Fugro supports Italy’s energy transition with Renexia survey for Med Wind floating wind farm
Renexia, part of TOTO Holding, has awarded Fugro a survey contract for the Med Wind floating wind farm in the Strait of Sicily, one of the biggest renewable energy projects planned for the Mediterranean Sea, with 190 floating turbines for an installed capacity of 2.8 GW. Fugro will provide Renexia with detailed marine geophysical and environmental surveys, deploying state-of-the-art equipment and specialised personnel to acquire comprehensive Geo-data at the proposed wind farm location and along the two proposed export cable corridors.
Once Fugro has acquired the necessary Geo-data in the site’s water depths of 300 m to 900 m, the results of the analysis will be used to advise on geohazard risk mitigation and identify a safe route for installation of the two export cables. These results will also feed into the final integrated environmental impact assessment (EIA) application to Italy’s Ministry of Energy Transition.
Riccardo Toto, General Director for Renexia, said: “Med Wind is one of the most innovative renewable energy projects in Europe and, as such, we need strong partners to support us on this journey. Fugro is the world’s leading Geo-data specialist and will join our large team of international professionals who are working together to construct the energy infrastructure that’s key to achieving Italy’s sustainable development goals.”
Rodolfo D'Addario, Country Manager for Fugro in Italy, added: “We are really proud to support Renexia in this challenging floating offshore wind project, which will help our country’s transition to decarbonisation and a sustainable future of green energy and power diversification.”
Once operational, the 850 km2 wind farm located 60 km off the Italian coast should provide enough electricity to power 3.4 million homes a year, which translates to an annual CO2 saving of 2.7 million tons.
Ashtead Technology Bolsters Leadership Team With New Senior Appointment
International subsea equipment rental and solutions specialist Ashtead Technology has bolstered its leadership team with the appointment of Bob Gillespie as Commercial Director.
The appointment underlines the company’s strategic growth plans as it looks to strengthen its leading position in the global offshore energy market, expand its geographical footprint and enhance its product and service offering across its three service lines - survey and robotics, mechanical solutions and asset integrity.
Mr Gillespie brings a wealth of experience to the role having held various senior positions in the offshore renewables and subsea oil & gas sectors, most recently with Havfram where he was UK Managing Director. Prior to that, he held senior commercial positions with Fugro, TechnipFMC and McDermott before becoming UK Managing Director of DOF Subsea.
In his new role, Mr Gillespie will work with the senior management and regional teams to further strengthen existing capability across Ashtead Technology’s core markets and drive forward the company’s growth strategy.
Allan Pirie, Ashtead Technology’s CEO, said: “We are thrilled to welcome someone of Bob’s stature to the team which is a great endorsement of our strategy and ambition.
“This is an important and strategic appointment for the company, and I very much look forward to working with Bob, and leveraging his expertise, to enhance our capabilities and competitive market position in order to support our customers more widely in the delivery of the energy transition.”
Mr Gillespie, Ashtead Technology’s Commercial Director, said: “Ashtead Technology is an ambitious company with a first-class reputation and I am delighted to be joining the business at such a pivotal and exciting time in its evolution.". “With recent successes in new and emerging markets, including offshore wind and decommissioning, Ashtead Technology has huge potential for growth and I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues around the world and supporting the company’s future aspirations.”
STR Invests £1 Million in New Global Technology and Innovation Centre of Excellence
Subsea Technology and Rentals (STR), a leading global provider of specialist survey and inspection rental equipment, products and data enabling services to the offshore energy market is celebrating the launch of its global technology and innovation centre of excellence after investing £1million into the facility to drive its innovative solutions and support its growth plans.
The 30,000sq. ft facility in Great Yarmouth will be the home to the businesses’ standalone technology and innovation team responsible for STR’s research and development of its technical solutions and products.
The purpose-built facility features state-of-the-art engineering and product development suites, mechanical and electronic assembly and testing areas supported by the recruitment of 19 new employees bringing the Great Yarmouth headcount to 53.
The firm has experienced rapid growth during 2022 following the earlier announcement of investment from Baird Capital to support the firms growth with further plans to expand and strengthen its capabilities.
STR Chief Operating Officer, Scott Johnstone, said: “The launch of the new technology and innovation centre of excellence is a fantastic addition to the STR group offering. Through combining state of the art facilities with our experienced team and in-house technologies we will be better positioned to support our customers. We have a team with extensive knowledge in their field and as a company we have a proven and impressive track record of providing leading edge solutions and in-house products across the offshore energy market for more than 20 years.”
