Wednesday 12 March 2025 | 18:00 – 20:00hrs

Aberdeenshire Cricket Club, Aberdeen

Registration – £15 SUT members / £25 non-members (+ VAT) / £10 students

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With the forecast increase in offshore floating wind developments, site investigation, including the site characterisation and environmental impact, is a key activity in the consenting and engineering processes. This evening meeting explores challenges facing the site investigation industry with speakers from different aspects of the process reflecting on their recent experiences to ensure the appropriate data is collected and interpreted to characterise future float wind developments.

Presenters:

Simon Oakley, Fugro; “Site survey data gathering opportunities: a contractor’s viewpoint”

Mark Finch, Ternan Energy, “The role of an Expert Witness in offshore foundation engineering and construction”

Oliver Lever, TechnipFMC, “Environmental Engineers and how they Generate Value”

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Oliver Lever, Technip FMC

After a career in the military Oliver retrained and worked as an Environmental Manager in the Caspian Sea. On returning to the UK Oliver worked as an Environmental and Biodiversity interface between the Lenders and Company on both Chevron’s Future Growth Project (Kazakhstan) and the Exxon Mozambique LNG project, much of this time was spent developing project EIAs, writing environmental management system documents and assuring the environmental performance of Tier 1 Contractors working in protected environments. In 2019 Oliver transitioned to working on the UKCS for the newly formed Serica Energy. Whilst at Serica Oliver managed all permits, licences and consents for production and project works and was responsible for all emissions trading scheme calculation and reporting, Oliver also grew the Company’s ESG function. In 2022 Oliver moved to TFMC to grow a fledgling Advisory and Design Function, that Function now includes Technical Safety, Reliability, Environmental and Materials Engineers and provides support to TFMC product lines and projects globally. In his spare time Oliver is an active member of the Braemar Mountain Rescue Team.  

Mark Finch, Founder & CEO, Ternan Energy

Mark Finch is a Chartered Engineer with 35 years’ experience of offshore geotechnical engineering and installation. Mark has lived and worked in London, Congo, Aberdeen, Newfoundland and Paris. He now lives with his wife and children in the Scottish Borders.

Mark has worked for a broad range of organisations from site investigation contractors, consultancies and Tier 1 contractors to Oil & Gas Operators and Offshore Wind Developers.

Mark established his first consultancy, ISIS Energy, in 2004 which was subsequently acquired by Lloyds Register in 2008. In 2016 he founded Ternan Energy – an independent marine geoscience consultancy. Ternan Energy has grown to more than 30 technical specialists – with offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh Oxford and Brighton. Ternan now does the majority of its work in offshore renewables worldwide.

Mark regularly acts as an Expert Witness in high-value technical disputes and advises clients across the globe. He is a Certified Expert Witness and a practising member of the Academy of Experts.

Simon Oakley, Fugro

For the past 10 years, Simon has led Fugro’s Marine Site Characterisation Client Deliverables (MSC CD) group in Aberdeen. The group encompasses the primary technical disciplines delivering data and information to clients; geophysics, hydrographic data processing and GIS. The MSC CD group has grown significantly in recent years supporting the rapidly developing offshore windfarm market, and is now the largest single client-facing team in Fugro globally. Simon’s technical background is a marine geophysicist, and Simon spent 7 years working on offshore projects across Europe and West Africa. Simon is a lead stakeholder transforming Fugro’s business in remote operations and developing the acquisition of marine geophysics via Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs).

Simon sits on the SUT’s Offshore Site Investigation and Geotechnics (OSIG) special interest group and OSIG executive committee. Simon is the co-chair of the SUT OSIG 2027 conference. Simon is a technical peer reviewer for the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE). Simon is an expert panel member for the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) Drilling Hazard Site Surveys (DHSS) panel. Simon is a STEM Ambassador and early careers mentor.

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SUT Event Policy

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, although discretion may apply in exceptional circumstances. The SUT reserves the right to make changes to the event schedule, lineup, or venue. Attendees assume all risks associated with the event. By entering, you consent to photography and video recording for promotional purposes. Terms and conditions apply.

