Europort 2013 will showcase the innovative technology available that is designed to meet shipping’s critical challenge posed by environmental restrictions under ‘Tier III’ legislation.

Radical tightening of permissible nitrogen oxide and sulphur emissions from ships will change shipping profoundly after January 1, 2016, particularly within Emissions Control Areas.  Staged just over a year before the new regime comes into force, November’s Europort 2013 will offer the maritime and offshore sectors the chance to find out how technology innovators have risen to regulatory challenges, and consider their actions before new restrictions bite.

The International Maritime Organization’s Tier III restrictions require the approximate 74% reduction in NOx emissions when compared to Tier II-type engines. Permissible NOx emissions under Tier III are restricted to between 3.4g/kWh and 2.0g/kWh, depending on an engine’s rated speed.

Shipowners also need to address tightening sulphur dioxide emissions restrictions from 2015, particularly in ECAs. Under the currently agreed schedule, the amount of sulphur permitted in marine fuels will fall in ECAs from a current 1% to 0.1% in 2015, and globally in 2020 from 3.5% to 0.5%.

In short, it will simply no longer be permissible to burn heavy fuel oil (HFO) as freely as before. To meet the regulatory demands, owners will either have to operate on lower sulphur fuel or distillates, burn gas, fit an exhaust gas scrubber, or change their operating profile. 

Understandably, both future fuel selection and the energy efficiency of ships already built and in service are key themes in both the ‘Advanced Technology’ and ‘Mare Forum’ conference programmes that are integral to Europort 2013.

Real progress on one of the industry’s future fuel options will be highlighted in the ‘Pioneering with LNG’ session at the Advanced Technology Conferences, where Dutch expertise in inland operations, shipbuilding and marine equipment design has come into its own. Mare Forum will address the wider strategic issues on future trends in fuels, as part of a wider debate on ‘eco ships’, using the stimulating, free-flowing and informal approach to discussions that is the hallmark of the Mare Forum formula.

As ever, new vessel designs are also a feature of this year’s Europort, and here too environmental imperatives are central to the innovations on show. Typical is the new PSV 3300 offshore vessel from Damen Shipyards, the starting point for its new portfolio of offshore vessels.

Gibdock has completed a refit of the seismic vessel WG Cook(photo) for WesternGeco, reflecting the yard’s growing ability to attract return customers in the specialised offshore vessel market.

WG Cook is one of six 12-streamer 3D seismic ships delivered to the owner in 2010. The 19-day project was completed on time and with no serious QHSE incidents in preparation for WG Cook’s deployment offshore Canada for a seismic survey.

“The project was awarded on a competitive tender basis, while the location of the yard is also favourable for this project,” says Mick Richardson, WesternGeco Fleet Technical Manager. “However, our return to Gibdock also reflects our preference for teamwork based on forward planning and our requirement for a strong commitment to QHSE. We were also pleased with Gibdock’s preparation and pre-fabrication work.”

Richard Beards, Gibdock Managing Director, says that the WG Cook project falls firmly in line with Gibdock’s strategy to work in long-term relationships with ‘best in class’ clients. “As well as delivering high quality work on a high-value vessel, this kind of project relies on transparency at the planning stage. This means final costs match estimates provided.”

Mr Beards says the close coordination between Gibdock’s commercial and production departments proved pivotal to the project’s successful execution, citing the key roles played in the Gibdock team by Estimator Carlos Anastacio and WG Cook Project Manager Filip Tsankov.

Gibdock allocated its largest drydock to the project, allowing a variety of yard equipment to be deployed simultaneously. The dock’s heavy lifting capability was also a factor, with one of its three cranes being occupied continuously by a 5m exhaust extension and main mast modifications. Docking repairs also included the replacement of the ship’s thruster z-drives, box cooler removal, sea chest modification, hull blasting and painting.

Particularly demanding was upgrade and modification of WG Cook’s hydraulic pipes on two decks, and modification of hydraulic lines after equipment relocation. The WG Cook project included work on hydraulics, so skills available in this trade were a particular focus, with close co-ordination between the ship's owner, the yard and the yard’s subcontractors.

