Big Blue World
The Global Newsletter of the Society for Underwater Technology Issue 12, December 2024
Welcome
Mike Fearn SUT Chair of Council
ENERGY TRANSITION IS A MINDSET
It is with great pleasure that I write to you as the newly elected Chair for the SUT Council. In truth, my appointment came as quite a shock given the high calibre of the other candidates in the running. I am genuinely honoured and would like to take this opportunity to thank Sue John, the outgoing Chair, for her hard work and dedication over the last three years.
For those who don’t yet know me, I’ve been working in the subsea industry for nearly three decades now, with a strong focus on geotechnical site investigation on both offshore and onshore jobs across Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Throughout my career, the SUT has played an instrumental role in my professional development, whether that has meant attending one of the many insightful SUT training courses on offer, attending important industry events, or, more recently, working as part of SUT’s Offshore Site Investigation and Geotechnics (OSIG) committee.
A constant theme of discussion among ocean professionals over the past few years has been the so-called energy transition. Challenges as broad and far-reaching as how to sustainably decarbonize offshore practices while, at the same time, actively championing a new wave of offshore renewable energy investment and prepping developers for an inevitable spike in decommissioning efforts, have triggered reflection on my part.
Energy transition, in all its many guises, might be the most tangible goal in terms of output but in truth we are talking about an ongoing transition of mindset. I appreciate that I am more seasoned than most in the offshore community - but I don’t feel that way. In my post as SUT Chair, I want to plant the seed of transition among our many stakeholders and audiences. I want this to be an underlying theme that engages everyone from curious students to our captains of industry. I want us to canvass opinions from all corners, so that we can learn from each other and set reasonable and realistic expectations among a set of fully engaged stakeholders of all ages and stages of professional development. This is how, I believe, we protect the future of our industry.
I look forward to connecting with you all at the upcoming events and conferences in 2025; be sure to visit the SUT stand seek out myself or any member of the wonderful SUT team.
With December upon us, I wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season and a highly prosperous new year.
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Events & Training Diary
2025
JANUARY
SUT-US Networking Event
9 January 2025
Houston, TX, USA
Aberdeen AGM and Pub Quiz
23 January 2025
Aberdeen, UK
London and South of England Branch –Floating Wind Talks
29 January 2025
Lloyd Warwick International (London) Ltd, UK
Aberdeen Subsea Awareness Course
3-7 February 2025
Palm Court, Aberdeen, UK
FEBRUARY
Aberdeen Evening MeetingDiving – Research, Practice and Safety
12 February 2025
Aberdeenshire Cricket Club, Aberdeen, UK
Subsea Expo
18-20 February 2025
P&J Live, Aberdeen, UK
Perth – February Evening Technical Meeting: Decommissioning
19 February 2025
Parmelia Hilton Perth, WA
MARCH
SUT-US Subsea Tieback
4-6 March 2025
Houston, TX, USA
Perth – Positioning and Survey Course
19-20 March 2025
Perth - WA
SUT-US Subsea Awareness Course
24-27 March 2025
Houston, TX, USA
APRIL
Ocean Business
8-10 April 2025
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, UK
Perth – April Evening Technical Meeting
9 April 2025
Parmelia Hilton Perth, WA
Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Course
29 April - 1 May 2025
Royal Station Hotel, Newcastle, UK
MAY
Perth – Subsea Awareness Course
5-9 May 2025
Parmelia Hilton Perth, WA
All-Energy
14-15 May 2025
SEC, Glasgow, UK
An Introduction to Offshore Geophysics & Geotechnical Engineering
20-21 May 2025
University of Southampton, UK
JUNE
Aberdeen Subsea Awareness Course
2-6 June, 2025
Palm Court, Aberdeen, UK
Perth Subsea Production Systems Course
4 June, 2025
Perth, WA
Perth - June Evening Technical Meeting
11 June, 2025
Parmelia Hilton Perth, WA
Find more information on SUT events and training online at www.sut.org/events
All-Energy 2025 needs your input!
All-Energy 2025 (Glasgow’s SEC, 14 and 15 May) needs your thoughts on cutting-edge technology, innovative software, AI, and a diverse range of solutions. The Call for Speakers for the seven show floor theatres is open (deadline 10 January). Technology, technology and yet more technology will form the basis of the programme, along with compelling case histories and ‘lessons learned’ sessions in both the ‘Marine Renewables and FLOW’ show floor theatre and in the Offshore Wind theatre (shared for half of each day with onshore wind).
If you are involved with hydrogen, energy storage, or want to talk about ‘Future Talent’ or the ‘Future Grid’ there are ‘homes’ for your thoughts (and abstracts) and the Insight Theatre aims to cover a wide range of topics.
There is no call for speakers for the main conference where keynote addresses and panel discussions are held, but if you have good ideas for themes or topics, the All-Energy conference team, headed as ever by project director, Judith Patten an SUT Past President, is always eager to hear from you at www.all-energy.co.uk/en-gb/forms/ customer-service-form.html
The All-Energy team at RX is looking forward to a great show following on from the record-breaking All-Energy and Dcarbonise 2024 which attracted 270 exhibiting companies, total attendance of 11,736 with 13,458 badges being scanned at entrances to the conference room and halls and show floor theatres.
G Meet 360+ world leading manufacturers and service providers
G Discover the latest marine autonomous systems, survey tools and biological and chemical sensors
G See equipment live with 180+ hours of free training & demonstrations
G Navigate the year ahead and have your questions answered at the free conference
SUT Awards
New Officers and Fellows Announced at SUT AGM Along with Award Winners
The well-attended recent SUT AGM of saw the announcement of newly appointed SUT Officers for the Learned Society; notification of elected Fellows from the UK, Australia, and the USA; and awards presented both in the year under review and the prestigious President’s Award announced at the AGM. The meeting was followed by a stimulating talk on ‘The Crown Estate Marine Delivery Routemap’ by Alex Thompson, Strategic Delivery Senior Manager at The Crown Estate.
SUT’s Chief Executive, Cheryl Burgess, explained:
“With Benj Sykes, Country Manager of Ørsted, now in his second year as President, Mike Fearn of Bluefield Geoservices Limited becomes Chair; the Honorary Secretary is Dave Brookes of St Jules; and Gehrig Schulz of EPI is now the SUT’s Honorary Treasurer.
“The SUT’s new Fellows are Karen Seath, Decommissioning and Salvage SIG (UK); Paul Upjohn, Perth Branch (Australia); and three Members from the Houston, Texas Branch: Colin Johnston, Luz Zarate, and Patricia Varela. Having both completed terms on Council after serving as President, Judith Patten and Ralph Rayner are now Honorary Fellows.”
