| Press Releases - May 2005
May 23, 2005- Students Create ROV for Use in Scientific Research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
May 20, 2005- Perry Slingsby Systems Appoints Scan Tech UK as ROV Tooling Rental Outlet
May 18, 2005- VideoRay ROV Purchased by Monterey Bay Aquarium
May 14, 2005- ROV and Dropping Lake Levels Reveal Long Hidden, Underwater Secrets
May 10, 2005- Tiny Camera Probes Deep Ocean from ROV
May 10, 2005- ROV Dive Successfully Films Coelacanths
May 5, 2005- Hornbeck Offshore Announces Plans to Convert Two Molten-Sulfur Carriers Into 370-Ft. New Generation Multi-Purpose Supply Vessels
May 4, 2005- Manufacturers Battle to Gain the Upper Hand
May 3, 2005- Scan Tech UK signs deal with Perry Slingsby Systems
Past press releases are also available:
Current Press Releases
Date: May 23, 2005
Organization: Port Townsend High School/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Students Create ROV for Use in Scientific Research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
During the past two years, five Port Townsend High School students have invested more than 500 hours working intently with a local entrepreneur to develop, design and construct a highly specialized research vessel capable of diving to the depths of Puget Sound to conduct important marine research. With a simple goal of giving students an opportunity to apply the disciplines of science, math and English on a real world engineering project, Gary McLuen, a Port Townsend entrepreneur, has contributed his time, his shop and about $15,000 of his own funds to help five students transform a novel concept into a viable scientific research craft.
The unmanned, underwater remotely operated vehicle, referred to as the ROV, will be demonstrated this Friday, May 20, at 3:00 p.m. at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Marine Research Operations facilities in Sequim. At that time, McLuen and the students will give the unique equipment to the U.S. Department of Energy for PNNL to conduct research in the Puget Sound. The project, conducted entirely independent of their high school curriculum, required the students to apply knowledge learned in the classroom, as well as hands-on skills learned in the field. For instance, the students designed and fabricated components using a computer controlled machining center, learned aluminum welding, and calculated stress and pressure requirements needed for deep water diving. Each task was completed under the careful guidance and supervision of McLuen, Eric McRae, who assisted with the computer software design, and Port Townsend High School science teacher Tim Behrenfeld.
"Actually, the ROV is quite sophisticated, providing a suite of high-end components and capabilities expected to be extremely useful for scientific research," says McLuen. "The project is more akin to a college or professional endeavor than that of a team of enthused science and engineering high school students."
Instrumentation equipped on the ROV collects and stores real time data such as the levels of dissolved oxygen in water, vehicle depth, water temperature, turbidity and pH levels. Recorded data is stored on a hard drive in an Excel file format, and can be graphically displayed on the computer's monitor.
"The operator can maneuver the ROV by watching a laptop monitor, which offers views from cameras mounted on the front and rear of the underwater vehicle," says Behrenfeld. "A digital compass displayed on the computer screen provides the vehicle's true heading as well as a tilt-and-roll reference to help the operator avoid getting lost or disoriented." Four thrusters powered by an on-board battery can take the vehicle wherever it wants to go, added the science teacher.
While tethered to the computer by a flexible Ethernet cord and maneuvered via a trackball, the ROV can travel to a depth of more than 300 feet thanks to a rugged design calculated by students to withstand the great pressures of exceptionally deep dives.
"Prior to beginning, the students met with PNNL staff as their 'client' to determine our needs and specifications," noted Dick Ecker, director, PNNL Marine Science Laboratory. "We reviewed their draft plans early in the process, and visited their shop periodically to inspect their progress. Interacting directly with the students helped them learn a great deal about working with a client."
For two years straight, the students gathered each Wednesday afternoon and every other Saturday to design and fabricate the vehicle affectionately referred to as Puma. During that time, McLuen took pleasure in letting the kids struggle a little and occasionally fail, requiring them to use math and engineering like scientists do to solve problems, devise theories and find answers to difficult questions.
