Subsea & Offshore Magazine July 2016

July 2016 Issue

ONS 2016 | Subsea Equipment/ROV/AUV’s Lifting & Handling Equipment | Product Spotlight Decommissioning | Training & Development

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Contents

edi to r s l et t er Welcome to the July 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

4

ne w s i n b r i e f

6

i nd u stry ne w s

8

d e c o m m i ssi o ni ng

23

sub se a e qu i p m e nt / rov / au v ’ s

26

li f ti ng & hand li ng e qu i p m e nt

33

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

40

PRODU C T S POTLIGHT

44

A - Z D i r e c tory

51

ONS 2016 takes place in Norway, Stavanger between 29th Aug – 1st Sept and we preview the technical sessions and its ongoing expansion (p20).

Dougie Collin, Principal IQ Environmental Sciences, Iqarus advises us that the health and wellbeing of subsea dive workers should be treated no differently to any other employment or working environment (p4).

Ben Foreman, Senior Technology Analyst with ITF headlines our Decommissioning feature and elaborates on the smart solutions sought for well and topside plugging and abandonment (p24).

Next month’s features include Subsea Equipment & Underwater Inspection, Training & Development and OSVs & Cable Installations. We will be distributing copies at ONS 2016, so if you would like to feature in the next issue, please send your articles and supporting images to me at editor@sosmagazine.biz. For advertising opportunities, please email Jon McIntosh for further details. jon@sosmagazine.biz Thanks for reading!

David Sullivan - Editor

Editor: David Sullivan

Publication Manager: Jon McIntosh

Sales Manager: Alex Wetton

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Publisher: Robert Robinson

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July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p3

Under the sea but not under the weather

By Dougie Collin, Principal of IQ Environmental Sciences, Iqarus Subsea divers work in harsh and dangerous locations but despite the challenges of their watery workplace, their health and wellbeing should be treated no differently to any other employment or working environment.

Traditionally, medical surveillance for divers is carried out after exposure to risk has occurred and a diagnosis is then made.

Iqarus has taken the step to integrate occupational hygiene as a core part of its service, offering benefits in both the prevention and detection of workforce health issues.

As occupational hygienists can’t observe divers as they work in the subsea environment, they need to deploy methods which allow them to monitor the environment remotely. For example, passive sampling devices can be placed in a diving bell or chamber to monitor the atmosphere for any vapours brought in which could cause exposure. The additional capability of biological monitoring creates a simple but effective method for exposure risk assessments.

Exposure risk pathways As well as risk from atmospheric exposures, there are a range of other factors which can affect divers. One is the potential for variation in noise exposure. Noise is not sound as most people understand it; it is actually a pressure the ear detects which the brain interprets as the sound that we hear. If there is contact of an object against the head or helmet, it is amplified inside at a different pressure which has a more significant impact on health than it would do on the surface. This also impacts sensory perception, which in a diving environment where equipment is being used, could potentially be catastrophic.

Contact and contamination of the skin also needs to be better assessed and understood through education. The risk from contamination is the same no matter where a dive occurs and is most likely to happen at the end of a dive. For example, the first sign of an allergic reaction to shellfish protein is cracking of skin between fingers. It could be dismissed as part and parcel of the job, however, if it is happening on a regular basis, can build into a chronic exposure pathway.

Sharps present on suits, such as very finely ground up shale, stones and grit from the sea bed, can cause cuts and abrasions, weakening the skin’s natural barrier and allowing material to pass through into the blood stream. This can create a systemic effect allowing possible infection to be transported to other parts of the body. These factors are not normally included in any form of health risk assessment unless there’s already an indicator of a problem.

This comes back to the historical way of dealing with divers through medical supervision and diagnosis after exposure occurs.

An integrated approach to occupational health and hygiene Iqarus’ new approach of combining occupational hygiene with occupational health can provide real benefits as it delivers environmental sciences consultancy in tandem with medical and health provision.

Health risk assessments are already a part of statutory requirements but without fully understanding the risks they cannot be assessed properly. The ability to incorporate input from an occupational physician and occupational hygienist on the exposure pathways for these elements means that the evaluation stage can be far more effective, protecting and benefiting the diver’s health. The sector needs to review and understand that the health risks go further than ensuring the diver is fit for work. These risks apply across the whole subsea sector, for those diving professionally and personally as a leisure pursuit.

A number of the health issues can lead to irreversible conditions, potentially even terminal, but they can be prevented. The key is educating divers and encouraging them to raise indication issues early to avoid what may be seen as an insignificant problem becoming a detrimental long-term health issue. Ultimately, increased knowledge and understanding can lead people to become their own first line of defence.

www.iqarus.com

p4 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

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HTL joins the Energy Industries Council (EIC) HTL, an industry leading provider of controlled bolting, flange working and portable machine solutions today announced that it has joined The EIC, the leading trade association for UKregistered companies that supply capital goods and services to the energy industries worldwide.

IMCA STRENGTHENS ITS COUNCIL WITH TWO SENIOR APPOINTMENTS Two new representatives from the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) global contractors have been appointed to IMCA’s Council.

Harke Jan Meek is Chief Commercial Officer at Heerema Marine Contractors (HMC).

In this capacity Harke is a member of the HMC Board and responsible for the commercial and technology departments. He joined HMC in 2012 in a commercial and business development role for SURF projects, and was appointed as Senior Vice President Commercial in October 2013.

He was previously with SBM in Monaco and Jakarta in business development roles. His early career was with Shell in The Hague and Houston specializing in LNG projects.

Harke has an MSc in Offshore Technology from Delft University of Technology, and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.

Iain Grainger is VP Commercial for McDermott’s Europe & Africa Region and General Manager of the UK office, having recently relocated from Houston where he was VP of Corporate Strategy. He has a 30 year career in senior positions with leading industry contractors, more recently with Subsea 7 as VP of corporate strategy and business development, overseeing a particularly strong period of growth. His early career was with Brown & Root and Rockwater.

Iain has a BSc in Civil Engineering from HeriotWatt University and an MBA from Warwick Business School. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Member of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (MIMarEST).

“The IMCA Council is delighted to have such experienced and talented executives join at this particularly challenging time for our whole industry,” explains Allen Leatt CEO of IMCA. p6 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

The EIC has a membership base of more than 600 companies working in the global energy industries. The EIC’s mission is to support its members in marketing and selling their energy products and services in the UK and overseas. It provides business intelligence, networking opportunities including exhibitions and trade missions, training, consultancy and business support services that are designed to help companies capitalise on international opportunities while reducing some of the associated risk, for example through the use of the EIC’s international office infrastructure.

Stephen Jones, Group CEO, HTL Group comments: “We are pleased to be joining the EIC and look forward to becoming active members as we seek to offer our 100% British made, torque and tension tooling, flange working and bespoke hydraulic equipment requirements to the energies industries worldwide. We believe that the EIC’s wealth of industry experience overseas and their comprehensive tracking of new business opportunities will be extremely valuable in helping us to increase our market share in what is an increasingly challenging marketplace.”

Stuart Broadley, CEO of the EIC welcomes HTL: “We are delighted to welcome HTL as a member of the EIC and look forward to supporting their short and long-term business goals through the comprehensive range of services we offer.”

E-Reps Forum puts spotlight on environmental issues at 5th exhibition and conference The spotlight is again put on the offshore industry’s environmental responsibilities at the 5th E-Reps Forum later this year.

Environmental representatives (e-reps) and management from across the UK’s oil and gas sector will gather at Jurys Inn Aberdeen Airport on Wednesday, October 5 (2016).

A series of seminars, interactive workshops and networking opportunities will take place, with around 15 businesses expected to exhibit at the event.

The E-Reps Forum will see presentations by e-reps from companies working across the UK Continental Shelf sharing their success stories, offering delegates new ideas on how to enact change and improve environmental performance within their own organisations.

The topic of this year’s exhibition and conference is ‘Back to Basics’ with particular focus on what it means to be an environmental representative, and the environmental impact of the oil and gas operations and how the industry responds to them.

Jill Rennie, Director of the E-Reps Network (pictured below), which runs the Forum, said: “The event has gone from strength to strength and I’m delighted we’re celebrating our 5th anniversary. It has grown from an idea to something that puts environmental representatives in the spotlight, giving them an opportunity to discuss and discover new ideas.

“We realise times are difficult but we’ve already secured a few exhibitors and delegates for this year’s event. Everyone is aware that the accountability and responsibility to the environment doesn’t diminish due to economic conditions.”

As in previous years, a number of key speakers are expected to take part including those from industry bodies, small, medium and large companies as well as industry experts with particular specialisms.

Subsea UK to hold first networking event in Great Yarmouth Industry body, Subsea UK, is to bring subsea supply chain companies in Great Yarmouth together in the first networking event of its kind in the region on the 29th June 2016.

The event will focus on underwater activity in the oil and gas, defence, oceanology and marine renewables industries and will allow delegates to identify opportunities and debate the challenges facing the subsea sector.

AccessESP appoints Sheridan as Asia Pacific region manager AccessESP, a leading provider of rigless electric submersible pump (ESP) conveyance solutions for the worldwide oil industry, has appointed Ed Sheridan as its Asia Pacific Region Manager. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, he will be responsible for increasing market share in the region.

Prior to joining AccessESP, Sheridan worked for nine years with Baker Hughes Artificial Lift in the United Kingdom in a variety of sales, technical and operational positions. Most recently, Sheridan worked as AccessESP’s Product Line Manager for Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Australia.

“As AccessESP continues to expand into new global markets, we are continually adding talented managers to our regional teams to support growth and more efficiently service our clients,” said David Malone, AccessESP’s President and CEO. “Ed’s international experience, coupled with his expertise in artificial lift operations, makes him an invaluable asset in enhancing our company’s coverage across the Asia Pacific region while upholding the AccessESP standard of exceptional service.”

Sheridan has a mechanical engineering degree from Aberdeen College in Scotland and is an active member of SPE.

The evening session will see key speakers from event sponsors Scientific Management Associates, TechSafe, Applied Acoustics, Proeon Systems Ltd, Pipeshield and Nylacast, who will demonstrate how they are adapting their business models for the current market to ensure they are fit for the future.

Neil Gordon, Chief Executive of Subsea UK, said: “The Norfolk region is fast becoming a hub for the subsea sector and we hope that these kind of events will provide a platform for companies operating in the sector to come together and identify and exploit opportunities whilst sharing best practice.

NOF Energy, the energy industry business development organisation, has appointed Richard Turner from JDR Cables to its board.

Richard, who is Chief Operating Officer at the Hartlepool based offshore cable manufacturer, brings extensive knowledge and expertise to the board from the renewables and oil & gas markets.

He joined JDR Cables in 2014 following almost five years as Vice President Global Manufacturing with Technip Umbilical Systems and has built an impressive track record over the last 16 years for delivering manufacturing excellence and maximising efficient operations.

JDR Cables, which is a member of NOF Energy, operates in global markets as a manufacturer of high performance subsea umbilicals and power cables, which are capable of operating in the world’s harshest offshore environments.

“Our aim at Subsea UK is to help organisations work towards a common goal, especially during times of market uncertainty like we are seeing now.”

The event is supported by East of England Energy Group (EEEGR), a non-profit business-led group committed to the sustained development of the energy sector in the East of England.

Subsea UK is a self-sustaining body that champions the country’s subsea supply chain, representing over 300 members.

It acts as a focal point to promote the sector and maximise its opportunities and provides a national forum for collaboration, diversification and technology development.

The East of England subsea networking event will take place at The Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth. Tickets are £35 for Subsea UK members and £40 for non-members.

Those wishing to attend can book their place online via the Subsea UK website: www.subseauk.com

Richard has been integral to the company’s continued growth and commitment to investment, which includes the development of a new wing at its Hartlepool facility, which will house some of the world’s largest and highest capacity cable and umbilical manufacturing equipment.

NOF Energy’s board, which is made up of 13 prominent industry professionals from the energy sector supply chain, works to inform and direct the organisation’s strategy.

Providing a suite of services for its network of 500 members that help identify new business opportunities in the UK and around the world, NOF Energy also delivers industry intelligence and hosts an extensive calendar of networking events and briefings.

Richard Turner said: “I am very pleased to be invited to join the board of NOF Energy. It is a very proactive organisation that consistently supports the business development ambitions of its members. The broad expertise and experience of the board is invaluable to assisting the development of NOF Energy’s offering, particularly in the current evolving industry environment.”

Brexit and the Oil & Gas Markets: CROSS-COMMODITY FACTBOX by S&P Global Platts Oil prices moved sharply lower on heightened concerns about the global economy. However some commentators played down the long term impact on oil markets, as the UK itself entered what could be a prolonged period of uncertainty.

In terms of oil supply, European production, centered on the North Sea, is relatively marginal, at less than 4% of the global total last year, while UK production is about 1% of the total, at around 1 million b/d.

The recent price rout partly reflected fears that the UK vote would trigger renewed political and economic instability in Europe. Europe’s oil demand amounts to about 14% of the global total and was unchanged last year on the previous year. However the continent is not the focus of demand growth expectations, with the long term outlook already

p8 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

viewed as subdued in terms of European oil consumption and growth mainly driven

by Asian economies such as China and India.

