Against a backdrop of proven capability, innovation and quality in subsea cable installation, Global Marine Systems Limited is making impressive inroads into the oil and gas market. With a rich history in underwater engineering dating back to the 1850s, the company has evolved to become a renowned name in the design, installation and maintenance of high speed fibre optic communications networks.
The bid to create a standardised, self-contained offshore electricity generator for the wave industry has moved one step closer. ODEE reports.
With reference to guidance provided in the book ‘Hydraulic Fluids – A Practical Guide’, Chris Buxton, CEO of the British Fluid Power Association, looks at the topic of fluid contamination in hydraulic systems such as those used on offshore oil and gas platforms, and how a diligent contamination monitoring strategy can help to keep this equipment running safely and efficiently while keeping downtime to a minimum.
The changing shape of North Sea offshore workers over the last three decades is revealed in the findings of a ground-breaking high-tech study just concluded in Aberdeen. ODEE reports.
The oil and gas industry is recognised internationally as one that continually strives to make worker safety a priority. Monitoring, evaluating, updating and improving the systems, processes and equipment used daily are critical elements of this. Stuart Turnbull, interim European sales director at Honeywell Safety Products, highlights the key safety issues to consider as part of the wider engineering and maintenance procedures carried out on platforms.
A gas discovery in the Snefrid Nord prospect in the Norwegian Sea has been made by Statoil together with PL218 partners. The discovery is an important contribution to the Aasta Hansteen field development project and Polarled pipeline utilisation. ODEE reports.
A Stavanger-based provider of specialist well intervention services for the oil and gas industry - Ziebel AS - says for the first time in oil and gas history, a gravity-deployed slim carbon composite cable, was used to acquire meaningful Distributed Temperature and Distributed Acoustic fibre optic data during a commercial well intervention. ODEE reports.
Steve Kirk, area manager at Harmonic Drive UK, looks at the technological challenges of exploration and extraction in remote regions of the world and how high precision gearing is being increasingly used to drill deeper.
The marine environment is extremely harsh and delivering equipment capable of performing reliably and efficiently requires expert design engineers combined with advanced materials technology. Neil Wright, managing director of Wichita Clutch, assesses the requirements of modern marine clutches and brakes, which play such a crucial role in a variety of applications.
Dr. Steve Lacey, engineering manager at Schaeffler (UK) Ltd, describes how the operational testing of wind turbine gearboxes can help to identify potential gear- or bearing-related problems prior to installation, saving the customer time, money and their reputation.
For the offshore oil and gas industry, keeping abreast of changing regulations while maintaining the economic performance of the engine estate can be a challenge. ODEE reports.
It is normal practice to have at least two gas turbine generators on main platforms, with an additional standby generator for emergencies. While a typical gas turbine is rated up to 30 MW, the number and exact configuration depends on the degree of flexibility needed and how the platform operator plans to expand or further develop the facility. ODEE talks to ABB’s Anders Stiger, product manager, generators for steam and gas turbines, about what’s driving the development of offshore gas turbine based power generation and hear new ways to meet some perennial challenges.
One of the most popular works of Renaissance sculpture is Michelangelo’s David, a piece that has become synonymous with human strength and beauty. Despite its seemingly perfect proportions, a basic design flaw of the statue has recently been brought to light. Recurring micro-fractures in the ankles might cause the statue to collapse under its own weight.
The challenge of matching low voltage AC motors and AC drives for use in hazardous environments within the chemical, oil and gas industries has reportedly been overcome by ABB’s ATEX-approved motor-drive package.
Intellinova Compact Ex is the latest addition to the Intellinova product line for online condition monitoring of rotating machinery from SPM Instrument, Sweden – a leading provider of condition monitoring technology and products.
Industrial safety specialist Castell has launched heavy-duty access interlocks for use in industries such as waste and recycling, aggregates, steel and chemical processing. The AI-HD and AIE-HD have been designed to deliver robust performance where there are high potential loads and a high frequency of use.
Flexicon reports it has extended its range of hazardous area conduit systems with the launch of an Increased Safety Ex e and Dust Ignition Proof Ex tb fitting for use with metallic liquid tight conduits.
Wanner International reports it has completed a major order to supply its Hydra-Cell metering and dosing pumps to a leading Russian oil refinery. The order comprised some 44 ATEX approved pump and motor sets along with mechanical speed variators, pressure relief valves and pulsation dampeners.
A traditional maintenance check for a rupture disc device requires the plant to be fully de-pressurised and for processes to be completely stopped, while each disc is removed from its holder and inspected. This system downtime is costing companies thousands in lost production during every maintenance check, particularly in lucrative industries like the oil and gas sector.
UK flowmeter specialist Litre Meter reports it has shipped two highly customised flow meters via its Korean distributor for use on the Valemon gas and condensate field recently brought online in the North Sea by Statoil.
Belzona says already with a 100% application success rate, its high-tech pipe wrap repair system has undergone a major reformulation and enhancement.
A powerful water-jetting unit, manufactured and supplied by UK specialist manufacturer Hughes Pumps that uses a smart innovation, is said to be helping deliver essential corrosion prevention maintenance to a semi submersible offshore drilling rig that works extensively in the harsh North Sea, UK environment.
For a second consecutive year, Aker Solutions has awarded Advanced Insulation – a leading manufacturer of technical coatings including specialised fire protection and insulation materials for the upstream oil and gas industry – Supplier of the Year status.
Safety Showers that are required for the safety of employees not only have to meet the latest requirements and regulations governing health and safety, they also have to be able to withstand and operate reliably in extreme environmental conditions. Get it wrong and the employer can be liable for the consequences, and the employee could be seriously injured. Janet Dickinson, operations manager of safety shower specialists Showers & Eyebaths Services, comments on the need to look carefully at conditions facing their workforce when specifying their safety equipment needs.
A dedicated approach to preventing injuries and ill health in the workplace has enabled Wood Group PSN – a leading provider of brownfield services to the oil and gas industry – to significantly reduce eye injuries in one of its North Sea operations. ODEE reports.