Andrew Haines, Cody Blevins, David Kunz, Dan Schulz, and Brahm Lichty, all Port Townsend High School students, are preparing to go to college this fall. Each has chosen areas of interest in the science, engineering and math fields. "These students have exceeded my wildest expectations," says McLuen. "They'll make terrific engineers someday soon."
But first, they'll hand over their project to the PNNL research team, which is anxious to put the ROV through it paces. "We anticipate deploying it right away to help inspect the growth and health of newly planted stands of eelgrass," says Ecker. With its sophisticated capabilities, Ecker says it may also be used in locating, monitoring and mapping out areas on the Hood Canal that lack properly oxygenated water; an important issue ripe for research. "This vehicle will become an important resource for PNNL scientists as we work to examine and sustain our precious Northwest marine ecosystem," Ecker added.
Date: May 20, 2005
Organization: Perry Slingsby Systems/Scan Tech UK Ltd
Perry Slingsby Systems Appoints Scan Tech UK as ROV Tooling Rental Outlet
(OilOnline) - Perry Slingsby Systems has entered into an agreement with Scan Tech UK Ltd to offer an extensive range of Perry Slingsby Systems ROV tooling. Perry Slingsby Systems and Scan Tech will work together to ensure that the latest in ROV tooling is available to North Sea clients, meeting the evolving and expanding market for ROV Standard and Bespoke Tooling. "A growing number of customers require the facility to rent quality ROV tooling products. To meet this emerging need our business model has been expanded beyond straight sales of ROV tooling systems and now includes a number of exclusive Tooling Rental Outlets. Scan Tech UK's knowledge of equipment rental, reputation for service and support coupled with Perry Slingsby Systems extensive range of ROV deployed tools is the solution the North Sea market has been needing." stated David Gillies, Tooling Sales Manager, Perry Slingsby Systems.
"Scan Tech UK is delighted to announce this strategic agreement with Perry Slingsby Systems. The addition of these advanced ROV tools and technologies is in direct response to client demands for more sophisticated subsea tooling and compliments our existing product range perfectly. All of our customers will be able to call off equipment from their usual contacts within Scan Tech and can rely upon our usual high standards of quality and responsiveness. In addition, this deal strengthens the existing links between Perry Slingsby Systems and the James Fisher Group" stated John Sands, Managing Director, Scan Tech UK.
Date: May 18, 2005
Organization: VideoRay
VideoRay ROV Purchased by Monterey Bay Aquarium Underwater Robot to Assist in Aquatic Husbandry and Specimen Collection / Environmental Monitoring at Monterey Bay Aquarium
(PRWEB) - VideoRay announced that its VideoRay Pro III, has been delivered to Monterey Bay Aquarium, and has been hard at work! It has already been used for removing a 160 pound tuna from one of the exhibit tanks - with a giant green sea turtle that had attached itself to the fish. After the VideoRay was delivered, VideoRay President Scott Bentley stopped by with Bill Martin, another VideoRay expert, to explain demonstrate usage and maintenance of the unit and some future directions, including the use of the unit with a scanning sonar, driven by a laptop computer, and internet operation. The VideoRay was flown in a huge exhibit tank that was closed for renovations, and a group of Monterey Bay Aquarium employees and volunteers took turns learning techniques for observing and collecting fish and other aquatic creatures.
The VideoRay ROV will allow the aquarium to react more rapidly when items need to be removed from exhibit tanks, without the delay and expense of mobilizing divers. It will also be used in the open waters outside the aquarium for observation and specimen retrieval, inspection work, and field investigation. Initial tests confirm that the VideoRay does not seem to bother or repel aquatic life, and its low cost and long "bottom time" makes it an ideal tool for scientific study.
