The product line promises cutting-edge ultra-heavy-duty subsea vehicle technology. (Image source: FET)

Nigerian oil and gas firm Marine Platforms (MPL) has signed a contract with Forum Energy Technologies (FET) to deploy new generation work class remotely operated vehicles offshore West Africa 

Set to be delivered by May 2026, the contract allows MPL to secure two of FET's subsea XLX EVO III models to oversee intra-operational functions. The product line promises cutting-edge ultra-heavy-duty subsea vehicle technology, designed to undertake a broad spectrum of underwater tasks. The 4000m ROVs will be equipped with larger thrusters for increased through water performance and an improved buoyancy package, facilitating a 350kg payload. 

FET will also be introducing a bolted frame -- which is now CNC-machined -- to provide an improved layout for maintenance access as well as tooling capability. Their through-frame-lift will increase to 4000kg, a rise of over 30% from the EVO II.

The XLX EVO III comes with updated pilot chairs and console as well as FET’s next-gen control software, ICE Unity, enabling remote operations and 24-hour support.

Kevin Taylor, FET’s vice president operations - subsea, said, “We are thrilled to be bringing our next generation work class ROV out of the testing pool and into action off the west African coast.

“Marine Platforms is a reliable and longstanding customer, and it’s a pleasure to continue to support the team’s operations. Africa is generally a difficult region to break into, but demonstrating FET’s latest technology in the field will bolster our presence.”

The technology provides a lightweight offline intervention solution.

In a first divestment development for FrontRow Energy Technology Group, its subsidiary, WellSense, a rapid fibre-optic well diagnostics provider, has sold FiberLine Intervention licence to oilfield services company, Halliburton

The agreement terms secure a global licence for Halliburton to deploy WellSense FiberLine Intervention (Fli) technology for use in well stimulation monitoring.

A FrontRow Energy Technology Group company, WellSense, will continue to deploy the technology globally for all other oil and gas applications, including well plug and abandonment (P&A), well integrity and leak detection, as well as carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).

Annabel Green, CEO of WellSense, said, “The successful completion of this deal is a defining moment for WellSense and for our parent company, FrontRow Energy Technology Group. Not only is it a strong industry endorsement of our technology and the value it delivers, but also our business model of bringing new and innovative solutions to market.

“Our unique bare fibre dynamic despooling technology delivers superior data quality for a detailed subsurface understanding. Unlike other well monitoring techniques it provides a lightweight offline intervention solution with disposable probes for significant efficiency savings and reduced risk.

“Meeting the complex challenges of upstream oil and gas requires the adoption of technologies that fundamentally improve how the industry operates. This agreement is the result of a decade of focused innovation, collaboration and delivery and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all our employees, past and present, whose dedication has built the strong foundation that made this success possible.”

Steve Kent, CEO of FrontRow, said,“This deal is a major milestone for FrontRow and is a clear example of how UK-born innovation can solve industry challenges and attract global attention.

“This is FrontRow’s first commercial licence sale and a landmark in our journey. It demonstrates that innovation, when nurtured with the right expertise and support, can deliver technical success as well as real commercial value.”

The new system support remote operations. (Image source: FET)

Forum Energy Technologies has launched its next generation remotely operated vehicle (ROV) control system – ICE Unity

The system, introduced in response to the growing demand for data and control access from outside the main control system, can be rolled out across FET’s range of ROVs, which support underwater industry applications globally. It is compatible with the latest sensors and tooling.

Key features of ICE Unity include:
• A modern user interface with physical and touchscreen controls;
• One common user interface across different ROVs, minimising operator training;
• Network connectively which allows for remote operations as well as live streaming of survey data, and system monitoring.

Network connectively also enables machine learning, predictive maintenance, and remote support and updates.

Kevin Taylor, FET’s vice president operations – Subsea, said, “ICE Unity brings together innovation with seamless collaboration. This a step change in ROV controlling, bringing immense time and cost-saving benefits by enabling remote operations from outside the core control system.

“One major benefit is the ability to monitor performance remotely and reduce downtime by allowing the replacement of components when needed rather than using fixed maintenance intervals.”

Sercel's offerings come with value-added support. (Image source: Sercel)

A North African geophysical contractor has targeted large-scale 3D surveys in complex terrain with 75,000 of Sercel's DSU1-508 digital sensors

This was topped by 24 more Nomad 90 Neo broadband vibrators for an additional land seismic crew. 

The contractor enjoyed an optimised survey performance with Sercel's set of value-added support services for Nomad with the Nomad Connect Asset Optimisation service, providing real-time insights into fleet performance and a complete overview of vibrator configurations. The Vibrator Auto-Guidance functionality enhanced operational accuracy and productivity in the field.

Jerome Denigot, CEO of Sercel, said, “We are pleased to continue building on our long-standing collaboration with this major North African customer. From project planning to delivery and field support, our team remains committed to providing the most advanced geophysical technology and services available. This latest milestone confirms Sercel’s position as the preferred technology partner for complex, large-scale seismic acquisition projects and highlights the growing demand for field-proven solutions that meet the evolving challenges of onshore exploration in North Africa and beyond.”