Boxfish Research ROV marks record breaking dive
Boxfish Research said it has delivered a record-breaking depth range during its latest deep sea mission in New Zealand.
According to the company, this represents the first underwater deployment of a small, battery-operated ROV to reach 710 metres, exceeding the industry standard.
Boxfish said its R&D team tested various configurations before the mission took place to ensure that the ROV could reach the seafloor below 700 metres within 15 minutes.
During the survey, the surface external video recorder collected 4K uncompressed video of the ocean floor. This allowed quick review of the footage, higher quality video recording and also recording of long missions, Boxfish explains.
“We pride ourselves in creating an ROV that is easy to operate, setup, and deploy to depths that only work-class ROVs can reach,” says Ben King, co-founder, Boxfish Research. “Deployments such as this one require a fast and easy to use underwater drive, making the Boxfish ROV the perfect solution for this mission.”
The Boxfish ROV is designed to withstand harsh underwater environments, boasting 14 hours of battery life and up to 17,000 lumen lights for unparalleled vision in dark environments. The team proved that a survey of more than 3 kilometres in significant cross currents was possible at this depth on a single battery charge.
The Boxfish team also deployed the Boxfish 360 to the same depths. The Boxfish 360 is a professional underwater camera with depth rating up to 1,000 metres and recording time up to 4 hours.
“The latest record breaking depth range conducted by Boxfish now sets the standard for all future deep sea deployments, spanning across various industries worldwide,” the company said.
For more information visit: www.offshore-energy.biz
iSURVEY Completes Landmark North Sea Project
The UK entity of iSURVEY, a leading provider of survey and positioning services to the global oil and gas, offshore renewables and telecommunications markets, has announced completion of its largest project to date.
The seven-figure project not only breaks the Aberdeen-based team’s single contract value record but has also seen a 10-strong group of offshore survey experts complete an incredible 6,300km of survey since mobilisation in late July.
T
he contract - which consisted of two workscopes - was awarded by Norwegian ocean bottom seismic experts, Magseis Fairfield ASA. The two circa.500 square km surveys have contributed to Magseis Fairfield’s ocean bottom node (OBN) exploration project within the Cornerstone area, which has been described as one of the most challenging locations in the North Sea.
iSURVEY Managing Director, Andrew McMurtie commented: “November marks the end of a long and successful seabed survey programme for the iSURVEY team. Mobilising on the Northern Survey OSV Cecilia just a week after contract award, I am hugely impressed with the results we have achieved and proud that our client has been so pleased with our performance.
“Equipped with multi-beam echosounder (MBES), side-scan sonar (SSS) and magnetometers, our spread of equipment and personnel dealt with the full gamut of North Sea weather, whilst safely achieving all workscope objectives and completing this milestone project on schedule.”
A spokesperson for Magseis Fairfield added: “iSURVEY understood our unique survey requirements and produced a high-quality product.”
For more information please visit: www.isurvey-group.com
EvoLogics launches a fully integrated USBL buoy
EvoLogics are happy to announce the new USBL buoy, a fully integrated solution based on the company’s S2C USBL devices.
The buoy comprises a USBL transceiver with a built-in battery, mounted to a floating unit with an on-board PC, GNSS receiver with dual antennas, and a Wi-Fi access point.
The design concept of the system derives from fishing floats that remain highly stable even in rough seas thanks to their long stems and minimal cross-section near the surface.
This allows the elongated buoy to remain stable in harsh conditions, and when deployed close to a vessel hull or pier walls, where the waves are taller.
This integrated system eliminates the need to use external GNSS receivers for geo-referenced positioning of underwater targets. Dual GNSS antennas provide accurate yaw measurements without being affected by magnetic interferences. The optional RTK increases precision and accuracy. Moreover, as both sensors are part of the same hardware assembly, it is not necessary to calibrate the relative position of the USBL and the GNSS receiver.
The on-board PC runs the pre-installed SiNAPS, EvoLogics positioning software. The user can access USBL positioning data by connecting to the Wi-Fi access point of the buoy and opening the web-based SiNAPS interface. SiNAPS allows to operate the system and visualize the location of the buoy and target transponders. Furthermore, positioning data can be streamed as NMEA strings and input into other applications that can process this information in real-time.
The buoyant body of the unit is made of carbon and glass fiber composites, making it lighter, more compact and robust than conventional designs with foam-based floatation collars. The system packs up into a single case and can be easily transported, assembled and deployed by a single operator.
Launching in December 2020, the buoy is available with all models of the EvoLogics S2C USBL range.
For more information visit: www.evologics.de
BOSS are recruiting a Mechanical Marine Engineer
Job title:
Mechanical Marine Engineer
Role:
Working in the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) Work Stream, within a multidisciplinary technology team, this role is suitable for an innovative mechanical marine engineer with experience in designing underwater vehicles and with an interest in challenging the conventional and seeing design concepts through to a final product. The role is primarily focused on the design and optimisation of a bespoke UUV given specified system constraints, with some aspects of surface vessel design, launch and evaluation.
