Unique Hydrographic Systems has been contracted by Cairn India for an Oil Spill Recovery project. The first of its kind project for Unique Hydrographic Systems will run over a period of 3 years until April 2016.

Based in Navi Mumbai, Unique Hydrographic Systems provide a complete range of specialized engineering solutions and services for the Marine, Diving, and Survey industries within the region.

Cairn India is one of the largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies in India. Cairn India and its JV partners account for more than 20 percent of India’s domestic crude oil production. The company has been operating in India for more than 15 years and has played an active role in developing the oil and gas resources.

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, recently won a $12million order to supply electrical power and propulsion systems for a deepwater pipe laying vessel.

The vessel, tentatively named Derrick Lay Vessel 2000 (“DLV2000”), will be constructed at Keppel Singmarine in Singapore and delivered in 2015 to Hydro
Marine Services, Inc., a subsidiary of McDermott International, Inc.

Leighton Offshore has been awarded a contract for the replacement of floating hoses on the SPM system operated by Qatar Gas.

Ras Laffan Terminal Operations, part of Qatargas Operating Company Ltd, operates and maintains two SPM CALM buoys approximately 54 Km offshore from Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.

Leighton CEO Boyd Merrett said "We look forward to working with Qatar Gas to deliver this project. The Leighton Offshore O&M Team has more than 100 years cumulative experience in SPM related O&M works scopes with a strong focus on safe and environmentally sound operating practices."

"Last year Leighton operated and maintained the Iraq Offshore Crude Oil Export system, successfully managing the export of over 140 million barrels of oil. We have the people, systems and equipment to provide innovative solutions for our clients operations and maintenance needs", Mr Merrett added.

Leighton Offshores scope of work includes:

Water Flushing the existing SPM Floating Hoses to make them hydrocarbon free

The removal of existing Floating hoses along with the attachments and accessories,

Dis-assembly of existing Floating Hose Strings.

Inspection and Assembly of new Hose Strings prior to installation,

Installation of New Floating Hose Stings on SPM # 1

Testing and Commissioning of the new Floating Hose Strings

Commissioning support During Loading Operation

On May 13,  Imtech Marine signed a contract to be involved in the execution of the capability upkeep program Walrus-class submarines (IP-W) of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The Dutch Defensie Materiel Organisatie granted Imtech Marine Netherlands the assignment to carry out the mechanical, engineering and electrical upgrade works on board the submarines. The assignment will be carried out at the Naval base in Den Helder and will run from 2013 until 2020. IP-W includes a large number of modifications, such as disassembly, assembly and installation of a variety of equipment and systems. This will ensure that the submarines will remain effectively operational in service until at least 2025. The complex project is based on the intensive cooperation between the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Dutch industry and research institutes, with an important role for Imtech Marine.

Apart from extensive conservation work the program also contains replacement of the sonar installation, replacement of the periscope system by anoptronic mast, replacement of the Combat Management System and Internal Communication system, modification of a number of platform systems and the complete redesign of the central radio cabin and electronic cabin. Imtech Marine also plays a role in the installation of the SATCOM systems and the delivery of new consoles for the redesigned combat  information centre.

“It is a great challenge to get this job done within the planned time in the confined space of a submarine with a large team of mechanics, welders, specialists, site managers and quality and safety experts’’, says Harm Kappen, at Imtech Marine responsible for Marketing & Sales in the navy domain. Imtech Marine has been actively involved with the Netherlands Walrus class submarines since the eighties. “Our knowledge and expertise in the naval domain, and in the area of submarines in particular, will be of great value for this assignment”, says Kappen. “As electric system integrator we realize smart and efficient solutions within the available space. During the preparation, design issues such as use of space, weight, ergonomics and safety were extensively and closely examined.”

Leading role

Since 2009 Imtech Marine has had a leading role during the preparations for this major modernization. Two projects have preceded the implementation; the Walrus Engineering Support Project and the Production Engineering Project. Apart from Imtech Marine the companies Nevesbu and Verebus, Nedinsco, Technovia and the research institute TNO were also involved in these preparatory projects.