UK wholesale natural gas prices were highly volatile during early Friday trading as traders filtered the effect of Brexit into NBP contracts, with strong bullish momentum from the pound crashing against the euro more than covering oil price losses.

The key Winter 16 NBP contract, assessed

by S&P Global Platts at 42.15 pence/ therm Thursday, was seen trading as high as 43.95 pence/therm shortly after the market open, before being sold down to 42.75 p/th ahead of being valued at 43.80 p/th at 1330 BST (1230 GMT).

Early reaction to the price movements from market participants indicated

that Brexit would make the UK more attractive to gas exporters, with the higher NBP contract pricing against other European hubs potentially bringing pipeline import boosts in addition to higher LNG volumes.

In the Netherlands, July TTF dealt as low as Eur14.60/MWh before regaining some ground to stand at Eur15.00/MWh by 1330 London time, leaving the contract 20 euro cent down on the day, while day ahead and Winter 16 price were down 25 euro cent.

“Next week, we may see general weakness in European markets on recession fears (following Brexit),” one Germany based trader said.

Industry news

Impact Subsea Increases Global Reach To support the growing global demand for its state of the art underwater sensors, Impact Subsea has significantly expanded its distributor network.

Over the past five months, seven new companies have joined the Impact Subsea network of of distributors.

Each distributor provides local support for Impact Subsea’s underwater altimeter, depth, range, heading, motion and temperature sensing solutions.

The recent distributor appointments include: All-Star Technology (Taiwan), Oceanvision (Singapore), Oceasian Technology (China), Pioneer Focus (Hong Kong), Seascape (The Netherlands), Tae Kwang Electronics Corp (South Korea) and Uncommon Technologies (Norway).

Impact Subsea and Uncommon Technologies share a commitment to the highest quality and service, aligned with our client’s expectations.

We are proud to serve our customers with high performing, cost-competitive subsea products, and are excited to include Impact Subsea’s range of products as an important part of our offering to the Scandinavian market.

Elin Wiik, CEO, Uncommon Technologies.

Innovative Underwater Solutions Ben Grant, Managing Director, Impact Subsea added ‘The underwater sensor technology which we provide has a strong global demand. To ensure that we offer the highest quality of support to our world wide customers, we are delighted to announce the growth in our distributor network’.

Located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Impact Subsea has a focus to provide highly innovative sensors to ROV, AUV and other underwater applications.

The company pioneered the ISA500 the first underwater Altimeter with an integrated Attitude & Heading Reference System (AHRS) - reducing equipment costs and providing a powerful multiapplication sensor.

For further information on Impact Subsea, or any of its distributors, please visit:

www.impactsubsea.com

GULF POLSKA LAUNCHED The Gulf Oil International Group is delighted announce the launch of a new lubricant operation for Poland: Gulf Polska Sp z.o.o.

The new company is a joint venture between Gulf Oil International and Boss Oil Limited.

Gulf Polska Sp z.o.o. will bring important long term security and stability to the development of the Gulf brand and the sales of its products in a market that Gulf sees as being of great importance in its future operations in Europe.

“This will represent a major step forward for Gulf in Poland,” explains Gulf Oil International’s Vice President, Europe, Camille Nehme.

“We have ambitious plans in the country and a strong presence in Poland is a key part of Gulf’s growth in Europe, which, in turns forms part of Gulf’s major international growth programme.”

Gulf Polska will be managed by Rob van den Bosch who has great experience of both the Gulf Brand and the Polish lubricants market.

“Gulf is a well established global brand with an excellent, wide portfolio of quality products,” comments Rob van den Bosch. “It also has an incredible marketing platform, which we know will be something that will be of benefit to the entire distribution chain in Poland, from distributors through to end user customers.”

Gulf recently signed a three year global partnership with the world’s number one football brand, Manchester United, and club legend, Gary Pallister, flew in to celebrate the launch of the new company, meeting media and trade at an event in Szczecin, where Gulf Polska is going to be based.

The former England International star explained the nature of the Gulf global lubricant and fuel partnership with Manchester United who were, of course, recently crowned as winners of England’s FA Cup. In the run up to the important Euro 2016 tournament, for which both Poland and England had qualified, he also gave his views on more general footballing issues.

July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p9

Industry news

Cable Cleats Demand Increases Automation at CMP Products One of the world’s leading manufacturers of cable glands and cable cleats has increased the automation capacity at its UK based production facility, after installing additional state of the art robots within its automated cable cleat line.

Demand for CMP Products’ range of cable cleats is expanding at such a rate that the company’s innovation and automation team has been tasked with doubling the output of CMP’s cable cleats line by the end of the year; much sooner than had been expected.

In direct response, the company’s innovation and automation team has installed three new Fanuc robots in its metal forming production line and two new SEPRO robots in its mould shop.

This efficient, fully automated process will improve the safety and reliability of production even further; with robots improving accuracy and speed, without compromising on quality.

In line with the expansion of the company’s cleat manufacturing facility, the innovation and automation team has designed and manufactured a bespoke, automated welding machine, which allows for quicker and easier production on a number of lines within the cable cleat range.

The custom-made, automated welding

device is set to reduce cycle times by more than 50%, with an additional project in the pipeline to produce a similar machine for other products in the range.

Higher than expected orders from around the world have allowed us to accelerate our automation schedule, resulting in five robots being installed since the start of the year. It has been a big ask of our team to double output, but we have a skilled, dedicated team that are more than up to meeting the challenge.

Demand for cable cleats is increasing as design engineers look to make electrical installations as safe as possible - and with CMP’s reputation for quality and safety we are seeing the direct results in our production figures.

Installation of the robots represents CMP’s commitment to continuous improvement and the delivery of a cable cleat range that is one of the most innovative, quality products on the market.

Trevor Herron, Chief Operations Officer, CMP Products.

CMP www.cmp-products.com

CIS GROUP AWARDED THIRD CONSECUTIVE GOLD MEDAL FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY UK’s Highest Safety Accolade Recognises 11 Years without a Lost Time Incident.

Conductor Installation Services Ltd (CIS), an Acteon company that provides hammer services to install conductors and drive piles, has been awarded its third consecutive Gold Medal for Occupational Health and Safety from the UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

11 Years Without A Lost-time Incident CIS completed its 11th consecutive year of operation without an accident or a Lost Time Incident (LTI). In recognition of this accomplishment, RoSPA awarded CIS with its third consecutive Gold Medal. p10 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

“The award of this third consecutive Gold Medal is a real testament to the CIS team and its ongoing dedication to safe working practices,” said James Chadd, Managing Director of the CIS Group.

“It illustrates how vigilant all company personnel are, whether working offshore, onshore or in an office environment.

It’s deeply ingrained in the CIS culture, and we’re extremely proud of that.”

The RoSPA Awards criteria takes into consideration not only accident records, but the entrant’s overall health and safety management systems, recognising practices, such as strong leadership and workforce involvement. For CIS, this means that the company demonstrates outstanding commitment to protecting the health and safety of its employees and customers.

CIS, a member of Acteon’s Seabed Foundation Technologies group, provides conductor and pile installation services associated with construction projects carried out in the global oil and gas industry. These services are carried out both onshore and offshore to, for example, create foundations for new wells, platforms, bridges and jetties.

The range of services provided by CIS supports the Acteon Group’s commitment to defining subsea services across a range of interconnected disciplines.

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Industry news

SIMMONS EDECO APPOINTS GAVIN SHERWOOD TO KEY SENIOR MANAGEMENT POST Valve, Wellhead and Asset Integrity Services to be Offered Globally SIMMONS EDECO, a leading supplier of valve, wellhead and asset integrity maintenance and onshore drilling services to the global oil and gas industry, announced that it has appointed Gavin Sherwood to the newly created position of Business Development Manager for SIMMONS EDECO Europe Limited.

In his role, Sherwood oversees all global sales and marketing initiatives for the company’s valve, wellhead and asset

integrity maintenance services, which are supplied from its primary European base of operations in Great Yarmouth, England.

Although SIMMONS EDECO has been supporting major operators in the UK North Sea and Dutch North Sea with valve, wellhead and asset integrity maintenance services for many years, the time is ripe to actively offer them globally.

Through my previous roles at Centrica, I have worked with SIMMONS EDECO, so I know that they ‘move mountains’ to help customers achieve their goals.

The company is an independent service provider that operates without being constrained

by OEM demands, so they deliver an extremely diverse service to clients by innovating and manufacturing effective alternative solutions, as well as being able to supply and service the traditional OEM equipment. Coupled with its excellent reputation in the UK, I’m confident that SIMMONS EDECO will soon be recognised globally as the ‘go to’ company for valve, wellhead and asset integrity services.

Gavin Sherwood, (pictured) Business Development Manager, SIMMONS EDECO.

With 26 years in well services, Sherwood understands what operators require when it comes to well integrity.

Before joining SIMMONS EDECO, Sherwood worked for 10 years in a variety of well engineering roles with Centrica, most recently as Well Integrity Engineer at Centrica E&P in Aberdeen, Scotland and previously as Well Engineer Superintendent at Centrica Storage, Hull, England. He also continues to draw upon the 16 years he worked for the Expro Group as Well Services Operations Supervisor, during which time he was responsible for managing operations for customers in the UK and overseas.

“In view of our plans to expand and offer our valve, wellhead and asset integrity services to oil and gas operators globally, we also intend to offer our services to the petrochemical and oil and gas terminal operators. We’re very keen to build upon the company’s presence in the UKCS,” said Brian Kelly, Manager of SIMMONS EDECO Europe Limited. “With Gavin’s in-depth experience of managing well integrity projects, I am certain that he will ensure that our customers will continue to receive outstanding service, and that he will effectively nurture new relationships with operators around the world,” he added.

Originally from Norfolk, England, Sherwood is based in Great Yarmouth, and reports to Brian Kelly.

For more information, please visit:

www.simmonsedeco.com

FUGRO OPENS TRAINING CENTRE IN MIDDLE EAST A new branch of the Fugro Academy Training Centre has been established in Abu Dhabi. The inauguration ceremony on 25th May was led by Mr Samir Al Gharbi, GASOS General Manager, who was presented with a plaque of appreciation by Fugro management.

Located in the heart of the Middle East, the new Fugro Academy Training Centre comprises three training suites, an engineering workshop, a simulation suite, a 7-function manipulator trainer and offices. It also has direct access to Fugro’s own quayside and equipment within p12 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

the base area. Hundreds of Fugro staff from around the world, along with clients requiring specific training, are expected to visit the centre each year.

The Fugro Academy was created in 2006 as

a global group-wide standardised training initiative to develop staff and support recruitment. It provides office based and field staff with both instructor led practical courses and online hosted e-learning modules on a variety of technical, HSE and business related topics. To date the Fugro Academy has presented over 1,500 trainer led courses,

training more than 12,000 staff from the many countries where Fugro has a presence.

“Following the success of the Fugro Academy in Plymouth, which focuses on survey training, we decided to create a subsea training centre,

to work in partnership with our UK colleagues,” explains Subsea Division Training Manager, Darren Walley. “Locating the facility alongside our highly successful ROV training centre here in Abu Dhabi builds on Fugro’s close ties with the United Arab Emirates and brings us the benefits associated with an abundance of local specialist personnel and equipment suppliers.”

Industry news

Classroom in a Box Certified Jupiter Training from Zetechtics At Zetechtics we understand the need for engineers and technicians to have the knowledge and expertise to operate, develop and maintain our products. As part of our commitment to providing the highest quality training, we have recently invested in a suite of training aids including our ‘classroom in a box’ ensuring the highest standards are delivered throughout the world.

Tel: +44 (0) 1653 602020 www.zetechtics.com

S&P Global Platts Acquires RigData S&P Global Platts, the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets, announced today that it has acquired RigData, a provider of daily information on rig activity for the natural gas and oil markets across North America.

The purchase extends the S&P Global Platts energy analytical capabilities by strengthening its position in natural gas and enhancing the company’s oil offering. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Founded in 1986, RigData provides over 5,500 customers in North America with daily electronic reports on drilling permits, activity and rig locations in the United States, the Gulf of Mexico and Canada.

Customers use the information to identify new sales opportunities, assess market share, identify exploration trends, find available rigs, identify new production and monitor market activity.

S&P Global Platts and RigData have been content partners since 2008, with RigData providing essential data to the Platts Bentek product suite.

RigData’s proprietary rig analysis provides essential information to help clients understand near-term activity across the North American energy supply chain. Together with our recent acquisition of Commodity Flow, RigData will help us enhance our analytics offering by providing customers with ever more relevant information about energy

and commodity trade flows.

Imogen Dillon Hatcher, President of S&P Global Platts.

We are excited to become part of S&P Global Platts. Together, we see significant opportunities to provide enhanced data and analytical services to our oilfield services customers.

S&P Global Platts is committed to investing in its analytical capabilities and we are pleased that RigData is an important component of that strategy.

Ed Seifert, President of RigData.

www.platts.com July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p13

Industry news

Proserv secures double contract wins Energy services company Proserv has won two significant contract wins in the Gulf of Mexico.

The deals with Talos Energy and Hess Corporation will see Proserv carry out work at the operators’ respective Phoenix and Conger field expansion developments.

Founded in 1986, RigData provides over 5,500 customers in North America with daily electronic reports on drilling permits, activity and rig locations in the United States, the Gulf of Mexico and Canada.

