2014 Offshore Technology News

BP announced today that it is now operating the world’s first robotic coreflooding system. The Core Flood Robot is the most recent addition to BP’s programme of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) research facilities. Coreflooding is one of the most important techniques used to identify and evaluate EOR technologies. It measures the effectiveness of water or gas injected into an oil-bearing rock sample to displace oil. This can be used to assess the potential for water flooding in an oil field. “The EOR technologies being developed by BP are vitally important to help increase global oil supplies,” said Ahmed Hashmi, BP’s head of upstream technology.

"So we are here at OTC, surrounded by extraordinary displays of technology…showcasing capabilities that far exceed what was possible only a few short years ago, and underscoring the fact that the oil gas industry is one of the most innovative and complex on the planet. It is truly awe inspiring, and as a regulator, somewhat daunting to realize that this also poses a challenge for us (regulators). Your industry sets a very aggressive pace, you are the source of new ideas and technology. The challenge for those of us who are regulators is to keep pace with you, and to understand the safety and environmental implications of this technology, so that offshore resources can be developed without incident.

MTU America Inc. says it is showcasing several MTU engines and complete system solutions at the 2014 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), May 5-8 in Houston. They explain that their products for the oil and gas industry are developed for both onshore and offshore applications, including electric drives for stationary and mobile power generation and mechanical drive engines used in pressure pumping (fracking), well service support and emergency fire water pumps. First is MTU’s new Bi-Fuel Kit, which is displayed on the MTU 12V 4000 S83 engine. This new system employs an integrated bi-fuel control architecture designed specifically for well service and pressure pumping (frac) applications.

John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) has introduced a full line of radiator-cooled, dry-exhaust-manifold PowerTech auxiliary engines suited for powering a variety of deck auxiliaries including pumps, winches, cranes, hydraulics and generators. The lineup meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Marine Tier 3 emissions regulations for U.S. waterways, and offers reliable, cost-effective power to customers for their auxiliary applications. According to the manufacturer, Marine Tier…