets. This ROV-flyable, full bore connector features the 2020. Oceaneering Grayloc metal-to-metal sealing system and SeapiX-C is a solid-state 3D proven M-series latch mechanism. The M5 Connector works This award follows a recent contract win for inspection multibeam sonar that provides for applications such as gas lift, chemical injection, well services for a major Middle East operator based in Dubai. highly accurate and real-time georeferenced static bathymetry. It enables instant monitoring and decision-making for more efficient C-KORE DEPLOYS ON MULTIPLE OPERATIONS IN AUSTRALIAN WATERS and safer marine works operations such as jack-up barge deployments C-Kore Systems has completed a With the automated C-Kore units, no and dredging operations. succession of deployments with an additional offshore personnel were operator in offshore WA Australia. needed to perform the testing.

The C-Kore units quickly The C-Kore Subsea Testing tools are used identified and localised by operators and contractors worldwide anomalies in the subsea C-Kore Subsea on both fault-finding operations and infrastructure saving time Testing tools new installation campaigns. and money on the subsea campaign while ensuring The tools provide quick feedback, the operator gained accurate saving customers money by information to inform the field’s reducing the time needed maintenance program. to perform subsea tests.

Come and see us at OI2020 12 13 Booth #E100 DECOMMISSIONING BUCHAN ALPHA: A NORSK SAGA Comment by Jim Rae – Scientia et Sagacitas Limited Over a month ago, I made some apparently unbeknownst to the observations about the Buchan Alpha “selected bidders”, Veolia UK, the decommissioning project and perhaps vessel owners contrived to remove how things came about, though it navigational and buoyancy control seemed to be deemed a secret by systems before the installation initially involved parties. Since then, I have moored (successfully) at the quayside. sought confirmation of events and a This unexpected manoeuvre clarification of the roles played by the further complicated subsequent various “regulators” and others. This is marine operations. Luckily, initial their story and I invite you to add your deconstruction of the topsides went own conclusions. ahead much as envisaged and under the close supervisory eyes of Danish Shetland is a beautiful but natural wild Vikings, whom operated the site. place, where the wind blows strongly off the sea. In times of old, the And so, the scene is set for our little inhabiting Vikings would seek shelter drama and a woeful saga to which and warmth around blazing fires in an end has yet to be financed and suitably robust low-profile dwellings delivered1. The following is from an and tell stories of great events and official report of events issued by the adventures. The Norse saga was born. Maritime and Coastguard Agency to your storyteller – Our “saga” starts with a great vessel being towed into the comparably “Her Majesty’s Coastguard Operations sheltered waters of Dales Voe, North Centre at Shetland got the call at of Lerwick. Here brave local men, 9.20am (on Sunday, 3 November) with help and resources drawn from saying that the remnants of the outside, had constructed a special Buchan Alpha installation had broken quay and support facilities to generate loose from its moorings due to strong wealth from the new opportunity of winds and rough seas and had gone offshore decommissioning, essentially aground on the western side of Dales in the North Sea. Allegedly, with the Voe. They notified the duty counter- “help” of some tribal chiefs and co- pollution officer who noted because adventurers on the UK Mainland, the this was within the Lerwick Harbour operators at the new base were able jurisdiction, it was for the Harbour to secure the contract to deconstruct Authority to respond to. a complicated design of floating production installation, designated – “They reported no pollution seen Buchan Alpha. and it was only the lower components (framework) of the installation that Wise men from all over questioned were left and which had grounded. this decision, principally on the Although, though no oil was present grounds of safety and counselled that the remnants constituted pollution Dales Voe was not well-suited for the so the MCA asked for a POLREP job. Preference being given rather (Pollution Report) to be issued. All to using a dry-dock, like the newly the standard addressees for Scotland revived facility at Loch Kishorn on were included on this, as was the the West Coast, into which the tribal Shetland Island Council. There chiefs had also sunk investment. To were no specific environmental no avail, the Gods had spoken to both sensitivities at the grounding location, Veolia UK and RepsolSinopec and a ie aquaculture and Marine Scotland pact was formed. reported nothing of concern from their database in the area. However, the basis of this pact allegedly reduced the rewards and “HM Coastguard told the duty Buchan in Dales Voe some of the planned works were counter pollution officer and reported Copyright: Dave Donaldson- [email protected] reorganised accordingly. Also, that the Lerwick Harbour Master was

14 15 DECOMMISSIONING

Buchan remains in Dales Voe 16 Copyright: Dave Donaldson- [email protected] 17 DECOMMISSIONING

aware was on his way out to the scene asking pertinent questions. And here “The OGA works with BEIS to assess OPRED (Attributed to Wendy is still within the agreed timeframes. If Field Operations Division (FOD). on the tug ‘Knab’. Harbour Master is what he heard from MCA and the decommissioning programmes on the Kennedy OBE, Chief Executive at they move outside of this timeframe confirmed the condition at the scene, other regulators involved – basis of cost, future alternative use and Offshore Petroleum Regulator and a revision to the Decommissioning P “A joint visit to site was held by including that fact that there was no collaboration. Decommissioning, BEIS): “Whilst rogramme would be required and we Energy Division and FOD to ensure pollution. He also told the duty counter MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency): OPRED do not have any overarching would of course consult stakeholders smooth transition between divisions pollution officer that the location of Statement“The last enquiry from HM “The OGA also works with operators responsibility to oversee the onshore on this revision. and regulatory regimes. A further site the grounding did not present a danger Coastguard to the Lerwick Harbour to ensure they can demonstrate disposal work, once we became aware visit was then completed by FOD and to shipping/navigation. The weather Master was on 10 Nov. at which time we that their contracting strategies are of the incident you mention, we made “(As you mention in your email), I at this time the mooring failure was at the time was rough and blowing were told no survey had been possible comprehensive and well positioned to sure that the proper authorities were maintain an open relationship with the discussed. the metal frame against the shore. and no recovery action taken. Because deliver best value in accordance with already aware of it. Work undertaken industry and welcome approaches from The Harbour Master deemed that the incident represented no apparent their decommissioning programme. at decommissioning yards is the stakeholders to raise concerns with “Once it lost its mooring the Buchan nothing further could be done on the pollution threat, HM Coastguard closed responsibility of the Health and Safety me.” Alpha and it’s recovery became the 3rd (November) and stated that a dive the incident on 15 Nov. Operators and their supply Executive onshore section in regard regulatory responsibility of MCA and survey would be needed before any chain are required to ensure to safety issues and the Scottish HSE (The Health & Safety Executive): is therefore outwith our jurisdiction. plans to remove the framework from The commercial operator for the that decommissioning must be Environmental Protection Agency in “HSE are responsible for the regulation However, HSE recognised the need to the shore could be attempted. de-commissioning/dismantle had undertaken safely and cost effectively, regard to waste management. of offshore installations throughout better understand the circumstances the responsibility to resolve this in accordance with all regulatory the decommissioning and dismantling surrounding the original mooring “Bad weather continued for several and recover the wreckage, with the requirements, and decisions on the “The Offshore Petroleum regulator for phases with operational strategies for failure prior to recovery to site and days and no recovery action was Harbour Authority responsible for awarding of contracts for this work Environment and Decommissioning has both onshore and offshore work in Specialist marine resource was possible.” ensuring that appropriate action was are commercial decisions made by regulatory responsibility for approving place. Energy Division is responsible for secured from Energy Division to taken.” operators. the Decommissioning Programme offshore activities until the point where support in this area. Although delayed So there you have it. But, who should for offshore oil and gas platforms the installation is removed from the by recent COVID developments this take charge of the incident; what OGA (The Oil & Gas Authority): Unable The OGA is engaging with Repsol and operators have to provide a 500m zone. During the transit to shore resource is still allocated and follow should they do; and, to whom should to provide an interview, at the time Sinopec Resources UK on its progress timeframe in which the removal and this is classed as a marine activity and up inspections will be completed, as they be ultimately responsible? A wall of my request and subsequently, this with dismantling the Buchan Alpha the disposal of the platform will take is not regulated by HSE, however, once planned, before recovery to shore.” of silence descended until July 2020, Statement is attributed to “an Oil and platform to ensure lessons are learned place. In the case of the Buchan Alpha onshore (or alongside) this is regulated when your intrepid writer started Gas Authority spokesperson”: for future decommissioning projects.” Decommissioning Programme the work jointly by HSE Construction Division and HSE (Further Update in response

Briggs Marine specialist vessel work in on hull and pontoons. July 2020 Copyright: Dave Donaldson- [email protected] 18 19 DECOMMISSIONING

to request for timeline): “As the investigation is ongoing we are unable to release any details at present.”

So, who do you think is responsible.? Does it not strike you, as it did me, that “UK Decom PLC” doesn’t seem to be that integrated an organisation and MCA even commented that “OPRED have never contacted us on a decommissioning programme submission at the consultative stage”

Before I round off the saga, two further inputs to the narrative. A somewhat surprising comment from @Brenda Wylie, OGA – Northern North Sea and West of Shetland Area Manager - “I must of missed this incident when it was reported in the media.” (responding to my original LinkedIn article) And a message I received to my personal message account – “I was one of the two project mariners that took over from Repsol when the rig entered Lerwick Harbour. Although I walked after two weeks (the first time in a working life that started in 1973 that I have not seen a job through to completion) I have kept tabs on the “progress” of the project ever since. I am covered by a Confidentiality Agreement, however, someone somewhere needs to wise up! In fact, a lot of people, across the spectrum of all those involved do.”

So, this is the story, so far. The saga is far from ended and we are still looking for the hero to save the day! Seems to me, there are a lot of people involved in this Buchan Alpha “mess” that need to take a long hard look at what they do and how. In over 23 years of practical, hands- on involvement in managing and delivering decommissioning projects, I have never seen anything like it!!

Perhaps, “silence is golden”, for those who played some part in proceedings and have kept this incident out of the public eye for so many months?

Remains of hull and pontoons with Briggs Marine recovery vessel alongside. July 2020

Copyright: Dave Donaldson- [email protected] 20 21 DECOMMISSIONING DECOMMISSIONING

Allseas' Pioneering Spirit Brent B Lifting point under deck

Allseas' Pioneering Spirit has carried (TLS) comprises 16 beams that can type connection tools for the first the underside of the topsides." out the single-lift removal and disposal operate in pairs (forklift unit). The time, whereas previous lifts were of the 94m-tall, 52m -wide Brent Alpha number of beams required for lift performed using support 'yokes'," said As with the two previous Brent jobs, platform in the North Sea. The vessel operations varies per project. To exert a spokesman. the Pioneering Spirit transferred the sailed the 44-year old structure to Able their part of the total lifting force onto Alpha to Allseas’ cargo barge Iron Lady UK’s Teesside decommissioning yard in the platform topsides, the TLS beams "The main difference is that while for the final leg of its journey - towage North East England for dismantling and are fitted with removable connection horseshoes clamp around brackets up the Seaton Channel and load-in to recycling. tools. installed at pre-determined points on the quay at Able UK. The company has the platform legs, yokes are positioned since removed the Tyra topsides. Pioneering Spirit’s topsides lift system "For Alpha, we used 'horseshoes' at pre-determined strong points on

22 23 DECOMMISSIONING

PICKERILL Petrodec has completed the removal of the Pickerill topsides. The Pickerill gas field lies in the Southern sector, around 40 miles from the Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal on the Lincolnshire Coast. Neptune Energy’s nearby Juliet field, which used Pickerill A to transport gas to the Theddlethorpe terminal, also ceased production.

Last year, Perenco submitted plans to the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) to decommission the normally unmanned installation. The programme involved a novel arrangement of skidding the topsides onto the Energy Endeavour (ERDA) for removal in one piece.

Following the plug and abandonment campaign in 2019, Perenco set about installing reinforcement and laying skid beams between the jack-up deck and underneath the topsides. The topsides were then skidded across to the ERDA.

Topside preparation, skidding, sea fastening and rig move arrangements were completed in June with the topside taken to Vlissingen harbour in the Netherlands. During skidding, load levels were carefully maintained on all supports while the topside was being skidded into position on the jack-up deck.

The topside was then offloaded for final dismantlement.

24 25 DECOMMISSIONING 10100t JACKET LIFT

Heerema’s SSCV Sleipnir has safely and sustainably removed Shell’s 10100t Brent Alpha jacket. This single jacket lift breaks Sleipnir’s recent record for lifting the 8100 mT Jotun-B jacket.

This project is Sleipnir’s fourth decommissioning job for this summer. The vessel will continue to be busy in the North Sea before swapping the largest lifts for one of the smallest with the installation of Dana Petroleum’s P11-Unity Platform later this year.

So far, Sleipnir has safely removed and transported more than 43900 mT of decommissioned offshore infrastructure for recycling over this summer campaign.