Position type:
Full Time
Reporting to:
UUV Work Stream Lead
Travel required:
<15%
Location:
Farnborough area, UK
Salary:
Competitive
BOSS background:
BOSS is an innovative tech start up with strong shareholders including BP. Our vision is to disrupt the Marine Seismic industry through the development of a large-scale autonomous ocean bottom seismic data acquisition system, resulting in a step change reduction in the cost, time and HSSE risks required to acquire high quality OBS data. We help our clients to reduce their carbon emissions and their carbon footprint.
BOSS is developing a revolutionary, integrated seismic acquisition system based around long endurance, self-repositioning robotic ocean bottom nodes.
These nodes are capable of multiple autonomous re-positions to allow rolling of the receiver array without having to recover and redeploy nodes. This, in combination with automated handling systems, rapid deployment/recovery and intelligent system control, allows for optimisation of seismic acquisition survey operations to minimise duration and cost, and removes the requirement for ROV support.
Required Experience & Qualifications
- Degree in Mechanical, Naval or Marine Engineering with proven industry experience
- Previous subsea vehicle design & development experience
- The ability to work in the UK
Desirable Qualifications & Experience
- Extensive experience in UUV design
- Experience in the evaluation of the fluid dynamics aspect of the mechanical design
- Experience in designing subsea propulsion systems
- Experience in hydraulic system designs
- Experience in the mathematical modelling of the vehicle behaviour
General responsibilities:
- Development of detailed UUV design concepts to meet required specified performance criteria
- Detailed evaluation of design concepts through computational analysis and physical model testing
- Design optimisation
- Production of detailed design drawings & specifications
- Material selection
- Prototype development
- Sea trial design, execution, analysis & reporting
- Ongoing UUV design optimisation through development cycles
To apply, please send CV and cover letter to [email protected]
Special Solution for tactical wearable Connectivity System
NOVACAVI has recently engineered and manufactured a special custom power and data cable to be integrated in a tactical wearable connectivity system for infantry war fighters.
Our extremely thin, light, flexible and tough cable has been conceived to be seamlessly built-in into a comprehensive, rugged and reliable new gear for the defense & security market with integrated “plug and play” connectivity and power management system.
Incorporating our tailored size, weight and power cable solution, Wearin’TM, the new spin-off of Fischer Connectors Group, developed the outstanding connected vest achieving the goal of optimized power and cable management and technological upgraded usability and maintenance for enhanced safety and operational field performance.
Specialist in custom cable design & manufacturing for advanced technology since 1975, NOVACAVI develops any cable solutions with engineering expertise, comprehensive knowledge of materials and a high degree of manufacturing.
For more details, please contact [email protected] or visit www.novacavi.it/news
New SUT Chief Executive appointed
The Society for Underwater Technology is delighted to announce that Dr Cheryl Burgess will join the SUT as Chief Executive in January 2021, bringing over three decades’ experience in the energy industry including oil & gas (both offshore and onshore); renewables; and utilities. She takes over from Steve Hall who has held the post for the past four years.
Prof Ralph Rayner, President of the SUT said: “We look forward to welcoming Cheryl in January; and in the meantime would like to thank Steve Hall for his sterling service to the SUT and its members and to wish him well for the future.”
The former Director General of the Pipeline Industries Guild, Cheryl Burgess’ extensive international expertise from her years with UK Trade & Investment and the Society of British Gas Industries will bring benefit to the SUT’s international Branches and interests. A strong advocate for organisations she has represented, she is also committed to engaging students, graduates and young professionals in the industries the SUT represents.
“I am very excited to be joining the SUT team,” said Cheryl. “The SUT has wonderful history and is uniquely positioned to capitalise on its Special Interest Groups and Global Branches as we all look to the future of underwater technologies.”
Further information at www.sut.org, contact via [email protected]
STR adds iXblue new Gaps M5 USBL system to its rental pool of equipment
iXblue new Gaps M5, has been selected by global rental company Subsea Technology & Rentals (STR) to offer a practical, easy to export and cost-effective USBL solution to their global base of customers. Broadening STR’s existing pool of subsea equipment, Gaps M5 addresses the accuracy and performance needs and requirements for vertical and horizontal tracking applications.
Latest addition in iXblue’s USBL product range, Gaps M5 is a compact, export-free and omnidirectional USBL system that offers accurate location, positioning and tracking of subsea assets. It integrates an Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) for stable heading roll and pitch compensation and a true north reference. Smaller, lighter and easy to install, Gaps M5 is a ready-to-use and calibration-free system that offers an accuracy better than 0.5% up to 995m operating range. The USBL system is extremely efficient in shallow water and horizontal conditions and is suitable for any tracking operations, from diver- to multiple subsea assets- or inspection ROV- tracking.
“We’ve been offering iXblue products for over 20 years now, including their INS, AHRS and USBL systems. As a global leader which proven technology is recognized worldwide within our industry, their systems are great assets to have and they’ve always met our customer’s’ requirements,” explains Scott Johnstone, Group Managing Director at STR. “USBL, in particular, are critical components of our rental offer, and the new Gaps M5 is perfectly suited to our customers’ needs and jobs. Our new Gaps M5 is already being utilised by our customers on geophysical surveys for offshore windfarms site investigation, and other tracking and towed services and we received very positive feedback on the performance, lightweight, and compact nature of the new system.”
