Subsea & Offshore Magazine August 2016 by sosmagazine.biz

August 2016 Issue

ONS 2016 | Conductor Supported Platforms Subsea Equipment & Underwater Inspection | OSVs & Cable Installations Training & Development | Hazardous Area

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ITF gets up to speed on data analytics Lisa Hutchison, Technology Analyst, ITF Data analytics, together with efficient processes for using results, is one of the main digital drivers to reduce costs and streamline operations. Unlocking the implicit, latent value of information and using it in novel ways has the potential to improve operational performance, enhance decision-making and create value for oil and gas companies. The extraction and analysis of valuable information from existing or new datasets is widely used in other sectors. For example, data gathered on heat and vibration within an engine can be used to predict when it is going to break down. Unlike the automotive and aerospace sectors, the oil and gas market has been somewhat slower in its uptake of data analytics and recent surveys have indicated that it only uses around 30% of the volume of data collected. This is due in a large part not to the quality of the complex information produced but to the industry’s limited ability to analyse, extrapolate and exploit an immeasurable quantity of data in meaningful ways. This information overload can lead to difficulties and costly delays in making straightforward decisions which can amplify uncertainty and raise risk. The traditional approach of cognitive computing is struggling to cope. The industry requires new technologies and approaches to support the integration and interpretation of this data to drive faster and more accurate decision-making. For example, in 2014 GE Oil and Gas developed sensors that can operate reliably in extreme environments making it possible to gather more data from more points on equipment. These sensors have helped GE Oil & Gas develop new products whilst also increasing the level of information that can be captured and analysed making field and well operations even safer, more efficient and profitable. Better data analysis enables companies to optimise their value chain activities. An example is that of Royal Dutch Shell which has implemented fibre optic cables, along with HewlettPackard, which allows data to be transferred to private servers. This can then be compared with any prospective oilfield anywhere in the world, ultimately enabling geologists to make more accurate decisions concerning where to drill and what technical challenges to expect. The skills required to implement, maintain and monitor this digital overhaul are scarce in the oil and gas sector

p4 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

and competition is fierce to attract data scientists to an industry which may be deemed unattractive and unstable. Company bosses need to invest in staff training and development in data analytics to build capabilities and expertise to bring this digital dawn out of the darkness. There’s no doubt that more innovation is needed to organise, integrate and allow accessibility across silos and in existing work processes to make digitalisation truly exceed its expectations. The sector’s immaturity in this digital arena needn’t be a hindrance but a chance to ensure that companies adopt and design data analysis practices to support the capabilities it wants to develop. ITF, in collaboration with The Data Lab and Scottish Enterprise, is seeking to work with the technology developer community to bring relevant data science projects into the oil and gas industry. The organisation will shortly be inviting its members’ subject matter experts to complete a questionnaire which will then be followed by a focused workshop to identify the most pertinent challenges in data analytics before welcoming technical proposals and solutions from the developer community.

Below: Lisa Hutchison, Technology Analyst, ITF.

August 2016

Contents

edi to r s l et t er Welcome to the August issue of Subsea & Offshore Service Magazine, the journal for the Oil and Gas, Subseas, Offshore and Renewables markets.

W ithin this i s s u e INDUSTRY VIEW POINT

ne w s i n b r i e f

i nd u stry ne w s

ONS 2 0 1 6

C ond u c tor S upp o rt e d Plat f or m s

S ub se a E qu i p m e nt & U nd e rwate r I nsp e c ti o n

OS Vs & C ab le I nstallat i o ns

tr ai ni ng & d e v e lo p m e nt

hazard ou s are a

PRODU C T S POTLIGHT

With ONS, Stavanger in Norway taking place from 29th Aug â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1st Sept we preview the technical sessions and its ongoing expansion. Last time round, more than 90,000 people visited the exhibition and conference. We hope that the exhibition turns out to be a great success for anyone who participates (p22). Lisa Hutchison, Technology Analyst, ITF highlights how data analytics, together with efficient processes for using results, is one of the main digital drivers to reduce costs and streamline operations (p4). Stewart Maxwell, Technical Director, Aquaterra Energy headlines our conductor supported platforms feature and explains to us that the fabrication and installation of these are increasing due to a growing demand for cost-efficient wellhead platforms, which enable increased production capacity within existing field infrastructure (p26). Next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s features include Subsea Equipment, Lifting Equipment/Deck Machinery & Winches and Welding & Fabrication. We will also be previewing the Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference which will be held in Amsterdam on 24th & 25th October, so if you would like to feature in the next issue, please get in contact with me to discuss your editorial requirements editor@sosmagazine.biz. If you would like to promote your business, please email Jon McIntosh for further details. jon@sosmagazine.biz Thanks for reading!

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Industry news

Distress in the oil and gas industry: What happened to the price of oil? To the delight of motorists everywhere, the price of oil suddenly halved in the second half of 2014, dropping from over $100 to less than $50 a barrel. It’s safe to say no one saw the fall coming: most banks and industry players had been using $70 to $80 a barrel as a severe downside case, so the scale and speed of the fall took the entire market by surprise. Many observers initially assumed the fall in the price of oil was a temporary blip. The world consumes a staggering 94 million barrels of oil every day and the level of consumption continues to rise. New oil and gas discoveries continue to be made, but they typically occur in exotic parts of the world that are expensive to develop because they are technically difficult (miles offshore in deepwater locations), politically challenging (e.g. Kurdistan) or controversial because of the environmental impact (e.g. virgin territory in the Arctic). All of these factors suggest that the price of oil should be steadily rising. So how could the price of a commodity we all rely on collapse so far, so fast? Why? The story starts with the shale revolution in the United States. New technology (‘fracking’), enhanced productivity and a high price environment supported a near-doubling in US oil production between 2008 and 2015, from 5 million b/d to nearly 10 million b/d. At these levels, the US came to produce as much oil as Saudi Arabia, which for decades had been the world’s biggest producer and (by its dominance of OPEC) also acted as the world’s swing producer, controlling the global oil price by cutting or increasing its production by up to 2 million b/d. So when the oil price started to fall in mid2014 as a result of concerns that the hitherto blistering growth of the Chinese economy was beginning to tail off, everyone expected the Saudis to cut production to balance the market. But they didn’t. Then the price fell well below $95/b, the price at which Saudi Arabia balances its fiscal budget. But they still didn’t cut production. Gradually it became apparent that the Saudis were no longer prepared to act as the world’s swing producer; they were more worried about losing long-term market share and p6 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

were prepared to see the price fall sufficiently to squeeze out the marginal producers at the most expensive end of the global cost curve. Who was hit hardest? At a sovereign level, many members of OPEC had become hugely reliant on oil revenues to balance their budgets: Venezuela, Russia, Nigeria and Algeria all require oil above $100/b to balance their fiscal position and were particularly badly affected. From a corporate perspective, companies producing in regions with the highest lifting costs saw their revenues tumble and their future prospects threatened. Pain was quickly felt among those with high exposure to the UK Continental Shelf in the North Sea, as well as Canada and offshore Brazil. In response, the major international oil companies – the big spenders who feed a huge supply chain of seismic explorers, rig and vessel owners, equipment manufacturers and service companies – announced deep cuts in capital expenditure. Suppliers saw big greenfield projects postponed or cancelled, and contracts renegotiated at dramatically lower rates. Current restructuring activity Many upstream companies were well hedged through 2015, meaning that the full impact of the price fall has only recently started to bite for many. This has bought management teams enough time to instigate prudent self-help measures: we have seen extensive headcount reductions, working capital optimisation, overhead discipline, reduction in non-essential capex and non-core disposals made to raise cash. Nevertheless, recent analysis by our research group suggests that around a third of all exploration and production (E&P) companies worldwide are at substantive risk of restructuring – some 175 companies owing $150 billion of debt. At the time of writing, we are seeing a flurry of bankruptcy filings in the US, where much of the recent expansion of onshore production has been funded using debt raised in the high-yield market. In Europe, the picture is more benign, possibly reflecting the fact that the market obtains a greater proportion of its capital from relationship banks who so far appear to be taking the long view and have proved more willing than expected to amend and extend their facilities in return for margin increases and consent fees.

Elsewhere in the supply chain, the picture is more challenged. There is a medium-term excess of supply over demand in the rig and offshore supply markets, driving down utilisation and day rates for floaters, jackups and seismic vessels. Some of these assets can only find work below their operational cash break-even levels. While this is clearly unsustainable, recovery may not materialise for many of these companies until 2018 or beyond, so constructing an investment case for new equity or refinancing debt is exceptionally challenging. For services companies, contract backlog has fallen in line with reduced activity levels, and pricing also remains under intense pressure as the majors implement their cost cutting programmes. Prospects for the future? The forward curve currently peaks at just over $60, even well out into the mid-2020s. Another five to seven years at $60/b would be likely to create a future supply shock as the lag effect of cancelled projects begins to crystallise. Unless one believes the industry has fallen asleep at the wheel, this seems unlikely. It is also worth pointing out that the forward curve is famously unreliable as a guide to the future. A credible base case scenario is to see the oil price gradually return to levels where supply can meet demand, with occasional bouts of volatility driven by short term market noise. From an investors’ perspective, timing the cycle is challenging, but some of the most sophisticated investors are signalling that the bottom of the market is near. The US hedge fund Elliott has partnered with Kristian Siem to set up an investment platform to buy offshore vessels, while Blackstone and managers from Pride International have a similar partnership focusing on drillers and services. In the E&P space, we have seen investors get sufficiently comfortable with development and operational risk to buy producing assets from distressed owners and use forward hedging to lock in the upside, thereby eliminating commodity price risk. However, the outlook remains weak: there has been a recent surge in price given fires in Canada and issues in Nigeria and Venezuela, but it is still uncertain whether OPEC will reach agreement (and then adhere to) a production ceiling, and stabilisation of the oil price in the upper $50s is likely to support further US production. Motorists can probably plan on a cheap tank or two of fuel for a good while yet. DLA Piper Written by Debbie Young and Ben Davies.

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Local Fabrication Firm Shortlisted for Two Prestigious Awards An Aberdeenshire fabrication Company has been shortlisted for two prestigious Business Awards on the back of its innovation in the Oil & Gas Sector. Colpy based, Quayside Fabrication, has been shortlisted in Oil & Gas UK’s Offshore Safety Awards for ‘Innovation in Safety’, which will be announced on 27th August and also in Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce’s Northern Star Awards for ‘Innovative Use of Research & Development’, which will be announced in September later this year.

First ECITB Gas Turbine course offered by North East Training Provider HTL Training Services, a North East based global training provider, is the first to offer the only ECITB internationally recognised qualification for Gas Turbine Introduction to Operations and Inspections. The use of Gas Turbines in Power Generation, Petrochemical and Pipeline Industries is widespread. Therefore understanding the fundamental operation and inspection will benefit maintenance technicians, supervisors, and plant operators; increasing efficiency, productivity and safety levels. The course is a mixture of practical and theoretical training, studied over 5 days with HTL’s expert technical trainers offering delegates maximum contact time through small working groups. ECITB comment: “We are delighted that HTL Training Services is now offering this ECITB qualification, an important and positive step in addressing the anticipated skills needs in the industry. HTL is the first of the ECITB provider network to offer this course which is based on ECITB training standards. It is an extremely positive step in addressing the anticipated skills needs in the industry”. With dedicated training facilities in Northumberland, Aberdeen and Great Yarmouth, HTL Training Services are pleased to announce the addition of this new course to their extensive training portfolio which is continuously developing to serve the growing needs of industry.

p8 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

Both awards have recognised Quayside Fabrication’s contribution to the Oil & Gas Industry, following the launch of its Portable Power Unit (PPU) last year. The PPU is an innovative power unit that supplies power to welders for vessel mobilisations and demobilisations. It has significantly improved safety by reducing the number of crane lifts from 12 to just one and has proved to reduce mobilisation costs by hundreds of thousands of pounds for the firm’s clients. David Duncan, Director (pictured below) of Quayside Fabrication, said: “We are focused on improving efficiency through innovation and have remained positive in what has been a very difficult time for the industry. We work very closely with our clients to come up with new ideas to help them and the industry, as a whole. It’s great for all of the team to be recognised for this and for all of their hard work in making it happen.” Quayside Fabrication provides fabrication services to the Oil & Gas and Marine Industries. It specialises in structural steelwork, including mobilisations/demobilisations, design and equipment hire. Earlier this year, the firm was Highly Commended at FSB Worldpay Awards in London for ‘Business & Product Innovation’. The firm aims to improve efficiency through innovation. For more information visit: www.quaysidefab.com

FORESEA programme opens first call for support package applications The €11m FORESEA programme opened its first call for support package applications today. Successful applicants will receive free access to test ocean energy technologies in real sea conditions at the projects network of open sea test centres. The programme is funded through Interreg NWE, part of the European Regional Development Fund. The FORESEA project was launched in July to help enterprises test and demonstrate low carbon energy technologies in real sea environments at the following test infrastructures: - European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), Orkney Islands, UK - SEM-REV - Nantes, France - SmartBay - Galway, Ireland - Tidal Testing Centre - Den Oever, Netherlands The call for applications launched today by the consortium is open to parties who wish to deploy their technology for testing before June 2018. Preference will be given to technologies ready for deployment in 2016 and early 2017. The deadline for applications is 18:00 CET, 21 September 2016. “The test infrastructures on offer through the FORESEA programme are amongst the best in the world and present a great example of European collaboration and cooperation”, said John Breslin, General Manager, SmartBay Ireland, Access Coordinators of the FORESEA programme. “Moreover, FORESEA provides an important test and validation pathway for ocean energy technology developers in their journey towards commercialisation. We look forward to working with developers through the programme to help them get their technologies into the water to contribute to the growth of the ocean renewables sector”. Further information can be found in the call documents which can be downloaded from the FORESEA website: www.foreseaproject.eu

Aberdeen Drilling Consultants awarded contract by BP Aberdeen Drilling Consultants (ADC), a rig inspection consultancy based in Scotland, has been awarded a contract by BP to provide engineering services globally.

