Optime Launches New Innovative Topside Products

Optime with its headquarters in Notodden, Norway, and location in Houston, TX, USA is known as a fast developing global subsea system provider, with its key competence in oil and gas subsea intervention and controls. As a result of their increased revenue and customer base, Optime has developed its competence, as well as products and systems, to include topside equipment interfacing to its subsea systems.

In order to control Opime’s existing subsea systems, it will require a cable/umbilical to provide power and communication signals from the topside computer systems, subsea. This cable is spooled on a reel managing both bend and tension, down to 3 000m water depth. The service personnel is then situated in a new and innovative purged, climate controlled room. These new systems, the reel and the operator cabin combined with a test hydraulic unit, are now designed and ready for delivery.

“This is another great example where existing solutions have turned into the new normal over time. While working with customers to adapt the topside equipment with our subsea systems, we experienced issues with high cost, delivery and compatiblity. We realized we were able to design a far more functional and reasonable solution, customized to our needs. These products also follow our design principles; being modular, functional and cost effective solutions ... and they should also look and feel good”, says Jan-Fredrik Carlsen, CEO of Optime Subsea, while he proudly showcases the system that is ready for its new customers.

Optime illustrates that innnovation comes in many ways

In addition to these new innovative topside products, Optime have also grown and developed its supply chain. After some due diligence they found their ideal partner further south, GT Automation from Kristiansand, Norway. In contrast to Optime’s focus on subsea equipment, GT Automation have developed its competence on the design and delivery of topside equipment.

“We are unfortunately not able to disclose the customers for these systems, except that they are large international providers where the contract value is several million dollars – each! What we can disclose however, is that in order to achieve this, we have illustrated that solid and innovate collaboration is required beyond just technology”, Carlsen continues.

Optime realized that in order to continue developing its topside products, the reel and controls cabin with its integrated test hydraulic unit, would require an increase in resources and capacity. Instead of accumulate cost, GT Automation is selected as an integrated supplier that enables cost reduction, while improving the products.

“We hava a unique relationship where there are established requirements and trust that what we deliver meets end customer requirements. We continue to see several in the industry working in isolation, or when initiating a collaboration, increases the overall cost and time. Our collaboration is focused on each others strengths. We have a unique competence internally but also in our area where experiences from other idustries are leveraged to meet end client needs“, says Managing Director in GT Automation, Geir Mykland.