In this issue... Patent granted for BMT Insulation Strain Measurement System. Read more on page 3.
BMT Cordah provides environmental support for UK oil & gas licensing. Read more on page 5.
BMT REMBRANDT simulation service improves planning and safety. Read more on page 7.
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Upcoming Conferences for BMT Offshore Oil & Gas
Message from the Sector DirectorDr. Ralph Rayner
Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA) Convention & Exhibition 2013Jakarta Convention Center • Jakarta, IndonesiaMay 15-17, 2013Visit our companies at Booth #AS 31
Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association Conference (APPEA) 2013Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre • Brisbane, QLD AustraliaMay 26-29, 2013Visit our companies in Booth #423
OTC 2013Reliant Center • Houston, TX, USAMay 6-9, 2013Visit our companies at Booth #2441-E
A look back over the last few decades reveals just how much of a role innovation has played in delivering conventional and renewable sources of energy to meet ever growing global demand.
In the offshore oil and gas sector, the move into deeper water has only been made possible through use of novel offshore structures. The ability to install, maintain and operate subsea equipment associated with deepwater fields depends on innovative robotic technologies to support survey, inspection and subsea tasks. In the development of offshore wind power, there has been constant innovation in the scaling of offshore devices leading to the huge offshore wind turbines now being installed in large numbers in northern European waters. We are also seeing the transitioning of a variety of wave and tidal energy devices from novel laboratory ideas through to full scale prototypes with the
emerging prospect of installation of fully operational systems on a significant scale. And we should not forget the game changing innovations in drilling which have not only revolutionized offshore hydrocarbon production but now play a key role in game changing solutions to onshore production of non-conventional natural gas and oil.
None of this would have happened unless engineers, scientists, and technologists had constantly challenged the boundaries of what is possible. Through its rich heritage in applied research and development, its independent employee ownership structure and its highly talented and innovative staff, BMT is well positioned to deliver innovative solutions to exacting customer requirements.
This issue of energy matters showcases just a few examples of recent innovation across the
group. From the use of neural networks in data analysis; through simulation of complex tow-outs and installations to patented engineering solutions to safe operations at sea and measurement of structural integrity, articles demonstrate how BMT’s culture of innovation is supporting safe, economic and environmentally sound delivery of new energy resources across the globe.
to monitor bending strain and fatigue on production gas export risers in the Touch Down Zone (TDZ). BMT will soon utilize this technology for two additional projects in Brazil.
Rod Edwards, Vice President, Business Development at BMT Scientific Marine Services comments: “BMT was motivated to develop this process by the demand for securely attaching strain sensors to deeply submerged insulated pipes - the outside dimensions of which change substantially under the influence of large swings in pressure and temperature, particularly during installation
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Patent Granted for BMT Insulation Strain Measurement SystemBMT Scientific Marine Services has been granted a patent for its strain measurement system and unique attachment scheme that can be integrated into the insulation layer on ultra-deep water Steel Catenary Risers (SCRs).
U.S. Patent No. 7,891,254 recognizes the device and method, invented by BMT’s riser engineers, that monitors strain on steel pipes with reduced or eliminated disruption of the insulation layer that covers the pipe. The attachment scheme is less intrusive than previous strain monitoring solutions.
This technology was first deployed offshore in Nigeria
Message from the Sector DirectorDr. Ralph Rayner
but also during lifetime operations.”
He continues: “This behavior makes conventional clamping systems risky. We also sought to avoid attachment schemes that forced the removal of insulation in areas like the Touch Down Zone where regions of low temperature and scant insulation are unacceptable for flow assurance. Finally, being on the outside of the insulation maintained our sensors at a relatively constant temperature for optimum performance and stability.”
BMT’s Patented Insulation Strain Measurement System
For more information, please e-mail [email protected].
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Data Management FocusArtificial Neural Network: Increasing Reliability of RiserMonitoring Systems
Riser Monitoring Systems are designed to help operators to reduce operational risk by providing information about bending and fatigue to assess riser degradation. In spite of efforts to keep monitoring systems in working condition by following planned maintenance and upgrades, some sensors may fail intermittently or may generate spurious data. Quite often, intervention to repair or to replace a faulty sensor is either difficult or not feasible.
BMT Scientific Marine Services has developed various methods to estimate critical platform integrity parameters with satisfactory confidence in cases when direct measurement is temporarily unavailable or questionable.
For more information on this service, please contact [email protected].
