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Robots Rule - Friday, November 21, 2008

For years the oil and gas industry has used systems controlled remotely by expert operators. Now, new projects could turn remotely operated vessels (ROVs) into highly specialised robotic systems.

While using robots can have advantages in some applications, such as improved safety for workers, the industry is still warming to the idea of widespread use.

In our spotlight this month, we examine the latest developments in robot technology, and take a special look at Scandinavia's largest research organisation SINTEF, which is working with Norwegian energy producer StatoilHydro on a new concept to create a remotely operated offshore platform.

SMi
Spotlight
Corrodere
Offshore Robots Offshore Computer Simulation
Get Ready for the Robots
Anders Røyrøy, production facilities researcher at the Bergen Research Centre of StatoilHydro says his company wanted to extend the way robots are used by using them under the sea, instead of just floating on the surface.

One challenge that robotics companies face in selling to the oil and gas industry is the capability of the technology, but the proven resilience and performance standard allays many concerns in this regard.

Cost, however, could be a more difficult hurdle to overcome. To find out more, including information on why subsea operations are set to include more robotic elements in the future, click here.
Latest Jobs from Industry Appointments
Control Systems Engineer
Our client, the largest fully independent system integrator in the oil and gas and petrochemical industries, is seeking a control systems engineer.
Engineering Manager
Offering unparalleled expertise in engineering and project management, our client has a fantastic opportunity hfor a new engineering manager.
Senior / Principal Procurement Engineer
Our client's Glasgow office is actively looking to strengthen its procurement group and is recruiting into the key positions of senior / principal procurement engineers.
Quality Engineer
Our Client serves the chemicals and polymers, refining and onshore oil and gas industries and they are actively seeking a quality engineer.
New and Updated Companies
Accommodation and Facilities
Markhus - Architectural and Structural Engineering, Project Management and Supply of Prefabricated Modular Units
Normod - Turnkey Accommodation and Special Service Modules
REME Industrial Flooring - Installation of Epoxy Resin and Polyurethane Floor Screeds and Coatings

Airlifts, Helidecks and Refuelling systems
Eastern Petroleum Supplies - Helicopter Refuelling Systems

Cables, Umbilicals and Accessories
Rockbestos-Surprenant Cable Corp - Specialty Wire and Cables
Tele-Fonika Cable Americas - Marine Shipboard and Offshore Oil and Gas Cables

Corrosion, Cathodic Protection, Coatings and Insulation
Armacell - Armaflex® - Thermal and Acoustic Insulation and Arma-Chek Covering Systems
MCU-Coatings - Moisture Cure Urethane (MCU) Marine Paint and Protective Coatings
Muehlhan Surface Protection - Marine Surface Protection

Design, Engineering and Construction
Derrick Services (UK) Ltd - Derrick and Mast Fabrication, Modifications, Repairs, API Inspections and Rope Access Services
ICON Engineering - Installation and Design of Offshore Platforms, and Offshore Drilling Rig Projects
Neptune Marine Services - Integrated Subsea Engineering Solutions
Prefi Prefabricated Buildings - Modular Prefabricated Buildings, Wide Spanned Structures and Trailers
SAFI Quality Software - Petroleum Structural Engineering Software

Dredging, Piling and Trenching
Seatools - Underwater Equipment and Dredging Instrumentation Specialists

Flare Systems and Equipment
Himech Equipments - Flare and Burner Boom Systems for Offshore Applications

Hardware, Software and Information Management
4Projects - Document Management and Collaboration Software

HVAC Systems
HVAC & Refrigeration Engineering - HVAC and Refrigeration Project Engineering, Installation, Commissioning, Manufacturing, and Maintenance and Repair Services

Inspection, Maintenance and Repair
Albright Project Services - Inspection and Engineering Services
Hydratight Operations - Bolted Joint Solutions and Machining Services
I.D.E.A.S. - Plant Integrity Monitoring, Fitness for Service (FFS), Stress, Flow and Vibration Assessment
Offshore Scaffolding Sales - Scaffolding Equipment for the Oil and Petro-Chemical Industry
Tank Calibrators - Hydrostatic Pressure Testing of Pipelines

Instrumentation
Fugro Structural Monitoring - Structural Measurement Services and Systems
Waaree Instruments - Process Control Instrumentation

Lifting Equipment, Cranes and Winches
ACE - Hydraulic Winches and Deck Machinery for the Offshore Industry
J.D. Neuhaus - Explosion Proof Air Powered Lifting Equipment
KENZ FIGEE - Offshore Cranes and Related Lifting Appliances
SAS Winches - Heavy Duty Winches, A&R Winches, Storage Reels, Mooring Winches, AHC and AHT Winches
Speedy Lifting - Lifting Equipment Hire
Strainstall - Stress Analysis and Load Monitoring

Logistics
TEK-Ocean - Specialist Subsea, Logistics and Maritime Services

Mooring, Chains, Ropes and Anchors
Unirig - Rigging, Lifting and Mooring Equipment Manufacture, Testing and Supply