The winner of the President’s Award, announced at the AGM, is Professor John Sharp. Unable to attend the meeting, Professor Sharp said: “I was honoured to receive the 2024 SUT President’s Award for my work with the SUT Marine Renewable Energies Committee as its chairman, a role I have held for a number of years.
“The Committee has continued to thrive with regular presentations and has recently expanded its scope to include floating wind and, more recently, floating solar, as both have common technologies with offshore renewables such as wave and tidal energy. I have
particularly welcomed the opportunity to support the newly formed SUT marine renewable energy committees in the USA and Perth, Australia. As a Visiting Professor at Cranfield University, I have been able to contribute to training young students who have gone on to careers in the marine renewable energy industry.”
AGM attendees were reminded of SUT Award winners during the year under review:
• Professor Peter Girguis won the Captain Don Walsh Award for Exploration, a joint award with MTS.
• Professor Deborah Greaves, University of Plymouth and SuperGen, won the Lennard-Senior Prize.
• Dr Philippe Jeanjean, BP, won the Mick Cook Award for Significant Contribution to Marine Site Investigation and Characterisation.
• Jonas Wüst of Tethys Robotics was the winner of the Gwyn Griffiths Underwater Robotics Award.
Comments from some of the 2023-24 Award Winners
Mick Cook Award for Significant Contribution to Marine Site Investigation and Characterisation
Dr Philippe Jeanjean, Senior Advisor, Geotechnical Engineering at BP, said “What a great surprise and privilege! This is a great and truly unexpected honour. Thank you very much to the committee for selecting me.”
A distinguished expert with over 30 years at BP/ Amoco, Philippe has significantly advanced offshore foundations and geotechnical engineering through leadership in professional organisations and over 60 technical publications.
L-R John Sharp; Andy Hill (L) presents award to Philippe Jeanjean; Jonas Wüst
Gwyn Griffiths Underwater Robotics Award Winner
Jonas Wüst of Tethys Robotics said “Thank you so much – this truly honours me and reflects what we as a team have achieved over the past few years (and we’re just getting started!).”
Terry Sloane, Managing Director of Planet Ocean and ecoSUB Robotics, commented “Anyone who can get an AUV to navigate in a river deserves an award!”
Gwyn Griffiths added “Jonas and Tethys Robotics –what audacity! Not content with facing and overcoming challenges in underwater robotics for fast-flowing rivers, their innovations in autonomous navigation and real-time mapping also allow operation in minimal visibility. I commend Jonas and Tethys on their exemplary originality and strategic vision so early in their underwater vehicle venture.”
Joint Meeting of OSIG/UXO/MES/ECOSIGG Special Interest Groups
This year, the AGM was preceded by an innovative event that brought together three of its most active Special Interest Groups (SIGs). OSIG (Offshore Site Investigation and Geotechnics), MES (Marine Environmental Science), and UXO (Unexploded Ordnance), along with ECOSIGG (Early Careers Offshore Site Investigation Geoscience and Geotechnics), collaborated for an afternoon of presentations and discussions. Introductions were given by Karen Dalton, Katie Cross, Mick Cook, and Tom Perry, respectively.
The event featured a range of engaging talks, including Benj Sykes discussing sustainability in offshore wind, Richard Jardine exploring the contributions of offshore geotechnics research, Dorthe Erbs-Hansen providing an update on UXO risk mitigation for renewable energy, and Tom Perry presenting ECOSIGG’s mission and vision.
The hybrid format ensured a strong turnout both in-person and online, making the event a resounding success. Attendees praised the initiative, and there is great enthusiasm to repeat similar gatherings in the future.
Members of the SUT UXO Special Interest Group
SUT President, Benj Sykes
SUT Awards
SUT’s Gwyn Griffiths Award for Underwater Robotics Winner - Jonas Wüst
Congratulations to the 2024 winner of the Gwyn Griffiths Award for Underwater Robotics, Jonas Wüst of Tethy’s Robotics. We spoke to Jonas about his journey into underwater robotics.
What inspired your interest in subsea engineering?
Growing up in a landlocked country like Switzerland, I was still surrounded by significant energy infrastructure, particularly in the form of hydropower dams and underwater components essential to our national energy supply. Realizing that these systems require regular inspection and maintenance to operate safely and efficiently sparked my early fascination with energy production. This interest soon expanded to include offshore energy, such as wind power, which led me to take on a school project focused on wind energy production. My passion for subsea engineering grew from this foundation - a commitment to creating safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions that can drive a cleaner future.
How did you become involved in robotics?
I pursued a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at ETH Zurich, where the robotics field is exceptionally advanced. Professors like Roland Siegwart and Marco Hutter have fostered startups such as Voliro, Wingtra and ANYbotics, which apply robotics to real-world challenges. This combination of entrepreneurship and state-of-theart robotics inspired me to specialize in robotics during my master’s, a choice that continues to guide me in my current role as CEO of Tethys Robotics.
Why underwater robotics?
I’ve always been captivated by robotics, especially in energy applications, but the absence of an underwater robotics program at our university inspired us to take the initiative ourselves. We began building our first underwater robots, initially focused on energy infrastructure applications like inspecting hydropower and other subsea facilities. The swift interest we received from energy and technology industries in Switzerland and abroad validated our efforts and gave us the momentum to refine and expand our designs.
What inspires you about the future of robotics?
The potential for robotics to transform industries and contribute to a sustainable future is incredibly inspiring. With advancements in AI, sensing, and autonomy, the possibilities are expanding rapidly, opening doors to applications we couldn’t imagine a decade ago.
What advice would you give to someone interested in a career in this field?
Stay curious and get hands-on experience as early as possible. Do not be afraid of failing. Robotics is a highly interdisciplinary field, so explore topics beyond your core studies. Whether it’s programming, design, or project management, every skill adds value. Networking and connecting with innovators in the field will also help you find opportunities to grow and contribute.
SUT Perth Annual Dinner 2024 A Milestone Celebration
On Friday, 29th November 2024, the SUT Perth Branch hosted its spectacular Annual Dinner, commemorating 20 years of remarkable achievements and commitment to the subsea and underwater technology community. Held at The Westin Perth, this milestone event brought together over 250 industry professionals for an evening of elegance and celebration. Guests were treated to an exceptional programme featuring pre-dinner drinks and canapés, including WA’s King of Oysters, Jerry Fraser, showcasing his famous shucking skills alongside a delightful vodka bar.
