Swedish marine energy company Minesto has successfully commissioned its 1.2MW utility-scale Dragon 12 tidal energy installation, which has delivered its first electricity to the Faroe Island grid. The 12-meter-wide, 28-ton undersea kite is powered by tidal currents and began generating electricity during its first phase of operation. This marks the most important milestone in the company's history.
China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has launched the first domestically produced submarine Christmas tree. It is a 22-ton piece of equipment capable of pumping seawater with a maximum pressure of 17 MPa into the reservoir. The tree pumps seawater at a maximum pressure of 17 MPa and is expected to increase oil production by 30,300 barrels per day by 2025.
Norwegian company Reach Subsea has secured charter agreements for the Northern Maria and Olympic Taurus vessels to meet growing demand in the subsea services market. Northern Maria is a survey vessel equipped with a 20 ton crane suitable for the renewable energy and oil and gas sectors. The Olympic Taurus is a multi-purpose offshore vessel with diesel-electric propulsion, a versatile choice in the IMR/LCV sector. Both charters are subject to final approval by the lender. Reach Subsea's comprehensive service portfolio addresses the needs of both the renewable energy and oil and gas industries.
Equinor has signed a "major contract" with DOF Group for its Norwegian operations, including the use of Skandi Iceman and ROV services. The contract, worth $47 million to $95 million, will provide two anchor handlers through 2027. The contract will begin in the second quarter of 2024 and consists of a three-year fixed-term deal with three one-year options.
UK-based Silicon Sensing Systems, a joint venture between Sumitomo Precision Products and Collins Aerospace, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with sales growth of more than 65% over the past five years. The company has provided inertial sensors and systems for high-profile projects, including the Segway personal transportation device and the Mayflower autonomous ship. Silicon Sensing's technology has expanded as demand for precise motion sensing data continues to grow in various markets including surveying, mapping and marine. The company’s patented microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology addresses a range of inertial requirements, including single sensors and full 6-axis IMUs. The latest inertial measurement unit, the DMU41, redefines the capabilities of MEMS technology, delivering navigation-grade inertial sensing performance in a compact, rugged and cost-effective package.
Global offshore wind provider Gazelle Wind Power is focusing on the maturation of floating platforms to increase resource availability, as discussed by new chief financial officer Alvaro Ortega.
Ulstein Verft has engaged Norwegian offshore crane supplier Red Rock to supply an upgraded crane package for the updated Nexans Aurora cable-laying vessel. Measuring 31 meters wide and 149.9 meters long, the vessel can accommodate a crew of 90 and has a detached carousel on deck and a carousel below deck capable of carrying 3,500 tonnes of cable. Products will be delivered in 2025.
UK-based subsea robotics and survey company Rovco has added a second hull-mounted survey vessel, Glomar Worker, to its fleet. The four-year charter with Glomar is in response to customer demand for innovative geophysical and geotechnical surveying solutions. Rovco has begun conversion of a sister vessel to the Glomar Supporter, which will be launched as a specialist geophysical exploration asset for the offshore wind market. Staff and support staff will enable site-wide data capture and seamless integration across data sets for time comparisons.
McDermott and Baker Hughes have completed the installation of subsea infrastructure at the Ichthys liquefied natural gas (LNG) field in northern Australia. The work was carried out for Inpex under a 2019 contract. The scope includes the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of umbilicals, risers and flowlines, subsea production systems and subsea well gathering systems. The consortium's responsibilities also include filling the URF EPCI, involving the development of new subsea wells. The Ichthys LNG field is a joint venture between INPEX, TotalEnergies and its Australian subsidiary.
Argeo, an Oslo-listed offshore services company, has completed deepwater inspection services for Shell's Bonga field and will sail to India to work at the National Center for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR). The vessel completed a Shell-SNEPCo contract in Nigeria and is expected to complete the NCPOR project in the second half of 2024. Argeo Venture is also completing a relaunch outside Bergen and installing a second Hugin Superior for an international oil company.