Solution Centre

Project summary

This project will seek to develop adaptable wirelessly activated sensors that can monitor wall thickness over an array of points/areas. These permanently mounted sensor arrays are capable of collecting accurate data of material thickness of equipment in situ. These sensors will integrate with the Inductosense WAND system which can easily be used to collect and transfer data for further analysis of corrosion/erosion rates.

Project summary

The aim of this project is to develop & trial a non-invasive, intrinsically safe tooling system which instantly and safely confirms the operator has identified the targeted line before work commences. In addition, valuable data is gathered to improve efficiency, remove unnecessary risk and target smart integrated operations for any tasks involving pipework, tubing, hoses and cables. Puls8 aim to help users to enhance safety performance and reputation, prevent loss of production, reduce survey time by 50%, eliminate misidentification and repeat work, increase productivity & have a positive environmental impact.

Project summary

WellDecommissioned are developing a Pre-Project Planning software package to replace manual spreadsheet tasks and embed detailed engineering and commercial data to allow for consistent and easy comparison of subsea removal project execution options. This will allow fact based, fast and easy decision-making. The software will be used to: 1) Improve decision-making 'assisted by software' to achieve Low-Risk, Low-Cost execution options. 2) Identify early the value of factors such as adoption of new technology, efficiency gains or Carbon Footprint impact. 3) Drive standardisation in project approach.

Project summary

This technology focuses on using additive manufacturing (AM) to produce valve gates. AM gates provide a number of key benefits, namely reduced component weight, reduced manufacturing lead time and creating a digital inventory of spares. This technology is particularly well suited to applications in XT valves on depleted wells, where the Tubing Head Pressure (THP) is too low to effectively seat the valve gate. This results in leaking valves on depleted wells requiring the operator to shut in wells. The AM manufactured gate is designed with internal lattice features to significantly reduce the final weight of the part, increasing the ability to seal in low pressure applications. The UKCS and a multitude of operators have brownfield assets that while still viable producers, have reduced THP. The OGA Wells Insight Report (2018) reported of the 600 wells shut in, 42% are related to Well Integrity issues.

Project summary

Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) is a relatively new form of additive manufacturing. Similar to the 3D printing process used for plastics, it uses gas metal arc welding to deposit material layer by layer forming the required shape. This project aims prove WAAM's capability by creating the first WAAM produced component for offshore use in rotating equipment & build confidence in the technology in the oil and gas industry.

Project summary

The Ocean‐REFuel Programme will bring together a multidisciplinary team of world‐leading academics to establish fundamental scientific and engineering understanding for the conversion of Ocean Renewable Energy to liquid and gaseous fuels. Ocean‐REFuel will build upon the hugely successful offshore wind developments of the past two decades to accelerate the development and unlock the potential of converting ocean energy into new energy vectors directly addressing challenges associated with energy storage, renewable heat and the decarbonisation of transport (road, rail, marine and potentially aviation) through the provision of high energy density fuels that can be efficiently stored predominantly utilising existing storage and distribution infrastructure. Net Zero Technology Centre to be part of the Stakeholder Advisory Board. University of Strathclyde applying for £8.5m funding from EPSRC.

Project summary

Developing an automated, wireless enabled and ATEX version of their system which is expected to be of great impact in addressing the CUI issues on onshore and offshore processing facilities. The primary aim of this project is to independently evaluate CR's CUI monitoring technology by undertaking blind trials on a test rig at ESR Technology's facilities in order to validate prior to being installed on an offshore platform and monitored for 24-months.

Project summary

The National Composites Centre (NCC)launched SusWIND - an initiative to accelerate the development of technology, processes and materials that address the recyclability and future development of composite wind turbine blades. The programme is helping to drive the future sustainability of wind turbine technology for the benefit of the sector and the global community by bringing together leading stakeholders in the composites industry and energy sector.

Project summary

Reliable and cost-effective subsea wireless is a key enabler for the offshore energy industries.  OISL have developed a wireless network tech which uses Loosely Couples Transformer technology to enable operational and environmental surveillance. This project will look at proving capability though air-water boundary to integrate subsea to topsides ability to retrofit this technology to existing asset and applications.