The evening’s agenda was filled with engaging speeches, delectable dining, and lively entertainment. A gourmet three-course meal was complemented by an assortment of fine wines, beers, and soft drinks, setting the stage for meaningful conversations and connections. The festivities continued into the night with live music by Chill Divine, providing the perfect atmosphere for guests to celebrate this landmark year. The black-tie event truly embodied the spirit of collaboration and community that has driven SUT Perth’s success for the past two decades.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our sponsors and attendees who made this evening unforgettable. The Annual Dinner not only celebrated 20 years of SUT Perth but also showcased the strength and resilience of our subsea community. We look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence and hope to see you at next year’s event!
2024/25 SUT-Perth Scholarship Winners
Each year, SUT Perth is proud to recognise and reward exceptional talent through their prestigious scholarship programme. These scholarships provide invaluable financial support, empowering students to complete their studies and embark on promising careers within the underwater technology and related industries.
The 2024/25 scholarship programme once again attracted an impressive number of applications from highly talented and driven individuals. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who dedicated their time and effort to apply, showcasing their passion for innovation and excellence in the field.
At the Perth Annual Dinner held at The Westin Hotel, held at the end of November, we had the pleasure of announcing the recipients of this year’s scholarships. It was a remarkable evening celebrating the achievements of emerging leaders in the industry.
We are delighted to congratulate the following outstanding individuals on their awards:
• SUT Excellence Scholarship - Jurgen Valckenaere
Awarded to an outstanding candidate in Subsea Engineering, Marine Science, or Underwater Technology.
• Marine Renewable Energy Scholarship - Brian Tan
Awarded to the applicant with the most potential to contribute to marine renewable energy. This award is kindly sponsored by Aurora Offshore Engineering.
• Digital Automation in Engineering Scholarship - Ruba Zaheer
Awarded to an applicant who has applied programming skills to subsea engineering. This award is kindly sponsored by SEA Global.
• Chris Lawlor Scholarship
Awarded to Ruba Zaheer as the most outstanding recipient among all scholarship winners, recognising her exceptional achievements and future promise in the industry.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients for their remarkable accomplishments. We look forward to seeing their continued success and innovations!
Celebrating 2024 - a Year of Achievements: A Message to the Society for Underwater Technology in the U.S.
Tricia Hill - SUT-US Chair
As we close the chapter on 2024, the Society for Underwater Technology in the US (SUT-US) reflects on a year filled with remarkable achievements and unwavering support from our dedicated members. This year has been a testament to the strength and commitment of our community, and we are immensely grateful for each one of you.
Our success is driven by an outstanding group of leaders who have tirelessly worked to advance our mission:
• Zach Westgate with the Offshore Site Investigation and Geotechnics (OSIG)
• Keshawa Shukla with the Subsea Engineering and Operations - Atlantic (SEO-Atlantic)
• Faisal Yousef with the Robotics & Automation (R&A)
• Maria Ancheril with the Marine Renewable Energy Committee (MREC)
• Damilola Abe with the Educational Committee
• Roneet Das with the Young Professionals
• Andrew Haigh with the School Touring
• Melissa Gould, Kaci Callaham, and Luz Zarate with the Women in Industry
Our virtual office in Houston has been a hub of networking and learning activities, thanks to the hard work of Patsy Rhymes and Mariana Diaz. We are excited to welcome Andy Hill as our new Chairman for 2025 and appreciate his willingness to step into this important role.
Throughout the year, our team has organized numerous events, webinars, Lunch & Learns, conferences, and various training sessions. These efforts have enabled us to award six scholarships of $3,000 each to deserving students. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Christopher Curran for leading the scholarship selection process.
As we approach the holiday season, we wish you all a joyous and restful time with your loved ones. We look forward to another year of growth and success in 2025 and hope to see even more of you at our events.
Thank you once again for your continued support and commitment.
Get Involved in the MATE Scotland ROV Competition 2025
Robert Gordon University will be hosting the MATE Scotland ROV Competition in March 2025. A global underwater robotics competition, we are looking for volunteers and sponsors to help run next year’s competition. Do you have the technical experience to be a competition judge or to mentor school pupils building an ROV? Perhaps your organisation would like to support the next generation of leading computing and engineering specialists by sponsoring the competition? Either way, we’d love to hear from you!
Using the power of ROV to excite young minds, MATE’s mission is to inspire and challenge young people to learn and creatively apply STEM skills to solving real-world problems. The challenge is set for school teams to design and build an ROV to tackle tasks modelled after scenarios in the real world, which also consider ocean health and climate change. From simulating missions to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa, to diving on hydrothermal vents and determining the identification of an unknown shipwreck, the teams will build an ROV with a specific goal in mind. The teams will then compete putting their ROVs to the test in the swimming pool at RGU Sport in Aberdeen. The winning team will travel to Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary in Michigan - home to nearly 100 historic shipwrecks - to compete in the 2025 World Championship.
To learn more and find out how you can get involved today, please contact Cara Baird at c.baird1@rgu.ac.uk or on 01224 262 032.
What a Difference 45 Years Makes
by Mick Cook
As I slide into retirement after 45 years spent working in the offshore geoscience industry, I have begun to reflect on the enormous changes that have occurred in my working lifetime. When I joined the industry in January 1980, after completing an MSc at the School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, the offshore site investigation industry was a nascent business and very much ‘feeling its way’. On the back of hydrocarbon discoveries in the North Sea, it could be argued that the UK, using technology primarily developed in the US, was leading the way in the use of marine geoscience techniques to investigate the seabed and sub-surface geology to evaluate top-hole drilling conditions for oil and gas wells and for the emplacement of structures on the seabed. Surveys were conducted from vessels that had been converted for the purpose and techniques and processes were in their infancy.
Positioning of such surveys was unreliable and required regular calibration (there was no Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system). And much of the data were recorded in analogue paper form and interpreted by hand using coloured pencils, 10-point dividers, scale rules etc. Maps were drawn by hand and finalised by skilled draftspersons and production of paper copies was a laborious process. Desk and lap-top computers had not been
developed and computations had to be formulated manually as ‘algorithms’ as they did not exist other than on large ‘main-frame’ systems. This had the advantage that processes were often conducted from first principles which meant the practitioner had to understand what went into producing answers. Communicating to and from offshore was difficult and had to be arranged via radio calls through the Portishead Radio Station based at Highbridge in the south-west of England. Calls between sweethearts could be very embarrassing when one or both of the parties did not realise the ‘world’ could hear their conversations. We had no mobile phones. HSE was virtually non-existent. The stories I could tell.
