Aquatic Joins DNV GL In Joint Industry Project (JIP) On Development Of Codes For Cable And Pipe Laying Equipment

Aquatic Engineering & Construction Ltd, an Acteon company, is working with DNV GL and other organisations in the subsea supply chain, on a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to develop a set of guidelines to be incorporated into new or existing DNV GL Offshore Standards or Recommended Practices. The guidelines will be, ‘The Development of Codes for Offshore Equipment for Cable and Pipe Laying – Phase 1.’

David Tibbetts, vice president, technology, Aquatic, said, “We were eager to get involved with this ground breaking project due to the lack of coherent standards for the specification, design, manufacture, procurement and approval of equipment intended for use in offshore cable and pipe laying operations. DNV approached Aquatic because we are the obvious supply chain choice, due to our market leading reputation, our extensive range of products, four decades of experience and our close working relationships with all of the leading contractors.

“The work involves engineering and technical experts from contractors and equipment manufacturers like Aquatic, collaborating in order to establish joint industry guidelines for our type of equipment, where at present nothing exists. Subject to satisfactory completion of the first two phases, a third phase undertaken by DNV GL will result in the publication of an Offshore Standard or Recommend Practice for cable/pipe laying equipment.”

The Road Map for the project proposed by DNV GL in November 2014 consisted of the following phases:

• Phase 1: Mapping the Big Picture. This is intended to provide a common, system level understanding of the equipment required for the successful laying of cables and pipes.
• Phase 2: Mapping the Detail. This is intended to focus on the individual components of the system to identify their inputs, outputs and interaction with other system components.
• Phase 3: Following the culmination of Phases 1 and 2, which are scheduled to be completed during 2016 and will result in the creation of industry guidelines and a glossary of common terms for cable and pipe laying equipment, there is potential for a third phase, which will lead to the publication of a DNV GL Standard for Certification or Recommended Practice.

Dr.-Eng Marius Popa, lead naval architect, DNV GL, said, “Consistency and collaboration within the industry is essential. Individual practices create unnecessary cost and risk, so the development of a unified approach will ensure standardisation across the supply chain. The JIP will deliver a decision tool that can be used by all stakeholders during the specification, design, manufacture, procurement and approval of any equipment intended for use in offshore cable/pipe laying and recovery.”

Phase 1 participants include: Allseas Engineering; Amclyde Norson Engineering; Aquatic Engineering & Construction Ltd; IHC Engineering Business; IHC SAS BV; MAATS Tech Ltd; NLI Offshore & Marine Products AS; Parkburn Precision Handling Systems Ltd; Reel SAS (IMECA); Saipem Group ; Subsea 7 and Technip UK Ltd.

About Aquatic
Aquatic is the market leading independent operator of modular carousels, reel drive systems and tensioner solutions for the global oil and gas, telecommunications and energy industries. Aquatic is a global partner for complete lay solutions, delivering assured, optimised project outcomes through the consistent provision of the best people, equipment, reach and approach. For more information, visit www.aquaticsubsea.com.

About Acteon
Acteon provides a range of global subsea services from surveying, installation, asset integrity management through to decommissioning. Acteon’s companies are: 2H Offshore, Aquatic, Clarus Subsea Integrity, Claxton Engineering, Conductor Installation Services (CIS), Core Grouting Services, InterAct, InterMoor, J2 Subsea, LDD, LM Handling, MENCK, Mirage Machines, NCS Survey, Offshore Installation Services (OIS), Probe Oil Tools, Pulse Structural Monitoring, Seatronics, Subsea Riser Products (SRP), TEAM Energy Resources and UTEC Survey. Acteon’s companies share knowledge and experience to add value and create effective, tailored solutions for clients across four business segments: survey, monitoring and data; risers and moorings; seabed foundation technologies; and project support services. For more information, visit www.acteon.com.

About subsea services
Acteon's aim is to define, shape and lead subsea services through best-in-class expertise offering full market coverage across the whole life of a subsea field. Acteon’s integrated approach to subsea services makes it easy for clients to combine capabilities to meet their specific project needs. Acteon’s subsea services companies share knowledge and experience across four business segments, survey, monitoring and data; risers and moorings; seabed foundation technologies; and project support services, to deliver highly efficient solutions tailored to a client’s unique challenges, thereby reducing overall cost, risk and complexity.

Project support services
Acteon provides manpower, project execution strategies, portable machining and cutting equipment and installation and recovery services to add value and support the delivery of major projects by creating effective, tailored solutions for clients. Acteon offers specialist equipment, including riser systems, installation workover control systems, mooring systems and innovative packaged solutions to align with procurement strategies. The company provides access to the world’s largest modular carousel and modular flexible pipe and universal laying equipment support along with specialist services to reduce capital expenditure and manpower provision to meet project needs worldwide.