2014 Supplement to in partnership with NCE Subsea...

World-class subsea solutionsfrom Norway

2014 Supplement to

in partnership with NCE Subsea

NCE.indd 1 1/22/14 10:52 AM

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Profi leNCE SUBSEA FOCUS 2014

NCE Subsea 3

NCE SUBSEA FOCUS 2014

Supplement to O� shore Engineer

Owe Hagesæther is the CEO of Norwegian Centre of Expertise Subsea (NCE Subsea)Education: Hagesæther holds an MSc in Computer and Information Sciences from the University of Bergen and a MBA in Strategic Management from Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration.Experience: He has experience from industries such as oil & gas, banking & fi nance, IT & telecom-munications, energy, governmental, consulting and maritime technology. Hagesæther describes himself as an entrepreneur, with projects including being a founding partner of Nordic Integrator Group, and running and owning management consultancy Nordic Mind, under his belt. His last position was CEO of Sea Hawk Navigation AS (see page 25). He has also worked in senior roles for BKK Marked, Bouvet ASA, and EDB Business Consulting. His earlier career saw him working at Den Norske Bank and Statoil. Other roles: Hagesæther is a board member of Knowit Quality Management As. Interests: Hagesæther lists his interests as – new technology, investments, hunting and fi shing, reading novels, music, history, trav-eling and gourmet cooking. He says: “World-leading expertise on subsea solutions are developed in Norway. This position in the global subsea market is important to both manage and further develop. The Norwegian Centre of Expertise (NCE) is a driver and facilitator for innova-tion and internationalization, and we have an important role in promoting the Norwegian subsea industry’s competence and capacity.” •

Subsea solutions from NorwayBy Tove Ormevik, o� shore installa-tion manager, Skarv FPSO, BP, and chairman of the board NCE Subsea.

Norway is the world’s leading nation on subsea technology, products,

and services. In the Norwegian Centre of Expertise Subsea (NCE Subsea) we are committed to being world-class at what we do—to facilitate and implement activities to strengthen the Norwegian subsea industry.

This was confi rmed when we were awarded the Gold Label of Cluster Management Excellence in 2013. With a 100% score on all evaluation parameters, we got evidence that we are among the best in the world at what we do. Being awarded Gold Label is a major achievement, and an inter-national acknowledgement of the work performed since 2006.

I have followed the develop-ment of NCE Subsea since it was established, and the Gold Label assessment report confi rms that we have been able to focus on strategically important issues, and work closely with stakeholders in the subsea cluster.

We are now working to position NCE Subsea for the next level of cluster

programs. NCE Subsea is one of the Norwegian cluster facilitators best quali-fi ed for status as Global Centre of Expertise (GCE), which is a program for the most mature Norwegian clusters positioned as global knowledge and industry hubs.

We want to build a facilitator for the entire Norwegian subsea industry, based on regional hubs, which will be working on issues specifi c to their geographical and disciplinary areas. The GCE status signi-fi es a considerable boost for the subsea cluster, with additional resources, and a longer-term perspective for the develop-

ment of the Norwegian subsea industry.

We aim for a greater national and international role, and, in align-ment with this, we continue to promote collabora-tion between the world’s leading subsea environ-ments. Most recent

is the signing of an agreement that makes NCE Subsea a model for subsea cluster development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. •

Tove Ormevik

Contents 3 Profi le: NCE Subsea CEO Owe Hagesæther

Subsea solutions from Norway: an introduction from NCE Subsea chairman Tove Ormevik

4 Setting the scene: Analyst Rystad outlines global subsea market drivers

6 Margins to be made: Subsea processing is poised to grow, but also has its challenges. Elaine Maslin reports.

10 Focus on e� ciency: Norwegian operator Statoil is taking action on e� ciency. Torgeir Hågøy reports.

12 Deeper, lighter, composites: Vello Nordic AS’ managing director on deepwater technology.

13 Brazil beckons: South America o� ers fertile territory for AS Connector.

16 Leak detection, a real-time requirement: Elaine Maslin explores e� orts to develop integrated environmental monitoring solutions.

19 World Class Cluster: Heidi Skalevik explores NCE Subsea’s successes and future goals.

20 Powering the future: the subsea power systems of the future.

21 A fuel cell future: CMR proposes subsea power cells

22 AHC in Asia: Scantrol’s active heave compensation solutions thrive in Asia

23 Fabricating the subsea factory: Norway’s NLI Subsea has global ambitions

25 On the radar: Sea-Hawk navigation helps identify “growlers”

26 Subsea metering challenges met by Roxar and Huisman opens Bergen o� ce.

World-class Subsea Solutions from Norway, is a supplement to O� shore Engineer, published by AtComedia.

Supplement editor, Elaine Maslin, [email protected] sales, Brenda Homewood, [email protected] and production, Bonnie James Reprints, Jill Kaletha, [email protected], +1-219-878-6068

AtComedia, 1635 West Alabama, Houston, Texas, 7706-4101, USA.Tel: +1-713-529-1616Email: [email protected] Subsea: www.ncesubsea.no

NCE.indd 3 1/20/14 8:26 PM


20144 NCE Subsea


4 NCE Subsea

The global subsea market has under-gone a tremendous development

over the last decade. From about US$7 billion in 2000, the

market is forecasted to reach more than $40 billion in 2013.

Norway has been one of the pioneering countries in developing the technology and know-how behind the yellow steel that brings the black gold to the surface. So, how will this market develop, and which countries will be the main markets in the years to come?

At the beginning of the millennium, global subsea expenditure totaled $7 bil-lion. By 2008, the global market grew to a high of more than $31 billion.

After the fi nancial crisis, the market contracted, as operators cut back on investments and put projects on hold to

conserve cash. However, since 2011, the market has returned to its growth trajec-tory and 2013 is estimated to have ended at slightly more than $41 billion.

Since 2011, the oil price has trended downwards, while the operators’ capital expenditure has continued to grow. This has put pressure on companies’ free cash fl ow, resulting in a reduction in investment growth. However, relying on the latest demand scenarios by Ithe International Energy Agency (IEA), Rystad Energy analysis indicates that the supply-demand balance for liquids will get tighter as we move towards the end of the decade.

O� shore fi elds will be the most impor-tant source of new liquids production, to deliver on the projected demand growth.

From 2013-2018, operators’ subsea expenditure is forecasted to grow from

$41- 80 billion, equating to a compound annual growth rate of 14%. This is sizable growth. To get there, operators need to continue to sanction projects. But, to put it in perspective, this is far less than the 25% annual growth we saw during the fi ve-year investment cycle culminating in the market high of 2008.

In 2000, the market was dominated by the US, Norway, the UK, and Brazil. These four made up about 80% of the total market. Those markets are still the most important subsea markets globally. But, in 2013, their share of the market fell to 60%, due to the emergence of o� shore regions like West Africa, and Australia. By 2018, the big four’s dominance is forecast to decline further, to about 50% of the total market.

In the next fi ve years, Brazil is forecast to be the largest subsea market globally. Large scale development of the country’s pre-salt discoveries by extensive use of fl oating production, storage, and o� oad-ing vessels, bring signifi cant opportunities for the subsea industry. It is estimated that subsea expenditure in Brazil will be close to $55 billion, over the next fi ve-year period. Predictred to occupy second and third place are the US and Norway, with estimated subsea expenditure of $38 and $37 billion, respectively.

The subsea market has favorable pros-pects in the years to come. The fi rst two steps towards the subsea factory, booster pumps and separation, are already proven. With the fi rst full-scale deploy-ment of subsea gas compression around the corner, the industry is continuing to expand the market space for subsea-related equipment, and enabling future developments that may not be commer-cial or technically feasible today. Following this development into the 2020s will be an exciting journey. •

Jon Fredrik Müller is project manager within the consult-ing department at Rystad Energy. His main area of expertise is in oil fi eld services, particularly

o� shore-related. He holds an MSc in Industrial Economics from Norwegian University of Science and Technology, with specialization in mechanical engineering and fi nance.

Setting the sceneNorwegian technology is a strong contributor to the current global

subsea boom. Jon Fredrik Müller puts the market into context.