“Around 300 personnel from the yard and the owner were onboard the vessel during the project’s peak period,” says Mr Beards. “Co-ordinating work so that completing one job did not interfere with another was a critical factor in redelivering WG Cook on schedule and with no serious QHSE incidents.”

Cargotec's MacGregor has received EUR 37 million order from Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc. to deliver four 250-ton active heave-compensated (AHC) subsea cranes for four multi-purpose supply vessels (MPSV). The cranes will be delivered between fourth quarter 2014 and third quarter 2015. The order is booked in the second quarter 2013 order intake.

"MPSVs are specialized vessels that are principally used to support complex deepwater subsea construction, installation, maintenance, repair and other sophisticated operations," says Frode Grøvan, Sales and Marketing Director for MacGregor Advanced Load Handling.  "We are pleased  that Hornbeck Offshore opted MacGregor's advanced 250-ton AHC subsea cranes with operational capability at depths of 3700m suitable for ultra-deepwater operations.

NorSea Group, the leading supplier of base services and integrated logistics systems to the Norwegian oil and gas industry, and the Scrabster Harbour Trust in Caithness have just signed an agreement which will result in major investment and new job prospects for the local economy.

Under the agreement NorSea Group will work with the Trust to bring in new business and develop Scotland’s most northerly mainland port as a one-stop supply base servicing the oil and gas industry.

  Scrabster Harbour, Caithness, Scotland

NorSea Group already operates nine supply bases along the coast of Norway which provide logistics support to companies operating offshore on the Norwegian continental shelf. The Scrabster base will be the company’s first in Scotland and will combine the expertise, successful track record and resources of NorSea Group with the benefits of Scotland’s most northerly mainland port.

The bases in Norway each host between 40 and 60 companies in the oil and gas industry providing full range of services from warehouse and storage facilities to engineering, construction, lifting equipment and inspections, mechanical workshops and machining to waste handling and storage. The new plans will see a similar model developed in Scrabster.

Scrabster is currently undergoing significant redevelopment which will support the development of the base. The first phase has created a modern deepwater quay with 11,573 square metres of quayside and lay-down area which complement the existing harbour facilities and the port’s strategic location.

John E Stangeland, CEO of NorSea Group, said: “We are very excited about co-operating with Scrabster Harbour Trust to develop business for the strategically important port of Scrabster. The vision and commitment of the Trust have been fundamental in our decision to establish NorSea Group there. We are committed to involving the local community in all aspects of our phased development which will bring significant investment and job opportunities.

“NorSea Group is also very optimistic about opportunities which may arise from the emerging marine renewables sector as the company’s skills, expertise and operational model will be well suited to meet the needs of this sector.”

William Calder, Chair of Scrabster Harbour Trust, said: “We are delighted that NorSea Group has chosen to establish itself at Scrabster, especially at this time of redevelopment of the harbour to respond to new business demands. Scrabster is ideally situated to support the major oil and gas developments emerging west of Shetland.

“I recently visited NorSea Group bases in Norway and was impressed by the operational excellence and supporting infrastructure at their bases, a model of which will be eminently transferable to the further development at Scrabster Harbour.”

General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announces that it has entered into a contract with an affiliate of American Petroleum Tankers (APT), a company majority owned by funds managed by Blackstone on behalf of its investors, for the design and construction of four 50,000 deadweight ton LNG-conversion-ready product carriers with a 330,000 barrel cargo capacity. The contract includes options to build four additional ships.

A custom-built service center at the new Offshore Marine Centre in the Tuas industrial area of Singapore will boost Acteon operations and improve its customer service in South East Asia.

Due to open in July 2013, the new $11 million, 10,000-m² Acteon Singapore Operations Center will support the offshore operations of Acteon companies across the region. It will be the first purpose-built Acteon center to service multiple operating companies. The base will provide engineering, design, equipment maintenance and servicing, equipment rental and sales activities for CAPE, MENCK, Conductor Installation Services (CIS), LM Handling, Aquatic Engineering & Construction Ltd. and Claxton Engineering Services.

