SUT to Host Deepwater Sessions at Offshore Europe

Latest technologies from robotics to risers to be presented

The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) will host two deepwater technical sessions at Offshore Europe, providing a platform for organizations to demonstrate innovations that are pushing boundaries at new depths.

The first session, ‘New Technologies for Efficiency and Effectiveness’ takes place on Wednesday 9th September from 9.30am to 12.30pm, offering insights into innovations that help to reduce costs and improve reliability for developing and exploring oil and gas reserves.

Presentations will include French company ALSEAMAR on the use of undersea gliders for offshore pre-exploration, which is the focus of BRIDGES, a European joint industry project on which SUT is partnering. Vianney Rochet, engineer and a pilot of the Sea Explorer glider will give his views on the deepwater opportunities for this new ground-breaking technology which offers a more affordable subsea data collection platform than vessels and autonomous underwater vehicles.

Subsea field layout. Courtesy of Nautronix

Other organisations set to present include Tracerco, Nautronix, Viper Subsea, 2H Offshore Engineering and Wild Well Control.

Donald Thomson, VP Sales Global Commercial Acoustics at Nautronix said: “Operators want more and more data from their wells and subsea assets, to allow them to manage their production and maintenance. Acoustic data transmission is now reliable enough to provide that data remotely through the water column, without the need for expensive cables.

“Our Life of Field concept is gaining interest from operators, who want to maximise their investment over a long period. Accurate real-time data and remote control is an important element of Life of Field, and reliable acoustics form part of the solution.”

The second session, ‘Subsea Challenges for Enabling Deep Water Production’ takes place on Thursday 10th September from 9.30am to 12.30pm and will cover innovations addressing key challenges from integrity and flexible riser fatigue to subsea processing and chemical injection. Presentations include: GE Oil & Gas, FMC Technologies, Wood Group Kenny, One Subsea, Plexus PLC and Lux Assure.

Dr. Bob Allwood, CEO of SUT said: “As the industry delves into deep sea frontiers, new underwater technologies are required that can support safe exploration and production at extreme depths. The variety of new developments being presented during these two sessions highlights just how much progress is being made and the ambitions of the industry to push boundaries and open up access to new reserves.

“The next generation of glider technology for example is looking to explore at depths of 5,000 meters for three months at a time, which is not dissimilar to space exploration, only it’s on the seabed.”

SUT will also be available at Offshore Europe on stand 6D19.