Ghana

Malaysia

Indonesia

Nigeria

Australia

Angola

United Kingdom

Norway

United States

Brazil

Source: Rystad Energy DCube 0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Subsea Services

Subsea Equipment

SURF

Subsea Services

Source: Rystad Energy DCube

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

2000 2003 2006 2009 2012 2015 2018

Global E&P subsea expenditure US$ billion by market segment

Global E&P subsea expenditure 2014-2018US$ billion by top 10 countries and market segment

NCE.indd 4 1/20/14 8:25 PM

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20146 NCE Subsea

Norway has a leading role in the devel-opment of subsea processing capa-

bilities, in its own waters, and globally. Statoil’s Åsgard subsea compression

project, in the Norwegian Sea, will be the fi rst of its type, when it comes onstream next year.

As well as proving new technology, the project will help further grow the global subsea processing market, says Norwegian energy analysts Rystad Energy.

Rystad estimates that today’s US$500 million a year subsea processing market could be worth $8 billion by 2020, with subsea gas compression taking a growing role.

While the glitz and glamour of cutting

edge engineering has focused attention on the ground-breaking Åsgard project, and Statoil’s second subsea gas compression project, Gullfaks, some suggest the real money will be in a larger num-ber of much smaller projects, if the industry takes a more industrialized approach.

The overall market consists of four main areas: subsea boosting, gas compression, separation, and water injection.

To date, the market has been dominated by subsea boosting, for oil fi elds, due to high oil prices. Gas compression is starting to gather momentum, but is still at an early phase of maturation, says Audun Martinsen,

analyst, Rystad.Geographically, the lion’s share of the

market has been in Brazil, with about a third of the market,

followed by Norway and West Africa, each with

about 20%. “We perceive sub-

sea processing as an emerging market,” he says. “Currently it has been small awards at an annual rate of about 3-4. It is not that big, so far, but it has huge potential.”

The North Sea

Margins to be made in subsea processingThe global subsea processing market is estimated to reach US$8 billion by 2020,

with Norwegian fi rms leading the way. Elaine Maslin reports.

Audun Martinsen, analyst, Rystad Energy. Photo courtesy of Julia Weiss, Rystad Energy.

Statoil’s Åsgard project. Illustration courtesy

of Aker Solutions.

NCE.indd 6 1/20/14 7:38 PM


Supplement to O� shore Engineer NCE Subsea 7

analyst, Rystad.Geographically, the lion’s share of the

market has been in Brazil, with about a third of the market,

followed by Norway and West Africa, each with

about 20%. “We perceive sub-

sea processing as an emerging market,” he says. “Currently it has been small awards at an annual rate of about 3-4. It is not that big, so far, but it has huge potential.”

The North Sea

will see near-term growth potential, driven by Statoil, as will Brazil, driven by Petrobras, with Southeast Asia and Australia o� ering longer term prospects.

Subsea processing can be applied in green-fi eld and brownfi eld developments, says Marco Gabelloni, senior engineer, Aker Solutions.

In brownfi eld developments, such as the Åsgard project, subsea compression can help increase recovery and extend fi eld life. Subsea processing has potential on existing fi elds, where the water cut has increased towards the end of fi eld life, but topside facilities are unable to handle the extra water content. It can also enable new tie-ins with the produced water processed subsea. Subsea processing o� ers a solution which requires little topside modifi cation.

Using subsea compression early on in green-fi eld developments, can accelerate production—bringing more production in a shorter period

of time, reducing operational costs. It could also o� er a solution in harsh environments, or remote areas, where installing topsides could be di� cult.

O� shore Norway will experience this fi rst-hand next year when the Åsgard project comes onstream. Åsgard will comprise two 11.5MW

gas compressors, with power from the Åsgard A platform, in a 74

x 45 x 26m frame.Subsea compres-

sion as a concept dates back to the 1980s, says Gabelloni. Between then

and now has been 30 years’ work, covering the fi rst prototypes, the pilot on Ormen Lange, and now Åsgard.

Development work involved component and system qualifi cation—the

Marco Gabelloni, senior engineer, Aker Solutions.

Åsgard’s compression station frame being lowered into place last year (2013). Illustration courtesy of Aker Solutions.

NCE.indd 7 1/22/14 10:49 AM


20148 NCE Subsea

Ormen Lange compression alone has involved several qualifi cations lasting a few years.

Future projects will likely require further qualifi cation, to meet project specifi c needs, and or operator-specifi c specifi ca-tions. Åsgard, for example, is in 270m water depth, while Ormen Lange project is in 900m, o� ering di� erent challenges.

“We are now seeing more and more interest from the industry for this (subsea compression),” says Gabelloni. “One of the reasons is that, by placing gas compres-sion subsea, you can put it closer to the wellhead and achieve higher recovery rates, because you have a lower wellhead pressure. Statoil’s estimate for Åsgard is that they will achieve 280MM boe addi-tional production.”

Gullfaks, another subsea compression project in Statoil’s project pipeline, will be di� erent again, with wet gas compres-sion. It is being developed in Bergen by Norway’s Framo Engineering, now part of OneSubsea.

This will see two 5MW wet gas

compressors, in 135m water depth, with power supply from the Gullfaks C plat-form via two 2.5MW electric motors. The compression station will weigh 960-tonne and measure 34 x 20 x 12m, according to Statoil. Start-up is estimated for Autumn 2015.

The next big challenge, in sub-sea gas compression, will be to incorporate gas reinjection, says Gabelloni. “So far we do not see a lot of requirement for it,” he says. “But the company is already considering it.”

Subsea separation is a more mature technology than subsea gas compression, but there are still only a handful of projects in existence. Troll, o� shore Norway, was the fi rst, launched in 2001. Others include systems on Shell’s Perdido in the Gulf of Mexico, and Total’s Pazfl or, o� shore Angola.

Removing produced water using separation facilities on the seabed allows operators to debottleneck topside facili-ties, increasing production. In addition it

helps to reduce the pressure drop in the pipeline from seafl oor to topsides, reduc-ing the wellhead pressure, and enabling higher production, says Gabelloni. The process can also be combined with sub-sea water injection, removing the need to

route water topsides before reinjection.

Aker Solutions is designing subsea

separation systems based on both gravity and cyclonic technology. They are still in develop-ment work, but the company plans to have them com-mercially available soon.

One of the chal-lenges is reaching a certain level of water quality

with a compact system, says Gabelloni. “Generally, the bigger the separator, the

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NCE.indd 8 1/22/14 10:49 AM



helps to reduce the pressure drop in the pipeline from seafl oor to topsides, reduc-ing the wellhead pressure, and enabling higher production, says Gabelloni. The process can also be combined with sub-sea water injection, removing the need to

route water topsides before reinjection.

Aker Solutions is designing subsea

separation systems based on both gravity and cyclonic technology. They are still in develop-ment work, but the company plans to have them com-mercially available soon.

One of the chal-lenges is reaching a certain level of water quality

with a compact system, says Gabelloni. “Generally, the bigger the separator, the

lower the oil in water content that can be obtained. A smaller gravity separator can be combined with produced water treatment components using e.g. cyclonic technology in order to achieve required water quality.”

Another challenge, in the future, will be CO2 separation, currently not available subsea.

However, the most immediate challenge facing the industry is the ability to provide, on time, subsea equipment. DNV is run-ning a joint industry on subsea forgings, in order to try and agree standard practice and parts to improve lead times.

Bjørn Søgård, business development leader, wells subsea and risers, DNV, suggests that, while focus is on the mega projects, the potential could be unleashed in making smaller units, and through industrializing, making them more a� ordable without sacrifi cing qual-ity or reliability.

“Åsgard and Gullfaks are ground-breaking in what they are doing, and they are very big projects. They are pushing all

the limits, with complex systems that are bigger than ever, and more professions involved than ever before,” he says.

“The industry and media is putting a lot of attention on those mega projects. But I believe the really big potential for subsea is to industrialize the more ordinary systems. How many Åsgards and Gullfaks projects will there be in the future?

“The future potential lies in making smaller, more robust units that are more cost e� cient to justify investment to. But those smaller units will naturally have lower performance, meaning they will run with a lower e� ciency.

“Standardization would be a part of making these smaller, robust, profi table systems,” he says. “We take a broader view of standardization in the industry and believe more could be done, including around engineering processes, right down to user manuals, which would not hinder innovation or prevent competition,” says Søgård.

For Statoil, Asgard and Gullfaks are

vital to developing the next generation of subsea facilities. “By these projects, tech-nologies will be proven which will be an important part of future subsea factories,” it says.