Confidence in Achieving uae-innovation.com An ambitious new startup company has been launched in Aberdeen and Dubai, UAE. Oil & Gas Innovation UAE Ltd (O&G) has focused business goals to create advances in the industry by forming relationships between creative organisations in the United Arab Emirates and Scotland. The initiative aims to deliver to UAE national Oil and Gas related companies and large Oil and Gas contractors breakthrough technology enabling improved efficiencies and cost reductions for its clients. O&G will offer a variety of services to a client base both in the UAE and Scotland. This falls in to specific areas of operation: • Technology Development To form partnerships between UAE clients with Oil and Gas technology companies and academia based in Scotland to innovate technology advancement. • Technology Transfer Where technologies already exist or are adaptable, to form joint ventures and partnerships between organisations in the UAE and Scotland. • Business Establishment Identifying clients in the UAE for Scottish Oil and Gas technology companies. This could be: First time export business in the UAE involving ties with potential UAE representatives; A possible forerunner to the establishment of LLC or branch presence in the UAE; Identifying agents and partnerships. • Business Development Assisting Scottish technology companies gain first or greater market share in the UAE through introduction, negotiation, bidding and tendering processes with clients. • Specific Project Assignment Delivery of specific short term business aims to Scottish technology companies on an agreed remit. Confidence in Achieving O&G is committed to providing a unique and productive service to clients through extensive knowledge and experience of conducting international business in the Oil and Gas sector. Low risk commercial terms agreed in advance on a case by case basis are offered to clients, where there is no tangible result there will be no fee. www.uae-innovation.com

ADC will provide support in more than 14 countries worldwide. It will deliver rig site assessments at all stages of operations, technical and marine assurance audits, dropped object / incident investigations, oversight of brownfield upgrades to drilling facilities and oversight of repairs and upgrades to rigs during Special Periodic Surveys. Commenting on the award, Douglas Hay ADC Managing Director (pictured below) said: “Securing this global framework agreement is testament to our experience and the trust our clients place in us to deliver. “Our commitment to the application of engineering expertise throughout the audit process allows ADC rig inspections to perform at the highest level. This combined with our dedication to continuous technological innovation has played a key role in securing this extremely important piece of business.” The company also credits an ongoing commitment in training and development, despite ongoing market conditions, as a major contributing factor to this recent award. Having developed an internal training programme for employees, it has also launched a series of virtual training courses, which have been accredited by the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC). “This is an important time for our industry,” continues Mr. Hay. “We must work together to ensure that we continue to develop and evolve, which is exactly what our virtual training modules are designed to do.”

New personnel transfer carrier from industry leaders Reflex Marine, a global leader in safe marine access solutions, launches its’ latest innovation, WAVE-4. The company’s dedication to safety and innovation over the last 20 years’ has led to the improvement of safety standards for personnel transfers across the globe. Now Reflex Marine are adding a new device to their range to meet the needs of their diverse client base. WAVE-4 captures over 20 years of learning, experience and feedback from the industry. This new personnel carrier for standing passengers offers fall prevention, impact protection and has floating and self-righting capabilities. James Strong, Project Manager, said: ‘Every year millions of passengers are safely transferred using Reflex Marine carriers. We are committed to increasing this number and ensuring all workers are transferred safely and efficiently whilst working offshore. The company’s aim, with WAVE-4, is to provide the highest level of protection and performance for any standing transfer carrier on the market.’ With extensive passenger protection and the smallest footprint of any rigid transfer carrier on the market, WAVE-4 offers clients a convenient, cost-efficient and safe way to move their crew.’ All Reflex Marine carriers are subject to the most rigorous testing of any personnel transfer carrier in the industry. Testing and verification ensures passengers are protected from the 4 key risks of personnel transfer by crane, falling, heavy landings, side impacts and immersion. The company put considerable focus into improving the ownership experience, making the product more durable and simplifying inspection and maintenance. High costs and significant product downtime was common feedback from owners of existing standing transfer devices. www.reflexmarine.com

STR announce partnership agreement with dredging tool specialist Subsea Tooling Services Subsea Technology & Rentals Ltd (STR); global specialists in the design, manufacture and rental of advanced subsea technology for the offshore energy industry have recently announced a partnership agreement with Aberdeen based Subsea Tooling Services (STS) to hire, service and support their high performance range of subsea dredging systems held mobilisation ready at STR offices.

The Predator and Gremlin range of dredgers will become the latest offering from STR as they continue to invest in products and services that add value and complement their diverse spectrum of subsea and marine technology. The range of STS dredgers have been designed and built to the highest standards by experienced engineers and fabricators. Using cutting edge fluid dynamic technology the dredgers are the most efficient in the current

We have created unique, high performance subsea equipment that is unrivalled in both engineering and quality. Our dredgers are not only the most efficient on the market, they are a completely new concept which has been rigorously tested to ensure safety and reliability. We are pleased to be working in partnership with STR to bring our new and exciting innovations to the subsea oil and gas sector. Billy Milne, Business Development Director, STS. market. The range of unique dredgers are easy to use, both by Remotely Operated Vehicles and divers. This new generation of dredge systems can be configured subsea to either dredge or jet without the need for ROV /Diver frame recovery. Neil Jackson, Sales and Operations Manager at STR, commented on expanding their inventory of dredging equipment and the benefits customers can expect. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Building on our growing reputation for delivering the very best survey and subsea equipment solutions, the STS range of pioneering dredgers serve only to strengthen our commitments.â&#x20AC;?

For further information on these and other products and services offered by STR: Visit: www.str-subsea.com Email: sales@str-subsea.com Tel: +44 (0)845 388 6383 p10 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

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Industry news

Subsea Diversification is Key to Future Success Subsea Companies to Explore Offshore Renewables at Industry Event With global offshore wind expenditure expected to reach £210 billion over the next ten years, Subsea UK is encouraging companies to expand into the renewables sector to sustain long-term growth. The industry body, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, will be running an event on 2nd August to examine why harnessing a range of renewable resources is essential if the industry is to ensure security and longevity of the UK’s energy supply. The event will explore the opportunities in offshore wind, as well as provide practical help and advice on market entry in a bid to reduce dependency on the cyclical oil and gas industry. Neil Gordon, Chief Executive of Subsea UK, said:

While oil and gas remains the dominant energy industry in the UK, companies are quickly beginning to realise the vital role that offshore renewables will play in the future energy mix. Offshore wind is a growing market which presents exciting new business opportunities for the UK supply chain. This event, along with a number of ongoing initiatives are intended to help companies realise these opportunities and help them mitigate some of the challenges they are currently

p12 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

facing as a result of the lower for longer oil price.

and operational expenditure over the next five years.

Providing a platform for the industry to come together and collaborate is essential in order to drive the prolonged life of developments both in the UK and further afield. If we can help companies to access the offshore wind market ahead of the predicted £210billion global deployment boom, exporting their wealth of skills, innovation and experience, the rewards will be huge.

With a realisation that cost reduction will be critical to achieving these forecasts and maintaining offshore wind’s growth in the longer-term, incorporating best practice from other sectors will be key.

Scottish Enterprise recently launched a ‘Seize the Opportunity’ report to help guide companies though the steps required to break into the offshore wind industry, highlighting the entry routes, most promising regions and the opportunities most accessible to the UK supply chain. Seonaid Vass, Director of renewable energy and low carbon technologies at Scottish Enterprise said:

Scotland and the rest of the UK, together with Germany and Denmark are currently at the forefront of offshore wind development, accounting for around 90% of global offshore wind deployment to date. These countries along with the Netherlands and Belgium are forecast to build approximately 25GW of offshore wind by the end of the decade, worth an estimated £60 billion in capital

There are already many firms from an oil and gas background that are now successfully operating within the offshore wind space, proving that crosssector expertise is of great value to the growing renewables market. Subsea companies can support the development of the offshore renewables sector in a number of ways, from project management and installation support to maintenance and inspection services. The event will take place on Tuesday 2nd August at Village Hotel, Prime Four, Kingswells, Aberdeen. Those wishing to attend can book their place online via www.subseauk.com/7489/subsea-ukscottish-enterprise-lunch-and-learn As a self-sustaining body, Subsea UK represents over 300 members and acts as a focal point to promote the sector and maximise its opportunities, providing a national forum for collaboration, diversification and technology development.

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Industry news

North East engineering firm celebrates award success Local engineering company achieves Programme Supplier Award from prestigious global aerospace firm for outstanding co-operation and work ethic.

to deliver complex components to the assembly line where communication has been key, and we are delighted to receive this award.

Renown Group, based in Cramlington, has won a Supplier Recognition Award from aerospace and defence business Lockheed Martin UK, in appreciation of the ongoing expert contribution Renown has made to one of their programmes.

Jimmy Sinclair, Operations Manager, Renown Group.

Lockheed Martin UK utilised Renown Group’s fabrication and manufacturing services on the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP) with great success. The project took six months to complete and involved a high quality skill set in fabrication and machining as well as excellent clientsupplier communication.

This award is a fantastic recognition for the work that has been put into this project. Our engineering team has worked closely with the client

Tom Moody, Renown Engineering’s Technical Manager, who began at Renown as a Northumbria University KTP associate, was particularly commended for his excellent communication, detailed updates, quick turnarounds, and a general high level of customer service skills.

We are glad to see the relationship between operators and suppliers advancing, with Renown Group contributing towards communication improvements as demonstrated in the Lockheed Martin project. Tom Moody, Technical Manager, Renown Engineering.

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AFBE-UK Scotland highlights support for young engineers Aberdeen based engineering experts have called for greater support to help students develop the necessary skills to protect the industry’s future and provide more opportunities for those who are underrepresented in the sector. Dr Ollie Folayan, Chairman of Aberdeenbased AFBE-UK Scotland and, fellow group member Edwin Ekpiri, were invited, along with two members from the organisation’s London chapter, to address a group of educators, researchers and engineers from across the UK at the University of Sheffield. Representatives at the International Symposium of Educating Engineers, held at the Diamond at the university’s campus, shared ideas and best practice on how to close the gap between graduate capabilities and employer expectations. AFBE-UK (the Association for BME Engineers), promotes engineering as a career p14 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

choice among young people from underrepresented groups, particularly those of black and minority ethnic (BME) origin. The Scottish chapter of the group is based in Aberdeen. The AFBE-UK group, were invited to attend the conference following the submission of an academic paper, entitled “Influence of Industry-integrated learning in preparing graduates for the world of work”. The paper, written by Folayan, Folayan, Ekpiri and Bankole, highlights the fact that some groups in society are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professions, and in particular in engineering. Of all the apprenticeships and courses in the engineering sector, people of black and minority ethnic origin only account for 6% of the positions on these programmes. This may be due to a number of socioeconomic factors including a lack of career advice at critical stages of the educational process.

In addition, throughout the paper and indeed the presentation at Sheffield, the authors also stressed the importance of ensuring university graduates are appropriately prepared for the world of work and cited examples from its various employability initiatives, most notably Transition. Transition is the group’s flagship programme and is aimed at helping university students in the city take the next step in their career. The initiative, which includes, mock interviews, CV reviews, assessment centres and networking with engineering professionals, was designed to help provide advice at the vital stages during education and to ensure students are industry-ready upon graduation. Dr Ollie Folayan said: “What AFBE-UK aims to do is herald engineering as a career choice and provide young people, of all backgrounds, with the tools necessary to be successful in the industry.

Industry news

Intertek achieves first SANAS accreditation in South Africa Intertek, a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, has achieved its first industry accreditation in South Africa for flow metering verification. This will enable the company to provide assurance to SANAS industry standards that its clients’ flow metering equipment is operating as accurately as possible. Following a series of initial technical and managerial audits, Intertek has been awarded the SANAS (South African National Accreditation System) 10378 accreditation. This allows the company to carry out verification services on the liquidmeasuring flow meters that form part of larger oil and gas metering systems. Accurately measuring hydrocarbons is integral to the profitable production of oil and gas. As hydrocarbons are transported through pipelines, platforms and metering systems, their quantities must be meticulously measured. When dealing with such a high-value product, even the smallest miscalculation of quantities exchanged between operators can result in significant financial loss. Therefore, the calibration of flow metering equipment must be exacting. In order to maintain the accreditation, Intertek will undergo an audit process with SANAS every twelve months to ensure

Congo and Chad. The solutions it offers include metering consultancy, flow measurement services, meter prover calibrations, tank calibration, 3D laser scanning and cargo inspection.

continuing compliance. Greg Dinkelman, Business Development Manager for Calibration and Metering at Intertek Exploration and Production, said: “This is an important achievement for our business in South Africa. The SANAS 10378 accreditation is recognition that our facilities are fit-forpurpose, fully equipped and capable of performing the vital calibrations our clients need, offering assurance that they are receiving the best service possible. “Our current verification work is carried out to international standards in many locations globally and this accreditation supports us in building a strong reputation and solid client relationships in South Africa.” Intertek Calibration and Metering has a strong presence in South Africa and has completed contracts for oil and gas clients in Mozambique, Angola, Botswana, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the

Clockwise from left: Intertek Calibration and Metering onsite instrument inspections and Greg Dinkelman, Business Development Manager, Intertek Calibration and Metering with onsite flow meter inspections.