New Tools Added to TDI-Brooks’ Shallow Water Geotechnical Kit
TDI-Brooks’ has brought online a shallow water (<75-m) pneumatic vibracore (pVC) to supplement its other electric VC options (Feritech FT550 and Rossfelder P-5). The pVC is a light weight (4,600-lb in air), high power vibracorer. The pVC can be used for cores up to 6-m in length (and down to 9-m or 12-m with frame extension). The topside display informs the winchman of the exact penetration of the barrel into the soil at any point during the vibrating insertion. The pVC has been deployed successfully on the US East Coast >200 times for offshore wind farm (OSWF) projects.
The two (2) pictures below show its deployment off the stern of TDI-Brooks’ research vessel, the R/V BROOKS McCALL, operating off the NE US.
Additionally, TDI-Brooks has added a second Datem Neptune Seabed CTP to its inventory with now includes both N3K and N5K units. The picture below shows the deployment of the N5K off the stern of the R/V BROOKS McCALL.
In early 2023, TDI-Brooks will bring on-line for our shallow water geotechnical kit a Manta-200 CPT.
More details on our Seabed Geotechnical Services HERE.
Job Advert: Hydrographic Programmes Manager at UK Hydrographic Office
Hydrographic Programmes Manager
Location: Taunton, Somerset
Salary: £42,507 pa
An additional Recruitment and Retention Allowance of up to £7000 per annum is applicable to this role, based on level of essential qualifications/accreditation
Hours: Full time / Part time / Flexible
Contract: Permanent
The UK Hydrographic Office’s hydrographic survey capability is evolving to support current and emerging requirements for hydrographic and bathymetric expertise and strategy relating to Primary Charting Authority (PCA) responsibilities.
To ensure we continue to maintain a high quality service, we have an exciting opportunity for a Hydrographic Programmes Manager to play a pivotal role supporting our broader partnering and engagement objectives in relation to hydrography, hydrographic governance and policy implementation.
About the UKHO
UKHO is an executive agency, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence. We work with a wide range of data partners to chart the world's oceans in order to develop and serve world leading software and data solutions to commercial shipping companies, navies and maritime organisations. Our products ensure safe navigation and global trade efficiency and support other marine activities including economic development, environmental protection, resource exploration and utilisation, scientific research and security and defence.
The role
As Hydrographic Programmes Manager you will be responsible for co-ordinating and managing hydrographic projects and programmes. Potential programmes and activity include the UK Civil Hydrographic Programme, the Overseas Territories Seabed Mapping Programme, the Commonwealth Marine Economies Programme, the UK Centre for Seabed Mapping initiative and the UKHO Primary Charting Authority Programme.
You will also provide consultancy and technical assistance to foreign governments, non-governmental organisations and commercial companies to maximise data acquisition for subsequent use in UKHO products and services.
What we are looking for
We are looking for candidates who are accredited to HPAS Level 1 or Ø or who have successfully completed a Cat A hydrographic education or equivalent.
Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate their depth and currency of hydrographic survey experience and will have passion for using seabed mapping to improve outcomes for people and the environment.
An appreciation of the wider utility of updated bathymetry, particularly in the context of developing nations, will also be key. They will also have demonstrable experience of managing operational delivery and project / programme management.
The successful candidate will also be able to work with a high degree of initiative and autonomy and have the drive to deliver the very best outcomes for the business and our customers, achieving results through effective collaboration and communication.
In return
UKHO is a great place in which to explore your career potential. While our projects are career-defining, the work/life balance that we can offer you is equally exceptional. From flexitime, flexible working, an award-winning office environment and a generous annual leave allowance of 34.5 days including public holidays, the opportunities open to you here are hard to beat.
For a full job description, including the assessment criteria, please click HERE.
Closing date: 4th September 2022
UKHO embraces diversity and promotes inclusion and equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Confident employer, which includes offering a guaranteed interview to candidates with disabilities, providing they meet the minimum selection criteria.
Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
Miros wins trio of sensor contracts with Subsea 7 pipelay support vessels
Miros Group has secured a trio of three-year agreements with Subsea 7 to install its internet of things (IoT) dry-sensor WaveSystem.