“South East Asia is an expanding market for all Acteon businesses and offers numerous opportunities in subsea services. We have now reached the point where we need to provide the right local infrastructure and workforce to serve our customers in the region.” said Acteon Group Ltd. executive vice president Paul Alcock. “As bulkhead port access is at a premium in Singapore, the new facility will provide Acteon companies with easy and unrestricted port mobilization and demobilization options for heavy equipment, which will be supported by our on-site 128-te workshop crane capacity.”

“Operating a world-class service center from the Offshore Marine Center will strengthen our presence in Asia and underline our long-term commitment to the region. Customers should benefit from quicker responses on equipment supply and turnaround, and should gain clearer understanding of the operations and capabilities of the Acteon companies on site,” said Alcock.

“We are delighted that Acteon has chosen to establish its regional service center at the Offshore Marine Center to serve its customers in Asia better. The Offshore Marine Center, with its common waterfront area, is a strong testament to the collaboration between the government and industry to develop innovative solutions that optimize the use of resources,” said Lim Kok Kiang, executive director, transport engineering, Singapore Economic Development Board.

With construction underway on the first ever Oblique Icebreaker, research specialist Aker Arctic Technology  has unveiled a new version of the unique vessel type that will bring ice management and pollution control in thick first year ice to a new level.

The first ARC 100  is due delivery to the Russian Ministry of Transport in early 2014, after a collaborative build involving Kaliningrad’s OJSC Yantar and Helsinki’s Arctech yards. The resulting newbuilding is a breakthrough in asymmetric three-thruster conceptual design, which will bring new capability in terminal operations, ice management and oil spill response in freezing seas.

The 76m long vessel, with her oblique ice-breaking action is a game changer in year-round oil spill response. Additionally, a single Oblique Icebreaker cuts channels through ice for cargo ships to follow as wide as two equivalent conventional icebreakers moving ahead side by side.

Aker Arctic has followed up with a “Heavy Duty” ARC 100 HD version of the design – a 98m long and 26m across the beam vessel. The vessel will draw on 24,000 kW of engine power and 19,500 kW of propulsion power to offer 190 tonnes of bollard pull in open water. This is 2.5 x the pull offered by the ARC 100.

Planned to be classed by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping as an Icebreaker 7, the design is based on extensive model tests at Aker Arctic, Helsinki. Tests demonstrated that the ARC 100 HD will be able to break through 1.5m thick ice when moving ahead and astern at 5 knots (2 knots through 2m thick ice). In the oblique mode, it will be able to cut a 50m wide channel through 1.5m thick ice. In broken ice, its vertical side will push ice pieces and its inclined side break ice floats.

As well as increased size, power and manoeuvrability, the ARC 100 HD adds new ice management and oil spill response functionality. Its dynamic positioning capability will mean it can ‘spin on the spot’ to widen channels. It will also be able to assist during ice field direction changes – effectively cutting ice alongside the cargo vessel exposed to unfavourable ice flows.

Aker Arctic has incorporated specific oil recovery measures. As with the ARC100 design, instead of the vulnerable rubber arm sometimes seen in oil spill response operations, the ARC 100 HD’s vertical hull side itself will act as a sweep arm up to 60m across in heavy waves. The vessel will also feature a skimmer system, including a side door, effective in-built brush skimmers/collector tanks for oil separation, recovered oil transfer pumps, and a discharge pump.

“This project is a significant milestone for icebreaker expertise, as it shows the way design and construction efforts are keeping pace with continuing demand for harder to recover energy sources”, says Mikko Niini, Managing Director of Aker Arctic Technology Inc. “With the awarding of drilling permits in the Arctic subject to increasing scrutiny, this is another example of Aker Arctic Technology’s commitment to meeting the challenges set by nature.”

InterMoor, an Acteon company, has successfully completed a contract with Cross Group, Inc. that included the provision of heave-compensation services for the installation of a Cross 7.0 workover riser package (WRP). An InterMoor compensated anchor-handler subsea installation method (CASIM) unit played a key role in deploying and recovering the WRP.