Project summary

NZTC are delivering a business case for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES) that will be submitted to Scottish Government to apply for up to £10MM in funding through the Green Growth Accelerator (GGA) programme. The funding will be used to develop the civil infrastrucutre on the island that can support the deployment of a green hydrogen production hub. Locally produced hydrogen can decarbonise transport, industry and heating, whilst delivering significant economic benefits across the islands, supporting a Just Transition and a growth in jobs.

Project summary

To build, assemble and complete integration testing of the complete system in preparation for an offshore field trial in 2022.

Project summary

University of Aberdeen will address the critical gap in Underground Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide Storage (UHCDS) technology related to subsurface storage of H2 and CO2 through combination of laboratory experimentation, numerical modelling and simulation approach, utilising North Sea field data to develop and deliver a benchmarking case for deployment for UKCS.

Project summary

Rough, as the UK's largest natural gas facility with ~70% storage capacity, was closed for gas storage in 2017 due to well failures. Since storage operations ceased, Centrica Storage Ltd (CSL) has continued to operate Rough in a production-only capacity, and planning for decommissioning. The repurposing of Rough for both green and blue hydrogen storage would be an excellent Technology Project to support the UK's energy transition for net zero emissions. A numerical assessment of Rough as a hydrogen storage facility would provide evidence-based decision-making for its future role for the UK's energy transition. Numerical modelling capability of thermal, multiphase and multiple component flow in porous rocks is required to simulate the key gas transport processes in subsurface conditions. In order to redevelop Rough as a hydrogen capable storage site the reservoir must be returned to similar operating pressures as prior to storage operation cessation in 2017. Due to field blowdown operations over recent years it is estimated that approx. 130bcf of natural gas would need to be injected into the reservoir to restore reservoir 'cushion gas' inventory for storage operations. Although Rough storage appears to be the least-cost option to meet the UK's hydrogen storage demand, this requirement to replace cushion gas may make Rough redevelopment construction cost unfavourable to regulatory bodies and UK government. A way to mitigate this would be to inject an alternative cushion gas such as CO2. CO2 production from the Humber area's Zero Carbon Humber Technology Projects could provide such cushion gas feed stock, whilst supporting decarbonisation for the wider Humber region.

Project summary

To select and integrate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) into a hollow fibre form to optimise separation and purification of H2 and CO2 in blue hydrogen production. The project promises substantial capex and energy savings in future pressure swing adsorption, making blue hydrogen a greener option and taking a step towards the targeted costs for widespread adoption as part of the UK's roadmap for net zero emissions.

Project summary

The Data for projects aims to undertake R&D that will deliver the world's first Smart Energy Basin. Utilising an integrated suite of data science, visualisation and modelling tools, the Smart Energy Basin is a digital copy of the entire energy basin that will be utilised to accelerate a range of cross-sectoral decision-making approaches for energy integration and the transition to a net zero energy system by 2045. Initially it will focus on a discrete group of offshore energy assets that share both geographic proximity and operational connectivity, either a cluster of assets East of Shetland or in the Southern North Sea before seeking to widen the approach across the basin An initial six (6) synergistic industry-led research work packages will be undertaken over a period of 3 years as follows: Infrastructure reuse and repurposing Decision making in late life and decommissioning Decarbonising decommissioning Energy Hub body of knowledge UKCS Offshore Workforce Portal Floating Offshore Wind (FOW)/ Fisheries Spatial Data Portal

Project summary

Investigating the feasibility of developing the world's first multi-month hydrogen store in porous rock. The University of Edinburgh and SGN are collaborating on a hydrogen storage pilot located at the Earl's Seat Anticline in Fife (Scotland). The successful establishment of this hydrogen storage pilot will form a key component in SGN's H100 project to accelerate decarbonisation of the East of Scotland and will directly inform commercial development of storage on hydrogen networks in the UK.

