Variable Bore Rams Inc. (VBR), one of the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ram and BOP component providers in the world, is lending support to communities in the southern Louisiana disaster zone in the wake of recent flooding.

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has today launched a new collaborative way of working with the oil and gas industry. NOC will provide innovative science and technology to enable industry to work safely and efficiently, with minimum impact on the marine environment The launch comes off the back of many years of working with the industry on both an individual and collaborative basis, to develop science and technology to enhance competitive advantage, maximise investment and reduce operational costs during exploration, production and decommissioning.

Aker Solutions, Det norske oljeselskap and Subsea 7 agreed on a "one for all, all for one" collaboration model that marks a major shift in how an operator and its suppliers can work together on oil and gas developments offshore Norway.

On September 14 and 15, 2G Robotics will provide EIVA Days attendees with a unique preview of new technology during an exclusive live demonstration of the highest resolution, longest-range laser solution, the ULS-500 PRO. 2G Robotics’ CEO, Jason Gillham, will be presenting on this new technology and performing the dynamic scanning demonstration.

Wallsend, UK: Shanghai Salvage Company (also known as China Offshore Engineering Shanghai, Co), a state owned entity who have a long history in diving and salvage have signed an order with SMD for a Quasar MKII 6000m remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2017, the system will include a full suite of equipment suitable for both deep sea salvage and oil and gas operations.

The Marine Technology Society and the Oceanic Engineering Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) cosponsor a joint annual conference and exposition on ocean science, engineering, and policy. Held at the Portola Plaza and Monterey Marriott Hotels, the OCEANS conference covers four days and will feature 130 exhibitors, 11 tutorials, 8 workshops and special sessions, nearly 20 student posters, and a record number 510 technical presentations. It looks to be an exceptional week of information-sharing, networking, and engaging in thought-provoking discussions.

We are less than 2 weeks away from OCEANS ’16 MTS/IEEE Monterey! OCEANS’ 16 will feature 130 exhibitors, 11 tutorials, 8 workshops and special sessions, nearly 20 student posters, and a record number 510 technical presentations. It looks to be an exceptional week of information-sharing, networking, and engaging in thought-provoking discussions.

Over 100 subsea professionals attended Ashtead’s annual Technology Showcase this week to explore the latest underwater technologies which are helping the subsea industry meet the challenges of increasingly complex projects in the most cost-efficient way.

We are less than 2 weeks away from MTS/IEEE OCEANS’16 Monterey! The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) anticipates a great turnout with a superior technical program and wonderful events to educate as well as entertain the registrants. The week will start with local tours at several of the more than 20 marine-related facilities.

The Industry Technology Facilitator (ITF) has issued an open call for proposals for ‘close-to-market’ technologies that can offer innovation or efficiencies in activities across the entire spectrum of oil and gas operations. ITF primarily addresses the shared technology challenges of its membership by issuing thematic calls for proposals. The not-for-profit organisation has introduced this open call as a mechanism for developers to put forward innovative solutions from a wider range of oil and gas activities.

As 2017 approaches the market is beginning to stabilize. Of course, that can be interpreted in numerous ways. The last 2 years have been quite tumultuous for the entire industry. However, there are thousands of lessons to be learned. In the course of history we have weathered numerous highs and, absolutely, some lows, but we persevere.

Novacavi recently applied its experience in engineering cables for extreme temperatures and environmental conditions in conceiving special low temperature power cables for Concordia Station, the permanent and all-year research station on the Antarctic Plateau. This French-Italian research facility located on one of the coldest places on Earth needed a customized cable solution securely operating under freezing conditions ranging from -85°C in Winter to -25°C in Summer.

Nominations have opened for the 2017 Subsea UK Awards. Now in its 11th year, the awards seek to recognise companies and individuals who are leading the way in Britain’s successful £9billion subsea sector. Entries are being sought for the best subsea company of the year (large and small), the most promising young person in the sector, the most exciting new enterprise and the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the subsea industry. The awards will also recognise achievements and innovations in technology, sponsored by Simmons & Co International, safety and exports.

The National Subsea Research Initiative (NSRI) is hosting its second annual Developers Day event on 15th September in a bid to further support companies to get their technology to market. The session will feature a series of presentations outlining available resources and the support organisations which can provide assistance with research and development, tax, funding and patenting.

Maritime security company, Sonardyne International Ltd., UK, has announced that it has supplied forward-looking sonar technology to MARSS Group of Monaco for a 120 metre-plus private vessel that was recently delivered to its new owner in Europe. The NOAS (Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance Sonar) system was specified for the unnamed vessel to allow it to explore remote, poorly charted places with the assurance that potentially hazardous underwater obstacles can be identified and avoided. The contract also included the supply of Sonardyne’s market-leading diver detection sonar, Sentinel. This complements the NOAS installation to enable the detection of underwater intruders approaching the vessel when stationary.

Equipment that simulates acoustic positioning operations on dynamically positioned (DP) rigs and ships, has been supplied by Sonardyne Brasil Ltda. to vessel control and automation company, GE Power Conversion for their new training school in Macaé. The Sonardyne Marksman hardware and 6G Sim software will be used to provide student DP Officers (DPOs) with an understanding of the important role acoustic positioning has in assisting a vessel to remain in a specified location whilst underwater operations are being conducted.

Aberdeen-headquartered Ashtead Technology has secured a deal with leading international contractor Van Oord to provide the latest generation of video processing systems for worldwide offshore construction operations. The agreement will see Ashtead supply five SubC Imaging DVRO systems to the Dutch-based company, allowing them to record multiple 3D, HD and SD video channels simultaneously for future offshore construction, dredging and marine engineering projects.

A new subsea company has officially launched today (5th September) with the announcement of its first UK contract. An independent company focussed on underwater integrity, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), surveying and subsea services for both oil and gas, and renewables, Rovco has secured a contract with a UK Marine Trust.