2H Offshore appoints new Managing Director 2H Offshore, an Acteon company, has announced the appointment of Yann Helle as Managing Director. Helle replaces Tim Eyles, who is moving to the role of vice president with parent company Acteon. Helle, who previously held the position of Technical Manager, will have responsibility for the leadership and development of 2H globally, focusing on evolving and expanding new business opportunities particularly life extension, abandonment and marginal field developments. Global Director, Dr. Hugh Howells said, “Yann’s growth into the management side of our business along with his extensive

technical and project management experience made him the ideal choice for this role. His focus on the long term vision of 2H will ensure we are well positioned to deal with the current market challenges and we look forward to seeing the results we know he will produce.” Helle joined 2H in 2002 after graduating from Kingston University, London, with a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has gained significant technical and commercial experience in riser and conductor systems, minimum facility platforms and component package supply. In 2008 Helle achieved an MBA from Imperial College. He is also a chartered engineer and member of the Institute of

Mechanical Engineers. Helle recently returned to 2H’s London office following three years in Houston as project manager of the TLP top tensioned riser system delivery management project for Total’s Moho Nord field development. Helle will continue his involvement in the project through to installation in the third quarter of 2016. Helle said, “I am thrilled to be taking on this role, having developed through the company over the last 14 years. I look forward to working even closer with the leadership team at 2H Offshore to ensure the company continues to succeed despite current market conditions.” August 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p15

+44 (0) 1522 791 721

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Industry news

North east firm shining through for Gold Awards A leading provider of fire control and safety solutions has been shortlisted for a prestigious accolade due to its commitment to innovation in the North East. Blaze Manufacturing Solutions (Blaze), which was established in 2006 to serve the global oil and gas and renewables markets, has been announced a finalist in the Innovation category of the Press and Journal Gold Awards, due to take place at The Marcliffe Hotel on Thursday, 8 September. The Laurencekirk based company has been breaking through barriers to develop its

revolutionary FlameShield 300™ Flexible piping system and has firmly positioned itself at the forefront of fire control technology. The unique product offers the delivery of a jet fire resistant, blast resistant, corrosion resilient fire protection system with a 20 year design life, eliminating corrosion problems for the client during its lifetime operation. Flameshield 300™ can be installed in a hazardous area without hot working, allowing production to continue during construction, thereby saving on downtime. The system is the only pipe solution that has total DNV approval and fully complies with the

Below: Blaze founders, Howard and Ann Johnson.

highest standards of fire safety for the offshore industry. Now into its second year, the Press and Journal Gold Awards supports and celebrates the impact that the oil and gas industry has had on Aberdeen and the surrounding areas over the past 50 years. The Innovation Award commends technology that has helped the North East burst through barriers, positioning the region as a global pioneer in the oil and gas industry. Blaze’s ground-breaking work in fire control and safety systems has enabled the company to work on a number of major North Sea projects in the Greenfield and Brownfield markets. The firm has an impressive track record of working in the oil and gas loss prevention industry, with a combined experience totalling over 400 years in the field on over 70% of UKCS Installations. Managing Director of Blaze Manufacturing Solutions, Howard Johnson, said: “Here at Blaze we are constantly developing enhancements to our safety and installation techniques. We are very proud to be nominated for the Innovation Award as we have a dedicated team that are willing to push the boundaries, and in doing so, push the industry forward. The FlameShield 300™ has helped to revolutionise the oil and gas sector by significantly reducing lifetime and installation costs, improving safety, and minimising the need for maintenance intervention.”

EV Appoints New CEO Leading specialist in well diagnosis, EV has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer.

position as Managing Director at ALS Oil & Gas, Houston, which was a role he held for four years.

Bringing over 28 years’ of industry experience to the role, Fraser Louden has held a number of positions within a range of oil and gas service companies including 17 years with Schlumberger in global management and leadership posts. His career has also seen him work as Managing Director, and subsequently as Chief Executive Officer of READ Well Services.

To further strengthen its commercial team, the company has recruited Rob Potter as Global Marketing Manager and Tobben Tymons as Sales and Marketing Manager for its Eastern hemisphere operations. For its western hemisphere activity, EV has also recruited Jeff Whitaker as Sales and Marketing Manager.

Fraser joins EV from his most recent

Earlier this year EV announced the acquisition of Aberdeenshirebased well integrity software supplier,

Epidote Limited, to enable a world-class well diagnosis service - specifically multi-finger calliper data processing, interpretation and 3D visualisation. EV is the market leader in downhole video applications, splitting its headquarters between Norwich and Aberdeen, and has a team of 100 employees. EV continues to expand and currently operates in more than 35 countries, having 26 locations around the world, including Canada, USA, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia. EV is backed by UK mid-market private equity house Dunedin. August 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p17

Industry news

FUGRO BEGINS SEABED INVESTIGATION AT PROPOSED WYLFA NEWYDD NUCLEAR POWER STATION SITE Fugro has commenced marine site characterisation works for Horizon Nuclear Power at the proposed Wylfa Newydd power station site on the Isle of Anglesey, UK. The detailed works will be carried out during July and August and will assist Horizon to gain a better understanding of the geological conditions offshore the proposed site. Two jack-up barges from Fugro’s fleet have been mobilised to conduct high quality geotechnical drilling and sampling operations on 36 borehole locations, in varying water depths. Taking place around 500 metres out to sea at Porth-y-Pistyll, and more than 800 metres from the Cemlyn Bay nature reserve, the work will support Horizon’s proposal to build its cooling water intake structure, marine offloading facility and breakwater. It will also allow Horizon to reduce the volume of road haulage by bringing in many of the bulk materials and large components needed during construction, by sea.

Fugro’s jack-up barges are equipped with a wide range of data acquisition tools including cable percussion, rotary coring, geophysical logging and cone penetration testing. Each unit also has RIB support craft, crane, drilling fluid system, welfare facilities and Fugro’s own state-of-the-art access/ egress system. “Our extensive experience in high profile, complex environmental projects equips us to meet the challenging tidal, seabed and metocean conditions we encounter at this

site,” said Matthew Chappell, Fugro GeoServices’ Nearshore Geotechnics Manager. The simultaneous operations, core logging process and crew transfers are run by Fugro’s onsite management and geotechnical teams. Charlie Tasker, Site Development Director at Horizon Nuclear Power, commented, “Although we’ll be working 24 hours a day, we’ll ensure the work doesn’t cause any inconvenience to local people or tourists by keeping lighting and noise to an absolute minimum.”

Right: Fugro’s Skate 3E and Skate 2D jack-up barges conduct high quality geotechnical drilling and sampling at 36 borehole location.

Valeport swells tide measurement offer with new turnkey solution Valeport has introduced a new self-contained tidal observation solution, the TideStation, which optimises performance of instrumentation and provides a simple to install and maintain tidal observation hub. TideStation has been designed to be flexible in its configuration and has Valeport’s industry leading tide gauge system at its core. The compact and robust TideStation unit offers pressure, radar and hybrid tidal observation techniques coupled with interfaces to other meteorological, telemetry and third party systems. Simplicity of installation and use was at the forefront of the TideStation’s development. The single unit includes all p18 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

infrastructure required to maintain power to the tide and meteorological equipment and communications system contained within. Specifically designed as a low-cost turn-key solution, TideStation is suited to a broad range of sectors including port and harbour operations, surveying, dredging and many other applications. Accessing data from the water level monitoring equipment within the TideStation is easy, it is recorded locally and then broadcast to a chosen command and control point as required. This can be enhanced with the addition of Port-Log.net from Oceanwise for data management and publishing. Internal battery power is provided along with options to do this externally via solar panels or ac mains.

The TideStation is a natural extension to Valeport’s tide gauge instrument portfolio, Kevin Edwards, Sales and Marketing Manager commented: “Successful monitoring efforts depend upon accurate data, Valeport delivers reliable instrumentation and the TideStation safeguards this equipment to help customers ensure they obtain the highest quality data easily and quickly. For customers, this turn-key solution gives them value for investment as it offers reassurance that their environmental monitoring equipment is easily and correctly installed within a durable housing which will prolong performance.” The TideStation is available to order now. For more information contact: sales@valeport.co.uk or visit: www.valeport.co.uk

What’s your toughest bolting challenge?

The Nord-Lock Group is focused on solving the toughest bolting challenges. We offer a unique combination of bolting expertise and a wide range of products, including Nord-Lock wedge-locking washers, Superbolt™ multijackbolt tensioners and Expansion bolts, and Boltight™ hydraulic tensioning system. All designed and developed in our state-of-the-arts facilities. Advantages: • Increases worker safety • Accurate & precise • Reduces downtime

Nord-Lock Ltd Tel: +44 (0)1246 355557 • Fax: +44 (0)1264 369555 enquiries@nord-lock.co.uk • www.nord-lock.com

Visit Nord-Lock at:

ONS 2016 Booth no. 5470 29 August - 1 September Stavanger, Norway

Industry news

“Strategic Investments and Synergies Critical to Global Energy Sector Progress,” says H.E. Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy UAE Officials and World Experts Share Views on Oil and Gas Industry Developments at Exclusive ‘ Al Multaqa’ Gathering in Abu Dhabi Making strategic long-term investments, and pooling knowledge and resources from within the oil and gas industry is central to energy sector progress, said senior officials and world representatives at a recent gathering in Abu Dhabi for members of the prestigious Middle East Petroleum Club (MEPC). Guests at the MEPC ‘Al Multaqa’ event were given an exclusive preview of the key issues that will be addressed at this year’s Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), the world’s most influential event for the oil and gas industry. Through its participation at Al Multaqa, the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), exclusive sponsor of the MEPC, provided insight on IPIC’s 30-year track record as a long-term global investor, and shed light on key achievements of the IPIC Group portfolio companies. Commenting on IPIC’s participation at ADIPEC, His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Managing Director of IPIC and UAE Minister of Energy, said: “Over three decades, IPIC has invested in major energy and petrochemical assets across the world. Through its strategic local and international partnerships with leading entities such as ADNOC, IPIC has successfully positioned Abu Dhabi as the world’s fifth largest producer in petrochemicals. As a key investor across the energy value chain, IPIC is a proud sponsor of ADIPEC, the world’s leading energy conference, and considers this opportunity as an excellent platform to interact with other global energy players to discuss the future of the industry. Through its unique investments in research and development, IPIC Group has distinguished itself among global industry players via its innovation centres which aim to develop cutting-edge technologies and industrial products around the world.” “Such success and long-standing economic vision is reinforced by the wise leadership of Abu Dhabi’s rulers and the direction of IPIC’s Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister p20 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

and Minister of Presidential Affairs, to ensure that IPIC Group maintains a balance between persevering as a global industrial player, whilst continuing to achieving strong returns on investments.” Commenting on the decision of Abu Dhabi Government to merge IPIC and Mubadala, His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Managing Director of IPIC and UAE Minister of Energy, said: “The merger between IPIC and Mubadala is a further step in the company’s development, and will create a global investment champion that acts as an engine for sustainable economic development. The combined entity will give Abu Dhabi a competitive advantage on an international stage, and at the same time, provide the company with investment opportunities that contribute to a diversified UAE economy.” Today’s challenging economic landscape often makes basing business decisions on market sentiment, rather than on fact, the safer choice – potentially missing the significant opportunities presented by those challenges, and their ability to create a more resilient industry, according to experts. “What should be our next move? Should we look for strategic long-term investments, or should we keep a low profile until oil prices have fully recovered? Those are the types of questions that both investors and oil companies are seeking the right answers to,” said Ruba Husari, Managing Director of consulting firm Iraq Insight. “However, the current state of markets and the downslide volatility of oil prices feeds into a climate of rumour and speculation. Major forums like ADIPEC enable members of the energy community to exchange views, debate solutions, and share perspective on the future of the industry. This helps in the decision-making process and creates a counter weight to market sentiment”. Al Multaqa, which means ‘The Gathering’ in Arabic, also invites representatives from both existing and prospective ADIPEC participating countries to gain insight about the knowledge-exchange and business opportunities available at what is now considered a flagship event for the global energy sector. This year, ADIPEC

will feature 25 international pavilions, including companies from major oil producing countries, such as the US, Saudi Arabia, China, and Brazil, as well as emerging markets, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Spain. “Every industry has its ups and downs, and the key to surviving these cycles is staying ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest developments and best practice,” said José Eugenio Salarich, the Ambassador of Spain to the UAE. “ADIPEC allows all members of the energy community to keep in touch with decision makers, stay abreast of changes in policy, as well as witness the latest in innovation and technology.” The industry’s ability to pool resources and tap into “pockets of excellence” will ultimately determine how organizations fare in this energy evolution, say experts. “Every industry has pockets of excellence that others can benefit from, but companies often operate in silos making sharing of information a challenge. ADIPEC provides a centralized global platform and an opportunity to share information and learn from each other,” said Siebe Butter, Consulting Director at Deloitte. “Especially in challenging times like these, where companies are seeking solutions to sustainably lower costs and improve efficiencies, the platform ADIPEC provides is of great value.” Hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and organised by dmg events – Global Energy, ADIPEC 2016 will take place from 7-10 November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and is expected to host more than 90,000 attendees, 8,500 delegates, and 2,300 exhibitors from more than 120 countries. The Middle East Petroleum Club provides a platform for top-level industry professionals to strengthen existing connections and forge new ones in a discreet and private environment at ADIPEC, and a range of events throughout the year. For further information on the MEPC, please visit:

www.adipec.com/mepc

HARD WORKING ENGINEERS We have turned things around before. No matter what the oil price is: The world needs energy. It is at times like these new technology and new processes see the light of day. Together we have turned things around before â&#x20AC;&#x201C; by innovating, reducing costs, and working in a smarter way. We are all adjusting once again, to make sure we can succeed in the new market reality. And we know we can do what it takes. Now is the time to get together and prepare for the future. ONS 2016 provides you with the latest insights, the new technology â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and future business opportunities. This is the place to be. Welcome to the leading energy meeting place.

www.ons.no New conference feature: Build your competence at our new Technical Sessions!