Project summary

As an alternative to the Haber-Bosch process (which consumes 2% of global energy consumption), this technology will save 50% electricity. Laboratory experiments will identify the materials required for air separation to generate zero-carbon nitrogen, and production of zero-carbon hydrogen from Solid Oxide Electrolysis to carry out the reaction of nitrogen and hydrogen for zero-carbon ammonia production over a membrane reactor, operating at atmospheric pressure.

Project summary

Laboratory studies will investigate and predict hydrogen (unblended) permeation behaviour for various materials applicable to pipeline transportation and storage. Results will enable the development of a mathematical model to describe the permeability, diffusivity, and solubility of hydrogen as a function of temperature, thickness and trans membrane pressure between 50-430°C, thereby enabling more informed decisions on liner options.

Project summary

EnQuest has agreed to a collaborative approach for a study using heat from offshore wells and produced water to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of offshore facilities. The study will examine the use of geothermal principles and applied technology solutions for offshore energy generation. The aim is to reduce the facilities' gas-powered generation, which on Magnus is some 40MW, aiming initially for 10% within 24 months. CeraPhi Energy as the project lead has developed a new and novel closed-loop energy generation well system (the CeraPhiWell™) using the principles of existing off the shelf Oil and Gas proven solutions where a specifically selected fluid is circulated within a closed loop installed via a well hanger bundle into the well in a concentric tubular arrangement that acts as a downhole heat exchanger. The CeraPhiWell™ is installed vertically to the required depth, determined by the required heat output and the subsurface temperature gradient at the site. An enhancement to the CeraPhiWell™ concept is the CoProWell™ which allows for simultaneous production of geothermal heat energy and hydrocarbons. Both technologies enable extraction of deep geothermal energy which can be converted into useful, and most importantly continuous zero-carbon, heat and power.

Project summary

Waterwhelm have developed an alternative to reverse osmosis (RO), that utilises waste heat to improve efficiency of desalination. Vast opportunities across many sectors including hydrogen production. Pilot plant being built on site at Veolia's Seafield Wastewater Treatment Works.

Project summary

The challenge was to develop next generation subsea autonomous system technologies, which are modular in design with common interfaces and open architectures. Three projects are now underway, all utilising UK based companies, with planned field trials in 2023. Projects are being led by Autonomous Devices Ltd, Rovco and Planet Ocean.

Project summary

The Moseley Separator is a super-compact multiphase separator that utilises turbine technology to achieve the same or better separation efficiency as traditional separators  with a much smaller physical footprint.  It also has the potential to strip out CO2 (and H2S) for CCS and generate clean electricity during the process.

Project summary

Eserv proposes to combine the data in a single application which allows the user to view increasingly detailed data as proximity to the structure increases. This has significant benefits for asset integrity and asset management and is essential for facilitating the development of further new technologies such as autonomous inspection and automated anomaly detection algorithms using artificial intelligence. Building on the Eserv AS-TEG™ model, the R&D Technology Project will focus on the means by which the various subsea formats can be combined and presented.

Project summary

Creating an efficient water electrolyser that can be used to produce low-cost green H2 directly from water. The project aims to design a membrane free electrolyser system that utilises seawater for CO2 capture on distributed facilities in a marine environment, in addition to producing green hydrogen.

Project summary

sHYp BV Ltd. is exploring CO2 capture from seawater through a novel approach. The membrane-less electrolyser separates sea water into discrete acidic and alkaline streams allowing for CO₂ capture from sea water. The project is investigating electrolysis efficiencies to ensure stable operation, with a focus on characterising the electrodes under different operational conditions.

Project summary

Mission Zero's DAC technology employs an electrochemical approach radically different from the state-of-the-art to eliminate the need for high temperatures and to reduce overall energy consumption. Furthermore, our process is low cost and allows for continuous operation, significantly increasing the efficiency and compactness of deploying our technology, thus making it economically viable to operate at a range of scales. F-CDI, the concept to be developed through this project, is an early-stage but promising electrochemical process which has the potential to integrate into our DAC technology and provide unique value-added advantages such as facilitating both recovery and storage of electrical energy alongside CO2 capture. Furthermore, the automated/ML approach to tackle this project that will be employed by the university partner also represents the development of a new and powerful computational platform that will continue to provide value in accelerating the optimization of our DAC system well beyond the initial outcomes of this project.

