Offshore Service Industry – New Analysis of Technology, Service Integration

 

The oil and gas industry continues to accelerate, carrying memories and repercussions of the recent past within this progressive momentum.  Organizations are compelled to face and address issues head-on to avoid catastrophic reoccurrences that could quickly become a reality without adequate and preventative mechanisms in place.  This drive toward reliability and safety in turn accelerates technological R&D efforts toward cost efficiency and interoperability due to the increasing restraints evolving in the marketplace. 

Frost & Sullivan anticipates an industry focus on maturing outsourcing models, with fewer vendors and a solution-oriented approach.  white paper, Technology and Service Integration Impacts the Offshore Service Industry, reviews the opportunities and challenges of offshore operators in the United States. The analysis deliberates on the virtues of new outsourcing trends as offshore operators shift from prevailing, fragmented outsourcing practices to one-stop solutions that help combat the rising costs of maintenance and new regulatory regimes. Inspection, maintenance and rehabilitation of offshore structures form a significant part of the operational expenditure of offshore operators and are some of the key areas where additional efficiencies can be derived through evolving current outsourcing practices.

"In this new environment, offshore operators are expected to seek a solution-oriented approach to their maintenance and compliance related requirements," said Frost & Sullivan Senior Consultant Chirag Rathi. "This development is likely to augur well with the vendors that differentiate themselves with the right blend of synthesized solutions and all-in-one offerings."

Frost & Sullivan believes the current need of the market is to complement existing strengths with other interconnected service offerings to present a one-stop solution for operators. Furthermore, amalgamating resources and aligning partnerships are durable recommendations in building a fortuitous future in the offshore services market.  Energy Services, a Houston-based service provider to North American energy asset owners and operators, serves as a case study in this white paper.  Through the organization's strategic alliances, technologies and services are joined to marry proactive (such as inspection, detection and compliance) and reactive (such as maintenance, repair and continuous conformance) offerings to become a turnkey solution provider for the industry.

"We viewed the offshore energy industry with the concept of aligning our growth goals with emerging technologies and vendors, within the mounting regulatory conditions," said Energy Services Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Nesler.  "Placing our organization in the path of strategic partnerships and comprehensive delivery models enables us to continuously differentiate ourselves in the crowded offshore services market."

Energy Services has partnered with HydraTech Engineered Products, architect of the HydraWrap, a submerged pipeline repair system that utilizes carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite that offers verified underwater endurance, which exceeds the stability of the original pipeline infrastructure.  Energy Services has also aligned with Marine Exploration Services.  This organization's Nova Ray® remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is able to independently navigate, maintain positioning, or tow behind a watercraft, with ease-of-use features that do not require anchor deployment in rough or calm waters.  This tool also allows for shortened inspection times and reduced surface support versus traditional ROVs, significantly decreasing the need for manual inspection. 

A copy of Frost & Sullivan's white paper, is available: contact Buzz White, Executive Vice President, Energy Services at [email protected].