2019:  MARCH | APRIL
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Norway Oil Major Cuts
Emissions from Ops

Since 2011, Equinor has reduced CO₂ emissions from its logistical operations for the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) by 600,000 tonnes. The company’s ambition is to halve emissions in the NCS supply chain by 2030.

In January, NorSea opened a shore-to-ship power supply station at the Dusavik supply base by Stavanger. This base is the latest in a row of supply bases where vessels on Equinor contract are offered shore power while at berth and charging of their onboard batteries.

Shore-to-ship power supply is one of several measures to reduce emissions in logistics. Thirteen supply vessels on long-term contracts with Equinor have installed shore power systems on board, and a further five vessels in the contract portfolio will be prepared for shore power supply during 2019.

DSM Mooring Contract
For Diamond Rigs

Vryhof and its mooring business, Deep Sea Mooring (DSM) have signed a multi-year agreement with Diamond Offshore. DSM will provide mooring and related equipment to several of Diamond’s rigs and will work closely with Diamond in developing Diamond’s mooring integrity management system (MIMS) for offshore operations.

Diamond’s MIMS covers procurement standards, inspection and maintenance standards, certification requirements, risk exposure and protocols, design and assessment standards, and operational practices.

Science, History on Transition Of Rigs to Reefs

Offshore oil platforms have an immense presence, physically, financially and environmentally. Some 6,000 rigs pump petroleum and natural gas worldwide. A growing number of decommissioned rigs have found new purpose as human-made reefs.

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have published a comprehensive study of the history, ecology and pragmatics of rigs-to-reefs efforts in the journal Ocean and Coastal Management. The scientists hope the study will help California make an informed decision on how to handle platforms slated for retirement off its coast.

JIP to Facilitate Sustained
Safe Production for TTRs

2H Offshore announced the launch of the TRACS (tensioned riser assessment for continued service) joint industry project (JIP). 2H Offshore will work with operators to develop top tension riser (TTR) reassessment and life-extension guidance.

The JIP’s participants include Anadarko, Shell and BP. The project’s objectives are to develop a road map to assess issues relating to the fitness for service of TTRs and provide recommendations for the mitigation of potential issues. The JIP will then use data from participant-supplied case studies to validate the methodology and provide documented examples for future guidance.

Currently, there is no single guideline in the U.S. that addresses TTR reassessments and life-extension programs in detail. The JIP will bridge the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and American Petroleum Institute frameworks and achieve industry consensus on the analysis and inspection data and documents required to assess the feasibility of an extended service life.

The JIP will address issues including fatigue, corrosion and change of service. Recommendations for mitigation measures will be developed that take environmental and operational histories into account. The latest refined analysis, inspection and monitoring tools will be evaluated to help provide an accurate assessment of equipment condition that is a key component of continued service-assessment programs.

Planet Ocean Becomes
UK, Ireland Rep for EOM

Planet Ocean Ltd. and EOM Offshore LLC has formed a strategic relationship; Planet Ocean will now serve as an exclusive representative for EOM Offshore in the U.K. and Ireland.

Planet Ocean represents a broad range of oceanographic instruments, and the addition of EOM Offshore’s specialized mooring equipment to its portfolio will strengthen the company’s capabilities.

EOM Offshore is a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) spin-off that was established to commercialize its patented stretch EM cable, along with its electromechanical chain and its marine recovery systems. The stretch EM cable solves problems commonly associated with traditional catenary mooring systems, and it provides an ideal platform for real-time acoustic monitoring due to its ability to isolate ambient noise from acoustic sensors that are on the mooring.

EOM Offshore was recently awarded a Small Business Innovation Research grant to develop a version of its stretch cable carrying fiber optics, and it has developed a prototype for a conservation mooring that will be used to restore seagrass meadows in ports and harbors.

Completion of Texas Colt
Offshore Route Investigation

TDI-Brooks International Inc. has completed the geophysical and geotechnical phases for the Texas Colt Pipeline. The scope for the offshore pipeline route investigation was from the HDD/DP exit nearshore Freeport at 20-ft. depth to the proposed offshore platform at Block BA466 in 110-ft. depth at a distance of approximately 31 mi.

TDI-Brooks’ vessel RV Brooks McCall was deployed to complete phase one to perform the pipeline route geophysical (hazard/arch/bathymetry) survey.

TDI-Brooks vessel RV Proteus was deployed to complete phase two of the project, which consisted of 6- and 9-m piston cores, box cores and piston cores, JPC and gCPT.