Over the next decade, technology advanced rapidly. Portable computers were introduced into the workplace. These were initially very clunky and limited in what they could do. However, digitisation of data collection progressed which enabled processing of data to be undertaken. Three-dimensional seismic surveying was developed in oil and gas exploration and swathe bathymetry systems were developed. These led to a more accurate and definitive representation of the seabed and sub-surface geology. The PiperAlpha disaster in the UK sector of the North Sea in 1987 led to a rapier focus on HSE in the offshore sector and the Exxon Valdez oil tanker grounding and subsequent spillage in 1989 off Alaska led to a much higher cynosure on the environment. The official birthday of the Internet is deemed to be 1st January, 1983 (exactly three years after I started work as a marine geophysicist) but I do not recall it becoming common place until the early-mid 90s, since when it became an invaluable research and operational tool.
My first office, MV Aqua Star
Multi-beam echo sounder
GPS was first invented in the 1970s but only became fully functional and ubiquitous in the offshore sector in the mid-1990s. This made positioning of marine surveys a much more straight forward process. And during the same decade, imaging of the seabed and sub-surface geology became highly developed with sophisticated processing techniques and high resolution monitors becoming common-place.
In the late 90s and early noughties concern for fossil fuel impact on the global climate rose to the fore and offshore wind began to be seen as an alternative form of clean energy. And over the past 25 years emphasis has switched from hydrocarbon
exploration and development to renewable forms of energy such as wind, waves and tides in what has become to be known as the Energy Transition. Offshore site investigation has played a pivotal role in the development of offshore windfarms, and we have had to modify the processes, techniques and technology we have developed in oil and gas to accommodate the needs of the offshore wind industry.
So, as I contemplate retirement, I feel blessed to have witnessed the enormous scale of change that has happened these past 45 years. We have transitioned from pencil and paper to highly sophisticated computer-generated images. We have recognised the
importance of HSE and have implemented significant changes to address such issues. Life offshore has improved considerably with purpose-built survey vessels, near instant communication and a much more sensitive approach to the environment in which we work. Looking forwards, I see AI and uncrewed survey vessels playing an increasing role in offshore site investigation but the physics upon which we have relied to image the seabed and geology has barely changed. And much of the geoscience equipment used is based on systems developed in the early part of the second half of the 20th century. It is just somewhat much more sophisticated now that we are one quarter way through the 21st century. Finally, it is amazing to me to recognise that plate tectonics, fundamental to the understanding of geology, was only validated as a concept in the 1960s – ie in my lifetime.
sounder seabed profile
Growth of offshore wind Modern day survey vessel
Marine Renewable Energy
Embrace a Future in Offshore Renewable Energy: A Call to Young Innovators
In an era marked by environmental challenges and the urgent need for sustainable solutions, the offshore renewable energy sector stands out as a beacon of hope and opportunity. As the world pivots towards greener alternatives, young people are uniquely positioned to spearhead this transformation. Here’s why a career in offshore renewable energy could be the perfect path for those eager to make a difference.
Globally, nations are grappling with how to meet the increasing energy demand while mitigating climate change. The burning of fossil fuels has led to climate change, ocean acidification, rising costs, and risks of oil spills. These challenges have prompted the development of sustainable energy production technologies. Many countries are now committed to “Net Zero” by 2050 and have set firm targets for renewable energy.
Offshore renewable energy offers a multitude of career opportunities. This sector includes wind energy, wave energy, tidal streams, and tidal barrages. Wind energy, the most developed resource, harnesses the power of the wind to generate electricity. Offshore wind farms, with turbines reaching up to 300 meters high, are particularly promising. These farms are located in deeper waters, where wind is stronger and more consistent, enabling large turbines to generate substantial power.
Credit: hpgruesen
Floating wind installations are an exciting frontier. These installations, moored to the seabed, are being rapidly developed with innovative designs. For instance, the Hywind project in Scotland began operation in 2017 with five floating turbines. The application of this technology at scale will require the manufacture and
installation of numerous structures, moorings, cables, and electrical transmission systems.
The field also demands expertise in subsea engineering, marine science, and environmental protection. Engineers and scientists collaborate to design installations, place cables and moorings, and ensure that marine life is not harmed during construction and operation. The potential for offshore wind to meet electricity demands is vast. In the UK, offshore wind already provides over 25% of total energy generation.
Wave and tidal energy are other promising areas. Wave energy converters harness the power of waves, while tidal stream devices extract energy from predictable tidal flows. The Meygen scheme in the UK’s Pentland Firth has been successfully generating electricity since 2017. Tidal barrage projects, like the one on the Rance estuary in France, have been in operation for decades and offer a reliable energy source.
Pursuing a career in offshore renewable energy means contributing to a sustainable future. This field requires a diverse range of professionals, including marine scientists, oceanographers, meteorologists, ecologists, planners, project managers, and engineers. These experts ensure that renewable energy installations coexist with other marine industries and users.
In summary, offshore renewable energy is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field. It offers young people the chance to play a crucial role in addressing global energy challenges and environmental sustainability. By embracing this career path, you can help shape a cleaner, greener future. The world needs your innovation, passion, and dedication to power the planet sustainably.
Orbital O2 tidal turbine demonstrating at EMEC tidal test site in Orkney (Credit: Orbital Marine)
Mocean Blue X at EMEC Scapa Flow test site, 2021 (Credit: Colin Keldie)
Marine Renewable Energy
Floating solar
by John Sharp, Chair of SUT’s Marine Renewable Energy Committee
Land-based solar is a well-established technology with increasing numbers of solar farms being built. In the UK there are over 1300 solar farms operational with many more in the planning stage. Floating solar energy involves installing solar panels on bodies of water such as reservoirs, lakes, and coastal areas. This innovative approach optimizes space, reduces land use competition, and can be particularly advantageous in areas where land is scarce or costly. The systems are mounted on specialized structures that float on the water’s surface, anchored to the seabed, allowing them to harness solar power while also benefiting from the cooling effect of the water, which enhances their efficiency compared to landbased solar panels.
Advantages include minimized land footprint, reduced water evaporation from reservoirs due to shading, and decreased algae growth. Challenges include higher installation and maintenance costs compared to traditional solar farms and potential environmental impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
Countries such as Japan and Singapore have been investing heavily in floating solar farms because they have a limited amount of land available for solar farms or it’s very expensive. Indonesia is now also trying floating solar to help supply electricity to its many island communities. The Netherlands has even taken the idea of floating solar a step further with water-based arrays that follow the Sun to maximise the amount of electricity it can produce. It’s floating island of panels have sun-tracking technology - all in an effort to maximise the amount of clean electricity it can produce.
The countries with the most significant innovations include:
• China has installed a pile-fixed installation in deeper water as part of a 400MW project
• France has deployed a 25kW demonstrator in the Port of Brest.
• Japan – where an installation in Tokyo Bay has already proved its survivability in Typhoon conditions..