For the Brent Alpha jacket removal, Sleipnir arrived at the Brent Field located 186 km northeast of Scotland’s Shetland Islands on July 23, 2020 and completed the project by offloading the jacket onto the quayside at the AF Miljøbase decommissioning site in Vats, Norway on August 11, 2020.

The Brent Alpha jacket removal presented novel challenges for Heerema, resulting in unique solutions. During the project, Heerema cut jacket legs at 7.3m diameter using a 288” Diamond Wire Cutting Tool developed alongside CUT UK, especially for the Brent Alpha removal - the largest leg diameter to have been cut this way.

Also, during this project Heerema removed and transported the conductors with the jacket, an entirely new way of decommissioning. The conductors were suspended on a Heerema Fabrication Group built Conductor Hang-off Frame made for this project.

Sleipnir is the world’s most sustainable SSCV, and during the project the vessel performed the full removal operations while running on emission-reducing LNG fuel. Using LNG, Sleipnir reduces CO2 emissions by 25%, reduces NOx emissions by 92%, reduces SOx emissions by 99%, and Particulate Matters by around 99% compared to traditional Marine Gas Oil crane vessels.

Now that the Brent Alpha jacket has been safely and sustainably transported to Vats, Heerema’s SSCV Sleipnir it will end its lifecycle by being over 97% recycled.

26 27 DECOMMISSIONING

Heerema’s SSCV Sleipnir 28 29 DECOMMISSIONING

30 31 SONAR VOLUMIC 3D SONAR SEAPIX-C SONAR BRINGS HIGH-PRECISION MARINE WORKS TO PENTA - OCEAN CONSTRUCTION

SeapiX-C installed on Penta-Ocean SEP leg

32 33 SONAR

Penta-Ocean Construction, a firms begin the deployment of an major Japanese construction firm SEP or a rig, a survey is conducted specialising in marine works and by a hydrographic vessel in order to iXblue, a global high-tech company ensure that the chosen location is safe specialising in advanced subsea for deployment, as hazards can be imagery and positioning solutions, encountered, and the seabed can be have recently collaborated to adapt uneven. iXblue’s SeapiX volumic 3D sonar to provide both dynamic and static “And because SEPs are very large seabed imagery for Penta-Ocean platforms, their manoeuvrability is Construction Self-Elevating Platform limited and the positioning of their (SEP). jacks (legs) is done blindly, based on the survey that has been conducted. A long-standing customer of iXblue One can easily understand how tricky in the Asia-Pacific region, with most the whole operation is.” of the company’s positioning and imagery solutions already in use The use of an imagery system able on their equipment, Penta-Ocean to display the seabed in real-time, approached iXblue with a special for operators to see where they are request: to collaborate and produce a positioning the legs of the platform brand new imagery concept dedicated is thus a major breakthrough as it to Self-Elevating Platforms. removes the need for pre-survey operations conducted by costly vessels Swath view displaying across-track and along-track swaths during operation mode With this new concept, Penta-Ocean and brings about more efficient and was seeking the ability to see, in real- more flexible construction operations, time, where the legs of the platform as well as increased safety as a whole. are being positioned, bringing safer deployment and supporting legs touchdown monitoring to the offshore construction industry.

“This had never been done before, and as such, technology did not exist on the market,” explains Quentin Teo, Regional Sales Manager at iXblue. Swath view displaying across-track and along-track swaths during operation mode “Traditionally, before construction Recognised for its innovative spirit “Penta-Ocean having identified SeapiX position, displacement, height when and agility, as well as for the advanced as a viable solution, we worked on rising above the waterline), and on how imagery technology developed by its adapting it to their specific needs. We to control the 4 SeapiX (one per leg) Rendering of a jack- Sonar division, iXblue thus started to focused on four major developments: and how to visualise their bathymetric up barge deployment work on this new request. results all within a single user interface.” operation l New algorithms enabling static The company’s SeapiX volumic 3D sonar bathymetry After less than a year working on this being particularly close to the client’s l New offshore MMI based on the project, iXblue SeapiX-C sonar was requirements, it was decided to adapt GECDIS initially used for our fishing ready to provide both dynamic and the existing product to this particular applications static seabed imagery for Penta-Ocean marine construction application. l New 3D model of the SEP and its SEP and a first commissioning was four legs conducted back in March 2019. “SeapiX is one of the only solid- l New features including the state solutions able to measure the possibility to switch between three “The commissioning was a great bathymetric profile of a specific area modes (static bathymetry, standard success. As soon as the system was from a still position, while still covering bathymetry, and scanning) connected, installed and activated, our a wide range and being straight-forward new SeapiX-C was able to successfully to use,” explains Maxence Rioblanc, “We also worked on integrating the retrieve images of the seabed under Product Manager at iXblue. information coming from the SEP (legs the SEP.

34 35 SONAR EQUIPMENT

MDL 12M WINCH

MDL has completed a North Sea tie-back, which included delivery of a bespoke solution for handling reels of 12m diameter.

The work scope covered installation of 3 reels of flowlines, jumpers and an umbilical using MDL Third- generation Reel Drive System. The reels measured from 9.2m to 12m diameter – the largest reel handled by the MDL RDS to date.

To accommodate the larger diameter, MDL designed and manufactured in- house a bespoke set of 12m cradles to safely integrate with the MDL Track and Cradle System, optimising mobilisation and demobilisation times.

As standard, the MDL RDS track system comes complete with integrated cradles, supplied with boltable inserts to accommodate varying diameter reels, resulting in a saving on mobilisation time by eliminating sea fastening of the reels and cradles.

The system’s lashing points are designed for fastening the reels to the tracks instead of welding multiple SeapiX-C provides reliable digital elevation model from a static standpoint fixing points to the vessel deck, which also saves time and engineering costs. SeeByte and MIT successfully combine at SeeByte said, “The first phase of the A further time efficiency comes from autonomy engines for best of breed project demonstrated how Neptune and “Penta-Ocean was pleased with our the RDS design, where the HPU is “system of systems” MOOS-IvP can seamlessly work together work and this collaboration at sea built into one of the towers, reducing leveraging each other’s strengths to enabled us to work closely together the space taken up by the system on Edinburgh, UK, 17 August 2020 – maximise the mission performance. to further improve our new system” Rendering of a deck and the associated sea-fastening SeeByte and the Massachusetts Quentin rejoices. crane carrying out a design and execution requirements. Institute of Technology (MIT) have This is a great step towards a best of dredging operation successfully combined SeeByte’s breed "system of systems'' approach, “A year after this commissioning, The MDL Third-generation Reel Drive Neptune autonomy engine with MIT’s where new or updated autonomy we are pleased to officially be System was also a benefit to the MOOS-IVP during the first trials to services can be easily integrated able to widen the range of our client as the towers can engage with test a multi-architecture autonomy together to improve UxV capabilities SeapiX sonar applications, already the smallest 9.2m reel and stroke framework. and give operators a broader range of used for fishing and academic to the largest 12m reel without the capabilities.” research, to include the offshore need for any packers or interim The two autonomies were run construction industry. mobilisation. together cooperatively on a Michael Benjamin, Research Scientist single asset to carry out a Mine at MIT commented, “Hybrid autonomy “With this new SeapiX-C, dedicated On this project the RDS had already Countermeasure (MCM) survey systems present several powerful for dredging and SEP applications, been mobilised on the vessel, as the mission. To support the integration, options for the end user to be marine construction operators will tie-back was a follow-up scope in a service-oriented, multi-autonomy opportunistic, nimble and able to field gain highly sought-after efficiency a multi-project campaign – further interface has been developed. newly configured platforms for rapidly and safety for their operations.” adding to MDL efficiencies. Andrea Munafo, Engineering Manager evolving mission challenges."

36 37 PLOUGHS

NEW PLOUGH USED FOR KRIEGER'S FLAK

Launching the PLP240 plough

Global recently completed the first “The challenges of laying and need to lower costs and increase operations, for even greater time manifest as boulders spread across the phase of work at Vattenfall’s Danish burying ever more sophisticated installation reliability. savings. seabed and are a common feature of The PLP240 offers the impressive Kriegers Flak site. This project and fragile power cables, further North Sea submarine geology. capability of delivering a 10-16m wide heralded the inaugural appearance offshore, and in difficult seabed One way of satisfying this demand, BOULDER CLEARANCE boulder clearance corridor in a single the company’s newly delivered conditions, is becoming a pressing is to employ tools able to carry out In many areas of the world that These rocks need to be cleared before pass. With the surface vessel delivering PLP240 multi-function subsea plough. issue that is driving technological multiple operations at a faster speed. experienced glaciation back in the any cable or pipe can be laid. One way a continuous pull of 200t, the plough Designed in collaboration with Osbit, innovation,” said a Global Offshore The PLP240 is an example of such quaternary ice ages, rocks became of accomplishing this is by a boulder can unearth and clear boulders up to the plough has been described spokesman. a tool, being able to intervene at entrapped within the ice sheets. clearance plough that is dragged 1000mm, in waters up to 500m. as representing a step-change in different stages within the trenching These were dropped by gravity as across the seabed to sweep the ploughing technology. Superimposed on this is the urgent process and also achieve simultaneous the glaciers retreated. Today, these boulders aside. Another feature of the plough is that it can be used in pre-lay mode, cutting

38 39 PLOUGHS

a stable open trench in clay soils. Integrated Logistics Support (Osbit Where PLP differs from recent tools is ILS) asset monitoring, packaged in an its ability to combine these functions. ergonomic control cabin. As it clears the corridor of surface boulders, a central plough share lifts The PLP240 plough was built and sub-surface boulders and generates tested at Osbit’s assembly facility in an open trench through soils up to Port of Blyth.In April, the PLP240 was 600kPa in stiffness. The resulting mobilised on the Havila Jupiter and Y-shaped profile trench is up to 1.7m following rigorous testing on a directly depth, with the base measuring comparable set of seabed conditions 500mm wide, and 700mm deep. close by, began boulder clearance on Vattenfall's Danish Kriegers Flak site. BACKFILL Once the trench has been excavated “In order to ensure that the trials to the required depth, it is common were representative of the whole for the soil unearthed during the site conditions within the Danish process to be backfilled to offer Kriegers Flak area, routes were additional protection to the installed carefully selected for their seabed product. types (granular, cohesive, clay till and surface boulder density) where This may require using a different comprehensive geotechnical/ physical asset. The PLP240, however, can be site Investigations had taken place. easily reconfigured to carry out that function by stowing the front boulder “The seabed conditions that we’ve seen dozer blades, then removing the here in the Baltic Sea are likely to be share assembly and front skid from some of the most extreme that we’d their mounting points on the chassis ever work in, so it has put the PLP240 to ensure the plough has appropriate to the ultimate stress test,” said Mike clearance from the product. Daniel, Managing Director of Global Offshore. Meanwhile, at the rear of the vehicle, the mouldboard frame is replaced “The PLP240 shows what can be with the backfill blade assembly with achieved with multi-layer supply chain ‘V’ shaped blades for the collection collaboration between experts in their of segregated spoil from the previous fields. Vattenfall and Global came to trenching operation. The shape of Osbit with the challenges presented by the backfill blades allows the spoil these sites and extensive operational to be collected and transferred back learning; Osbit returned to subsea into the trench covering the product trenching’s first principles to develop without interacting with any large better technology and the result was spoil that has been filtered and PLP240. We openly shared knowledge moved aside. and worked together and I think the results speak for themselves” added The backfill configuration is also Robbie Blakeman, Director at Osbit. optimised to preserve cable integrity. No part of the plough The PLP240 has now completed 158km enters the trench, while its accurate of route clearance on the site in total, steering system, skids designed to over 72 different routes. Achieving track predictably, and extensive target trench depths in over 99% of surveillance ensure effective the routes, exceeding the project trenching. requirements. Where two passes were The PLP240 predicted to be necessary to attain plough in the Carrying out the post-lay backfill only depth, only one was required in most A-frame requires a tow force of 80t, but this is areas. The plough will be back on site enough to sweep of 14m of soil into later in the year, working alongside the trench. Like the pre-lay operation, Global Offshore's Q1400 jet trencher it can be used in up to 500m of water to bury the installed cable providing and can be deployed from an A-frame necessary cover and protection for long or crane in Sea State six. term integrity.

