Subsea experts swapped the hazardous conditions of the North Sea for inner city London’s river network in a project highlighting the potential for oil and gas industry diversification.
The work saw specialists from energy service company Neptune apply their skills to support the £4.2billion Thames Tideway Tunnel (TTT) development.
Neptune’s 20-day survey support was a key part of the overall TTT project, which is creating the 15-mile super-sewer needed to protect the River Thames from pollution.
The new tunnel is expected to greatly reduce the 39million tonnes of untreated sewage that overflows from the capital’s Victorian waste infrastructure into the Thames in a typical year.
Neptune, which has its worldwide headquarters in Perth, Western Australia, with UK offices in Aberdeen, provides integrated services to the international oil and gas, marine and renewable-energy industries.
It delivered diver tracking services, monitoring unexploded ordnance (UXO) survey work, to Merseyside firm Hughes Sub Surface Engineering as part of a TTT contract awarded to Preston-based engineering company VolkerStevin.
Kevin Stephen, operations and business development director for Europe, Mediterranean and Africa, Neptune, said: “Neptune is built on strong foundations in oil and gas.
“But utilising the knowledge and expertise we have within the business across a wider spectrum of applications is at the heart of ambitious plans for growth.
“Decommissioning, renewable-energy, nuclear energy and a wide range of subsea opportunities are all open to us and the Thames project is a perfect example of the ability we have to diversify.”
He added: “UXO surveys are common throughout Europe, an unfortunate wartime legacy, and we are well-versed in the process – from initial magnetometer surveys used to identify targets through to diver and ROV (remotely-operated vehicle) surveys as well as subsequent clearance.
“On this occasion our involvement was in dive support but we are equipped to provide the full scope.”
Versatility will be at the heart of Neptune’s message when it exhibits at the Oceanology International gathering in London this week.
The three-day event, starting tomorrowtues, is regarded as one of the world’s leading forums for the marine science and ocean technology sectors.
Neptune will fly the flag for the North Sea subsea industry as it showcases its capabilities to a global audience, with the TTT work among projects that will be featured in presentations to delegates.