The Imtech Marine project team will work closely together with the specialist maintenance team of the Royal Netherlands Navy. In the same period the Royal Netherlands Navy will carry out the Multi Annual Maintenance, including another extensive project;  the renewal of the conservation of the hull. This labour intensive job consists of the removal of the current skin, if necessary repairing the hull of the ship and renewal of  the conservation.

Imtech Marine starts in the second half of 2013 with works on board of the HNLMS Zeeleeuw. After that the HNLMS Dolfijn, HNLMS Bruinvis and HNLMS Walrus will follow. The fourth and last submarine will be ready in 2020.

A HIGHLY-EXPERIENCED figure in the subsea sector has been appointed Managing Director of DOF Subsea UK.

Giovanni Corbetta (Photo), who was most recently Managing Director with Hallin Marine, will lead the company’s transformation from vessel operator to provider of integrated subsea solutions for the market from its headquarters in Aberdeen.  

Aberdeen-based Dana Petroleum has laid the keel for a new $400 million oil production vessel which will produce and store up to 40,000 barrels of oil a day from the North Sea by 2015.

The keel laying of the floating, production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) marks a major milestone for Dana’s Western Isles project.

Artist's impression of the FPSO

Hallin Marine, a Superior Energy Services company, announces its return to the Natuna gas field off Indonesia. The project, for a major engineering procedure construction, installation and commissioning contractor, will be executed using the Ullswater subsea operations vessel. Total project value is approximately US$6 million.

“This latest Indonesian contract is scheduled to commence in June with an estimated duration of 30 days,” explains Hallin East Division managing director Rik Zwinkels. “It will centre on an offshore construction campaign to support the laying of 4,200 metres of flexible pipelines and the installation of rigid risers at the platform. The job scope includes  provision of project management and engineering services, saturation diving services, pre-lay survey using Hallin’s’ C-ROV work-class remotely operated vehicle and the pre-commissioning of the pipelines, using the subsea operations vessel Ullswater.

“Hallin has a proven track record in this type of flexible pipeline installation including a number of successful projects with our client. This has generated a positive relationship between the offshore personnel, project team and onshore staff of both organisations. Hallin is also an experienced and trusted partner in the Indonesian market.”

Photo: SOV Ullswater

Fully equipped for wellhead servicing, inspection and construction diving aswell as for remotely-operated vehicle support, the 78 metre long by 20.4 metre wide SOV Ullswater incorporates a 15-man saturation diving system capable of operating at 200 metres depth plus a three-man moonpool-launched diving bell. An integral 22 metre diameter helideck enables fast transfer of crew and operating staff. Up to 120 personnel can be accommodated on board.

Discovered in 1970 by Agip (Italy), the Natuna gas field is located approximately 1,100 kilometres north of Jakarta. It is the largest gas field in southeast Asia. Estimated recoverable reserves total around 46 trillion cubic feet.

First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, officially opened subsea installation contractor Bibby Offshore’s brand new purpose-built headquarters, Atmosphere One,  on Tuesday 28 May 2013.

The company recently relocated from Aberdeen Harbor to the new office facility at Prospect Park, Westhill, to provide Bibby Offshore with the additional capacity necessary to support its significant increase in staff numbers and services, as Bibby Offshore’s operations expand both in the UK and internationally.

Bibby Offshore is on track to achieve a turnover of £220million by the end of 2013 and plans to increase this to £650million by 2017, creating more than 100 onshore jobs in the north east.

Photo: First Minister Alex Salmond and Howard Woodcock, chief executive of Bibby Offshore officially open Bibby Offshore’s brand new purpose-built headquarters, Atmosphere One in Westhill.

 Bibby Offshore’s Chief Executive Howard Woodcock said: “Continued investment in the development of the energy industry is exceptionally important and we are delighted to have had the opportunity to welcome the First Minister to officially open our new premises.

