Challenging times for the offshore survey and metrology industry require innovative and leading edge techniques and technologies that deliver operational efficiencies and productivity. And that, in the words of one of the co-chairmen of the âPositioning and Metrologyâ day-long conference at Oceanology International 2016 (OI 2016), the worldâs largest marine science and ocean technology exhibition and conference, (ExCeL London, UK 15 - 17 March), is just what will feature on the conference agenda. Like all OI conference sessions it is free-to-attend. Free online registration can be found here.
Discussions in the session
Taking place on OI 2016 opening day, Tuesday 15 March, conference stream co-chairs Jonathan Davis, Survey & Geospatial Data Management Manager â AGT Region, BP, and Malik Chibah, INS Group Manager, Sonardyne, explain: âIn these challenging times for the offshore survey and metrology industry We are excited to have prepared a conference programme that will cover a range of leading edge techniques and technologies, which will deliver operational efficiencies and productivity improvements in the field of underwater positioning and imaging.
The session will bring together oil and gas companies, survey contractors and key equipment suppliers to present example applications of new technology to industry challenges. The day will be split into four sessions â âMultibeam Sonarâ, âGNSSâ, âOptical and Laser Imagingâ, and âAcoustic Positioningâ. Multiple presentations have been selected which will allow all attendees to gain a unique insight into key emerging operational capabilities for the industry.â
âOur joint chairmen have worked hard to put together a highly relevant and topical conference stream which will undoubtedly be of interest to all professionals in the offshore survey and metrology industry, be they visitors to OI 2016 or exhibitors,â explains Event Director, Jonathan Heastie of organisers Reed Exhibitions.
Down to detail
Following introductions by the co-chairs, Frederic Auger, Chief Surveyor at Total E&P will deliver the keynote address, to be followed by Blair Cunningham, President of Technology, Coda Octopus Products Incâs view of âUse of innovative real time 3D sonar technology enables installation of a monopod liquid natural gas (LNG) platform and pipeline under low visibility and high current conditions, increasing productivity and reducing project riskâ.
GNSS then comes under the conference spotlight with two presentations, the first âCombining GNSS and INS for robust surface positioningâ by Dr David Russell, Technology Manager, Veripos; and the second âTowards centimetre-level offshore surface positioningâ by Fugro Intersite BV Geodesist, Matthew Goode.
Following the lunchtime break for visiting the exhibition and networking, the afternoon concentrates on an optical/laser panel session; followed by the session on acoustic/inertial activity. Three confirmed speakers take to the lectern in the optical/laser panel session; Jason Gillham, CEO of 2G Robotics looking at âStereoscopic vision coupled with SLAM technology for efficient subsea metrology operationsâ; Fugroâs Commercial manager, Dan Matthews who will concentrate on âEvolving metrology and mapping techniques using subsea LiDARâ, and DimEye Corpâs President and Arnauld Dumon, whose 10 min. presentation will be on âSubsea 3D survey: a new business model with innovative photogrammetryâ. Their quick fire presentations will be followed by half an hourâs discussion and Q&A.
The final session of the day looking at acoustic/inertial issues features two confirmed speakers â Mikael Larsen, Principal Engineer â INS at Sonardyne International who will speak on âTightly integrated acoustically aided INS, laser mapping and contactless metrologyâ; and ASVâs Business Manager â Offshore Energy, James Hailstones on âUsing an ASV for oil and gas services workâ. When the conference stream ends it is time to take part in the networking event on the exhibition show floor.
Packed exhibition
There are Canadian, French, German, Irish, Dutch and US national group stands at OI 2016, as well as a diving pavilion; and individual exhibitors come from 32 countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UAE, UK and the USA. Together they take up over 8000 m2 of stand space making OI 2016 the largest ever held in its 47-year history. In 2014 there were 520+ exhibiting companies and total attendance over the three days of over 8400 industry professionals.
OI 2016 is staged in partnership with the SUT and with The Hydrographic Society UK; the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST); the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA); the Marine Technology Society (MTS); and the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) as endorsing organisations.
Further information on all aspects of Oceanology International including visitor registration is available online.
Edited from source by