“The CASIM system enabled us to provide effective heave compensation and to recover the delicate WRP on a vessel without an active heave-compensated crane or stern roller,” said InterMoor vice president of business development David Cobb. “That was the only way to achieve the WRP installation from this vessel. The success of this project underlines the value of the CASIM system as a cost- and time-effective solution, and explains why more and more subsea contractors and operators are choosing it to facilitate the installation of workover packages.”

Each standard CASIM unit has a maximum stroke of 3 meters and can accommodate loads up to 50 tons.

The heave compensation operation was in water depths of about 140 meters and used Cal Dive’s Uncle John DP saturation diving vessel to install the 29-ton WRP. The project took place at East Cameron well 378#3, offshore Louisiana, USA. The Cross Group is conducting a plugging and abandonment (P&A) program in the field for EPL Oil & Gas, Inc.

This project demonstrates how InterMoor can provide cost-effective solutions for the installation of subsea workover equipment using vessels of opportunity. Operators trust InterMoor to be part of their P&A campaigns and to help them meet BOEMRE NTL No. 2010-G05 requirements for timely decommissioning of idle infrastructure on active leases.

GE’s Power Conversion business (NYSE: GE) announces it has been awarded a contract by the Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Fla., to supply integrated diesel-electric power, propulsion and vessel control systems for two multipurpose supply vessels (MPSVs) with installed horsepower of 12,070 BHP (9,000 kW). Eastern will build the MPSVs for Hornbeck Offshore Services of Covington, La.

Aberdeen-based standby vessel operator Atlantic Offshore Rescue has commissioned what will be the UK’s most powerful emergency response and rescue vessel (ERRV).

The Ocean Troll – which recently completed a long term charter with Statoil – has undergone a £2million conversion and overhaul at MMS in Hull to become a UK Class A ERRV with tanker assist and firefighting capabilities. Its home port will be Aberdeen and it will become Atlantic Offshore Rescue’s principal relief vessel supporting the fleet in the North Sea.

The vessel transferred from Atlantic’s Norwegian operation is part of a £300million fleet investment programme undertaken over the last three years by the Atlantic Offshore Group and is the start of the renewal of its UK Fleet . In recent months, orders have been placed by Atlantic Offshore Rescue for two high-specification  TAV/ERRVs with one due to join the fleet in January 2014 and the other scheduled for completion in 2015.

Atlantic Offshore Rescue has been in operation since 1995. It manages a fleet currently sitting at 13 ERRVs (emergency response and rescue vessels) and four PSVs (platform supply vessels) out of Aberdeen.

It is part of the Atlantic Offshore Group which is based in Norway.  Atlantic Offshore Rescue Ltd employs 350 people (approximately 330 seamen and 20 office-based staff) and provides multi-role offshore and emergency rescue and response vessels for many of the oil majors operating in the North Sea.

The three new ERRVs will secure employment for 90 seamen between them.

The 78metre Ocean Troll is equipped with rescue craft including two Daughter Craft and two Fast Response Craft (FRCs). It is compliant with Norwegian legislation and can carry 300 survivors. With firefighting capabilities of 4x1800cum/hour, it has Bollard Pull of 150 tonnes and BHP 12560.

John Bryce, managing director of Atlantic Offshore Rescue, said: “We are committed to providing our customers with the best possible rescue and recovery service in the event of any offshore emergency and will continue to invest in our fleet and employees to continue to strengthen our service.

“The last year has seen us sign new agreements with a number of major operators we have worked with for several years as well as securing business with others on the back of the reputation built by our personnel and fleet.’’

Atlantic Offshore Group currently operates a fleet of twenty four ERRVs (emergency response and rescue vessels) and PSVs (platform supply vessels), and manages further PSVs on behalf of a third parties.

The group’s aim is to continue to expand its capabilities within both the Norwegian and British sector of the North Sea and to be able to provide cross-border solutions reflecting the needs of its clients for both ERRVs & PSVs.

Subsea 7 S.A. (Oslo Børs: SUBC) announces that it has signed a contract to build a new heavy construction vessel which will be delivered in 2016.