The delivery of these contracts will be a truly collaborative effort involving Proserv’s global team of subsea controls and communications experts in Great Yarmouth, UK; Trondheim, Norway and Houston, USA. Proserv will provide subsea communications and controls solutions to support the brownfield upgrade of the Phoenix field for Talos Energy.

Specifically, the company will design, manufacture and supply an Open Communications Hub (OCH) and Electrical Distribution Units to interface

with the existing subsea infrastructure previously supplied by Proserv.

The design, manufacture and supply of the OCH will be delivered by Proserv’s dedicated controls team in Houston with support from the company’s engineering and project teams in Trondheim.

David Lamont, Proserv CEO, said: “As one of the leading challenger brands in the oilfield services sector, we remain focused on providing our clients with ingeniously simple solutions through the delivery of appropriate, efficient and highly reliable technology.

The award with Hess Corporation calls for Proserv to provide a Subsea Control Module (SCM) and associated tree mounted equipment for the expansion of the Conger field. The design and manufacture of the SCM will be carried out by Proserv’s team of subsea experts in Great Yarmouth. The tree mounted equipment and the final testing, servicing and the integration of equipment will be performed at Proserv’s controls facility in Houston.

“Winning these awards is testament to the strength of our relationship with both operators and their trust in our ability to deliver robust technology solutions and services on time and to the very highest standards.

Over the past three years, Proserv has provided Hess Corporation with controls solutions for Hess’ Tubular Bells, Stampede and now, Conger projects in the Gulf of Mexico.

The workscopes for both projects will be delivered later this year, in line with key project milestones.

“We look forward to working with both Talos Energy and Hess Corporation in the successful delivery of these projects.”

Proserv, which operates worldwide through 26 operating centres based in 11 countries, has a 40 year track record in delivering world-class solutions for the energy industry, particularly in the subsea, production and drilling market sectors.

For further information, visit:

www.proserv.com

Above: One of Proserv’s subsea technicians working on the development of a subsea controls solution.

p14 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

Industry news

Flexitallic agree first Irish distribution agreement Flexitallic, the global leader in static sealing solutions has further expanded its distribution network with an agreement that will see its products offered to businesses in Ireland via an intermediary, for the first time.

Teschem, the Cork based manufacturer of precision gaskets and fluid sealing products, has secured the rights to stock Flexitallic’s full range of products, which includes gaskets capable of withstanding temperatures as high as 982°c.

Established in 1984, Teschem serves the chemical, pharmaceutical, power, OEM, and utilities sectors. As a result of the distribution agreement, the company has been able to enhance its product offering to local and international businesses and ensure it has easy access to the latest sealing solutions.

For more than 100 years Flexitallic has been at the forefront of the gasket and sealing industry. The inventor of the spiral would gasket in 1912,the company has

Tel: +44

continually innovated to create products that can operate in harsh industrial conditions meeting and exceeding the increasing demands of modern industry.

In addition to directly supplying customers in the oil and gas, chemical, nuclear, power generation and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Flexitallic operates a network of distributors across the UK and around the world.

The agreement with Teschem represents a significant milestone in our effort to create and maintain a global distribution network. It has enabled us to establish a physical presence in Ireland and will help raise the profile of Flexitallic.

Businesses that require access to high quality sealing solutions will benefit a great deal from this partnership, as it will bring what are arguably some of the best products in the market to their doorstep.

Sam Bradley, UK Sales Manager, Flexitallic.

(0) 1730 895785 sales@ceep.co.uk www.ceep.co.uk

To date, we at Teschem, have developed a successful relationship with Flexitallic.

We now expect to enjoy an even closer relationship and to continue the promotion and selling of the ever increasing and innovative range of gaskets, being developed and produced

by Flexitallic.

Sean Wyse, MD, Teschem.

www.flexitallic.eu

Industry news

Tendeka wins Wintershall Norge AS contract Tendeka, the provider of completions systems and services to the upstream oil and gas industry, has won a four year contract with Wintershall Norge AS with a further four year extension option.

The company has been selected to supply sand screens for wells in the Maria, Brage, Skarfjell and Vega field developments in the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The contract includes the supply of Tendeka’s FloMax premium mesh sand screen, which uses a multi-layer design for sand retention and fines tolerance and its FloRight (pictured) screen with inflow control device (ICD), which enables uniform production or injection along the entire payzone on the well.

Being awarded the four year contract by Wintershall Norge AS is tremendous news. Thanks go to our team in Norway and our internal and external supply chain who have excelled in sustainably positioning Tendeka more competitively during such difficult market conditions. We are excited to begin working with Wintershall where we will provide the best service and added value possible.

technologies include liner hangers, a range of ICDs, metal mesh or wire wrap screens for sand or debris control, multiple zonal isolation solutions, intelligent completions, intervention products, retrofit systems and integrated monitoring systems, with over 40,000 installed around the globe.

Gary Smart, CEO, Tendeka.

Tendeka has a comprehensive portfolio of completion technologies which provide integrated solutions for inflow assurance, optimisation and control. These best in class

www.tendeka.com

ACE Winches awarded second contract in Newfoundland for Hebron project C

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ACE Winches will provide ACE 40 tonne WLL hydraulic drum winches, two ACE 12.5 tonne WLL hydraulic drum winches, a dedicated diesel hydraulic power unit for each winch and running line monitors to provide line and load monitoring.

The contract marks further work on the Hebron project for the company; in 2014 the company supplied a range of winches for use in the dry dock to tension the installation as it transitioned from dry dock into open water. The winches were then used to keep the GBS in position during the manoeuvre process.

www.ace-winches.com

p16 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

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Offshore Energy 2016: Registration open The registration for Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference 2016 (OEEC 2016) is now open. The ninth edition of this event is expected to attract 11,500 offshore professionals and more than 650 exhibiting companies.

Offshore Energy is an annual event focused on the complete offshore energy industry.

It covers both the exploration and production of the conventional energy resources oil & gas as well as the expanding renewable part of the energy mix such as offshore wind and marine renewable energy. Renewables play an important role during OEEC 2016, which is why it is the ideal place to find out where the future of energy is heading.

Next to the exhibition that covers 4 massive halls at Amsterdam RAI, totaling an area of approximately 26,000 m², more than 80 speakers representing some of the biggest players in the offshore energy industry will feature at the conference. The conference presents an extensive three day conference program consisting of keynotes, technical sessions, master classes, meetings of industry organizations, the Marine Energy Event and the Offshore WIND Conference.

A fascinating mix of leaders from the business, buyers, investors, engineers and other interested parties within the offshore energy sector will get the opportunity to meet each other at OEEC and it is precisely this balance between supply and demand which is bringing more and more interested people to our expanding OEEC in Amsterdam every year.

Offshore Energy Conference - Entering a new era The current oil prices and the rise of the renewables have led us to believe 2016 will see the industry ‘Entering a new area’, which has also been chosen as theme for OEEC 2016. The theme will also be reflected in the extensive three day conference program where subjects such as subsea processing & infrastructure, decommissioning, knowledge management, asset integrity, Iran, LNG and optimizing value

Register at : http://registration.offshore-energy.biz/

by building alliances across the E&P chain will be presented and discussed.

Offshore WIND Conference - Reaching potential As renewables are gaining a greater focus during OEEC 2016, the event will kick-off with the Offshore WIND Conference which will be held on 24 and 25 October as part of Offshore Energy. The chairman of the Offshore WIND Conference 2016 is Stephen Bolton, Operations Director, Bibby Marine Services. Next to the offshore WIND Conference, the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Symposium will be organized on 26 October as well as the Marine Energy Event, in cooperation with EWA, on the same day, further strengthening the ties between oil and gas and the renewable industries.

Iran pavilion One of the exciting new developments this year will be the attendance of Iranian companies who will present themselves at the Iran pavilion during the entire event.

OEEC 2016 together with CBC Oil & Gas have tailored activities for Iranian companies to meet the international energy industry

at their national pavilion and during a dedicated technical session on Iran, where the developments in the Iranian oil industry will be discussed.

You can now register for Offshore Energy 2016 or visit:

www.offshore-energy.biz July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p17

Industry news

ADIPEC 2016 Now Host of World’s Largest Oil and Gas Technical Conference Programme Landmark Energy Event Continues Record-Breaking Success with 2,775 Proposals from 571 Organisations in 71 Countries. Achievement Represents an Impressive 22% Year-on-Year Increase in Number of Abstract Submissions.

Global industry leaders, experts, and decision makers are gearing up for what is anticipated to be the largest Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) yet as organisers reveal another milestone for the world’s most influential oil and gas event.

The distinguished ADIPEC Technical Conference Programme received a total of 2,775 proposals for this year’s edition of the event, marking a 22% increase from last year, and once again breaking all known records for the number of submitted abstracts in the oil and gas industry.

Technical papers came from 571 organisations across 71 countries, with more than half of submissions from outside the Middle East, underlining ADIPEC’s expanding international reach and its worldwide recognition as the global meeting place for knowledge-exchange in the energy sector. It is anticipated that this year’s edition of ADIPEC will be the largest event to date.

The ADIPEC 2016 technical committee, which is comprised of 140 industry leading experts, convened on 22nd May, where 717 quality abstracts were selected following a thorough and rigorous selection process across ten technical categories, representing an acceptance rate of nearly 26%.

“Sharing industry best practice, knowledge, research, and innovation has never been more important and critical to the industry than it is today,” said Mr. Fareed Abdulla, Senior Vice President – North East Bab (NEB) Asset at the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Petroleum Operations Ltd. (ADCO), ADIPEC 2016 Technical Conference Chairman, and SPE Middle East Board Chairman.

“The energy sector is currently witnessing a transformation marked by a special focus on efficiency, and stakeholders recognise they need to adapt both their business strategies and on the ground implementation to survive.

Every year, we not only see an increase in the number of submissions, but also in the quality of papers we receive, making the ADIPEC Conference Programme truly the go-to event for the latest developments in the world of oil and gas.” p18 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, ADIPEC 2016 will take place from 7-10 November, and is hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), organised by dmg events, Global Energy, and supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy.

The ADIPEC Technical Conference Programme, organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), is now one of the largest events focusing on the energy sector, attracting technical engineers from the world’s leading national and international oil companies and service companies, and key decision makers from across the industry.

Mr Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, CEO of Al Yasat Petroleum Operations Company and ADIPEC 2016 Chairman, said: “Energy plays a central role in the development of the economy, and with global demand set to increase by one third over the next two decades, there is a pressing need to create long term strategies that promote safe and reliable access to energy. The high level academic discussions that will take place during the ADIPEC Conference Programme have the potential to shape policies that will pave the way to a sustainable energy future.”

The overall theme for this year’s conference is “Strategies for the New Energy Landscape”, and the event will explore regional and global views, with more than 700 speakers and 8,500 delegates from both technical and non technical functions within the oil and gas industry.

Christopher Hudson, President, dmg events,

Global Energy, said: “The ADIPEC Conference Programme addresses all the different specialties and sub-specialties in the energy sector, enabling industry professionals to acquire valuable information for every aspect of their business. The growing international participation in this comprehensive forum is testimony to the market’s thirst for knowledge that will allow organisations to thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.”

The 2016 edition of the ADIPEC Conference Programme will feature 2 Ministerial Sessions, 3 Global Business Leader Sessions, 8 Panel Sessions, 5 VIP Briefings within the Middle East Petroleum Club, 3 Breakfast Sessions, and 3 Luncheon Sessions that will tackle some of the most imminent topics in the energy sector.

Taking place in a purpose built waterside theatre, 8 Offshore and Marine sessions will look at industry specific topics ranging from developing offshore oil and gas fields to new technologies and enhancing safety.

ADIPEC’s acclaimed ‘Women in Energy’ conference will also be back this year to address the challenges and opportunities for women professionals in the industry.

The technical categories that willbe covered within the ADIPEC 2016 Conference Programme are: E&P Geoscience, Unconventional Resources, Field Development, Drilling and Completion Technology, Projects Engineering and Management, Operational Excellence and HSE, Gas Technology, Offshore and Marine, and People and Talent.

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 – 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 – 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

p20 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 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 ‘CONVENTION DEFYING’ MATERIALS OBTAIN ISO 23936 QUALIFICATION Two advanced elastomers developed by Trelleborg Sealing Solutions capable of withstanding extremely low temperatures have passed rigorous international industry standards.

The ‘convention defying’ materials Isolast® XploRTM J9523 perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) and XploRTM V9T82 fluoroelastomer (FKM) are engineered to maintain excellent sealing function at very low temperatures whilst also subject to high pressure conditions.

The materials, which combine these characteristics with excellent chemical compatibility, have now met the ISO 23936 standard as well as revision three of NORSOK M-710, the world leader in engineered polymer solutions has announced.

It means that oil operators contending with extreme low temperatures, such as in the North Sea or around Canada and Alaska, now have the opportunity to reduce operator costs without the need to use higher cost solutions and pre-heated equipment.

Low temperature sealing is becoming more common in oil and gas applications but standard Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) and FKM materials offer limited sealing capability below freezing when operated at high pressures. When an

Above: A typical sealing arrangement for a downhold tool. elastomer reaches its glass transition temperature (Tg) point its properties change from being elastic and pliable to becoming solid and brittle. As a result the elastomer is ineffective as a sealing solution and can be damaged easily.