ONS 2016: Energy explained. Opportunities exposed This August, ONS presents an expanded exhibition area and more quality conference content than ever. The renowned energy event will focus on the opportunities arising due to the new market reality in the energy industry. Nine exhibition halls – endless business opportunities The exhibition halls will as usual be filled with all the major players in the industry, but also a significant amount of new exhibitors has signed up. “We experience an urge to get together, not only to plan for the future and discuss the current situation. Gathering the global energy industry means gathering global business opportunities in one place. Suppliers get access to new customers and contractors discover new technology from new suppliers,” says Leif Johan Sevland, President and CEO of ONS. Technical Sessions – new for ONS 2016 The big new feature for ONS 2016 is called Technical Sessions. With the help from a committee with key individuals from the industry, the unsolved technical challenges were identified. Companies in the industry were invited to submit their solutions. The result is a conference arena providing the latest news in technology developments, and in-depth understanding of the possible solutions to major technical challenges. The ONS Conference: Energy explained Our countries, our companies and our jobs are all influenced by the changes in the energy world. ONS offers the chance to

p22 20 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August July 2016 2016

understand the dynamics affecting the markets and the energy industry. Crucial information for anyone who wants to stay ahead in the game. “The ONS Conference presents the biggest names in the business, to give you the global perspectives from the people with the best insight and the power to influence the future,” Sevland explains. Among the keynote speakers for ONS 2016 are Ben van Beurden, CEO of Royal Dutch Shell, Ryan Lance, CEO of ConocoPhillips, Lord Browne, Chairman of L1 Energy, Eldar Sætre, CEO of Statoil and Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Senior Vice President Upstream from Saudi Aramco. ONS is expanding Despite the tougher market situation for the energy industry, the exhibitors still prioritise participating at ONS. The reason is easily explained, according to President and CEO Sevland: “ONS has over 40 year’s of history as one of the world’s leading energy events. So especially in challenging times, the companies understand the value of exhibiting at ONS and visitors know why it is important to be here. They know we deliver the latest insights on the

market and future opportunities, and most importantly, we provide them with the international energy industry. It’s a magnificent meeting place, and the perfect place to boost business.” About ONS • 91 682 visitors in 2014 • One of the world’s most renowned energy events • Exhibition, Conference and Festival • More than 1 000 exhibitors • 400 speakers on five conference arenas • Held 29 August - 1 September in Stavanger, Norway • Costs only 400 NOK/43 EUR for for days at the exhibition • Read more at www.ons.no

www.ons.no/2016 Pictures below are accredited to ONS.

ONS 2016

TRELLEBORG’S SEAL MATERIALS TESTED FOR OPTIMUM HFC PERFORMANCE Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has carried out a series of tests to show the importance of fluid type and seal material choice in “ensuring optimum seal performance and service life”.

“Offshore operators are free to add extra additives to suit their particular application, but these could lead to seal material incompatibilities and cause dramatic adverse effects on sealing materials.

The world leader in engineered polymer solutions, which has been making highly developed seals for over 30 years, worked with fluid producer MacDermid to test the effect of water glycol fluids (HFC) on common seal materials.

“We recommend each application must be reviewed uniquely to optimize the seal materials with the HFC fluid to ensure seal performance and life.”

Together the engineers for both companies tested seven seal materials which were immersed in water glycol fluids at a range of elevated temperatures up to +200°C / +392°F. The results have been published in a white paper on the subject which will be available to collect from Trelleborg’s stand in Hall 9 at ONS 2016 in Stavanger, Norway from August 29 to September 01. Each seal and fluid combination was tested for hardness change, tensile strength change, strain change and volume change. All physical changes were documented using before and after photos. David Brown, Global Lead Group Director, Oil & Gas, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, says: “The testing reveals the importance of fluid type and seal material choice in ensuring optimum seal performance and service life. Traditional sealing materials, such as FKM, often inert in most fluids, are exhibiting disadvantageous behaviour in HFC fluids.

The series of tests were developed by Trelleborg Sealing Solutions in 2015. The company decided to investigate the effects of high-temperature exposure of sealing materials within water-based hydraulic fluids because until now, the two materials have never been thoroughly tested together at high temperatures before.

HFAS, HFB and HFC. HFC fluids are the most common hydrous, fire-resistant hydraulic fluids because they have the best fire resistance and hydraulic properties. They are also used wherever hydraulic fluid escaping under high pressure can ignite on contact with hot materials. The fire resistant and environmentally friendly qualities of HFC fluids make them ideal for use in offshore installations. The fire-resistant properties mean greater fire safety, offering more time to initiate firefighting measures and bring people to safety in the event of an accident.

Water-based hydraulic fluids are widely used in oil and gas, mining, hot-rolling mills, and similar applications where the potential for fire could cause catastrophic consequences. They are also replacing traditional oil-based HLP fluids in applications where environmental regulations must be observed. As a result, they have become more prevalent in many applications within offshore energy production as a means of protecting people, the environment and resources. The International Standards Organization (ISO) classifies fire-resistant, water-based hydraulic fluids into four categories which include HFAE,

Above: Trelleborg worked with fluid producer MacDermid to test the effect of water glycol fluids on common seal materials.

www.oilandgas-seals.com

Below: Testing revealed the importance of fluid type and material choice in ensuring optimum seal performance and service life.

Visit Us at stand

981

ons 2016 exhibitor profiles

ARC ENERGY HIGHLIGHTS TRANSITION AT ONS 2016 Arc Energy Resources are specialists in weld overlay cladding and the manufacture of fabrications for the oil & gas industry. Weld overlay cladding provides the benefit of cost effective protection against corrosion and wear for a variety of components destined for aggressive environments. Transition, the theme of this year’s ONS, echoes the ongoing development of the company. Within the last year, Andrew Robinson has been promoted to

CMP Products ltd CMP Products is a leading specialist manufacturer of Cable Glands, Cable Connectors and associated accessories, used extensively for power, control, lighting and instrumentation cable applications in connection with IEC, NEC & CEC cables. Having the widest portfolio of Cable Gland products to meet every kind of environment, CMP offers a variety of solutions for use in Marine, Explosive and Non Explosive (Industrial) Atmospheres, for a large

Balltec Ltd Pioneering solutions for oil, gas and renewable projects worldwide Balltec designs, manufactures and tests high integrity mechanical connectors for critical applications in the global oil, gas and renewable energy sectors. With many years of engineering expertise and innovation the company provides core products for mooring, pipelines and heavy lifting and is a supplier of engineered systems for challenging projects from

p24 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

Managing Director, whilst the company has invested heavily in new equipment, including twin tungsten and robotic machinery, that has significantly boosted the size and scope of the company’s weld overlay cladding capabilities. Integrated with a sophisticated production system, the new machines handle components that would previously have been considered almost impossible to clad. The new investments are a direct result of close consultation with clients, who have increasingly challenging weld requirements, which Arc Energy’s highly qualified engineering team are pleased to help solve.

selection of cable types. CMP design and produce Cable Glands with Ex d/Ex e Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21 & Zone 22 Approvals for use in Gas Group IIC environments under CENELEC & IEC Area Classification rules. Additionally Cable Connectors for NEC & CEC Classified Explosive Atmospheres Locations, are available for Class I, II & III, Divisions 1 & 2, where Gas Groups A, B, C, D and Dust Groups E, F & G are present. International Explosive Atmospheres Approvals are held from Atex, IECEx, CEPEL Inmetro, CSA, cCSAus, UL, GOST, EAC, NEPSI, TUV, and CIDET.

concept to commissioning. The company is a provider of products and solutions to most major EPC contractors and Oil & Gas operators worldwide. Products and systems are delivered on a global scale, with over 1,000 tools used on more than 300 projects worldwide. Recent projects include the development of several ground-breaking solutions, most notably; the world’s first subsea chain tensioning system for Petrobras, a series of complex lifting solutions for the deployment of subsea equipment for Statoil and world’s first subsea PIG/Plug launcher for Statoil.

STAND NO. 5250 HALL NO. 3

Tel: +44 (0)1453 823523 E-mail: sales@arcenergy.co.uk Web: www.arcenergy.co.uk

STAND NO. 771 HALL NO. 7

Tel: +44 (0)191 265 7411 E-mail: quotes@cmp-products.com Web: www.cmp-products.com

STAND NO. 708 HALL NO. 7

Tel: +44 (0)1524 733388 E-mail: enquiries@balltec.com Web: www.balltec.com

national oilwell varco Throughout every region in the world and across every area of drilling and production, our family of companies has provided the technical expertise, advanced equipment and operational support necessary for success. We have the people, capabilities and vision to serve the needs of a challenging and evolving industry. One the world can’t live without. We are a global family of thousands of individuals, working as one team to create lasting impact for ourselves, our customers and the communities where we live and work.

hunting PLC Hunting PLC is an international energy services provider that manufactures and distributes products that enable the extraction of oil and gas for the worlds leading companies. Established in 1874, it is a fully listed public company traded on the London Stock Exchange. Upstream The global “Upstream” activity is co-ordinated through Hunting Energy

seacon (Europe) ltd

We take responsibility for each other and our company’s future, knowing that personal ownership leads to broader success. We believe in purposeful innovation because we see what others do not and we act. Through business innovation, product creation and service delivery, we are driven to power the industry that powers the world better. We believe in service above all since our singular goal is to move our customers’ business forward. This drives us to anticipate our customers’ needs and work with them to deliver the finest products and services on time and on budget.

Services. This builds on a history that has spanned one hundred years of innovation in developing products and techniques to enable the successful development of customer assets. With a large presence in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Corporate Hunting PLC maintains a corporate office in the USA while being headquartered and listed in the UK.

ranges including the 55 SERIES, U-MATE and SEA-MATE ranges.

SEACON (europe) Ltd (formerly Sea Connections Systems) was formed in 1987 and was the first international addition to the Group.

As the demand for the use of fiber optics for many applications increases, SCE developed a range of standard, dry-mate, fiber optic, hybrid connectors.

During the past 25 years SCE has become a strong European base for design, engineering, manufacturing, quality control and testing within the Group.

The OPTI-CON series is available in 5 shell sizes from 1 to 20 contact configurations and has a pressure rating of 7,500 psi (5,200m water depth). This connector range offers fully interchangeable electric or optic contacts and can be oil filled or overmolded to any type of cable.

In addition to supplying all of the SEACON Group’s products, SEACON (Europe) Ltd has also developed highly successful product

STAND NO. 265 HALL NO. 2

Web: www.nationaloilwellvarco.com

STAND NO. 270 HALL NO. 2

Tel: +44 (0)20 7321 0123 E-mail: ceo@hunting.plc.uk Web: www.huntingplc.com

STAND NO. 366 HALL NO. 3

Tel: +44 (0) 1493-652733 E-mail: fieldservice@seaconeurope.com Web: www.seaconworldwide.com

August 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p25

Conductor supported platform design tackles new depths Stewart Maxwell (pictured below), Aquaterra Energy Conductor supported platforms are traditionally used in benign, shallow water locations in areas such as West Africa, South East Asia and the Mediterranean. Compared to conventional jacketed piled platforms, or subsea trees for shallow water development projects, CSPs boast shorter delivery times, reduced intervention and platform costs, and simplified project management. Its main financial and technical attributes are borne from the ability to combine the use of the same jack-up rig to install the CSP as well as drill at site. The deployment of CSPs is increasing due to growing demand for speedy, cost-efficient, modularised wellhead platforms, which can be built and installed in smaller, discreet packages across a number of fabrication yards. These parts can then be shipped by a supply vessel and fixed in place by a standard cantilever jack-up rig, without additional heavy lift installation vessels. The bespoke design also negates the need for diver or ROV involvement and any hot work which mitigates inherent risk and scheduling barriers, while cutting incremental costs. In addition, it can also potentially increase local content if there is an economic or political driver for the project. The promise of a more efficient and tighter delivery envelope is an attractive option for operators looking to accelerate the journey to first oil in marginal fields. Meeting demand for deeper design parameters Studies are now underway by Aquaterra Energy to design CSPs to breach water depths beyond conventional operational limitations of around 80 metres. The company has patented installation

p26 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

techniques and equipment to optimise design and has its own scalable CSP called Sea Swift. This has been installed across a number of shallow water locations, including three in West Africa and one in the Far East. The Sea Swift is believed to be the deepest deployed CSP to date at 65 metres water depth using two subsea structures. This Sea Swift is now producing oil offshore Peninsular Malaysia. It is also the largest CSP in terms of topside weight at more than 400 tonnes fully laden. As a tried and tested concept, the maximum water depth for Sea Swift is currently around 80 metres (262 ft) with

conceptual engineering assessments underway by Aquaterra to increase this capability beyond 90 and even 100 metres. This investigation will also consider multiple installation options. Early analysis and assessment As the conductors provide structural support to the topsides through axial compression and bending resistance, and support the well casing, wellhead and surface tree, the total conductor length is defined by the water depth at the platform location, the topsides elevation, and the foundation setting depth. Subsea support structures are used to provide rigidity to the conductors and extend design

conductor supported platforms life through the reduction of fatigue. The weight of the proposed topside also needs to be considered when designing for deeper depths as this will play a considerable part in limiting the facilities available and installation techniques. Sea Swift essentially uses the well’s environmental conductors as primary structural members to support the weight of the platform’s topsides and associated equipment. Each individual platform substructure is a one-off design to suit varying parameters such as water depth, soil structure, and sea conditions, in particular wave frequency. These design considerations must be taken into account, at any depth, to maximise fatigue life and steadfastness of the entire structure, which can normally be left in situ for up to 25 years. Due to potentially complex environmental conditions, fatigue is one of the main design drivers for a CSP, as with all dynamically sensitive offshore structures. Aquaterra’s in-house structural engineering modelling software and

analysis expertise is used to demonstrate an acceptable structural performance for the CSP in terms of offshore constructability, in-place strength and stability, dynamic response, fatigue endurance and seismic design based on the soils, metocean data and equipment loads. This dynamic behaviour must be captured and understood to allow the structure to be designed and comply with the environmental loading applied. A review of fatigue design elements such as cathodic protection of conductors/ piles and weld improvements will enable a maximum fatigue design life to be achieved. An assessment of seismic activity, which is common in many locations, must also be carried out to determine seismic loads and additional reinforcement options, such as skirt piles, to create a more robust and secure foundation. Pushing the design envelope for deeper CSP installation As the price of fabricated steel has tumbled, so the straight cost differential between a conventional jacket and a Sea