Project summary

The Scottish Net Zero Roadmap (SNZR) project is part of a Government sponsored challenge to develop net zero industrial clusters by 2040. The project will develop a road map to decarbonise the industrial cluster along Scotland's East Coast, which currently emits some 9.3 million tonnes of CO2 p.a.. A number of scenarios will be explored to establish clearly defined pathways to net zero for the range of industrial sites within the Scottish industrial cluster.

Project summary

A highly efficient water electrolyser that can be used to produce low-cost green H2 directly from water. The water electrolyser will operate in a currently untapped temperature range of 375˚C - 400˚C and reduce electrical energy consumption using heat sourced from waste or low carbon sources.

Project summary

The central objective of the ESGT (Enhanced Subsea Gas Tiebacks) project is to further develop the Pseudo Dry Gas System (PDGS) and live test the first full scale, preproduction model. The SIT of the system will be undertaken in Q1 2023 with follow on testing at NEL.

Project summary

A “Spotify” for data: through the delivery of the initial two project phases, the long-term vision of this project is to provide the industry with an offshore energy data architecture which will support and inform future infrastructure projects. OEDA will provide the ability for the industry and the wider digital ecosystem to have open and trusted access to relevant industry data sets.

Project summary

OLTER (Offshore Low Touch Energy RAS) proposes to act as the one entity accountable for Offshore Industrial RAS (Robots and Autonomous System), creating a single Centre where industry, supply chain, academia, developers and other sectors can connect to maximise the potential of digital for the UKCS.​

Project summary

The core of this development is a subsea microgrid which conditions power from offshore wind turbine generation. The initiative also incorporates subsea energy storage and fault tolerant architectures that ensure continued power supply. Phased technology development: initial R&D to develop full proof-of-concept of the first subsea electric distribution system powered completely by offshore wind, removing the requirement for conventional connection to shore and providing a renewable based power solution to support subsea production.

Project summary

The technology development in this proposal enables smooth transition from “hydrocarbon production” to “CO2 storage” in suitable UKCS hydrocarbon fields, using CO2 from planned UK CCS projects, Acorn and Net Zero Teesside, and potential future CCS projects. The transition period allows modification of infrastructure supported by an income stream, thus avoiding mothballing, and enabling the change of infrastructure use to solely CO2 storage in UKCS fields.

Project summary

Through the ORCA Hub, Chevron have partnered with the University of Oxford and University of Edinburgh who are both developing new mapping technology to enable deployment of the ANYmal quadruped robot. The collaboration plans to conduct a deployment of ANYmal in a live Chevron facility within Europe. Lessons learned from the deployment will allow Chevron to evaluate quadruped robots as a viable autonomous inspection solution for their facilities. The robotic developers at Oxford and Edinburgh will also use the lessons learnt to improve the autonomous capabilities of quadruped robots for hazardous area inspection.

Project summary

Identify the options to connect the various green H2 sources to the European hydrogen backbone project. Understand the operating technology limitations in trunk line operation and to assess the potential to repurpose existing pipelines. The outcomes will help provide an insight to the technologies required for potential repurposing and operational technologies for operators and supply chain alike.

Project summary

The primary aim of the project is to validate Xclude as a low-cost alternative to cement and other alternative barrier methods. Xclude is a water-based, chemical system which creates calcium sulfate scale in a controlled reaction. Three components are diluted with water, mixed, and immediately pumped into the well. As the scale precipitates within the formation, the pore throats of the rock become blocked and reducing permeability.

Project summary

The project aims to develop a solution which allows the ability to automatically ascertain the fabric condition of an entire facility remotely, through innovative Auto-Visual inspection techniques.

Project summary

Energy hubs, where GW-scale low carbon hydrogen can be produced and integrated with Scotland's offshore wind resource will be an essential element of the transition to net zero. This project will address common technology challenges and opportunities that energy hubs across Scotland will face, including green and blue hydrogen production, storage and transportation.

