Subsea Applications News

ANU listing granted after favorable USBL accuracy testsEvoLogics underwater acoustic modems were recently listed as Authorized for Navy Use (ANU), following a lengthy period of testing and technical evaluation by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and The Emergency Ship Salvage Material (ESSM) System. The ANU Program provides a list of selected diving equipment, tools and accessories which have undergone design safety reviews, testing and evaluation to ensure diver safety and…

Canadian-Norwegian battery maker Corvus Energy announced that it has finalized an investment deal with Shell Ventures.The investment is a step towards Shell’s ambition to decrease the carbon footprint of the energy products they sell by around 20% by 2035 and by around 50% by 2050, in step with society.Corvus Energy,  the developer and supplier of advanced energy storage systems (ESS) for maritime, offshore, subsea and port applications, said that the investment will help Corvus Energy expand internationally and further enhance its technological leadership within maritime energy storage.Corvus Energy has delivered ESSs for more than 30 offshore support vessels…

Kongsberg Maritime said it has been awarded a contract by Finnish Defense Forces (FDF) to deliver ST2400 VDS (Variable Depth Sonar) upgrades to the SQ2000MLU program for the Hamina-Class Corvettes fleet.The ST2400 VDS is designed to provide accurate and highly reliable performance for detecting submarines, mines and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles in Littoral waters. The ST2400 VDS upgrade will enable the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability on all four Hamina-Class Corvettes…

The Large Modifiable Underwater Mothership (MUM) brings German engineering prowess and cooperation to the fore. As the world of autonomous vehicles flourishes on land and in the air, subsea applications have proven more challenging, despite great strides in recent years to deliver fully autonomous, efficient systems at sea. A team of engineers from Germany, engineers teamed from industry and academia, are aiming to drive the subsea vehicle market further faster courtesy of a project known as the Large Modifiable Underwater Mothership, or MUM.

Kongsberg Maritime said it has been selected to deliver ST2400 VDS (Varial Depth Sonar) systems for Anti-Submarine Warfare applications (ASW) to the Royal Swedish Navy as part of SAAB’s upgrade program for the Göteborg-Class Corvettes fleet. The main purpose of the ST2400 VDS is to detect submarines, mines and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles in Littoral waters. The ST2400 VDS upgrade will strengthen the Göteborg-Class Corvettes Anti-Submarine capability operating in the Baltics.

With 87 units delivered in 2014, Liebherr offshore cranes achieved a new per year delivery record, more than doubling its delivery numbers from 2012. And according to Liebherr, well filled order books allow for an optimistic 2015 forecast despite a generally unstable world economic development. “Our distinctly increasing turnover figures wouldn’t be possible without our new production site in Rostock, Germany, as well as our worldwide sales and service network. We are all working together as a team, always close to the customer to meet new needs before they arise.

Last September the test bed in Rostock was the stage of a single lift of the RL-K 7500 subsea crane. The same crane was then loaded and shipped to the South Korean customer. On December 21, a new Liebherr RL-K 7500 started its long journey to South Korea. after waiting since the middle of September for its shipment at the pier of the Liebherr factory in Rostock. Mid-December, the transport ship arrived at the Liebherr factory, and the RL-K 7500 was loaded aboard together with another model of Liebherr’s range of knuckle boom cranes, the RL-K 4200.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) will invest up to $6 million to support oil spill response research projects in 2015 and is soliciting proposals for these projects. In a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) released on the federal government’s business opportunities website, www.FedBizOpps.gov, the bureau called for white papers focusing specifically on one of seven topic areas for proposed research covering oil spill response operations on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. The deadline for submitting white papers is February 9, 2015.

OneSubsea™, a Cameron and Schlumberger company, Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. and Schlumberger today announced that they have entered into a letter of intent to form an alliance to develop technologies and deliver services to optimize the cost and efficiency of subsea well intervention systems. Helix is a leading subsea well intervention provider, with the largest fleet size of well intervention vessels, and an unequalled track record in cost-effective subsea well intervention. OneSubsea, a preeminent solution provider for subsea well control, with a global footprint of executed major projects, has significant experience in the manufacture and supply of subsea well intervention equipment and services.

Shipyard Vard Brevik awarded Norwegian marine drive specialist Kumera AS a contract to deliver its Norgear advanced Multi Step Hybrid Gear for a newbuild Anchor Handling Tug (AHT). The sophisticated new AHT is designed with a green focus and will harness the latest fuel saving solutions to minimize environmental impact and optimize operations. The vessel is contracted by renowned Norwegian tug boat company Buksér og Berging AS and will be delivered in Q1 2015. The Multi Step Hybrid Gear contract is valued over NOK 5 million.

Delta Rigging & Tools, Inc., a provider of of lifting and rigging products and related services in the United States, announced that they have reached an agreement with Redaelli to be the exclusive Redaelli distributor for both onshore and offshore in the U. S. Gulf of Mexico region. The agreement gives Delta Rigging & Tools sales and marketing exclusivity in the Gulf of Mexico region for Redaelli specialty compacted, non-rotating and multi-strand Steel Wire Ropes. Based in Milan, Italy, Redaelli produces steel wire ropes leveraging almost 200 years of experience. Redaelli wire ropes are found in numerous onshore and offshore sectors.

Dresser-Rand, a global supplier of rotating equipment solutions to the oil, gas, petrochemical, power and process industries, will showcase technologies designed to improve efficiency and reduce life cycle costs for the offshore sector, including deep sea solutions, at the 2013 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). Industry engineers and executives visiting booth #9659 will have the opportunity to learn more about Dresser-Rand offerings for deep sea and floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) applications.