Contact [email protected] for enquiries.

Thursday 27th February 2025 | 1600-1700hrs EET

Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), Archiepiskopou Kyprianou 30, Limassol 3036, Cyprus | Amphitheater 2, Tasos Papadopoulos Building, CUT, Limassol

Catering will be provided at the event.

This event is FREE to attend but registration is essential. Contact [email protected] to RSVP and reserve your place.

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Mitigating Deepwater Challenges via Pre-Site Investigation Assessments and Intelligent Survey Optimization

We will explore the crucial role of marine site characterization in reducing risks for deepwater field development. As we venture into deeper waters for resource extraction and other activities, understanding the unique challenges and potential hazards becomes essential. Marine site characterization, from desktop studies to data acquisition and analysis, provides a comprehensive understanding of the underwater environment. This process involves evaluating geological, geophysical, and environmental data to identify potential risks and inform decision-making. By leveraging these insights, we can enhance safety, optimize operations, and minimize environmental impacts in deepwater projects.

In this presentation, we will delve into the methodologies and technologies used in marine site characterization, including Geotechnical sampling, remote sensing, seismic surveys, and underwater sampling. We will also discuss the importance of integrating data from various sources to create a holistic view of the site conditions. Through case studies, we will highlight successful applications of these techniques in mitigating risks and ensuring the sustainability of deepwater field development. Let’s embark on this journey to better understand and navigate the complexities of deepwater environments.

Speaker: Robert Hawkins, Fugro

Robert Hawkins is the Commercial Director for Africa overseeing all Business Lines operating on the African Continent. He has worked for Fugro for over thirty-five years and has spent the last twelve years working with clients and projects on the African Continent. Robert joined Fugro as an Engineering Geologist and since then has performed a number of roles both Commercial and Project related at all levels in the organisation. He is motivated by taking on large challenging projects in remote regions and working with clients to successfully deliver them. This has led him to take on the role as Project Director on a number of deepwater projects in the Mediterranean, Arabian Sea and Northern Mozambique.

Presentation by Fugro

Fugro is a global leader in geo-data solutions, specializing in the collection and analysis of information about the Earth’s surface and subsurface. Fugro expertise supports the planning, design, and maintenance of infrastructure, ensuring safer and more sustainable operations. By leveraging advanced technologies, Fugro helps clients unlock the secrets of the Earth to create a safer and more livable world.

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SUT East Med AGM

The EastMed SUT Branch AGM is also taking place on the same day, preceding the presentation at 1500 to 1530 hrs. SUT Members are welcome to attend.

The SUT-US Subsea Awareness training provides foundational knowledge for individuals entering the industry and those needing a refresher on operational perspectives and latest technology. The training offers industry professionals a broad introduction to subsea, covering the various sectors, operations and emerging technologies.

The upcoming training is planned to take place in-person in Houston, Texas as shown in the program below. The confirmed venues are as listed below.

Who should attend
Engineers, managers, financial analysts, and others new to the offshore industry, or those transferring from other disciplines within the industry. This course is also great for engineers who have worked in subsea previously but would benefit from a refresher course and exposure to the latest technology.

Registration
Cost full course
SUT members – $3,500
Non-members – $3,800

Cost per session
SUT members – $875
Non-members – $950

Registration cost includes meals, and the SUT-US can confirm for facility tours based upon the locations below.

Go to SUT-US for more information and to book your place now!

Thursday 13 February 2025 | 17:00 – 20:30hrs

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, London

 

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Join us in London to hear presentations by three industry experts on the latest developments in UXO management, detection and mitigation.

The detection and management of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) represents a significant risk and cost in construction operations, particularly those associated with offshore wind. For this year’s joint RICS and Hydrographic Society meeting we are joining forces with the Society for Underwater Technology to explore UXO from a risk management and regulatory perspective and hear about the latest developments in the survey tools and processes that are used to support identification and location.

This event is now fully booked, to join the waitlist please fill in the form below.

