Company Updates

Subsea IMR provider, N-Sea Offshore Ltd, has successfully completed a fully integrated and managed service for Maersk Oil UK’s 2015 Subsea Inspection Program.

The work scope involved four field locations in the North Sea and utilized N-Sea’s IMR and subsea capabilities for a duration of 135 days. The four locations were combined within one scope which commenced on 1 March this year, thus achieving optimum levels of efficiency and productivity.

The Siem N-Sea was utilized for the scope, to combine ROV inspection services with IMR diving works. The vessel is part of N-Sea’s fleet of dive, multi-support and construction vessels designed to deliver a range of subsea services for offshore assets, platforms, FPSOs and renewables operations.

17Roddy-James-Chief-Operating-Officer-N-Sea3Roddy James, N-Sea chief operating officer

N-Sea’s chief operating officer, Roddy James, said: “The successful completion of this contract further consolidates our excellent relationship with Maersk Oil, which has always been based upon trust and transparency. The project was completed efficiently and safely with no incidents, and reflected our ability to always provide ‘safe, sound and swift’ solutions.

“At a time when identifying streamlined and cost effective solutions is crucial, combining ROV inspection services and IMR diving works into one work scope ensured this project delivered significant cost savings and achieved optimum efficiencies for the client.”

N-Sea is known for its innovative work as an independent offshore subsea contractor, specializing in IMR services for the renewable, oil and gas and telecom/utility industries, as well as for civil contracting communities. N-Sea provides near shore, offshore and survey services to major operators and service companies alike.

Subsea cable protection specialist, Tekmar Energy, is bucking the market trend after experiencing steady growth in the oil & gas sector during what has been a challenging time for the industry.

Since the start of the year, and against the dramatic fall in the oil price, the company has expanded its reach into new global regions, won multiple orders of repeat business and brought in six new clients so far this year including JDR Cables, FlexLife and GE Oil & Gas.

James Ritchie, CEO, commented, “Working under the stringent guidelines of the American Petroleum Institute’s API 17L specifications, we have invested and expanded our materials processes and in house testing to support the supply into this quality demanding sector. It has been tremendous to see the growth potential coming from the oil and gas division in what is described as a declining market”.

9TekmarIn addition, Tekmar has successfully supplied and installed equipment on the prestigious Martin Linge project. Their involvement on the landmark Norwegian development included supply of bend restrictors on the world’s longest high voltage subsea power cable at 170 km (105 miles).

Charlie Sullivan, Tekmar’s Technical Sales Manager, said: “It has been an extremely encouraging time for Tekmar following extensive business development, including the formation of a new oil and gas management team, seeing us gain increasing traction in the sector. This has resulted in us securing several significant orders for cable protection systems to be supplied on projects in Angola, Venezuela and Brazil to name a few.

“Not only are we continuing to supply our core market-leading products such as bend restrictors, j-tube seals, split pipe and TekDuct but we are also receiving more enquiries for bespoke solutions where we can deliver further added value through our innovative approach and ideas. As we continue to grow into new regions, there are an increasing number of opportunities and everyone at Tekmar is looking forward to realizing this potential.”

Tekmar’s growth has seen the company expand into the Gulf of Mexico and Middle East for the first time. To support its expansion in the United Arab Emirates, Tekmar has also appointed Emdad as its strategic, local partner.

Formed in 1979, Emdad is an established service provider and EPC contractor which has played a vital role in enabling Abu Dhabi's key energy players to achieve higher levels of reliability, and performance.

Chief operating officer at Emdad, Aly Abdel Malak, said: “Emdad is committed to strengthening its products and services offering to producers and contractors in the Middle East energy industry. As part of this, we are focused on bridging the gap between trading and service activities through our selective choice of suppliers and targeted development of related products.

“Our partnership with Tekmar is fully in line with this strategy because it enables us to answer the requirements of our customers in the high growth O&G offshore sector. At the same time this provides Tekmar with opportunities for local content through our Coating Services as well as a closer cooperation early in the sales process with our in-house offshore installation partner. We are confident that the value this partnership will bring will be distinct, meaningful and provide many benefits to clients.”

With more than 30 years’ experience, Tekmar is a market leader in the design, manufacture and supply of subsea cables, umbilicals and flexible protection systems for the renewable energy and oil & gas industry.