During customer days at the production plant in Rostock in January 2013 Liebherr presented its new subsea crane, type RL-K 7500. With this new knuckle boom crane the company extends its range of offshore cranes for subsea operations. The RL-K 7500 is able to lift up to 260t in the air and handle loads down to a water depth of 3,400m. The maximum rope diameter is 100mm, the maximum overturning moment of the crane is 75,000kNm. Depending on customers’ specifications, the boom configuration allows for working radii of up to 50 m.

Siemens Subsea Products has chosen an all-electric tube bender from Unison to improve the quality and speed the production of the small-bore hydraulic tubes it uses on subsea hydraulic flying leads with Multiple Quick Connections (MQC), Cobra Heads and associated offshore oil and gas recovery equipment. The tubes feature complex bends of extremely high accuracy, and until now the company has either fabricated them manually or bought them in as pre-formed sub-assemblies. Siemens Subsea Products produces a wide range of subsea electric…

The Dynatite sealing system is successfully exposed to a series of hydrostatic shock tests. The shock pressure tests up to 15 bar, were carried out under survey of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). The test started with shock pressure of 5 bar to be hold for 30 minutes, then releasing the pressure, followed by a shock pressure of 10 bar to be hold for 30 minutes, releasing the pressure and finally a shock pressure of 15 bar to be hold for 2 hours. The pressure was released for 30 minutes and then once again 15 bar shock pressure was applied and hold for 30 minutes.

GE to acquire Naxys, supplier of leak detection & condition monitoring sensors for subsea applications. Naxys, is a Norway-based provider of subsea leak detection and condition monitoring sensors based on passive acoustic technology. The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, further expands GE’s monitoring and sensing solutions and will be part of the company’s Measurement & Control business. This deal is another step towards a stronger GE presence in Norway. “Through its commitment to innovation, Naxys has developed world-class sensor expertise and technology that fits well with GE’s culture and capabilities,” said Brian Palmer, president and CEO of GE Measurement & Control and vice president of GE Energy.

Trelleborg Offshore develops next generation subsea thermal insulation. Trelleborg Offshore has developed the next generation of its popular Vikotherm subsea thermal insulation material which has been successfully installed throughout the subsea oil and gas industry for over twenty years. Vikotherm II offers improved elasticity, as well as enhanced process and manufacturing flexibility as the system can be applied on site, anywhere around the world. Innovation & Technology Manager at Trelleborg Offshore, Grethe Hartviksen, commented: “As the industry moves towards even more demanding subsea applications, the need for high performance, durable and reliable products, has never been greater.

Nexans, a worldwide expert in the cable industry, is at Oceanology 2012 to promote its wide range of cable solutions developed to meet the specific needs of workclass ROV manufacturers and operators. Nexans’ specialized ROV cable manufacturing facility in Norway can produce steel armoured umbilicals for vehicles commonly used for trenching, ploughing, maintenance and drill support applications. The cables are typically designed with a two or three layer torque balanced armouring and 3 phase power supply, instrumentation and fibre optics. The typical depth rating is 2000 to 4000 metres. Deep water umbilicals are designed…

Dresser-Rand Group Inc. (NYSE: DRC) signed a definitive agreement to acquire Synchrony, Inc. The transaction is expected to close in January 2012. Synchrony is a technology development company with a portfolio of technologies and products including active magnetic bearings (AMB), high speed motors and generators, and power electronics for clean, efficient, and reliable rotating machinery. A private company founded in 1993, Synchrony is headquartered in Roanoke County, Virginia, where it develops, manufactures, and tests its products in an ISO 9001-certified facility which includes a best-in-class model shop  for rapid prototype fabrication and assembly.

ABS is strengthening its ties to the Korean maritime industry by establishing the ABS Korea Energy Technology Center (KETC) in Busan in early 2012. This is ABS’ first energy center and will focus on applied research to a broad range of current and future technology challenges. In a related move, the society is creating the role of Vice President of Global Korean Technology Development. Dr. Hoseong Lee, a veteran of ABS and respected professional in the Korean maritime industry is being appointed to this new position. As part of his new responsibilities, Dr. Lee will provide guidance and oversight for the KETC. In combination, these strategic developments will better leverage the technology resources of ABS in servicing the Korean market and its clients across the globe. Under Dr.

Beele Engineering has extended its dynamic sealing system Dynatite with conduit sleeves for application in harsh environments and salt water. Specially developed for application in the columns of semi-submersible rigs, the Dynatite system can be used in many hazardous areas as blast walls, explosion proof areas, subsea applications and all those situations where a (sudden) substantial pressure might arise and a high degree of (instantaneous) tightness of the sealing system is required.

Samson, specializing in performance cordage, held a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 10, 2009, to celebrate its recent business expansion that will enable the production of a broad range of products for the offshore oil and gas industry. The multi-million dollar expansion includes the addition of new technical engineering staff and sales staff, as well as adding more than 35,000 sq ft to Samson’s Lafayette, La., synthetic-rope manufacturing plant. The new space accommodates new braiding and take-up equipment specifically tailored to produce very long, large-diameter synthetic ropes. The expansion adds enough floor space to accommodate two new rope braiders and support equipment: a Herzog 48-strand horizontal braider…

The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) announces 15 winners for its inaugural Spotlight on New Technology Program. These winners are recognized before, during and after the 35th annual OTC, 3-6 May, Reliant Center at Reliant Park in Houston. New Technology program, " said Rod Allan, OTC .04 Chairman. Applications for the Spotlight on New Technology were distributed at OTC .03 and were due 9 January 2004. Submissions had to meet four criteria: new and innovative, proven, broad interest, and significant impact. Winners will be recognized on site at this year's conference, scheduled May 3-6, on the exhibition floor and in the registration area. Spotlight on New Technology will continue as an annual recognition program coinciding with OTC.