Foreign companies offering enhanced technology to the rescue of offshore operators in search for oil and gas
As the rush to grab a share of the pie gets hotter in the Indian offshore where the search for oil and gas has taken on a larger dimension, several international players are desperately making a bid to secure a foot print. While some of the major companies undertaking exploration and production are already there others offering subsea tools, products and other equipment meant for pipe-laying, surveying, testing, logistics and support services and other underwater operations are making their presence.
What is driving companies offshore is the strike rate achieved there, over the last few years. Reliance Industries’ 12-trillion-cubic-feet-gas discovery in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin off the east coast of India in 2002, which is one of the world’s largest gas finds, buoyed companies such as the state-owned ONGC to take up offshore exploration seriously in 2003. Since then a number of hydrocarbon discoveries, especially gas discoveries, have been made in the Krishna-Godavari, Cauvery and Mahanadi basins by both Reliance and ONGC even as significant on-land discoveries such as the country’s largest oil find in Rajasthan was made by Cairn Energy in 2003. This then makes it exciting for players to want more offshore than onshore blocks.
“Aker Solutions have made a significant headway into the Indian offshore and is offering subsea solutions,” says Mr Zubin A. Mehta, General Manager (Oil & Gas). “We hope to have a sizeable presence in India and hope to clinch a number of deals soon.”
On the sidelines of the Seminar on ‘Subsea Engineering for Oil & Gas’ held under the aegis of Society for Underwater Technology on 25th and 26th November, 2009 Dr. G. Ananda Ramadass, Project Director (Submersibles & Gas Hydrates), National Institute of Ocean Technology, Government of India stated that Konsberg and Fugro foray in India has been significant. “At least 12 Fugro Remote controlled vehicles are in operation with Reliance and there is likelihood of more deals being clinched soon.”
“We already have our Dynamic Positioning systems integrated in nearly 100 Indian Naval vessels and other offshore vessels,” confirmed Roar Marthiniussen, Regional Manager, Asia (Subsea Sales) of Kongsberg. “Our Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) have proved vital for surveying for undertaking drilling operation. Our HUGIN 4500 along with the other systems HUGIN 1000 and HUGIN 3000 have found favour with the offshore operators. We are looking to open an office soon to support our expansion plans.”
Fugro Subsea Services have also made a sizeable headway according to Jim Mann. Global ROV Manager but would not give specific details on the number of ROVs they have secured orders for. Abdul Nazim Abdul Mateen, their project Manager in UAE stated, Our ROVs are hired out to several parties operating here and we have integrated Kongsberg sensors in our system.”
The trend without doubt will continue as long as the prospects are bright. However, the insatiable hunger for new technology and cost cutting will take precedence with oil prices not showing any inclination to surface above $ 90 per barrel.