The plough is fully adjustable when The Havila Jupiter and PLP240 have subsea and the control functionality now sailed to the Kincardine Wind Farm for its surveillance suite is provided working for Grupo Cobra to begin route through Osbit’s open source preparation and boulder clearance modular system, incorporating Osbit operations. 40 41 PLOUGHS

PRE-LAY PLOUGHING AND BACKFILLING Enshore's Will Stephenson looks at aspects of sub-sea trenching

As power cable projects increase The ability for the ploughs to in size and distance from shore, operate successfully across a wide this pushes HVAC and HVDC cable range of soil types is essential for protection techniques into new areas. pre-lay ploughing on long subsea Pre-lay route preparation and pre-lay cable or pipeline routes. trenching is fast becoming a preferred solution for many of today’s long- The design of the ploughs, with distance power cable and infield oil hydraulically controlled adjustable and gas projects. front skids, allows the ploughs to adjust trench depth during Pre-lay trenching is the technique operations. And with heave in which an open trench is created, compensated launch and recovery usually by a plough, ahead of the from the vessel A-Frame, safe and planned installation campaign, into accurate launch and recovery in which the cable or pipeline is laid into. high sea states is achieved.

If used correctly and targeted at the In addition, the pre-lay ploughs are right project with appropriate soil also fitted with rear-facing High- conditions, this technique can greatly Resolution Multi-Beam (MBES) alleviate risk to the product which can sonar which can, in real-time, be attributed with post lay burial by monitor and measure the excavated providing the cable with immediate trench, providing as-built trench lowering and protection by eliminating data during the same operation. the need for “hands-on” post lay burial operation. Not all projects are appropriate for pre-lay trenching and it certainly This is a low-risk solution which isn’t a one size fits all solution to reduces the size of the weather post lay burial difficulties. window required, allowing the laying and trenching process to be separated So when is it appropriate to use pre- in hard problematic soil conditions. cut ploughing? To determine the It also provides a high-quality trench technical burial solution, Enshore for the protection of HVAC and HVDC employs a team of geotechnical export cables. and geosciences professionals. Enshore has always been unique in Enshore operates a suite of large maintaining an in-house geoscience ploughs for pre-lay trenching capability but in the last two operations including route years, this capability has grown to development, boulder clearance and respond to changing requirements, post lay backfill, known as the APP, especially in the Renewables AMP1500 and the BFP (Backfill Plough) Enshore's AMP plough Sector.

The AMP, and its accompanying Enshore’s operational Port of Blyth backfill plough, have undergone recent is a purpose-built Asset and Project upgrades to include new control Support facility which can provide systems, a new forecutter share, and an integrated Mobilisation, Storage, pipe handling system capable of safely Logistics and Maintenance service handling product up to 1500mm in and is home to a large fleet of diameter; some of the largest concrete trenching equipment. coated pipelines in the world, as seen on the recently completed Nordstream general ploughing operations and in the most challenging of soil plough also makes it ideal to be If the soils conditions are soft and The AMP plough currently being II pipeline. allows for deeper burial in a single pass conditions, coupled with the used in areas of dense cobbles in analysis identifies that plough sinkage mobilised to perform a pipeline compared with the previous design. high bollard pull, Enshore can hard clay which are usually too hard is possible, the subsea weight can ploughing campaign in the The new forecutter improves the achieve 2m trench depth in a for jet trenching and the presence be reduced by using the ploughs Mediterranean and the backfill efficiency of ploughing operations, The ploughs have a high weight subsea, single pass or 2.5m in multiple of cobbles can cause damage to buoyancy tanks, pumping in air and plough has been shipped to Cyprus reducing the bollard pull during allowing easy penetration and trenching passes. The heavy nature of the mechanical cutters. reducing the weight of the vehicle. for remote mobilisation.

42 43 RIGID FLEXIBILITY

What is the best way to carry out a project including installing the stiffest ever reeled Pipe-in-Pipe? The answer is to keep the project flexible. Neptune Energy and TechnipFMC did just this

Neptune Energy - Field with the record-breaking Gjøa P1 and Duva projects. Gjøa P1 is layout of Gjøa P1 and Duva projects currently well ahead of schedule.

44 45 P1 DUVA

COVID 19 Since the Gjøa field came onstream This was because it was not a given developments, Neptune awarded "As we were entering an a decade ago, its operator, Neptune that both projects would even be TechnipFMC an integrated engineering, advanced stage for pipeline Energy, has been looking to reinvent sanctioned – even less so that both procurement, construction and fabrication, mobilisation, spooling the semisubmersible production projects would be sanctioned at the installation (iEPCI) contract, with a and installation activities, the platform as a future processing and same point in time. work scope to cover umbilicals, rigid Covid pandemic arrived," said export hub for nearby developments. flowlines and the subsea production Drivsholm. An important requirement for Duva system. The two most recent candidate was the need for a dedicated umbilical "Throughout the life of the developments to be tied back to for increased chemical injection and "This relatively quick timeframe is quite project, we enjoyed a self- the platform are Gjøa P1 and Duva. to resolve the power requirement an undertaking, said Søren Drivsholm, imposed freedom to revise Whereas the Gjøa P1 field enjoys associated with the long step-out. For Head of Gjøa P1 Project, Neptune engineering practices, make similar characteristics to the existing Gjøa P1, it was an oil line to increase Energy. Such a fast-track development changes and adapt to new Gjøa field, Duva has challenges overall recovery from the field. could only be achieved by Neptune situations as they arrived. This associated with high wax content. Throughout the FEED phase, the very closely aligning ourselves with philosophy came in very useful projects started to become more TechnipFMC, working together as one when reacting to Covid. During early phase engineering in aligned. An inline wye and an inline team. 2017 and into 2018, it became clear tee was introduced to resolve the "We did not award a lump sum Health and Safety is a that these independent projects competing access at template E. contract but instead, adopted an fundamental and non negotiable were analogous from a technical The team also directed that the tie-in moving the template surface location incentivised approach where both core value in everything we perspective. Both were based on a point for Duva should be changed, and some 2km further north. This led to operator and contractor are able do. We did not have any pre- four-slot template located in similar that Pipe-in-Pipe (PIP) should be used new flow assurance challenges as to share both savings and exposure existing written rules for such water depths (350m) and required to increase the arrival temperatures at the Gjøa P1 fluids would be colder through a gain share model. unprecedented event. the same sort of subsea production the Gjøa processing facilities. at the mixture point – with the system and infrastructure. Synergies consequence is that P1 fluids would Crucially, we formulated a very We immediately took tight and dependencies within the project Gjøa P1 identified a risk of shallow lower the Duva arrival temperatures robust plan that allowed us to remain control, immediately putting suggested that combining the gas, causing the team to recommend below the wax appearance agile and adapt easily to changing thorough measures in place, even projects could provide opportunities temperature (WAT) at Gjøa, . circumstances. Following this, we though the fabrication site was for optimisation across the two This meant that a highly insulated were able to save a day here or even busy mobilising developments. Pipe-in-Pipe flowline was also a week there, in the knowledge that required for the Gjøa P1 oil line incremental time savings would reap The accelerated mobilisation for Initial feasibility studies recognised to raise the temperature of the benefits later on in the project, to the the Gjøa P1 oil line at Orkanger that as a base case, both would comingled flow. mutual benefit of both operator and Spoolbase, Norway, was based on require access to gas lift at template contractor. three crews split into fabrication, E and umbilical to be daisy chained Both development projects were spooling and vessel crew. We kept from template F, but even going formally sanctioned in February "At one point, for example," said them isolated from each other. into the Concept Select stage, both 2019 with an aim to deliver first oil Project Operations Manager Nicolas We even went as far as building projects were still being worked in in 2020. Pallin, TFMC, "when the installation dedicated barracks in the yard so parallel. campaign was scheduled for three that each team would be isolated In order to carry out the weeks away, the intended vessel from the other crews. suddenly became available with 3 days’ notice.

"By making our engineering As more information came and schedule flexible enough to through from the appraisal drilling incorporate exactly these sorts of programme early 2020, however, unforeseeable opportunities, we this was optimised to a 2 well were able to take advantage of the development, one oil and one gas unexpected change and in doing producer. so, gained considerable benefits at minimal risk." "Duva, conversely, went the other way, increasing from three to four DEVELOPMENT wells. This meant that the total The Gjøa P1 project was originally number remained at six wells." sanctioned with three wells – two oil producers and one gas producer. "We could easily accommodate

46 47 P1 AND DUVA

these changes because, once again, we maintained a flexible approach," said Håvard Bø, Subsea Team Lead, Neptune Energy.

MATERIAL SELECTION In order to follow the same material philosophy that governed the rest of the Gjøa field (no better, no worse) and in line with the reservoir properties, the production flowlines had to be corrosion-resistant. Historically, a common solution was to fabricate the entire flowline out of 25Cr super duplex pipe, but this was always very expensive. Over the years, the industry sought to explore cheaper alternatives.

The existing flowlines at Gjøa employed a cheaper alternative using a cheaper carbon steel pipe for the pressure-retaining capability, but the inner bore being clad with a thin layer of 316L stainless steel.

For Duva and Gjøa P1, however, the project team selected another solution called Mechanically Lined Pipe (MLP). In this, a thin prefabricated anti-corrosion layer is mechanically bonded with the carbon steel carrier-pipe. This manufacturing process is a cheaper alternative to a clad pipe solution.

"One drawback with MLP, however, is that the internal liner may wrinkle during the reeling process," said Alae Berrada, TFMC Lead Pipeline Engineer. "The way we mitigate this, is by pressurising the inner liner to force it against the carbon steel backing pipe.”

FLOW ASSURANCE Flow assurance is a fundamental component of any field design. An important part of the Duva and Gjøa P1 work was to consider what measures could be taken to offset a flow blockage caused by falling temperatures.

The Gjøa field layout itself consists of a series of templates daisy chained via 12in production lines, a 4.9in gas lift line and the control umbilical. These connect the Gjøa platform with the furthest F satellite, via the B, C, D and E templates. It initially made sense to simply tie the two new G and K templates back to the closest existing E manifold.

The wax appearance temperature (WAT) of the oil was 39degC and this meant that a highly insulated pipeline system would be required to reduce the temperature losses and maintain the temperature above the WAT as it flowed towards the Gjøa processing facilities.

"We identified that if we co-mingled the two streams at the E manifold, the temperature losses and associated arrival temperature at Gjøa would be below WAT, with the associated risk of frequent operational pigging of the flowline," said Håvard Bø, Subsea Team Lead, Neptune Energy.

"We concluded that the most effective way to mitigate this problem was to change the locations at which the wellstream from each field entered the existing infrastructure. We decided to tie P1 to template E as planned, but introduce the flow from Duva much closer to the Gjøa facilities.

"We identified the B template to be the optimal tie-in point for the Duva pipeline."

48 49 TechnipFMC - Deep Energy Reel-Lay vessel P1 AND DUVA

"The wellstream presented two "For many years," said Håvard Bø," has enough straightening capacity "We solved this problem by main flow assurance challenges," the idea of placing the pipe carrying to handle this pipe design." flooding and pressurising the continued Håvard Bø. "Apart from the wellstream inside a carrier pipe pipeline with water while it was potential wax emergence, there with high performing dry insulation "When any pipe comes off a storage still at the Evanton Spoolbase were also pour point issues to be in between, has been recognised as a reel, it is fed over a the reel-lay well in advance of the Apache considered, in which the stream well-established solution to counter boat's main aligner wheel. In doing II arriving, saving significant could start to gel over a prolonged any heat dissipation issues, under the so, this plastically deforms the line mobilisation time. shutdown, leading to practical exact same principles as double glazed so that as the pipe emerges from concerns that production would be windows." the wheel on the other side, this "At the time of writing, the project difficult to restart. bending has to be removed. This is well ahead of schedule. The "The calculations for both Duva and is carried out by caterpillar track Gjøa P1 oil production line has "We conducted a detailed P1 specified a 12in ID inner pipe and straighteners," said Alae Berrada. been installed two months ahead hydrodynamic analysis to simulate an18in OD outer pipe arrangement of schedule. The quick delivery the system and concluded that by with the pair separated by an aerogel "Such a stiff pipe-in-pipe system, of the templates and manifolds taking the gas phase into account, layer to achieve the required U value. however, requires straighteners from TechnipFMC and their sub- we could remove the potential To ensure robustness throughout field with an extremely high capacity. contractor Agility Group, marks requirement for a heat-traced life, we were able to achieve even If you imagine relating the the quickest delivery that has ever pipeline system. Instead we devised better result approaching a U value of straightening bending moment Pipelay been accomplished on any similar a start-up procedure to break the gel 0.7 W/m2K," said Alae Berrada. to the torque generated by one project, from sanction of project, and avoid hydrates during the restart of the world's highest powered welding the 2.3km pipe stalk. The "Like the oil lines, the gas production award of contract and installation" of the system after a prolonged IMPLEMENTATION super-cars, even two thousand of length of the production facilities line needed to be internally said Håvard Bø". Importantly, unplanned shutdown" Integrating the large lined flowline these together wouldn’t be able to at Evanton is just enough to fully pressurised and this would require this was carried out without with pipe-in-pipe technology provide enough force to straighten prefabricate the gas production line in equipment that the Apache II just compromise, neither on safety nor PIPE IN PIPE meant that the Gjøa P1 and Duva this pipe." one single length line. didn’t have," said Alae Berrada. quality." To further help resolving the flow oil production lines becamestiffest assurance challenges, the project ever reeled to date. This could The team used the Deep Energy quickly identified that in order have presented an insurmountable to lay both the 8.9km Duva line as to maintain the production fluid technical challenge. well as the 5.2km P1 line. They had Significant Milestones temperature above the critical 39 also planned to use the vessel to lay deg C, the oil production pipeline "We are the only company that can the gas production line, from the had to be upgraded from the wet deliver this, thanks to our vessel, the F manifold, to P1. Another option, insulated Gjøa design (U value < 4W/ Deep Energy, "said Nicolas Pallin. however, began to appear. m2K) to a Pipe-in-Pipe solution (U value < 1W/m2K). No other reel-lay vessel in the world "If we could lay the oil and the gas lines with different installation vessels, it could put us even further ahead of the original schedule," said Nicolas Palin. " The solution came in the form of the using the Deep Energy to do the main heavy work while using a second, smaller reel vessel, the Apache II to lay the single wet insulated gas production line."