The Tg point of an elastomer is increased under pressure. In general, the Tg value rises by approximately +2 °F / +1 °C for every 750 psi / 5 MPa increase in pressure applied. For example, a seal material with a Tg rating of -4 °F / -20 °C at atmosphere will have a Tg rating of just +32 °F / 0 °C at 15,000psi / 100MPa.

Chris Busby (pictured below), Product Manager at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, said: “Isolast® XploRTM J9523 and XploRTM V9T82 are both designed to stand up to rapid gas decompression (RGD), are suitable for sour service conditions and have an outstanding extreme low temperature performance.

“The ability of the materials to successfully function below -4 °F / -20 °C whilst under 15,000 psi / 100MPa is convention defying and a further demonstration of Trelleborg’s constant determination to push the barriers of science and continue to provide more advanced and sophisticated sealing solutions.”

In addition to wellhead applications that may be subject to high operating pressures at low temperatures, Isolast® XploRTM J9523 and XploR™ V9T82 may also be ideal for drilling and intervention equipment that is stored in subzero conditions before being deployed into high pressure scenarios.

Isolast® XploRTM J9523 operating

temperatures range from -40 °C to +240 °C / -40 °F to +464 °F with short excursions to 250 °C / +482 °F, while XploRTM V9T82 operates from -48°C to +200°C/-54°F to +392°F with short excursions to 210°C/+410°F. These low Tg values allow the materials to remain elastic under pressure at much lower temperatures than standard grades.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions will be exhibiting at ONS 2016, which takes place in Stavanger from August 29 to September 1, in Hall 9, stand 981.

Visit Us at stand

www.oilandgas-seals.com

981

July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p21

Industry news/

British Antarctic Survey Select Impact Subsea ISA500 Impact Subsea have recently announced the delivery of ISA500 units to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

The ISA500 units have been selected to monitor the position of an ice boring tool in the Antarctic hundreds of meters below the surface.

During deployment of the ice boring tool, the ISA500 units measure the distance at multiple points from the tool to the outer bore wall. This allows the bore diameter to be monitored and regulated during the deployment of the tool.

Chosen for this application due to the ISA500’s small form factor, high accuracy and ability to repeatedly resolve distance measurement to the nearest millimetre.

This enables a very high accuracy positioning solution of the boring tool to be provided.

Commenting on this project, Ben Grant, Managing Director, Impact Subsea.

The work being conducted by the British Antarctic Survey team highlights the diverse range of applications which the ISA500 unit can fulfil, from ROV Altitude to tool deployment monitoring.

The ISA500 is an underwater Altimeter/ Range measurement device which utilises sonar techniques to derive distance measurement. The unit provides a 120 meter range measurement capability

with millimetre accuracy. The ISA500 can optionally be provided with an integrated Attitude & Heading Reference System, providing Heading, Pitch and Roll.

Typically used on underwater vehicles for Altitude measurement, the ISA500 also has uses in the Dredging, Magnetometer, Survey and Asset Monitoring applications.

For further information regarding Impact Subsea or the ISA500, please visit:

www.impactsubsea.com For further information on the British Antarctic Survey, please visit:

www.bas.ac.uk

SNIDER NAMED PRESIDENT/COO AT LANEY DIRECTIONAL DRILLING Alan Snider, a veteran of more than 26 years in designing and managing complex horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and Direct Pipe® (DP) projects for pipeline crossings, has been named President and Chief Operating Officer at Laney Directional Drilling (Laney).

Laney is a global leader in integrated engineering, HDD and DP construction services. Founded in 1989, Laney has been a trenchless technology pioneer, as has Snider in his career.

At Laney, Snider is responsible for the overall

p22 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

management of the company, including leadership of the HDD; DP; engineering; sales and marketing; and estimating teams.

Since joining Laney in 2011, he had served as Vice President of Engineering and Project Management.

“Alan brings a wealth of knowledge and the management style needed to lead Laney to the next level as an organization,” said Paul Butero, Executive Chairman at Laney. “We are excited about the changes we are making at Laney, which will provide added value to our clients.”

Snider came to Laney from GeoEngineers where he was south business unit leader, energy market director, a principal and served

on the Board of Directors.

Snider began his pipeline career with Willbros in 1990 and rose through the ranks to project manager before starting his own firm, Advantage Professional Services, which managed HDD engineering, design and construction projects for the oil and gas industry all over the world. He served as its President and senior HDD engineer until 2004 when GeoEngineers acquired the company.

Snider is a licensed Professional Engineer and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering.

Industry news

FUGRO DEPLOYS ITS Q1400 TRENCHERS AT THREE NORTH SEA OIL AND GAS PROJECTS Following successful delivery of recent cable-lay and trenching projects for the renewables sector, Fugro has secured three contracts for its trenching services for oil and gas clients.

The contracts will see its high performance Q1400 trenching systems deployed in the North Sea over the next 12 months.

At the Wintershall owned Maria development in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, Fugro will deploy the Q1400 trenching system under a contract with Subsea 7. At Det norske’s Ivar Aasen development, the system will bedeployed for EMAS CHIYODA Subsea in June. For both projects the trencher will operate in jetting mode for burial of pipelines, power cables and umbilicals.

In the UK sector, a contract with Bibby Offshore will see Fugro’s Q1400 trencher operating in both jetting and cutting modes to bury a new umbilical at the BP ETAP redevelopment.

Since launching the Q1400 system in 2012, Fugro has successfully completed numerous trenching projects at oil and gas developments and more recently at offshore wind developments. We are looking forward to continuing to demonstrate how our trenching capabilities can bring benefits to clients in both sectors.

Mike Daniel, Construction and Installation Manager at Fugro Subsea Services.

www.fugro.com

Straightpoint Makes Marquee Acquisition of Load Cell Heavyweight Straightpoint Inc. has named Wayne Wille, Technical Sales Manager, bringing over 20 years of lifting industry experience to the manufacturer of force measurement, load monitoring and suspended weighing load cell equipment.

understanding of the diverse applications where it is important to understand the weight of load, having such an extensive range at my disposal is very exciting.”

Wille, who is well known to end users and distributors across North America having sold the wares of another supplier, cited Straightpoint’s breadth of product offering as the main reason for joining the company.

Wille highlighted Straightpoint’s ability to react to industry to provide innovative solutions, which he noted had recently manifested itself in extending the range of its wireless products to nearly 2,300ft, in addition to new products for explosive envi-ronments, the Running Line Dynamometer (part of the manufacturer’s tension in motion range), load pins and load shackles.

He said: “I am confident that in this new position I will be able to offer dealers and users of the equipment 35 to 40% more product variety than what is being tabled by other suppliers.

Combined with my market knowledge and

David Ayling, Director of Straightpoint, said: “It is hard to overstate the significance of Wayne’s arrival at the company and the impact it could have on the load cell sector. For many years, he has been at the coalface of our industry and

combining his attributes with the best tools available is a mouthwatering prospect.”

Wille has monitored development of the marketplace over three different decades and believes his new employer can pioneer further progression in two areas that he has seen evolve the greatest during that time-data transmission and capacity.

As he pointed out, Straightpoint’s wireless technology allows antennae free data transmission and can be connected to the latest Internet of Things technology, while the Radiolink plus is supplied with an update rate of 3Hz and can be easily configured to run at speeds of up to 200Hz. Data is transmitted wirelessly utilizing the latest in IEEE 802.15.4 (2.4 GHz) technology.

July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p23

Smart solutions sought for P&A challenges Ben Foreman, Senior Technology Analyst with Industry Technology Facilitator (ITF) Uneconomic fields as a result of prolonged, volatile market conditions, fluctuating oil and gas prices and ageing infrastructure are pushing well and topside plugging and abandonment (P&A) action to the top of the agenda.

According to Oil and Gas UK’s Decommissioning Insight Report 2015, up to 100 platforms and 1,200 wells will face decommissioning over the next decade at a cumulative cost of £16.9 billion up to 2024, with two thirds of this taking place after 2020.

Decommissioning in the North Sea is an important issue for members of the Industry Technology Facilitator (ITF), which has instigated a series of calls for proposals to examine and support viable technical solutions to the most pertinent problems. Three are already underway: through tubing logging; removal of casing and tubing; and alternatives to cement plugs, which closes on 22 July.

Ben Foreman, Senior Technology Analyst with ITF said:

Operators are now realising that the technical challenges associated with P&A need to be addressed quickly to ensure it can be carried out safely and cost efficiently. Though this type of work is not considered by many to be financially attractive, it is now a necessity to curtail the consequences of unprofitable assets and wells.

Well decommissioning in particular, has traditionally been done as reverse engineering.

Though it is possible, there are potentially costly and complex p24 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

obstacles in this process, so new technology is vital to fill these gaps. The most effective way of achieving this is through collaboration.

Alternatives to cement plugs The latest call for proposals aims to seek new, enhanced or alternative technologies to cement plugs. At present, cement is the most commonly used plugging material in the oil and gas industry, despite evidence that its brittleness can potentially fracture if exposed to stress or geological changes.

This type of barrier also poses an array of challenges, particularly around the hydration and placement process.

“Managing long-term barrier integrity in P&A operations is extremely important, as any failure can clearly be catastrophic,”

added Foreman. “ITF is seeking an alternative or revised permanent well barrier that is long lasting, strong, able to be effectively placed and of extremely low permeability. It needs to be able to perform at different temperatures and pressure ranges whilst maintaining its strength.

Overall, the alternative material must adhere to best practice guidelines.” ITF has already facilitated Rawwater Engineering by developing a proof of concept for their Bismuth Plug technology with multiple ITF members, and are looking to facilitate the move onto Phase 2.

Seeking alternatives to cement plugs is the third call for proposals in a series of six technical challenges to be tackled.

Through tubing logging The first invitation to the developer

Below: Ben Foreman, Senior Technology Analyst, ITF.

decommissioning community was to improve through tubing logging which aimed to identify novel or alternative cost effective solutions to verify the quality of the hydraulic seal behind tubing and casing.

Obtaining a reliable assessment of the quality of cement in the well is a key element of P&A activity.

ITF’s panel of international operators, service companies and developers are now considering four proposals to receive funding and be part of a joint industry project (JIP) to develop the technology further. Submissions from the medical and automotive sectors, as well as from oil and gas developers, are being considered.

“We’ve had an interesting variety of proposals and we’re now at the point of getting to a decision on sponsorship.

Though the industry is understandably reticent about investment in R&D in the current climate, our members are very encouraged by the quality of the submissions and the need for this new

technology. The timeline is difficult to estimate but hopefully by the end of the year there will be a decision made and a JIP kick-off,” explained Foreman.

Section milling ITF members are also reviewing 13 proposals to identify safer, faster and cheaper methods to remove tubing and casing during P&A operations.

Tubing or casing removal is often essential in order to access the cement as part of plugging operations, this can be due to current technologies being unable to gauge cement quality through multiple casing strings, or the annular cement not providing a hydraulic seal.

Consequently, the expensive and timeconsuming process of tubing and casing removal is required, which involves the use of a drilling rig. Milling also presents a number of other technical, logistical and financial challenges, including issues with the supporting infrastructure and the byproducts of the milling process.

Laser cutting and corrosion or thermal-

based removal methodologies are among potential solutions received.

“There is now a clear impetus to address decommissioning challenges from the outset before real activity begins.

We are looking for solutions that will safely improve operability, increase reliability and cut the cost of conventional technologies.

“Collaboration in technology development and delivery provides risk and cost reduction for the industry. We welcome submissions from all sectors, such as aerospace, medical and automotive, as often the answer can be transferred from out with our own field of expertise.”

For more information on the P&A call for proposals visit:

www.itfenergy.com

UK Oil and Gas industry at forefront of decommissioning globally The UK oil and gas industry is set to become a pioneer in decommissioning activity globally and has the opportunity to become leaders in this field according to Wood Mackenzie.

Ian Thom, Senior Research Manager, UK Upstream Research for Wood Mackenzie explains: “Although decommissioning in the North Sea has been an impending reality for some time, the high oil price between 2011-2014 allowed some mature, high-cost fields to keep producing economically. The lower for longer oil price environment compounded by the maturity of the basin means that continuing production of certain fields in the North Sea region is no longer viable. We expect companies will not be able to keep producing UK fields at a loss, and decommissioning activity will ramp up as a result.”

So far in 2016, operators of five fields have announced their intention to cease

production. Wood Mackenzie estimates this figure could go to up 50 fields, with many expected to enter ‘lighthouse mode’ to save the imminent decommissioning costs.

A total of 126 UK fields have already ceased but only 27% of the ceased fields have been fully abandoned. Based on the 34 fields classed as abandoned, the average time between Cessation of Production (COP) and abandonment completion is around three years but this is expected to lengthen as larger developments such as Brent are decommissioned Based on the current oil price environment Wood Mackenzie estimates that 142 fields in total will cease production over the next five years and £55 billion in real terms will be spent on decommissioning the UKCS. This includes the removal of around 340 platforms, with combined weight of over 5,600,000 tonnes, and over 3,000 development wells.

Clearing fields and associated infrastructure will be a complicated and challenging task. Due to limited decommissioning activity completed to date in the UKCS, many companies will be required to get up the learning curve quickly. New technologies may be able to reduce costs, but their impact is still emerging.