“We’re very happy to see our latest Gaps USBL system already benefitting subsea operations worldwide and we want to thank STR for their longstanding partnership and continued trust in our navigation and positioning technology,” states Régis Blomme, Sales director at iXblue. “We now look forward to supplying STR with other high end products in order to meet their demanding requirements as they strive to always offer the latest industry solutions available to their customers.”
For more information visit: www.ixblue.com
Ocean Infinity adds world's largest marine robotic vessel to its Armanda fleet
Spearheading Marine Industry Movement to Carbon Neutral Operations
Ocean Infinity is excited to announce plans for the next phase of its Armada fleet of robotic vessels with a signed contract for eight 78-metre, optionally crewed robotic vessels.
Designed for today’s tasks but with tomorrow’s in mind, these exceptionally fuel-efficient, onshore-controlled vessels will initially only utilise a skeleton crew onboard. In due course they will be capable of working with no personnel offshore whilst also consuming solely renewable fuel such as ammonia.
“The impact and the scale of this robotic fleet will spark the biggest transformation the maritime industry has seen since sail gave way to steam. With our new fleet we will be able to provide sustainable services to all corners of the industry from offshore energy, to logistics and transport”
“We, as an industry, have to embrace the need to be carbon neutral. It is not, however, something that will be achieved overnight or indeed in a year, rather it will be a journey over time requiring bold leaps forward and challenge to all convention. This move is a giant step forward towards that goal”.
“Expanding our Armada fleet to include these larger vessels will enable us to support a wider spectrum of maritime activity, which from the outset will provide more sustainable outcomes with smaller crews and less power consumption than traditional vessels, whilst also creating new, safer job opportunities for the ‘seafarer of the future’”.
Oliver Plunkett, CEO, Ocean Infinity.
The 78-metre vessels will supplement the current Armada fleet of nine 21-metre and 36-metre vessels, which are already in production and expected to operational by early 2021. The first 78-metre vessel is expected to launch in mid-2022.
The vessels are being designed and built by VARD, the international shipbuilding group headquartered in Norway.
“We are honoured to be chosen as Ocean Infinity’s preferred partner in this unique project. We are working closely on unique custom design features and system integration allowing for remote operation, and the introduction of sustainable fuel such as green ammonia in close cooperation with regulatory bodies. Other features including high DP2 performance, vast deck space, and twin moonpools make the vessels ideally suited for various extended payload operations requiring precision such as ROV and AUV deployments and logistics.”
Alberto Maestrini, CEO, VARD
For more information visit: www.oceaninfinity.com
SVAROG awarded geomatics contract for Sakhalin-2 project
Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd. (Sakhalin Energy) prolongs cooperation with Svarog LLP for onshore survey for oil and gas assets of Sakhalin-2 project.
Svarog executes onshore survey under a 7-year contract for the safe processing and transportation of hydrocarbons. Geodetic, topographic survey and geodynamic measurements shall provide actual data for river pipeline sections and their landfalls. LNG storage and transportation facilities monitoring shall be executed as well.
Prolongation of this project is the result of completion of Svarog similar work for Sakhalin Energy under a 5-year contract. The experience gained within its execution made it possible to plan realisation of a new contract optimally and provide possibility of its extension.
Svarog has all permits, its own equipment and qualified personnel to carry out the works.
Sakhalin Energy is a pioneer using unique technologies and management decisions to ensure industrial and environmental safety, which became largely innovative for Russian oil and gas industry. Svarog maintains high standards of Sakhalin Energy work and is actively working to study the latest contemporary technologies and adapt them to Russian regulatory requirements and difficult climatic conditions. Svarog provides summarised information to Sakhalin Energy and the companies make decisions on introduction of new technologies and working methods into the project in addition to standard technologies. 3D laser scanning is an example of using new technologies. This method was used to create 3D models of separate objects. 3D laser survey is now widely used to monitor and control state and conditions of objects and structures. Similarly, and engineering survey with UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) is finding way into increasing application as well.
The equipment and personnel of Svarog are prepared to perform both regular works and unscheduled surveys, which can be required during long-term operation of oil and gas infrastructure.
Director of Svarog branch in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Vladimir Shelpov highlights: “Svarog pays great attention to implementation of modern international and Russian technologies and equipment. Participation in scientific conferences allows us to monitor Russian developments as well and implement into the company's work”.
Svarog constantly organises training and certification of its personnel, and updates technologies, equipment and software to perform works in the interests of Sakhalin Energy in accordance with the advanced standards of oil and gas industry to ensure safe development, production, processing and transportation of hydrocarbon resources for clients and environment.
For more information please visit: www.svarog.ru
EIVA virtual training in December and January
Sign up to participate in one or more of EIVA’s upcoming virtual training courses that give users from around the globe the possibility to dive into the NaviSuite software solutions and become trained specialists in the use of for example the new NaviPac 4.5, which is setting sail to be released before the turn of the year.
Read more about our upcoming virtual courses here: https://more.eiva.com/3fGMM7D