A forward-thinking forum established by the Global Underwater Hub (GUH) has spearheaded efforts to address the challenges of ageing offshore infrastructure through cross-industry collaboration.
With a focus on subsea operations, the initiative has proven instrumental in linking end-users with the supply chain to drive innovative solutions, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs, safety risks, and environmental impacts.
According to Neil Gordon, Chief Executive of GUH, the forum has fostered trust and transparency among its members, enabling meaningful discussions and collaborations.
“The depth of the peer-to-peer knowledge sharing among 70 subject matter experts from 13 operators has allowed us to identify common problems that affect people, performance, and profits,” Gordon stated.
He emphasized that the forum facilitates awareness of available technologies and matches end-users with appropriate supply chain collaborators for tailored solutions.
The GUH, representing the UK’s £8 billion underwater industry, launched the forum as a solution-oriented platform to explore shared challenges in subsea operations.
Reports indicated significant progress, with the forum addressing critical areas such as subsea control systems, structural integrity, well intervention, floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) operations, and the inspection of subsea pipelines and structures.
The forum’s impact is particularly evident in its role in fast-tracking the adoption of new technologies. GUH estimates the global subsea Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance (IRM) market to be worth over £3 billion, presenting substantial opportunities for supply chain companies.
Through initiatives such as Subsea Springboard events, operators gain direct exposure to cutting-edge innovations, ranging from digital inspection applications to autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
Greg Jones, Subsea Lead for TotalEnergies E&P, lauded the forum’s dual benefits: fostering open discussions among operators and providing the supply chain, including SMEs, with direct access to operators facing technical challenges.
“This unique approach ensures that potential solutions can be efficiently developed and deployed,” Jones commented.
Expanding Applications Beyond Oil and Gas
While the forum is primarily focused on oil and gas, GUH recognizes the broader applicability of its innovations.
Neil Gordon further highlighted interest from offshore renewable developers and contractors, noting that technologies developed through the forum could benefit sectors such as offshore renewables, defense, and aquaculture.
This cross-industry approach not only diversifies opportunities for the supply chain but also positions the forum’s solutions as globally relevant.
One of the forum’s notable successes lies in promoting the adoption of autonomous underwater vehicles. Historically, barriers such as budget constraints, risk aversion, and low technology readiness have hindered offshore trials.
To address this, GUH hosted knowledge-sharing sessions followed by a Springboard event where large companies and small developers presented their ideas. These sessions provided operators with valuable insights and feedback on emerging autonomous technologies.
Building on this momentum, GUH plans to host a one-day event in December 2024, featuring real-life demonstrations of next-generation autonomous capabilities in offshore settings.
This event aims to further bridge the gap between developers and operators, ensuring faster deployment of effective technologies.
The forum is poised to tackle additional challenges, including external inspection of subsea pipelines and structures, as well as streamlining the regulatory permits and consents process.
By maintaining an action-oriented agenda, the GUH Operator Forum continues to cement its reputation as a catalyst for progress in subsea operations.
The GUH Operator Forum exemplifies the power of collaboration in overcoming industry-wide challenges. By linking operators with the supply chain and driving innovation, the forum is delivering solutions that enhance efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability.
As Neil Gordon aptly concluded, “The cross-industry collaboration, driven by our operators’ forum, will deliver solutions applicable globally, creating new opportunities for our supply chain to diversify and grow exports.”
As the offshore energy sector evolves, initiatives like the GUH Operator Forum will play a crucial role in ensuring resilience, adaptability, and progress across industries.
READ ALSO: Germany ‘Carefully Examining’ Implications Of ICC Warrants