Tekmar is set to exhibit at the Middle East oil & gas conference ADIPEC for the first time in November where they will be on Emdad’s stand.

Tekmar’s renewable energy division has also announced success in the past month. The firm was selected to provide its innovative TekTube on a wind farm in the Netherlands as well as supplying TekLink cable protection systems on the U.S.’s first offshore wind farm, Block Island.

For more information about Tekmar, please visit www.tekmar.co.uk.

20Aquatic-Martin-Charles1Aquatic Engineering & Construction Ltd, an Acteon company, has appointed Martin Charles as group managing director. Charles replaces Aquatic’s former president, Chris Brooks, who has departed Aquatic after eight years.

Charles joined Aquatic in 2014 as regional general manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and became COO earlier this year. He has a wealth of experience in oil and gas and associated market sectors.

Bernhard Bruggaier, executive vice president, Acteon, said, “Martin’s progression from COO to group managing director will ensure Aquatic’s mission remains as the first choice for products and services to support flexible product installation, recovery, replacement and decommissioning, on a worldwide scale.”

Charles said, “It has been a pleasure working with Chris and the Aquatic team. Their focus on technology and commitment to the company has been instrumental to the global growth and regional expansion of Aquatic. As group managing director, I will be building on the collective achievements of the leadership team by continuing to meet the needs of the challenging market environment in which we operate. Aquatic has a strong, proven reputation, and we will continue to invest in our core strengths: people, services and products.”

16OceaneeringlogoOceaneering International, Inc. (NYSE: OII) announces that Suzanne Spera has joined Oceaneering as Director, Investor Relations.

Ms. Spera’s business career spans over 15 years in investor relations for energy companies. From 2008-2015 she was the Director, Investor Relations at Rowan Companies plc. Prior to that, she held investor relations positions at Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., Cheniere Energy, Inc., and Petroleum Geo-Services ASA. Ms. Spera is a member of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Texas A&M University.

Marvin J. Migura, Executive Vice President, stated, “We are delighted to have Suzanne, a proven energy industry investor relations professional, become a part of our management team. She has strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities and proven abilities to communicate with the investment community. Internally, Suzanne will provide strategic insight, from an analyst and investor perspective, on competitive dynamics and market trends.”

Jack Jurkoshek, who joined Oceaneering in 1993, currently holds an equivalent position and will continue to serve the company in this capacity until his retirement at the end of March 2016.

Sparrows Group, a global leader in offshore lifting related engineered products and services, has won a five-year deal with Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO) in the Middle East.

The successful retender through the company’s local partner, Abu Dhabi Oilfield Services, will see Sparrows Group providing the operations and maintenance support to all cranes and lifting equipment aboard offshore platforms and the Al Hyleh Barge in the UAE and Zirku Islands. The agreement which covers ADMA-OPCO’s offshore installations – the Umm Shaif Super Complex, Zakum West Super Complex and the Zakum Central Super Complex – is initially a three year contract with the option for two one year extensions.

18Sparrows-Offshore-liftingSparrows Group will provide operations and maintenance support for cranes and lifting equipment to ADMA-OPCO

Stewart Mitchell, Sparrows Group chief executive officer, said: “We have established a strong and successful relationship with ADMA-OPCO since we began working together approximately 16 years ago. The work we have been contracted to do involves providing the total integrated management of cranes and other lifting equipment which optimizes the performance and reliability of all safety critical lifting operations.

“As well as providing offshore personnel who are supported by our onshore staff in Abu Dhabi and worldwide we will be supplying preventative maintenance, repair and refurbishment, spare parts, and comprehensive technical support.”

“We have placed an emphasis on growing our presence in the Middle East and an important part of this involves building upon our existing contracts. Our strong reputation for quality and a client focused delivery is proving to be particularly appealing to operators in the region.”

In addition to being experts in lifting and handling, Sparrows Group is a specialist in the provision of engineered products and services in cable and pipe lay and fluid power to the energy industry.

The firm has been expanding in the Middle East with bases in Abu Dhabi and Al Khor (Qatar), and recently opened new regional headquarters in Dubai. Sparrows Group has also formed a strategic partnership with the Zamil Group in Saudi Arabia recently.

Established originally in 1946, the Sparrows Group moved into the oil and gas market in 1975 and celebrates 40 years working offshore this year. They are one of the most well-known and trusted names in the oil and gas industry.

