Under the Sea

In offshore oil and gas, the real action is now “Sub-Sea”   The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston is always a great showcase of the newest and best technology serving the offshore market. The event attracts 80,000+ attendees annually, who get to see some of the most interesting technology on the planet – in any industry. For example, in offshore oil and gas, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) aren’t some kind of Buck Rogers vision – they are a reality in every day work!

It doesn’t take an offshore engineer (or even a less talented rocket scientist) to see that some of the most innovative technology revolves around what is being done on the seafloor itself. Techniques such as sub-sea gas compression – unheard of just a few years ago – are now becoming a reality.   Most of the key players in offshore oil and gas exploration and production – as well as the major service companies – are embracing sub-sea as the scene of the real action.

Here are just two of the many “sub-sea oriented” marketing messages seen at OTC:

From Aker Solutions: “The seafloor is the new surface” – watch a cool animation of Aker’s solutions from near shore to deep sea

From FMC Technologies: “The New Factory Floor” – more animation of FMC technology beneath the sea floor   The move to the seafloor has key implications for asset visibility and enhanced supply chain management. With less surface platforms available to stage extra inventory and equipment, there is no margin for error. Having the right equipment, in the right place, at just the right time is absolutely paramount. Thus the requirement for GPS tracking offshore is growing.   Add in the fact that more, but smaller, specialty vessels are now being used to service the seafloor. Those vessels are working ships (not just “trucks on the water”) – with limited room for the exact equipment being installed and/or serviced. It is simply not possible to say: “we’ll send it on the next boat” if a key asset is missing. Visibility is required for key orders, including the CCU that may hold the equipment and an IBC that contains key chemicals.   At Geoforce, we’re proud to be an important part of the effort to streamline the supply chain to the new oil and gas site – the seafloor.