News in brief

Ifremer chooses iXblue technology for its new 6,000m AUV

Ifremer, the French National Institute for Ocean Science, has contracted iXblue to equip its new 6,000m AUV CORAL project. CORAL stands for Constructive Offshore Robotics Alliance and aims at developing, in an industrial alliance led by Ifremer, a deep-sea seabed exploration down to 6,000m depth. The AUV will be equipped with a cutting-edge Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS), Sams-150, a Phins C7 Inertial Navigation System (INS), a sub-bottom profiler Echoes 5000 and will use iXblue’s Delph Software suite for SAS and navigation post-processing. Available as an AUV payload, Sams-150 expands the capabilities of conventional side-scan sonar for shallow to deep-sea applications. The Sams 150’s interferometric sonar will deliver co-registered full-swath backscatter and bathymetry data, increasing the achievable resolution and coverage rate from the ultra-deep water AUV surveys. The sonar will be used with iXblue SAS processing software, Delph SAS, which will ensure seamless integration to the workflow and interpretation features. The accurate coupling of SAS beam-forming and micro-navigation with the inertial navigation data from the Phins C7 onboard the AUV will result in optimal resolution and image quality in every environmental condition. Additionally, Delph-SAS will integrate the co-registered AUV’s multi-beam echosounder data, delivering full-swath bathymetry and sonar imaging. As the need for overlapping survey lines is reduced, the CORAL AUV coverage rate and autonomy will be maximised, thus saving time and mission costs.

i. ixblue.com

Non-nuclear Density Analyser

A new generation of NON NUCLEAR density analysers based on Ultrasonic spectroscopy for a high accuracy density-measurement of the dredging slurry.

The ceramic ultrasonic and thermal sensors are designed for abrasive slurries in the dredging and tunnelling industry.

Technology

Ultrasonic spectroscopy is the better and safer alternative for nuclear density meters. High energy pulses are included into the piezo element, an ultrasonic wave arises and propagates through the ceramic elements. The reflections from the interface between the element and the slurry are measured.

STI

Sludge Treatment International B.V.

Phone : +31653157491 e-mail : info@sti-bv.nl website : www.sti-bv.nl

Blue Offshore sets cable transport record

On sunday 19 July, deckcargo barge CC Atlantique safely arrived in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, carrying more than 8,000t of high voltage cables. The cables will form the connection from TenneT’s Hollandse Kust (zuid) Alpha Platform to the onshore grid. Blue Offshore is proud to be able to contribute to the Dutch energy transition, as it has been awarded the contract by Van Oord to supply a full cable transport spread for both the Hollandse Kust (zuid) 2020 Alpha and 2021 Beta cable transport campaigns. For this transport, Blue Offshore has mobilised the world’s first certified double basket carrousel barge, with each carrousel carrying approximately 4,000t of cable. The transport took place from Hellenic Cables in Greece. For this transport, the 122m long CC Atlantique was chartered by Van Oord. Besides the two large carrousels and dedicated control systems, Blue Offshore also provided all deck engineering, technical crew and complete mobilisation service.

i. blueoffshore.com

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Van Oord to construct Hollandse Kust (noord) offshore windfarm

Following the announcement that CrossWind has been awarded the contract for the Hollandse Kust (noord) offshore windfarm, Van Oord is pleased to confirm that it has been contracted for the Balance of Plant scope. CrossWind is a joint venture between Shell and Eneco. As Balance of Plant contractor, Van Oord’s activities encompass the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the foundations, inter-array cables and transportation and installation of the wind turbines. Van Oord will deploy its offshore installation vessels Aeolus, MPI Adventure and MPI Resolution and cable-laying vessel Nexus.

i. vanoord.com

New UK alliance to fast-track energy transition

Two leading energy technology and innovation organisations have announced a fiveyear collaboration to deliver next generation energy technologies and accelerate the United Kingdom’s transition to a net zero future. The Energy Transition Alliance (ETA), formed by The Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC) and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, will collaborate with the energy industry to drive a focused, funded programme to develop advanced technologies, including the next generation of hydrogen production and floating offshore wind. This is a ground-breaking collaboration which aims to transform the energy sector, accelerating the UK’s transition to a net-zero future, ensuring a reliable and secure source of power for the UK and an indigenous and competitive 21 st century energy technology sector. Of vital importance to the future of the energy sector will be transition of supply chain, skills and workforce from the oil and gas sector to renewables.

i. ore.catapult.org.uk

Walk-to-Work conversion project

Royal Niestern Sander has signed a contract with Dixstone Holdings for the conversion of a Platform Supply Vessel into a Walk-to-Work Emergency Response and Rescue Vessel. The vessel has arrived at the repair yard of Niestern Sander at the end of May. The conversion will take around nine months and the vessel is expected to be delivered to its owners early 2021. Based on the successful experience of the newbuild Kroonborg and the Kasteelborg conversion into a Walk-2-Work vessel back in 2018, Niestern Sander will convert the Wärtsilä-designed vessel in a similar way. The Platform Supply Vessel (currently named SK Line 728) has been built at the Wuhu shipyard i Chinl. Part of the conversion scope includes adding an extra bow thruster, daughter craft and motion-compensated gangway. In addition, a large accommodation block with offices, treatment room, storage space and cabins will be constructed on the vessel’s decl.

i. wagenborg.com

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SAFETY FIRST STAINLESS STEEL CONNECTORS FROM PH.