The team knew that the Apache II was quite capable of the work, as it was the vessel that laid the original Gjøa pipelines in the first place. Extending the idea, if the gas production line could be manufactured in parallel at the spoolbase at Evanton, it would save even more time.

Pipe In Pipe The Scottish yard soon set about

50 51 COMPOSITE PIPE

COMPOSITE PIPE

Around a decade ago, Magma starting with relatively small and cheaper to add weight than it engineers first began to propose undemanding surface pipe joints would be for a heavier pipe to add using thermoplastic composites to that could be routinely checked, buoyancy. This has to be taken into manufacture pipe for the oil and gas and progressively venturing into account in the calculations. industry. Predictably, introducing more demanding applications such any new technology into this very as subsea jumper spools, slowly "The composite can contain conservative industry was always accumulating familiarity establishing a pressures up to 20Ksi, but also going to be an uphill battle, but subsea track record. carry high temperature extremes nevertheless, the proponents up to 200oC (392oF). It is also contended that once proven, "We were very fortunate that clients immune from the effects of rapid this would provide considerable made the 'leap of faith' and not only gas decompression. It has low competitive advantages in certain agreed to the trial, but continually thermal conductivity (around sectors. inspected it. They even allowed us to 4Wm2K, compared with 50W/m2K remove the line after a year, return it for carbon steel – 10 to 12 times One of the market leaders involved to the factory, inspect it and reinstall lower) and has better erosion and in composite pipe manufacturing is it to verify it was working as planned. wear resistance compared to steel. Portsmouth -based Magma. Their product, M-Pipe, consists of an "The third component of our strategy "M-Pipe also has an extremely high industrial strength carbon fibre was to entering into ventures with fatigue capability and the polymer (the same used on the Boeing 787 the number of field operators and is corrosion resistant to seawater,

Dreamliner) fused with a high grade top-tier pipeline contractors such as CO2 and H22 which makes it polymer called PEEK. TechnipFMC,and operators such as suitable for methanol injection and Equinor and Petrobras to increase it works in sour hydrocarbon areas. After years of testing and employing the understanding, advantages and It has a high resistance to blistering the pipe subsea, perhaps the time market awareness of these composite that may be a feature of other is now approaching, for the industry products." polymers. to consider composite pipeline as an ideal material for deepwater risers. ADVANTAGES From a flow viewpoint, Thermoplastic Carbon Fibre thermoplastic pipes have a “Even from the inception, we saw pipelines enjoy a number of inherent smoother bore that can reduce the M-Pipe manufacturing our ultimate target resided at the advantages over their conventional pressure drop when compared to higher-end of the market where steel or non-bonded flexible steel (20%). This may dictate the can be produced is between 2–24ins "We have negotiated competitive Mexico are also important potential the application of carbon fibre equivalent. Of particular relevance eventual diameter requirements. although in practice, 6in pipe is terms with our supply chain for raw users of this technology. systems would make the maximum to deepwater applications is the the most common. A six-inch ID materials and it is this sort of residing difference" said Chief Operating very high strength to weight ratio. MANUFACTURE smoothbore pipe is equivalent to a 7 philosophy that has forced us to keep "I believe that the downturn Officer, Charles Tavner. "This took full Composites are typically 1/10th of the The way M-Pipe is manufactured inch flexible pipe. costs down and compete. promulgated by the Covid pandemic advantage of the material's inherent weight of an equivalent steel pipe. is broadly analogous with the way is accentuating a problem that is ability to accommodate dynamic a 3D printer deposits material. It “There are applications in which we RISERS probably going to happen anyway movement, high temperatures and "Being 90% lighter in seawater makes gradually builds up a monolithic could not compete with steel, but we In recent years, some Brazilian in that companies were going to pressures and low permeation." M-Pipe much easier to handle and lay, structure from the inside to the have been able to drive costs down to deepwater oilfields have experienced have to work to far tighter financial significantly reducing the top tension outer surface. make TCP economically attractive in stress corrosion cracking in non- metrics. "To reach this point, we have adopted and making it possible to deploy the specific applications. bonded flexible pipe. a multi-pronged strategy. From line from smaller and cheaper vessels. "We use a combination of robots “If you are in a technology adoption the start, we have embarked on a and lasers to deposit 0.2mm layers "The way it is laid and fused together, "Petrobras has a strong affinity for business, you get very comfortable programme of continuous testing It is also very flexible, although in at a time," said Tavner. M-Pipe requires relatively small flexible pipe because it gives them with volatility, but we think that and validation, to ensure that the comparison, it cannot bend as much quantities of material to deliver the a lot more contracting flexibility," demands for gas will become material would not fail. as the non-bonded multi-layer pipe "The wall thickness is unlimited required pressure performance which said Tavner. "M-Pipe allows them particularly important and needed that the industry would normally term by the manufacturing process and keeps it cost effective,” to retain this model that they to address that market. "These tests helped us recognise how ‘flexible’. Nevertheless, its minimum can be changed along the length of are most comfortable with while much material would be required bending radius (MBR), however, is still the pipe. One advantage of this is “By virtue of not having large amounts solving the stress corrosion cracking “We have collaborated with Shell to achieve the desired properties significantly more flexible than a steel that the process allows the pipe to of money, this has forced us to be problem. We believe that M-Pipe on a new type of TCP for lower for each application. It was also equivalent. be strengthened locally and even very lean and efficient. We use the is the material that will allow them temperature liquefied natural gas important to demonstrate efficacy potentially allowing the design to minimum material that is needed to to get another 20 to 30 years using (LNG) so we’ll be migrating towards of the thermoplastic composite "In practical terms, there can be a build in bend stiffeners. do the job and don’t have wastage on flexible products without the current the more energy-efficient end of pipe (TCP). We successfully bid for downside in that M-Pipe is neutrally the end products. We only build the problems with stress corrosion the market, particularly into the projects to demonstrate the pipe, buoyant in water although it is "The diameter of the pipe that amount of product we need. cracking. West Africa and Gulf of direction of hydrogen storage.”

52 53 PIPE REPAIR LINED PIPELINE RE PAIR INDUSTRY COLLABORATION DELIVERS WORLD’S FIRST PROVEN DNV-GL TYPE APPROVED MEANS OF REPAIR FOR CORROSION-RESISTANT ALLOY CLAD OR LINED SUBSEA PIPELINES James Rowley, Business Development Director, Connector Subsea Solutions

isolate and replace the entire pipeline side of a graphite ring. The metal clad or lined CRA pipelines require system and accept the significant rings provide the primary seal due to a means of sealing at the CRA layer associated lost production that this their intimate contact with the inner which runs through the core, ensuring operation would incur. diameter of the coupling and the outer that the line media does not bypass diameter of the pipe. The graphite filler and reach the parent pipe material While In-situ welding options have material provides resilience, longevity leading to critical failure. been concept-proven, the lack of a and caters for any imperfections on the field deployable solution, coupled with pipe surface. To prevent this scenario, the sealing the poor suitability for emergency onto the inner lining has been achieved repair requirements, can make this an The seal has exceptionally high through the development of an end unattractive and unworkable solution performance, a long life and is seal module which is incorporated for subsea repairs in both shallow and particularly tolerant of surface within a standard MORGRIP connector. deep water. imperfections which are inevitable with many pipeline applications. The module is designed to use existing For standard carbon steel, duplex During the JIP, MORGRIP engineers knowledge from the work on the partners and DNV-GL. The testing and stainless pipelines, the use of used extensive analysis and testing radial seal and fill a defined volume by primarily focused on: mechanical connectors is commonplace protocols to develop a reliable, pressurizing a ring of graphite on the for conducting repairs, and detailed repeatable and predictable method of cut end of the pipe. l The retention of the graphite The oil and gas industry has a intervene with the pipeline DNV-GL Type-approved solutions are successfully end sealing onto the inner seal mass through the anti-extrusion proven ability to overcome technical such as planned modification or readily available. lining of a clad or lined CRA pipe by As with the main graphite seals, features challenges, particularly those that arise bypass operations, the cost could mechanical means. the end graphite seal requires anti- l The controlled pressurization when operating in deep water, high be extremely prohibitive but what These existing products, however, do extrusion features to prevent an and flow of the graphite seal pressure environments. about the risk of an emergency repair not suit CRA clad or lined application. In 2019, after five years of successfully increase in seal volume, reducing the l The activation sequences for situation? This is because the CRA pipe is made collaborating on deep water pipeline seal pressure. These two features exist diver and remote (deep water) One such challenge is how to produce up of a composite within the clad repairs, the MORGRIP products and within the end seal module and are applications oil with either high sulphur or carbon Regardless of the best engineering and core layer. If this line is cut to allow business was acquired by Connector able to consistently and reliably ensure dioxide (CO2) content with its corrosive planning, every pipeline in the world the installation of a conventional Subsea Solutions, specialists in end seal action on the full range Upon successfully completing the qualities. The same challenge exists is at risk of failure from agencies such mechanical connector, then the providing repair and tie-in solutions for of pipe tolerance including mean, Proof of Concept and Prototyping, for the production of gas with high as corrosion, erosion, fatigue, dropped aggressive media being transported can pipelines, risers and subsea distribution maximum, minimum, ovality, skew, a 16in 300 barg subsea connector hydrogen sulphide (H2S) content. objects, dragged anchors and impact bypass the clad layer and penetrate the systems. The acquisition coincided with eccentric and even weld beads. was built to production specification. damage Even sabotage represents base metal with detrimental effect. the completion of the JIP under the The scope was based on an existing According to the International Energy a notable threat is some geographic guidance of DNV-GL. The technology qualification was offshore requirement and included Agency, it is estimated that 70% of the locations. Identifying a clear gap in the market carried out in accordance with the additional stringent requirements world’s remaining oil reserves have and the need to find an effective and Existing MORGRIP technology facilitates DNV-GL RP A203 and conducted of the operators’ specification. these properties and require the use Although the probability of damage proven means of repair, in 2010 a Joint the replacement of damaged sections in three phases: Proof of Concept, of high quality, corrosion-resistant or failure occurring is relatively low, Industry Project (JIP) between Chevron, of pipeline by gripping and sealing onto Prototyping and Production. The Upon completion of additional materials in order for it to be produced the associated cost in terms of risk another major oil and gas operator and the outside of the pipe either side of testing requirements were reviewed, testing on the production unit, safely and effectively. to health and safety, environmental MORGRIP, a DNV-GL Type approved the cut-out repair position. Although approved, executed and concluded the MORGRIP Clad and Lined Pipe damage, lost production can be connector system was first launched. acceptable for conventional pipelines, under the vigilant watch of the JIP (CLiP) Connector was added to the Initially, duplex pipelines were the high. Reputation issues are typically MORGRIP product range’s DNV-GL solution, however in the late 1970s immeasurable. A means to contain, MORGRIP proposed that by making Type Approval. This approval, for these were superseded by clad and mitigate or perform an emergency modifications to its standard mechanical carbon steel, stainless steel and lined pipelines. These pipelines repair pipe, therefore, is a critical connector, the same benefits of duplex pipelines already covered ½in consist of a carbon steel parent pipe element in the engineer’s toolbox of performance, reliability and long-term to 42in sizes with pressures up to that provide the necessary structural solutions. integrity could be achieved when using ANSI Class #2500 and temperatures strength, clad or lined with a high value the connector on CRA clad or lined pipe. from -40 oC to +250 oC. corrosion-resistant alloy (CRA). Historically, however, there has been no proven means of repairing subsea All MORGRIP mechanical connector As the specification from the JIP While these provide an effective pipelines that are clad or lined with products use the same radial sealing was driven by exact operator solution for the challenge at hand, CRA. This meant that any damage to a system, a metal-graphite-metal requirements, the DNV-GL Type they come with one major drawback pipeline would leave the operator with sandwich arrangement, which is Approval for the MORGRIP CLiP – if seawater enters the pipeline, two options. compressed onto the pipe’s outer Connector has been limited to 10in damage to the CRA can be critical and diameter during connector activation. to 26in, up to 364 barg, up to 149 irreversible. The first is that the high-risk and degC, but remains applicable to expensive strategy of deploying The standard seal assembly consists of onshore, topside, subsea and deep- In the case of a future need to unproven technology, The second is to two metal anti-extrusion rings either water application.