Rystad has already predicted there is huge potential for the existing market. Martinsen says there are about 100 projects that could be feasible for subsea processing solutions o� shore Brazil, and about 80 o� West Africa.

But, he says, the supplier market is limited, with three companies, Aker Solutions, FMC Technologies, Cameron, and Framo (part of Schlumberger), with the latter two now part of OneSubsea, dominating.

Depending on operators’ willingness to invest, and take on the risk of new technologies, each supplier could benefi t signifi cantly from taking a leading posi-tion, pointing to strong competition, but also limited capacity, in the market.

“If they are able to win this market that will add 20% on top of their revenues in 2020,” says Martinsen. •

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NCE.indd 9 1/20/14 7:44 PM


201410 NCE Subsea

By Torgeir Hågøy

Subsea will be among Statoil’s most important areas of focus over the

coming years. The company has been involved in the development of subsea technology since the late 1970s, and its fi rst subsea well was brought into production at Gullfaks in 1986.

At present, the company has more than 520 subsea wells in operation, representing over 50% of its oil and gas produc-tion. This has positioned Statoil as the world’s second largest operating company within subsea production of oil and gas.

In the years to come, its share of production from subsea installations will rise steadily. However, for the company to realize its “longer, deeper, colder” objec-tive and vision, a few challenges will have to be overcome. The main di� culties are the escalating cost level and the lack of capacity in the sector.

“Instead of just waiting for something to happen, we are now taking control of our own future. Through the ‘Statoil Subsea Improvement Project’ we have looked into what can be done to improve e� ciency in the subsea sector,” says project manager Johan Kr. Mikkelsen at Statoil.

Third-party companies allowed accessThrough the improvement project, Statoil has defi ned fi ve areas in which they will make a change for the better. These are technical integrity, planning and predict-ability, e� ective after-market, standard-ization and organization, and roles and responsibilities, and are areas where Statoil will look at its own practices as well as implement more stringent require-ments for suppliers.

One of the likely outcomes of this project is that Statoil will allow for main-tenance work on subsea equipment to be performed by third-party companies.

Until now it has been common practice in Norway for this type of maintenance to be carried out by the company supplying the equipment.

“80% of our subsea equipment is over 10 years old, and in the long

term this means an increased need for

maintenance. After looking into avail-able capacity in the industry, we have come to realize the challenges we are facing in terms of future require-ments. The indus-try is heading for a capacity crunch. In order to improve this area, we would

like to qualify third-party companies to compete for maintenance contracts on subsea equipment,” says Mikkelsen.

The aim is to lower the cost level by 20% and reduce the lead-time to four months, i.e. the time elapsed from when the equipment arrives at the workshop and until it is ready for mobilization. “This qualifi cation process will start early in 2014,” says Mikkelsen.

Stronger collaboration with system and technology suppliersHe underlines that a large proportion of this maintenance work will still be carried out by the company’s current suppliers.

“Close collaboration with the system suppliers behind the development and building of technology solutions will be of utmost importance, but we have to strengthen our long-term planning and predictability in order to achieve improved interaction and e� ciency,” says Mikkelsen.

Statoil points out that there is mutual interest in strengthening collaboration in order to maximize the value added by the

technology delivered. “We will have to get together to look at the overall quality and costs, both in terms of completed instal-lations and any future project deliveries,” says Mikkelsen.

Long term commitmentsAccording to Mikkelsen, the future market will present major capacity challenges. The young and underdeveloped after-mar-ket is particularly vulnerable amid growing global demand. This is why it is important to Statoil that the company, together with license partners, is able to manage this trend by making long-term commitments, and through this achieve improved cost-levels and shorter lead-time on deliveries.

“Our target is to operate on a 3-year basis, in order to provide the prerequisites for more e� cient deliveries from our sup-pliers,” says Mikkelsen.

He adds: “I often say that it is more demanding to be a good commissioning company than a good supplier. The objec-tive of the project is improved e� ciency internally, but at the same time we would like to increase the predictability for the benefi t of our suppliers. As predictabil-ity is important in terms of factors such as increase in sta� ng levels and new

Statoil takes action for improved e� ciencyCost levels and complexity in the subsea industry have escalated.

As a result, the Norway’s Statoil is taking steps to increase e� ciency and

cost-e� ectiveness in the sector.

Project manager Johan Kr. Mikkelsen, Statoil

The subsea Tordis project, o� shore Norway. Credit: FMC, Kongsberg Subsea and Statoil.

NCE.indd 10 1/20/14 7:44 PM



technology delivered. “We will have to get together to look at the overall quality and costs, both in terms of completed instal-lations and any future project deliveries,” says Mikkelsen.

Long term commitmentsAccording to Mikkelsen, the future market will present major capacity challenges. The young and underdeveloped after-mar-ket is particularly vulnerable amid growing global demand. This is why it is important to Statoil that the company, together with license partners, is able to manage this trend by making long-term commitments, and through this achieve improved cost-levels and shorter lead-time on deliveries.

“Our target is to operate on a 3-year basis, in order to provide the prerequisites for more e� cient deliveries from our sup-pliers,” says Mikkelsen.

He adds: “I often say that it is more demanding to be a good commissioning company than a good supplier. The objec-tive of the project is improved e� ciency internally, but at the same time we would like to increase the predictability for the benefi t of our suppliers. As predictabil-ity is important in terms of factors such as increase in sta� ng levels and new

premises, this is something suppliers have requested.”

Increased standardization and improved interactionHe emphasizes that there is no doubt that cost-e� ective solutions for the future will depend on rigid standardization. Much of Statoil’s current equipment is due to be renewed, and large parts of this di� er in technical specifi cations. Hence, it is important for the company to fi nd technical solutions that can be used more universally at these installations.

“Subsea is the sector in the oil and gas industry with the sharpest hike in costs. Such conditions are of no benefi t to anyone, and it is important that all involved do their utmost to turn this trend. Industrialization and standard-ization throughout the supply chain are necessary in order to achieve the improvements required. Good interaction with common targets will be paramount,” says Mikkelsen.

This is why Statoil has introduced the pilot project Supplier Board. The main dif-ference from the current meeting arenas

is that all those involved come together in a meeting where a company, such as Statoil, presents an outline of any future needs, and hence provide the suppliers with the prerequisites for e� ective produc-tion planning.

“This is intended as an arena for con-structive feedback between suppliers and customers in areas that are not sensitive in terms of competition,” says Mikkelsen.

Deserves creditTrond Olsen, the former CEO at the Norwegian Centre of Expertise Subsea, feels

that Statoil deserves credit for initiating this project.

“This is a proac-tive step by Statoil.

The company has identifi ed a need for improved e� ciency, and takes the action it deems necessary. Main suppliers in the sector may not be equally happy with the changes this entails, but Statoil

looks to the future and should be com-mended for doing so,” says Olsen. •

The subsea Tordis project, o� shore Norway. Credit: FMC, Kongsberg Subsea and Statoil.

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NCE.indd 11 1/21/14 12:19 AM


201412 NCE Subsea

Composites have been used in the oil and gas industry in

a variety of applications over the past 20 years, including onshore production piping, fi re water pipe, and repair.

Now, increasing demands on materials to meet future technical requirements, such as the demands of deepwater develop-ments, have led the industry, including Norway, to look more closely at composites.

Using glass fi ber reinforced plastic (GRP) and carbon-fi ber reinforced plastic (CFRP) makes it possible to create advanced composite materials, with high mechani-cal strength, low weight, and high thermal insulation. They also o� er a maintenance free option, with dimensional stability and high corrosion and chemical resistance.

“The focus for these materials is deep-water,” says Per Arne Edvardsen, man-aging director of Vello Nordic AS, which has manufactured GRP and CFRP since 1965, in both cold-/hot pressing and sheet molding compound (SMC)/ bulk molding compound (BMC) pressing. Today the company specializes in pultrusion.

The company, based in Skodje, Norway, started working in the oil and gas sector in 2001, working with companies including Aker Solutions and FMC Technologies.

This has seen investment in the devel-opment of new technologies, including

the fi rst carbon-fi ber cable for use in riser-less well intervention (RLWI), in partnership with FMC. Vello has also provided GRP for deck gratings, on topsides. But it has more potential, says Edvardsen.