“The move was essential due to the speed at which we are expanding, the impressive demand for the company’s expertise, and our growth strategy to triple the size of our business around the world in the next four years. We have a number of key initiatives in place to ensure we recruit and train the most talented people in order to ensure the business can continue to grow.”

Earlier this month, Alex Salmond was in the Granite City to unveil plans for an oil and gas training initiative, which will be based in the city, as part of an energy skills initiative designed to take advantage of growth in demand for key skill across the key energy sectors of oil and gas, renewables and transmission systems.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: “Scotland’s energy industry is one of our economic success stories and it is therefore vital that we ensure there is a steady stream of professionals equipped with the skills to keep pace with our potential. That is why companies such as Bibby Offshore, whose parent company has such a long and distinguished maritime heritage, are essential in developing the workforce to keep our energy industry evolving, thriving and contributing to Scotland’s economic success.

“In this, the company’s 10th year in Aberdeen, it is only fitting that they have expanded into new premises and continue to be well positioned to deliver significantly enhanced capabilities for the sector in the future.” 

As part of the official launch of the new building and in line with the company’s 10^th Anniversary celebrations, Bibby Offshore extended the invite to the opening of its 53,427 sq.ft, multi-million pound facilities to ‘Bibby Offshore Schools Ambassadors’ from  schools across the UK including Aberdeen, Lerwick, Liverpool and Glasgow.

The visit will allow them to learn about the wealth of career opportunities at Bibby Offshore, throughout Aberdeen city and shire, and in the oil and gas industry as a whole 

The students, between the ages of 11 and 17, will share their experiences with other schools in their areas through producing a report about their visit Bibby Offshore also donated £1000 to each school to be utilised in skills development programs.

Mr Woodcock continued: “Our industry is dependent on attracting talented, skilled people and to meet global demand, it’s essential that young people are aware of the excellent opportunities which are available in the North East and within the energy sector as a whole.

“All of the schools were thrilled to get involved and have been really enthusiastic throughout the whole process. We targeted schools from across the country, with Liverpool and Aberdeen being obvious choices due to the significant presence Bibby Offshore has in these cities.

One of Bibby Offshore’s core values is to realise the talent of its people, having introduced schemes that encourage individuals to meet their potential including the Engineer Conversion Course, Graduate Training Scheme, Future Managers Programme and Bibby Academy. Since starting the Conversion Course in September 2012, the company has added an additional 12 engineers to its staff and is planning another intake of eight in September 2013. Fourteen students have had the chance to experience the Graduate Training Programme and Bibby Offshore has plans to recruit a further eight this September. The Future Managers Programme has also been a great success – with 65% of those who have completed the programme having gone onto be promoted into managerial or lead roles.   .

Mr Woodcock continued: “Aberdeen City and shire is the Global Centre of excellence within the subsea sector and the innovation which is present here is setting the benchmark for the rest of the world. To ensure it continues to prosper, it’s important that there is continued investment in the industry, through training and skills development.

“Over the last decade, Bibby Offshore has grown considerably and we have successfully created jobs for over 1,300 people, within the UK and internationally. Our business needs good people, and by introducing  these young people to the industry we hope to make  sure that, from a young age, they are aware of the abundance of opportunities there are available within it..”

The training and development schemes Bibby Offshore has introduced have helped to provide a high quality pool of workers who are encouraged to meet their potential and help give Bibby Offshore the skills boost it needs. Bibby Offshore currently has more than 1,300 people working onshore and offshore worldwide, with offices in Aberdeen, Liverpool, Singapore and Trinidad. It recently added two new vessels to the fleet and continues to expand its subsea construction, engineering and project delivery services.

Independent Body to Provide Collaborative Research, Shared Learning for Offshore Energy Exploration and Development; Fulfills Major Recommendation from Ocean Energy Safety Committee

As part of President Obama’s all-of-the-above approach to domestic energy development, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Director James Watson today announced the Bureau is taking steps to establish an independent Ocean Energy Safety Institute (Institute) to further enhance safe and responsible operations across the offshore oil and gas industry.