• In Sweden Novi-Ocean has developed a wind, wave and solar hybrid floater that will achieve 1MW output.
• In the UK, Nova Innovation and RSK are installing a demonstration model in the Port of Leith and Motion Energy are developing a wave, solar and battery prototype for powering remote installations offshore.
We anticipate that offshore floating solar panels will play an increasing role in the energy mix for nations with large areas of water available. The SUT’s Marine Renewable Energy Committee has recently added floating solar to its agenda as it shares its technology with other floating marine systems.
General Oceans acquires RS Aqua
Growing underwater technology group, General Oceans, has acquired ocean technology specialists RS Aqua as of Monday 18th November 2024 in a move that will strengthen the positions of both companies.
General Oceans, like RS Aqua, are innovators within the ocean technology sector and have successfully completed a number of recent acquisitions in the underwater technology market including Tritech International Ltd in 2022 and Klein Marine Systems in 2023. General Oceans reported revenues of GBP 62 million in 2023, an increase of 28 per cent compared to 2022, and now consists of six operating companies including RS Aqua. General Oceans employs more than 300 people based in Europe, UK, US and Australia.
Atle Lohrmann, President of General Oceans, said “RS Aqua are an important acquisition for General Oceans and we couldn’t be happier they are joining the group. We believe RS Aqua will play a significant role in strengthening the position of General Oceans within the UK market, and vice versa. There are significant opportunities for collaboration and partnerships for RS Aqua within the group: something that is fundamental to General Oceans.”
RS Aqua have over 40 years experience of supplying ocean technology sensors and systems across a variety of sectors and are a leader in their field. Based in Portsmouth, UK, RS Aqua are in a strong position within the UK underwater technology market making them an excellent addition to General Oceans.
Martin Stemp, Managing Director of RS Aqua said “I’m delighted that RS Aqua has joined the General Oceans group. We share a passion and commitment to ocean technology innovation and I’m excited for this next crucial stage of RS Aqua’s growth.”
RS Aqua will continue to operate as an autonomous business within General Oceans and it is their shared commitment to growth, technology and innovation, combined with shared values to drive future exploration, that brings both businesses together and paves the way for an exciting future.
CONSUB’s multi-disciplinary team develop ISOPs in record time, and assist in expediting First Oil
CONSUB has developed and produced over 30 Integrated Standard Operating Procedures (ISOPs) to support seamless First Oil and early Operations from the FPSO and associated deepwater Subsea facilities (1500m) on ONGC 98/2 project, East Coast of India. It has additionally developed a further 10 ISOPs to support First Gas from the Subsea Gas Field(s) to the CPP facilities and Gas Export to the Onshore Gas Terminal (OGT) thereafter. All the above within the same field development.
The ISOP programme has been executed by a unique, experienced, multidisciplinary and multicultural team located in the UK and India, and is a model of global collaboration.
Background
With many global and large Subsea/host facility projects there are a number of technical and procedural gaps in the interface between the respective systems, which introduces risk and ambiguity into the integrated operation.
This was a complex project with separate contracts covering SPS/SURF, FPSO, Platform and the Onshore Terminal. The client faced a huge challenge interpreting the ISOPs from different contractors for the different
facilities, and how they could be applied to the complete system.
Solution
To address this challenge, CONSUB’s specialists in engineering and operations packaged and delivered suites of ISOPs which proceduralised:
• Initial well starts
• Planned and unplanned shutdowns
• Restarts (warm and cold)
• Hydrate mitigation and management
• Gas Lift and Water Injection start up, shut down, and depressurisation
• Subsea Production Loop Conditioning
ISOPS were developed to deal with the technical challenges of deepwater, and the threat of Wax and Hydrates on system performance or blockage.
Operations are now formally proceduralised with predictable outcomes, supporting a safe, reliable and top-performing development.
CONSUB delivered the critical integrated ISOPs in record-breaking time, under the highest pressure, as the economic and political need to achieve successful first production was great.
Beyond tradition: Redefining pipeline
For several years, Fugro’s traditional survey vessels have conducted annual pipeline sustainability and minimise the need for personnel in offshore environments, 12 metre uncrewed surface vessel (USV), Blue Essence®. 12 metre uncrewed surface vessel (USV), Blue Essence®.
Challenge
Eni Energy Netherlands (formerly known as Neptune Energy Netherlands) has performed pipeline inspections using our conventional crewed ships for several years. This approach provided a deep understanding of the area, enabled thorough process mapping, and ensured the integrity of critical platforms, subsea constructions, and pipelines.
As the industry continues to evolve, we identified an opportunity to improve how these regulatory surveys were performed, by leveraging remote and autonomous technology to reduce offshore human presence, enhance safety and align with sustainability goals. Eni Energy Netherlands wanted a more sustainable approach that still delivered highquality data on pipeline integrity.
Having a strong relationship and history with us, Eni Energy Netherlands were interested in using our tried and tested USV, Blue Essence®. However, in order to use the USVs, Eni Energy Netherlands had to update their own policies and risk assessments to be able to safely operate within 500 metre zones around their offshore assets.
Solution
The Blue Essence® Vaquita was deployed for this project, marking its debut after earning MCA category 0 accreditation, allowing unrestricted access for operations in UK waters. The vessel, equipped with state-of-the-art geophysical equipment and Blue Volta® electric remotely operated vehicle (eROV), was mobilised from the port of Den Helder, Netherlands. Upon departure, the USV was controlled entirely by a team of experts 640 kilometres away at our remote operations centre (ROC) in Aberdeen.
The USV performed 132 hours of sub-bottom profiler (SBP) and 238 hours of multibeam echosounder
(MBES) acquisition, efficiently visualising pipelines and detecting anomalies. Over 1,000 linear kilometres of bathymetry data were collected, enabling the client to make informed decisions regarding future pipeline maintenance. This remote operation ensured precise data collection, allowing the client to quickly address any identified issues.
To alleviate concerns about remote operations, multiple backup control systems were implemented, reassuring operators and facilitating the USV’s safe entry into the 500 metre zones around the platforms.
“Apart from the excellent technical results – all results specifications were met – the cooperation and acceptance of platform operators to uncrewed vessels circling in the 500m zones is a big achievement. Thanks to reliable USV techniques, and full attention by the ROC and offshore client representative, all operations were completed without incidents. The depth of burial survey by using a sub-bottom profiler did work out better than ever, probably due to a less noisy environment compared to conventional vessel.”- Jeroen Van Reenen, Lead Operational Surveyor at Eni Energy Netherlands
pipeline surveys with remote inspections
pipeline inspections for Eni Energy Netherlands. In 2024, to enhance the we transitioned to a fully remote inspection campaign, deploying our
Impact
The USV, controlled from our ROC in Aberdeen, enabled continuous 24-hour operations, gathering data over 7 days. This seamless, real-time Geo-data delivery supported quick, informed decision-making and enhanced operational safety by eliminating the need for personnel offshore. Utilising Blue Essence® significantly improved sustainability, saving 290 tons of emissions and a reduction of over 90% compared to conventional methods.