Swift is also falling. However, the overall cost savings really come to the fore when using smaller and more agile fabrication yards and a jack-up for installation ensuring simpler project management and reduced risk. This, alongside its potential to reach deeper depths, has meant that in today’s cost-constrained climate, the CSP is quickly becoming a more financially viable option for fast and effective production in marginal, shallow water developments.

www.aquaterraenergy.com

Training and Examinations For a successful career in Underwater Inspection Internationally recognised qualifications (CSWIP) specified by employers Technical industry knowledge with hands-on practical training Clearly defined career progression Four categories available depending on the career path selected:

3.1U - NDT Inspection Diver 3.2U - NDT Inspection Diver 3.3U - ROV Inspector 3.4U - Underwater Inspection Controller

Both training and examinations are offered at the same location TWI Training and Examination Services Tel: +44 (0)1642 216320 E-mail: trainexam@twitraining.com Website: www.twitraining.com

August 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p27

conductor supported platforms

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Tooltec Ltd, Unit 2, Straik Road, Elrick, Westhill, Aberdeenshire AB32 6TJ Telephone: 01224 279411 • www.tooltecltd.com • sales@tooltecltd.com p28 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

Remote Inspection from Surface to Seabed Last year it was estimated that the global subsea umbilicals, risers & flowlines (SURF) market would attract $33bn of capital expenditure between 2016 and 2020. Given the current oil price, this is likely to increase with a number of projects previously being developed with standalone facilities now opting for tiebacks to existing infrastructures. Although this will see a rise in the volume of SURF required, at a time when companies are under pressure to cut expenditure, making the most of existing assets where possible will be a more cost effective option for many operators. Committed to developing technology which meets the needs of the industry, extends field life and offers cost effective solutions, Aberdeen-based, AISUS Offshore recently launched Scorpius – a remotely deployed tool for J-tube inspection prior to riser and umbilical pull-ins. The primary function of a J-tube is to provide a conduit, to enable the umbilical or riser to be installed to the topside facilities. Installation methods vary depending on the operator, but are typically completed by pulling risers or umbilicals up from the seabed, using a winch, with support from a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or a diving support vessel (DSV). Internal inspection is one of the safest, quickest and most cost-effective approaches to inspect caissons, risers, J-tubes and other offshore tubulars. The Scorpius inspection crawler allows AISUS to complete inspections and cleaning from the platform, in advance of pull-in works, using a range of bespoke centraliser tools, reducing the need for costly DSV/ROV support for this part of the project. Some J-tubes may not have been used since they were installed over 30 years ago, so when there is a requirement for them to become operational again it’s crucial that an in-depth inspection is carried out to ensure there are no integrity issues or obstructions which would prevent a successful pull-in.

J-tubes are considered to be an integral part of any associated pipeline riser system and have been a key component of offshore platforms for as long as the industry has been around. Due to the nature and structural configuration of J-tubes, a thorough internal inspection requires specialist tooling which can be deployed along the length of the pipe, through vertical, horizontal and bend sections. The Scorpius tool was developed to address these challenges, allowing for full-length J-tube inspections to be carried out and tackling any geometry issues, such as tight bends or varying diameters. The tool crawls along the internal walls of the pipe, either capturing video footage or collecting ultrasonic thickness measurements to form a corrosion map. The data is then analysed and a comprehensive report is drawn up, presenting visual inspection results and c-scan wall thickness data, allowing clear identification of any integrity threats and anomalies. The Scorpius has several advantages: • It is safe to operate - the tool can be easily deployed and retrieved • Real time data display immediate reporting on site • Provides quantitative wall thickness results • Can achieve 100% coverage over the J-Tube length with ultrasonic mapping • Tool can negotiate tight bends and dog legs • No flow is required to drive the tool crawler tracks maintain traction Stuart Lawson, Managing Director of AISUS Offshore said: “In some cases where new fields are tied back to an existing platform, the time between the installation of the pull-in tube and the eventual umbilical and riser connections can be considerable. One recent project had a six year interval which, although a relatively short period of time, still allowed significant marine growth to form. “Internal corrosion can be significant or small, depending on how the tubular has been left. Some were dry when initially installed, but have since been exposed to

Below: Scorpius inspection crawler.

water and have been susceptible to corrosion. Some tubulars are filled with treated water, but unless this treatment is replenished over time, corrosion deposits can develop. “Because of the high costs of interrupting a pull-in operation, it is common to carry out a proactive inspection programme to check the J-tube is free from obstructions. “At AISUS, our fully equipped engineering and field-service portfolio delivers leading-edge solutions that address the industry’s inspection needs throughout the asset lifecycle.” With the steep fall in oil price over the past year, the focus has very much been on increasing efficiencies and reducing costs – AISUS Offshore’s Scorpius tool has proven to do both. The company uses a series of bespoke tools to carry out a range of remote inspection services, including visual inspection, ultrasonic corrosion mapping, HP/UHP cleaning, debris recovery, diameter proving and messenger wire installation. Working with its clients, AISUS develops market leading inspection solutions, which deliver enhanced safety, extend asset life and increase profitability.

www.aisus-offshore.com Below: Stuart Lawson, Managing Director of AISUS.

subsea equipment & underwater inspection

Transform a love of diving into a rewarding career with training from TWI International travel, exciting work and ample progression opportunities: a career in underwater inspection is not short of benefits. If you have a commercial diving licence, or an interest in diving and a desire to get one, moving into underwater inspection gives you the opportunity to turn an enjoyable activity into a ticket to see the world and a rewarding career. Over the last few decades TWI has delivered training to hundreds of divers from all over the world at its specialist facilities. Courses are currently offered in Middlesbrough in the UK, Baku in Azerbaijan and Chonburi in Thailand – each venue featuring modern diving equipment and hosting training provided by experienced industry professionals. For UK-based trainees, TWI is the only place in the country where divers can carry out their training and gain CSWIP certification in the same location. Once qualified you will be eligible to work all over the world: CSWIP certification is the internationally recognised industry

standard, and a specified requirement of many employers. There are four courses available in TWI’s underwater inspection suite: 3.1U NDT Inspection Diver, 3.2U NDT Inspection Diver, 3.3U ROV Inspector and 3.4U Underwater Inspection Controller. They combine classroom-based theory with practical tuition, either in a dive tank or topside, depending on the programme. Each qualification requires recertification every five years, to refresh divers’ knowledge and ensure their skills are up to date. This can be carried out at any of TWI’s underwater training facilities.

the world’s largest provider of training in NDT, welding and welding inspection. Thanks to its excellent global reputation, it has established offices around the world, and last year delivered training to more than 25,000 students from more than 70 countries. For more information, including an underwater inspection career progression map and a complete list of courses, including dates and venues, visit:

www.twitraining.com

or e-mail: trainexam@twitraining.com

If you would like to find out more about what a career in underwater inspection entails, an overview of TWI’s diver inspection courses provided by Leighton Evans, TWI’s Underwater Inspection Business Manager, can be found on TWI’s YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/TWIltd TWI Training and Examination Services is

Forum Energy to supply three ROVs for New Orient Marine’s ice-class vessel US based oilfield products company Forum Energy Technologies has received an order to supply three remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for New Orient Marine’s multipurpose ice-class vessel, which is currently under construction in Singapore. Two Perry XLX 200 horsepower, 4,000m Work Class ROV systems and one Sub-Atlantic Comanche 3,000m Observation Class ROV are scheduled for delivery to New Orient this year. In addition, operation and maintenance training will be provided for New Orient’s personnel, as well as on-board support at the time of the ROV mobilisation. p30 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

“The award demonstrates Forum’s capability for working with our customers to provide solutions tailored to their specific needs.”

ongoing first class engineering as well as after-market support and service to offshore contractors from our operating centres in key regions.

New Orient’s new build ice-class vessel has been designed to operate in ambient temperatures as low as minus 30°C.

“For New Orient Marine, the aftersales support will be provided from our established team based in Singapore.”

Initially, the vessel’s project will involve subsea intervention, inspection, maintenance and underwater welding of existing gas pipeline systems.

A New Orient Marine spokesperson said that the addition of the equipment from Forum on-board the vessel will increase its operational range.

Forum Energy Technologies chairman and CEO Cris Gaut said: “The award demonstrates Forum’s capability for working with our customers to provide solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Forum Energy serves the subsea, drilling, completion, production, and infrastructure sectors of the oil and natural gas industry.

“It also validates our strategy of providing

The company’s manufacturing and distribution facilities are located across the globe.

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OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF SUBSEA CABLE INSTALLATION Knowledge, experience, skills and technology must combine to ensure subsea cable installation projects are delivered on time, on budget and able to operate flawlessly for 25 years or more. Here, the capabilities and track record of UK-headquartered Global Marine Systems Limited, make it the world leader in subsea system design, installation and maintenance. Global Marine has installed over 300,000km of subsea cables worldwide, and can account for 33% of maintenance operations performed on fibre optic cables globally. These statistics undeniably make the company, which has a legacy that can be traced back to 1850, a major player in the subsea cable market. Global Marine offers a comprehensive end-to-end

Above: C.S. Sovereign undertaking wind farm operations.

p32 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

solution for multiple offshore industries, including renewables, power, telecoms, oil & gas and deep sea research. Over the course of the past 12 months Global Marine has undertaken a vast number of projects for a variety of industry sectors. In January this year the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok were connected. Cable burial took place at the Lombok end, where the beach comprises of volcanic sand. However, the Bali end presented more of a challenge in that a thin â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;veneerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of sand covers rock. As a result, additional cable protection measures had to be implemented. Further North, Global Marine has installed approximately 380km of fibre optic cable between the Japanese island of Okinawa and an existing branching unit (BU) in the Asia Submarine-cable

Express (ASE) system. Cable was landed from the vessel by direct shore ends at the southern tip of Okinawa before being laid to the BU of ASE. The BU stub end was recovered and jointing operations conducted. On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, another landmark project has seen Global Marine complete a contract for Ocean Networks Canada to upgrade the fibre optic cables serving the NEPTUNE observatory off the Canadian West coast. The first phase of the project, which involved some cable recovery, was completed in 2015; whilst the second phase that has just been completed, presented a far greater engineering challenge. This required positioning the eight mudmats, each weighing approximately 1.8 tonnes with great precision in water depths ranging from 1,240 to 2,320 meters.

Above: Cable Innovator on the Bali Lombok project.

This challenging project relied on the skill and experience of the officers and crew of the Wave Venture, who worked in combination with a second vessel, Nautilus who used its deep water ROV, Hercules to provide touchdown monitoring of the mudmats and then connected them to the nodes and other instruments. Thanks to a high level of pre-project engineering planning and solution design, Wave Venture required only a single voyage to install the four cables and undertake some other related work. Coming right up to date, Global Marine has been appointed to the forthcoming inter array project at the Wikinger offshore wind farm, which is due for completion in 2016-17. The Wikinger offshore wind farm is situated off the coast of Germany. When planning any subsea cable installation project, many things need to be considered. Some of the challenges faced are obvious, while others are not, and some may even be hidden within the outlined in-country requirements.

For instance, the lack of good, modern communications in emerging markets is often a significant obstacle which needs to be addressed at the outset of a project. Here, it is essential that various channels of communication are agreed and put in place ahead of a project to ensure continuous operations on site. Supply chain logistics in emerging markets are also a challenge as they are often fragmented and inconsistent, Global Marine has experience handling such situations having installed the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most northerly fibre optic cable system off the island of Svalbard, Norway. This issue is exacerbated in these remote locations, where shipments and deliveries are infrequent. In such instances, sufficient sets of cable landing equipment need to be sourced in advance so that project schedules can be maintained. As cables often cross through waters of multiple countries, different governments and authorities will be involved, creating red tape that in some

Above: Cable Innovator installing the most northerly fibre optic system in the world in Svalbard Norway.

circumstances can be lengthy and demanding. As with the other challenges, however, being aware of this is key to preventing it compromising the outcome, and is imperative to ensure project timelines remain on track. Ultimately, successful subsea cable installation is down to proper planning and the gathering of all necessary intelligence at the start of the process. For Global Marine, a desk top study (DTS) is a key part of the initial planning phase. Properly executed, a DTS should detail all the influences on the cable route and operational safety while providing sound engineering solutions for the environment encountered. Further influences on project success include the skill of the crew and officers, as well as project engineering and on-going system maintenance. Specialists like Global Marine are able to offer a comprehensive range of services that meet the subsea engineering demands of customers worldwide.

www.globalmarinesystems.com

Above: Wave Venture installing a mudmat for the Ocean Networks Canada project with Nautilus in the background.

