Deepstar News

The Nippon Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the offshore technology development consortium DeepStar to establish a joint research and development program focused on decarbonization in offshore oil and gas, with a focus on renewable energy and the environment.The initial program budget is up to $10 million through 2026, and the overall plan is to develop technologies for commercialization.“I am very pleased that we have been able to conclude this new memorandum of understanding,” said Mr. Sasakawa.

Japan's Nippon Foundation and Deepstar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently which essentially will allow Japan to tap the expertise and resources of DeepStar to help Japan discover and recover new-found subsea resources, as well as educate future generations of Japanese. The MOU was signed on May 1, 2018 at the Hotel ZaZa in Houston, and speaking at the event Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa said "We need to acquire the resources to discover and reach (our) natural resources.

The Japan Ship Machinery and Equipment Association (JSMEA) and Maritime Reporter & Engineering News hosted a reception on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at Minute Maid Park in Houston in conjunction with the Offshore Technology Conference. More than 200 guests from around the world enjoyed hospitality at the ballpark in downtown Houston, and a highlight of the evening was Nippon Foundation Chairman Yōhei Sasakawa delivering the first pitch of the game with a perfect strike down the middle of home plate.

The 20 year four-fold growth pattern in the world’s FPSO fleet stalls out in 2016 with a record number of FPSOs idle and available for redeployment – or perhaps to be forced into other uses, lay up or scrap. FPSO redeployments typically are far more complex, costly and risky than for (say) drillships and yet the need for redeploying idle FPSOs is now in the forefront of the industry like never before as FPSO owners also have to face the worst ever down market for their equipment and services.

The 2015 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), to be held May 4–7 at NRG Park, will kick off on Sunday, May 3 in Houston with the Annual OTC Dinner to honor the recipients of this year’s Distinguished Achievement Awards, this year recognizing Elmer (Bud) Danenberger III for individual achievement, the Petrobras pre-salt development for corporate achievement, and Ray R. Ayers with the Heritage Award. Th eOTC Distinguished Achievement Award for Individuals will honor Elmer (Bud) Danenberger III for his contributions to offshore safety and environmental protection.

There will be more tham 450 papers, presentations and posters, plus exhibitions by industry, academia, nonprofits and government agencies. The Marine Technology Society will use the occasion to celebrate its 50th Anniversary. Numerous special events complement the rich technical and scientific presentations. The Tuesday through Thursday Technical Program will feature 23 Special Sessions, including Ships-to-Reefs, Ultra-deep Exploration, International Business, San Diego Maritime History and Technology Transfer. More than 200 exhibit booths fill the two Exhibit Halls.

DeepStar, a group consisting of 10 leading deepwater operators, has awarded Aker Kvaerner a contract for a study to develop a semisubmersible production platform for use in coming ultra-deepwater field developments. The study was won in competition with a number of deepwater floater expertise contractors, and Aker Kvaerner was awarded the contract based on the company's leading experience with deepwater floaters. DeepStar wants to get a credible solution for future developments in ultra-deep water depths down to 10 000 feet. In addition to the development of the floating platform itself, the scope includes other critical aspects such as design of the risers that will bring the oil and gas from the well to the surface. It also includes installation methods for mooring systems and risers.

KBR recently completed a conceptual engineering study of a Spar/Deep Draft Caisson Vessel (DDCV) in 10,000 ft. water depth in the Gulf of Mexico. The six-month study was sponsored and funded by the Joint Industry Project DeepStar, which is supported by 15 oil company participants and 48 other contributor companies. KBR is the wholly owned engineering and construction subsidiary of Halliburton. The primary objectives of the study were to assess credible technology alternatives for mooring systems and production risers for a large ultra-deepwater DDCV, and to quantify the total system cost incentives for pursuing synthetic moorings and composite production risers.

KBR recently completed a conceptual engineering study of a Spar/Deep Draft Caisson Vessel (DDCV) in 10,000 ft. water depth in the Gulf of Mexico. The six-month study was sponsored and funded by the Joint Industry Project DeepStar, which is supported by 15 oil company participants and 48 other contributor companies. KBR is the wholly owned engineering and construction subsidiary of Halliburton. The primary objectives of the study were to assess credible technology alternatives for mooring systems and production risers for a large ultra-deepwater DDCV, and to quantify the total system cost incentives for pursuing synthetic moorings and composite production risers.

Subsea Houston 2002 will be held Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002 at the Houston Intercontinental Hotel. This, the 3rd annual conference, is expected to be attended by well in excess of 300 delegates. Last year's event, held at the Westchase Hilton and Towers was attended by hundreds of operators, subsea manufacturers, financial analysts and leading offshore service and supply companies. The focus of this year's event is development beyond 10,000 FSW. Quest Offshore announced the appointment of oits ur Subsea Houston Advisory Committee whose members will help guide the program and presentations.

Azura Energy Systems, Inc. (Azura) announced that Curtis D. Burton, 50, has been named the company's Chief Executive Officer. In this role, Burton will be responsible for managing the company's strategy, as well as oversight of the company's operations. The appointment was effective February 1. Burton, a 27-year marketing and operations veteran, has experience spanning 10 countries and a wide range of business settings. In 2005, Burton co-founded Nautilus Marine Technologies. The focus of the company was development of new and innovative subsea technologies for the deepwater oil and gas industry. Azura was formed as the result of a three-way merger between Nautilus, Superior Wellheads, Inc. and Gilmore Valves.

Peter M. Lovie, P.E., vice president of business development for American Shuttle Tankers L.L.C., Houston, has been appointed to co-chair the Contributors’ Advisory Panel of The DeepStar Project, DeepStar Project Director B. John Sheets, of ChevronTexaco Exploration and Production Technology Co., has announced. ”Peter Lovie has been a tireless advocate for Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel technology in recent years and has broad experience with other systems through a 30 year career in our industry”, Sheets said. Lovie became Vice President, Business Development of American Shuttle Tankers L.L.C. in January 2002.