Hybrid Riser Tower Bending Moment Estimates for Different Failure Modes
One method is the Artificial Neural Network (ANN), a tool to estimate parameters that have been confidently measured when all sensors were fully functional.
ANN has been widely used in various applications across different industries to identify complex nonlinear relationships between input and output data sets.1 These models have been widely used as universal approximators that can learn data by example2 and where the characteristics of the processes are difficult to describe or estimate using physical equations.
The structure of a neural network consists of a large number of interconnected
processing elements which work together. The key to a successful ANN application is the availability of reliable representative data. The ANN is trained using representative data of inputs and the expected output.
To simulate the failure of each sensor, several networks were generated. Each network was designed to simulate a particular failure mode. In order to simulate the failure modes, one or more sensors were selectively removed as inputs to the ANN while still keeping the expected values of tension and bending moment as the target outputs.
ANN stands out as a robust method for estimating tension and bending in the face of sensor failures. The ability to use several inputs and learn from past data helps ANN work better. In the figure provided, the ANN method outperformed the conventional plane fitting algorithm used when aggregating measurements that are distributed spatially.1 M.T. Hagan, H.B. Demuth and M.H. Beale, Neural Network Design, Stamford, CT, USA: Thomson Learning, 1996.
2 S. Ferrari and R. F. Stengel, “Smooth Function Approximation Using Neural Networks,” IEEE Transactions on Neural Networkds, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 24-38, 2005.
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For more information, please e-mail [email protected].
BMT Provides Environmental Support for Latest UKCS Licensing Round
For more information, please e-mail [email protected].
BMT Cordah has recently supported several major companies including Endeavour Energy UK Ltd, in their applications for the latest UK Oil and Gas Licensing Round.
The 27th Offshore Oil and Gas Licensing Round saw a record number of applications being put forward indicating that UK oil and gas investment is set to flourish. BMT provided environmental support to UKCS operators in the preparation of the required screening assessments which clearly summarize the sensitivities and potential environmental impacts of seismic and exploration drilling activities, in the areas of interest.
Norman Di Perno, Managing Director of BMT Cordah comments: “A comprehensive understanding of the relevant environmental regulations, directives and international agreements is key when supporting our customers through this detailed application process. With our strengths in offshore operations, impact assessments and consenting procedures, BMT was ideally placed to offer a high quality service and meet the rigorous environmental requirements.”
To enable the UK Government’s Department for Energy and Climate Change to assess environmental competence, BMT assisted customers with their
submission under four key environmental areas: Pollution Liability; Environmental Regulations and Organisation; Legislative Compliance and Environmental Sensitivities and Issues.
BMT Selected to Provide EFMS System for LLOG Delta HouseLLOG Exploration has awarded a contract to BMT Scientific Marine Services to provide an Environmental and Facility Monitoring System (EFMS) for the Delta House semi-submersible project operating in the Gulf of Mexico. The EFMS monitors, logs, and displays data in real-time on the local environment and facility motions. It archives the data for assessing the facility’s integrity over time and interfaces with the other platform control systems. The EFMS is comprised of a computer console, topside and subsea remote sensor packages, BMT’s proprietary data acquisition system, and custom HMI user display screens. BMT brings significant experience to this project, having previously provided an EFMS for LLOG’s Gulf of Mexico WhoDat semi-submersible FPU.
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BMT ARGOSS Helping Kazakhstan Oil and Gas Industry Extend Working Window
The BMT ARGOSS weather forecasting department in Atyrau is currently forecasting record high temperatures for the Atyrau area of Kazakhstan in early December. These highs are exceptional and are interfering with normal operations taking place offshore in the northern parts of the Caspian Sea.
The current highest recorded December temperature is 11.8°C (1947) while the current lowest recorded December temperature is -33.9°C (1933). Early December’s forecast temperatures of around 12°C are far higher than the expected December mean temperature of 7.4°C.
Usually in this time of year a dominating high pressure area is found over Russia, causing the winds over
the Atyrau region to blow from northerly to easterly directions. These winds practically always bring cold air from central Russia to the north-western part of Kazakhstan bringing an end to the summer working window.
Jean-Paul Lindeboom, BMT ARGOSS Forecast Manager, currently based in Atyrau states:
BMT ARGOSS is helping the Kazakhstan oil and gas industry to extend its summer working window by identifying unseasonably good weather in time for customers to take benefit.