“We think, with this technology, you can go further,” says Edvardsen. “You

can go deeper with CFRP material than you can with

traditional materials today. The weight and strength ratio will be completely di� er-ent. That is the main drive.”

However, to date, deepwater develop-ments are still rela-tively new, with few projects developed.

Technology developers like Vello face a ‘chicken and egg situation,’ where to get their technologies developed, they need the materials qualifi ed, but the qualifi ca-tion process is too costly for smaller tech-nology development companies, so they need to manage to persuade an operator to try their materials, says Edvardsen.

Engineering practice also needs to

catch up with composite technologies, as engineers still focus on using metals in their engineering, says Edvardsen, which has meant it has taken longer to com-mercialize such technologies. The 2010 Macondo disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has also introduced a level of caution.

“I think it will start to make a real dif-ference in deepwater in about 5-10 years’ time,” says Edvardsen. “We see develop-ment projects taking 3-5 years to become commercialized, then they have to prove the technology for them.”

Vello’s projects include the VELLO Umbilical Rod, a high modulus carbon-fi ber rod produced in long lengths, for use in umbilicals in deep waters. These have been used as strengthening members in deep water umbillical installations in the Gulf of Mexico, down to 2800m water depth, and o� shore Angola, on BP’s PSVM develop-ment, to 2100m water depth, with plans to use similar material as armoring in fl exible risers for ultra-deepwater installations.

Vello is currently working with NKT Flexibles to manufacture lightweight reinforcement for NKTs Flextreme pipe concept for deep water.

“We have some projects we hope will happen this year. Two to three years ahead, we have some new projects also, such as lightweight reinforced fl exible pipes and dif-ferent types of fl exible cables.” •

Deeper, lighter, compositesComposite technology is rising to the challenge of deepwater developments—but are deepwater developments

ready for composites? Elaine Maslin asks Vello Nordic AS.

Per Arne Edvardsen

An Aker Solutions’ umbilical with Vello’s umbilical rod placed around the circumference.

Left: A composite cable with electrical conductors for well intervention.Right: Carbon fi ber creels - the raw material used for making CFRP.

Brazil beckonsBrazil has proved a fertile market for technology development and expansion for Bergen’s AS Connector.

NCE.indd 12 1/20/14 7:48 PM



catch up with composite technologies, as engineers still focus on using metals in their engineering, says Edvardsen, which has meant it has taken longer to com-mercialize such technologies. The 2010 Macondo disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has also introduced a level of caution.

“I think it will start to make a real dif-ference in deepwater in about 5-10 years’ time,” says Edvardsen. “We see develop-ment projects taking 3-5 years to become commercialized, then they have to prove the technology for them.”

Vello’s projects include the VELLO Umbilical Rod, a high modulus carbon-fi ber rod produced in long lengths, for use in umbilicals in deep waters. These have been used as strengthening members in deep water umbillical installations in the Gulf of Mexico, down to 2800m water depth, and o� shore Angola, on BP’s PSVM develop-ment, to 2100m water depth, with plans to use similar material as armoring in fl exible risers for ultra-deepwater installations.

Vello is currently working with NKT Flexibles to manufacture lightweight reinforcement for NKTs Flextreme pipe concept for deep water.

“We have some projects we hope will happen this year. Two to three years ahead, we have some new projects also, such as lightweight reinforced fl exible pipes and dif-ferent types of fl exible cables.” •

By Elaine Maslin

Bergen’s AS Connector is a company that has quickly grown its inter-

national presence through technology innovation.

The company, founded in 2000, pro-vides services and equipment for deepwa-ter pipeline inspection, maintenance and repair. It has been working with Brazil’s Petrobras since 2002, and expanded into several new markets in 2013.

Projects o� shore Brazil include provid-ing a complete deepwater pipeline repair system, installation and supply of sea-bottom riser protection, and correcting pipeline freespans, all involving tools and equipment developed in-house.

AS Connector also developed a remotely-operated riser cleaning and inspection tool, The Riser Sovereign, spe-cifi cally for a requirement by Petrobras’ to clean and verify the integrity of fl exible pipelines, says Pål Magne Hisdal, manag-ing director.

The tool is self-propelled and operated like an ROV. It can attach itself to risers, and drive along, removing marine growth, and performing inspections, to provide detailed information about the riser’s integrity.

“The relationship with Petrobras has developed over many years, and originally

came about because Petrobras was look-ing for a new emergency pipeline repair systems (EPRS),” says Hisdal.

“At that time, AS Connector had only worked a couple of years on integrat-ing hydraulics into equipment used for diverless pipeline repair, resulting in more lightweight and robust equipment, and enabling simpler and more cost e� ective operation.“Petrobras took this concept to heart, and also helped develop the system further by incorporating additional functionality, and applying it to real life applications.”

Since then, AS Connector has worked closely with Petrobras, developing a suite of equipment to solve challenges related to deepwater pipelines. Another

example is AS Connector’s lightweight pipeline lifting tool, which can fi t into a 10ft container, and has capacity to lift and shift large pipelines. This tool, together with a procedure developed in cooperation with Petrobras, has now been used in hundreds of deepwater operations to correct pipe-line freespans.

Because of the increase in work, AS Connector has been growing, and not just in Brazil. At the start of 2014, the company had 40 sta� , mostly engineers, based in Norway, Bosnia, Croatia, and Brazil. By the end of the year, it expects this to have grown to 65. •

Brazil beckonsBrazil has proved a fertile market for technology development and expansion for Bergen’s AS Connector.

Pål Magne Hisdal, managing director, AS Connector (furthest to the left)

The Riser Sovereign. AS Connector’s pipeline repair tool system.

NCE.indd 13 1/20/14 7:49 PM

THE FUTURE OF SOLUTIONS

NCE SUBSEA PARTNERS NCE SUBSEA MEMBERS

More than 130 companies and organisations form the body of the NCE Subsea cluster.

NCE Subsea is supported by: Innovation Norway, the Industrial Development Corporation of Norway and the Research Council of Norway.

WORLD-CLASSSUBSEA SOLUTIONSFROM NORWAY

www.ncesubsea.no

The Norwegian Centre of Expertise (NCE) Subsea is an initiative by the subsea industry for the strengthening and internationalisation of business, R&D and education. We bring together and promote the Norwegian subsea industry, which constitutes a world leading environment for subsea solutions.

To achieve our goals, we work within four focus areas;• Attract and retain talents• Stimulate innovation

• Utilize business potential• Enhance market orientation

design

by colo

urs.n

o

COAST CENTER BASE AS

NorwegianPiping

METALLVAREFABRIKK AS

Mjøs Metallvarefabrikk.pdf 1 15.05.13 18:14

PMS cmyk

o�shore asULTRA SONIC INTELLIGENT SENSORS

NCE.indd 14 1/20/14 7:50 PM

THE FUTURE OF SOLUTIONS

NCE SUBSEA PARTNERS NCE SUBSEA MEMBERS

More than 130 companies and organisations form the body of the NCE Subsea cluster.

NCE Subsea is supported by: Innovation Norway, the Industrial Development Corporation of Norway and the Research Council of Norway.

WORLD-CLASSSUBSEA SOLUTIONSFROM NORWAY

www.ncesubsea.no

The Norwegian Centre of Expertise (NCE) Subsea is an initiative by the subsea industry for the strengthening and internationalisation of business, R&D and education. We bring together and promote the Norwegian subsea industry, which constitutes a world leading environment for subsea solutions.

To achieve our goals, we work within four focus areas;• Attract and retain talents• Stimulate innovation

• Utilize business potential• Enhance market orientation

design

by colo

urs.n

o

COAST CENTER BASE AS

NorwegianPiping

METALLVAREFABRIKK AS

Mjøs Metallvarefabrikk.pdf 1 15.05.13 18:14

PMS cmyk

o�shore asULTRA SONIC INTELLIGENT SENSORS

NCE.indd 15 1/22/14 11:02 AM

Bergen-based Biota Guard AS has been developing a system using live mussels, with an array of other sen-sors, to provide an integrated leak detection system, with real-time avail-ability of data, analyzed by complex algorithms to avoid false alarms, and to monitor long term trends.Naxys AS, acquired by GE Oil & Gas’ Measurement & Control business last year, has developed acoustic and electronic leak detection technology, which can be used in combination. Trondheim-based Trollhetta AS has developed a leak detection system based on analysis of video and images from subsea cameras. Earlier last year (2013), DNV held a workshop with a view to launching a joint indus-try project on leak detection.