Australian megaprojects are providing a significant source of optimism amongst oil and gas professionals in the Asia Pacific region, according to research from industry technical advisor, GL Noble Denton.

Australia is listed as the world’s third most attractive investment destination by professionals questioned in the report, entitled Seismic Shifts: The outlook for the oil and gas industry in 2013. No other country in the Asia Pacific region appeared in the report’s shortlist of leading investment destinations for the oil and gas industry.

Seismic Shifts is an annual litmus test for industry sentiment in the year ahead. It was produced with input from a survey of more than 400 senior oil and gas professionals and in-depth interviews with 20 industry executives.

According to the study, multi-billion dollar projects in Australia are fuelling optimism in the oil and gas industry, with 72% of respondents in the Asia Pacific region saying they were highly or somewhat confident for the outlook of their business in 2013.

Among these ventures is Shell’s USD $12bn Prelude project, situated in offshore Australia, which is expected to be the first regional development to implement floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) technology. The facility is expected to begin operations in 2016.

With a raft of new technologies being developed to operate in increasingly challenging environments, it is not surprising that 37% of respondents to GL Noble Denton’s research expect to increase their spending in research and development (R&D) in 2013.

As Australia’s oil and gas projects become more complex and the levels of investment in them rise, the expectation of a viable return becomes more pronounced. More than half of all respondents (53%) from Asia Pacific believe that rising operating costs are the biggest barrier to growth, well above the global average of 38%.

Richard Bailey, GL Noble Denton’s Executive Vice President for Asia Pacific, said:

“Australia remains a robust market within the in the Asia Pacific region, despite challenges posed by the global operating climate. Our research reaffirms that the country’s megaprojects are drawing huge inward investment to the country.

“However, there are fears that as these projects grow, operational costs will increase substantially. As many Australian megaprojects reach a critical phase in their development, any change in costs could be crucial to future progress. Careful forward planning and effective implementation of work is now more important than ever to ensure these concerns are not realised.”

Download a complimentary copy of Seismic Shifts from: www.gl-nobledenton.com

GL Noble Denton will be exhibiting at the APPEA Conference

Defense and security company Saab has signed a contract on delivery of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle systems, AUV62, in training configuration. The order has a total value of MSEK 148 and system deliveries will take place during 2014.

The order comprises the supply of AUV62, the latest version of the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle in a configuration as training target for Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) training.

“The AUV62 is a competent and advanced system that will enhance and strengthen the customer’s underwater capabilities. We are of course very satisfied to have been able to secure yet another order for the system,” says Görgen Johansson, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Dynamics.

The AUV62 is an advanced and highly modern Autonomous Underwater Vehicle available in several different configurations and already selected by a number of customers.

Equipped with an Acoustic payload it is an advanced and capable system for cost-efficient training of a navy’s ASW forces. The AUV62 is an artificial acoustic target that mimics a submarine in a way that is compatible with any torpedo- and sonar system on the market today. The AUV62 system fully replaces the use of a submarine in the role as a maneuvering training target.

Equipped with a Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) payload it is an efficient system for Mine Search, Reconnaissance and Seabed Mapping. With the AUV62 Saab offers a state-of-the-art Autonomous Underwater System for demanding customers investing in the future.

The industry’s nature is such that depending on circumstances concerning the product and customer, information regarding the customer will not be announced.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defense to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.

Wood Group Kenny (WGK) has been awarded a multi-million dollar engineering contract for a major new project in Australia.

GDF SUEZ Bonaparte Pty Ltd (GDF SUEZ), a subsidiary of French energy giant GDF SUEZ S.A., operator of Bonaparte LNG project has awarded WGK a contract for a (pre-FEED) subsea concept definition study for the Bonaparte LNG project.

This is GDF SUEZ’s first LNG project in Australia, which will give the company a further foothold in the gas markets of the Asia Pacific region. The Bonaparte LNG project is made up of the Petrel, Frigate and Tern fields, located in the Timor Sea, which were previously stranded gas fields, but recent technology advances and innovation mean these fields are now more economically viable to develop.