For more information on this service, please contact [email protected].
“We help our customers utilise the full potential of available weather windows, allowing them to reduce their operational risk and save time. This high temperature means that the offshore operation can continue, whereas they would normally have already switched to winter operations.”
Air pressure and temperature distribution over Kazakhstan
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Tow-Out & Installation Simulation: Supporting Design, Planning and Safety
Large offshore structures such as TLP’s, semi-submersibles and drilling rigs are often integrated at facilities that do not have immediate access to the open ocean which may mean wet tows are required along waterways of restricted width to the open water once ready for installation. The wet tows typically require the close coordination of multiple tugs operating in very restricted channels necessitating informed coordination and planning to minimise the risk of collision and grounding. An effective way of supporting the project design, planning and safety is by simulation both of the tow-out and of the installation process.
BMT can provide a comprehensive package of expertise and simulation facilities to any tow out and installation project through the use of BMT’s simulator software REMBRANDT. BMT has significant track record applying this service to the tow outs for BP’s Thunderhorse and Atlantis platforms, Chevron’s Big Foot TLP platform and two other major floaters to be installed in the GOM in 2013.
The unique value of BMT’s simulator service is the portability and accuracy of the simulator facility that is supplied to the customer. The multi-station capable simulator is based on a networked PC architecture and incorporates
detailed hydrodynamic models developed through in-house Computational Fluid Dynamics, accurate current models, and physical model testing. The graphical user environment also provides realistic and compelling representation of the environment, vessels, and control interfaces that is entirely customisable for each project requirement.
Simulation models can be created for any floating shape and any number of vessels that are required for the manoeuvring task. A combination of detailed Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling and physical scale model tests is used to derive shallow and deep water hydrodynamic manoeuvring coefficients for the floater. Current models for the tow route are also constructed to provide time accurate current speeds and directions at all locations along the towing route. BMT’s highly experienced naval architects and software engineers then combine all this data and the customer’s unique requirements to produce the complete simulator model.
BMT’s simulator REMBRANDT can be used in a range of configurations from a desktop simulator with 2 monitors to a nearly-full mission multiscreen simulator with 270° view including radar and ECDIS displays. It can be used for mission design in
Benefits of Tow-Out Simulation:• Effective tool for developing
tow spread configuration and strategy development
• Develop optimum departure times using integrated current models
• Develop rational weather and tide operating limits
• Assess consequence of failures and formulate strategies to deal with them
• Mobile simulator hardware• Familiarization and training of
tow-out personnel• Develop communication and
team working of personnel involved with tow
an office environment, or it can be used in an extensive training centre set-up or as a local version for use on-board offshore structures or support vessels – all using the same software.
Come visit us at this year’s OTC at booth #2541-C where a simulator console will be on display.
For more information, please e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].
Tow-out of BP Thunderhorse
CFD simulations used to derive Floater Hydrodynamics Simulator view of tow-out with navigation aids
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Pier is a new Project Engineer for BMT Fluid Mechanics. He earned his Masters in Advanced Computational Methods for Aeronautics at Imperial College London and worked at AECOM as a modeling engineer for 5 years. He is experienced in CFD, thermal modeling and energy management for the built environment as well as fire and hydrodynamics modeling.
Simon has joined BMT ARGOSS as Sales Manager for SMARTSERVICES. His role with BMT ARGOSS is to secure new opportunities for SMARTSERVICES as well as retaining and expanding current business. He works with other BMT subsidiaries in the promotion of SMARTSERVICES.
Karthik joined BMT Scientific Marine Services as a Mechanical Engineer. He has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder and previously worked for two years as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Electrochemical Energy Lab at UC Boulder.
Justin is a new Electronics Technician for BMT Scientific Marine Services. He has an Associate degree in Computer and Electronic Engineering from ITT Technical Institute and has experience as a Technical Hardware Analyst for the City of Houston, working mainly on electronic communication systems.
Justine joined BMT Scientific Marine Services as Quality Assurance Specialist. Her work experience includes Technical Services Manager and Senior Scientist, Product Support at Nichols Institute Diagnostics where she was also responsible for ensuring company processes were documented per ISO 9001 requirements.
Wilfred has joined BMT ARGOSS as Director of External Affairs. He is leading the development and implementation of the commercial strategy for short and long range across all BMT ARGOSS’s offices worldwide. He is responsible for the all overall activities of Marketing, Sales, Client & Customer Management.
