the riser lines will be manufactured with high-density polyethylene. (image source: AIS Bardot)

AIS Bardot will be working for Saipem Group, serving hybrid riser lines to develop Total Energies’ Kaminho project in Angola

The contract outlines manufacture and supply of three complete hybrid riser lines of 100 metres each. These will be used to pump seawater to provide the appropriate volume and flow of cold water to cool down essential equipment and prevent overheating in the FPSO unit. 

To ensure they are light and compact, the riser lines will be manufactured with high-density polyethylene instead of traditional rubber and steel. Cheaper operating costs besides, these less-energy consuming risers will also be sustainable to use. 

Stanislas Tchoutakian, business development manager for France, said, “This success strengthens our close relationship with Saipem and Total on this very particular supply. Many years of development and qualification led to this award, congratulations to all the team who made this achievement possible.”

Engineered to meet the precise requirements of water depth, temperature, and flow rate, the water intake risers accommodate the hydrodynamic stresses of the operational environment, ensuring maximum functionality and cost effectiveness. They are easy to install, with a long life span and no maintenance required, while meeting international offshore standard to meet all required specifications.

AIS, (incorporating Covertherm, Manuplas, Bardot, and CRP Subsea) supplies insulation, passive fire protection, buoyancy, and cable protection systems. 

Halliburton operated from its new bases in the country. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Two exploration wells on Block 2914 that fall under the purview of Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 85 offshore Namibia have now been delivered by Rhino Resources and Halliburton

Orchestrated from Halliburton's new operational bases in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Luderitz, the operation was made possible with world-class technology and local collaboration.

Antoine Berel, vice president, Halliburton sub-Saharan Africa, said, "This success is an example of what’s possible when world-class technology, local collaboration, and a shared long-term vision come together. Our newly established infrastructure across Namibia enabled this discovery, which will help unlock Namibia’s energy potential and build the capacity to support the country’s future as an energy hub in Africa."

As Namibia attracts international interest in its offshore basins, the success of this campaign sets a new standard for energy development in the region.

“At the onset of the drilling campaign, we communicated to our partners that Rhino’s exploration efforts in Namibia should simultaneously prove geological potential and deliver long-term benefits for the country. The discoveries on Block 2914 are a promising start to this journey, which will contribute to the foundation we are laying for Namibia’s burgeoning oil and gas industry — one built on knowledge and skills transfer, local capacity building and the upliftment of young Namibians,” said Travis Smithard, CEO of Rhino Resources.

The Rhino-Halliburton Technology Centre at the University of Namibia (UNAM) Southern Campus came into being in October last year to advance geoscience education and research nationwide.

C-Kore Systems Ltd is providing smart and reliable testing solutions. (Image source: C-Kore)

Africa’s offshore oil and gas sector is rapidly evolving, with operators venturing into deeper waters to tap into new reserves

While these developments present exciting opportunities, they also introduce significant technical challenges – especially with testing and commissioning of the subsea equipment. With subsea umbilicals now incorporating more fiber optic cables for high-speed data transmission and control, the ability to quickly and accurately test these fibres is more crucial than ever. To support the testing of the fibre optics in these complex projects, C-Kore Systems Ltd. is revolutionising subsea testing with its Subsea Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) – a compact, automated testing tool that simplifies operations ensuring reliable testing of the optical fibers in deepwater environments, reducing overall costs.

As offshore fields extend into deeper waters, subsea infrastructure becomes increasingly sophisticated. Umbilicals containing fiber optics play a vital role in transmitting data and maintaining communications between subsea assets and topside facilities. However, testing these critical components is far more challenging at greater depths, where conventional methods are often impractical or too costly.

Traditional cable testing relies on labour-intensive processes that require specialised technicians and extended vessel time. Manual fault-finding in deepwater conditions can cause delays, increasing operational expenses and disrupting project timelines. To ensure reliability from the outset, operators need automated, efficient solutions that streamline the testing process while reducing costs.

C-Kore’s Subsea OTDR is transforming fiber optic cable testing by bringing topside Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) technology to subsea applications. Operators can now verify cable integrity directly on the seabed without complex setups or specialized personnel. Unlike traditional methods that require trained technicians and lengthy troubleshooting, this automated solution delivers instant, accurate results, reducing vessel time and cutting costs. By simplifying operations while ensuring reliable performance from day one, subsea OTDR is making deepwater commissioning faster, more efficient, and cost-effective.

African offshore operators are already seeing the advantages of integrating C-Kore’s Subsea OTDR. As the industry expands into deeper waters, the ability to verify fiber optic integrity quickly and accurately is becoming a key factor in maintaining efficient operations.

With Africa’s offshore industry moving into deeper waters, subsea testing is becoming more critical than ever. Traditional methods are struggling to keep pace with the increasing complexity of modern greenfield projects, making automation a necessity. More operators are turning to C-Kore’s Subsea OTDR to streamline commissioning, cut costs, and reduce vessel time, ensuring projects stay on schedule. As offshore developments continue to evolve, C-Kore Systems Ltd. is driving change—providing smart, reliable testing solutions that make subsea operations more efficient, cost-effective, and ready for the future.

For more information on C-Kore's innovative subsea testing technology, visit www.c-kore.com.

The model addresses high-end seismic applications for today's energy and mineral E&P market. (Image source; Sercel)

Subsurface technology provider, Sercel's WiNG land seismic nodal solution now has a new three component version with the launch of the WiNG DFU-3C

Addressing the high-end seismic applications for today's energy and mineral E&P market, the integrated three-component node acquires the most comprehensive and high-definition data for outstanding imaging, characterisation and monitoring of the subsurface. As part of the WiNG range, it comes complete with unique advanced features as standard, such as the ultra-sensitive QuietSeis broadband digital sensor and Pathfinder transmission management technology. Combined with its market-leading compact and lightweight design, the DFU-3C offers unprecedented precision, efficiency and portability.

Jerome Denigot, CEO, Sercel said, "The WiNG DFU-3C is an excellent example of Sercel’s commitment to providing innovative and high-performance solutions to our customers. Building on the success of our widely used WiNG single-component node, this three-component version brings greater survey accuracy and flexibility. Its vector fidelity, sensor stability and low-frequency capabilities make the WiNG DFU-3C ideal for the most demanding E&P subsurface challenges, meeting the needs of our customers in both the energy and mining markets."