The key to unlocking this gas is floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG). This technology represents a new emerging market for the oil and gas industry, with the Asia Pacific region in the driving seat for the production.

Currently, there are no operational FLNG facilities in the world. However, in recent years a number of FLNG projects have been proposed and are now under development in Australia.

WGK is at the forefront of Australia’s latest subsea and pipeline projects and has been the engineering partner of choice for world-class developments such as Prelude, Equus, Pluto, Browse, Ichthys, Gorgon, Julimar, and Macedon projects, all of which are located on the Australian North West Shelf (NWS) and in the Timor Sea.

The Bonaparte LNG project represents a strategically important contract award for WGK as they are a new client developing their first FLNG project in Australian waters. The subsea concept definition study will be executed by WGK’s Australian team located in Perth, Western Australia.

Phil Brown, Australian Regional Director of Wood Group Kenny, said: "We are delighted to have been awarded this important contract to support GDF SUEZ’s  operations in Australia, which recognises our expertise in subsea engineering, and in particular, FLNG emerging technology.

"This is a new client for us and we hope to establish a long and successful business relationship with them. WGK has been based in Perth for nearly 30 years and in that time we have developed a very strong, local presence."

Statoil and its partners are in the process of concluding drilling operations in exploration well 25/11-27 in the Grane Unit. 

Drilled by the rig Songa Trym the well proved an oil column of 20 meters in the Heimdal Formation. The estimated volume of the discovery is in the range of 18-33 million barrels of recoverable oil.

Ferguson Group Singapore, specialists in the rental of containers, refrigeration/chiller containers, accommodation modules and engineering modules to the offshore energy industry, announces a new 6m accommodation module to its fleet at the 14th Asian Oil, Gas & Petrochemical Engineering (OGA) Exhibition and conference in Malaysia from June 5, 2013.

Ferguson Group Singapore is exhibiting at stand 7040 at the event taking place from June 5-7 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with members from Ferguson Group Singapore to learn more about the new 6m accommodation module and gain an update on its existing range of offshore containers, tanks, baskets and reefers available throughout Asia Pacific.

Steven Ferguson, Chairman and CEO of the Ferguson Group, said: “Exhibiting at OGA 2013 will provide the opportunity for us to showcase our fleet and introduce the 6m accommodation module and recently launched dual zoned refrigeration container to delegates.”

Ferguson Group Singapore has grown its fleet size to include a range of new products. A new 6m accommodation module designed specifically for southern hemisphere conditions along with a 6m dual zone refrigerated/chiller container from IceBlue Refrigeration Offshore, a member of the Ferguson Group.

Simon de Koning, General Manager at Ferguson Group Singapore commented “The increase in our product range and the recent move to larger facilities in Singapore will further enable us to respond quickly to meet customer requirements. There has been a great deal of interest in Ferguson Group’s products and services in the Asia Pacific region. By exhibiting at this important Oil and Gas event we have the ideal opportunity to meet with clients to better understand their needs.

The Ferguson Group employs more than 185 people worldwide serving the offshore container rental and accommodation modules markets. The group, headquartered in Scotland, has operations in all major global oil and gas locations.

Petrotechnics,a global leader of software solutions to improve frontline operational performance and risk management in hazardous industries, today announces the completion of £6 million investment from Business Growth Fund (BGF).

The investment will help fuel the next stage in the company’s aggressive global growth strategy in new geographies, new talent acquisition and ongoing innovation, including the continued global roll out of its enterprise operational performance and predictive risk software platform, Proscient.

Based in Aberdeen and with offices in Houston, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, Petrotechnics was founded in 1990 and since then has pioneered proven solutions and successfully helped organizations in hazardous industries increase operational performance and improve risk management in the riskiest part of their operations.

Petrotechnics’ software solutions are used on a daily basis by more than 50,000 personnel from some of the biggest businesses in the oil and gas industry, including the three largest independent Oil & Gas Companies. Petrotechnics software is used in frontline operations to help manage operations safely and efficiently across 385 sites on 6 continents including 80% of North Sea and 40% of Gulf of Mexico assets.

