Energy Matters. BMT Asia Pacific Opens New Testing Facility. BMT Fluid Mechanics Participates in Wind Load JIP. Total and Shell Join MACH Data Set

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1 Spring 2015 issue Energy Matters BMT Asia Pacific Opens New Testing Facility This new environmental testing laboratory will better assist Oil & Gas clients. Read more on page 3. BMT Fluid Mechanics Participates in Wind Load JIP The JIP seeks to improve accuracy in wind tunnel testing for platform design. Learn more on page 4. Total and Shell Join MACH Data Set BMT ARGOSS, the Met Office and Oceanweather announce successful Mid-Atlantic Current Hindcast (MACH) data sets for the two oil and gas majors. Read more on page 5. System Training for Platform Operators BMT Scientific Marine Services offers offshore and classroom training on Integrated Marine Monitoring Systems. Read more on page 7. Photo courtesy of James Kennedy

2 Message from the Sector Director Dr. Ralph Rayner Since the last Energy Matters newsletter the offshore oil and gas industry has gone through some turbulent times which look set to continue. The steep and sustained fall in the price of oil as a result of increases in supply from non-conventional reserves, coupled with the Saudi Arabia stance on maintaining market share, caught the industry somewhat off guard. The response has been a reduction in capital investment in high production cost projects and a renewed drive for operational efficiency in existing and planned offshore developments. In this issue of Energy Matters you will find articles illustrating some of the many ways in which BMT is helping to deliver improved efficiency. Topics range from more effective delivery of environmental testing in support of regulatory compliance, through to the delivery of data and information supporting the optimisation of offshore design and operations. To find out more about how BMT can help you to operate safely and economically and in compliance with applicable environmental standards please visit our website at I hope you find this edition of interest and, as always, would welcome your comments or questions at energy@bmtmail.com. Upcoming Conferences Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2015 NRG Center Houston, TX, USA May 4-7, 2015 Visit BMT at Booth #2241-E FLNG Conference 2015 Hyatt Regency - The Churchill London, UK June 2-5, 2015 BMT Group is an event sponsor. Gastech Conference and Exhibition Singapore EXPO Singapore October 27-30, 2015 Visit BMT at Stand #A162 2

3 Hess Selects BMT for Stampede Marine Monitoring System BMT Scientific Marine Services has been selected by Hess Corporation to supply an Integrated Marine Monitoring System (IMMS) for the Stampede Tension Leg Platform (TLP) in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The system includes instrumentation to measure the environmental conditions impacting the TLP and the platform dynamic responses. The IMMS displays real-time sensor data in an easy to understand format to support platform marine operators as well as collecting detailed data sets to support long term integrity monitoring of the asset. The Stampede TLP is another addition to the long list of floating production facilities that BMT has instrumented and serviced in the Gulf of Mexico over the past 15 years. BMT Asia Pacific Opens New Environmental Testing Facility in Jakarta, Indonesia BMT Asia Pacific has opened its first ever environmental testing facility in Jakarta, Indonesia. Certified to ISO17025 by Komite Akreditasi Nasional (KAN), Indonesia s national accreditation body, the new laboratory provides high-quality technical testing services for BMT s Oil and Gas clients including: noise, ambient air quality, water quality, toxicity and emissions. Previously outsourced, these technical testing services have been brought in-house to better support BMT s world-class environmental assessment and consenting offering which includes statutory compliance, environmental impact assessments and decommissioning studies. Johnny Tjea, President and Director of BMT Asia Pacific Indonesia comments: Opening the new laboratory represents a natural progression for BMT s growing environmental study and monitoring business. Our customer relationships are built on trust, and through the development of our own testing operations and facilities we harness the internal control necessary to deliver consistent, high quality service across our growing customer base. Backed by experienced in-house environmental experts, training programmes and rigorous QA processes, the laboratory operates according to industry standards. This is particularly important in light of increasingly stringent Government regulations for environmental monitoring. 3

4 BMT Fluid Mechanics and the Wind Load JIP: Redefining State-of-the-Art Wind Tunnel Testing for Offshore Structures The wind loading acting on the topsides of floating offshore structures such FPSOs, TLPs and FLNGs plays an important role during installation and operational conditions and, in regions affected by tropical extreme wind events (e.g. hurricanes and typhoons), it represents a highly influential factor in the design. During the early design stages, designers would typically rely on semi-empirical methods (e.g. the building block approach), often calibrated against wind tunnel results previously obtained for similar structures; while these approaches can in principle lead to a reasonably good first estimate of the wind loads, the growing size and scale of some of these structures is making the use of almost any existing database of wind load coefficients less and less reliable and more prone to under-estimation. Physical model boundary layer wind tunnel testing and more recently Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) have therefore been more frequently utilized as design tools as opposed to verification methods. Although wind tunnel tests are generally considered to provide the most accurate method for wind load predictions for offshore structures and ships, unexpected large scatter is sometimes observed when comparing results of fairly similar geometries tested in different wind tunnel laboratories. Also, direct comparison against CFD predictions can prove technically challenging, showing sometimes significant differences. The exact origin of the uncertainty is not known or fully understood, but it often seems to be related to minor differences in the actual wind flow conditions within the wind tunnel facility itself (e.g. mean wind speed & turbulence intensity profiles), blockage effects and different level of details in the manufacturing process of the topsides. It is the aim of this JIP to fully understand the cause of such discrepancies and develop adequate guidelines for reproducibility of wind tunnel tests and CFD simulations. Three large wind tunnel facilities in Europe (BMT Fluid Mechanics, DNW and Peutz) will work together in the JIP to better understand the accuracy levels. A typical FPSO wind tunnel model and a typical Semi wind tunnel model (both with different levels of topside detailing) will be thoroughly tested in each of the three wind tunnel facilities. The FPSO and the Semi will also be extensively studied with RANS CFD. The findings will be reported, disseminated and eventually summarized in general guidelines for wind tunnel testing and CFD for the JIP participants. Most likely, the guidelines will later be taken over by classification and engineering societies, such as ABS and SNAME. 4