54 55 PIPELAY

WELDLESS PIPE Cortez Subsea has strengthened its position in the South East Asian market, completing the first ever subsea pipeline offshore Malaysia using mechanical connectors. This technology essentially replaces traditional welding in shallow water pipelay.

In partnership with Alam Maritim, the company laid the 58km pipeline used for the Tembikai Non-Associated Gas (TNAG) development for Vestigo Petroleum, a subsidiary of PETRONAS Carigali.

Cortez’s work scope included the engineering, procurement, construction, installation and pre-commissioning of the pipeline system with the work carried out from its Kuala Lumpur office.

"This is significant for us and we see this as the catapult for using this cost-saving technology not only in Asia but worldwide where traditional techniques are rendered uneconomical or impossible,' said Managing Director Alasdair Cowie.

PIPELAY When laying pipe, most companies choose between two main techniques. The first consists of prefabricating the pipe onshore and spooling it onto one or more reels. The pipelay vessel then travels to the field and slowly unwinds the line as it follows the planned route. The alternative is to bring individual pipe stalks offshore and weld them together, continuously laying the completed line over a stinger. Both are inherently expensive because they require specialist vessels and a larger workforce to carry out the operations, particularly the welding and testing.

These techniques are realistically the only option to counter the difficulties of laying in deep waters and they are cost-effective for long pipe lengths. However the costs of bringing a relatively uncommon, specialist pipelay vessel, often halfway around the world, to lay short lengths of pipe in shallow water can be disproportionately high. Using traditional techniques and vessels in this instance can render a mature, marginal field uneconomic.

This is why Cortez Subsea champions mechanical connectors and its Modular Pipelay System (MPS) to offer clients a pipelay technique which very fast and cost effective to maximise production.

MPS The Cortez Subsea designed and patented MPS® has been engineered specifically for use with mechanical connectors. Individual pipe stalks are taken offshore, but instead of welding, the pipes are pushed together to form a metal to metal contact connection.

Cortez champions the NOV-Tuboscope Zap-Lok mechanical connector. One end of standard American Petroleum Institute (API) pipe is enlarged by introducing an oversized mandrel into the aperture to form a ‘bell’.

This allows a ‘pin’ end of the following pipe to be introduced into this recently created ‘bell,’ under pressure and with a lubricant called Stinger Deployed Diverless Connector Zapoxy, to ‘mate’ into an leak-free metal-to-metal seal. (SDDC). connection

56 57 PIPELAY

hot work or radiography it provides a A complete diverless approach It was used for the inspection and The system even allows joints to be externally and ZAPLOK safe work environment and time savings reduces cost and increases safety survey of the pipeline system once internally coated according to client specification. reduce the carbon footprint. for the team offshore. installed and ensured operational The original Zap-lok system was developed by the oil excellence regarding positional Using these connectors coupled with the Cortez Subsea company Zapata and the technology now owned by DIVERLESS Work class ROVs were on board the measurement throughout. MPS confers a number of advantages. When two pipes National Oilwell Varco (NOV) subsidiary Tuboscope. In another industry first, the rigid project vessels and facilitated all pipe was connected to flexible risers subsea diverless operations. There The data collated by the PRC will Cortez has been working with them to develop the cost using the AFGlobal Stinger Deployed were no divers used in the TNAG gas form the as-built survey of the effective offshore installation method using the MPS. Diverless Connector (SDDC). The SDDC pipeline system installation. pipeline and this data could form an is based on the AFGlobal Retlock™ ideal basis for a pipeline integrity "The technology was actually first developed in the '70s, clamp and was deployed using a Mounted on the ROVs was the management system if required by and over 8 million joints have been made this way and it Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and a MCS Photo Realistic 3D Cloud the client. is the technique of choice for the North American shale deployment frame. (PRC) technology. This cutting- gas industry. It has also been used subsea in the Gulf of edge subsea camera and software Cortez Subsea aims to champion new Mexico, South East Asia and West Africa. About 2500km Performing shallow water tie-ins often system scans structures and pipeline technology globally and believes this have been laid to date in waters over 100m. requires using a diving spread. This can sections to create a 3D Cloud with project will be the catalyst for many add to the project costs and is counter millions of points, presenting an others to take advantage of these to the general industry drive to reduce as-built, 3D visualisation of any cost saving techniques in South East offshore manning where necessary. scanned object. Asia and worldwide. are welded together, it is necessary to check on their ‘ovalness’ and make sure that the ends align within limits. With this system however, both ends are cold-worked, so the dimensions are under better control. Stinger Deployed Diverless Perhaps the main appeal of using the MPS and mechanical Connector (SDDC). connection connectors is the cost reduction. Making a mechanical interface joint is considerably quicker than welding and instead of requiring a specialist vessel and a team of highly skilled welders,the system can be deployed from a smaller vessel of opportunity and with a reduced team.

The base requirements for a vessel using this system is DP2 capability and, for practical purposes, it needs to be around 100m long. The system can be used for pipe which is 2in–16in and it results in pipeline which is very strong. More than 7000km of Zap-Lok pipeline has been laid subsea and it has never failed.

The Vestigo project recorded a best average lay rate of 4.7km in 24 hours, with the rigid pipelay section completed within 20 days. As the technique is free from

Stinger Deployed Diverless Connector Pipeline connection

58 59 PIPELINE STABILITY

PIPELINE WALKING MITIGATION 3400 Pipeline walking, rogue buckling and Pipeline end expansion can result SUB-BOTTOM from thermal gradients travelling PROFILER down a flowline at start-up. This can be a key challenge for operators in high temperature and pressure fields, especially in deep water.

The most common way of obviating pipeline movement is either to carry out rockdumping programme, inserting suction piles to restrain the pipe or end terminations, or incorporating large expansion loops or spools. Another way is install conventional concrete mattresses over the pipe in an attempt to axially restrain it at a location.

One novel and cost competitive solution for preventing pipeline walking is to apply Pipeline Clamping Mattresses (PCMs). These are broadly similar to conventional mattresses but designed so that the weight of the mattress acts to clamp the pipeline with a high leverage. This means that all of the weight of the mattress is effective in generating axial friction with the seabed. Schematic showing Pipeline • Pole Mount or Tow This solution can be applied at any Clamping Mattresses • CHIRP Transmission point along the line (chosen to minimize the required resistance) • Integrated Motion & without requiring flanges or collars on Depth Sensors the pipeline. analysis (FE and otherwise) to run in our large centrifuge facility were very • Dual Transmitter The method was recently presented reproduce the observed walking compelling!”. • Multi-Channel by founder Matthew Allen at behavior prior to restraining, to Hydrophone Receiver AOG2020 in Perth. The original estimate the required restraint COFS have two centrifuges supported by system was developed by Shell and capacity, and to estimate the resistance an extensive team of operators, analysts • “Pipe Line” Mode Subcon in 2015 and has since been provided by the PCMs. and fitters who built the robotic test rig and successfully implemented on both instrumentation in house. You can learn more Malampaya pipelines, but Subcon has Centrifuge Testing Update about the testing on our Walking Mitigation been recently awarded two walking A number of operators have page. mitigation contracts - one for West participated in a recent joint research Africa and one for Asia Pacific, and the project coordinated by Subcon The large centrifuge was used to replicate soil company expects more this year. and conducted at the University of consolidation and PCM performance in three Western Australia’s Centre for Offshore regions, including Gulf of Mexico and Australia. On Malampaya, 15 PCMs with a dry Foundations (COFS) to investigate PCM weight of around 9 tons per PCM, performance in a range of soil types. New Applications plus 7 tons for the logmat installed Reducing the size of PLETS and Expansion over every PCM have been effective in Shell Chair at COFS, Dr Phil Watson Spools by controlling end expansion delivers preventing the flowline from walking. said, “The results have validated the material reductions in material costs as well as design methodology and the superior knock-on costs like handling spreaders, onshore This was preceeded by extensive performance of the system. The tests logistics, vessel and subsea installation costs. Pipeline Clamping Mattresses on the seabed

60 61 Watch & Record Live Video • 1080p HD video in 1080p Full HD Quality New for • 3000 lumen LED lighting PIPELAY 2020 • Commercial construction Fishers NEW TOV-2HD Towed Video System • Towed or suspended from boat • Leak detection circuitry • Powered topside for unlimited viewing JUMPER METROLOGY • Starting at $5,295

Subsea fields often consist of a "The first stage is to gather as much to be sure the jumper is clear of the number of individual infrastructure information as possible from the client mudline underneath the connector items that have to be joined as part of the planning stage prior to at each hub or any obstructions along together, in order to route the mobilising equipment and surveyors the route." wellstream to the flowline. These to the field," said Aidan Thirsk, Sales items are installed and then Engineer at Zupt. "When we have completed the connected together by spools or metrology data collection, most jumpers at a later date. "When the client wants to complete clients will want the deliverable within the metrology, we sequence through a 24 hrs, some want the deliverable in Each jumper has to be purpose- series of tasks where we align C-PINS 12 hrs. A normal survey contractor designed, not only to ensure that it is subsea, to measure the attitude will deliver horizontal and vertical the correct length, but also that the (Heading, Pitch, and Roll [HPR]) of the distance, attitude for each hub, and JW Fishers Mfg., Inc flange faces lie at the correct attitude two hubs, and collect our position loop perhaps an AutoCAD file for the (800)822-4744 in three dimensions. data. bathymetry survey. In most instances, a separate engineering company (508)822-7330 Underwater metrology operations "Performing position loops involves will deliver the isometric fabrication Email: [email protected] have to be carried out, therefore, traveling from Hub A, to Hub B, back to drawings based from this survey www.jwfishers.com to measure the distance, attitude, Hub A – this would be considered one deliverable. and bathymetry between two position loop. C-PINS is then turned off hubs/connectors subsea. These and stored on the ROV. REMOTE measurements will provide the Zupt can now offer fully remote data for the fabrication of an "With a pressure transducer, we metrology services with no survey interconnecting jumper or spool determine the difference in height/ personnel offshore, just its equipment between the two structures subsea. depth between the two hubs, from deployed by the ROV personnel. the hub to the mudline, and the There are a number of methods bathymetric profile along the jumper "Remote metrology raises issues to carry out metrology. Zupt has route. about bandwidth available to developed a system based on its transmit the data, " said Thirsk. inertial navigation tool C-PINS. "If we have a “classic” jumper, we need "This isnt that expensive. The cost FUGRO PERFORMS FIRST FULLY REMOTE PLATFORM INSPECTION for satellite bandwidth provider to widen the diameter of the bandwidth ON UK CONTINENTAL SHELF 'pipe' by 512 kilobits per second (Kbps) offshore-to-onshore and Fugro has delivered the first fully remote inspection of 128Kbps onshore-to-offshore for an an oil and gas platform in UK waters, 250 km east of entire month is approximately the Scotland, using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and equivalent cost to have one surveyor Fugro’s state-of-the art remote operations centre (ROC) offshore for a single day. in Aberdeen. In a first for the UK sector, the platform’s entire jacket structure was inspected remotely, "Satellite bandwidth providers are demonstrating Fugro’s proficiency in remote operations very well structured to switch on/off capabilities. this additional bandwidth by the day, most certainly for a week or month. Fugro originally intended to trial the remote inspection provision during the campaign. However, when only one "Our most recent remote metrology offshore inspection engineer was able to mobilise to the was carried out in May of this year. platform due to Covid-19, inspection engineers based at Fugro’s ROC in Aberdeen stepped in and delivered the "A complete consists of six packing whole project remotely to stay on schedule. cases and a very small spread of equipment containing 2 C-PINS The ROV was mobilised with dedicated remote systems systems, tooling stabs that are for visual inspection, cathodic protection (CP) and fully assembled, pressure balanced flooded member detection (FMD), and all systems were oil filled (PBOF) cabling, PCs, a base-checked to confirm communications links with the conductivity temperature and ROC. Fugro also transacted a COABIS database across depth (CTD) sensor, an altimeter, the onshore and offshore locations; this allowed the barometers, and a sound velocity client and ROC personnel to access data acquired by the sensor (SVS) if necessary. " ROV in near real time. ROV-mounted C-PINS 62 63 UNDERWATER VEHICLES MINIMISING RISK TO DIVERS