August 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p33

training & deVeloPment KBAT & PROFESSIONAL DIVING ACADEMY JOIN FORCES TO TRAIN COMMERCIAL DIVERS TO HSE ACCREDITED (IMCA RECOGNISED) STANDARD Reputable training providers KBA Training Centre Pte Ltd (KBAT) and the Professional Diving Academy (PDA), Dunoon, Scotland have signed a MOU to train commercial divers in Singapore to the UK HSE offshore diving standard. KBA Training Centre is the first accredited training provider for commercial diving training with ISO 29990:2010 standard and fully complies with the National Diving Standards in Singapore In Singapore, KBAT is a leading training provider in the Asia Pacific region and has attained the acceptance of its commercial diver training programme to allow PDA to run a fast-track HSE competence assessment type course for its graduates. Delegates who have successfully completed the four-week Level 1 Commercial SCUBA Diver course and four-week Level 2 Surface Supplied Diving Equipment Diver course with KBAT can thereafter apply to PDA to attend a bespoke training programme that will fast-track them towards a UK HSE offshore diving qualification. The HSE commercial diving certificate is automatically recognised by IMCA, and is still regarded by many in the oil and gas industry as the “gold standard.” It is preferred by many major clients that require divers for subsurface repair and maintenance projects. Diving standards vary across the board in Singapore, and this has raised an important concern that untrained commercial divers (and diving supervisors) have been entering the industry leading to various accidents/ incidents in recent years. In order to promote professionalism and safety standards in Singapore’s commercial diving industry, KBAT has been working closely with local authorities and association (Commercial Diving Association Singapore – CDAS) to develop the highest standards of training and certification for commercial divers in accordance to Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA).

p34 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

The courses are accredited under ISO 29990: 2010 Standard and under a train-and-job placement programme spearheaded by Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), delegates who are Singaporeans/PRs have been eligible for a training grant. Both e2i and KBAT will assist the delegates to be recruited by local diving companies on successful completion of their training. The KBAT course is also approved for SkillsFuture Credit where all Singaporeans aged 25 and above are entitled to a further grant for their skills development and lifelong learning. It is win-win situation for all parties where diving companies acquired a trained and certified diver whilst the diver receives a training and potential of secured job placement. Over recent months KBAT have been working closely with the PDA to provide the relevant information so that HSE recognition of a prior learning and competence programme would be accepted. Commercial divers who have completed a full KBAT training course can now apply to PDA to attend the shortened HSE Surface Supplied with Top-Up competence assessment programme. Darren Brunton, Managing Director of KBAT said, “The training programme is initially developed with the aim that we have a more competent workforce with safer work systems and procedures for the Singapore Commercial Diving Industry. Because of their excellent reputation, we wanted very much to work with the Professional Diving Academy on this training advancement. We are satisfied that this MOU will allow KBAT trained commercial divers to further their career options with arguably one of the best commercial divers training schools in the world, gaining a highly recognised international offshore commercial divers’ qualification in the process. Ultimately, we seek to provide a training platform where our delegates are able to develop their competencies,

Above (left to right): Darren Brunton and Alastair Baird.

thus improving international employment opportunities with these enhanced skills, whilst simultaneously enhancing local commercial diving services and standards. Alastair Baird, Managing Director of PDA, commented “KBAT are a highly respected training provider within the diving industry, and we are delighted to be working with them. By furthering training and enhancing global employment opportunities for divers graduating from KBAT’s diver training programme, we are proud that we are directly influencing diving safety standards within the region. For further information regarding course fees, scheduled dates, please contact KBAT at: Tel: +65 6542 4984 divingadmin@kbassociates.org or visit our website at:

www.kbatraining.org

Training & development

August 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p35

Training & development

THE UNDERWATER CENTRE AND BIBBY OFFSHORE LINK UP TO OFFER APPRENTICES UNRIVALLED ROV EXPERIENCE Scottish subsea training facility, The Underwater Centre, has linked up with Bibby Offshore to provide ROV apprentices with the opportunity to gain practical hands-on experience, unavailable anywhere else in the world. The apprentices, who are employed by Bibby Offshore but are still too young to go offshore, will benefit from operational experience in the field with live ROVs and will undertake a wide variety of tasks including the mobilisation/demobilisation of the work class ROV. The first two apprentices have completed three weeks of training where they gained experience in the Centre’s mechanical workshop and also on board the work class ROV vessel, Loch Sunart. They, and other Bibby Offshore apprentices, will continue to train part-time at the Centre until they are fully qualified and ready to go offshore, learning all the skills available to students on the Centre’s ROV courses, from the routine maintenance of an ROV system and hydraulic testing to tether insulation measurement and fibre-optic termination. This is the latest move by the Centre to strengthen links with industry and help create a competent workforce who have been trained in a contextual environment – as close to offshore as possible.

Steve Ham, The Underwater Centre’s Commercial Director, believes the apprentices will gain invaluable experience which will provide them with some of the skills they require for a successful career offshore.

Practical experience is essential for all apprentices and this can be quite difficult to arrange when a company’s main operations are offshore. This is where we are able to step in and work with companies to provide hands-on experience with the equipment and conditions workers would experience offshore. It has so far proved really beneficial to Bibby Offshore apprentices. We’ve had several visits now from a total of four of Bibby Offshore apprentices and it has been a great experience for both parties. To have young, enthusiastic apprentices starting out in their careers is brilliant to see and hopefully the experience here will stand them in good stead. Steve Ham, Commercial Director, The Underwater Centre.

Gordon Zimmerman, ROV manager at Bibby Offshore, said: “One of Bibby Offshore’s core values is to realise the talent of its people. The company is aware that employee development contributes significantly towards achieving the company’s key business objectives, and we are constantly striving to develop ways to invest in the next generation, and nurture their skills and experience. “Our ROV Apprenticeship Scheme is an important part of our overall award-winning people development programme and we are delighted with the feedback from our apprentices who have attended The Underwater Centre’s excellent practical training.” The Underwater Centre is a purpose-built subsea training and trials facility and is based on the shore of a seawater loch, well sheltered by the surrounding mountains. The Centre’s unique location allows it to provide year-round training and testing in a tidal, open-water environment with access to depths of over 100 metres. On site there is a large range of vessels and equipment and a committed team of expert staff and instructors helping to make subsea training, testing or research work especially for the customer. It is the ideal location to perform realistic and industrylike training while still being centrally located in the largest town in the Scottish Highlands. With accommodation and additional classrooms based at the landward end of the pier, The Underwater Centre is set up to provide its students with the skills and experience to succeed in their new careers, and continue providing the subsea industry with the workforce that it needs.

For more information about The Underwater Centre and the training courses available, contact: 01397 703 786 or fortwilliam@theunderwatercentre.com

www.theunderwaterscentre.com

p36 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

Training & development

LEEA Academy transforms training for lifting equipment engineers Launched late last year, the new LEEA (Lifting Equipment Engineers Association) Academy has transformed the training experience for students preparing for the association’s Diploma qualification for the thorough examination of lifting equipment. Providing more rigorous, flexible and engaging professional development, the LEEA Academy encompasses a range of delivery methods, including a new e-learning service that employs the latest 3D modelling and interactive techniques. The comprehensive range of options available also incorporates instructor-led practical training, and ‘blended learning’, which combines e-learning, supported revision and a final examination. LEEA Academy e-learning can be accessed round-the-clock via PC, Mac, laptop or tablet. An extensive library of high quality, computer generated 3D images of equipment such as hoists and load lifting attachments has been created, making it easy for students to relate their learning to day-to-day working

practices. In addition, fully interactive quizzes and revision assignments are used throughout each training course, providing students with immediate feedback on progress and helping to identify any gaps in their knowledge. Students work at their own pace, and benefit from access to a dedicated tutor and technical helpdesk. A new online learning community connects fellow students. The LEEA Academy has replaced the association’s existing online and distance learning courses, and is designed to complement and supporting its extensive portfolio of instructor-led practical training. The ‘Part One Entrance Certificate’ course, comprising 28 separate modules, was the first to migrate to the new system, and will ultimately be followed by all the Diploma level subjects offered by the association.

are entitled to carry the TEAM Card, the association’s registration scheme for appropriately trained and experienced overhead lifting equipment technicians and engineers. Tel: +44 (0)1480 432801 Email: mail@leeaint.com

www.leeaint.com

Originally established in the late 1950’s, LEEA Diploma examinations are taken by several hundred students every year, worldwide. Only successful candidates, employed by LEEA member companies,

Falck Safety Services UK heightens its technical training offering at first class facility has 32 training centres across the world, has invested a five-figure sum in new equipment at its facility in Dyce and has added further OPITO accreditations, to offer new technical training packages to its customers across the UK.

A leading safety training company has developed its technical training services to enhance one of its Northeast training centres and augment its offering. Falck Safety Services UK (Falck), which currently

As part of Falck’s continuous drive for improvement, the firm has successfully completed OPITO’s initial audit to offer Authorised Gas Tester Training (AGT) level 1, adding to its extensive list of existing OPITO approvals. This new course is aimed at personnel required to test for oxygen, flammable and toxic

gases, equipping delegates with the knowledge to conduct gas testing, including within confined spaces. Additionally delegates are educated on relevant legislative requirements, gas measuring and monitoring equipment, and how to document gas test results. Augmenting its technical offering, Falck is now able to provide versatile technical packages including AGT level 1, Breathing Apparatus (BA) Awareness and Face Fit Testing, or Confined Spaces level 1, 2 & 3 and Face Fit Testing to a variety of onshore and offshore industries. August 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p37

Training & development

GAIN DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN PAIN!! a little help when it’s most needed... Some would say that the changes to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 couldn’t have come at a worse time, with budgets being tightened across whole industry sectors there’s no money available for all the extra work involved in understanding the new standard let alone implementing the new requirements. We are seeing organisations who are looking to achieve certification no longer thinking it’s a financially viable option and those who have already achieved it wondering how they are going to maintain their system never mind transition to a new version of the standard.

So the team at QMI have put together a number of packages with our keenest prices and choice of payment options that we think we can tailor to most organisation’s requirements; we understand that times are tight but we also know that any time and resources already invested in a project cannot be discarded simply because there doesn’t appear to be a way forward.

have been working with the new and existing standards and are familiar with the requirements as they apply to our clients….what have you got to lose? Give us a call or check out or website – we might just surprise you.

We are confident that we can help you get back on track whether that be to gain a new certification, maintain an existing certification or transition to the revised standards for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001; we have a professional and experienced team from a variety of backgrounds who

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QMI Scotland 22 Crimon Place, Aberdeen AB10 1RX

Call us on 01224 626290 or check out our website at:

www.qmi-scotland.co.uk

PROJECT BRINGING OIL CAREERS TO LIFE With the global downturn in oil and gas continuing, it’s natural that many young people will be tempted to look elsewhere when considering future career options. But promoting the long-term opportunities that will still be available in Scotland’s energy sector in future years remains an important task for employers across the industry. Last month, around 30 senior students from Glenwood High School, Glenrothes, and Kirkcaldy High School in Fife travelled to Aberdeen to learn about the diverse range of career opportunities available to them. It was part of a major schools initiative called the Energy Hub, launched earlier this year by energy education organisation Inside Industry in partnership with Energy Skills Scotland, part of Skills Development Scotland (SDS), with support from Subsea UK. The project aims to bring the sector to life through fun and informative activities p38 2016 40 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August July 2016

which mirror real life jobs in subsea and the wider energy industry.

also recognise the importance of taking a long-term approach.”

As part of the six-week programme, students became the youngest people to sit the online refresher Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST) course, a basic safety awareness programme undertaken by all workers travelling offshore in the North Sea.

Those that passed the MIST course were also presented with certificates by global learning technologies provider Atlas Knowledge Group.

During their visit to Aberdeen students also visited employers Aker Solutions, ROVOP and Survivex – where they were set engineering challenges, got to step inside an ROV simulator and learned about the importance of safety training. Mike Duncan, Programme Director at Energy Skills Scotland, said: “For the longterm health of Scotland’s energy industry it remains vitally important that we encourage young people to consider the wealth of careers the sector has to offer. “The involvement of industry is central to the success of this initiative, and having the backing of employers shows that they

The Energy Hub will be rolled out across Scotland over the next year in an aim to further strengthen the partnership between industry and education. Nicol Paton, Training and Competence Coordinator at ROVOP, said: “This kind of initiative is very valuable and our involvement provides us with an excellent opportunity to meet enthusiastic youngsters with an interest in the sector. Investing in future talent is vital to our strategy to sustain and grow our business. “Later this year we intend to recruit our second graduate, who will undertake a two-year placement programme with the company.” www.myworldofwork.co.uk/my-careeroptions/energy

Lively, informative and locally based Quality Auditor training from

QMI Scotland Limited IRCA APPROVED ISO 9001:2015

(5 Days) ISO 9001:2015 QMS Auditor/Lead Auditor (IRCA Certified)

Aberdeen: Glasgow:

August 8th - 12th September 5th - 9th October 4th - 5th September 26th - 30th

(2 Days) ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor Course (IRCA Certified)

Aberdeen: Glasgow:

August 23rd - 24th September 13th - 14th August 2nd - 3rd

(1 Day) ISO 9001:2015 QMS Foundation (IRCA Certified)

Aberdeen: Glasgow:

August 22nd September 12th August 1st

(2 Days) BS OHSAS 18001:2007 Internal Auditor Course (IRCA Certified)

Aberdeen:

August 16th - 17th November 3rd - 4th

(1 Day) BS OHSAS 18001:2007 Foundation Course (IRCA Certified)

Aberdeen:

August 15th November 2nd

(2 Days) ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Internal EMS Auditor (IRCA Certified)

Aberdeen:

October 18th - 19th

(1 Day) ISO 14001:2015 Environmenal Foundation Course (IRCA Certified)

Aberdeen:

October 17th

Aberdeen: Glasgow:

September 1st - 2nd August 29th - 30th

(2 Day) ISO 9001:2015 Transition Course (IRCA Certified)

If you would like to talk to us about your training needs or would like further details about our courses, please call us on: 01224 626290 or visit our website at: www.qmi-scotland.co.uk

Training & Consultancy Environmental

Quality

Health & Safety

July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p41

HAZARDOUS AREA Strict Government Regulations Over Workplace Safety Present Key Opportunities for Hazardous Area Sensor Technology, Says TMR The global hazardous area sensors market is characterized by the presence of a few large and experienced players such as Honeywell International Inc., ABB Group, and Siemens AG, which presents a huge barrier to new entrants. These established players already have a stronghold on the global market, with stiff competition between them. Transparency Market Research identifies security threats as the major challenge for all existing players and finds that companies have been devising improved products with better security features.