Contact: Chris Gibson, VideoRay LLC Director, Marketing, Phone: 610.458.3000, http://www.videoray.com/
Date: May 14, 2005
Organization: Lake Mead
ROV and Dropping Lake Levels Reveal Long Hidden, Underwater Secrets
 Las Vegas, NV (WorldNow and KVBC)- As the level of Lake Mead goes down, we're seeing sights that haven't been exposed since the 30's. News 3's Tom Hawley has been keeping track of what's happening below the water line. The lake has actually been this low before, back in the sixties, but technology is allowing us new ways to take advantage of the receding shoreline.
"It kind of answers some questions, in a way, in my mind." 92-year-old Lee Tillman helped build Hoover Dam in the early 30's. Today, he's on "Forever Earth," above what's called the Batch Plant. His last trip here was more than seventy years ago. "In about 1933 or 34, I was sent up here from what we call down in the hole, which would be down where the outlets of the tunnels are."
Tom's been there too, in a wetsuit a few years ago, exploring a concrete circle where the muddy Colorado River water was pumped in. "So they would let it settle in the clarifier, and then the clear water is what they used to wash off the rocks."
When Tom first dove on the clarification pond, they were at about 40 to 50 feet, well within the limits of recreational diving, but the main facility we're looking at today is 145 feet down. For that, you need the video ray, an ROV or Remote Operated Vehicle, self propelled with cameras at either end. "So you can see there's a rung ladder going down."
The ROV allows the Submerged Resources Team a clear view of facilities used to separate the different kinds of rock needed for construction. "It's kind of like you're stepping back into the past. The aggregate piles are still there. The road beds, there's an awful lot preserved."
"I often wondered, how long is it going to take to fill up the area down where the dam is?" It turns out, there is still plenty to see here. It's a cultural treasure trove for National Park service crews doing the exploration. For the companies that left it behind though, it might just have been so much junk. "Nowadays they might be more fussy, but in the early days, why the environment meant nothing, really."
If lake levels continue to drop as anticipated, the Batch Plant will be completely exposed in a few years. If that happens, it will deteriorate much faster in open air. The Park Service plans to use its remote operated vehicle on many more sites in the lake, including a submerged B-29 bomber.
Date: May 10, 2005
Organization: Curtin University of Technology
Tiny Camera Probes Deep Ocean from ROV
Perth, Australia (By Jennifer Foreshew, The Australian) - Researchers at Perth's Curtin University of Technology have developed the world's smallest underwater 3D video camera, for deep-ocean use. The mini-3D stereoscopic underwater video camera will help oil, gas and minerals explorers.
Curtin's marine science and technology centre (CMST) developed an underwater 3D camera in 1992 and has continued working on ways to reduce its size. Early models weighed a hulking 25kg, but the weight is now down to 1.3kg. The camera measures about 9.5cm in diameter and is about 16cm long. It is attached to remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), which are used in the oil and gas sector for underwater inspections and maintenance.
The 3D camera, which cost less than $100,000 to develop, is designed for use on an ROV only half a metre long. It is expected to improve vision and control for the ROV's pilot.
"Companies are moving into deeper water such as 2000m-plus, where they can't use a diver," CMST research fellow Andrew Woods said.
The 3D camera differs from a standard single-lens video camera because it uses two lenses side by side, aligned to simulate human vision.
Mr. Woods said one of the cameras was shipped to Aberdeen, Scotland, last month for probable use in the North Sea.
"Maybe now we can build a higher resolution camera, but that depends on requirements in the industry and where they are likely to be used," he said.
The system has also been used in developing cameras for underground mines in conditions that are too dangerous for people. The entertainment sector is also interested "in using 3D and not necessarily just for film, it may have other applications as well", Mr. Woods said.
The camera was developed in co-operation with Canadian company Welaptega Marine, which provides services to the oil and gas sector. Welaptega jointly owns the intellectual property.
"We plan to have about 10 systems in operation in the next 12 months," Mr. Woods said. The units would be rented to ensure they were maintained correctly. "It is usually difficult for companies to justify purchasing the equipment outright anyway," he said.