As part of project requirements for the monitoring of wave and current to a water depth of 10m, WaveSystem will be installed on three of Subsea 7’s pipelay support vessels - Seven Waves, Seven Rio and Seven Sun – alongside access to Miros Cloud services delivering real-time sea state data. The award for Miros follows an agreement between Subsea 7 and Petrobras in Brazil for new long-term, day-rate vessel contracts.
Each contract comprises a three-year period plus a subsequent one-year option. The contracts are due to commence between Q1 and Q3 2022.
Andrew Wallace, Miros’ VP Offshore Solutions commented: “We are thrilled to expand our services further to Subsea 7 by equipping Miros WaveSystem to the Seven Waves, Seven Rio, and Seven Sun vessels.
“This is a testament to Miros' expertise and reliability in delivering accurate wave measurements via our cloud-based graphical user interface (GUI) Miros.app. Providing Subsea 7 access to real-time wave and current data which can be shared across departments is an important function for both onshore and vessel-based personnel and key to ensure safe and efficient operations at all times."
Filipe Salvio, Operations Manager at Subsea 7 added: "The cloud-enabled WaveSystem onboard our three pipelay support vessels allows us to deliver the best service to our customer independently of offshore weather conditions. This system provides us with accurate wave, current and speed through water data granting us to work safe, precise and highly effective at all times”.
Fugro and Ocean Industries Concept Lab unify offshore control systems for safe remote operations
Research teams from Fugro and the Ocean Industries Concept Lab (OICL) at Oslo School of Architecture and Design have been exploring how best to harmonise maritime design by integrating digital innovation in next-generation workplaces for safe remote operations. Simplified, standardised control interfaces will enhance training, remove the potential for error and enable operators to successfully perform remote operations.
Fugro and OICL have been exploring the application of the open-source OpenBridge user interface design system to streamline available solutions at sea and on land. Although remote operations are bringing important new efficiencies to the maritime industry, if they require the integration of multiple systems from different suppliers, they can be very complex to use. With the expanding pool of assets being utilised from Fugro’s remote operations centres this standardised interface will ensure consistency and promote safe and efficient operations.
OICL’s Professor, Kjetil Nordby said: "The collaboration with Fugro has allowed us to accelerate the expansion of the OpenBridge platform to new maritime applications. In addition, we have a strategy of supporting all ocean industries workplaces at sea and on land, and direct collaboration with industry leaders such as Fugro helps us accelerate OpenBridge growth.”
Peter Looijen, Fugro’s Director of Innovation in Europe said: “As Fugro continues to deliver innovative solutions, ensuring a common control interface promotes multi-asset operations. Through our work with OICL we have improved business efficiencies and witnessed the positive impact of next-generation user interface integration.”
Ashtead Technology signs rental agreement with RTS and invests in new technologies
International subsea rental equipment and solutions specialist Ashtead Technology has signed a rental agreement with Norway-based RTS, an international provider of electronic engineering equipment for the underwater industry.
Under the deal, Ashtead Technology will have access to RTS’s owned equipment fleet to better support customers globally. In addition, Ashtead Technology has purchased an initial ten Gen 5 multiplexer systems which will have the capability to upgrade to Gen 6 specification. As a result, Ashtead Technology will be the first company to supply the Gen 6 product line, when available.
The Gen 5 is one of the most versatile survey multiplexer systems in the market offering accurate, flexible and robust subsea data transfer combined with user-friendly interfacing and 850W of power capacity subsea. The systems come in innovative titanium subsea housing, ideal for challenging marine environments.
The RTS Gen 5 multiplexer systems are now available to rent throughout Ashtead Technology’s nine international technology and service hubs.
Phil Middleton, Ashtead Technology’s Survey and Robotics Director, said: “This latest investment demonstrates our continued commitment to the global subsea rental market by ensuring we can offer the broadest range of best-in-class subsea equipment to support our customers’ projects worldwide. Furthermore, it means that we are the only equipment rental company able to supply subsea multiplexers from all leading manufacturers.
“We look forward to building a long-term partnership with RTS and working together to bring the latest innovations to our customers.”
Tore Hafte Staalesen, RTS Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to partner with Ashtead Technology which demonstrates their ongoing commitment to leading edge technology and innovative solutions that deliver robust performance, reliability and differentiation to their customers. This new rental agreement is an important strategic opportunity for RTS as we continue to grow our business internationally in all key energy markets.”
