Oil Companies Acquire Underwater Search Equipment

Seeing what one of their competitors is going through is motivating a number of firms to procure their own ROVs and side scan sonars. Owning these systems will allow them to perform site surveys at any time and to monitor the condition of underwater structures before a catastrophe occurs.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), one of the oil giants in the world, purchased several of JW Fishers side scan sonars and a SeaOtter ROV before there was a crisis. The sonars provide the firm with ability to their survey platforms and pipelines whenever they choose, and map the position of lines and condition of each structure. If a platform or pipeline is damaged, they can immediately scan the area to determine the nature and extent of the problem. If the survey data indicate an inspection or repair is required, the ROV can quickly be deployed. Having the ability to perform an inspection or survey at a moment's notice, provides the ADNOC with tremendous advantages. Companies that lease equipment when a problem arises cannot respond as quickly as those that have the equipment on hand.

A number of businesses that supply subsea equipment and services to the oil and gas industry, like Divex in Scotland, Oceanica in Brasil, and Watergate Technical Services in Nigeria, are also loading up their tool bags. They are using Fishers underwater metal detectors, marine magnetometers, and underwater camera systems to locate and track pipelines and to examine the condition of these conduits.

Oil companies and subsea service providers are not the only ones lining up to acquire equipment.  State and federal environmental agencies, emergency management groups, and universities are all rushing to get their hands on equipment that will allow them to monitor the environmental impact of the millions of gallons of oil that have been released into the gulf.  NOAA, the National Marine Fisheries Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Southeastern Louisiana University, and Mobile County Emergency Management Agency are a few of the organisations that will all be employing Fishers equipment to assist