Project summary

In Phase 2, the Technology Project aims at building the recommended platform for an extensive library of subsea images to apply AI driven solutions to revolutionise subsea inspection across the oil & gas industry and beyond. The Technology Project will focus on defect localisation and recognition on pipeline videos/images using machine learning algorithms. Such a framework will accelerate and speed up the development of AI driven solutions on other subsea assets. Typical examples will include identifying corrosion in pipes, recognising objects of interest, remote inspections and others. Supported by data and algorithms provided by sponsoring operators, this proposal aims to deliver a working prototype solution that displays the potential of machine learning in subsea pipeline inspection. A successful proof of concept will accelerate the development and deployment of machine learning applications to improve subsea inspection in the oil & gas industry.

Project summary

The project will develop the world's first Offshore Work Class Robot (OWCR) for the Oil & Gas industry, advancing the previously funded Offshore Ground Robot Industrial Pilot (OGRIP) prototype, developed in partnership with Total, Equinor, Petrobras & Taurob. OGRIP was primarily a surveillance vehicle, this project will extend the performance of the OGRIP robot through the addition of active manipulation. This project will develop a robot that can operate in ATEX environments for prolonged periods of time (up to 12 months) without human intervention, fundamentally underpining the concept of remote operations and co-working robots.

Project summary

Oxifree have developed an alternative solution to the established technique of shutting down plant piping systems in order to lift the pipe to allow access for blasting and painting activities to remove the corrosion product. The TM198 system is applied with minimal surface preparation and eliminates the need to shut down the line and requires minimal maintenance over a ten-year period. The project will consist of a two field trials covering the following main activities: • Carry out a pre inspection of 141 pipe supports on two onshore sites • Apply TM198 to all 141 pipe supports; • Return to the sites after one year of normal operation, remove coating and reinspect areas to assess any degradation; • Produce a final report on the performance of the repairs.

Project summary

The objective of this project is to increase gas detection in all operational areas and to reduce manual handheld workscopes within modules thereby improving efficiency and to reduce the risk of major accident hazards (MAH). Main objective of this project to successfully test fly a UAV on a live facility and gather data on its emissions.

Project summary

Complimenting the data extraction project and to fully support a holistic risk-based integrity decision tool. Imrandd are also proposing to develop a revolutionary data analytics and visualisation platform. This platform will correlate and analyse internal and external degradation as well as process conditions including barrier status to give a complete overview of the integrity status of an asset in real time.

Project summary

This project will develop an Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) solution to data mine the legacy integrity data held by an operator which in turn can be used to provide the necessary historical data needed to effectively manage the integrity of late life assets. Imrandd have already developed a rudimentary proof of concept which uses a template overlay to enable the data to be identified, extracted and loaded into a database.

Project summary

The technology Deep Casing Tools proposes to develop is focused on the Well Abandonment and Slot Recovery markets. Within rig-based operations, to remove in-situ casing strings the industry experiences significant unproductive rig time due to the inability of the current downhole offerings. These techniques are known commonly as “Cut and Pull', “Perf and Wash” and “Casing Milling”. The technology is not a replacement for the above offerings but is designed to fit into these workflows and will combine current standard Cut and Pull technology with a unique device in order to make standard systems more effective. The core technology, which is known as the Casing Cement Breaker (CCB) is a concept downhole device or tool that has the ability to be hydraulically operated in wells at selective depths and intervals or selective time periods in order to break cement behind a casing string in order to ease the removal of said casing string.

Project summary

The project is to complete conceptual design engineering for the modular grillage system.  A re-useable modular grillage and rapid sea fastening system would solve the current non-circular process of the design, calculation, engineering and fabrication of new grillages.  Re-useable systems offer a safer working environment as a great percentage of operation on site would become cold works opposed to hot works.

Project summary

Maintaining the safety and operational efficiency of subsea pipelines is critical to the offshore industry. Current risk based inspection (RB) methods for accurately predicting the condition of the pipelines are based on an initial as-built state and physical/chemical models. While these methods are cost-effective, they do not provide accurate pipeline condition data, which means significant resource is spent on inspection methods. Historically, flow assurance software could not be used to drive or underpin inspection campaigns (capability and cost), which is why Apollo has developed a Pipeline Assurance Simulation Solution (PASS) to address this. PASS is a new modelling tool that can accurately predict the integrity of a pipeline, providing the opportunity to refine when physical inspection campaigns are actually required. If applied to just 10% of North Sea pipelines, this could save the industry up to £25million per year.