Product innovation and development is a key strategy adopted by most leading market players. In order to survive stiff competition in the hazardous area sensors market, companies are involved in research and development activities to create innovative products. The lead author of the study finds. Honeywell International, for instance, expanded its portfolio of hammer union/ wing union pressure sensors in April 2016 with the addition of the IEC Ex/ATEX certified Model 343 to its already existing 435 and 437 models. Concept of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Intrinsic Safetyâ&#x20AC;? Gains Prominence The rising importance of intrinsic safety has positively influenced the growth

p40 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

of the hazardous area sensors market, TMR states. Intrinsic safety is a globally recognized and widely accepted technique of low-energy signaling at a hazardous location, thereby preventing the occurrence of explosions. The acceptance of this concept in present-day manufacturing facilities in oil refineries, textile mills, paint manufacturers, and chemical plants has strongly driven the market and the impact is anticipated to be high toward the end of the forecast period.

In addition to the growing prominence of intrinsic safety, the implementation of stringent government legislations across the globe has compelled companies to make use of hazardous area sensors. the author of the study observes. Countries such as the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Canada, France, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands have set up specific standards, certifications, and ratings for sensor safety. On the flip side, economic slowdown in several countries and the high cost of upgrading legacy systems while installing modern sensors are likely to hamper the growth of the global hazardous sensors market. Surging Application of Hazardous Area Sensors in Shale Gas Exploration and Extraction The global market for hazardous area sensors is anticipated to register an increase in value from US$4.5 bn in 2014 to US$6.7 bn by 2023 at a 4.6% CAGR

therein. By application, the oil and gas industry has led the overall hazardous area sensors market with a share of almost 22% in 2014.

Fueled by the growing application of these sensors in the exploration and extraction of shale gas, this segment is likely to retain its lead through 2023. the analyst predicts. By type of sensors, gas sensing was the key revenue generator in 2014, driven by the rising application of gas sensing hazardous area sensors in various industry verticals. Geographically, Asia Pacific has been the leading contributor in terms of revenue and is projected to remain so throughout the forecast period.

This can be attributed to the rising awareness levels on intrinsic safety and rapid economic and industrial growth. the TMR analyst states. Transparency Market Research Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: www.transparencymarketresearch.com

hazardous area

E2S showcase new premium STEx family at ONS Norway 2016 E2S Warning Signals is showcasing its new STEx premium stainless steel flameproof warning device family for use in aggressive onshore and offshore environments on Stand 5250, Hall 5 at ONS, held from 29 August – 01 September in Stavanger, Norway. E2S, the world’s leading manufacturer of audible and visual warning devices, has developed the STEx family specifically for use in environments where corrosion is a particular issue. The family is launched with ATEX and IEC IECEx approvals; testing to other relevant global standards is currently under way. The STEx family consists of 117 and 123

dB(A) alarm horn sounders with either flared or omni-directional radial horns, 15 and 25 Watt PA loudspeakers, 21, 15 and 10 Joule Xenon strobe beacons, rotating halogen beacons, LED beacons and combined units. Also immediately available are stainless steel junction boxes. All sounder and strobe enclosure bodies are manufactured from 316L stainless steel with ancillary components such as dome guards, mounting brackets and stopping plugs in 316, giving enhanced corrosion resistance over other widely used materials such as 304. Beacons and junction boxes have four M20 entries; sounders and combined units have three M20 entries. ½” and ¾” NPT and M25 adaptors are available.

supported by International Sales Manager Darren Mann and Central Europe Sales Manager Joachim Ebert from E2S.

The E2S stand will be manned by personnel from Marin Supply, E2S’s long established Norwegian distribution partner, who will be

ROTRONIC ATEX Certified Humidity and Temperature Sensors The ROTRONIC Intrinsically Safe HygroFlex5-EX series of humidity/moisture and temperature sensors was developed for easy installation in areas where there is a risk of explosion due to dust or gas in the environment. They were designed to meet the demanding requirements of the oil & gas industry as well as the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and food industries, and will be suitable for hazardous applications elsewhere. The Rotronic HygroFlex5-EX measurement transmitter conforms to the latest international standards. The transmitter is galvanically isolated; 2-channel outputs.

ATEX certified probes are available for all applications. The intrinsically safe transmitters have two channel 4…20 mA outputs selected from temperature, humidity or a moisture value such as dew point or ‘absolute humidity’ (for example Mixing Ratio g/kg). These can be freely scaled exactly as required, using Rotronic HW4 software, for the process being monitored or controlled.

Main features: • Stainless steel probes certified for ATEX Zone 0/20 • Standard & cable mount probes with a screw-in probe for pressure applications • HygroFlex5-EX measurement transmitter certified for Zone 1/21 • The transmitter is galvanically isolated • Wall and duct versions available An LC display is an option • 2-wire supply, 2-analogue outputs (option of dew point, absolute humidity (g/kg) or another moisture value • Robust aluminium transmitter housing; high IP66 protection • Range of calibration accessories for use in the Safe Area A technical datasheet is available, visit:

www.rotronic.co.uk

ROTRONIC Instruments (UK) Ltd T: 01293 571000

August 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p41

hazardous area

Handling Problems Need SolutionS

Above: DRU02 Overhead Drum Rotator

Working in the shipping industry has allowed me to witness injuries caused by incorrect handling of oil drums. Often it is extremely difficult to move drums internally within a vessel when sills, watertight doors and other vessel obstructions prevent traditional trolleys from fulfilling their function. All too often crew members are expected to manually move drums to ‘get the job done’. Safety is the number one priority in the offshore industry and drum handling should be no exception. Manually lifting a drum poses a severe manual handling threat and therefore should not be common practice under any circumstances. Often a drum weighs in excess of 200kg, this weight drastically exceeds the UK Manual Handling guidelines. HSE advisors would not endorse the movement of drums without the correctly specified equipment made for the job. A deck crane with a modified sling arrangement does not hold a drum in a way as to ensure it does not slip or fall

during lifting operations. An oil drum falling from height poses a potentially deadly threat to crew on deck not to mention the risk of an environmental incident following a drum spillage. It is paramount that high quality handling equipment is supplied to the offshore industry if HSE advisors are to be satisfied with the standard of the units being used. Many imported handling solutions offer little or no supporting documentation to back-up the load testing and quality standards of the product and therefore should be scrutinised thoroughly prior to their use to ensure compliance with UK regulations. Why Choose STS: STS Bespoke Handling Equipment has decades of experience in specifying and designing as well as building bespoke lifting equipment. We work with the offshore, nuclear and petrochemical industry to ensure their handling needs are fulfilled. We carry out every step of the process from design, manufacturing all the way to Factory Acceptance Testing (F.A.T). Our team includes industry professionals who have many years of involvement dealing with day to day lifting operations. With a wealth of on the job experience we always know the best way to approach a lifting problem. What We Provide: We offer an extensive range of drum handling equipment from trolleys, lifters and rotators, to drum mixers and overhead attachments. As well as our standard range

Right: DTP04 - Side-Shift Depalletiser

of products we can produce bespoke tailor-made solutions to suit a client’s needs. Drum lifting and rotating equipment can be either manual, electric or pneumatically powered to offer the best solution for the handling issue. It is common to require remote tipping functions in order to decant drums at height without physically being in contact with the unit, we can design individual systems to suit a wide range of customer requirements. Drums are not the only items we can lift; we produce units for lifting cylinders, rolls, reels and other heavy items. Our units can feature power lift, rotation and drive functions offering superior functionality and usability to our customers. Zac Jones, STS Bespoke Handling Equipment Ltd.

Supplying the Offshore Industry with Safe Compliant Handling Equipment STS are leaders in the design and manufacture of high quality manual handling equipment. We offer bespoke products to meet our clients exact needs.

“High Quality Handling Equipment”

Tel : 01736 851050



ATEX Certified Units

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Pneumatic Lift

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Powder Coated Finish



Rust Resistant



Stainless Steel Options

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Offshore Ready

Web : www.sts-trolleys.co.uk

Email : sales@sts-trolleys.co.uk

tech spotlight CONNECTED TECHNOLOGIES AND BOLTING EXPERTISE With over 30 years of providing effective bolt securing systems to the world, the Nord-Lock Group is now a more vibrant global operation than ever. Combining three technologies and companies into one connected Group has enabled Nord-Lock to offer a broad product range, with a unique global knowledge package. The development of Nord-Lock Group as it is today comes from a focus on the knowledge offering, to meet customer requirements and to create one common goal of being a true solution provider. “We recognised that there was an opportunity to further strengthen our offer and the value we can bring,” says Graham Souter, Sales Director for the European region. “It was around 15 years ago when Nord-Lock Ltd joined amongst others Nord-Lock Inc as fully owned subsidiaries and that acted as a starting point of the company becoming the international group it is today. Since then we have continued to grow our organisation in more territories and this has been an important part of growing key relationships and bringing value both to our customers and our partners.” THREE GREAT STORIES The range of expertise that Nord-Lock Group now has at its disposal is neatly summed up in the stories of the technologies, and the knowledge vested in the people behind these technologies. This expertise perfectly complements the origin of the Nord-Lock offering. The Nord-Lock story began back in 1982 when the company started to develop what was to become the world renowned Nord-Lock washers. Nord-Lock washers are produced at a truly focused site in the remote parts of northern Sweden. “The products we manufacture are to be used where failure is not an option,” says Kurt Persson, Senior Advisor at Nord-Lock. “Developing these wedge-locking products with the customers’ application in mind makes us different. It has allowed us to excel at finding ways to help our customers and we continue to perfect it.”

The Superbolt trademark dates back to the 1970s in the steel city of Pittsburgh, USA. It was a man named Rolf Steinbock, who revolutionized the principle of jackbolts by replacing conventional nuts and bolts with multi-jackbolt tensioners. In the process, this eliminated many common bolting problems experienced by heavy industry in the area. The business grew with an additional site in St Gallenkappel, Switzerland, as more industries realised the huge advantages of the solution. The similarities to Nord-Lock were many – being the original developer of the technology, having a strong focus on finding solutions even for the most challenging conditions, and offering highly focused project engineering skills. The story of Boltight was initially the story of Fred Heaton, who was involved when the technology of hydraulic tensioning was first developed near Birmingham, in the UK. In 1999, Fred started Boltight and, together with a focused team, developed hydraulic bolt tensioning tools that are lightweight, compact and easy to use, and which are now used globally on numerous industrial applications. With long experience in meeting their customers’ requirements with state-of-the-art hydraulic tensioning, Nord-Lock Group had once again found a match for expanding the total offering. Nord-Lock original washers (pictured below) The original wedge-locking solution, which secures bolted joints with tension instead of friction. The world’s most trusted quality with full traceability and technical support included in the package.

Above: Supertight hydraulic tensioning systems.

p44 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

tech spotlight Superbolt multi-jackbolt tensioners Joints can be tightened with high accuracy without requiring specialised skills and using solely hand tools. Improves the bolt design, ensuring reliable operation and facilitated maintenance procedures. Boltight hydraulic tensioning systems Hydraulic tensioners with strong and robust designs ensure durability and long operating life. Offer both standard and custom built tooling, supported by a range of ancillary equipment such as high volume pumps, flange pullers, nut splitters, hoses and fittings. PRODUCT INNOVATION - WITH SAFETY IN MIND The product range offered by Nord-Lock Group reflects a portfolio in tune with the modern marketplace. The bolting solutions are available in the widest range of materials and sizes. It has often taken additional steps from the original technology, such as the multifunctional wedge-locking technology of the X-series washers and the radial sleeve incorporated in Superbolt Expansion bolts.

We are in a niche market where we need to have competence, experts and educated people. Different industries demand different priorities, and having multiple product lines that meet the demands of the toughest applications is essential. Take product maintenance on a wind farm for example, or providing bolting solutions for acidic environments or extreme heat. The industries we serve are fastdeveloping and it is important to stay close to our customers, working together in these knowledge partnerships is vital for the mutual benefit and as the portfolio grows we can always find the right solution to any challenge. Andreas Maile, Managing Director of Nord-Lock Germany.