201416 NCE Subsea

By Elaine Maslin

A need for higher standards and capa-bilities in environmental monitoring,

especially real-time leak detection, is being driven by regulatory changes and moves by the industry into more envi-ronmentally sensitive areas, such as the arctic.

In Norway, remote monitoring technolo-gies have been highlighted as a specifi c need, following the identifi cation of shortcomings in leak monitoring on the Norwegian Continental Shelf by the coun-try’s authorities.

Norway’s Climate and Pollution Agency (KLIF), now the Miljødirektoratet Norwegian Environment Agency, already sets out a requirement for operators to detect acute pollution as soon as possible. Last year, Norwegian regulators set out new rules, making leak detection manda-tory in the country’s waters.

Norwegian fi rms have been prepar-ing for the changes, with an emphasis on integrated real-time monitoring.

Kongsberg Oil & Gas Technologies is leading a project with Kongsberg Maritime Subsea, DNV GL, IBM, and Statoil on an integrated environmental monitor-ing (IEM) system, which can operate real-time.

Statoil says it currently uses several

environmental monitoring (EM) methods at its installations. It would like a solution, which it says is currently not available on the market, which integrates and enables physical, biological and chemical data to be measured during actual operations.

“An ever-increasing share of our production takes place subsea, in areas located far away from other

infrastructure – such as the far north. The

potential for EM as part of our day-to-day operations is considerable. EM will also make it possible to shut down production or cease construc-tion activity during environmentally sensitive periods,” says Statoil R&D head Karl Johnny Hersvik.

Arild Brevik, business development manager, underwa-ter monitoring and control, in Kongsberg Maritime’s Subsea Division, says: “Real-time access to data is a basis for online processing and fast response. ‘Real-time’ is the key. Other solutions that have been in the market place have been o� ine—you have to recover the system to read out the data. Now it is real-time systems that are essential.”

As well as the IEM project, Kongsberg has been working on a number of R&D projects relating to environmental monitoring and leak detection. In summer 2013, it fi nished sea trials, in Trondheim,

A real-time requirementfor leak detection

Arild Brevik, business development manager, underwater monitor-ing and control, in Kongsberg Maritime’s Subsea Division

Photo courtesy of Mark Johnson

© 2011 rigmover.com

NCE.indd 16 1/22/14 10:12 AM



infrastructure – such as the far north. The

potential for EM as part of our day-to-day operations is considerable. EM will also make it possible to shut down production or cease construc-tion activity during environmentally sensitive periods,” says Statoil R&D head Karl Johnny Hersvik.

Arild Brevik, business development manager, underwa-ter monitoring and control, in Kongsberg Maritime’s Subsea Division, says: “Real-time access to data is a basis for online processing and fast response. ‘Real-time’ is the key. Other solutions that have been in the market place have been o� ine—you have to recover the system to read out the data. Now it is real-time systems that are essential.”

As well as the IEM project, Kongsberg has been working on a number of R&D projects relating to environmental monitoring and leak detection. In summer 2013, it fi nished sea trials, in Trondheim,

for a project called CLAM. Its ALDOG, started by Statoil, looked as subsea gas methane leak detection.

Kongsberg Maritime recently boosted its expertise in the area, buying German subsea engineering services fi rm Embient. The Hamburg-based fi rm, founded in 2010, focuses on integrating subsea technologies into complete packages and solutions.

In particular, it looks at underwater inspection and monitoring, and subsea leak detection, including acoustic leak detection. Kongsberg Maritime is agreed to work with Germany’s CONTROS Systems & Solutions, which develops, produces and markets underwater sensor systems, to detect dissolved gasses such as hydrocarbons, CO2 and oxygen, as well as pH.

In the IEM project with Statoil, the aim is to develop a real-time integrated environ-mental monitoring concept, by building on current technologies and developing new subsea and topside data technology.

Current practice involves point samples of selected physical/chemical and biologi-cal parameters, including sediments, the water column, soil and ground water, as well as remote sensing, follow-up after spills, and visual surveys.

Real-time monitoring involves four main areas: sensor technology for acquisition of data; communication infrastructure; data analysis; and sensor carriers, says Brevik.

Kongsberg already operates in most of these areas, with a range of its own sen-sors, including hydro acoustic, ultrasound, hydrophone. It is also using third party sensors.

“The key is to fi nd the right sensors for various applications,” says Brevik. “Hydroacoustic sensors will detect gas in bubble shape over distances of several hundred meters, while hydrocarbon sn� ers and point sensors will verify and classify. “

Kongsberg has exist-ing wireless technology and communication transponders, like cNODE. For sensor car-riers, Kongsberg also uses cNODE, or Landers (integrated sensor units), as well as mobile sensor units, like AUVs, like the recently introduced Seaglider, intrument ROVs, and also surface

vessels, for the purpose of leak detection. A part of the IEM project has been a

challenge to develop a system for moni-toring the e� ect of drilling operations, including what happens to drill cuttings, in order to protect cold water corals in the North Sea.

The system integrates a number of measurements, including current, and the amount of drill cuttings produced, so that operations can be tailored to protect the corals by predicting where drill cuttings would fall, and so potentially redirecting them. Tests have been carried out o� Horten Pier, at Kongsberg’s subsea prem-ises, Norway.

The project involved integrated sensor landers. “There is a higher interest now in integrated sensor landers,” says Brevik. “There is a case for the integration of di� erent sensors, and integration of data from di� erent sensors. Monitoring of drill cuttings is a good example of this.”

Statoil R&D head Karl Johnny Hersvik says making environmental monitoring an integral part of daily production would be a big step forward.

“If we succeed in taking environmental monitoring from being a separate task to

become an integrated part of daily pro-duction, we will achieve even safer opera-tions and reduced costs,” he says. “This will represent a quantum leap for o� shore environmental monitoring.” •

A real-time requirementfor leak detection

Kongsberg Maritime’s Seaglider. Image courtesy of Kongsberg Maritime.

Kongsberg Maritime’s cNODE. Image courtesy of Kongsberg Maritime.

A Kongsberg Maritime subsea lander.Photo courtesy of Kongsberg Maritime.

NCE.indd 17 1/20/14 7:52 PM


201418 NCE Subsea

By Heidi Skålevik, branding manager, NCE Subsea

Norwegian Centre of Expertise Subsea (NCE Subsea) has the ambition to

be a facilitator for the Norwegian subsea industry and support its status as a global subsea-hub and a world-class cluster.

In 2013, NCE Subsea was awarded Gold Label of Cluster Management Excellence. This is a major achievement and an international acknowledgement of the work performed by the cluster facili-tator, since 2006. The award sums up thoroughly-planned and executed e� orts over many years. Through long-term commitment from cluster partners and members, as well as a team of cluster and subsea professionals, we have provided substantial results contributing to inno-vation and value creation for the cluster.

The results in NCE Subsea have caught

attention internationally. The state gov-ernment of Rio de Janeiro turned to NCE Subsea for input and support in the forma-tion of a local subsea cluster. According to an agreement with the Secretariat of Economic Development, Energy, Industry and Services (SEDEIS), NCE Subsea is to

assist the state government in the modeling and manag-ing of the Rio de Janeiro subsea cluster. When the state

government asked for our assistance, it is because they see what we have accom-plished in Norway and that they have something to learn both in the develop-ment of a cluster and as a facilitator in the creation of new partnerships.

NCE Subsea have been working closely with the supply industry for several years to enable innovation, better technological solutions, and o� er a better understanding of the market. We have gained a lot of expe-rience and are happy to pass this on. •

World Class Cluster

A memorandum of understanding was signed by Julio Bueno, secretary of economic development in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and Trond Olsen, former CEO of NCE Subsea, at the headquarters of SEDEIS, in September, 2013. Sub-secretary Marcelo Vertis (left) and the Norwegian Consul General in Rio de Janeiro, Helle Klem, were also present.

NCE Subsea is an initiative by the subsea industry for the strengthening and internationalization of business, R&D and education. It brings together and promotes the Norwegian subsea industry, which constitutes a world leading environment for subsea technology.

Organizations established in Norway that provide products or ser-vices in or to the subsea industry, or aim to do so, can be a member in NCE Subsea. Partnership is to awarded R&D and educational institutions, authorities, and companies, consid-ered particularly important for the development of the subsea industry.