Recent tax changes introduced in UK Budget 2016 did little to improve company cash flows with so few currently in a tax paying position, but it does improve valuations. This may encourage new investment or at the very least, the continuation of loss making operations over the short term, rather than early cessation of fields. Investment in ageing infrastructure will prevent a domino effect of fields ceasing in this mature sector. If no further investment materialises, the future of the North Sea could hang in the balance and many other countries will be watching how the UK oil and gas industry leads the great global decommissioning challenge.

July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p25

subsea equiPment/roV/auV’s IMCA Revises ROV OPS Guidance Technical developments and operational experience are fundamental to the latest revision of the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) ‘Guidance for the safe and efficient operation of remotely operated vehicles’ (IMCA R 004 Rev 4).

The guidance provides a pertinent reference document for the safe and efficient offshore operations of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and of ROV support systems, and is designed for use by both contractors and clients.

Adoption of, and adherence to, the guidance will contribute to a safe and efficient industry that operates to common standards.

Our document is not intended to replace experience and competence to successfully conduct ROV operations. It should be the duty of individual contractors to satisfy themselves that all ROV operations are conducted safely and efficiently.

While it is recognized that safety must never be compromised, recommendations are made for areas where the balance between commercial considerations and safety implications is complex.

In particular, clients and contractors need to recognize and accept the importance of providing sufficient qualified personnel to conduct safe operations at all times. This includes periods of routine preventative maintenance, breakdown or repairs when personnel may be exposed to the dangers of high voltage, high pressure hydraulic systems, rotating machinery and other potential hazards.

Richard Benzie, Technical Director, IMCA. (pictured right). p26 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

With sections on ‘ROV Classification’; ‘ROV Tasks’; ‘ROV Tools’; Environmental Considerations’; ‘ROV Operations’; ‘Equipment, Certification and Maintenance’; ‘Personnel’; ‘Responsibilities’; and a useful glossary of terms and abbreviations, ‘Guidance for the safe and efficient operation of remotely operated vehicles’ contains guidelines and recommendations that, when combined with manufacturers’ instructions and companies’ operational procedures/processes, allow for the maintenance of a high level of safety and efficiency across the sector.

The guidance is intended to apply internationally, but it is recognized that some countries will have regulations that require different standards or practices to be followed. Where local or national regulations are more stringent than those in IMCA R 004, they will always take precedence over the IMCA guidance.

This is a dynamic document and the advice given in it will change with the further development of the industry, indeed the guidance will be reviewed on a regular basis. adds Richard Benzie.

www.imca-int.com

The

SMART SOLUTION

WE ARE THE SUBSEA HOUSING EXPERTS PREVCO.COM | (480) 837-0100 | noleaks@prevco.com

Specializing in Industry Standard & Exotic Materials

subsea equipment/rov/auv’s

PREVCO SUBSEA, LLC – Manufacturers of subsea pressure vessels PREVCO is a subsea engineering company, specialising in the design and production of underwater housings, many of which are used to contain batteries and other electronic equipment for use with ROV’s and AUV’s.

The company was founded by John Head in 1999 who graduated from MIT as an Ocean Engineer and spent many years in the industry working with both subsea vehicles systems and connectors before starting Prevco.

The new facility, now includes a dedicated pressure test centre with three hydrostatic chambers of different sizes and the ability to pressurise up to 15,250 psi, equivalent to over 10,000 meters of water! The Pressure Test facility is open for outside customers and the test cycle can be changed to suit customer’s needs.

Above: Titanium housings 6000m rated.

Below: Pressure test centre.

PREVCO anticipates further growth in the coming years as they continue to improve services and expand their product range to meet the needs of an ever evolving industry.

In his view that there was a place in the market for a company to specialise in designing subsea enclosures, a job that is often performed by in-house engineers. According to John Head:

In the current market, with the reduction in manpower (engineers) the ability to outsource for subsea enclosures has never been more important and beneficial for both time and cost reasons, and that’s where Prevco can help out!

PREVCO has the ability to provide fully custom housings as required, in many popular subsea materials and they offer a range of stock, off-the-shelf housings in many diameters and lengths that are kept in stock, ready for any customer modifications (connector penetrations, mounting locations, etc.) before shipping.

PREVCO’s unique in-house software called ‘New Tube Designs’ contains proprietary algorithms that allow for the quick and accurate design of both stock and custom housings. This software creates the ability to rapidly develop subsea enclosure designs from scratch, taking only minutes rather than the weeks that are typically spent taking a project from the initial concept, through design and review meetings, to detailed engineering and eventually

p28 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

to approval and fabrication. New Tube Designs has evolved over many years and not only develops the design but provides all of the essential information to build the enclosure.

Below right: Stock Aluminium housings.

Bottom image: Dual poppet PRV with debris cap.

Additionally, Prevco offers fast-ship, in stock accessories including Pressure Relief Valves (Dual Poppet and Single Poppet), Dual Seal Vent plugs, Zinc Anodes, an ROV/Diver operated Electric Switch and a portable Vacuum Leak Test and Nitrogen Backfill Kit. Over the last few years, the company has grown in size; it opened a UK sales office in 2012 and in 2014 relocated the main office to a 30,000 square foot building on 5 acres in Fountain, Hills Arizona.

www.prevco.com

subsea equipment/rov/auv’s

PRODUCTS • ROV tooling skids & backpacks.

• Pipe-tracker frameworks.

• Pressure intensification panels.

• ROV tooling rental & sales.

• Hydraulic wire cutters.

• Soft-line cutters.

EXPERTISE • Dynamic management team with over 30 years specific industry experience.

• In-house 3D design and verification service.

• Proven network of fast reaction, trusted suppliers.

• Bespoke solutions available to suit customer requirements.

SERVICES • Service, maintenance & repair.

• Instrument pipefitting.

• Bespoke ROV tooling design.

• Pressure testing & commissioning.

• Equipment qualification.

• On-site support.

• ISO 9001 certified company.

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

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July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p29

subsea equipment/rov/auv’s

HYDRAMEC OFFSHORE Despite turbulent times for the oil and gas industry, Hydramec has managed to steer a steady course through the recent dangerous waters!

Just over a quarter century after their inception, such is their continued confidence in their products and services, they have just moved into brand new, fully equipped premises in Great Yarmouth.

Hydramec is a well established family owned Offshore Engineering, Design, Manufacturing and Maintenance company. Founded in early 1990, they employ a skilled workforce of thirty staff including Hydraulic/Mechanical Engineers, Fabricator/Welders and Precision Machinists. Over the last five years in particular, the dynamic of the company has changed as they strive for continued improvement within the organisation. They haven’t been resting on their laurels! They’ve been listening to customer feedback, investing in staff, new equipment and facilities, and just generally fine-tuning their customer offer.

ROV LARS Hydramec have manufactured bespoke ROV Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) for more than15 years and are proud to currently have over a hundred ROV Launch and Recovery Systems deployed worldwide. They come in various sizes in both A-frame and Crane variants. There’s a vast array of options on their LARS systems including snubber or docking device, folding platform to give extra deck space,

p30 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

remote controls and high power LED lighting being some of the current favourites. They can also provide medium or high tension spooling & supply/fit docking bullets, fully tested and certified to individual requirements. Over the years Hydramec have been proud to work with some of the industry’s most established ROV & Surveying companies such as Fugro, Saab Seaeye, F-E-T, ISS, Bibby, Subsea Vision and Gardline.

SHIP REPAIR The company also has an extensive ship equipment repair business which involves fitting and repairing, windlasses, steering systems, power packs, mechanical handling equipment associated with survivor recovery davits and FRC launch crane systems. Hydramec design heavy lift winches from 1t to 50t plus with up to 6,000 cable capacity and HPU’s with flow rates of up to 600 litres per minute and 400 bar in no problem!

As you would expect of such a competent player, they comply with all the latest regulations and all new build offshore equipment is fully design reviewed and approved by either Lloyds Register of Shipping or by DNV. PUSHING BOUNDARIES

Here at Hydramec we take innovation seriously.

We constantly listen to our customers who are feeding back improvements to the systems. At least half of our work is bespoke and nonstandard to suit special requirements, and our customers have some very unique projects on vessels that require us to develop interesting and challenging designs in an increasingly cost conscious market.

Karl Hawkins, General Manager.

subsea equipment/rov/auv’s

DIVERSIFICATION Thanks to the recent woes within oil and gas, many companies are seeking to diversify and widen their portfolio to include renewables.Hydramec has seen an opportunity within the tidal energy sector and has been developing a subsea winch with its own control system.

One of the more challenging aspects is that this new winch needs to float so that it can eventually be recovered after subsea use. This has been achieved by using materials not previously used before. Hydramec have been thinking outside the box on the design of this one and have been working closely with the client to develop something very new. This could be the largest growing market for the company in the immediate future that is not oil and gas dependent.

valves, hoses, cylinders, hydraulic oils and many other hydraulic related equipment. Hoses can be made, tested and certified while you wait, and their comprehensive supply chain can usually source most paerts for the offshore sector.

TRADE COUNTER Hydramec holds over half a million pounds of hydraulic based stock including pumps, gearboxes, control

THE FUTURE Karl tells us that the future is looking good for Hydramec at their new base, thanks to their can do, listening approach: “I think we are successful because we have built up a great working relationship with our customers who return to us for their needs every year. The equipment we build is very tough and strong, using only branded components for reliability. We always deliver on time and within budget, and crucially, we keep our customers well informed on progress.”

www.hydramec.com

Specialists to the oil & gas market: Specialist offshore oil suction hoses, Enerpac hydraulic tooling, Hydraulic hose kits, Industrial hoses, Oxygen hoses...

All hoses tested and certificated for offshore use.

UK wide distibution network which includes next day delivery on all products.

01473 240466

sales@easternhose.org

www.easternhose.co.uk July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p31

subsea equipment/rov/auv’s

www.lebusintengineers.com Your first choice for Marine Handling Equipment

A W Plant Services Mobile Crane Hire in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Lift solutions for ANY job as well as providing contract lifting and CPA hire services.

Man Riding Basket Lifts, Vehicle Loading, Spreader Beam Lifts, Pipe Slinging and Movement, Container Loading/Unloading Filling/Unfilling, Construction Site Lifts, Roof Trusses, Boat Lifts Into and Out of Water, Reel Movements, Caravan/Port a Cabin Lifts, Steel Works Lifting, And many more...

Full Design & Manufacturing Facilities. All types of Winches, Windlasses, Davits, LeBus Scrolled Drums, Wire Spooling Devices, Capstans, Cranes, Fairleads.

Southern Office: Crown Quay Lane, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3HU tel: 01795 475324 fax: 01795 428004, email: enquiries@lebusintengineers.com

Northern Office: Pioneer House, Shorebury Point, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 2RX, tel: 01253 402402 fax: 01253 345748, email: enquiries@lebusinternational.com

T: 01493 330209

www.awplant.co.uk

LiftEx Industry Conference on Day 1

23–24 NOVEMBER 2016 ABERDEEN EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE CENTRE

BOOK YOUR SEAT NOW!

VISITOR REGISTRATION IS OPEN PLUS Subsea & Offshore Service Magazine members get 15% off conference entry – quote SOS15 when booking! visit www.liftex.org/register to book your place !

LiftEx has grown to become the UK’s leading exhibition for the lifting industry, returning to its successful stand-alone format over 2 full days.

EXHIBITORS INCLUDE: AJT Equipment + Atlas Winch & Hoist + Brindley Chains + Cabletrail + Caldwell Group / Renfroe + Carl Stahl Evita + Checkmate + Columbus McKinnon + CoreRFID + Crosby + Diamond H Lifting + Dynamic Load Monitoring + EMM Corp + First Integrated + Fisher Offshore + Gunnebo Industries + Hendrik Veder + Hird + Intercomp + Interlift + J D Neuhaus + JCM Load Monitoring + Jergens + Lift Turn Move + Lift-Rite + Modulift + Motion Software + Petersen Stainless Rigging + PMS Industries + Powerjacks + Probst Handling Equipment + Red Rooster + Reid Lifting + Rope Assemblies + RUD Chains + Sahm Splice + Scotload + Sensor Technology + Spanset + Straightpoint + Talurit (UK) + Teeside Rigging & Lifting + Thern Winches & Cranes + Tiger Lifting + Tractel + Unique Group + Unitex + Van Beest + Waterweights + William Hackett + Worlifts + Yoke Industrial Corp

LESS THAN 20% OF STAND SPACE REMAINING – DON’T MISS OUT! to secure a stand or one of our few remaining sponsorship opportunities Contact Leah Phelps on +44 (0)7795 110646 or email Leah@liftex.org

p32 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

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LIFTING & HANDLING EQUIPMENT Diversifying in Times of Downturn; Tech Safe System’s Tailor-Made Approach What do you do when the main industry you supply your products to rapidly declines into a period of regression? It’s a question that many companies have had to ask themselves in light of the downturn in the Oil & Gas market.

For Tech Safe Systems Ltd the answer was to focus more on individual project work, ensuring they were as flexible as could be in creating bespoke products or packages for their customers.

Tech Safe, based in Great Yarmouth, supply a range of industry approved ROV launch and recovery equipment, electric and hydraulic winches, SOLAS A60 containers including control cabins, workshops, electrical distribution cabins, and PLC control systems. All of which are predominantly used by the offshore Oil & Gas market, however, now the company are expanding into other sectors including renewables and nuclear.