5 Total and Shell Buy Into Mid-Atlantic Current Hindcast (MACH) Data Set BMT ARGOSS Ltd, the Met Office and Oceanweather Inc. are pleased to announce the launch of their joint Mid-Atlantic Current Hindcast (MACH) data set, resulting in two successful data sales to oil and gas majors, Shell International Petroleum Company Limited and Total S.A. The Met Office is one of the leading organisations in data assimilation and large scale, complex ocean circulation modelling. The pioneering work of Oceanweather s hindcast approach and derivation of optimal wind fields for ocean boundary forcing has been recognised internationally in both the scientific community and in applications for the offshore industry. This knowledge and expertise coupled with BMT ARGOSS extensive experience in applying and validating metocean data for commercial application is already recognised and highly valued by the oil and gas community. Using their combined knowledge, experience and computational resources, the MACH team have worked closely with oil and gas operators to provide a robust current data set over the West Africa region. Unlike other current data sets available, the MACH data set provides information on the long-term variability of currents over a 20-year period and has been validated against measured data throughout the region. The initial focus has been to provide a 20-year fine resolution data set for the West Africa oil and gas concession region. Valérie Quiniou-Ramus, Head of TEC/GEO & Metocean Specialist at Total commented: Total is interested in MACH to provide a comprehensive database, useful for developing design criteria for offshore structures, as well as for environmental impact assessment studies. As MACH has been developed in a collaborative way by pooling together operators current measurements for better validation, and with the expertise of the Met Office and BMT ARGOSS, we trust that it will be a reliable tool. The MACH data set will be used to better understand the ocean conditions within a potential development site or to gain advanced knowledge of the conditions prior to exploration drilling. Vertical profiles of current speed and direction are critical inputs to riser engineering and deep-water developments offshore, whilst near-surface current spatial information may provide valuable input to oil spill contingency planning and support FPSO and vessel operations. With the reduction of costs being a prime driver in today s environment, this data set will provide regional information that will help refine the design and increase the efficiency of the installation and operation of oil and gas producer s assets offshore. With this phase of the modelling complete, the team are now looking to expand the fine resolution modelling to other parts of the mid-atlantic basin, including Brazil. Robin Stephens from the MACH team commented: The MACH data set for West Africa is now available commercially and we are hoping that access to this data set will allow closer engagement with oil and gas operators, contractors and engineering consultants to help them understand the conditions in one of the key hydrocarbon basins in the Mid- Atlantic region. He continues: We are looking forward to collaborating further with oil and gas operators to understand other regions, including Brazil. This collaborative approach to understanding industry requirements with joint resources and experience has been of great benefit to all parties and forms the basis for future projects. 5