With advanced MBES and SBP technology, the USV effectively monitored 282 kilometres of pipelines and 26 box-in platform inspections, ensuring accuracy and maintaining integrity. This innovative approach proved not only to be efficient and reliable but also sustainable, helping Eni Energy Netherlands achieve their sustainability targets, exceeding their expectations, and setting a new standard for pipeline inspections.
Blue Abyss UK Awarded Match-Funding by The
Crown Estate Supply Chain Accelerator Fund
Blue Abyss is delighted to announce its successful selection as a recipient of match-funding from The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator Fund.
This funding will enable pre-development work for the pioneering Blue Abyss facility in the Southwest, including site selection, further solidifying the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in extreme environments which will be an integral component for supporting the growth of the floating offshore wind supply chain.
This important funding supports Blue Abyss’ efforts to enhance the UK’s capacity and capability for floating offshore wind infrastructure, aligning with national priorities for renewable energy expansion. The funding will be part of the £1.5 million investment by Blue Abyss, in the early-stage development of the UK’s premier research, training, and test facility.
“We are thrilled to receive this pivotal support from The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator Fund. This is a testament to the confidence in Blue Abyss as a key player in enabling cutting-edge solutions and support for floating offshore wind, UK energy security and resilience as well as net zero targets. Our UK facility will be a world-class hub for research, innovation, and talent development, and this funding brings us one step closer to making that vision a reality.”
- John Vickers, Chief Executive Officer.
Building the Future of Renewable Energy
Blue Abyss UK will serve as a groundbreaking platform to support industries operating in extreme environments, from offshore wind to subsea technologies. With its state-of-theart infrastructure, the facility will provide essential testing, training, and operational support, ensuring the UK maintains its leadership in global innovation, particularly in floating wind energy and Subsea technologies.
The Blue Abyss UK centre is forecast to create up to 200 jobs directly and contribute an estimated £80 million to the regional economy during construction, then a further £10 million annually, reinforcing the South West’s status as a centre for
research, innovation and industrial advancement, and its critical part in ensuring there are the right people with the right skills to support the UK’s future renewable energy needs.
This initiative is aligned with the UK’s commitment to achieving Net Zero and supports the ambitions of the Modern Industrial Strategy 2035. Recognising the need for such infrastructure, this funding by The Crown Estate – which manages the seabed and much of the coastline around England, Wales and Northern Ireland on behalf of the nation – underscores the importance of this development in meeting the market’s demands for transformative, sustainable solutions.
By integrating world-class facilities with a vision for sustainability and economic growth, Blue Abyss is enabling a future where renewable energy thrives in harmony with the UK’s environmental and industrial goals.
Blue Abyss aims to deliver world-Class Infrastructure for the UK, to address the challenges and opportunities in the subsea technologies, offshore wind, marine, maritime and defence sectors. Delivering a £250 million infrastructure project in the Southwest will help the UK achieve its strategic regional and national goals, including:
• Net Zero, Renewable Energy and Green Maritime
• Innovation, Research and Development
• Critical National Infrastructure, Defence and Energy Security
• Regional and National Economic Development
• UK’s National identity as a leader and innovator
• Modern Industrial Strategy and growth
The Blue Abyss UK centre, alongside the first centre in Cleveland, will feature the world’s largest and deepest R&D pools, measuring 40m by 50m on the surface, with a 16m wide shaft plunging to a depth of 50m. It will hold 42,000 cubic metres of water, enough to fill 17 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Southwest UK economic Impact
The construction phase is expected to add around £80 million GVA to the local economy and provide 1,289 person-years of employment both directly and through the construction supply chain. The presence of the Blue Abyss UK Centre is expected to have a positive permanent economic impact on the area, adding £10.1 million per annum to GVA and supporting around 200 full-time equivalent jobs that are new to the area. The project, once operational, is expected to generate economic benefits over an assumed 30-year lifetime.
Source: Independent Economic Impact Assessment, Plymouth and Devon Freeport.
TDI-Brooks Upgrades Diesel Engines on RV Brooks McCall
TDI-Brooks is upgrading the diesel engines on the R/V Brooks McCall to ensure compliance with the regulations the California Air Resources Board (CARB) set forth. Brooks McCall is a Jones Act-complaint multi-use vessel suited for various comprehensive site investigation surveys and research duties.
We prioritize environmental concerns because we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve CARB compliance. Attaining CARB compliance will allow us to ensure and uphold healthy air quality, safeguard the public from exposure to air pollutants, and offer innovative solutions for adhering to air pollution laws and regulations.
ABOUT TDI-Brooks
TDI-Brooks is a research and service firm with 28 years of experience, focusing on geotechnical and offshore survey initiatives, as well as multi-disciplinary oceanographic and environmental projects. The company also engages in surface geochemical exploration and provides advanced environmental chemistry services for clients in the oil and gas sector, offshore wind industry, federal and state agencies, and military organizations. Headquartered in College Station,
In a significant advancement in the country’s renewable energy sector, plans are underway to deploy the RV Brooks McCall along the US West Coast in May/June 2025. This initiative will provide our geotechnical expertise to multiple offshore wind developers in the forthcoming summer. TDI-Brooks is dedicated to advancing the growing offshore wind industry and supporting a range of scientific surveys and military projects.
TDI-Brooks possesses extensive experience in the US offshore wind farm sector over the last three years, operating as many as four vessels along the US East Coast.
TX, with a remote domestic office located in Houston, TX, and strategically placed offices around the globe.
TDI-Brooks has stood at the forefront of oceanographic research, chartering and operating an impressive fleet of five state-of-the-art research vessels. The RV Brooks McCall and RV Miss Emma McCall are both Jones Act compliant and U.S. registered, servicing the U.S. East and West Coasts, Northern Gulf of Mexico, and Mexico. The RV Gyre, RV Proteus, and RV Nautilus are all Vanuatu registered, fully SOLAS compliant, and serve clients globally.
TSC Subsea’s Acoustic Resonance Technology (ART) Achieves Lloyd’s Register Validation for Quantitative Ship Hull Thickness Measurement
TSC Subsea is proud to announce that its proprietary NonDestructive Testing (NDT) technology, ART, has received validation from Lloyd’s Register for performing quantitative Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM) on ship hull carbon steel plates through coatings, assessing both internal and external corrosion defects.