Project summary

An innovative approach to develop a highly efficient Solid Oxide Fuel Cell system to simultaneously crack and convert ammonia directly into water and nitrogen, yielding electric power to drive a propulsion system for marine vessels. This method is projected to be two times more efficient than existing fuel combustion-based technologies and does not produce polluting off-gases such as NOx

Project summary

Assessing and comparing the most suitable geology for hydrogen storage of two likely storage environments offshore the UK and Ireland, the relatively homogenous Gas Fields of the Southern North Sea and the heterogenous Reservoirs of the Celtic Sea, for hydrogen storage and test the geological parameters and report the optimal geological storage conditions for seasonal hydrogen storage.

Project summary

This novel high pressure & temperature integrated pyrolysis-gasifier unit aims to produce carbon monoxide, green hydrogen (ultra clean syngas) and bio-CO2 from mixed biomass and plastics. This technology will create lower cost per kg of bio-Hydrogen, often referred as turquoise hydrogen, (from local organic waste residues, food, compost, wood) than its competition (electrolysis and methane reforming) and offer high purity hydrogen for Net Zero energy or fuels.

Project summary

Innovative project to develop a cost-effective & novel solid-state metering solution measurement platform for hydrogen and other future energy gases/blends to address challenges related to safety and accuracy of measurement. The measurement station can be utilised in hydrogen refuelling stations, supporting the decarbonisation of the heavy vehicles sector & measuring hydrogen within pipes of various sizes and under different operating conditions, rendering the technology suitable for a wide range of applications.

Project summary

Develop gas turbine technology that can operate on a low carbon alternative to natural gas, providing a low carbon solution for decarbonising both offshore operations and existing onshore industrial processes and electricity generation plant without extensive modifications.

Project summary

Lateral wave movement causes impact on conductors, caissons and risers initiating fatigue and fracturing which can be both costly, challenging and dangerous. To reduce conductor movement within guides and minimise damage various shim solutions have been developed to varying degrees of success. Many involving significant costs. AquaTerra have developed a solution to improve on these established techniques which will not only reduce the wave induced damage but increase the guide stability and moderate the vibrations to extend the life of the conductors, caissons, associated piping systems and structure with minimal maintenance. This project is now in Phase 2 and will undergo two field trials with major Operators. This project being the second.

Project summary

S-Cube are developing a highly innovative and disruptive method of processing 3D seismic data, SAPIENT (Seismic Auto Processing and Inversion to Explore New Targets). Starting from raw field data, SAPIENT offers the potential to fully automate seismic data processing in an end-to-end data driven process, greatly reducing time-frames and removing the element of human bias that exists in current processing sequences.

Project summary

Autonomous Robotics Limited (ARL) are developing a fully autonomous self-propelled ocean bottom node, called a Flying Node, that has the potential to reduce the cost of acquiring Ocean Bottom Seismic (OBS) to a rate comparable to the latest towed streamer acquisition making it a viable option for use in exploration, wider use in 4D studies, and as an affordable monitoring technique for CCUS

Project summary

The aim of the project is to develop and validate a water/condensation and CUI-monitoring system for industrial applications. In order to accomplish these goals, the following objectives must be reached: 1. Redefine and certify existing prototype sensor (Sens-YD) for monitoring of condensation under/in insulation to comply with industrial environment (ATEX, EMC). 2. Develop and certify (ATEX, EMC) a new industrial sensor (CUI-YD) for monitoring corrosion under insulation. 3. Develop a data-analytic platform with machine learning algorithms for both sensors to be used in validation trial. 4. Validate the monitoring of both types of sensor (Sens-YD, CUI-YD) in a controlled test environment,