Date: May 10, 2005
Organization: Cape Town Marine Solutions/Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
ROV Dive Successfully Films Coelacanths
South Africa- By Chris Jenkins (The Mercury) - A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) has been used for the first time to film coelacanths as part of research on the prehistoric fish in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal. The latest coelacanth expedition, which ended on Sunday, filmed a record eight coelacanths during one dive.
The success of trial tests for the ROV has also opened up possibilities for new marine research in the wetlands park, and make such research accessible to others, said park CEO Andrew Zaloumis.
During this expedition, the fourth in the park, a local Mabibi community member was invited to be part of the group which watched live footage of coelacanths transmitted by the ROV to the support vessel 110m above.
The African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP), formed after the discovery of coelacanths in 2000 by a group of recreational divers at a depth of 104m in Jesser Canyon off Sodwana Bay, recently partnered the Durban-based Subtech Diving and Marine to test an ROV for the study of coelacanths in their canyon habitats.
These have now proved entirely successful, more cost-effective and less invasive than using a mini-submersible.
Zaloumis said that after shallow water system tests, the ROV, hired from Cape Town Marine Solutions, had been used to penetrate a cave in Jesser Canyon where a small coelacanth was filmed on the first day. Eight more coelacanths were found on May 6 at depths between 104 and 112m. He said previous attempts to use an ROV in the Comoros Islands and in Indonesia had been unsuccessful.
Marine scientist Jean Harris, the ecological advice co-ordinator for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, who was part of the team led by Dr Kerry Sink of ACEP, said the coelacanths had been undisturbed by the ROV and none of them had moved away.
"Some of the coelacanths have been previously sighted, but preliminary results suggest that some are new animals that will increase the known numbers of these prehistoric fish in the wetlands park."
During the trials, the first footage of other deepwater habitats was also captured, including deep ledges, rocky outcrops and extensive dune fields.
Zaloumis said this world first "underlines our long commitment to natural science research on which more than 100 current projects in South Africa's first World Heritage Site are mainly focused".
The goal now was to facilitate an increase in social, economic, cultural and historical research.
Underwater creatures: Coelacanths swim in the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park. Photo: African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme
Date: May 5, 2005
Organization: Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.
Hornbeck Offshore Announces Plans to Convert Two Molten-Sulfur Carriers Into 370-Ft. New Generation Multi-Purpose Supply Vessels
New Orlean, LA (PRNewswire - FirstCall) - Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (NYSE: HOS) announced today that its Board of Directors recently approved a conversion program to retrofit two coastwise sulfur tankers into U.S.-flagged, new generation 370-foot multi-purpose supply vessels (MPSVs). The total project cost to acquire and convert the two vessels is expected to be $55 million to $65 million in the aggregate. The Company plans to fund the project from current cash on-hand, projected free cash flow and available revolver capacity. The Company anticipates delivery of the converted vessels by the end of 2006. Based on preliminary indications, including discussions with certain customers, the two vessels are expected to add combined earnings of $0.25 to $0.35 per diluted share in their first full-year of service.
Hornbeck purchased the Energy Service 9001, formerly known as the M/V W. K. McWilliams, Jr., from Freeport-McMoRan Sulphur in November 2001. The Company recently signed a definitive agreement to purchase an identical "sister vessel," the M/V Benno C. Schmidt, from an undisclosed private owner.