20-21 May 2025 | In-person training course

University of Southampton

Day 1 – NOCS building on the Waterfront Campus
Day 2 – University of Southampton, Boldrewood Campus

This two-day in-person course provides a comprehensive introduction to site investigation and ground engineering in the offshore environment and has been run successfully for a number of years. The course will include a stimulating mix of case studies, lectures, computer practicals, and ‘hands-on’ laboratory testing to help illustrate concepts and applications. An evening meal is included on the first day.  Alongside valuable knowledge sharing, the course is an excellent opportunity to network within the offshore industry.

Industry experts will cover a wide range of topics from planning an offshore site investigation, through technical and operational aspects of data acquisition and reporting, to the practical use of the data in geohazard assessment and foundation design.

This course is intended for non-specialists and will give a broad overview of the offshore market today and how the data acquired is applied to maximise the value of offshore projects.

Click here to view the Agenda

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Cost (excluding VAT where chargeable)

• SUT Member – £750
• Non-Member – £970

CPD Credits will be available

Cancellations/Refunds

Cancellations are subject to a 25% administration fee where the cancellation is made more than one calendar month before the date of the training course. No refund is payable for a cancellation made within the calendar month immediately prior to the training course – in this event the full sum shown on the invoice remains payable.

Delegates may wish to nominate a substitute in their place.

The SUT reserves the right to make changes to the training course schedule, lineup, or venue. Attendees assume all risks associated with the event. By entering, you consent to photography and video recording for promotional purposes. Terms and conditions apply.

Contact [email protected] for enquiries.

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Registration is now closed.

 

Tuesday 4th February | 07:00 | Marcliffe Hotel, Aberdeen

07:00 Breakfast & Networking
07:30 Presentations
09:00 Close

Price (ex-VAT)  SUT Member £48.50 | Non-Member £55.50

The SUT in Aberdeen will be presenting an update on some of the conclusions of last year’s Business Breakfast, reviewing both domestic and international political and economic developments and giving an updated market outlook for 2025 in terms of commodity prices, renewables build-out, project FID’s and how this is affected by the global fleet. 

Returning for the 3^rd year, our speakers will be James Hall of Axiom EMI and Ross Macdonald & Catherine MacFarlane of S&P Global.  We will be accounting for US Presidential and UK General elections; some global geo-political issues as they affect Europe and the UK; oil, gas and domestic energy prices; vessel financing, fleet capacity and day-rates.

All backed-up with data and original research, much of which you can’t find in the mainstream news media.

Please join us bright & early at 7am for breakfast, Tuesday 4^th February at the Marcliffe at Pitfodels in Aberdeen for the SUT’s 2025 Subsea Market Outlook.

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SUT Event Policy

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, although discretion may apply in exceptional circumstances. The SUT reserves the right to make changes to the event schedule, lineup, or venue. Attendees assume all risks associated with the event. By entering, you consent to photography and video recording for promotional purposes. Terms and conditions apply.

Contact [email protected] for enquiries.

All-Energy is the UK’s largest event dedicated to the renewable and low-carbon energy industry. As a vital hub for innovation, expertise, and collaboration, All-Energy empowers the sector to accelerate the transition toward a fully integrated net-zero energy future.

In support of the UK’s ambition to become a clean energy superpower by 2030, All-Energy provides an unparalleled platform for professionals across the clean power and low-carbon energy spectrum. The event brings together thousands of global attendees, including industry leaders, engineers, and technology pioneers, to foster meaningful connections and showcase cutting-edge solutions.

Whether you’re looking to position your brand as a leader, explore groundbreaking innovations, or connect with key decision-makers, All-Energy offers the ultimate opportunity. Join us to be part of the movement driving a sustainable energy revolution and shaping the future of the industry.

Wednesday 12 February 2025 | 18:00 – 20:00hrs

Aberdeenshire Cricket Club, Aberdeen

Registration – £15 SUT members / £25 non-members (+ VAT) / £10 students

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This event includes four great presentations from very experienced and knowledgeable speakers, covering topics across closed-bell resuscitation, a case study from the North Sea, and two presentations related to safety – what happens when it goes wrong, as well as a look at the systems we have in place to provide safe refuge for divers if a dive support vessel has a catastrophic failure.