Wedge-locking washers are the origin of our company. Both mechanical and hydraulic tensioning systems have their own strong advantages, so by offering the flexibility afforded by the additions of our Superbolt and Boltight solutions, we are able to meet our customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; challenges head-on and deliver a complete package as required. With bolting solutions from Nord-Lock Group being fitted on millions of applications worldwide, the safety aspect is of upmost importance. The Nord-Lock Group is involved in spreading bolting knowledge on a daily basis, offering both on-site and remote support, combined with the technical verification carried out from in-house laboratories to ensure secure and optimised solutions for its customer base. Complete solution to our global customer base, it promises to be a very exciting time ahead for us as we continue to develop. Graham Souter, Sales Director for the European region of the Nord-Lock Group.

www.nord-lock.com

Above: Boltight hydraulic tensioning systems.

August 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p45

tech spotlight

RUD ABA Lifting Point for Welding Shows damage & wear with the innovative RUD patented wear marking indicator: RUD Chains Ltd offer over 500 lifting and lashing applications which include both welded and threaded types, covering a working load capacity range of 0.6 to 250 tonne.

The patented wear marks allows the user to know if there is more than 10% wear on the item, more than 10% wear on a lifting point means the item must be removed from service. Therefore, offering an ultimate safety factor.

Anyone in the industry knows how important safety is when lifting and moving heavy loads. RUD, a market leader for providing safe lifting products has introduced the ABA load ring to its range. The RUD ABA load ring is forged out of the high strength material CrNiMo, quenched and tempered and surfaced in phosphate for improved material strength and wear resistance. The ABA is loadable in any direction, operational to temperatures as low as -40 degrees and has a safety factor of 4:1.

The wear marks serve as a dual function because they also show the angle of the sling or attachment point relative to the ABA.

The ABA provides the ability to check the load ring for damage and wear, via the innovative patented wear marking on both the inside and outside of the body of the load ring. The ABA therefore offers a distinct safety benefit over other load rings.

As one of the world’s largest manufacturers of lifting and lashing applications combined with their extensive range of products and knowledge in the market, RUD are continually innovating and developing their extensive product range to stay at the forefront of their customers’ demands.

For more information call: 01227 276 611 Email: Katie.crane@rud.co.uk or visit us at: www.rud.co.uk

Forum Energy Technologies Receives Order for Three Remotely Operated Vehicles Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. announced last month that they had received an order from New Orient Marine Pte. Ltd, to supply three remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for its multi-purpose ice-class vessel currently under construction in Singapore.

will involve subsea intervention, inspection, maintenance and underwater welding of existing gas pipeline systems.

its versatility and operational range, rendering it a very attractive vessel for a broad number of potential clients and projects.”

Cris Gaut, Forum’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased that New Orient Marine has chosen Forum and we look forward to supporting a longterm relationship.

The order includes two Perry™ XLX 200 horsepower, 4,000 meter Work Class ROV systems and one Sub-Atlantic™ Comanche 3,000 meter Observation Class ROV. Forum will also provide operation and maintenance training for New Orient Marine’s personnel, as well as on board support during the ROV mobilisation.

“The award demonstrates Forum’s capability for working with our customers to provide solutions tailored to their specific needs. It also validates our strategy of providing ongoing first class engineering as well as after-market support and service to offshore contractors from our operating centres in key regions. For New Orient Marine, the after-sales support will be provided from our established team based in Singapore.”

Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. is a global oilfield products company, serving the subsea, drilling, completion, production and infrastructure sectors of the oil and natural gas industry. The Company’s products include highly engineered capital equipment as well as products that are consumed in the drilling, well construction, production and transportation of oil and natural gas. Forum is headquartered in Houston, TX with manufacturing and distribution facilities strategically located around the globe.

Forum’s ROV systems are scheduled for delivery this year. New Orient Marine’s new build, multi-purpose ice-class vessel has been designed to operate in ambient temperatures as low as minus 30 degree Celsius. The first project for the new vessel p46 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

A spokesperson for New Orient Marine remarked, “Adding the equipment from Forum on-board the vessel, will increase substantially

For more information, please visit:

www.f-e-t.com

Destec Engineering ltd Destec is synonymous with innovation engineering high quality connectors for the oil & gas industry. Destec has been in business for over 46 years and still a family owed company run by the Director Mr. Barry Porter. The engineers at Destec are coming up with new ideas for the subsea connections as the market becomes more innovated and complicated. The first GSB Single bolt clamp that Destec sold into the market was in 1984 and still to this day it is in Service in the North Sea, this shows the quality that Destec achieves. All of the products are fully traceable, manufactured and inspected at Destecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Factory in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, this gives Destec a greater control over the products that it produces, and with our major customers like ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, Onesubsea, Chevron & GE only the best will do! Destec has a very well skilled workforce with most of the staff working at Destec for 25 years on average, but soon Destec will need more staff to cope with the foreseeable work. This year has been good so far for Destec even with the uncertainly of the oil industry and not knowing when it will recover, with new product & onsite machining contracts with chemical companies in the UK & Asia, also extending the pricing agreement with one of their biggest clients for the next 5 years.

tech spotlight

Below: Global Sales & Marketing Manager Mark Lamyman, overseeing the planned turnaround work at the Techno Chemical plant in China.

www.destec.co.uk Destec have now designed & manufactured a Misalignment compact flange with sizes available from 4â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 1500lb to 24â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 1500lb and will mate to the standard Desflex compact flange. This product is used where there is a misalignment in the pipeline, and is also a swivel flange for bolt misalignment. Destec knows there is a market for this product and hope that it will take off like their other connector products.

The Destec onsite service team has just completed the 6 week turnaround work on the Milazzo Refinery in Sicily, which has consisted in the inspection, machining, ndt & assembly of the G range 4 bolt clamps which is used on all the high pressure valves and pipe work throughout the site. Mark Lamyman from Destec is very pleased with how the job went with no leaks and a very satisfied customer. Also later this year the service team will be working in the Norwegian & Australia offshore sectors as well as the U.K power generation industry.

Above: Destec Misalignment Ball Flange Connector. Below: Destec Inspector onsite at Milazzo Refinery.

August 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p47

tech spotlight

Fischer Rugged Flash Drive now five times faster with USB 3.0 Fischer Connectors, the worldwide innovator in push-pull circular connectors and cable assembly solutions, has launched the USB 3.0 version of its ultra-portable, miniature, lightweight and extremely tough Fischer Rugged Flash Drive. This memory stick has been specially designed for the safe transportation and storage of sensitive data in harsh environments. The USB 3.0 Fischer Rugged Flash Drive is even faster, smaller and more user-friendly than the USB 2.0 product introduced to the market in 2011. The read speed is now up to five times faster; standard memory sizes are 32, 64 or 128 GB; the body is shorter; and, in order to guarantee secure access, it is now available not only with the Fischer UltiMateTM Series interface, but also with

the Fischer MiniMaxTM Series interface. The activity LED is a further feature of the

new product to improve usability. Miniature – the size of a key ring – and lightweight, the Fischer Rugged Flash Drive has proven to be the durable solution for people on the go who need to download and securely transfer confidential data, images or videos from devices used in extreme environmental conditions or in hard-to-reach areas. It is perfectly adapted for applications where data security and confidentiality are critical, such as the industrial, underwater, energy, defence and security, financial, medical, motor and extreme sport sectors, e.g. for civil or military UAVs, ROVs, test & measure equipment or rugged computers. Safe and Secure The Fischer Rugged Flash Drive is both safe and secure. Its rugged casing provides full protection against extreme environmental conditions. The flash drive is waterproof down to 120 meters and is resistant to extreme operating

Main technical specifications • • • • • •

IP68 sealed even unmated Unique Fischer UltiMate (size 07) and MiniMax (size 08) interfaces Up to 100 MB/s read speed High speed USB 3.0 Memory sizes: 32, 64, 128 GB Resists corrosion, vibration, shock and extreme temperatures

+44 (0)23 9245 9600 sales@fischerconnectors.co.uk

www.fischerconnectors.com

Above (left to right): The Fischer Rugged Flash Drive USB 2.0 on UltiMate size 08 and new versions.

p48 | www.sosmagazine.biz | August 2016

temperatures (-40°C to +85°C). Thanks to the unique proprietary Fischer Connectors’ circular connector interface combined with a durable encapsulation technique, it guarantees data security in case of loss or theft. “Performance and flexibility”

At times when privacy and confidentiality are of paramount importance, you need the right product to protect your critical information against the elements and the potential risk of loss or theft. Technology moves fast, and both performance and flexibility are required when designing high-speed applications using video. The new Rugged Flash Drive increases data transfer speed by five, and its flexible modular design, which includes a large selection of body styles, sizes, contact configurations and memory capacities, offers high customization. Wim Vanheertum, Product Manager, Fischer Connectors.

tech spotlight

New Developments for ambitious Valve Manufacturers Bifold as they launch their new initiative The Bifold Store Bifold Store is one of Bifold Group’s newest initiatives, incorporating their preferred range products with the emerging online market and the global acceleration of e-commerce. The preferred range includes a variety of the valves which Bifold Group provides with 48hr despatch. The range includes: Ball and Needle Valves, Check and Exhaust Valves, Flow and Volume Valves, Pilot and Mechanical Valves, Solenoid Valves and Medium Pressure Valves. Bifold Store is a way in which Bifold can offer a selection of products to you online, therefore creating a much more accessible and easy service. The Bifold Store has filter services such as ‘type of valve’ and ‘price range’ to make it easier to distinguish and locate products and navigate around the store. The Bifold Store is an easy way to access the products that are available via 48hr despatch time. The features on the web page make sure to spotlight popular products using a ‘Popular

Categories’ section wherein customers can easily select products which are regularly bought. The Bifold Store also includes product images and descriptions along with their operational schematics in order to make product identification much quicker. The Bifold Store website also has easily identifiable tabs of the separate product ranges, again making navigation and accessibility around the online store easy and efficient. Accessibility is extended further via the various devices that the Bifold Store website has been made available to. Customers can access the website through a multitude of devices, including tablets, phones and computers. This means that products can be ordered in cohesion with the immediacy of the customer demand. There are over 500 products available in the Bifold Store’s growing catalogue, featuring a comprehensive selection of products from across the entire Bifold range. Once a customer becomes a regular buyer, they will acquire an account and purchase history which will be found under ‘My Account’. In this, customers can view their previous

orders, current orders and can re-order the same items again without going through the basket process. All of the products on the Bifold Store are despatched within 48 hours from the point of order, incorporating Bifold’s new ’48 Hour Despatch’ initiative. This has been successful within the Bifold sales department and so implementing it on the Bifold Store will have the same effect in terms of efficiency. This again improves the accessibility of the products to the customers in conjunction with the other features of the website. If you are interested in the Bifold Store initiative, please visit store.bifold.co.uk for further details and terms and conditions. You can also contact Bifold using the information below. Bifold are dedicated to maintaining the excellence of their products and their new facility confirms their commitment to shortening lead times and meeting customer demands. Bifold Group would like to take this opportunity to thank all their customers for their continued support.

EWFM Introduction EW Fuel Management Ltd, based in the UK, has been supplying equipment to the offshore and subsea sectors; from barge loading facilities in Columbia to deep water pipeline subsea swivels off Brazil. EWFM have many years of experience in transferring hazardous liquids and gases, as well as being specialists in sourcing a range of equipment that may need engineering input. Swivels The materials of construction range from standard steels to exotic materials. The pressure range is up to 20,000 psi and the diameters to 36 inches. The deepest depth supplied is 2000 meters below sea level at 5000 psi internal pressure and a diameter of 18 inches. These are designed to alleviate torque from pipe laying during descent to the seabed.

Ship to shore hose reels require the use of swivels and carry a wide range of fluids often hazardous or detrimental to the environment. Safety Breakaways Designed to prevent the accidental loss of product between ship-land, ship-ship and ship-offshore structures by containing the product in the hose with the minimum of leakage. There are two control systems available, either with a pull cable or without. These breakaways can be installed on land, floating or submerged.

Couplings and adaptors Dry Disconnect Couplings are designed for quick and spill free connection and disconnection of hoses and pipelines. They are used on offshore, onshore and ship to shore installations. Bunkering of ships such as ferries and work boats is a typical application due to requirements for safe transfer, environmental and safety reasons. August 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p49

Industry news

ITF launches Innovation Network to shine a light on SME oil & gas technology development The Industry Technology Facilitator (ITF) has launched a new global online Innovation Network to raise the profile of oil and gas SMEs direct to its membership of operator and service companies. Available at: www.network.itfenergy.com, the Innovation Network is an active online community enabling oil and gas SMEs to promote their technologies and services direct to end users and also keep up to date with the latest technology needs of the industry. All technology organisations with less than 250 employees can post a free profile on the Innovation Network including a company description. Companies can also sign up for premium and elite subscriptions which offer a number of additional benefits from posting videos, case studies, available technologies and field trials to securing exhibition space at the annual Technology Showcase and receiving regular updates from ITF members.

oil and gas membership with the SMEs that could potentially solve some of their costly challenges. It has been developed in direct response to a demand from technology companies seeking introductions to our end users and we have commitment from our membership that they want to engage in this way and see great value in getting tangible insights into the innovations coming from the SME community,

particularly those that can be quickly implemented. This will be an active and evolving community where we will encourage discussion and engagement on field trials, joint industry projects and technologies that have high readiness levels. ITF, a not-for-profit organisation, has facilitated the launch of more than 200 projects from early stage concepts through to field trials and commercialisation.

Dr Patrick Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien, CEO of ITF said:

The Innovation Network is a brand new platform to bring together our

Coming Up in Septemberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue of SOS Magazine...

Lifting Equipment, Deck Machinery & Winches Fasteners, Seals, Gaskets & Bolting Solutions Welding & Fabrication Subsea Equipment

Hazardous Area Equipment & Services... If you have any news, insights or product launches that you would like to share with our readers, please email them to:

editor@sosmagazine.biz for consideration in our future issues.

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