ROV Technologies

18 April 2012 Aberdeen Branch Evening Meeting

Chairman Jim Mann, ROV Manager, Fugro SSD

Sponsored by Schilling Robotics, Forum Subsea Technologies and Fugro

 

Report

 

Flyer

 

Overview

ROV Systems and Technology are crucial tools in the offshore oil and gas industry, now and in the future. As project developments move into ever more challenging and deeper water, and the requirements of IRM operations escalate with increasing numbers of ageing assets, the industry’s ability to maintain its existing infrastructure and develop new fields is dependent on the capabilities of the ROV Systems and their associated technologies.

 

Presentations

ROV Technologies Introduction

Jim Mann, ROV Manager, Fugro SSD

 

Latest Advances in Automated Subsea Intervention

Peter MacInnes, VP Sales & Marketing, Schilling Robotics, LLC

Robotic manipulators are required to perform the vast majority of subsea intervention tasks, but still rely heavily on the skill and experience of the operator. The challenge is not only limited to performing the manipulative task itself, but also requires the host ROV to maintain a stable position during the execution of the operation. This presentation explained the latest advancements in developing an integrated system which enables the ROV to maintain accurate position, while using vision based technologies to perform automated intervention with the robotic manipulator. The ability to consistently and accurately perform routine tasks as well as complex operations using real-time visual data processing techniques was demonstrated with several practical scenarios.

 

ROV Tooling

Stephen Walton, Global ROV Manager, Forum Subsea Technologies

ROV tooling needs have come a long way in the last 10 years, with tooling requirements becoming more and more complex as the industry progresses. Historically the ROV has been key to getting the job done. Whilst obviously the job can’t be done without it, the ROV has gone from being the main workhorse to the platform that delivers tooling to where it is needed. Operationally it seems that nearly every day there are new tools being asked for, more pressure, more flow, smaller, faster, and cheaper! That is the challenge and the opportunity that was presented.

 

ROV Technology Applications

Ian Murray, Business Development Manager, Fugro Subsea Services Ltd

After more than 40 years of history, ROV subsea solutions engineering continues to develop and rise to the challenges being presented today; Fugro Subsea Services Ltd (FSSL) overviewed a variety of recent projects involving bespoke ROV tooling solutions in challenging shallow and deep subsea environments, highlighting the cost effectiveness of this type of intervention.

 

Technology for the Coming Decade

17–18 April 2012 SUT International Subsea Technical Conference, HQS Wellington, London, UK

 

Flyer

 

Final Programme

 

Overview

Whether we are concerned with enhancing production in mature developments or working at the frontiers of ultra-deep water, innovation through the development of relevant new technologies is key to the success of our industry. Innovation will enable the safe exploitation of hitherto unrecoverable and non-viable assets.

This event followed on from previous successful events run by the Society’s branches in Perth, WA and Rio de Janeiro offering a high quality event at a very competitive cost.

SUT’s International Subsea Technical Conference was forum to transfer knowledge, understand technology and share best practice.

• New Subsea Technologies
• Subsea Asset Integrity Management
• Pipelines and Riser Technologies

 

Presentations

PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ATTENDEES OF THE EVENT

(password protected page)

 

 

SUT+ New Beginnings

5 April 2012 Aberdeen Branch SUT+ Launch Event, Aberdeen, UK

 

Flyer

 

Overview

SUT+ has been created for developing professionals working in the subsea industry in Scotland. It will provide a platform to develop valuable industry knowledge outwith the traditional office environment. SUT+ will provide a programme of technical and social events, arranged by developing professionals for developing professionals, to encourage and extend awareness of the subsea industry.

This launch event, SUT+ New Beginnings, was a social opportunity to learn about SUT+, to meet the people involved, and to meet and network with other developing professionals. The evening included an opportunity to explore the Aberdeen Maritime Museum and to learn about the history of the subsea industry of Aberdeen. The event was open to all but welcomed new entrants to the subsea industry and developing professionals typically in the first 10 years of their career.

The event was primarily a social event, with food and drink provided, but included a number of short presentations:

 

Presentations

Overview of the SUT

David Kaye, SUT Aberdeen Branch Chairman

This short presentation provided an overview of the SUT and the SUT’s presence in Aberdeen. David provided an insight into the aims, objectives and activities of the SUT.

 

Overview of SUT+

Scott Sonthalia, Subsea Engineer, J P Kenny and Stavros Polymenis, Subsea Engineer, Fugro

This short presentation provided an overview of the SUT+ programme, including an insight into the career benefits to be provided through attendance to future SUT+ events.