PLEASE NOTE: Your ticket includes a buffet meal.  There is a bar on site where you can buy a good selection of drinks.

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Commercial Diving Incidents and Lessons Learnt – Bill Chilton, IMCA

The talk will look at two commercial diving incidents (a shellfish diving fatality in Scotland and the subsea decommissioning of a North Sea oil and gas installation) that occurred during the speaker’s time at HSE.  The talk will look at what went wrong, what could have been done differently, and changes to the commercial diving industry in the UK as a result of these events.

Bill Chilton has 25 years of experience in commercial diving and prior to joining IMCA and becoming Diving Manager he worked at the UK HSE for 12 years. Regulating the safety of divers working in the offshore energy and other sectors of the diving industry is a subject close to Bill as he previously was an air and saturation diver as well as having held ‘topside’ positions including project engineer and project manager. Bill holds a BSc (Hons) in Geography; an MSc in Marine Resource Management; and an MSc (Distinction) in Decommissioning.

 

Hyperbaric Rescue – Graeme Robb, JFD Head of Technical Services

When a Dive Support Vessel is severely damaged there may come a time when it must be abandoned. Divers in saturation inside a diving system present a particular challenge as they cannot be safely or readily decompressed in order to be evacuated in the same way as other crew members –  this is when a Hyperbaric Evacuation Plan and Hyperbaric Reception Facility is called into action.  This presentation will cover what these facilities look like, how they function and how and when they are used.

Graeme Robb, JFD Head of Technical Services, worked with Divex / JFD since 2007 on commercial diving new build DSV projects, product servicing and after sales service support.

 

Closed Bell Resuscitation, The Dunoon Method – Mario Gagliardini, Diving Operation Lead, Boskalis

From the Boskalis offshore diving projects team twelve of our colleagues collaborated with specialists from Derby University Hospital on groundbreaking research that has significantly shaped the future of resuscitation protocols for saturation divers. Their dedication and expertise have been pivotal in the development of the Dunoon CPR Protocol, which now serves as a cornerstone in diver safety and industry standards.

This presentation will delve into the collaborative efforts and outcomes of this research, highlighting the critical advancements in resuscitation protocols and their implications for diver safety..

Mario Gagliardini, Diving Operation Lead, Boskalis. Mario has over 10 year offshore saturation and air diving experience in many different and challenging working environments.  Currently Diving Operations Lead at Boskalis Subsea Services, he brings valuable knowledge and experience with a vast array of tasks and tools in large scale EPIC, field decommissioning, IRM and construction subsea projects.

 

Clair Ridge caisson removal – a diving case study – Calum Miller – bp – Subsea Construction Engineer, and Alan Picken – TFMC – Senior Installation Engineer

A 2023 diving campaign case study at bp’s Clair Ridge in West of Shetland involved removing the C1 caisson within the jacket structure. The project combined topside activity with rope access technicians and a TFMC DSV operating in both Nitrox and SAT diving modes. This presentation will cover the project’s background, caisson removal concept, execution, and lessons learned.

This comprehensive approach ensured that the caisson removal was conducted efficiently, safely and minimising impact to the asset plan. The lessons learned from this project can provide valuable insights for future offshore operations, highlighting the importance of integrated planning, the use of advanced technology, and the effective collaboration between various teams and stakeholders.

Calum Miller – bp – Subsea Construction Engineer, was the single point of accountability for the DSV campaign, managing the interface between DSV contractor and bp asset teams. Experience –10 years of experience in the subsea industry across subsea contractors and operators

Alan Picken – TFMC – Senior Installation Engineer. Lead the technical delivery of the C1 Caisson removal scope for TFMC, with over 20 years of experience working on complex subsea construction and topside projects in various locations.

 

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SUT Event Policy

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, although discretion may apply in exceptional circumstances. The SUT reserves the right to make changes to the event schedule, lineup, or venue. Attendees assume all risks associated with the event. By entering, you consent to photography and video recording for promotional purposes. Terms and conditions apply.

Contact [email protected] for enquiries.