Leading global service provider Aquatic has designed and developed a new control system for its range of tensioner systems, which offer reliable and cost-effective handling of flexibles, umbilicals and steel pipes for the oil and gas and renewables markets.

The next-generation technology has been developed by Aquatic’s in-house engineering team – in collaboration with clients and a range of operators – to provide improved real-time data logging, reduce maintenance requirements and keep downtime to a minimum.

Aquatic Engineering & Construction Ltd, an Acteon company, is committed to developing partnerships to continually advance its technological capabilities. The new control system has incorporated the latest Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) technology from the initial design stage and has been successfully built, run and tested by Aquatic’s Technology Excellence Group.

The next stage is to install the new system into Aquatic’s 50Te 4 Track Tensioners where further commissioning and acceptance testing will be conducted before being run on their first jobs later this year.

Aquatic General Manager Steven Kilpatrick said: 
“Technology obsolescence is a very real issue faced by all oil and gas companies. It is a motivator for ensuring that product development takes into account the future requirements of our systems and also the needs of our clients, as well as those who are charged with operating the equipment.

“Designing and building our own systems has meant that we are able to satisfy our clients’ needs and ensure that our technologies are fit for their challenges both now and in the future.

"The added benefits are that we own the IP rights to our systems, updates can be carried out seamlessly, client modifications/integration can be carried out quickly, and any feedback requiring changes can be developed and implemented without the use of third-party vendors, which ensures a more efficient and cost-effective solution.”

Aquatic is a global leader in laying and retrieving flexible products from the seabed in support of the international oil and gas and renewable energy markets. As the leading independent operator of modular drive systems, tensioner solutions and carousels, Aquatic provides the equipment, people and expertise to deliver the ultimate performance in even the harshest of environments, anywhere in the world.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Aquatic