The objective of NCE Subsea is to promote innovation, increase inter-national involvement and improve the capacity, competitiveness and value creation of individual players within the cluster and for the cluster as a whole.

In 2006, the cluster was appointed Norwegian Centre of Expertise by the Norwegian government. The NCE program is owned by Innovation Norway, the Industrial Development Corporation of Norway (SIVA) and the Research Council of Norway.

NCE.indd 18 1/20/14 7:53 PM

Solving yourinnovation needs!

TECHNI ASYnglingeveien 42ANO-3184 BORRENORWAY

[email protected]

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TECHNI is an award-winning innovation company within development and manufac-ture of sensors, controls and special tools. The company has delivered bespoke solutions for wellbore and subsea since 1997 and has multiple technology platforms to back up new excellent, practical solutions to your challenges.

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Please visit us to discuss your challenges under one of the following conferences in 2014.

Apr 2.-3. SubSea ValleyMay 5.-8. OTC stand No 5141Jun 18.-19. UTC Bergen Aug 25.-28. ONS stand No M1100

Latest innovationB annulus monitor – the electronics less wirelessTECHNIs latest contribution to a safer tomorrow is the patented electronics less wireless pressure and temperature gauge called BAM.The system reads pressure and temperature through the thick steel walls of the casing, and it does so without installing fragile electronics inside the wellbore.

An electronics less wireless! Going beyond the barriers without fragile electronics!

NCE.indd 19 1/20/14 7:53 PM


201420 NCE Subsea

A key component of the subsea produc-tion system is power supply, to pro-

vide electricity to the pumps and compres-sors of the seabed factory of the future.

Currently, power is supply through single cables from the power source for each power consumer, i.e. pump or com-pressor. But work is underway to develop a subsea electrical power distribution system, which would use one power cable. This is a powerful incentive when cables signify a large proportion of the cost of subsea processing systems.

Statoil estimates, in a case with eight consumers (pumps or compressors) and a distance of 200km from infrastructure, an electrical power distribution solution would reduce capital expenditures by more than US$500 million.

The technology would also enable the transmission of electrical power over long distances—key for the development of remote fi elds located far from infrastruc-ture, including arctic areas.

Jan Erik Lystad, an engineer with Siemens, Trondheim, says: “Although conditions on the ocean fl oor are extreme, they are also stable. Temperatures stay at around 4°C and there are no storms or

icebergs. This makes deep-sea facilities much less prone to faults and more cost-e� cient than conventional systems.”

A number of projects are ongoing to cre-ate deepwater electrical power distribution. • At a research center in Bratsbergveiein, near Trondheim, Siemens is developing a subsea power system.

The center has been testing transistors, connectors, and other components for up to six months at up to 460 bar (the pres-sure at 4600m) during continuous opera-tion. To simulate aging, the temperature is kept at 95 degrees C.

The center has so far completed a deep-sea transformer and a 35-ton switching station, both of which have been combined into platforms covered with zinc plates, to protect them from salt water corrosion, and dipped in Trondheim harbor.

They are now working to complete a fre-quency converter, which ensures that oil pumps or gas compressors are supplied with the right operating voltage. Once complete, all three components will be assembled into a single network, weighing about 100-ton, for a fi nal test. • In 2012, DNV, in Høvik, unveiled its OPera concept. OPera is a fl oating power

hub and electrical distribution system, which could supply power to a network of o� shore installations. It would have a 700MW power plant, recovering exhaust heat from seven gas turbines, to drive a second cycle of three steam turbines, with both cycles spinning electrical generators. Transformers step up the voltage before the power is distributed, using 132 kV AC power. It could be mounted on a semisub-mersible platform. • Statoil, with a number of other oil com-panies, and ABB have entered an agree-ment to develop subsea electrical power transmission, distribution, and power con-version systems for 3000m water depth and over long distances.

The total cost for the program, which has a duration of fi ve years, is US$100 mil-lion, including ABB funding.

“The challenge is the distribution of AC power at longer distances,” says Marco Gabelloni, senior engineer, Aker Solutions. “There are some limitations in the distance you can transmit with AC power, without having stability issues. Åsgard is a short distance, 40km. Ormen Lange is longer, driving the need for a di� erent power distri-bution system. The Ormen Lange pilot has a subsea variable speed drive, because of this longer distance.

“The challenge with a subsea VSD is you have quite a big and complex electronic system on the seabed, posing challenges in terms of access to this system, in case an intervention is needed. This is an area where the industry is looking for a simpler system.”

A longer term aim is moving to DC power transmission.

Control systems, for process and power, will also pose a challenge to the industry as it goes into deeper waters. “The challenge is with installation, and the requirement to have intervention, and retrieval, of these modules in deeper and deeper waters,” says Gaballoni. •

Powering the futureSubsea processing is growing - and so are requirements for more power on

the seabed. Elaine Maslin takes a look.

Siemens Subsea Power Grid (middle), Subsea

Distribution Unit (in front of Power Grid),

Subsea Connector (middle), Anguila High-

Power Changeover Switch and Anguila

Cobra Head (left, X-mas tree).

Image courtesy of Siemens AG

A Siemens transformer that has passed its shallow water test. Before that, its components were tested in pressure vessels.

Photos courtesy of Siemens AG.

NCE.indd 20 1/22/14 10:54 AM

CMR’s 12MW concept

template.


WORLDWIDE LIFTING, DRILLING AND SUBSEA SOLUTIONS

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An NCE Subsea-funded study by Christian Michelsen Research (CMR),

in cooperation with Inventas AS, sets out a new concept, in which locally available natural gas could be used to produce electricity through using fuel cells.

The CMR Subsea Fuel Cell Power Plant will provide electrical power to subsea pumps, electrical submersible pumps, and subsea gas compressors. It would be able to produce 12MW of power, within a subsea system, removing the requirement for expensive, long-distance cabling, and providing a safe and reliable source of power generation.

The concept has been created as a local power solution for future subsea factories—seabed developments com-prising process plant, including subsea pumping and gas compression, and enabling remote-controlled transport of oil and gas. Both subsea pumping and gas compression improve oil and gas reourse utilization, through higher recovery rates,

reduced production costs, and enabling production from deep water, on longer step-outs, and in harsher environments.

A key element of the subsea factory is the power supply. “Cables are a major cost driver for subsea processing systems—and the longer and more powerful the cable, the more it will cost,” says Bernt Skeie, CEO Prototech, part of CMR. “If power could be produced locally, cable cost would signifi cantly reduce. In a factory with eight pumps, or compressors, and a 200km step-out distance, local power gen-eration would reduce capital expenditure by more than US$500 million.”

CMR’s fuel cell power plant was devel-oped using the company’s over 20 years experience in fuel cell development and design, amd oil and gas experience. Fuel cell technology has made great strides in recent years, and plants with a capacity of up to 30MW are already installed on land.

“Fuel cells convert chemical energy from fuel into electricity, through a chemical reac-tion with oxygen or another oxidizing agent,” says Vegard Laukhammer, sales and mar-keting manager, Prototech. “Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas, and alcohols like methanol,

A fuel cell futureMulti-megawatt fuel cells could provide power to future subsea factories.

CMR’s 12MW concept

are sometimes used. Fuel cells are di� erent from batteries in that they require a constant source of fuel, and oxygen/air to sustain the chemical reaction; however, fuel cells can produce electricity continually for as long as these inputs are supplied.

CMR’s subsea fuel cell power plant will be based on commercially available fuel cell modules stacked together to produce the necessary power output. A 12MW power plant will comprise 2MW replace-able fuel cell modules, fi xed to a frame, consisting of all necessary balance of plant components.

Natural gas from the reservoir and oxy-gen piped from the surface will be fed into the fuel cells to create electricity, which is then sent via cable to a power distribution unit. CO2 produced in the process would be stored or brought to the surface. It will be protected by a traditional subsea structure, and designed for easy access, for swapping out modules.

“By introducing a subsea fuel cell power plant in the subsea fi eld, operators will be able to eliminate the need for long distance cabling,” adds Skeie. •

NCE.indd 21 1/20/14 8:13 PM


201422 NCE Subsea

Q. Scantrol has experienced great international success in recent years. How do you explain this?

Anette: “The key to our suc-cess is that we supply standard-ized, proven and user-friendly technology. So far, 1035 vessels worldwide are deployed with Scantrol systems. We have a dedicated team at our head o� ce in Bergen but our main operations are international. Over a long period of time, we have established know-how and an international network of partners on all continents, accessible for customers in need of service for their products. Our strategy is that, after training, our custom-ers will be able to do most of the support on the Scantrol systems themselves.”