This validation represents a significant advancement in NDT technology for the maritime industry, establishing new standards for efficient and quantitative corrosion detection on hull structures above and below the waterline while the vessel is at sea in service.
The validation was awarded following extensive testing on a Hull Inspection Techniques & Strategy (HITS) JIP test plate, representative of a single-skin Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) hull. In these trials, TSC Subsea’s ART scans were benchmarked against Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT), a widely recognized and approved NDT technique.
ART demonstrated outstanding effectiveness in detecting and quantifying hidden defects through protective coatings on the ship hull test sample, underscoring its reliability and efficiency as an inspection technique.
Key Benefits of ART for Hull Wall Thickness Measurements
• Non-Contact Method: Unlike traditional methods, ART is a non-contact inspection technology, making it highly tolerant of challenging surface conditions and marine growth. This capability enables accurate corrosion mapping even on surfaces that are difficult for other technologies.
• In-Service Inspections: ART allows inspections to be conducted while the vessel is in service, minimizing downtime and enhancing operational efficiency. This feature offers a significant advantage for the maritime industry, where interruptions and dry-docking can incur substantial costs.
• Comprehensive Corrosion Mapping: ART detects and maps corrosion on both external and internal surfaces of hull structures, providing a complete view of asset integrity without requiring the removal of protective coatings.
Enhanced Coating Penetration: While both ART and PAUT use ultrasound technology, ART operates at lower frequencies and offers a broader bandwidth, enabling it to penetrate coatings that PAUT cannot, expanding its applicability across various conditions.
With this recent validation from Lloyd’s Register, TSC Subsea’s ART technology sets a new standard for corrosion detection in the maritime industry. ART’s unique capabilities not only improve efficiency but also deliver accuracy and reliability comparable to PAUT—all while preserving protective coatings.
SEA Global Awarded Malampaya Phase 4 Detail
Design by Prime Energy
PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, Sept. 2024 — SEA Global announced being awarded the detail design of Malampaya Phase 4 subsea scope from Prime Energy. The contract covers design of the subsea infrastructure for two deepwater development wells in the Camago and Malampaya East fields in the Philippines.
Located 50 kilometres offshore Northwest Palawan, the Malampaya project began its commercial operations in January 2002, contributing over USD$13.14 billion in revenues to the Philippine government thus far, while providing up to 20% of the country’s electricity requirement.
“Prime Energy is excited to partner with SEA Global on our Malampaya Phase 4 project for the detailed design of the subsea structures, umbilicals, and flowlines. SEA’s globally recognised expertise in deepwater offshore engineering, as well as their commitment to excellence, align perfectly with Prime Energy’s values and requirements for Malampaya Phase 4. The collaboration marks a significant step forward in Prime Energy’s USD$800 million MP4 investment plan to extend the production life of this critical national asset. We look forward to working closely with SEA to ensure the successful and timely delivery of this crucial project, in order to boost and extend the indigenous
energy security of the Philippines,” said Donnabel Kuizon Cruz, President and CEO of Prime Energy Resources Development B.V.
Director at SEA Global, Adam Czajko, said, “SEA is excited to be part of the Malampaya Phase 4 project and provide our expertise in deepwater engineering and execution support. After successful completion of the FEED, we are well placed to deliver the detail design, including the deployment of SEA Global’s ICE PLATFORM technology to solve some of the most complex design challenges.”
The work will be executed from SEA Global’s Perth office with support from their European entity, SEA Global sp. z o.o., headquartered in Gdańsk, Poland.
ABOUT SEA GLOBAL
SEA Global is a pioneering engineering and project delivery firm headquartered in Perth Australia, with offices in Gdańsk, Poland. Operating on major projects globally, the company combines cuttingedge automated engineering workflows with project execution expertise to tackle complex infrastructure challenges, with specialist skills in upstream and midstream oil & gas engineering, and renewable energy infrastructure.
How Castrol is leading the way for new
New technologies and regulatory changes are catalysts for change in explains how hydraulic fluids are central to uptime and reliability.
As the lifeblood of subsea systems, the significance of hydraulic fluids cannot be underestimated. For an industry focused on uptime and system reliability, these control fluids are fundamental in helping solve many of the challenges OEMs and operators face today.
The energy regulatory landscape continued to evolve, and it is likely we will see future divergence. Legislative hotspots such as the Northeast Atlantic, Brazil, Australia, and the Gulf of Mexico each require an in-depth understanding of the region’s specific environmental legislation and requirements during product development.
Monitoring and understanding regulatory change and developing products to comply with them is one of the key aspects of how Castrol works. At Castrol, our product development and global product stewardship teams work in conjunction to deliver global product solutions based on the technical, legislative, and environmental requirements for use in offshore marine environments across the globe.
Every day, new opportunities require us to work closely with customers and OEMs to develop product solutions that can meet their requirements. This willingness
to collaborate allows us to better understand the customer’s expectations and needs and can be showcased in our approach to launching new products.
Castrol Transaqua™ SP-HC has been specifically developed to prevent hydrates from forming within control lines on deepwater gas wells and is suitable for use throughout production and workover control systems, including downhole Subsurface Safety Valves and intelligent well completions. Contamination, corrosion, and temperature are key challenges for subsea control systems and can ultimately lead to system downtime as well as costly intervention. Transaqua SP-HC can operate in extreme temperature ranges of -50ºC (-58ºF) to +150ºC (302ºF) and is compatible with the majority of traditional subsea control system materials. It is also highly tolerant to fluid contamination, including up to 30% seawater, whilst maintaining its core anti-corrosion properties.
Meanwhile, as all-electric systems continue to generate interest and garnish investment, Castrol have been working to ensure products and expertise are in place to keep up with the all-electric shift across the industry.
Castrol Brayco Micronic SBF E is an OSPAR registered and
new hydraulic fluids
in the offshore energy segment. Alistair Mykura from Castrol
barrier and dielectric fluid. It provides operators with an environmental alternative to conventional subsea barrier fluids and dielectric and compensation fluid.
Our hydraulic fluid innovation is not limited to conventional hydrocarbon production., Castrol has been continuing to complete research and development into CO2 and its potential impacts from a material and system performance perspective to ensure we can continue to deliver solutions for our customers across Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and high content CO2 wells.
CCUS does however poses unique challenges for subsea control fluids, with typical well conditions of around ~100 bar, and temperatures from 1.5C to 10°C resulting in dense phase CO2.1 At the extremes, temperatures can reach minus 20°C, and in worse case scenarios, as low as -78.5°C. Through a series of severe stability tests, we have demonstrated that Transaqua SP and Brayco Micronic SV/4 can withstand these new extreme conditions. These products are now considered fully qualified for CCUS service by a number of key subsea OEMs, including SLBs downhole valves, and provide a proven solution to support this.