TECHNIP FMC's GEMINI LAUNCHED

TechnipFMC has launched its new integrated hydraulics, electric Gemini workclass rov system. power, communications and The designers say that this next force compliance. Additionally, generation of advanced 250 hp the ROV has access to over 30 work class rov system providing subsea exchangeable tools and a The SeaOtter unprecedented subsea productivity. comprehensive fluid intervention system to support the most The integration of rov, manipulators demanding deepwater drilling and and tooling enables a transition to completion operations. highly-automated subsea robotics, The principal task for any organisation help mitigate these risks by offering a which reduces task time from hours With a depth rating of up to that puts its people in harm’s way, is to line of underwater search equipment to minutes, ensuring predictable 4000m Gemini can remain find better and safer ways to increase to keep operators safe, raise efficiency, results every time. subsea for 1 month, productivity while minimising the risk reduce exposure, and as an added enabling 24/7 operations to operators. bonus; to save money. Featuring a significant advancement without recovery for tooling in manipulator design, the reconfiguration. Commercial diving is a dangerous Thames Water is the United Kingdom's Gemini manipulators provide maritime job. Unlike recreational scuba largest water and wastewater services diving, this career does not typically provider, servicing more than 15 involve beautiful coral reef deposits million customers. Their service area or calm, clear waters. Instead, much stretches from the eastern fringes of of commercial diving revolves around Gloucestershire and Wiltshire in the daily risks, including exposure to west, through London and the Thames toxic chemicals, working with power Valley, to the western edges of Essex AUSTRALIA PURCHASES AUV62-AT tools and other equipment in low- and Kent in the east. visibility conditions, and experiencing The Australian Minister for Defence equipment malfunctions. This is risky Recently,the company purchased JW Linda Reynolds has announced that work for even the most experienced Fishers’ SeaOtter-2 Remote Operated the company will purchase the divers. Vehicle and the following, this new tool new AUV62-AT, Intermediate Anti- to work. Submarine Warfare Training Target. Any sort of diving involves risk, but work on commercial dive boats is The ROV was deployed in a local “This advanced technology training particularly dangerous. All divers face waterway where they inspected some target will simulate submarines hazards from being underwater for too underwater pipe and machinery to and torpedos, providing highly long, ascending too quickly, or even train with the equipment with a real- realistic live training scenarios for from sharks and other undersea life. world application. submariners, aviators and surface vessel combat teams,” Minister Commercial divers, however, also The conventional way to inspect Reynolds said. “As well as being a handle large and complex equipment drinking water reservoirs assets was cost-effective capability, it provides in construction zones or in low-visibility to stop supply, drain it down and send exciting delivery opportunities turbulent waters. There is no limit in staff to inspect valves, pipelines to grow Defence’s warfighting to the number of commercial tasks etc. Now, Thames Water uses the skills now, and as anti-submarine wherein safety is paramount; from ROV with no requirement stopping warfighting technology develops. law enforcement officers searching or rerouting water or taking it out of for missing victims or lost evidence service “In the 2020 Force Structure Plan to underwater photographers announced by the Prime Minister and academic teams excavating According to Jon Lorimer, the UAV/ and I on July 1, we have set out underwater archaeological sites. ROV Special Operations Manager plans to enhance our regional anti at Thames Water, SeaOtter-2 submarine warfare capabilities, Other work includes underwater ROV is being used for a myriad of including the provision of training inspections, pipeline construction, applications within the company, sub systems. diving at coastal nuclear power plants, which not only save significant or constructing and maintaining costs to the business but almost “This capability will improve the bridges, harbours, or hydroelectric completely removes the requirement ADF’s Anti Submarine Warfare dams and power plants. for the Health and Safety risks proficiencies for more complex associated with tasks such as operations and environments.” JW Fishers has made it their mission to underground reservoir inspections.

64 65 FLOATING SYSTEMS

SURVEILLANCE BUOY OCEAN WAVE ENERGY COMPANY Ocean Power Technologies has announced the availability of its RECEIVES DOE PowerBuoy Surface Surveillance PowerBuoy Surface Solution for security monitoring of Surveillance BOOST FOR offshore areas. Solution ENERGY STORAGE A single OPT Surface Surveillance Solution can monitor more than TECHNOLOGY 1600m2 of ocean surface on a permanent or temporary basis, with the ability to seamlessly link multiple surveillance assets together over large ocean areas giving end-users visibility into potentially damaging environmental or illegal activities.

Customised solutions are also Oscilla Power has been selected for a $1.1 million energy storage has long been touted as crucial available including the addition Phase II SBIR award from the US Department of in increasing the effectiveness of variable of subsea sensors to monitor Energy. renewables, such as wind or solar energy. for acoustic signatures, tsunami activity, and water quality. This award will help Oscilla develop a novel As part of this new project, Oscilla will further underwater energy storage technology and develop its energy storage concept and OPT’s Surface Surveillance investigate how large-scale farms of ocean wave investigate the effect of interconnecting a Solution payload consists of a high energy devices can be best connected to the grid. 50MW farm of its Triton wave energy devices definition radar, gyro-stabilised into a power grid. The work is expected to high definition optical and This award will allow a continuation of work indicate that large farms of wave energy thermal imaging cameras, vessel previously completed by Oscilla Power that devices can produce more reliable power than automatic identification system emphasized the advantages of co-locating energy existing wind or solar plants. (AIS) detection, and integrated storage with wave energy systems. Large-scale command and control software, paired with OPT’s autonomous PB3 PowerBuoy or hybrid PowerBuoy as a power and communications platform.

Capabilities include 24/7 vessel tracking – including 'black ships' which do not broadcast an AIS signal – automatic radar plotting and vessel warnings, and high definition optical and thermal video surveillance which can be used as evidence to aid in prosecution.

Data from the OPT Surface Surveillance Solution is transmitted to shore-based command stations via WiFi, cellular, mesh, and/or satellite systems, depending upon location. Surveillance data easily integrates with readily available marine monitoring software to provide command and control capabilities of a multi-buoy surveillance network. Oscilla's energy storage concept

66 67 Cellula joins NOCS The NOC’s Marine Robotics Innovation Centre has announced that Cellula Robotics is joining its community of partners.

Cellula Robotics Ltd. is a privately- owned company founded and based in Vancouver, BC, since 2001. They currently have a team of around 30 highly qualified and skilled engineers, technicians and programme managers based in their combined office and workshop facilities in Burnaby, on the outskirts of Vancouver. They also have a regional office in Aberdeenshire UK, which currently concentrates on business development, customer support and project management.

Cellula is engaged in three main commercial product development programmes: AUV systems, subsea geotechnical systems and bespoke subsea robotics systems engineering and control system products. Cellula have clients across the globe in offshore defence, oil and gas, ocean exploration, and renewables markets.

Cellula Robotics have worked with the NOC previously, supplying a bespoke subsea drilling rig in 2019 for the high profile STEMM-CCS project which successfully demonstrated the potential of innovative new techniques for Carbon Capture and Storage in the marine environment.

The NOC is the UK’s hub for the development of marine autonomous and robotic systems, and this new partnership will further enable Cellula Robotics to collaborate and share expertise with the Centre’s other strategic partners in the advancement of cutting-edge marine autonomous technology

68 69 UNDERWATER VEHICLES

1000M ROV FOR OTN The Ocean Tracking Network capable ROV of its size, class and depth (OTN), a global aquatic research, rating. data management and partnership platform headquartered at Dalhousie Greater depth capability of the University in Canada, has upgraded Falcon DR extends the potential for their remotely operated vehicle to maintenance and recovery of lost a 1000m-rated Saab Seaeye tracking equipment, lends itself to Falcon DR. oceanographic and biological surveying, and expands opportunities for OTN’s Chosen in a research into deep-water habitats. competitive bid process, the Falcon With its high-definition colour camera was selected as the and built-in tools - including an arm for most powerful and non-invasive sample collection - the ROV will provide new insights on aquatic animals by offering a new, safer, and less intrusive way to study them underwater.

OTN’s Falcon also comes with an ultra- short baseline acoustic tracking system, a Tritech multi-beam sonar, a Kongsberg high definition video camera and an associated lighting system, making it a highly versatile platform for the maintenance and recovery of OTN infrastructure equipment and providing high quality video for scientific and communications purposes. PAN GEO

PanGeo Subsea has been These include shallow geo-hazard pre- SeaKite’s auto-pilot capability It can identify size, shape and demonstrating its Sea Kite route surveys for cables and pipelines, allows for 3D automated orientation of buried hazar. remotely operated towed unexploded ordnance (UXO) surveys control of altitude and run-line vehicle. This houses and acoustic imaging to verify or via software It Images cable beyond the 1.5m the company's sub- discount magnetic targets. It is not limited by payload with limitation of other systems and has bottom imager (SBI) and ability to interface fixed-frame been proven to reduce the number magnetometer payload, They can test for cable depth of burial magnetometer arrays. of “false positives” commonly found providing 3D acoustic and out of straightness and are useful with magnetometer surveys by up sub seabed imaging for debris and decommissioning "The SBI acquires a continuous to 75% thus reducing the number Falcon DR capabilities for a variety of surveys. 3D acoustic volumetric swath: of targets requiring subsequent de- applications. 5m wide depths of 5m-8m. burial.

70 71 SUBSEAUNDERWATER EQUIPMENT VEHICLES

ISE is excited to have achieved the 3rd milestone of its Autonomous Docking Project. This phase includes in-house testing of both physical latching, as well as, acoustic and visual tracking. Sea trials will start in Phase 4.

AUTONOMOUS DOCKING ROBOTICS LARS ISE has achieved the 3rd milestone of its Autonomous Sealartec, has conducted full sea trials vehicle. The sea conditions were Docking Project. This phase includes in-house testing for its robotic launch and recovery sea state 4 with gusting winds. of both physical latching, as well as, acoustic and visual system. tracking. Sea trials will start in Phase 4. The deployment of unmanned During a series of trials that took vessels across the maritime place off the Israeli northern domain is escalating at a shore, Sealartec demonstrated the rapid pace. Launching and capability to perform precise and fully recovery of the unmanned autonomous launch and recovery of vessels, however, is extremely an unmanned vessel (USV). complicated, dangerous and limited in sea state. This The recovered boat was a 5m Deep-V significantly degrades the mono-hull classic design, autonomous effectiveness of the use.

72 73 SURVEY

CONWY SURVEY

MBES taken by unmanned Survey Solutions

CONWY SURVEY Unmanned Survey Solutions (USS) As detailed by the Wales Coastal were undertaken in Conwy Harbour Challenges included fast-flowing The Tal Y Cafn bridge was located Hysweep software was selected due was recently commissioned by Monitoring Centre (WCMC), the using the Accession 350 USV with currents, varying depths, numerous further up Conwy River and to its portability and ease of launch. Conwy County Borough Council purpose of the survey was to assess survey payload consisting of an mooring buoys and limited operational required an alternative smaller to undertake a Multi-Beam Echo- the scour extents at the structure’s R2SONIC 2024 MBES, SBG Apogee windows of only around 2.5hrs per USV solution due to the shallow Survey data acquired at Tal Y Cafn Sounder (MBES) and mobile laser foundations and to provide additional Navsight INS, Carlson Merlin high tide to survey all locations. This water depths and vessel launching bridge using the Inception MKII scan survey of Conwy quay wall, information on the above-surface mobile laser scanner, Valeport SV required extensive logistical and restrictions. At this location, an USV, SONIC 2020 and Ekinox-D Conwy bridge, Conwy cob and Tal Y structure. sensors and Hypack Hysweep data operational planning, risk assessment Inception MKII USV with SONIC INS. The results from both surveys Cafn bridge structures located within acquisition and post-processing mitigation and professional execution of 2020 MBES, SBG Ekinox-D INS, were used for scour assessment Conwy River. The majority of the survey operations software. survey operations. Valeport SV sensors and Hypack purposes.