12MTSHoustonThe next MTS Houston Section luncheon will be held on September 24, 2015. Danny Hough, Vice President of Developments and Kodiak Project Construction Director with Deep Gulf Energy, will describe the challenges associated with the Kodiak project tieback and how these challenges were addressed using an existing technology in a new application for the Gulf of Mexico.

When embarking on tiebacks, in many cases there are few host facilities with adequate topsides weight or process capacities available. Solutions must be found to add capacity to existing facilities to accommodate the tiebacks. Fluid properties and flowing conditions can result in flowline material specifications which are not readily available or easily installed.

About the project

The Kodiak field is located in Mississippi Canyon blocks 727 and 771 in water depths ranging from 4829 to 5,610 feet. It is approximately 60 miles southwest of Louisiana. The project consists of a subsea tieback to the Devil’s Tower truss spar in Mississippi Canyon block 773.

Devil’s Tower spar, named after Devil’s Tower National Monument, was at one time the world’s deepest production truss spar in 5,610 feet of water. It lost its record holding distinction to Shell’s Perdido platform in 2010.

About the Speaker

Danny Hough is the Vice President of Developments for Deep Gulf Energy. Danny has 40 years of industry experience, including US and international onshore and offshore operations and construction. He has spent ten years working in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.

Deep Gulf Energy was formed in April 2005 and specializes in subsea tiebacks. Beginning in 1995 as the Mariner Deepwater Management Team, the group was one of the first independent management teams to operate in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, and to date has acquired interest in over 20 deepwater prospects.  

UPCOMING MTS HOUSTON PRESENTATIONS AND EVENTS IN 2015

  • September 24 - Kodiak - GOM Tieback, Danny Hough, Deep Gulf Energy
  • October 13-14 - Dynamic Positioning Conference
  • October 29 - MTS Houston Barbecue
  • December 3 - Anadarko Lucius Project, S. Michael Beattie, General Manager GOM Deepwater Facilities, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
 

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S has announced it has acquired a part of Australia-based Wiltrading Pty Ltd.’s maritime safety equipment activities effective 1 September. The move strengthens VIKING’s offering in Australasia, adding 4 locations to the company’s global network of wholly-owned servicing stations as well as several products and services, bringing new advantages for shipowners and offshore operators in the region.

21VikingA subsidiary of Wilh. Wilhelmsen Investments (WWI), Wiltrading offers integrated activities in marine safety, fire fighting and protection, equipment and servicing, serving the offshore, oil and gas, shipping, military and cruise industries. The company is an authorised representative and service partner for a wide variety of maritime and offshore equipment producers.

Under the new agreement, selected safety equipment and servicing activities previously managed by Wiltrading will be seamlessly integrated into the global VIKING organization, offered and serviced locally, whereas remaining activities will be carried out in close cooperation between the two. VIKING’s CEO, Henrik Uhd Christensen, welcomes the new addition to his company’s constantly expanding worldwide presence and the growth opportunities it provides in the region:

“We’ve worked in close partnership with Wiltrading for several years,” he said. “They are a professional organization with a strong, service-minded approach to customers – something that makes these activities and the people who operate them an excellent fit for VIKING. We strive to be close to our customers, so we can support their competitiveness with fixed prices, flexibility and fast delivery no matter where they operate.”

At the same time General Manager of Wiltrading, Michael Connolly is pleased that VIKING and Wiltrading can continue their respective growth activities, for example through their popular VIKING Shipowner Agreements:

“With the VIKING Shipowner Agreement rapidly winning favour in the market, and plans for even more capabilities in the future, VIKING has much to offer Wiltrading’s customers and staff. We have always had a great deal of respect for the company, and are really looking forward to leveraging VIKING’s global network resources.”

Brian Jacobsen has been appointed Country Manager for VIKING Australia. He is a former VIKING sales and marketing director, and started the company’s Singapore office several years ago. He has recently returned to VIKING.

17GMS016-RoSPA-Order-of-Distinction-20152Global Marine Systems Limited of Chelmsford, is among the winners in the RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2015 and has been awarded the Order of Distinction in recognition of the company’s 16th annual consecutive gold award.

This achievement is a result of the recent announcement by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). The RoSPA Awards, which date back 59 years, recognise commitment to continuous improvement in accident and ill health prevention at work.