Q. Asia has become an important market for you. Tell us more about your strategy there.

A: “In recent years Singapore has been an important market for us, where we have now established a solid position with the Scantrol Active Heave Compensation (AHC) System. One example is Fugro Subsea Technologies, who has chosen

Scantrol as AHC partner for its launch and recov-

ery systems (LARS). Their main reason for investing in AHC technology is to increase opera-tional time for the ROV support fl eet. In addition, AHC technology can reduce the reliance on ROV piloting skills, required for certain subsea

operations.”“In addition to fi tting AHC systems

on LARS systems, Scantrol is also working on a number of crane projects. One interesting project uses fi ber rope, instead of steel wire, for subsea operations. The crane takes 4000m of fi ber rope and will be in operation onboard a vessel owned by one of the main subsea contractors. This is a very interesting project, since the fi ber rope can result in more

e� cient subsea operations on even deeper water.”

Q. Tell us more about Scantrol AHC?A: Scantrol AHC is a control system for

winches and cranes used for e� cient sub-sea operations. The control system makes it possible to fi lter away vessel motion that would otherwise have been transferred to the load. The system facilitates safe and e� cient operation even in extreme weather conditions. The benefi ts are reduced operational time and costs.

Q. How about China? A: We work closely with our Chinese

sales and service agent, Powertech, to be present in an important growing market. China is investing heavily in technology, in order to develop the search for petroleum in the Far East. Their focus on develop-ing an o� shore fl eet is attracting Chinese crane manufacturers, and all of the o� shore vessels will be built in China. AHC functions will be specifi ed for the equip-ment onboard many of them. Equipment

built by the crane manufactur-ers is to be used on the

Chinese fl eet, and will not be exported. The

value of such a fl eet can become very benefi cial for China in the future.

Q: What are your future plans for keeping up your international success?

Darren Hammersland-White, technical

manager at Scantrol: “Deep Vision is one of our most exciting projects, an underwa-ter camera system that can identify and measure objects. The system has been developed for marine research purposes and has been tested in cooperation with the Institute of Marine Research in Norway.” •

Scantrol focusing on AHC in AsiaNorwegian control system specialist Scantrol is no stranger to international growth. The company’s current focus is on the Asian market. Marketing coordinator Anette Isabella Bergaas tells us more.

Technical manager Darren Hammersland-White

Marketing coordinator Anette Isabella Bergaas

Scantrol’s AHC system as part of a launch and recovery system.

A team at Scantrol’s head o� ce in Bergen works to develop new

products, including Deep Vision, an underwater camera system that can

identify and measure objects.

NCE.indd 22 1/20/14 8:14 PM



e� cient subsea operations on even deeper water.”

Q. Tell us more about Scantrol AHC?A: Scantrol AHC is a control system for

winches and cranes used for e� cient sub-sea operations. The control system makes it possible to fi lter away vessel motion that would otherwise have been transferred to the load. The system facilitates safe and e� cient operation even in extreme weather conditions. The benefi ts are reduced operational time and costs.

Q. How about China? A: We work closely with our Chinese

sales and service agent, Powertech, to be present in an important growing market. China is investing heavily in technology, in order to develop the search for petroleum in the Far East. Their focus on develop-ing an o� shore fl eet is attracting Chinese crane manufacturers, and all of the o� shore vessels will be built in China. AHC functions will be specifi ed for the equip-ment onboard many of them. Equipment

built by the crane manufactur-ers is to be used on the

Chinese fl eet, and will not be exported. The

value of such a fl eet can become very benefi cial for China in the future.

Q: What are your future plans for keeping up your international success?

Darren Hammersland-White, technical

manager at Scantrol: “Deep Vision is one of our most exciting projects, an underwa-ter camera system that can identify and measure objects. The system has been developed for marine research purposes and has been tested in cooperation with the Institute of Marine Research in Norway.” •

Statoil gives the following statement to the subsea industry: “We are taking

subsea longer, deeper and colder. Through innovative thinking and collaboration with partners and suppliers, we aim to develop the elements required for a subsea factory by 2020.”

The statement has not been missed by NLI Subsea. “All main operators, like Statoil, predict a higher demand for services below the surface than above the surface, when it comes to future oil and gas exploration, production and process-ing,” says Erik Olsson, business develop-ment manager for NLI Subsea.

Growth, interna-tionally, as well as in Norway, is in NLI Subsea’s sights, after the division was spun-out of its parent com-pany NLI in 2012, and a period of consolida-tion in 2013-14.

NLI Subsea special-izes in the process of manufacturing subsea structures, connection systems, tools, and valves etc., through expertize in welding, cladding, machining, surface treatment,

assembly and testing, with some engineering design work undertaken by sister company NLI Subsea Engineering.

The company’s roots date back to par-ent fi rm NLI’s launch in a small mechanical workshop in Mjøndalen, Norway, in 1946. The fi rm starting working on subsea proj-ects in the early 1980s, having worked on topsides facilities, for companies including Statoil.

Since then, the company has had deliv-eries to subsea system companies, such as FMC Technologies, GE Oil & Gas and Aker Subsea, and installation companies

like Technip, Subsea 7 and EMAS Norway and internationally, with projects rang-ing from manifolds to tools, including NLI Subsea’s own products, such as valves, stabs, receptacles, and jumpers.

The last fi ve years, in particular, has seen signifi cant expansion and diversifi ca-tion for the business.

Early in 2013, recognizing growth in the market, NLI split into two companies, NLI Solutions and NLI Subsea. NLI Subsea has six subsidiaries, delivering engineering, products and fabrication services across six sites in Norway, and employing about 370 people, with turnover of NOK 650 million in 2013.

The business has also shifted focus from fabri-

cation of large subsea structures, like large

scale templates and manifolds, to work on smaller/medium size structures and complex systems, like connection systems, and smaller, high qual-ity subsea prod-ucts, like stabs and valves.

The future will see NLI Subsea continue to improve its fabrication services, comprising advanced machining, welding, assembly and test of complex subsea units and structures, says Olsson.

“In Norway we need to focus on what areas we still are competitive within,” he says. “Pure large scale steel deliveries

are hard to compete cost e� ective from Norway, but smaller, complex structures with high demands to quality and expertise still is.” •

Fabricating the subsea factoryNLI Subsea launched last year and the new business unit is looking toward global growth. Elaine Maslin reports.

Scantrol’s AHC system as part of a launch and recovery system.

Erik Olsson, business development manager, NLI Subsea

Cladding operations using Inconel alloy 625 in NLI Subsea’s cladding hub.

Multibore machining at NLI.NLI Subsea’s assembly connection system.

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The future of oil and gas recovery involves accessing increasingly complex reserves. Operators are moving into deep and ultra-deep waters, expanding their oil and gas production into remote regions. Siemens is helping to make these field developments technologically and economically possible with an extensive portfolio of subsea products and systems, as well as with exemplary service and support. Covering everything from connectors and sensors to topside and onshore power supply, in-field subsea power distribution, control, surveillance and processing technologies, we enable enhanced recovery in the most challenging locations.

Answers for energy.

www.siemens.com /energy/subsea

The Siemens Subsea Power Grid reliably supplies and distributes power to numerous consumers across the seabed and downhole electrical submersible pumping systems (ESPs) from an onshore power plant or offshore platform. Currently undergoing the detail design and test phase, it incorporates proven high-quality Siemens industrial components, including transformers, switchgear and variable-speed drives. All power components can be installed separately or on a common structure located on the seabed. As such, it marks another milestone in powering large-scale seabed processing facilities – down to 3,000 meters and more.

Siemens Subsea Power Grid:Enabling large-scale subsea processingPowering installations on the seabed – down to 3,000 meters and more

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Norway’s subsea industry brings with it an innovative supply chain and

support services. One such company, Sea-Hawk Naviga-

tion, helps those operating vessels and submerged equipment control and manage what happens on the surface, as well as beneath the waves—a crucial factor when operating in iceberg-infested waters.

Founded in 2000, and based in Bergen, the company developed the Sea-Hawk Rader to give detailed coverage of ice, and other small targets, as well as oil spill detection.