Pipelines and Piping Components
Amiga Engineering - Pipe Flanges, Swivel Flanges, Self-Reinforced Nozzles, Long Weldnecks, Buttweld Fittings, Tubeplates and Hydrocyclone Plates
Brück - Stainless Steel Flanges, Special Forges and Hot Rolled Rings
Fluoro Pacific - Fluoro-Polymer Equipment and Engineering Services
RCR Stelform - Design, Supply, Manufacture, Installation and Maintenance of Pressure Retaining Equipment

Power Generation and Propulsion Machinery
Energyst Cat Rental Power - Caterpillar® Offshore Power Modules and LV Transformers

Processing, Separation, Filtration and Water Treatment
Separation Specialists - Flotation Equipment Service and Repair
Siemens Water Technologies - Total Water Management

Professional Services, Training and Recruitment
MAREX Marine and Safety Services - Technical Authorship, Risk Assessment and Consultancy Services

Pumps and Compressors
Hughes Pumps - High Pressure, Positive Displacement Pumps and Water Jetting Equipment
MAN Turbo - Turbomachinery
Pneumatic Partners - Compressed Air and Nitrogen Systems
TPS - Transportable Tanks and Pumping Services

ROVs, Diving and Cameras
Saab Seaeye - Electric Powered ROV Systems
Sub-Atlantic - Electric ROV Systems and ROV System Components

Safety, Survival and Protection for Hazardous Areas
Donut Safety Systems - Escape Systems for the Offshore Industry
NITTI - Safety Footwear
SpanSet - Synthetic Lifting Systems, Load Restraint, Height Safety, and Edge / Impact Protection

Valves and Actuators
G.A. Valves Sales - Air Vent Valves, Vacuum Valves, Isolation Valves and Automatic Control Valves
Just Valves - Valves, Actuators and Associated Services
Latest Press Releases
4Projects - 4Projects Heads Stateside
Agito - SimulationX Global Subsea Center Expands
Airpack - Airpack Present at OSEA Exhibition in Singapore, 2-5 December 2008
CETCO - CETCO Oilfield Services Director Set to Move to KL to Support Growth
EPCglobal - EPCglobal Acquired by US-Based MPS Global
G.A. Valves Sales - GA Valves Deliver Large Air Valves to Yemen LNG Project
Hotwell - Hotwell at SAOGE 2008
Hydratight Operations - High-Pressure Jointing: Sabic Training
Hydratight Operations - Hydratight Launches New Well-Head Intervention Service
I.D.E.A.S. - I.D.E.A.S's New Plant Integrity Solution and Wireless Technology Revolutionise Maintenance Management
Innova Systems - Innova Launches SolidWorks 2009 at 3D Design Event
Innova Systems - Innova Wins Acclaim for SolidWorks Training and Support
InterDam Merford - LIGHT Operation for HEAVY Duty Sliding Doors
MCT Brattberg - The Leading Cable and Pipe Transits Company, MCT Brattberg, Builds a New Safety Center
Prefi Prefabricated Buildings - Prefi Welcomes Visitors to ADIPEC 2008
ProAnalysis - Proanalysis Secures First Order from Asian FPSO Market
R. STAHL - Dispatch Lead Time Starts at Two Days for Customised Solutions
R. STAHL - Easy Integration of IS1 Systems into Asset Management and Condition Monitoring Solutions
R. STAHL - Expanded Ethernet Connectivity for Eagle Operating Systems
R. STAHL - Hot Swap of Fieldbus Barriers in Explosive Atmospheres
R. STAHL - Turnkey Surveillance Systems for Hazardous Areas
ROSEN Group - Inspection for Shallow Internal Corrosion
Saab Seaeye - ROV Rebuild Success - To Live Another Day
SAS Winches - A New Contract for SAS Winches Puts the Counter to a Total of 20 Winches
SAS Winches - SAS at OSEA 2008 and DOT 2009
SAS Winches - SAS Further Expands its Business
SAS Winches - SAS Winches Secure Their First Major Contract
Scanmudring - Scandredge ROV Manipulator
Snap-on Industrial - New Snap-On Industrial Catalogue
Strategic Marine - Strategic Marine Launches Floating Dry Dock Base
TorcUP - TorcUP is Pleased to Announce TorcUP MED
TorcUP - TorcUP's Raptor Series Pneumatic Torque Wrench is Finalist for 2008 Plant Engineering Product of the Year Award
URACA - URACA Builds a New Production Hall
URACA - Visit URACA at Adipec 2008
Yokogawa Europe - Yokogawa Europe and Rovsing Dynamics Announce New Partnership
Yokogawa Europe - Yokogawa Releases New DXAdvanced R3 Data-Acquisition and Display Station for Networks
Events
Pipe Tech World Summit 2008, Intercontinental, istanbul, Turkey.
Refining Economics, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
World Drilling Congress 2008, Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore.
Deep Water Angola Summit, Talatona Conference Centre, Luanda Sul, Luanda, Angola.
INMEX China 2008, Guangzhou Jinhan Exhibition Centre, Guangzhou, China.
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