NEWS IN BRIEF

New AGV concept set to revolutionise offshore wind

The concept design of an Autonomous Guard Vessel (AGV) is set to revolutionise the offshore industry. The AGV is specifically designed for surveillance of offshore structures throughout their life cycle, ranging from windfarms to substation platforms and cable routes. The novel design is smaller and lighter than most current guard vessels used to protect offshore operations and boasts sustainable solutions as well as exploiting the benefits of autonomous shipping. In addition, the AGV is set to operate more efficiently as well as require lower operating costs due to no crew being required. This clean and lean concept to replace conventional guard vessels came to life in a project group facilitated by LISA, a community for maritime professionals. The project group resulted in a consortium, which includes C-Job Naval Architects, SeaZip Offshore Service, Sea Machines and recently joined by MARIN and eL-Tec elektrotechniek. Their combined industry knowledge created this viable, innovative, and sustainable alternative which benefits both wind asset owners and guard vessel operators.

i. c-job.com

Fugro helps Xtera

Xtera has engaged Fugro to help make the NO-UK cable system one of the most secure data traffic routes across the North Sea by advising on final route selection and specifying the required burial conditions to minimise risk of cable damage from anchoring and trawling. With a capacity of up to 216 terabits per second, the new fibre-optic cable system will significantly increase data capacity between Norway and the rest of the world and will be in service by late 2021. Enabling risk-free installation, and employing a consultative engineering approach, Fugro’s project will run for approximately 70 days and comprises a geophysical survey and shallow geotechnical testing with environmental sampling, analysis and testing, to generate a thorough understanding of the planned route. The Fugro Galaxy, Fugro’s multipurpose 65m vessel, is supporting the offshore activities and Xtera will benefit from near-real-time Geo-data access and office-based support via various proprietary remote technologies, including Fugro’s Back2Base.

i. fugro.com

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2 – 5 February 2021 SMM Hamburg Hamburg, Germany www.smm-hamburg.com 27 – 28 October 2020 Career Eevent Amsterdam, The Netherlands www.navingocareer.com 27 – 28 October 2020 Global Offshore Wind Manchester, UK events.renewableuk.com/gow20 25 – 26 November 2020 Belgian Offshore Days Ostend, Belgium www.belgianoffshoredays.be 1 – 4 December 2020 Wind Energy Hamburg Hamburg, Germany www.windenergyhamburg.com Offshore Events 26 – 28 October 2020 Offshore Energy Amsterdam, The Netherlands www.offshore-energy.biz

NEWS IN BRIEF

‘Cloud signing’ ceremony for SPT Offshore

On 29 July 2020, SPT Offshore and Fujian Yongfu Power Engineering signed the contract for their mutual corperation in the Fujian Changle Waihai Offshore windfarm project. Changle Area A has 300MW capacity and consists of 40 wind turbines, fifteen of which are suction pile jacket foundations. Changle Area C, which has 496MW capacity, consists of 62 wind turbines that are all scheduled to be suction pile jacket foundations. SPT Offshore is responsible for the design and installation of the suction pile jacket foundations. The Changle Waihai Offshore WindFarm is locates 31-50km from shore at the east water area of Changle, Fuzhou city at an average water depth of 37 to 45m, which is further from shore and in deeper water than any other offshore windfarm in China. According to SPT Offshore, it will also be the biggest offshore windfarm to apply suction pile foundations.

i. sptoffshore.com

Large oil discovery offshore Suriname

Apache Corporation and Total recently announced a major oil discovery at the Kwaskwasi-1 well drilled in Block 58 offshore Suriname. This follows the January and April 2020 announcements of discoveries at the Maka Central-1 and Sapakara West-1 wells, respectively. The next exploration well on Block 58 will be at the Keskesi location. Kwaskwasi-1 was drilled to a depth of approximately 6,645m and successfully tested for the presence of hydrocarbons in multiple stacked targets in the upper Cretaceous-aged Campanian and Santonian intervals. According to Apache, this is the best well drilled in the basin to date, with the highest net pay in the best quality reservoirs. Upon completion of operations at Kwaskwasi-1, the Sam Croft will move to the fourth prospect in Block 58, Keskesi, which is located approximately 14km southeast of Sapakara West-1. The Keskesi exploration well will test oil-prone upper Cretaceous targets in the Campanian and Santonian intervals.

i. apachecorp.com

Halliburton launches innovation lab

Halliburton has created Halliburton Labs, a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs, academics, investors, and industrial labs come together to advance cleaner, affordable energy. Halliburton Labs, led by Executive Director Scott Gale, will accelerate the growth of innovative, early-stage companies by providing access to Halliburton’s lab facilities, technical expertise, and business network. Located at the Company’s Houston headquarters, Halliburton Labs adds unique support to the flourishing innovation community and fosters an open environment where participating companies can collaborate to solve current and future clean-energy challenges. Accepted applicants will work with Halliburton Labs’ advisors to advance their products, secure needed financing, and prepare for further scale. Interested companies must have progressed their technology beyond the proof-of concept phase.

i. halliburtonlabs.com

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