Above: Data Control Winch for the PPT.

A recent example, is the Lloyds Register certified solution developed for Large Diameter Drilling as part of their overall deliverables for the OWF Project on the Wikinger Wind Farm in the German sector of the Baltic Sea. Tech Safe were involved in creating a suite of 3 winches and 2 control cabins to facilitate the command and control package for their Pre-Piling Template (PPT) and Bubble Curtain System.

All 3 winches could be controlled via the ergonomically designed 20ft control cabin.

The Tech Safe team were also on hand in Germany to assist with the integration.

For more information on Tech Safe Systems please visit:

www.techsafe.co.uk

Above: LDD’s Pre-Piling Template.

Left: Installing the Bubble Curtain Winch in Rostock. facebook.com/TechSafeSystems linkedin.com/company/tech-safe-systems-ltd July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p33

lifting & handling equipment

HAZARDOUS AREA LIFTING & HANDLING IN SAFETY The J D Neuhaus (JDN) handling and lifting equipment, incorporating both hoists and cranes has a worldwide reputation for safe operation even when being operated in potentially explosive atmospheres.

This is particularly advantageous for offshore oil and gas locations, including jack-up rigs, semisubmersibles, drill ships and the FPSO vessels. The important safety feature of the JDN products is that a compressed air supply only is used for the power and control procedures of all lifting and handling operations.

Their range of Profi TI hoists cover individual load ratings from 250kg up to a full 100 tonnes, and these products are also incorporated into JDN crane systems, covering single or double girder overhead travelling cranes, as well as underslung travelling cranes featuring low headroom trolley design together with purpose designed slewing jib cranes. The JDN hoists can be supplied for virtually unlimited lifting and general load movement solutions, including both oblique and horizontal pulling under pre-determined conditions, as well as specific function duties such as BOP handling (up to 200 tonnes).

All JDN lifting and handling products are engineered for performance, ensuring reliability and longevity when operating in extreme environments above sea level. However, some of the toughest and more unusual conditions are also experienced by today’s underwater aquanauts.

The subsea hoists can be supplied for either compressed air or hydraulic operation, utilising a diver friendly pendant controller that is compatible with constricted, gloved-hand movements. The pendant controller is connected by standard length 2 metre hoses to the hoist which ensures the aquanaut, hoist and load are all located within a close working environment. It is designed to ensure instantaneous and sensitive regulation of the hoist movements, providing infinitely variable speed of the load hook during both the raise and lower hoist operations. The need for instructions to and from a surface vessel or rig is thus obviated, eliminating potential delays or errors created through poor communications.

Increased versatility is also provided by the fact that these hook-suspended hoists can also be safely utilised for both horizontal and oblique pulling operations when required.

The past few decades has seen unparalleled development in offshore oil and gas exploration and JDN hoists have played their part in this market. Development by this company has resulted in purposedesigned hoists which are suitable for subsea operation. These units incorporate uprated performance and sealing features to withstand continuous underwater operation.

The development of subsea hoists means that underwater as well as on-deck lifting or handling operations are possible for a wide range of operational, maintenance and rig repair functions. Even underwater pipeline and wellhead operations down to levels of approximately 100 metres can also be undertaken.

Where supplied for offshore operation, on either rigs or ocean-going vessels, the equipment is provided with a full ‘Offshore Package’ which includes extra corrosion protection to cater for rough weather and salt air conditions. The main body component parts of both hoists and cranes are supplied with a multi-layer marine paint top coat, with a 300 microns total minimum dry thickness in the standard offshore traffic yellow RAL 1023 colour.

Exposed products such as valves and valve heads, together with suspension chains are also manufactured from stainless steel, together with bolts and nuts less than 12mm in size. To provide further protection, larger threaded bolt ends and nuts, together

p34 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

with trolley wheel bearings are otherwise protected with grease-packed covers, while the hoist chain containers are supplied with a galvanised finish.

All JDN standard products combine rugged build quality with high performance, 100% reliability and the utmost in safety.

Furthermore, the company’s JDN Profi TI hoists are 100% duty rated and require low maintenance, thus eliminating unnecessary downtime. The products are also impervious to dust and damp working conditions, and can operate within a temperature range of -20ºC to +70ºC. Recent developments have seen hoists incorporating the latest generation of super silent hydraulics added to their portfolio, together with hoists for operation at arctic temperatures as low as -45ºC. In both the company’s Profi and EH monorail hoist ranges, units providing 75 and 100 tonne lift capacities have been introduced, along with an ultra low monorail version (in 50 and 100 tonne capacities).

All of these products can also be deployed with hydraulic drive mechanisms suitable for sites where hydraulic lines, control hydraulic systems or hydraulic aggregates currently exist as the existing power set up at the proposed location.

The recently redesigned four-trolley drive, heavy duty hoists in the Neuhaus EH series offer load lift/lower times that are up to 50% faster, with a general decrease in overall dimensions. A proactive gearbox cooling system has also been incorporated utilising the expanding exhaust air from the drive motor, while noise levels during operation have been reduced. Other new

lifting & handling equipment developments include pin valves utilised as hoist limiters for top and lower hook position, while parallel chain sprocket arrangements have also been incorporated.

Standard safety features of the hoists include integrated, adjustable overload protection for load ratings of one tonne and above.

A self-adjusting, fail-safe braking mechanism is fitted, together with trolley anti-climb drop devices, while an emergency stop switch is integrated in the main power supply. An emergency lowering device can also be supplied for the Profi TI hoists covering lift capacities from 25 to 60 tonnes, which involves fitting a separate air tank, with two additional buttons also incorporated into the hand controllers. This air reservoir is automatically maintained at the full working air pressure and acts as a positive emergency braking system when required. The device becomes operable in the event of a severe reduction or total loss of mains air pressure, with a

two-handed control operation provided to avoid unintentional lowering. One control button selects between normal hoist operation and emergency lowering, with a second button providing braking to ensure controlled lowering and safe grounding of the suspended load under the action of its own weight.

www.jdngroup.com

Additional optional safety features include rack and pinion trolley drives, Delta-P overload protection and load monitoring together with air, hydraulic, radio or electrical remote controllers. Certification by Det Norske Veritas or other authorities can also be provided on request, to comply with safety requirements involving applications for offshore cranes as well as power driven hoists. The standard ATEX classification according to EC Directive on Hazardous Locations 94/9/EEC is EX II 2 GD IIA T4/II 3 GD IIB T4, with increased spark protection EX II 2 GD IIB T4, and with increased spark protection for explosion group IIC, a rating of EX II 2 GD IIC T4 is also available.

WBPG Heavy Duty Lifting Capacity 85 - 250 Tonnes Ultimate Heavy Duty Lifting Application: RUD manufactures a range of lifting and lashing applications that guarantee ultimate safety when lifting and moving heavy loads.

Offering over 500 different tested and certified lifting/lashing points for bolting and welding.

The impressive WBPG 85-200 Tonne hoist ring offers the ultimate solution for many heavy duty lifting requirements such as; offshore, construction, heavy engineering and handling.

The WBPG is loadable from any side in the direction of the pivot meaning it is suitable for lifting and turning of heavy loads. It has the ability to rotate 360° and swivel 180°. The WBPG comes with a detachable suspension ring in the shape of a shackle for the attachment of common lifting means.

Comprising an outstanding heavy duty design with a working load limit capacity of 85-250 tonnes it is no wonder the demand for the WBPG has been high across the heavy

duty lifting sector. The WBPG is ball bearing mounted and can be bolted on plate; on a flat surface, a flange or on a cone.

Across the offshore industry the WBPG has been used to lift heavy cable laid grommets; the WBPG offers a removable suspension ring in the shape of a shackle to attach the cable laid grommets to for lifting.

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.

RUD Chains Ltd: for all your Heavy Duty lifting needs.

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

www.rud.co.uk

July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p35

lifting & handling equipment

Your safety is our priority - Patented safety features of ‘Nautilus Hooks’ set new levels for Personal and Operational safety in the workplace NAUTILUS Rigging (UK) Ltd are internationally recognised the leading manufacturers and suppliers of Nautilus Hooks, the next generation of lifting hooks which have been specifically designed to raise the level of personnel safety for all topside and subsea lifting operations.

The patented safety features incorporated in the Nautilus design is proven to eliminate the known risks and inherent hazards associated with the use of traditional style lifting hooks.

Nautilus Hooks provide several major technical advancements (the first in more than 40 years) which significantly raise the level of personnel safety and ease of operation for general lifting hooks as the patented safety handle and side mounted locking mechanism effectively eliminate the risk of, potentially serious, pinch and trap hand or finger injuries by removing the operators hands from the hazardous hook/ sling interface area.

These unique patented features were cited as deciding factors in Nautilus Hooks winning the American Society of Mechanical Engineers prestigious Woefel, Best Mechanical Engineering Award at OTC and the OSJ Innovation of the year award.

DNV Type approval and Corporate Supply Compliance Nautilus Hooks are manufactured to exceed industry standards, All Nautilus hooks are CE Certified and are manufactured to BS/EN1677-1, Nautilus Hooks are individually numbered and individually proof tested to 2.5 times the Working Load Limit, exceeding the requirements of corporate supply and compliance criteria.

Nautilus Hooks have DNV type approved under regulation 2.22 for lifting appliances.

DNV Type Approval Certificate No. TAS00000E3 Nautilus Topside Hooks Nautilus Topside safety hooks have been specifically designed to increase safety in all lifting operations, the hooks are particularly beneficial the Offshore Sector where the unique safety features incorporated in the design mitigate the risks created by the unpredictable dynamics of the offshore marine environment.

Nautilus ROV/Subsea Hooks “Nautilus ROV/Subsea hooks address growing industry concerns over the suitability and safety of traditional

p36 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

“snap on” style ROV hooks which have a known, high risk, hazard of unintentionally self releasing the load due to their internal spring latch design.

The risk of self release is eliminated with the Nautilus ROV hook design where, in an industry first, the positive locking function maintains load integrity at all times until released by the ROV, with the added benefit that the positive locking arm prevents any unintentional hooking on of umbilical cables and subsea equipment to provide subsea operators with a safe, secure, ROV operated lifting hook.

Short videos, of the Topside and ROV hooks, detailing the unique operational and safety benefits of these innovative lifting hooks can be viewed at: www.nautilusrigging.com/video Nautilus Hooks are the cost efficient solution to ensuring load integrity, safety, and security for all topside, subsea and ROV assisted lifting operations, in adopting Nautilus Hooks as the safest type of lifting hooks organizations can align best practice with the stated objectives of their corporate safety policies to achieve a common goal of reducing risk and improving workplace safety.

Safe Lifting - It’s in your hands!

Nautilus Rigging (UK) Ltd sales@nautilusrigging.com info@nautilusrigging.com

www.nautilusrigging.com

NautilusHooks

TM

OFFSHORE

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Across industry and around the globe Award winning Nautilus Hooks© are setting the new safety standard for lifting operations • Winner 2010 ASME Best Mechanical Engineering Award - technically advanced • CE Certified and DNV type approved - safer operation • Eliminates pinch and trap hand injuries - reduces risks • Range of hooks from 4 to 20 tonne W.L.L. - cost effective

Safety, it’s in your hands.

NautilusRigging Manufacturers of NautilusHooks

TM

To find or become a distributor contact:

www.nautilusrigging.com Tel +44 1224 772323

Type Approved

lifting & handling equipment

Do the current standards go far enough to mitigate the risk of hydrogen embrittlement?

The challenges of operating Safely and efficiently offshore are constantly evolving; as more knowledge is acquired, best practices are updated and standards are redefined.

This constant cycle creates a range of short term opportunities and longer term more sustainable changes to the commercial and operational landscape.

Background: There are three main global verification organisations that specify standards for offshore lifting: ASME, DNV and NORSOK. All three have a historical geographic stronghold and their standards are based on competence and experience and whilst they align on most subjects there are grey areas with overlap and differing opinions.

In time, as more knowledge is acquired, best practices are updated the standards tend to converge and become harmonised.

Recently there have been a number of incidents that have impacted global oil companies who operate offshore where an item of rigging equipment has failed due to suspected hydrogen embrittlement.

As a result individual organisations, with high levels of internal expertise have concluded that these instances have occurred where the products

manufacturing processes do not produce a product with properties suitable for the offshore lifting environment.

This conclusion applies to many standard grade 8 or grade 10 links where material hardness levels are such that the risk of hydrogen embrittlement is increased in the marine environment.

Currently: ASME, DNV and NORSOK go to significant lengths to specify and approve products for offshore use, but as we have said these standards continually evolve based on learning and ultimately they will ideally harmonise at a point in the future.

William Hackett and our manufacturing partner SCAW believe that ductility and product hardness is a crucial design criteria in welded links for offshore use in the marine environment. Our IPR and manufacturing process produces a product with an average hardness levels of less than or equal to 36HRC. We believe this attribute provides the optimum balance between tensile strength and ductility for this type of lifting product.

William Hackett has successfully demonstrated how the HA master link range we comply with DNV2.7-1 and address these additional technical requirements resulting in the inclusion in Shell Oil’s approved vendor list.