Castrol offers more than 40 years of oil and gas experience to improve operational efficiency, lower costs, and help protect the environment in subsea and surface production for both offshore and onshore
1 Castrol internal analysis
drilling. Our high-quality products, expert support, world class laboratories, and global supply capability help to optimise operations, even in the most challenging conditions.
Spokesperson: Alistair Mykura, OEM Liaison Manager for subsea and energy
Materials and Corrosion in the Underwater Environment
13 November 2024 | Aberdeenshire Cricket Club | Martin Harley
Our November evening seminar titled ‘Materials and Corrosion in the Underwater Environment’ was wellattended. The evening was split into two halves, one covering polymeric riser and pipeline materials and the second half on hydrogen induced cracking of stainless steels.
Craig McCord of Subsea 7 introduced the Swagelining plastic lined pipe technology whereby an HDPE liner tight fitting the ID of a steel host pipe provides an economical corrosion resistant alternative to large corrosion allowance, or even corrosion resistant alloy. While the technology has been implemented successfully for years for seabed water injection pipelines, it is increasingly more frequently used for dynamic risers in deep water. Craig explained some of the additional design strategies have been developed and are now implemented to ensure the integrity of the liner when deploying Swage-lining in deep water environment.
Julien Maurice of Magma Global spoke about thermoplastic composite PEEK & carbon-fibre pipes which are an alternative solution to the traditional rigid and flexible pipeline technologies. His case studies included several instances of hydrocarbon service and whilst polymers will never have the strength of steel, it was clear there were cases where polymer was economically and technically acceptable.
Turning to hydrogen and cracking of steels, Stephanie Okoye of Vysus gave an introduction to the subject of Hydrogen Induced Stress Cracking. She focussed on the evolution of knowledge led to the writing of the DNV-RP-F112 standard now in common use and how many factors needed balancing to ensure immunity from cracking.
Finally, Filippo Mazzoni of BP gave a case study from BP Machar of flowline failures. He provided a good counterpoint to the preceding presentation with photos and an explanation of how difficult it can be to prevent actual failures even though the design was compliant with the standard practices.
Questions from our audience, as they often do, overran a touch and our speakers were kept busy during the networking buffet afterwards, answering further questions there hadn’t been time for in the auditorium.
Gadgets & Widgets
18 September 2024 | Aberdeenshire Cricket Club
The SUT’s ever-popular Gadgets & Widgets evening made a triumphant return in Aberdeen, drawing over 40 delegates and presenters to celebrate innovation in underwater technology. This dynamic event delivered a series of short-fire presentations showcasing the latest advancements in subsea engineering and technology. Attendees were treated to engaging talks, networking opportunities, and demonstrations of cutting-edge equipment and software.
Speakers lauded the event as an excellent platform for discussion and collaboration. Presentations spanned diverse topics, included:
• XAMIN Asset Data Management by Euan Fowler (Xodus): Highlighting a digital platform revolutionising asset integrity management with configurable dashboards and real-world cost savings.
• Advanced Underwater Vehicles by Fraser Pritchard (Smarter Subsea): Introducing ROVAR variable buoyancy systems for lifting and positioning subsea infrastructure efficiently and sustainably.
• Fibre Optic Monitoring Systems by Alasdair Murray (MacArtney): Demonstrating real-time optical cable monitoring technology for improved system reliability.
• Robotic Tools for the Splash Zone by Tim Eley (OceanTech Innovation): Showcasing inspection tools designed for the challenging splash zone environment, complete with video highlights of field operations.
• ROV Obstacle Alert System by Alex Lovie (Imenco): Presenting a cost-effective sensor for enhanced underwater navigation in turbid conditions.
• Hybrid Cloud-Edge Architecture by Dave Taddei (Honu Worx): Transforming remote subsea operations with innovative cloud-edge computing approaches.
• Polyurethane Conductor Centralization by Mike Killeen (Mako Offshore): Extending tubular lifespan with advanced subsea centralizers to mitigate environmental impacts.
• Anchor Behavior Analysis by Yaseen Sharif (University of Dundee): Detailing pioneering research into drag embedment anchors using advanced 3D printing and wireless sensor technologies.
The evening concluded with a buffet and lively networking session, providing attendees a chance to explore ideas further and connect with industry innovators. Gadgets & Widgets once again proved to be a vital forum for advancing underwater technology, inspiring both dialogue and action across the subsea sector.
London and South East Pub Quiz
26 November 2024 | Ye
Olde Watling, London
|
Iain Knight
Once again, the London and Southeast Branch concluded the year with a pub quiz at our traditional venue, Ye Olde Watling. I think this might have been the 9th edition of what is becoming an increasingly popular event which brings together much of the London subsea engineering community.
Last year Petrofac romped home with the winner’s garland but this year, we were expecting a new winning team as Petrofac failed to book in time and we sold out weeks in advance of the event!
Phil Bailey (Consub) bravely stepped up to the mic as quiz master and did a great job of keeping us searching the furthest corners of our memories for the answers to his brain teasers.
At the end of the evening, and after much beer, Team Wood reclaimed their crown as the London Subsea Quiz Champions and proudly claimed their winner’s prize of Consub dartboard (the coveted Consub mug tree went to the runners up).
A big thanks to Phil Bailey for providing the questions and the prizes and to all our friends that supported this event. We will try to find a bigger venue for our 10th Anniversary next year.
The Underwater Technology Podcast 2024 Round-up
Click to listen to our podcast episodes from 2024! A collection of insightful conversations with inspiring guests and our new host Martin Stemp.
Martin Stemp - host Emily Boddy - producer
Pod 80 - Matt Allen on Building Artificial Reefs
Pod 81 - Professor Susan Gourvenec on Offshore Geotechnical Engineering
Pod 82 - Dan Hook, Consultant Marine Technologist
Pod 83 - Peter Girguis, Professor of Marine Sciences at Harvard University
Pod 84 - Julie Angus, Ocean Adventurer and CEO of Open Ocean Robotics
Pod 85 - Jonathan Colby, Marine Renewable Energy Innovator
Pod 86 - Deborah Greaves, Professor of Ocean Engineering at Plymouth University
Pod 87 - Tom Newton on Healing the Climate with Sargassum Seaweed
Pod 88 - Martin Stemp, Ocean Technologist and Managing Director of RS Aqua
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NEXT issue March 2025
Deadline for submissions - 13th February 2025