Protecting Subsea Infrastructure Through Dynamic Positioning
The integrity and security of subsea infrastructure hinge on one essential capability: keeping vessels exactly where they need to be, safely, reliably and predictably, even in the harshest offshore conditions. Dynamic positioning (DP) has become a foundational pillar and enabling technology of modern offshore operations, supporting construction, drilling, maintenance, and inspection that sustain the global energy economy.
Pioneering Underwater Exploration
Picture a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) slicing through the ocean’s depths, its LED lights piercing the darkness to reveal a coral reef or a pipeline. This is the world Outland Technology, a family-run innovator from Slidell, Louisiana, has been shaping since the 1980s. Founded by Buddy Mayfield, Outland has become a cornerstone in subsea technology, crafting rugged, reliable equipment like ROVs, underwater cameras, and lighting systems for industries from offshore energy to marine research.
Empowering Offshore Teams with Simple, Autonomous Subsea Testing
Subsea electrical faults in offshore oil and gas fields can halt operations, triggering costly delays and complex interventions. For operators, the challenge isn’t just locating the fault, it’s doing so quickly, safely, and without adding complexity to the campaign.
Increasing Vigilance: Upping the Protection of Critical Underwater Infrastructure
When it comes to the protection of our critical underwater infrastructure, there’s no shortage of attention these days. Articles, panels, and opinion pieces all highlight the risks and speculate about the consequences of potential threats to our underwater assets: from risks to energy security, to disruptions in global banking transactions, to the potential for environmental disasters.
A Robust Sonar for Mission-Critical Operations
The Gemini 1200id is the latest addition to Tritech’s multibeam sonar portfolio and is targeted specifically at work class ROVs and other applications where reliability is of the utmost importance.
Realizing Real-Time Underwater GPS with Inverted Long Baseline
Imagine this scenario: you are out on the water flying your low-cost inspection class ROV and you encounter an interesting object or feature in the video feed. Wouldn’t it be great to mark the location by simply “dropping a pin” (digital marker), as one often does these days on smartphones? How about the ability to set underwater waypoints to create a route for the ROV to automatically drive? This capability is now readily available using iLBL™ Underwater GPS from DBV Technology.
De-Risking Subsea Operations
The future of the offshore energy industry is being redefined below the surface. Subsea operations must evolve not only to meet growing demands for efficiency and sustainability, but also to address increasing needs for operational integrity and security.
Transforming Offshore Decision-Making with Real-Time Predictive Ocean Intelligence
Weather conditions, wave heights, and vessel motion critically affect safety, efficiency, and operational uptime across a wide range of offshore activities. Traditional weather forecasts provide helpful guidance, but lack the site-specific, real-time details needed for split-second decisions.
Decarbonizing the Blue Economy: Why Startups Matter
Decarbonization is one of the defining challenges of our time. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Blue Economy, where shipping, energy production, and materials manufacturing remain deeply tied to fossil fuels. Yet the pathways to reduce carbon are anything but straightforward. There is no silver bullet. Instead, progress will require an “all of the above” approach—leveraging multiple technologies across multiple sectors, working in concert.
Addressing Emissions Means Defining Challenges
The global energy sector is under increasing scrutiny as it works to balance rising demand with climate commitments. The International Energy Agency estimates emissions from oil and gas operations must fall nearly 45% by 2030 if the industry is to remain aligned with net-zero goals. Offshore drilling, with its intensive logistics and energy use, is a particular focus. Operators face the challenge of maintaining efficiency, safety, and compliance while significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Turning the Tide on Biofouling
International trade vessels are marvels of human engineering, enabling global commerce and connecting continents. Yet, beneath the surface, these metal giants face a persistent and costly challenge from some of Earth’s smallest organisms. Biofouling—the accumulation of marine life on submerged surfaces—continues to sap efficiency, increase emissions, and spread invasive species. ECOsubsea, a pioneering Norwegian company, is on a mission to transform how the shipping industry tackles this issue, offering a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable solution.
Beyond Traditional USBL: Redefining Underwater Positioning Standards
The offshore industry has operated under an assumption for decades: that acceptable positioning accuracy means tolerating poor performance from ultra-short baseline (USBL) systems. But what if the very constraints we’ve accepted—shallow water limitations, environmental interference and hardware redundancy requirements—are no longer inevitable?