Location: Gulf of Mexico Date: Summer 2015

Supply Chain Integration: William Hackett recognises that product quality and traceability are the two fundamental elements required to enabling supply chain integration.

Consequently, William Hackett has developed an enterprise resource management system called Assure to provide real time traceability for its range of high quality products.

Assure controls, manages and reports real time on the end to end business processes involved in our supply chain.

This includes records of manufacturing, logistics and customer documentation thereby delivering a customer support service that is specifically designed for the exacting requirements of the onshore and offshore lifting industry.

For further information, please contact: Ben Burgess, William Hackett +44 1665 604 200 benb@williamhackett.co.uk

www.williamhackett.co.uk

Crack (Side 1)

What happened: A Worker identified a crack in a Master Link while performing pre-lift rigging inspection. Workers were inspecting rigging in preparation to lift a ~34,000 lb generator.

The rigging arrived on location attached to the new generator which was brought onto the platform later that day. The rigging was going to be used to lift the platforms existing generator from the generator room.

Preliminary Learning Points: American manufacturer ABC’s Master Link (Working Load Limit 105,900lbs.) Master Link was manufactured in August of 2010.

The wire rope slings were manufactured by a rigging shop based in New Orleans in December of 2014.

p38 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

The sling was inspected prior to dispatch and was documented as being in an acceptable condition.

From discovery of the cracks, the American manufacturers links were taken out of service.

Crack (Side 2)

lifting & handling equipment

Modulift Raises Profile in Eastern U.S. with Landmark Distributor Appointment Modulift has named I&I Sling Inc. its latest North American distributor, offering the belowthe-hook equipment manufacturer comprehensive coverage of eastern regions of the U.S. from facilities in Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia.

The agreement aligns Modulift with a lifting equipment powerhouse, boosting outreach of its spreader beams and other equipment through a company that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary in the rigging business.

I&I Sling is commonly associated with its world-renowned Slingmax® Rigging Solutions brand.

Sarah Spivey, Managing Director of Modulift, had earmarked I&I Sling as a potential lead distributor some time ago, but only after productive meetings at this April’s Associated Wire Rope Fabricators (AWRF) General Meeting & Product Information Exhibition in New Orleans, did talks reach advanced

stages. As part of the agreement, I&I will stock the full range of Modulift equipment up to MOD 110H from its heavy lift spreader beam series.

She said: “Once we got taking about partnering, it was quickly apparent to both parties that this could be a very fruitful relationship. Thomas De Soo (Director), Tim Shears (Purchasing Manager) and I explored the U.S. market and implemented a strategy through which we can supply our range of below-the-hook equipment to the myriad of industries and applications I&I engages with on a weekly basis.”

De Soo said: “We are delighted to introduce Modulift’s products to our comprehensive rigging offering. We pride ourselves on providing the crane and heavy lift sectors with a service that is unmatched in the industry.

To maintain that reputation, we have to choose our suppliers carefully and work only with those who offer the best product, availability, expertise and customer support.

Modulift meets that criteria.”

Spivey added: “I&I Sling is known for providing high quality products, while it also boasts a global brand (Slingmax®) that is synonymous with many of the attributes we see in our own company. Furthermore, the company fits with our regional strategy to more efficiently supply product to eastern regions of the U.S. It is a huge market for us and one where we continue to grow. We value our U.S. customers and want to ensure we always have stock available locally for them to ensure they can lift safely and efficiently with our below-the-hook solutions.”

A family owned company since 1964, I&I Sling has six full service locations strategically located to serve the entire East Coast. It also actively contributes to the writing of industry standards through the American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30.9 committee, “Slings”, B.30.30 committee, “Ropes”, and also the Cordage Institute and Web Sling and Tie Down Association (WSTDA) Recommended Roundsling Standards. Key markets include aerospace, construction, industrial, military, nuclear, shipbuilding and transportation.

RUD Chains Ltd

Tradition in Dynamic Innovation

Specialists in Heavy Duty Lifting • 500 Lifting & Lashing Points for Bolting & Welding • Load capacity range 0.6 to 200 tonne • WBPG 85-200 Tonne Hoist ring for heavy duty lifting • ICE LBG-SR rotates 360° in all directions under load • RUD offer a wide range of products for heavy duty lifting

July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p39

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:

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Redundant oil and gas workers urged to check eligibility for support Isles MP Angus MacNeil is urging any island resident who has lost their job offshore due to the downturn in the oil and gas industry to check whether they are eligible for funding to retrain.

Skills Development Scotland have recently launched an online application service for the Transition Training Fund which offers training grants for workers to redeploy in the oil and gas sector or wider energy, engineering and manufacturing sectors.

A large number of Western Isles residents are employed in the industry and Mr MacNeil has been contacted by several constituents seeking advice.

Mr MacNeil said: “I know that many individuals and their families in the islands have been impacted by the downturn in the oil and gas industry.

“I would urge anyone who has lost their job or has been informed that they are at p40 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

risk of redundancy to look at their options such as seeking funding to retrain.

“There is funding available through The Transition Training Fund as part of a package from the Scottish Government worth more than £25million which is aimed at softening the economic impact of the downturn in the oil and gas sector.

“Comparatively, the UK Government has been something of a disappointment in its lack of practical support to the sector. Myself and my SNP colleagues will continue to press the UK Government to provide financial support for oil and gas workers to expand their skills set, and we will continue to call for exploration incentives so that the industry may realise the full potential of the North Sea basin.”

Mr MacNeil has also been contacted by constituents employed in the shipping industry which has also been impacted

as a result of the downturn. He has raised these issues with the UK Transport Minister Robert Goodwill MP. This is live and available for online applications.

In addition to the website, individuals can also speak with dedicated Careers Advisers by calling the TTF helpline on 0800 100 1855.

To be eligible for the fund individuals must: • Be resident in Scotland.

• Have been made redundant or currently at risk of redundancy from the oil and gas sector or its’ supply chain.

• Have worked in the oil and gas sector or the supply chain as an employee or contractor.

• Be able to show that training will help get a new job.

• Be actively seeking employment.

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Training & Consultancy Environmental

Quality

Health & Safety

July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p41

training & development

The Aim of the Game Time challenges, problem solving and leader boards -gamification is defined as the application of gaming attributes and features outside of a game context.

The technique has been applied to educational and learning environments for a number of years now, but Atlas are now applying it to digital learning courses for the oil and gas industry.

Atlas Knowledge Group is pioneering the implementation of gamification to their suite of environmental e-learning courses and for training it provides to workers involved in a major pipeline project in central Europe.

The aim of integrating these techniques into educational environments is to increase the engagement and enjoyment of learners, but it can also aid learning retention and foster good practice in workplace behaviours.

Gamification has been a buzzword in the learning industry for a few years now but it is still in its infancy within oil and gas.

We’ve responded to industry trends by implementing these features and are already seeing a number of benefits.

It is such a flexible technique, even small additions to courses such as timers can have a really significant impact. It works

particularly well with safety courses as you can use scenarios to show the real risks of a wrong decision, without the real life consequences. It allows the user to really explore the scenario and its outcomes.

Alison Emsley, Instructional Designer.

In the current environment, the increased learning retention that gamification offers can help individuals take control of their learning and development, and develop their soft skills as well as completing role-specific courses, thus carving out a future-proof career in the industry.

Atlas, whose advanced technology-

led safety critical training is used by oil and gas companies in more than 106 different countries every year, believes that gamification will continue to grow in popularity in oil and gas e-learning courses.

“As we give clients more access to this technology, it will undoubtedly become more prevalent in what we do,” added Alison. “Interactivity, digitalisation and the use of technology is increasing all around us, both in our social lives and in the workplace, and, as expectations rise, gamification presents a perfect opportunity to make the most out of what our technology can do for learning.”

www.atlasknowledge.com

AIS to manage Bilfinger Salamis’ Aberdeen oil and gas skills centre Queen’s award winning manufacturer and industrial training provider, AIS has signed an agreement with industrial lifecycle support services partner, Bilfinger Salamis UK to operate and manage its Aberdeen Skills Centre.

The agreement will see AIS invest in a new training facility and a wide range of new industry approved technical, safety and skills training and competency assessment p42 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

courses. The deal is expected to create a number of new jobs in the future.

AIS opened a £1million Innovation & Competency Hub in Westhill last year.

The current Bilfinger Salamis Skills Centre, located in Bridge of Don, has been in operation for more than 10 years, successfully providing practical and classroom based, safety critical training.

AIS Training will take over the current

Skills Centre with a plan to relocate to a brand new fit for purpose facility featuring modern premises and cutting edge technologies. AIS will provide skills training in disciplines such as welding & fabrication, rope access, rigging, scaffolding and fabric maintenance.

AIS will also enter into a five year TMS contract to manage all elements of Bilfinger Salamis’ staff training requirements throughout the UK.

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tech spotlight and food production, where obtrusive 80 GHz radar: a matter of frequency internals are often the norm and space

Understanding the benefits of 80 GHz radar is at a premium. Mounting nearer to vessel sides and taller nozzles, and its importance for all liquid level measurement without accuracy loss, is another area applications With the recent launch of radar instruments in the 80 GHz frequency range for liquid level measurement, now is a good time to examine what’s behind this new direction in radar technology. So where does it come into its own and what are the benefits of using these new sensors in automated processes for control and inventory? This development signals a brave new world in level measurement, one where radar level measurement can go where it has never gone before. With high frequency radar level devices on the rise, this is truly an exciting era in automation.

Technology advances create availability The readiness to use radar level sensors is a function of cost and innovation.

Decreased expense has led to increased use of the technology across multiple industries. Microwave radar is a popular format for level measurement, being solid state with no mechanical parts to drift or wear and, more importantly, its immunity to pressure, vapours, temperature, viscosity and density change.

Just as computer hardware prices dipped low enough to put a ‘PC in every home’ and a ‘smartphone in every hand’, it is now possible to put the latest 80 GHz radar in virtually any vessel and every plant.

Latest innovations have resulted in a technology that can be both affordable and relevant to even more general process applications. This latest generation of modern radar instruments are engineered out of decades of experience, culminating in the best ever optimised antenna designs, with larger dynamic ranges and software algorithms to filter out interference to perform even better.

Now that 80 GHz radar is available and highly applicable to almost any liquid level measurement, users should get to know and accustomed to the advantages these new contactless sensors provide. The main benefits are produced through better focusing, versatile sizes, enhanced resolution, the consequently easier set up and most importantly, high performance reliability.

So what, in detail, are the main areas of development for 80GHz radar level sensors?

Focusing This is the primary advantage of 80 GHz radar, the one that makes virtually all the other benefits possible. In every contactless liquid measurement, signal focus is crucial to accurate level measurement, and these new instruments emit the most highly focused signals on the market.

Plant operators have struggled with less focused radar,and ultrasonic, sensors for decades. The wider beam angle of 26 GHz sensors (and still wider 6 to 10 GHz sensors before them) made it difficult for the emitted signals to miss agitators, baffles, ladders, heating coils and other vessel internal structures. The reflections from these installations distort and confuse the echo picture to the sensor, forcing users to make (often many) adjustments to follow the true liquid level. These new high-transmission models have narrower beams that completely miss vessel installations, as if they aren’t even there. That is welcome news in pharma, chemical p44 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

of advantage, enabling use of more existing connections, especially in taller vessels. They can also be easily installed to look through process isolation valves; an application area highly desirable in the Oil and Gas processing and storage industries, for example. In summary, the superior focus makes for accurate measurement, minimal adjustment, simpler installation and maximum signal return from the product surface.

Size Because their focus is so improved, 80 GHz sensors have smaller antennas.

They feature the world’s smallest level radar antenna, smaller than the size of a £1 or €1 coin, so it doesn’t require a large horn to focus its beam at the product surface.

A compact instrument design and small size also makes a huge impact when it comes to retrofitting. Plants can now integrate the most advanced radar devices into their process without shelling out thousands for vessel modifications. Smaller size and range instruments aren’t just good for old vessels, they can also help manufacturers stay nimble and market-responsive.

There are more trends in the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries toward batch production. Batching allows operators to produce profitable, special or seasonal versions and low volume products, with lower financial investment.

Small batches are produced in small vessels, but conventional wisdom says using contactless radar is not possible, due to the small process connections, busy vessel internals and their reduced accuracy over very short measuring ranges.

However, contactless, volume measurement is still highly desirable, especially if unaffected by temperature, pressure, viscosity, density and conductivity changes that can be seen in different product formulations. Now, thanks to the compact design and performance of 80 GHz radar level sensors, operators no longer have to sacrifice accurate measurement in the name of space.

Resolution When looking at the picture

tech spotlight on a standard definition television next to that of HD TV, the higher resolution delivers a higher quality image: clearer, sharper and more detailed. Users will see a similar difference switching from lower frequency to high frequency radar sensors. For example, when the level of a hydrocarbon liquid in a vessel is just starting to fill or empties down very low, lower frequency process radars do not have the resolution to distinguish the different reflections from the product level and the tank bottom, they just see one ‘echo’. This tells the user the vessel is empty when it isn’t, presenting a natural handicap to process efficiency. The new 80 GHz devices can measure liquid down to the last millimetre, providing accurate data they can use to optimize their processes. This is not just about small range applications either, the greater resolution is also particularly important for shipbuilders for example, who count

Figure 1.