74 75 SURVEY REMOTELY OPERATED SURVEY

The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and North Sea, impacting on marine has taken advantage of the quiet of animals. Masking natural ambient lockdown to map the underwater noise, this extra underwater sound soundscape of the Belgian section of can disturb sea animal behaviour or the North Sea. AutoNaut has played even result in hearing damage. This a key rôle in enabling this. is because sound is carried more than four times further in water Using its near silent AutoNaut USV than in the air, which is precisely research vessel, Adhemar, VLIZ has why many marine animals use sound been able to record current noise to communicate, determine their levels, which will then be compared position and search for prey. with the marine soundscape once normal sea traffic and marine VLIZ will analyse the sound activities recommence. This will recordings to identify underwater help to determine the impact of sounds originating from marine manmade noise on natural sea animals and the environment, life and the marine environment, including sounds from fish, building a picture of the marine invertebrates and other species soundscape in conditions that may that are typically masked by never again be possible. anthropogenic activities. This will allow VLIZ to investigate whether a Following a 15% fall in shipping different underwater soundscape can intensity in the North Sea since the be observed as a result of reduced start of the pandemic, VLIZ used the shipping traffic. Adhemar to carry out measurements of the underwater noise in the Several missions took place in April turbid and shallow coastal waters of and May 2020, conducted during Ostend-Bredene. daylight hours and only in conditions of good visibility in order that the Using Seiche’s MicroPAM Passive missions were planned, undertaken Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) and executed without impact on technology developed specifically for shipping traffic. autonomous surface vehicles (USVs), underwater sound was captured The results from the study, which using two hydrophones trailed on an are currently being processed, 8m in-water cable with depth sensor. will be announced later this year The onboard Seiche electronics in the autumn, followed by a module acquired and recorded all further programme of additional data. measurements – part of the LifeWatch observation programme - Undertaken with the support of the which are planned for the future. agency for Maritime and Coastal Services (MDK) and FPS Mobility and Transport, the project took advantage of the unique current circumstances that allow a record of reduced human activities to be compared with a more normalised soundscape in post Covid-19 conditions.

Under normal circumstances, human interventions such as noise emanating from shipping, pile driving, and other activities can affect the soundscape of the coastal waters

76 77 SURVEY

MICROPLASTICS IN THE OCEANS New study estimates there is at least that in the water mass to the seafloor 10 times more plastic in the Atlantic below with an average depth of about than previously thought 3000 metres, then the Atlantic Ocean might hold about 200 million tonnes The mass of ‘invisible’ micro plastics of plastic litter in this limited polymer found in the upper waters of the type and size category. This is much Atlantic Ocean is approximately 12- 21 more than is thought to have been million tonnes. supplied. “

Significantly, this figure is only for “In order to determine the dangers three of the most common types of of plastic contamination to the plastic litter in a limited size range. environment and to humans we Yet, it is comparable in magnitude to need good estimates of the amount estimates of all plastic waste that has and characteristics of this material, entered the Atlantic Ocean over the how it enters the ocean, how it past 65 years: 17 million tonnes. This degrades and then how toxic it is suggests that the supply of plastic to Discovery at these concentrations. This paper the ocean have been substantially demonstrates that scientists have had underestimated. a totally inadequate understanding had entered the ocean since 1950. to the Falklands. of even the simplest of these factors, The lead author of the paper, Dr This is because earlier studies hadn’t how much is there, and it would seem Katsiaryna Pabortsava from the been measuring the concentrations Co-author, Professor Richard Lampitt, our estimates of how much is dumped National Oceanography Centre of ‘invisible’ microplastic particles also from the NOC, added “if we into the ocean has been massively (NOC), said “Previously, we couldn’t beneath the ocean surface. Our assume that the concentration of underestimated”. balance the mass of floating plastic we research is the first to have done this microplastics we measured at around observed with the mass we thought across the entire Atlantic, from the UK 200 metres deep is representative of Pabortsava and Lampitt collected their seawater samples during the 26th Atlantic Meridional Transect expedition in September to November 2016. They filtered large volumes of seawater at three selected depths in the top 200 metres and detected and identified plastic contaminants using state-of-the-art spectroscopic imaging technique. Their study focussed on polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene, which are commercially most prominent and also most littered plastic types.

This study builds on the NOC’s cutting-edge research into marine plastic contamination, which aims to better understand the magnitude and persistence of exposure to plastics and the potential harms it can cause. This work was supported by the EU H2020 AtlantOS programme and the NOC. The AMT programme was supported by the UK Natural Environment Research Council's National Capability, Climate Linked Atlantic Sector Science (CLASS) programme. Dr Katsia Pabortsava inspecting the water pump before it will be deployed to collect microplastics Water pumps on the RRS Discovery deck and are ready for from seawater deployment to collect microplastics in seawater

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80 81 SUBSEA EQUIPMENT

$2.5M MANIPULATION AUTONOMY DEAL ELECTRIC MANIPULATOR BREAKTHROUGH FROM SAAB SEAEYE C-KORE SUPPORTS TOTAL RE2 Robotics has announced that it has received $2.5 million in funding accuracy, precise repeatability, from the Office of Naval Research high-resolution force and position to continue the development and feedback for greater arm control commercialisation of its technology and path planning. under the Dexterous Maritime Manipulation System (DM2S) Included in the design is an programme. adaptable power input system with advanced power management to RE2’s DM2S technology will limit peaks in power demand and provide Navy personnel with the manage regenerative loads. ability to autonomously perform mine countermeasure (MCM) Tested through many million missions. In this next phase of the cycles, the titanium built electric programme, RE2 will upgrade its manipulator’s planned reliability is dual-arm prototype, known as the set to reduce operating costs. Maritime Dexterous Manipulation System (MDMS), for deep ocean Although packed with advanced use; apply computer vision and technology, Saab Seaeye engineers machine-learning algorithms to have created a work-class enable autonomous manipulation manipulator that requires far less capabilities; and integrate with maintenance when compared to underwater vehicles that can hydraulic systems. autonomously navigate. “In the first phase of this project, we LESS MAINTENANCE Discontinuity location Reduced maintenance and successfully developed a dexterous reliability improvements through underwater robotic system that electrification have created C-Kore Systems deployed their Subsea The C-Kore Subsea Testing tools are was capable of teleoperation in an a system that, in addition to Testing tools on Total’s Greater Laggan used by operators and contractors ocean environment,” said Jorgen conventional ROV deployment, is Area, West of Shetland to perform worldwide on both fault-finding Pedersen, president and CEO of RE2 ideally suited to onshore control electrical testing on the field’s operations and new installation Robotics. with USV deployment or long-term umbilicals. campaigns. immersion with resident systems. “This additional funding enables Manipulator With the fast and accurate data The tools provide quick feedback, our team to further expand and The electric manipulator’s intuitive provided by C-Kore’s Subsea TDR, saving customers money by reducing upgrade the capabilities of our control simplifies use of the discontinuities were quickly located, the time needed to perform subsea underwater robotic arms to perform Saab Seaeye’s first seven-function with the potential for full autonomy in manipulator by mimicking the saving time and money compared to tests. The autonomous units also MCM tasks in deeper water through all-electric work-class manipulator the future. movement of the master arm. traditional subsea testing techniques. require no extra personnel offshore. the use of autonomy. has been developed by the world Algorithms also predict and manage leader in electric underwater robotic MORE PRECISE movement at each joint. In addition, this advanced vehicles. Millimetre precision comes from each FUGRO WINS THREE ROV SERVICES CONTRACTS technology will allow us to pursue of the seven joint modules having its Designed to be future friendly commercial opportunities, such This breakthrough heralds a significant own self-contained smart distributed In partnership with Solstad and spread will be installed on the Solstad as underwater inspection and - including the potential for Oceanpact, Fugro has been awarded advance in underwater robotic microprocessor for intelligent, intuitive interchanging the jaws with other AHTS Far Statesman to conduct anchor maintenance in the oil and gas technology in the growing electric and precise arm control. three long-term contracts by Petrobras handling and other subsea support industry.” tools – the electric manipulator’s to provide remotely operated vehicle tooling and vehicle market. advanced technology will enable activities. This brings exacting, repeatable, (ROV) services for a variety of subsea Unlike other underwater robotic the transition from manual control activities in Brazil. All three contracts The all-electric work-class seven- precision which can predict limb motion to supervised autonomy with The remaining ROV spreads will be systems that are hydraulic-driven, function manipulator introduces an paths for self-collision avoidance, are for 3-year firm periods with deployed in pairs on two vessels MDMS uses an energy-saving, advanced perception systems, additional 1-year options. equally powerful, more precise and adjusts movement requests to meet towards full autonomy. operated by Oceanpact to perform electromechanical system. more intelligent manipulator than the available power and collates joint data inspection, repair and maintenance Thisallows the system to perform Fugro will provide a total of five work hydraulic equivalent currently being for unified control. As the underwater world moves (IRM) services. Led by a team of local, longerduration subsea inspection used on work class ROVs today. class ROVs for these contracts, each highly skilled personnel, all ROV services and intervention tasks while towards an all-electric future, an outfitted with tooling and survey The combined lift capacity and range of ecologically friendly, significantly will be available to Petrobras around- reducing system maintenance and Its innovative control system enables motion exceeds that of any manipulator spreads that are operational in water the-clock to maximise work capacity downtime. oil-free, all-electric system is depths of up to 3000 m. One ROV both manual and automated control, on the market, along with its superior expected to have wide appeal. and ensure operational efficiency.

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SLOCUM MARINE TECHNOLOGY ROAD MAP The National Oceanography Centre Carol Robinson, whose support has has this week published the National been invaluable. This is the key channel Marine Facilities (NMF) Technology through which the marine science Roadmap 2020-21, which outlines community can discuss topics and current capabilities and looks to the raise, for example, the need for new future of oceanographic science and capabilities for inclusion in the NMEP. the technology that will take us there. Against a backdrop of budget The NMF Technology Road Map acts constraints, accelerating technology as a focus for the interactions between development, big data and the science and technology (‘science pull increasing adoption of Marine and technology push’) in developing Autonomous Systems (MAS), NMF the National Marine Equipment Pool is committed to delivering the best endeavour. This is achieved through (NMEP) and associated supporting possible support and value for money the NOC Board of Trustees as well as infrastructure. The Road Map highlights to the UK science community and the Natural Environment Research how these capabilities feed into to support the UK Marine Science Council's (NERC) Cruise Programme the broader goals of an integrated Strategy. Review Group. observing system and how the data gathered can support the Global Ocean The NOC’s strategic goals include the The National Marine Facilities Observing System (GOOS) and its requirement to provide world-class Technology Road Map 2020-21 is constituent parts. underpinning capabilities that enable available to view and download at the UK and global ocean scientific https://bit.ly/NMF_TRM Slocum G2 Glider, Silbo, manufactured by Teledyne Webb Research, has The 2020/21 refresh of the Road Map completed a 4-year journey in which the vehicle circumnavigated the incorporates new components around Atlantic Ocean in four legs. deployment planning, data curation and the development of research ship capabilities. These elements were PowerLOG Order added to provide a full picture of the OceanTools, global leaders in sensor readings as well as displaying support provided to the UK marine subsea engineering, are delighted battery voltage. The system has science community by NMF and the to announce the confirmation of a sufficient battery life to display Teledyne Marine's Slocum G2 Glider, only maintenance that Silbo received Islands (UVI), St. Thomas, Teledyne British Oceanographic Data Centre significant order with Seatronics, readings continuously for five days Silbo, manufactured by Teledyne during the three stops was an external technicians recovered, re-batteried (BODC). the marine technology specialists. as well as the ability to store data for Webb Research, has completed a cleaning and a fresh set of batteries. and re-deployed Silbo in less than 24 'From the sea surface to the deep Seatronics Inc has awarded 10 days when operating in standby 4-year journey in which the vehicle hours. ocean' OceanTools a £50,000 contract to mode. The efficient system has the circumnavigated the Atlantic Ocean in For the first leg, from Cape Cod to supply the newly launched PowerLOG additional option of a ROV operated four legs. Ireland, Silbo covered a distance of Silbo’s fourth and final journey from The NMEP is the largest centralised combined datalogger with integral C-Switch to extend battery life 6557 km in 330 days. While in Ireland, St. Thomas began on July 18, 2019 and marine scientific equipment pool in battery packs. Seatronics will be Silbo was named in honour of its 2011 Silbo participated in a Glider Training concluded on June 29, 2020 south of Europe with a diverse range of scientific supplying the OceanTools technology maiden voyage from Teledyne Gavia session hosted by the Marine Institute Martha’s Vineyard completing the final instruments and equipment capable of to their client, a major subsea in Iceland to the Canary Islands. Silbo and P&O Maritime Services, Galway. 6236 km trek in 348 days. During this sampling from the sea surface to the contractor. then went on to complete a western transit Silbo spent three months flying deep ocean. Suitable for studying a crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. On the second leg, Silbo flew from a butterfly pattern south of Bermuda range of scientific disciplines, the NMEP The packaged OceanTools order Ireland to revisit the Canary Islands, contributing data to Bermuda Atlantic holds more than 10,000 instruments contains the PowerLOG units In 2016, Silbo was updated at the covering 3695 km in 178 days, and Time-series Study (BATS). Silbo then and technologies, and provides along with an OceanDISP subsea Teledyne factory with an extended participated in “glider school” at the joined the Gulf Stream becoming the scientists with access to skilled marine data display. The supplied solution energy bay and thruster in preparation research facility Oceanic Platform season’s first storm glider as Tropical technicians and engineers. As part of allows the user to view pressure to circle the Atlantic Ocean. Launched of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) and Storm Arthur passed directly over the our national capability remit, the NMEP sensor readouts in real time, while in the early spring of 2016 from the University of Las Palmas de Gran glider. delivers technological and engineering simultaneously logging the data for Cape Cod, Silbo interacted with Canaria (ULPCG). support to enable the marine science future analysis. For this planned international science teams from In all, Silbo covered 22,744 km and community to carry out world-class project, the PowerLOG will be several countries, collected scientific The third leg took 418 days (believed spent roughly 1,273 days at sea. research. powering and measuring pressures and critical engineering data along to be another glider record), where from multiple pressure sensors up to the way for a variety of programs, and Silbo flew from the Canary Islands to During Silbo’s journey, it collected The NMF team works with the UK 20,000psi at depths of 4,000m. returned to Cape Cod in late June of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, again hurricane data, corrected current marine science community, primarily 2020. crossing the Atlantic Ocean and gliding models, and provided close to 5000 through the Marine Facilities Advisory The OceanDISP subsea display has the 6256 km. Supported by staff and CTD casts that aided metalogical Board (MFAB), chaired by Professor capability to scroll between multiple Other than a scratched hull repair, the students from University of the Virgin forecasting.