Todd Hornbeck, the Company's Chairman, President and CEO, commented, "We believe that the HOS 370 MPSVs will be the largest offshore supply vessels in the world, each with cargo carrying capacities of over 10,000 tons of deadweight and a minimum of 30,000 barrels of liquid mud. Each HOS 370 class MPSV will have nearly three times the deadweight and liquid mud capacity of one of our 265 class new generation offshore supply vessels (OSVs) and more than eight times the liquid mud capacity of one of our 200 class new generation OSVs. The HOS 370 represents the culmination of a three-year effort by our in-house engineering team to design a multi-purpose supply vessel. The resulting plan to convert the McWilliams and the Benno Schmidt is based on recent customer feedback and expressed demand for a larger, more versatile, DP-2 vessel capable of meeting the evolving needs of the exploration, development and production life-cycle of an ultra-deepwater field from 'cradle-to-grave.' The hulls of these sister vessels, which were purpose-built for the specific gravity of molten sulfur as a cargo, make them uniquely suited to be converted into large liquid mud carriers. This is especially important given the ever-increasing volumes of liquid mud necessary to 'spud' a deep well today, with some projects requiring as many as 100,000 barrels of drilling fluid per spud.
"What makes this project really exciting is that we expect to convert these vessels into MPSVs for roughly the same cost that we would have to pay to construct a UT-745 or 280 class OSV, which are the largest OSVs that are currently in service. Unlike these vessels, however, the HOS 370's will offer our customers 'Swiss Army Knife' capabilities well beyond those of any OSV offered or under construction today. With the HOS 370, we have designed a single vessel that can perform a variety of specialty services for which customers must currently use several different types of vessels. In addition to traditional offshore supply vessel capabilities, the HOS 370 can support offshore construction, subsea well intervention, ROV operations, pipeline commissioning, pipe-hauling and flotel services, to name a few. We estimate that the cost to construct two comparable vessels 'from scratch,' with the same capacities and all of the capabilities of the HOS 370, would be over $120 million, or about twice our expected level of investment."
Based on available industry data, there are 327 active deepwater fields currently operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and a current backlog of 1,066 approved applications to drill wells in water depths over 1,000 feet. In addition, 13 additional floating production units are scheduled for delivery to the U.S. GoM by 2008, up nearly 50% from today's levels, and deepwater production infrastructure is expected to increase by approximately 60% in the GoM by 2010.
Mr. Hornbeck continued, "In 2002, Hornbeck Offshore introduced greater efficiencies to the deepwater market by delivering three 265 class new generation OSVs to support ultra-deepwater drilling programs. Once again, we are 'raising the bar' by introducing another unique and much more versatile solution to the E&P industry to support increasingly sophisticated deep well drilling and production activities, as well as to address recent changes in field development procedures.
"We expect domestic demand for new generation OSVs to remain strong for the foreseeable future. These vessels will service not only deepwater GoM drilling activities, but also support the construction and maintenance of all of the associated production infrastructure over the life of such deepwater fields. As we look out five to ten years, beyond the current market cycle, the question in our mind is not whether new equipment is required, but what type of new equipment is needed to best meet this visible demand. In addition, while we have designed the HOS 370 primarily for service in the GoM, our relatively low cost basis in these vessels should allow them to compete very effectively in the international market. We believe that the HOS 370 conversion program that we are announcing today furthers our mission of providing innovative, high quality value-added business solutions to our customers. These unique multi-purpose vessels, combined with our existing fleet, will allow us to continue to meet the broadest range of needs of our customer base," Mr. Hornbeck concluded.
Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. is a leading provider of technologically advanced, new generation offshore supply vessels primarily in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and select international markets, and is a leading transporter of petroleum products through its fleet of ocean-going tugs and tank barges primarily in the northeastern U.S. and in Puerto Rico. Hornbeck Offshore currently owns and operates a fleet of over 50 vessels, with 6 additional vessels under construction and/or planned for conversion. For more information, please visit the Company's website at http://www.hornbeckoffshore.com under the captions, "News" and "Investors."
Contacts:
Todd Hornbeck, CEO; Jim Harp, CFO Hornbeck Offshore Services, 985-727-6802
Ken Dennard, Managing Partner Lisa Elliott, Sr. Vice President DRG&E, 713-529-6600
Date: May 4, 2005
Organization: Schilling Robotics
Manufacturers Battle to Gain the Upper Hand
Houston, TX (Houston Chronicle by David Kaplan) - Out of all the companies with booths at the Offshore Technology Conference, only one sells something that's been used to grab sunken treasure and flip hamburgers.