Paul Her� ord, senior project engineer at Sea-Hawk, said the company’s radar sys-tem is based on its patented Polarimetric Radar. It is an IMO-approved navigation radar, comprising two radars in one; two X Band Transceivers and two antennas, in two di� erent polarizations.

“The two Antennas are mounted back to back, and rotate around a dual rotating joint,” he says. “The signals from the two radars are combined and processed to create a single image much like an aerial photograph.”

The company, which employs about

18 people, saw a need for better radar systems, explains Her� ord. “Sea-Hawk goes back to the 1980s, when o� cers in the Royal Norwegian Navy discussed the development of radar systems, which did not give improved performance over the years,” he says.

“All civilian radar companies were com-peting on the lowest price. So the idea to move towards higher quality, rather than low price, was lit. A few o� cers started with development work, and, based on the idea that two radars are better than one, they developed a system, the Polarimetric Radar, which is now patented.”

Seismic acquisition vessel companies were fi rst to use the system, and in 2012, it was successfully used on a major seismic acquisition campaign in the Arctic.

Polarcus deployed two ICE-1A class vessels, and one ICE-1A* class vessel, to complete two 3D surveys o� shore western Greenland. It was then the world’s largest arctic seismic exploration program, cover-ing Ba� n Bay, about 600km north of the Arctic Circle.

The 12-week summer campaign involved nine support vessels, operating

in groups, with the seismic vessels, dur-ing the operation. All 12 vessels were equipped with enhanced Sea-Hawk X9 ice-detection radars to detect ice. These were operated by two ice “navigators” on each of the vessels.

As part of an ice management plan, data from numerous remote information sources was also integrated.

Their use resulted in detection of numer-ous “growlers” (icebergs rising 1m out of the water, and 5m-long) in due time, and contact was avoided. Zero recordable inci-dents were experienced, with no signifi cant harm to personnel, marine life, vessels or equipment, and overall the project recorded a low technical downtime, at less than 3%.

Others using the radar include those wanting to detect pirates in small fast-going crafts, infl atable canoes and small boats, which the system is able to detect, leading to demand o� shore east and west Africa. Sea-Hawk’s Polarimetric technology can also detect oil slicks on the sea’s surface.

Development work on the radar systems continues, with Sea-Hawk further enabling their integration with other ship equipment, such as cameras or light sources, where radar is used to direct a camera or light towards an object found by the radar.

Sea-Hawk also enables “vessel system integration,” where operators can moni-tor various levels of information, such as radar, chart, satellite, sailing routes, etc., on top of each other, on one screen. This was already achieved with the ION Narwhal Ice Management system, for example. •

Shedding light on o� shore operationsSea-Hawk Navigation has taken the traditional

radar system to new levels—and environments. Elaine Maslin explains.

Suez Canal at Port Said waiting point, visualized by Sea-Hawk’s Polarimetric Radar.

A so-called “growler”, icebergs which protrude less than 1m above the surface, but can still create signifi cant issues for those operating o� shore. Photo courtesy of Mark Johnson

© 2011 rigmover.com

NCE.indd 25 1/20/14 8:18 PM


201426 NCE Subsea

Subsea meters in the North Sea are facing increasingly demanding

operator requirements in two key areas—accuracy and design.

First, it’s essential that subsea meters measure the fl ow rates of oil, water and gas, and characterize the most complex of fl ow regimes in all reservoir conditions and no matter the geological complexity.

With many ageing North Sea wells pro-ducing over a wider range of process con-ditions with more liquid and water present, meter accuracy is vital in handling these changing process conditions. Factors such as changing salinity and composition need to be automatically compensated for. Subsea meters that are operation-ally e� ective and can maintain accuracy over the entire GVF (gas volume fraction) range are key to preventing any lost profi t opportunities.

Second, there is the complexity of subsea fi eld equipment, with more com-plicated and crowded subsea equipment confi gurations and manifolds. Operators are looking for subsea meters that are suf-fi ciently fl exible, light and compact to fi t around existing infrastructure.

So how are subsea meters meeting these challenges?

The North Sea Ormen Lange develop-ment is one of the North Sea’s highest profi le fi elds and comes with challenges, including a 120km pipeline, no o� shore platforms, sub-zero seabed conditions, and

Subsea metering meets challengesthe need for subsea multiphase meters to fi t into the existing subsea control module.

Here, Emerson deployed Roxar Subsea Wetgas Meters for daily water produc-tion monitoring and gas measurement. The meter’s compact design and extreme water detection sensitivity (a detection accuracy of nine gallons of water an hour in a 100MM cu ft/d gas well) have been critical to the fi eld’s development concept and daily monitoring.

Emerson is rolling out a number of new developments to its subsea metering capabilities this year. This includes new technology platforms for more stable and accurate measurements; a salin-ity measurement system that enables absolute measurements of the salinity of produced water; and a new and more robust gamma densitometer system, that improves measurement performance and enables true redundancy. The latest Roxar subsea meter will be more compact than its predecessor, allowing it to be installed on individual wells and in previously inac-cessible locations.

Current trends in subsea production are driving major changes in subsea fi eld instrumentation. Subsea meters are meeting those challenges. •

Roxar subsea metering equipment undergoing a technical inspection.

Subsea cluster attracts Huisman Norway’s subsea cluster attracted

investment from Dutch drilling, lifting and subsea fi rm Huisman.

The fi rm has launched a new business, Huisman Norge AS, based in Bergen, to cover the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The company will be o� ering pipe lay-ing, for subsea developments, cranes, for platforms, vessels, rigs, drilling solutions, well intervention solutions, and plugging and abandonment.

Regional director Geir Bjørkeli says: “Huisman has seen the large growth in

the subsea industry in recent years, with operators looking to increase recovery rates from subsea fi elds through well intervention, slim hole drilling, and inspection maintenance and repair, all of which will require technology we can deliver.

“We believe technology trends in coming years will be new and cost-e� ective solutions for subsea well maintenance, and cost-e� ective solu-tions for extended reach drilling at the

existing subsea infrastructure.

“Within the plug-ging and abandon-

ment area, new, smart and cost-e� ective

solutions are also required.”For Huisman Norge, 2014 will

see the fi rm grow its sta� ng to an esti-mated 5-10 people by the end of the year.

Huisman’s production is divided between its facilities in The Netherlands, China, and the Czech Republic. A new production facility in Brazil should be operational in 2014. Additional sales, engineering, and service support o� ces are in Australia, Brazil, Norway, Slovakia, Singapore, and the US. •

Jan Atle Andresen, is business development

manager-drilling, Huisman Norge AS

Huisman has been working on arctic drilling solutions.

NCE.indd 26 1/20/14 8:19 PM

geoilandgas.com

Integrated subsea systems for enhanced recovery

Comprehensive lifecycle support• Installation & commissioning• Operations & maintenance• Intervention & enhancement• Life-of-fi eld management• Remote monitoring & optimization

Equipment and integrated systems• Subsea trees• Subsea controls• Manifolds & connection systems• Subsea power & processing• Subsea wellhead systems• Specialty connectors & pipe• Floating production systems• Wellstream fl exible pipe

Our customers get higher recovery rates and longer well life no matter how extreme the conditions or confi guration challenges. From new fi eld design and installation to mature fi eld intervention and enhancement, GE Oil & Gas has all the equipment, technology and expertise needed to safely and reliably maximize long-term resource value and overall effi ciency.

Whether it’s advanced maintenance, upgrades or new technology injections, everything we do is aimed at delivering added value — and we have proven capabilities in doing so.

GE Works.

GE_SS_OE_Recovery-011714.indd 1 14-01-17 4:01 PMNCE.indd 27 1/20/14 8:21 PM

World-class service engineers to maintain your subsea production and processing systemOnce your subsea production system is installed and fully operational, Aker Solutions offers subsea lifecycle services to continually fi ne-tune its performance and reliability because a smooth start-up and uninterrupted production keep operators ahead.

Whether you need a spare part or a new supply chain,our highly trained teams are on hand to meet your ongoing subsea service requirements with rapid mobilisation, specialist equipment and expert engineering.

From frontiers to mature fi elds we are driving down the costs and risks of subsea production, for the long run.

Making sure nothing slows you down

www.akersolutions.com/subsea

NCE.indd 28 1/20/14 8:22 PM

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