Photograph taken at Oceanology International 2014. Credit to: Trevor Smeaton
In a world of falling energy prices there is a pressing need to achieve operational efficiencies in delivery of offshore energy from conventional hydrocarbons. In recognition of this, Oceanology International 2016 (OI 2016), the world’s largest marine science and ocean technology exhibition and conference (ExCeL London, 15-17 March) will have two new relevant conference strands. The first will explore issues associated with removal, life extension or reuse of offshore assets; and the second, the contribution of the monitoring of structures to risk reduction and improved reliability.
Co-chairs Karen Seath, Interim Chief Executive of Decom North Sea, and Callum Falconer, Decommissioning Manager of Marathon Oil look forward to the first of these sessions in ‘Oil & Gas: What’s next for ageing offshore assets?’ explaining: “With a maximum decommissioning spend forecast for 2017, this conference strand will explore the market opportunities and examine the technology requirements for what is likely to be a bow wave of activity and emerging projects, in terms of engineering skills, new technology, environmental surveys, logistical planning and purpose-built equipment.
“The strand will also consider the counterpoint to these projects and take a look at life extension issues and alternative uses for abandoned fields and structures, ” they add.
“Since its inception in 1969, OI has consistently looked at the latest developments of relevance to both visitors and exhibitors in the offshore oil and gas sector from the early days of exploration, through to production and now life extension and decommissioning, ” explains Event Director, Jonathan Heastie of Reed Exhibitions. “Like all OI 2016 conferences this strand is free-to-attend. Online free registration is at www.oceanologyinternational.
Down to detail
Taking place on Wednesday 16 March, the day-long session comprises eleven highly relevant presentations from experts in their field in three specific sessions – ‘The Technical Challenge’; ‘Life Extension Opportunities’; and ‘The Application of Innovation’.
The Technical Challenge
- ‘Decommissioning: Tackling unpiggable pipelines from host facility’ – Rob Bain, Managing Director, Paradigm Flow Services
- Reversed S-lay for subsea pipelines decommissioning’ – Ahmed Soliman, Master of Science in Subsea Engineering Candidate, University of Aberdeen
- ‘Satellite-based oil spill detection around decommissioned assets’ – Rob Ayasse, International Sales Manager for Energy, Environment & Security, Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT)
- ‘CO2 storage capacity of UK abandoned and depleting fields’ – Margaret Stewart, Marine and Petroleum Geoscientist, British Geological Survey
Life Extension Opportunities
- ‘Findings from HSE’s KP4 programme on ageing and life extension of offshore hydrocarbon installations’ – Andrew Duncan, Lead Consultant, Intertek Production & Integrity Assurance
- ‘Retrofit of real time impressed current cathodic protection – Making life extension a viable option’ – Andrew Smerdon, Managing Director, Aquatec Group
- ‘Maintaining existing platforms for the future’ – Cody Warner, Industry Manager, Deep Trekker
- ‘Engineering to extend life of platform wells’ – Prahlad Enuganti, Technical Manager, 2H Offshore Engineering
The Application of Innovation
- ‘Applying innovative and cost effective approach through remote field appraisal testing “new completion application”’- Gehad Hegazy, Team Leader Operation, ADCO
- ‘Correctly evaluating the risk of downtime due to weather in project design and planning’ – Chris Lovell, Principal Engineer, Xodus Group
- ‘NW Hutton: Seabed recovery complete by 2028?’ – Marion Collin, Senior Environmental Report Writer, Gardline Environmental
Throughout the day there will be breaks for visiting the exhibition and networking.
Packed exhibition
There are Canadian, French, German, Irish, Dutch and US national group stands at OI 2016, as well as a diving pavilion; and individual exhibitors come from 32 countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UAE, UK and the USA. Together they take up over 8, 000m2 of stand space making OI 2016 the largest ever held in its 47-year history. In 2014 there were 520+ exhibiting companies and total attendance over the three days of over 8, 400 industry professionals.
OI 2016 is staged in partnership with the SUT and with The Hydrographic Society UK; the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST); the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA); the Marine Technology Society (MTS); and the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) as endorsing organisations.
Further information on all aspects of Oceanology International including visitor registration is available online atwww.oceanologyinternational.
About Oceanology International
Oceanology International is the global forum where industry, academia and government share knowledge and connect with the marine science and ocean technology community, improving their strategies for measuring, exploiting, protecting and operating in the world’s oceans. Established in 1969, Oceanology International features the world’s largest exhibition for marine science and technology, multiple agenda-setting technical conferences, and a visiting vessels and waterside demonstration programme.
The Oceanology International portfolio includes:
- Oceanology International 2016 (15-17 March 2016, ExCeL London, UK): will build on the success of the 2014 show, which attracted 8, 410 participants – an increase of 10% over 2014. Exhibitor figures at the world’s largest marine technology and ocean science show were higher than ever before with 528 exhibiting companies from 35 countries. www.oceanologyinternational.
com - Catch the Next Wave 2016 Now in its third edition, Catch the Next Wave is an exclusive conference taking place on14 March 2016, the day before Oceanology International 2016 at the prestigious Royal Institution, London. The event takes a longer term view of the capabilities that will shape our future ability to explore, understand, exploit and protect the oceans, with a focus this year on next generation robotics and automation. www.ctnwconference.com
- Oceanology International China 2016 The fourth show in the annual series will be held 9-11 November 2016, CECIS, Shanghai, China. Developed with government and industry associations it provided organisations with the opportunity to capitalise on China’s rapidly growing offshore energy and marine industries. www.oichina.com.cn/en
- Oceanology International North America 2017 (14-16 February, 2017, San Diego Convention Center). The launch of this biennial conference and exhibition is in line to attract more than 2, 000 marine energy professionals and 250 paying conference delegates. www.
oceanologyinternationalnortham erica.com