David Rawlins, RoSPA’s awards manager, said: “The RoSPA Awards encourage improvement in occupational health and safety management. Organisations that gain recognition for their health and safety management systems, such as Global Marine, contribute to raising standards overall and we congratulate them.”

Captain Simon Hibberd, Director Fleet & Operational Support, said: “‘I am very proud that Global Marine has been recognised for continued commitment to the delivery of health & safety management systems. Sixteen consecutive annual gold awards from RoSPA is a very significant achievement and reveals the daily commitment to safety by all our personnel around the world.”

See www.rospa.com/awards/ for more information about the RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards.

Stork to Deliver ECITB Certified MJI 21 Bolt Tensioning Course

18TheUnderwaterCentreLeading subsea training and trials facility, The Underwater Centre, is working in collaboration with Stork, global provider of knowledge-based asset integrity services focused on the oil & gas, chemical and power sectors, to deliver a brand new one-day certified course in bolt tensioning.

The ECITB approved course, MJI 21 Hydraulically Tensioned Subsea Bolted Connections, addresses a key activity which every offshore construction diver should be familiar with and will be added to the Centre’s commercial diving training suite, firstly as a standalone course.

It will provide students, of varying levels of experience, with the knowledge and experience of working with and using bolt tensioning equipment, which they can then use in their job – whether on the surface or underwater.

Industry has identified that bolt tensioning is a skill more commercial divers should have experience of before going subsea.

It will be delivered by an expert from Stork’s on-site training facility, who have also supplied all the equipment for the course, and will include isolations, dismantling techniques, inspection of components, alignment techniques and assembly and tightening techniques in specialist critical bolting.

Steve Ham, The Underwater Centre’s General Manager, said: “The courses we deliver at the Centre have been tailored to meet industry needs and this addition is a perfect example of this.

“We have been working very closely with Stork to develop this course so that it provides our students with the opportunity to train with the specific equipment they would be using on the job, allowing them to hone their skills before heading offshore.

“Here at the Centre we have been delivering bolt tensioning training for a number of years, but this new course takes things a step further and provides students with a certified ticket which they can add to their CV.”

Rod Agnew, Vice President for Service Delivery at Stork, said: “We are extremely pleased, to again be working in collaboration with The Underwater Centre, integrating higher levels of Subsea Mechanical Joint Integrity Courses. Stork recognizes that quality training and competency lies at the core of safe operations and our vastly experienced and multi-disciplined instructional team, plan, tailor and deliver courses to meet client specific requirements. The new bolt tensioning course is one example of this and builds upon our extensive list of industry recognized courses.”

Both the Premium Industry and Construction Career Packages provide training in the statutory components of the Health and Safety Executive's commercial diving curriculum, as well as training in the use of subsea tools and practical exercises in carrying out construction and maintenance tasks underwater such as subsea welding and cutting, and rigging and slinging operations.

The Premium Industry Package also includes training in subsea inspection techniques: a vital skill to have when working offshore.

The Underwater Centre is a purpose built training facility which incorporates an extensive pier complex including four dive stations, classrooms, workshops and decompression chambers.

With accommodation and additional classrooms based at the landward end of the pier, The Underwater Centre is set up to provide its students with the skills and experience to succeed in their new careers, and continue providing the subsea industry with the workforce that it needs.

10MOL-Group-logoOil and gas company MOL Energy UK has completed its collaborative partnership process – an approach championed by MOL Energy UK Managing Director Chris Bird following the company’s entry into the UK market last year.

Collaboration has become highly topical for those in the North Sea oil industry, as operators and suppliers recognize the future relies on a movement away from competition and towards closer partnerships throughout the value chain.

’’At MOL Energy UK we are clear the path to success lies in adopting a collaborative business model,” says Chris Bird. ’’And as a new market entrant, we are in an ideal position to create a corporate culture and values-driven approach that is based on effective collaboration from the start.”

After putting into practice the collaborative process required to meet the certification standard BS11000, as well as undertaking a commercial assessment, MOL Energy UK now has five collaboration partners. They are:

1. Subsurface – AGR Tracs
2. Wells – SPD – a Petrofac company
3. Facilities – Wood Group
4. Subsea – Subsea 7
5. Hardware - Proserv

”We are at the start of our journey to overcome the challenges in our current environment and find solutions which will make the basin successful and support government initiatives to attract new investment and maximize economic recovery,” says Chris.