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MMT U-BOAT SURVEY

German U-boat surveyed more than behalf of Tolmount Development on 18 November 1917 her luck ran out vessel, including one of the 100 years after wartime sinking during offshore operations to prepare when the Royal Navy patrol boat HMS torpedo tubes. A First World War German submarine for the laying of a new pipeline in the P-57 surprised her on the surface – has been surveyed for the first time North Sea, some 20 nautical miles off ramming and then depth charging the The mission of OAR has since its loss in 1917. the coast of Yorkshire, England. U-boat. The sub went down with all proven to be very successful hands and has rested on the seabed and stands on decades Sophisticated scanning techniques and Using state-of-the-art robotics ever since. of research collaboration deep-sea video footage have revealed and high-resolution geophysical between MMT/Reach a large hole in the boat’s hull–caused equipment, the wreck, which lies 50 From the archaeological survey of Subsea and the University of by an attacking British naval vessel. metres below the surface, was mapped the site, it is clear that the wreck has Southampton, which have and inspected in unprecedented been well preserved. The remains of helped produce large and During the summer of 2020, scientists detail, showing an astonishing level of the main hull, which is intact along its ambitious archaeological led by deep sea archaeological preservation. length, are visible above the seabed explorations, such as the expert Dr Rodrigo Pacheco-Ruiz of and the damage she suffered during Black Sea MAP project the University of Southampton, in UC-47 was credited with sinking more her sinking is clear to see. A large hole between 2016 and 2018 collaboration with offshore survey than 50 vessels in her year long career on the port side of the hull is indicative and last year’s discovery companies MMT and Reach Subsea, and within the German Imperial Navy, of an explosion. Scattered around of an intact 500-year-old investigated the wreck of UC-47 on had a reputation as a lucky vessel. But the wreck site are components of the shipwreck in the Baltic.

86 87 Stril Explorer HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS As part of the NOAA-led Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Ocean Technology Transition (OTT) program, the University of Washington, Oregon State University, Ocean Aero, the Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS), and NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center partners will receive $1M in funding over the next three years to enhance and deploy Ocean Aero’s Triton Class autonomous vehicle to augment HAB sampling at remote offshore locations on the Oregon and Washington coasts. Combining Autonomy “Harmful Algal Blooms can cause severe environmental, economic, and societal Engines damage, and the water sampling system we are developing with the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory (UWAPL) increases the ability to detect SeeByte and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and mitigate the effects of HABs,” said Neil Trenaman, Executive Vice President (MIT) have successfully combined SeeByte’s Neptune of Strategic Business Development at Ocean Aero. “NOAA, IOOS, and the other autonomy engine with MIT’s MOOS-IVP during the first trials partners in this program are demonstrating scientific leadership by incorporating to test a multi-architecture autonomy framework. intelligent autonomy into its efforts.” The two autonomies were run together cooperatively on Unlike vessel-based sampling that is often hampered by rough weather conditions a single asset to carry out a Mine Countermeasure (MCM) common during seasons when HABs are of the greatest concern—namely the early survey mission. To support the integration, a service- spring and the fall—Ocean Aero’s Triton can survive extreme ocean conditions and oriented, multi-autonomy interface has been developed. operate in sea states of up to 15 feet with 30 knot winds. The Triton can conduct sampling when smaller human-operated vessels can’t sample. The Triton also is Andrea Munafo, Engineering Manager at SeeByte said, “The wind and solar powered and has a significantly-reduced carbon footprint than first phase of the project demonstrated how Neptune and conventional sampling methods. MOOS-IvP can seamlessly work together leveraging each other’s strengths to maximise the mission performance. This is a great step towards a best of breed "system of systems'' approach, where new or updated autonomy services can be easily integrated together to improve UxV capabilities and give operators a broader range of capabilities.”

The prototype developed is agnostic to architecture so that it may be applied to a range of autonomy architecture pairs and it is not restricted to the two systems under test.

The next phase of the study awarded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) will explore increasingly complex delegation strategies between Neptune and MOOS-IvP and consider multi-vehicle or multi-domain scenarios.

Neptune and MOOS-IvP cooperatively carry out a synthetic MCM survey mission

88 89 SEA-KIT USV completes 22 days of Atlantic Ocean SEA-KIT’s 12m Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) ‘Maxlimer’ returned to Plymouth on Friday after 22 days of remote survey operations on Europe’s continental margin. operations Since late July the USV has mapped over 1000sq km of ocean floor, controlled around-the- clock by SEA-KIT via satellite communications from its Remote Operation Centre in Essex. Notably, the uncrewed vessel returned to Plymouth with its fuel tank still around a third full.

The successful completion of this project is a major achievement for the British SME, clearly demonstrating the capabilities of their remotely- controlled USV design in terms of over-the- horizon operation, endurance and ocean-going ability.

Named UTAS (Uncrewed Trans-Atlantic Survey) and co- funded by the UK Space Agency through the European Space Agency’s Business Application programme, the project was originally planned to be trans-ocean. However, due to travel restrictions and other planning complications resulting from COVID-19, this was ultimately not possible.

SEA-KIT worked collaboratively with a number of industry partners on the UTAS project. Fugro, Global Marine Group, Map the Gaps, Teledyne CARIS, Woods Hole Group and The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 project all played a part in its successful completion.

What began as a scientific challenge taken on by the talented members of the GEBCO-Nippon Foundation Alumni team became an award-winning technology that has now matured into a viable commercial company. This is exactly the kind of innovative ecosystem that GEBCO and The Nippon Foundation were trying to create when they launched Seabed 2030.

The proven ability to conduct remote survey operations with USVs has many beneficial applications across the offshore sector. For example, critical tasks such as trans-ocean cable route surveys, needed to meet the increase in demand for data communications, can be completed without risk to personnel and with significant savings on mobilisation and operational costs when compared to executing the same task with crewed vessels.Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between the Nippon Foundation of Japan and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO). It aims to bring together all available bathymetric data to produce the definitive map of the SEA-KIT’s 12m Uncrewed Surface Vessel world ocean floor by 2030 and make it available to all. (USV) ‘Maxlimer

90 91 Loop currents in the Gulf of Mexico Image: NASA/ Christopher Henze

PIES

92 93 ROVs PIES PUBLICATIONS Oceanographic equipment developed by Sonardyne will be used as part of a major US$2 million scientific study of disruptive ocean currents in the US Gulf of Mexico. TWO

The multi-year deployment, led by the University of PRINT Rhode Island (URI)’s Graduate School of Oceanography, There is real demand for the will monitor the Loop Current System (LCS) using permanence of printed media, Sonardyne’s Pressure Inverted Echo Sounders (PIES). especially at exhibitions

The LCS is the dominant ocean circulation feature in the Gulf of Mexico. It influences all ocean processes UT in the Gulf and has implications for a wide range of UNDERWATER human and natural activities, from oil exploration to TECHNOLOGY coastal eco-systems, but, knowledge of its underlying dynamics is limited.

URI’s initial study aims to improve the understanding and prediction of the LCS by deploying a seabed network of PIES plus near-bottom current meters to monitor the central Gulf’s deep waters.

Pressure Inverted Echo Sounder (PIES) is an THREE oceanographic instrument for measuring average sound speed in the water column. The instrument has DIGITAL been developed for marine seismic and ocean science This takes advantage of online applications to gather valuable physical oceanography publications are effectively data. free to distribute around the world and are subject to length PIES can be configured for autonomous monitoring restrictions. Most competitors over periods of several months or years. One key UT send PDFs of the print version. operational advantage for users is that minimal UNDERWATER UT3, however, is redesigned conductivity and temperature profiling is needed over TECHNOLOGY and available in PDF and page- the seismic survey period. turning versions

PRESSURE INVERTED ECHO SOUNDER PIES uses an up chirp to accurately measure two- way travel-time through the water column. It simultaneously measures pressure at the seabed. Pressure measurements are converted to depth to find the acoustic distance travelled from the seabed FOUR –– to the surface and back again. By combining the depth FOUR and travel time, the average sound speed in the water UT VIDEO UNDERWATER We have been putting out column can be calculated. TECHNOLOGY videos for years, but recently, An embedded acoustic modem allows you to retrieve we have been putting out a two-way travel-time in seconds and pressure in kilo Dependent on deployment method and monthly news update. Pascals. Alternatively the PIES unit can be retrieved to duration, different housings can be used for the surface. The SD Card Extractor software gives you PIES. Drop fall in deepwater with a long battery UT UNDERWATER access to the raw data gathered by the instrument. life requirement would suit a glass sphere frame deployment, whereas a tube housing TECHNOLOGY Issue FOUR 2020 Accurate conversion from pressure to depth can be (pictured) would be more suitable for ROV achieved by allowing you to include local barometric handling in high tidal flows. pressure, sea water density and gravity with the PIES PIPELINES PLOUGHS data. The PIES unit is configurable to capture at a VEHICLESLIFTING 1 ARCHAEOLOGY programmable ping rate ranging from one minute to many minutes or even hours.

94 95 Right Tyra East 1985. Hook-up with the assistance of the Fortuna Ugland.

Green Canyon 29 1987. One of the most innovative projects in the Gulf of Mexico. It had everything going against it - legal obstacles and what turned out to be a much smaller reservoir than envisaged. It was, however, technologically, very advanced, 450m below the surface. The picture shows the titanium stress joint at the lower end of the riser

96 97 Wintershall Nordzee L8G 1988

Seametrix Ocean Surveyor 1987 The Remotely Operatd Towed Vehicle (ROTV) works on the Magnus principle. When the four rotors spin, they move the vehicle horizontally and vertically. The vehicle can move at a speed of 4 kts. The payload includes 2TV cameras, side scan sonar, a trench profiler, a temperature and salinity probe sub bottom profiler and CP monitoring equipment

98 99 Esmond 1985. 1976 Esmond's 5400t central processing deck was placed into Flerxservice 1 moving closer to the Stadrill to pick up flowlines position by Balder, breaking the offshore heavy lift record

100 101 Ocean Odyssey 1988 One man died in the Ocean Odyssey blowout. At the fatal accident enquiry, four crucial witnesses including the drilling superintendent - all employed by operators, Arco - Waiting for the topsides declined to attend.

102 103 Drill Rig System. In hindsight improving the viewport protection would be a priority and a dedicated deluge system.

Riser and spool installation at West Sole. New riser already on jacket, clamped to outrigger support pile. Spool in Castoro Sei crane.

104 105 Vickers Voyager 1976 Oseberg July 1986

Oseberg July 1986

106 107 Coelacanth

View from the Crane basket Walter Oil andn Gas Gulf Marine Fabricators

108 109 J-lay on the S7000. June 1999 Intersub at Piper Alpha Saipem upgraded its S7000 vessel, the world's largest DP semisubmersible crane, to J-lay pipe. It went on to debut this on Exxon's Hoover Diana, laying 18in pipe in depths down to 1400m, and then onto Blue Stream to lay twin 24in dia trunk lines.

110 111 Two helidecks are better than one!

112 113 Beyond Petroleum - Definitely ! Hurry up and finish the seafastening - Gale on the way.

114 115 2 x 7000 Forties Alpha. Alternating blows Lots of clamps and they all tolerable on jacket. When synced, fillings worked. Used twice and scraped ! came loose !AC Diving bells

116 117 TBS Loadout at Kiewit

118 119 Recovery of one of those infernal pile lifting clamps. Some never came out ! SMART SUBSEA SOLUTIONS

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[email protected] EvoLogics.de 120 121