Figure 1: Using the same antenna size, this illustrates the radar beam width of 26 GHz as a grey signal path, and the narrower 80 GHz the yellow path. The sharper focusing demonstrates how it stays on the true liquid level, ignoring distracting false signals from nozzles, valves, internal structures or build on the vessel walls

on precise level in large cargo and ballast tanks, tens of metres high. It results in better measurement accuracy of every drop of liquid in tanks of all sizes, this is especially important with hydrocarbons in large storage vessels.

Process capable Getting close to the product in smaller vessels also means increasing the possibility of sensor build up, through splashing, sublimation and condensation on the antenna face.

This can result in reduced antenna/signal efficiency, causing reduced measurement reliability. The latest sensors with optimal antenna design, dynamic range, sensitivity and filtering algorithms can handle these challenges with ease. This capability is essential to deliver higher operational reliability, even when the product gets where it shouldn’t! There are also units available with certified hygienic fittings for food

and pharma industries to ensure thorough cleaning of any sensor process connection.

In summary High frequency contactless radar sensors look set to be the next big thing in level measurement across many industries, processes and vessel types. They are the proverbial ‘giant leap’, a marker in time after which the process industry will never be the same. Their excellent focusing makes them perfect for vessels crowded with internals and difficult mounting nozzles; their small size makes them ideal for retrofitting and batch production; and their unrivalled resolution also allows users to get every last drop of capacity from the largest of tanks. The future of level measurement is here. One way to learn more about 80 GHz technology, its uses and features is to visit:

www.vega.com/radar

Figure 2: Small antenna (and housing) sizes of 80GHz radars add to versatility of application in small batch vessels and adaptability to existing nozzles, yet still with a measuring range up to 30m or more.

Figure 2.

July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p45

tech spotlight

NEXT GENERATION WIRE ROPE LUBRICANT CONTINUES TO IMPRESS New trials of a technologically advanced wire rope lubricant introduced to the international market by ROCOL have prompted highly positive feedback from a leading offshore contractor.

ROCOL, an established manufacturer of lubricants for global industries, says its BIOGEN WIRESHIELD® solution is being increasingly acknowledged for its extreme performance levels and green credentials.

The new-generation technology helps to protect wire ropes and other equipment from the onset of corrosion, a primary cause of equipment failure in most extreme environments found in offshore and subsea industries BIOGEN WIRESHIELD® has already been the

subject of praise from Fugro Subsea Services personnel after it was successfully trialled on ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) operating from its Grampian Surveyor vessel during deepwater operations off West Africa.

Now it has received similarly upbeat feedback from vessel management aboard EMAS CHIYODA subsea installation and construction vessel Lewek Connector after it was deployed during operations in the Gulf of Mexico and Nigeria.

The feedback after utilisation is that:

p46 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July 2016

Following lubrication, the wires involved were in and out of the sea many times, and the grease coating remained in a very good condition. It repels the sea water extremely well and is also environmentally considerate, which is a strong requirement of compliance with Company safety and environment policies.

Further, the grease seemed to repel both dust and debris and did not come off the wires as it ran through crane sheaves, leaving the deck and crane grease-free.

“The air temperatures and humidity were high in the areas where the vessel was operating, but the grease showed no signs of degrading or becoming less viscous, and kept its structure extremely well.”

We’re delighted with this latest endorsement for BIOGEN WIRESHIELD® from EMAS CHIYODA subsea. It’s great to see another major player in the offshore industry

recognise the quality, integrity, reliability and capability of our product.

Brendan Kendrick, Business Development Director, ROCOL. BIOGEN WIRESHIELD® is a US Vessel General Permit (VGP) compliant lubricant for wire ropes and other products such as ROV umbilicals.

Established more than 130 years ago, ROCOL is a manufacturer of lubricants and associated products across a number of sectors including the offshore, marine, automotive, aerospace, industrial, food and drink, transport and mining industries.

UK-based ROCOL has 12 offices worldwide.

For more information about ROCOL and its products, visit:

www.rocol.com

Main image: Vessel Lewek Connector.

Below: Biogen Wireshield®

tech spotlight

New technology brings major safety and cost boost to North Sea E&P A NEW piece of technology which delivers vital nitrogen supplies to platforms, vessels and onshore worksites, by refining the gas from the atmosphere, has been developed, tested and deployed in the North Sea by E Innovation in conjunction with a major operator.

Certified for safe use in ATEX Zone 1 hazardous areas, the Nitrogas unit has already been deployed in the UKCS, removing a long-standing reliance on expensive, sea conditions dependent bottled gas deliveries.

“What is crucial is that there is no risk of a reduction in gas quality, Nitrogas delivers nitrogen at up to 99% purity, while controlling the dew point and flow rate. It completely removes the need for repeated deliveries of new quads.

“Nitrogen delivered by the system is used for testing on pressurised pipelines and other crucial parts of an asset being checked for leaks, or for storage at the location.

“Quads are difficult to manoeuvre, and as they have to be shipped introduce a potentially

show-stopping logistics issue when weather conditions prevent vessels from travelling to the platform, delaying work completions and affecting the bottom line.”

Nitrogas was developed to build on the success of E Innovation’s ATEX Zone 1 breathing air system, which delivers hospital quality air to those working in hazardous environments. That system completely removes the risk of carcinogens being inhaled by people at the worksite.

The technology has already achieved savings of more than 65% compared to traditional nitrogen delivery methods, in financial terms, that would equate to a figure of £120,000 saved within a 30 day project.

The Nitrogas unit’s onboard software and filtering systems manufacture nitrogen by removing oxygen from the air, before pumping it directly into platform infrastructure or for storage at the worksite for future use.

www.einnovationuk.com

The mobile unit, the same size as a domestic fridge, replaces cumbersome traditional quads, which are the size of an offshore shipping container, and need to be regularly replenished, in a significantly reduced footprint, saving vital deck space offshore.

And it significantly reduces the risk of slips, trips and falls by removing trailing lines and cabling used in traditional methods, as it can be placed directly at the workface.

“Technology to drive down costs, increase efficiency and reduce HSE issues is high on the agenda of all operators in the energy industry, and our focus is always on developing new ways to improve safety performance while reducing cost,” says E Innovation CEO Kevin O’Connor.

July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p47

tech spotlight

STATS Group Get Green Light For Mechanical Connectors More than 1,000 Installed To Provide Leak-Free Permanent Piping Connection STATS Group have received international certification for the design and manufacture of its mechanical connector range.

The Aberdeenshire based piping technology company have designed and manufactured more than 1000 mechanical connectors since 2003, providing a leak-free service on piping systems ranging in size from 2” to 36”.

The connectors provide a mechanical pipe joint for the modification or repair of piping and pipelines in the oil, gas and petrochemical industry and eliminate the need for time consuming, costly and potentially hazardous hot work.

Below: STATS Group Connector cross-section.

Below: STATS Group carbon steel 24 inch Connector.

DNV GL, the world’s largest classification society, have granted Type Approval for the Connectors which provide a permanent and verified mechanical connection.

Scott Garner, STATS Group, Business Development Manager, said: “Connectors

are available in a variety of configurations to allow pipe-to-pipe or pipe-to-flange

connection or with a blind flange for capping redundant or decommissioned lines.

“Applications include tie-in or re-routing of pipework, sectional pipe replacement and pipe end cap termination for topsides, terminals and subsea pipework. This reliable and cost effective mechanical connection method is ideal where welded or hotwork options may be undesirable or not economically viable.”

The STATS range of Connectors conform to the ISO 21329 Standard and are compliant with DNV-OS-F101:2012, Submarine Pipeline Repair, DNV-RP-F113:2007, Pipeline Subsea Repair.

The Roxtec SPM seal has now received its MED certificate and type approval certificates The new and innovative non-weld Roxtec SPM seal for metal pipes in the marine and offshore markets has now received its MED certification from DNV-GL and its type approval certificates from ABS and RMRS. Cable and pipe seal manufacturer Roxtec launched the light-weight seal last February. The Roxtec SPM can be used with any kind of metal pipe onboard marine or offshore structures to ensure protection against fire, gas and water.

It meets important demands by making it easy to ensure safety and operational reliability – without any downtime or cost associated with welding.

Quick and easy to install The Roxtec SPM seal is made of highly elastic EPDM rubber and fittings of acidproof stainless steel. It is quick and easy to install from only one side of steel decks or bulkheads. The indicators that show when p48 | www.sosmagazine.biz | July

full compression is achieved are just one example of its safe and user-friendly design.

Flexible to pipe and structure Thanks to the patented technology, the Roxtec SPM seal maintains a tight seal round the metal pipe as well as sealing inside uneven or irregular openings. It is available in several sizes, each of them offering an inward tolerance

of 4mm round the metal pipe as well as an outward tolerance towards the inside of the opening.

For more information, please contact: Roger Johansson, Executive Vice President Business Area Marine & Offshore, Roxtec, by email: roger.johansson@roxtec.com or phone: +46 733 31 31 33

tech spotlight

PPE launches new material for superior performance in low temperature and high pressure applications Precision Polymer Engineering (PPE) announces launch of new material, EnDura Z90LT, specifically developed for explosive decompression (ED) resistance.

Precision Polymer Engineering (PPE), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high performance molded elastomer seals and O-rings, has launched its new material, EnDura® Z90LT. The hydrogenated nitrile elastomer compound has been specially developed for high pressure applications to reduce the risk of rapid gas decompression seal failure and maintain resilience at low temperature.

The modern oil and gas industry, one of the most demanding and challenging sectors in the world, requires equipment manufacturers to build robust, safe and high performance products that can deliver reliability over extended periods of time. The environments in which equipment must perform are challenging; high and low pressures, extreme temperatures and exposure to corrosive chemicals; all of which can compromise the integrity of mechanical parts.

Additionally, the availability for routine repair and maintenance in remote access locations such as on the sea floor, for example, is greatly limited and costly. It is clear that equipment must be built to extremely high specifications and made to last in challenging conditions.

The EnDura® range of elite elastomer materials has been developed by PPE specifically for use in downhole, surface and subsea oilfield equipment, offering excellent Rapid Gas Decompression (RGD) resistance.

The range includes material grades that provide the ultimate in chemical resistance and low temperature performance for use in Arctic conditions. EnDura® is the most technically advanced range of elastomer materials available, developed to deliver oilfield sealing technology to exceed oil and gas operator’s performance requirements.

EnDura® elastomers have better chemical resistance than conventional explosive decompression grades, greater low temperature capabilities and are compliant with many international explosive decompression standards. EnDura® Z90LT, the latest addition to the range,

is a low temperature HNBR which meets the requirements of the industry standards ISO 23926-2 and NORSOK M710, unlike conventional low temperature HNBR materials, and demonstrates increased H2S resistance.

Commenting on the new material, Steve Jagels, Global Market Manager for Oil & Gas, PPE, said: ‘PPE is always looking to push the boundaries to produce high performance seals, capable of delivering solutions with the widest temperature performance range in high pressure applications. Z90LT is a significant extension of the EnDura® product line, as the elastomer material delivers superior low temperature sealing capability, with the additional benefit of being resistant to rapid gas decompression.’

For further information about PPE’s capabilities and the company’s growth story to date, you can talk to a member of the sales team on: +44 (0) 1254 295400 or +1 408 441 2043 visit their website at:

www.prepol.com

or email: prepol.sales@idexcorp.com

July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p49

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Page 11

Belleville Springs Ltd

Tel +44 (0)1527 500500

Website. www.bellevillesprings.com

Page 15

Ceep Connectors Ltd

Tel +44 (0)1730 352012

Website. www.ceep.co.uk

Page 11

Clump Weights Ltd

Tel +44 (0)191 265 8808

Website. www.seabed-supplies.com

Destec Engineering Ltd

Tel +44 (0)1522 791721

Website. www.destec.co.uk

Eastern Hose & Hydraulics

Tel: +44 (0)1473 240 466

Website. www.easternhose.co.uk

IFC Page 31

Page 37

Nautilus Rigging

Tel +44 (0)1224 772323

Website. www.nautilusrigging.com

OBC

Nord-Lock Ltd

Tel +44 (0)1264 355557

Website. www.nord-lock.com

Page 27

Prevco Subsea Housings Ltd

Tel +480 (0)837 0100

Website. www.prevco.com

Page 41

QMI Scotland Ltd

Tel +44 (0)1224 626290

Website. www.qmi-scotland.co.uk

ROCOL

Tel +44 (0)113 232 2700

Website. www.rocol.com

Page 46

Page 11

Rotaflow FV Ltd

Tel +44 (0)1663 735003

Website. www.rotaflow.com

Page 39

RUD Chains Ltd

Tel +44 (0)1227 276611

Website. www.rud.co.uk

Page 29

Sonavision Ltd

Tel +44 (0)1224 707737

Website. www.sonavision.co.uk

Page 29

Tooltec Ltd

Tel +44 (0)1224 279411

Website. www.tooltecltd.com

Page 21

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions

Tel +46 410 670 00

Website. www.oilandgas-seals.com

Page 11

Valley Springs

Tel +44 (0)1426 451981

Website. www.valleyspring.com

Page 13

Zetechtics Ltd

Tel +44 (0)1653 602020

Website. www.zetechtics.com

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.

July 2016 | www.sosmagazine.biz | p51