Project summary

Currently small-bore piping contributes disproportionately highly to fugitive emissions in process plants and the difficulties in effectively inspecting small diameter piping aggravate this situation. At the moment radiography is the primary method of managing integrity and it is both slow to enact and disruptive to plant operation as large areas of plant have to be barriered off to restrict access for safety purposes when inspection activities are ongoing. Radiography can also have a detrimental effect on plant instrumentation which may require to be isolated which again leads to disruptions. The net result of this is that inspection activities are costly and are often deferred resulting in increased risk for plant operators. The purpose of this shared research Technology Project is to provide independently verified information on the performance on the state of the art of corrosion mapping techniques for the detection and sizing of internal corrosion on small bore pipework. The most recent HOIS work in this area was in 2011 which focused on straight uncoated 6” nominal bore pipes. Since then, the industry has seen continuous improvement in corrosion mapping techniques. For example - 0° phased array equipment is now available to scan small bore pipes, elbows and other curved components. However, there has been no independent evaluation or validation of these techniques which this Technology Project seeks to address.

Project summary

Despite CUI being one of the biggest degradation issues in the O&G industry, there is a lack of a satisfactory in-service inspection methods that don't require the need for the removal of cladding and insulation. The effectiveness of Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) in detecting CUI has been under discussion for several years since it was first introduced as an inspection technique for CUI. PEC was developed in the 1990s and was initially protected by patents that have now expired. This has led to several companies developing and commercialising the technology which has raised ambiguity on the effectiveness of PEC as an inspection technique. The purpose of this shared research Technology Project is to provide independently verified information on the performance of the PEC technique and the key factors impacting the detection of CUI. The main objective of the Technology Project will be the development of a PEC best practice/guidance document to assist industry in optimising the utilisation of PEC in CUI programmes.

Project summary

Reduction of down-time related costs and improvement in safety of operation is making NII increasingly attractive for the O&G sector. The overall benefit to the industry from deploying NII is estimated to be £242M per annum, however not all pressure vessels are suitable for NII due to varying limitations of technology. At ambient temperatures (up to 70-80°C) ultrasonic UT is reasonably unaffected by temperature; however above 80°C there are challenges in performing UT at higher temperatures which this project seeks to address. By outlining and verifying the performance of high temperature UT methods for NII, including Probability of Detection (PoD), false calls and sizing accuracy this project will provide an industry recognised guidance document for carrying out NDT at elevated temperatures.

Project summary

Pipelines2Data's their innovative technology, inSonify, allows for the inspection to capture quantitative data from the pipeline, to monitor and to inform the Operator on the internal condition and integrity of the pipeline through ROV/AUV. This technology utilises wide band acoustics to detect and measure pipeline data which offers a cost effective and low risk solution which maximises system optimisation. This project will aim to demonstrate this technology through concrete coating and on a North Sea pipeline.

Project summary

The OMO project will serve as a “lighthouse project” that will both inspire and equip the wider industry with the tools, technology, techniques and approaches required to successfully employ remote operations technology and optimised manning practices in their brownfield operations in the UKCS.

Project summary

Geoscientific study using a play based exploration approach to identify and critically evaluate prospective levels and sweet spots for CO2 storage in East Midlands Shelf and Silverpit Basin. A fully risked and ranked prospect and lead inventory based on geology and geophysics will be produced and a set of criteria will be built for common risk segment analysis.

Project summary

Underwater, collaborative, smart, swarm robots for remote inspection and maintenance offshore. The more, compact, lightweight AUVs will have the capability of operating and interacting safely in autonomous modes in complex and cluttered environments. Phase 1 is to prove tether-less, visual inspection in confined space.

Project summary

isol8's vision is to set the new global standard in zero emission wellbore isolation products to maximise client value and radically reduce costs. Their Fusion P&A product aims provide greater long term integrity assurance than 50m of cement. isol8 is undertaking a rigorous qualification testing programme based on the ISO-14310 standard to demonstrate the quality of their unique bonded-alloy barriers. In April 2022, Isol8 invested more than £150,000 in a new manufacturing facility to produce its thermite modules, housed within its Aberdeen headquarters, as it scales up to meet international demand. The company is now looking to scale up to address “significant international demand” for the technology. The company increased its headcount by 30%, and it expects to recruit a further 20-30 staff over the next 12-24 months.