Fugro develops innovative site investigation solution for Arklow Bank Wind Park
Fugro has successfully completed fieldwork on a geotechnical site investigation for SSE Renewables’ Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2. This offshore wind park will support Ireland’s climate action target of producing 7 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030 and is located approximately 6 to 13 km off the coast of Ireland, in an area known for its unpredictable metocean conditions. Fugro developed a bespoke casing system designed for the offshore site conditions to enable survey work to be completed with minimal downtime. The acquired Geo-data will be used to understand the site’s subsurface conditions and support foundation designs and installation.
Fugro also engineered a full suite of purposely designed conductor casing handling devices to remove manual intervention, improving health and safety of deck crew and ensuring deployment efficiency within the short slack water windows.
Laboratory testing is currently underway, building on the site testing completed in Fugro’s offshore laboratory, allowing all acquired samples to be analysed efficiently with the resulting Geo-data used to inform foundation designs. When complete, the 800 MW wind park will be capable of powering almost 850, 000 homes with green energy and offset 830 billion kilograms of carbon emissions each year.
John O’Sullivan, SSE Renewables’ Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2 Project Manager said: “The successful completion of this ground investigation campaign is another key milestone for the Arklow project. It has enabled us to gain a much clearer understanding of the seabed conditions within the lease area. This enhanced site characterization greatly supports our ongoing design development works in the lead up to the first offshore energy auction,”
Matthew Chappell, Fugro’s Service Line Director of Site Investigations said: “By working closely and collaboratively with SSE Renewables and DEME, who provided the Neptune liveaboard jack-up barge, we were able to deliver the perfect solution for the Arklow Bank Wind Park site investigation. Our experience in marine operations and geotechnical surveys allowed us to develop an innovative solution for the site conditions and is certainly something we’re proud of. Our Geo-data will not only reduce project risk and uncertainties but will help inform future developmental phases of the project.”
Watbots, with over 600 robots on pre-order, orders new M16 modems from Water Linked
Watbots, one of the most exciting aquaculture tech start-ups to watch this year, has appointed Water Linked as their supplier of underwater communication technology. This newly developed iteration of the M64 modem, called the M16, will enable the Watbot, the most advanced fish cage cleaning robot on the market, to communicate natively with the base station without signal interference.
Watbots is working to redefine the aquaculture net cleaning process with the development of a unique, autonomous robot. A critical requirement for this innovative concept is that there is a reliable acoustic connection between all the robots working in the farm and their base station. While Water Linked already had a highly reliable acoustic solution, known as the M64 modem, this unit had a number of limitations with regard to Watbots’ needs. Watbots required the modem to be smaller, operate on lower power, offer increased range, have no export restrictions, and provide the highest level of dependability in a data connection.
With up to 12 robots working in a fish farm at any given time, ensuring that there is no interference created by multiple robots communicating at the same time is of high importance. The M64 modem has a proven track record operating in the most challenging of environments and was the basis in the development of the recently released Water Linked CageSense™ solution.
Watbots carried out trials of the Modem M64, which combined with reviewing the CageSense™ performance data provided them with the assurance that Water Linked could meet their needs and develop a new modem that would work to meet their specific requirements.
The first delivery of the new M16 modem will take place early in 2023.
Håvard Lillebo, Chief Executive Officer of Watbots, commented: “A robust communication is critical to our solution and working closely with a proven technology innovator such as Water Linked provides the reassurance required for this key part of our unique solution. We feel this partnership will benefit both companies and reaffirm Norway as a leader in bringing exciting new technology to the underwater industry.”
The M16 will benefit from the latest advances that have been integrated into CageSense™ and will provide the subsea industry with an unrivalled acoustic modem for use in the most challenging of environments.
The improved benefits of the Modem M16:
- Smaller physical size
- Lower power consumption
- Increased range
- Improved multi-modem operation
- No Export restrictions
Watbots has secured an order in excess of 600 robots and will take delivery of the first M16 modems in Q1 2023.
Scott McLay, Chief Commercial Officer of Water Linked, stated: “We are all very excited to work with Watbots, a company that aims to set the next industry standard for daily net cleaning and inspection. This requirement has given Water Linked the opportunity to further develop our acoustic modem platform and set a new standard in robust underwater communication.”
While the M16 Modem has been developed with the intention that it will be fully integrated into Watbots’ proprietary platform with a bulkhead seal interface, Water Linked will be offering a variation that can be used where a customer would prefer a watertight cable interface.