The new vessel will be one of the most capable heavy construction vessels in Subsea 7’s fleet of over 40 ships. She will be deployed globally to meet increasing market demands for executing ever- larger and more complex projects. She will have 2,600m² deck area (for equipment carriage), a

600t Active Heave Compensated offshore crane, a 325t top tension vertical lay system and a 7,000t under-deck basket for storage of flexible pipes, umbilicals and cables. The vessel will be equipped with six main engines in two engine rooms designed to maximize performance in Dynamic Positioning Class III.

Korean company Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), one of the world’s largest shipbuilding companies, will build the new vessel. The main crane and the vertical lay system will be provided by Huisman.

Subsea 7 Executive Vice President Commercial Steve Wisely said: “This is another investment in our world class fleet so that we can continue to meet our clients’ demands for executing larger, more complex projects in deep and ultra-deepwater and in harsher environments.”

Amarcon, a member of the ABB group, announced that it has signed a cooperation agreement with GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz) to market and further develop a forecasting and advice software system for sloshing prevention onboard LNG carriers. The agreement was signed at the LNG17 Conference & Exhibition in Houston,US.

In the coming years, a significant growth in the long distance transport of LNG is expected. Consequently, a considerable number of new build LNG carriers will come into the market. It is clear that the safe operation of these vessels will be imperative. To respond to this demand, last year Amarcon and GTT already announced the joint effort on development of sloshing prevention software for LNG Carriers. The sloshing prevention is an advanced module within Amarcon’s OCTOPUS advisory suite that will forecast and advise the crew with optimum route to achieve time savings while preventing risk for sloshing. Sloshing prevention will greatly boost the LNG tanker’s safe conditions and optimize the operational availability of the ships

“We are looking forward on working together with GTT in order to serve LNG carriers with a state of the art onboard sloshing advice, which will help crews to choose the route, speed and course with least risk for sloshing, so time savings can be achieved and damage to the LNG membrane tanks can be prevented. Also in the offshore LNG, we see large potential and need for this kind monitoring and advisory systems as a part of an asset management program” Leon, Adegeest, General Manager of Amarcon said.

GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz) is a French engineering company formed in 1994 specializing in designing and licensing the construction of cryogenic LNG storage tanks for the shipbuilding industry.

Amarcon, a fully owned subsidiary of ABB, provides monitoring and forecasting software solutions for performance and availability optimization of sea-going vessels, and is the leader in vessel motion prediction solutions. ABB acquired Amarcon in august 2012 as an important step to expand its marine software offering. Today, ABB offers a wide range of marine advisory and optimization systems to the maritime and offshore market.

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.

MacGregor's new simulation platform enables customers to access realistic information relating to complex interactions so that better decisions can be made and skills can be attained long before risk becomes a factor

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has introduced C-HOW,a simulation platform that allows customers to run particular equipment through various simulated conditions and operations. "The C-HOW software is extremely flexible," says Frode Grøvan, Sales and Marketing Director for MacGregor Advanced Load Handling. "Simulation detail can be varied depending on the level of functionality required: C-HOW is modular and scalable, so modules can be added or removed as requirements change. Furthermore, its use is not limited to MacGregor equipment; it can be tailored for products from other manufacturers installed on our customers' vessels."

Although MacGregor has only just introduced C-HOW to the market, customers are already expressing serious interest. At a basic level, C-HOW can be used as an interactive calculation tool, while at the other end of the scale it can be incorporated in immersive training hardware, such as in the advanced crane simulator that MacGregor built at Kristiansand in Norway.

"Simulation can help at every stage of a newbuilding project, from concept studies and layout plans to training, operational planning and, later on in its life, modifications and upgrades," adds Mr Grøvan. "It is all about getting access to realistic information relating to complex interactions so that better decisions can be made and skills can be attained long before risk becomes a factor.

"Our customers can also use C-HOW in discussions with their own clients; demonstrating aspects such as increased availability, contingency planning, calculation and presentation tools, control options, flexible and immersive training, 'black-box' analysis and much more."MacGregor's simulation products and services can be modified, together with the physical system, all the way to the end of their useful working life. "This way, your investment never becomes obsolete and it always performs in the best way possible, even under changing commercial and operational circumstances. We use simulation technology to help design your product, why not use the same tools to test, train and plan for its future use?"

