US oilfield services provider Expro has acquired UK-based Coretrax, expanding its well construction and intervention solutions portfolio. The acquisition, led by Buckthorn Partners, will strengthen Expro's presence in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, North Africa, North and Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. The deal, which was completed with a total consideration of $75 million and 6.75 million Expro common shares, aims to enhance the company's capabilities and customer relationships.
ISE launches revolutionary subsea surveillance team integrating XL UUV and subsea docking system. This innovative system offers unprecedented range and durability, making surface treatments optional. The docking system enables seamless data transfer and charging while the AUV remains underwater, with charging rates up to 400 VDC and data transfer rates of 400 Mb/s.
NAV Engineering has launched its latest crew transfer vessel design, the HybriNav35, 35.4m long. The vessel is designed to extend endurance up to two weeks to support 24/7 on-site transfers and transit for O&M and construction sites at offshore locations. Both vessels have unique hull designs and hybrid propulsion systems.
UK-based offshore energy supply chain Balmoral Comtec has secured a multi-million dollar contract from Ørsted to supply cable protection systems for its Hornsea 3 offshore wind project. The contract includes design engineering, supply of 400 cable protection systems and handling and installation training. Balmoral Comtec’s patented system is designed to improve the operational performance and fatigue life of underwater cables. Hornsea 3 is the world’s largest offshore wind farm and is expected to be operational by 2027.
Researchers have discovered a potential breeding ground for smooth hammerhead sharks near an island in Ecuador's Galapagos archipelago. The "nursery" will be the first breeding site for the species, which is considered "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's list of threatened species. The Galapagos Islands are home to many unique species and were crucial to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.
New research reveals potential effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on hormones in sea turtles. The 2010 oil spill exposed hundreds of thousands of sea turtles to oil and killed up to 86,500 juvenile Kemp's ridley turtles, a critically endangered species. A total of 319 live sea turtles were recovered following the spill and transported to rehabilitation facilities for medical evaluation and treatment. Scientists at the New England Aquarium's Anderson-Cabot Marine Life Center have developed a test to analyze the hormone aldosterone in sea turtle blood. The results showed that when the turtles arrived for treatment, they had abnormally elevated concentrations of aldosterone, corticosterone and thyroid hormones, which can affect metabolism, electrolytes and other processes.