’’From the outset the company has made early engagement with potential partners a priority, and our aim is to build long term, mutually beneficial partnerships. I’d like to specifically thank our partners as well as the rest of the supply chain for their willing engagement in this process.”

MOL Energy UK’s Head of Supply Chain and Procurement, Ian Rattray, says the selection process covered the commercial offering, added value, cultural alignment, managing the interfaces between the company and external partners, resourcing, good communication and having a process for managing conflict.

Collaboration is the theme of the OGUK Share Fair in November, and OGUK, OGA, the Government and Deloitte are working together to embody the need for collaboration within the Energy Bill currently going through Parliament.

18Greenes-Michael-Hayes1Greene’s Energy Group, LLC (GEG), a leading provider of integrated testing, rentals and specialty services, has named Michael “Mike” Hayes as Vice President and General Manager of Pressure Testing and Services (PTS) and the Engineering Group.

Based in Houston, Hayes will be responsible for implementing corporate initiatives and business strategies relating to the operations of the PTS product service line. PTS has 11 locations covering both U.S. land and offshore markets. PTS performs drilling, completion and production pressure testing services along with associated stacking and torqueing of wellhead equipment and gathering system pipelines. PTS also includes Cherokee Pumping Services & Rentals and Nitrogen Services.

Hayes has more than 30 years of operational experience in the domestic and international oil and gas service industry. Most recently, he served as Vice President of the U.S. Eastern Region for Frank’s International and for Weatherford International where he was responsible for managing all sales and operations, QHSSE compliance regulations and organization of business structure.

Hayes is an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC). Additionally, during his career, he has designed and implemented several new tools and technologies that have resulted in more than 16 patents issued/pending.

“Mike’s industry experience, paired with his determination to succeed, make him a great addition to our team,” said Frank Mathews, President and COO of GEG. “Mike adds skills and perspective that will help Greene’s deliver on our core values of best in class safety and service excellence. We are excited to have Mike leading the PTS team as we navigate the challenging waters ahead.”

19AkerSolutions-David Clark highresClark, a UK national, has more than 30 years of experience from the oilfield services, projects and contracting industry, most recently as vice president of production facilities for Schlumberger. He has also held leadership positions at Wood Group and Technip and has broad international experience in overseeing operations and new business developments.

Clark will be based in London and work on expanding Aker Solutions' international presence with a special focus on the African market. He will assume the position on September 21 and report to Chief Executive Officer Luis Araujo.

"David is a true oil and gas professional with extensive experience in some of our most important markets," said Araujo. "His strong track record in business development will be of major value as we grow in strategically important regions such as Africa."

Aker Solutions has operations in more than 20 countries, including the U.S., Brazil and India. The company in 2011 established regional management teams in key markets to better coordinate customer contact and operations between its business areas, Subsea, MMO and Engineering. The UK role has been expanded to include Africa, a major growth market.

15CGGlogoCGG is engaged in an ambitious transformation plan to adapt to the new environment and market conditions. A more centralized organization is now deployed to ensure we have the strongest possible foundation from which to operate and grow in the future.

As from 1st September, the Corporate Committee (C-Com) is chaired by the CEO, Jean-Georges Malcor, and formed by the CFO, Stephane-Paul Frydman, the two COO’s, Pascal Rouiller and Sophie Zurquiyah, and the EVP, Human Resources, David Dragone.

The C-Com will share global management of the Group and responsibility for the various Business Lines, Group Functions and Group Departments.

19SeagullSeagull Oil & Gas has acquired all the shares in the EX training provider, ExTek AS, Norway’sonly centre approved to validate core competency of oil & gas industry employees and contract staff under the globally recognized CompEx Scheme.

With the acquisition of ExTek, Seagull will have one of the most comprehensive and complete packages of El-Safety and Ex training in the market.

“ExTek has been developed by some of the leading experts on electricity in explosive atmospheres, and is the only Norwegian approved CompEx centre,” says Morten Aasen, Managing Director, Seagull Oil & Gas. “We see an increasing focus on high quality training and individual certification in the in the oil & gas industry. ExTek is a natural enlargement of the Seagull Oil & Gas portfolio of products to meet our target to become a complete provider of training solutions for the Oil & Gas industry. We believe the combination of e-learning, required practical training and interactive theory discussions with subject matter experts give the best learning outcome on these high risk subjects.”

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