A welcoming ceremony was held for two newbuild vessels SL Gabon and SL Libreville at Port‐Gentil, Gabon on 17 April.

Among those attending the ceremony were the Minister Delegate of Transport Mr Emmanuel Jean Didier Biye, the Governor of the Ogooué Maritime Province Mr Martin Boguikouma, the Prefect of the Bendjè Department Mr Joseph Mouele, Total Gabon Chief Executive Officer Mr Benoît Chagué and Smit Lamnalco Chief Executive Officer Mr Daan Koornneef.

SL Gabon and SL Libreville have been contracted for a five year period by Total Gabon. The vessels will support offshore oilfield activities and tanker operations at the terminal of Cap Lopez, Port‐ Gentil.

“The partnership between our two organizations has roots reaching back 30 years,” says Mr. Koornneef. “Port‐Gentil’s location demands robust and reliable marine support services. We are delighted to bring these two state of the art tugs into service for Total Gabon, signifying our continuing commitment to invest in the future of Gabon.”

Smit Lamnalco now operates five vessels for Total Gabon, has a further four vessels under contract for Shell at its Gamba terminal and manages one vessel for Perenco.

The marine support company praised the performance of its 179 Port‐Gentil‐based staff, 75% of whom are Gabon nationals. Special mention was made of Master Jean‐David Mpaga who has been sailing with the company for over 30 years.

Asset Guardian Solutions Ltd (AGSL), which specializes in protecting companies’ process critical software assets, announced that it has secured an important contract with Stena Drilling Ltd of Aberdeen, Scotland. This contract represents a significant development for AGSL, reinforcing its position within the Oil and Gas Drilling sector.

Managing and securing process critical software

As a result of this contract award, AGSL will provide Stena with Asset Guardian, its fully configurable process software management tool designed to meet the specific needs of Rig Control and Automation Systems. It will centralize Stena’s software and data storage into a single repository, improving workflow management, reducing risk and enhancing the ability to recover software and data should system failure occur, thus minimizing any negative impact on production.

Asset Guardian software will be installed on Stena’s entire fleet of drilling vessels. In addition to providing a safer, more secure means of storing software and data management associated with each programmable system, Asset Guardian will also manage the process for making changes to the software configuration of these systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards, regulations and guidelines, such as IEEE 828 2005, CPNI, IEC61508, 61511, ISO 9001, and HSE KP4, among others.

The global nature of Stena’s business means that its drilling vessels and rigs are often required to operate in remote locations, sometimes with poor or intermittent access to the internet. To eliminate problems associated with poor communication links between remote locations and onshore facilities, AGSL will also provide AGSync, a solution specifically designed for the oil and gas industry which allows data and files to be seamlessly synchronized between locations.

The contract also provides for customization of the Asset Guardian system to Stena’s precise requirements, and migration of data from its existing system into Asset Guardian.

AGSL is also required to supply a third party review of Stena's process control management procedures and an annual audit of each offshore facility. These audits will include verification of software backups, validation of hardware and software records, and review of Stena's adherence to international standards and procedures.

Providing secure solutions to the oil and gas industry

The six figure contract from Stena Drilling is one of several recent contract awards to AGSL from companies operating in the oil and gas industry. Most recently, operator Woodside of Australia awarded AGSL a contract to provide a Programmable Systems Management tool set to provide enhanced management of its critical software assets. The company also welcomed contracts from BP, Marathon Oil UK and EON.

The agreement with Stena is a real breakthrough for us since it is our first major contract with a drilling company,” said Peter Beales, Business Development Manager for AGSL. “It demonstrates that our services have wide applicability across the oil and gas sector.”

Our contacts at Stena Drilling confessed that it was refreshing to encounter people who are not only knowledgeable and well-informed about industry regulatory requirements, but are passionate about their product,” said Beales. “We take great pride in compliments like this because it is precisely how we would like AGSL to be perceived: informed and passionate.”