Dr. Amaratunga is the new Director of Internal Affairs for BMT ARGOSS. He has held a number of senior management positions, including Company Director of two BMT subsidiaries. He has a wealth of knowledge in safety, risk and consequence assessment in design and construction of oil and gas process facilities.
Martin has joined BMT ARGOSS as a Smart Developer. He worked the last ten years as a Web Developer for Ebay Marktplaats BV, a large e-commerce site in the Netherlands. Martin has a Postgraduate Diploma in Computing and has many years of experience as a Software Engineer.
Anna has joined BMT ARGOSS as a Metocean Consultant. She recently finished her PhD in Maths from the University of Surrey and has a strong background in computer programming. At BMT ARGOSS, she will be assisting both the Metocean deparment and the Forecasting team.
Ninad is a new Project Engineer (Electronic) for BMT Scientific Marine Services. He spent 10 years at Fugro GEOS as a Project Manager/Senior Oceanographer and then worked at EGS Americas as a Technical Manager. He received his Bachelor in Electronics from the Indian Navel School of Electronics.
Pier Bartacchee
Simon HayesKarthik Reddy Bujuru
Justin Cardenas Justine Hennessy
Wilfred Aaldriks
Shane Amaratunga Martin Etherton
Anna Chuter
Ninad Sharad Gupte
New Members of the BMT Offshore Oil & Gas Team
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Savanna was brought on board as the new Receptionist for the Houston office of BMT Scientific Marine Services. Savanna previously worked at ConocoPhillips for 35 years in a number of different and progressive positions and brings significant adminstrative experience.
Ryan joined BMT Scientific Marine Services as an Electronics Technician. He previously worked as a Field Service Engineering Technician for Alturdyne, and has installed, repaired and maintained industrial turbine generators for AT&T, Sempra Energy and SDG&E.
Jeremy is a new Project Engineer for BMT Fluid Mechanics. He has a Masters of Science from Cranfield University specializing in Computational Fluid Dynamics and Gas Turbines. He previously worked as a Development Engineer at Teledyne Cormon and as an R&D Engineer at Solintel M&P.
Ed had been working for BMT Scientific Marine Services as a consultant and has now joined full time as a Project Engineer. He worked for the last 14 years with companies like Sony Electronics and Boeing and most recently worked as a Principal Optical Engineer at L-3 Communications.
Carolyn was hired as HSE Coordinator for BMT Scientific Marine Services. She spent five years with American Faucet & Coatings and three years with Vision West, implementing safety programs, training and policies at both companies. Her education includes multiple compliance trainings for Injury and Illness Prevention, Hazcom, LOTO, etc.
Savanna Sam
Ryan Wesolowski
Jeremy Hui-Wong
Ed Matthews
Carolyn Melody
New Members (continued)
BMT ARGOSS has secured a long-term contract to provide an oil major with weather forecasting services for all its North Caspian Sea operations, both offshore and onshore. The scope of BMT’s work includes provision of all forecasting services including Metocean and aviation as well as all operational support, including maintenance of meteorological equipment on all of the installations.
BMT’s working relationship with this oil major extends back to 2009, providing elements of the forecasting services package. However the new contract sees BMT as the sole provider of weather forecasting services.
BMT’s 13 strong team will provide a 24/7 service in extremely harsh weather conditions with temperatures as low as -30oc. Where necessary, BMT’s forecasters and Metocean service specialists will travel to offshore installations to provide bespoke ice and aviation forecasts to support operational requirements.
Jean-Paul Lindeboom, BMT ARGOSS Forecast Manager, comments: “BMT’s local forecasting team based in Atyrau, Kazakhstan has already demonstrated the quality of its work against a third party benchmark. We’re delighted that our client has recognised this in awarding BMT all its North Caspian Sea forecasting work against some stiff competition.”
He continues: “Because the continental climate prevalent in the North Caspian Sea causes extremes of temperature in both summer and winter, accurate, real-time forecasting is a prerequisite to planning and carrying out day to day operations. BMT helps utilise the full potential of available weather windows, allowing the client to reduce operational risk and save time.”
BMT ARGOSS Wins Caspian Sea Forecasting Contract
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For more information, please contact [email protected].