The company, Schilling Robotics, is a leading maker of robotic arms. Clients buy robotic arms, or manipulators, for functions that include capturing rare fish and performing secret U.S. military projects. However, most of Schilling's customers are offshore drillers.
Davis, Calif.-based Schilling has been making robotic arms since 1985, and more recently has ventured into a related field: the production of remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs, which are subsea vehicles used by offshore drillers.
Robotic arms are often attached to ROVs, which also have cameras that serve as eyes.
On display at the conference was Schilling's brand new Quest Ultra Heavy Duty Hydraulic Work-Class ROV, which sells for about $1.5 million.
Suppliers of ROVs have a limited customer base. There are only about 600 work-class ROVs on the planet, Schilling co-founder Wes Gerriets said. But the demand for ROVs in the offshore industry is growing.
The leading seller of ROVs is Perry Slingsby Systems, based in Jupiter, Fla.
Previously, one could drill in shallow enough water to allow divers to go to the depths, Gerriets said, but shallow oil is no longer available. Offshore drillers must work in places that are too dangerous or impossible for divers to reach.
To compete with Perry Slingsby and other companies, Schilling is working on more technologically advanced ROVs. Its Quest UHD, for example, is billed as a particularly powerful ROV. Among its features is the ability to hold its position underwater automatically.
Schilling works in alliance with Sub-Atlantic, makers of inspection and light-work class ROVs, similar to the ones featured in the movie Titanic.
Natasha Trenorden, a marketing consultant with Perry Slingsby, described her company as the "tried and proven" ROV supplier, with a 60 percent market share.
She said that Schilling, well-known for robotic arms, is basically unproven when it comes to work-class hydraulic ROVs.
Schilling's Gerriets acknow- ledged that his company is new to the ROV industry but predicted: "The new kid on the block with new technologies is going to make a lot of sales in the near future."
The last year has been difficult for the ROV market, Trenorden said, but over the past few months the industry has seen a turnaround.
As it strives to become a player in the ROV market, Schilling will continue to market its bread-and-butter item, the robotic arm.
Schilling boasts a 90 percent share of the robotic arm market. The cost of its arms range from $30,000 to $200,000, with an average price of $125,000.
That cost may not seem so steep if you are hunting for sunken treasure or trying to sell a burger flipping device to a giant like McDonald's.
One Schilling Robotics client is the Florida-based commercial salvage company Odyssey Marine Exploration. Odyssey Marine has its sights on the HMS Sussex, a British warship that sank in 1694. The wrecked vessel holds gold and silver coins possibly worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
In the late 1980s, a man came to the Schilling Robotics office describing himself as a fast-food efficiency expert. He asked Schilling engineers if they could program a robotic arm to prepare a hamburger. He was interested in selling the concept to a company such as McDonald's.
The Schilling engineers succeeded in getting a robotic arm to flip a patty on a grill, place the patty on a bun, add pickles and onions, and set the completed hamburger on a tray.
They produced a video of the process, gave it to the man and never saw him again.
Date: May 3, 2005
Organization: Scan Tech / Perry Slingsby
Scan Tech UK signs deal with Perry Slingsby Systems
By OilOnline - Scan Tech UK, part of marine services provider, James Fisher & Sons plc, is to boost its provision of quality tools for remotely operated vehicles following the signing of a Strategic Agreement with Perry Slingsby Systems an international provider of remote intervention technologies and equipment systems. The agreement will see Aberdeen-based Scan Tech UK, which offers the largest selection of subsea rental tools in Europe, appointed as the exclusive rental supplier for Perry Slingsby Systems' extensive range of ROV tooling in the North Sea. The deal could lead to the creation of a number of jobs at Scan Tech UK in Aberdeen.
Scan Tech UK is a long-term provider of seabed excavation services and systems, offshore deck equipment, subsea tooling and umbilical spooling.
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