Project summary

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) developed by Inspection Tech Ltd and is at the heart of their intelligent corrosion monitoring product, iCON™. The method of EIS was identified as part of the Lockheed Martin Landscaping Study as an inspection method that has the potential to characterise electrochemical processes such as corrosion and help solve the long term problem of monitoring piping and vessel systems at risk of Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI). As a potential solution to managing the CUI challenge within the Oil & Gas industry the aim of the project is to conduct validation trials at an onshore site to prove that this technology can form part of the overall solution to managing CUI.

Project summary

NZTC are working with SPEX and Total Energies UK to develop a technology that removes large sections of casing and any associated cement back to the formation to allow the installation of a permanent barrier for well P&A. The technique may also have applicability for cutting windows for sidetracks and slot recovery.

Project summary

NZTC are supporting WTL in the development of the Elesken Connected Worker Platform to re-engineer the existing WTL electronics loom (contained within its smart garments), the external connectors and the personal hub to be ATEX compliant. Technically feasible, due to the developing of already existing hardware and software base, Wearable Technologies will extend the Connected Worker Platform to be an Oil and Gas ready enterprise solution by focusing on ATEX certification, software platform development and field trials deploying the technology into the industry's more hazardous areas, for example, offshore rigs and platforms

Project summary

Development of an AI system which aims to overcome challenges caused by Non Productive Time by providing a predictive maintenance system which combines big data with energy analytics,  and a Digital Twin system for use in Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU).  The primary objective of the project is to install the "Fiivesense AI" system on the Ocean Patriot and predict equipment failure on the Mud Pump.

Project summary

SPEX is developing a technology that removes casing and any associated cement back to the formation, to allow the installation of a permanent barrier. The will allow casing to be safely left downhole and minimise the number of cuts and pulls to seal off the well, significantly reducing the cost and time of abandonment while increasing the number of rigless abandonment opportunities.

Project summary

Exnics is developing a low cost, low power, non-intrusive and retrofittable subsea tool for determining multi-phase production flowrates from subsea wells. The system will be trialed and optimised on a North Sea platform in anticipation of marinizing the system for subsea deployment.

Project summary

New technology is fundamental to creating a viable future for the oil and gas sector, yet the introduction of any new technology, be it product, tool or process, creates uncertainty. Astrimar is a leading consultancy providing assurance in the field of technical risk. Their study will enable us to develop a guidance framework for companies on how to confidently develop and introduce new technologies. This study is split into two distinct phases. The first phase will identify current certification practices, outlining their challenges, barriers and gaps; the second will outline a thorough technical qualification framework which will enable us to develop a faster, more effective technology qualification process.

Project summary

We are collaborating with Oceaneering and Spier Hunter to develop a new inspection technique for Corrosion Under Insulation. The project aims to adapt existing Stress Concentration Tomography (SCT™) currently used to inspect buried pipelines, to develop a tool capable of rapidly screening insulated pipework with high probability of detecting corrosion defects. It has the potential to lower maintenance costs by up to 60% and reduce the number of hydrocarbon leaks - saving the UKCS up to £130million per annum.

Project summary

This project aims to develop an automated laser cutting platform with efficient power, electric manipulation, feed-back control and monitoring systems.

Building on initial research conducted through the University of Aberdeen in 2008-2014, the project aims to develop a high power laser cutting system specifically for decommissioning applications in the offshore oil and gas environment. Once proven, the system will reduce operational time and improve decomissioning efficiency.

Claxton are a key partner in the project, providing deployment engineering expertise and a commercial route to market for this technology.

The aim of the project is for the University of Aberdeen and Claxton to take this technology from TRL4 to TRL 5 during this phase of the project.

Project summary

With around 60% of current production coming from sand-prone wells, the aim of this project is to develop an innovative 'best in class' sand monitoring system to monitor production rates and increase production efficiencies. By eliminating background noise, the real time data retrieved from the system will be used to determine the volume, shape, size and velocity of sand being produced.