Houlder and BMT Nigel Gee have announced that their jointly developed Turbine Access System (TAS™) has won the Safety Innovations Award at the 27th Offshore Achievement Awards organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Aberdeen Section. The award was presented to Frederic Perdrix, Houlder Chief Technical Officer by Walter Thain Vice President, Operations for Petrofac, the Award sponsors, at the dinner in Aberdeen on 21st March.
TAS is a patented motion compensated platform that provides a safe and stable point of access to the
Renewables FocusTAS™ Wins Offshore Achievement Award for Safety Innovation
Turbine, Offshore Structures or other vessels.
The judges decided that TAS clearly demonstrated improved safety for personnel transfers to offshore windfarms and would also allow increase in operability. With improved safety and meeting the operator’s stringent costs requirements TAS will mean more work days are possible than with traditional access methods.
Frederic Perdrix commented: “We’re delighted the Houlder / BMT Nigel Gee team has been recognised for innovation. It is genuinely innovative engineering that
makes the TAS project stand out.”
John Bonafoux, Managing Director of BMT Nigel Gee, commented: “This latest award demonstrates how important the TAS system is to safety in the Offshore industry.” Following successful trials at Rhyl Flats offshore windfarm, the patented TAS system has benefitted from significant development effort by both companies and support from the Carbon Trust. Interest is now being shown by wide variety of operators.”
TAS Initial Trials TAS on Foredeck
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BMT Offshore Oil and Gas Worldwide Support Presence ExpandedIn recent years, the Offshore Oil and Gas segment has seen tremendous growth in new areas around the world as the global energy demand has risen. BMT recognizes the need to provide global support for its valued clients and has expanded its worldwide presence to meet the demand.
US and Gulf of Mexico
BMT supports offshore oil and gas clients operating in the Gulf of Mexico with integrity monitoring, metocean services, maintenance, design support and risk assessment. Our Houston office is conveniently located to serve our clients and maintain the 40-plus marine integrity monitoring systems that BMT has installed on Gulf of Mexico platforms. The office is fully staffed with specialist mechanical and electrical engineers, naval architects and project managers ready to collaborate with clients on custom systems and solutions.
Brazil
In 2011, BMT opened up an office in Rio de Janeiro as part of the ongoing effort to enhance product sales, delivery and service support to Petrobras and other oil and gas clients in Brazil. Last year, BMT built upon this presence by acquiring a share in NAVCON, a company located in Sao Paulo who specialize in data acquisition, motion and inertial navigation systems for offshore applications. Alexandre Fornazari has been appointed as the Regional Sales Manager for Brazil and will work with both offices to support clients locally. He has worked in the oil and gas industry in Brazil for 10
years and has experience establishing Brazilian operations and building local support for Brazilian customers through proposals and project execution.
Asia Pacific and Australia
BMT continued its offshore oil and gas service expansion by responding to the increasingly important role of the Asia Pacific region in the world of oil and gas exploration and production. BMT currently has offices in Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong, and in multiple locations throughout Australia. The company recognized a new opportunity in Malaysia, a rapidly growing country with many new oil and gas developments, by opening a new office in Malaysia and enlisting a new Regional Manager. BMT Asia Sdn Bhd has been established in Kuala Lumpur to offer regional support. Phong Thuan (P.T.) Lee joined BMT to manage operations of the company and has previous experience in geotechnical engineering, offshore surveying and metocean projects.
BMT also hired Martin Holbrook as the Regional Sales Manager for Asia Pacific and Australia. He has a cumulative 25 years experience in metocean engineering and project management. He was previously with RPS MetOcean as Business Development Manager. He will be based in Perth, Western Australia. UK and Europe
BMT is headquartered in the UK and maintains a large representation throughout the UK and Europe. Many
of our clients are based in Europe with a growing number of projects in the region, particularly in the North Sea and Caspian Sea. For additional targeted support, BMT employs Louise Ledgard, Regional Sales Manager for Europe. She has over 15 years experience in the offshore oil and gas sector and is skilled in business development and project management.
West Africa
A spate of discoveries in the last few years has caused an oil and gas boom in West Africa, making it one of the most important areas of the world for exploration and production. BMT has been contracted to provide systems and services to many of these West Africa projects and has enlisted localized support from Radial Circle, a Nigeria-based company that offers a full range of operations and maintenance services to major oil and gas producers and facility owners.
With offices and representatives strategically located to support each major offshore oil and gas region, BMT provides the oil and gas companies and their major contractors with insight and solutions to the engineering and environmental challenges of operating within, upon and around the world’s oceans and seas.
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