 

Maritime History of Aberdeen

Meredith Greiling, Aberdeen Maritime Museum

Provided by the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, this presentation provided an insight into Aberdeen’s vast maritime history, including details of historical events which have contributed to establishing Aberdeen as one of the key engineering cities within the UK. The presentation highlighted some of the key collections of historical memorabilia to be found within the museum, with the opportunity for attendees to explore the museum and its contents.

 

Marine Renewables

22 March 2012 North of England Branch Evening Meeting

Chairman Ian Probyn, R&D Business Development Manager, Technip Umbilical Systems

Sponsored by PDL Group

 

Report

 

Flyer

 

Overview

The UK government set a target of generating 15% of energy generation from renewable sources by 2020 and so far the offshore wind turbine industry has taken the lead in developing large scale projects. Tidal and wave energy devices are also seen as key contributors to achieving this target and the industry is currently at a critical stage of transition, from small scale experimental projects to large scale deployment.

 

Presentations

Project Nautilus: Development of a Marine Renewable Test Rig Using Advanced Analysis Tools to Simulate In-field Loading Conditions
Michael Williams, Managing Director, PDL Solutions (Europe) Ltd and Dr Jamie Grimwade, Technology Specialist,  Marine, NAREC

Harnessing marine renewable energy is extremely challenging, and deploying marine renewable devices is costly, time consuming and highly weather dependent. Marine renewable energy developers must be able to prove that their devices work before they are placed in the water and NAREC’s Project Nautilus is a test facility that recreates the loads that the devices will see in service.

A key aspect of the project was to undertake an in-field measurement campaign. PDL Solutions were chosen by NAREC to use this data to develop advanced CFD computer modelling and simulation of the offshore environment, enabling the test facility to simulate the loadings seen in the field. The presentation gave an overview of the development programme.

 

Tidal Demonstration Project
Graeme Mackie, Managing Director, Oceanflow Energy Ltd

Tidal stream turbines are generally seen as the form of marine renewable energy that is closest to market. A number of different turbine technologies are currently undergoing sea trials and this paper gave an overview of the particular issues, technical, environmental and commercial, faced by Oceanflow in demonstrating its grid connected floating, tethered turbine technology.

 

Submarine Rescue – The NATO Submarine Rescue System

15 March 2012 London Evening Meeting

Chairman Bob Allwood, Chief Executive, SUT

 

Flyer

 

Overview

Submarining in peace and war is widely acknowledged as one of the most hazardous arms of the services. The first modern submarines came into service in the last decade of the 19th century and many were lost due to poorly understood engineering and operational limitations. Despite the dramatic technological advances in World War 2 and its immediate aftermath, there have been a surprising number of submarine losses since then. Submarines usually sink with the loss of all on board and the nature of submarine operations means that these events have not been in the public eye. However, since the publicity surrounding the sinking of the Russian Submarine Kursk and the aftermath of the event, conducted in the stark glare of the western publicity machine, public interest has been stimulated. The UK is part owner of the NATO Submarine Rescue System and enjoys a peerless reputation as the world leader for its skills both as operator and manufacturer of submarine rescue vehicles. How has this come about? What are the true figures for submarine accidents and losses? How have things improved? What key systems and technologies make up a Submarine Rescue System? This presentation gave a short history of the subject and then approached these questions from the point of view of the acceptance into service of the NSRS and its subsequent exercises. It discussed the problems encountered and their solutions. It also described the likely sequence of events in a rescue attempt and the difficulties of co-ordinating the efforts of many countries that in their normal affairs are hardly on speaking terms and differ widely in their approach to the subject.

The presentation was given by the retired naval Commander Jonathan (Jonty) Powis who has been involved in the subject since 1995. Jonty was in the navy from 1974-2006 during which time he specialised in submarines and navigation. He saw action in the Falklands Conflict as the Navigating Officer of HMS Conqueror and subsequently commanded HM Submarines Unseen, Resolution and Victorious. He was serving in the MoD during the Kursk tragedy and was closely involved in the rescue attempt by the UK. Thereafter he was the Royal Navy’s operational commander of the rescue system and on leaving the service joined the Rolls-Royce team as the Rescue Manager in charge of bringing NSRS into service. He is now working to sell the same system to envious nations that crave the same assurance of reliable rescue for their submarine crews.