6 BMT Employee Spotlights - New Faces and Key Contacts Laura Azevedo BMT NavCon has appointed Laura Azevedo as its new Senior Sales Representative. She has a Bachelor s in Marine Sciences from University of Maine and a Master s in Geophysics from University of Houston. She previously worked for Fugro, Petrobras, Okeanus and CSA Ocean Sciences, and has more than 10 years experience in marine instrumentation and business development. Garry Palmer Garry joined BMT Fluid Mechanics as the new Head of Numerical Modeling, based in Teddington, UK. He holds a Master s in Architectural Engineering and a PhD in Building Physics. He has over 20 years experience in specialist consulting, including computational fluid dynamics, dynamic thermal modeling, simulation, wind engineering, and fire, smoke and blast modeling. Suba Sivandran BMT Fluid Mechanics has appointed Suba Sivandran as its new Head of Oil & Gas, based in the Singapore office. He has an MBA from HEC Paris and other engineering degrees. Over his career, he has worked in Oil & Gas related projects as a Consultant and Business Development Manager, working with some of the biggest operators and engineering companies in the business. Jason Steward Jason joined BMT Nigel Gee as the new Business Development Manager. He has a naval architecture degree from The University of New South Wales and over 20 years experience in the marine market. His role will see him support the company s continued expansion to deliver design and engineering services in both new and existing markets, including offshore energy. BMT Nigel Gee Expands Operations to Meet Increased Workload BMT Nigel Gee has announced the completion of new offices in Southampton in order to meet a large increase in design work. Operating across four principal market sectors, the naval architectural practice delivers design and engineering services for specialised vessels in the commercial, yacht, defence and offshore energy markets. With 62 live projects, BMT has made an exciting start to Current contracts equate to a total vessel length of nearly 2500m, with projects spreading across 13 countries, over three continents. With seven commercial vessels, 23 offshore energy, 21 specialised naval, and 11 large yacht projects, BMT has a more diverse portfolio than ever before. Such diversity plays a key role in the company s culture; BMT is fed by technology, innovation and engineering from a field that is broader than just a single vessel type, market or shipyard. This gives the organisation a wide footprint in the marine industry and allows it to cross-fertilise ideas, process and innovation. John Bonafoux, Managing Director of BMT Nigel Gee, revealed that: Rising to the challenges that such diversity brings can be both demanding and rewarding. Projects such as the engineering of a series of 42m articulated tug barges are helping us to further enhance our engineering and naval architectural expertise for another specialised vessel type. He continued: The outlook for the rest of 2015 remains both buoyant and full of further challenges. Throughout the year we will be continuing to deliver engineering to our exacting customer base, as well as developing new collaborations and exploring other markets. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our clients, partners and colleagues for this success. As a result of the continuous expansion, BMT Nigel Gee is recruiting and would like to hear from suitable highly skilled individuals who are interested in joining the team. Potential candidates can at careers@bmtng.com, attaching a CV and cover letter of experience. 6

7 BMT Monitoring System Training Courses: Creating Knowledgeable Operators BMT Scientific Marine Services provides a range of training classes to help operators become more informed in the functions of marine monitoring systems. BMT can conduct classes at client locations, on offshore facilities, or in local BMT offices. The primary objectives of these training sessions is to provide a full awareness of the system and deliver core competency training for offshore operators, maintenance personnel, and shore-based facility engineering managers. The courses cover a range operational and technical areas including principles of operation, sensor technology, data acquisition software, alarm management, and integration with third party interfaces. The courses also include sections on inspections, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting. BMT develop custom simulator software for each course which allows the functionality of the offshore user interface screens to be fully replicated. Realistic sensor input data sets are used to simulate a range of offshore operational conditions and training scenarios. Training courses are usually organized in a classroom setting for small groups (up to 10 delegates) over one or two days. Offshore training modules include hands-on system familiarization, hardware and software interfaces, and sensor maintenance routines. Delegates receive a Certificate of Training Completion at the end of the course. BMT recently completed an Integrated Marine Monitoring System training course in IMMS Training at BMT office in Escondido, CA Aberdeen for Marine Operators of BP s Glen Lyon FPSO, due to operate West of Shetland. The training was well-received and we appreciate the opportunity to share knowledge with our valued clients. If you are interested in scheduling a training session for your operators, please contact the BMT Sales Team at info@scimar.com. Rob Barker and BP delegates from the Glen Lyon IMMS training course in Aberdeen 7

8 BMT Group Finalizes Purchase of NavCon BMT Group Ltd has agreed to purchase Navegação e Controle Indústria e Comércio Ltda (NavCon), a leading Brazilian specialist in monitoring systems for the offshore oil and gas industry. The company s name has officially changed to BMT NavCon Ltda. BMT Scientific Marine Services Ltda was previously a minority stakeholder in NavCon. This new agreement fully integrates NavCon into the BMT group of companies. NavCon was founded in 1998 and is strategically located in the technological site of São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil. The company specializes in data acquisition and motion monitoring systems, navigation and heading reference systems, and GNSS receivers for offshore, air, land and space applications. Tom Johnson, President of BMT Scientific Marine Services, commented: I am delighted that NavCon has now been fully incorporated into the BMT family of companies as BMT NavCon. We have been working with them for the last couple of years. We have seen them continue to grow and utilize their knowledge and capabilities in the Brazil oil and gas market. We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate. Francisco Nozolino de Azevedo, General Manager of NavCon, added: NavCon welcomes this agreement with BMT Group. BMT has proven with their worldwide presence and the multiple industries they support that they are a unique and diverse company. Their support will help us continue to expand and further develop our product and service offerings not only for our local customers, but also for the international oil and gas market. Americas West Little York Houston, Texas, 77041, USA Tel: Fax: Australia Suite 6, 29 Hood Street Subiaco, Perth Western Australia, WA 6008 Tel: +61 (0) Fax: +61 (0) Asia Pacific Unit A-32-5, Menara UOA Bangsar, No. 5 Jalan Bangsar Utama 1, Kuala Lumpur 59100, Malaysia Tel: Fax: Europe Broadfold House Broadfold Road Bridge of Don Aberdeen, AB23 8EE Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) Follow us Members of SUT and RPSEA energy@bmtmail.com