Petrotechnics’ leading enterprise software platform, Proscient provides an easier and more dynamic approach for senior management to proactively manage the organization to optimize performance reduce risk.  Proscient manages the execution of frontline work safely and efficiently to help companies maintain asset integrity, workforce safety and the achievement of production targets.

Unlike the older generation of inflexible and static tools such as paper based Permit to Work and Electronic Permit to Work/ISSoW systems, Proscient provides an organization with the capabilities to consistently manage workload against risk according to policies across the organization whether it’s one plant or a global enterprise.

Proscient is designed from the ground up as a robust and flexible off the shelf enterprise application enabling streamlined deployment and ease of use. It delivers hard ROI within months, specifically with a reduction in the number and length of unplanned shutdowns, a decrease in permit and contractor wait times, significant improvements in plan accuracy and plan attainment and most importantly with a positive change in the strength of the organization’s ‘at the plant face’ safety culture.  As an enterprise platform Proscient provides further business value through its integration with other leading enterprise systems used by hazardous industries including IBM Maximo, SAP, Oracle Primavera and Microsoft Project.

It also leverages strategic big data to drive continuous improvement of operational performance. With data on every aspect of work that has occurred and more importantly with what is to come across frontline operations, senior management can use Proscient’s integrated actionable analytics for the insight and enhanced decision making to move the organization from reactive to proactive management.  This consistent generation of data provides the capability to generate role specific metrics that are informative, actionable and improve decision making from the frontline to the boardroom.

“We firmly believe that with BGF’s guidance and contributions we can truly take our organisation to the next level of growth,” said Phil Murray, CEO Petrotechnics.  “We believe there is great potential for oil and gas operators worldwide to significantly improve their operational performance and enhance how they manage operational risk.  A system such as Proscient empowers all levels of management to proactively achieve operational excellence.”

Mike Sibson, BGF Investment Director commented, “Our investment in Petrotechnics is a very exciting opportunity for BGF. Petrotechnics has demonstrated its ability to deliver complex software solutions to major oil and gas companies throughout the world. There is an increased priority on the management of operational risk and safety in hazardous industries, with several major incidents over the last decade demonstrating the potential consequences of poor control of work.

“The company’s large installed base, the new software product Proscient, and the excellent reputation of Petrotechnics is an exciting combination. The investment is a great fit for BGF, which was established to invest growth capital in the UK’s ambitious SMEs. We are also delighted to be backing Phil and the team, who are genuine experts in their field, and who have built the business with no external funding over the last twenty years.” 

BGF was established to provide growth capital to the UK’s ambitious and growing small and medium sized businesses. Petrotechnics represents its fifth investment in the oil and gas sector and brings the total invested by BGF in Scottish SMEs to date to £30m.

Prior to founding Petrotechnics, CEO Phil Murray worked internationally for BP for 10 years in a variety of technical, operational and managerial roles. The business has won a number of industry awards from organisations including the Energy Institute and the Institution of Chemical Engineers, is regularly selected by the Society of Petroleum Engineers to present conference papers.

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE: DO) announced on Wednesday,  an agreement with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. to build a new Moss CS60E design harsh environment semisubmersible drilling rig. The 10,000’ dynamically positioned rig is expected to be delivered after November 2015. Projected capital cost of the unit including spares, commissioning and shipyard supervision is approximately $755 million.

The Company also announced that a three-year drilling contract has been entered into with a subsidiary of BP plc (NYSE: BP) to utilize the rig for initial operations off the coast of South Australia. The initial operating dayrate under the drilling contract is $585,000 per day and is subject to upward adjustment for certain increased operating costs and equipment modifications.

“We are pleased to have been selected by BP for this important work,” commented Larry Dickerson, Diamond Offshore’s CEO. “Our Company, and its predecessors, have been continuously active in Australia since 1982, drilling over 600 wells; far more than any other drilling contractor. We believe that this market-leading experience should enable Diamond Offshore to play a key role in our customer’s exploration efforts and we look forward to this opportunity.”