Researchers have discovered a potential breeding ground for smooth hammerhead sharks near an island in Ecuador's Galapagos archipelago. The "nursery" will be the first breeding site for the species, which is considered "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's list of threatened species. The Galapagos Islands are home to many unique species and were crucial to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.
New research reveals potential effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on hormones in sea turtles. The 2010 oil spill exposed hundreds of thousands of sea turtles to oil and killed up to 86,500 juvenile Kemp's ridley turtles, a critically endangered species. A total of 319 live sea turtles were recovered following the spill and transported to rehabilitation facilities for medical evaluation and treatment. Scientists at the New England Aquarium's Anderson-Cabot Marine Life Center have developed a test to analyze the hormone aldosterone in sea turtle blood. The results showed that when the turtles arrived for treatment, they had abnormally elevated concentrations of aldosterone, corticosterone and thyroid hormones, which can affect metabolism, electrolytes and other processes.
Forum Energy Technologies (FET) has been awarded a contract by AQUA Exploracion to supply one of its Perry XLX-C work-class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). With a depth rating of 2,000 m and the compact Dynacon LARS design, this ROV will enhance seafloor exploration, inspection and intervention operations in challenging environments. It is equipped with a seven-function robotic arm for complex underwater procedures. The ROV will be refurbished and retested at FET’s UK facility before being used in AQUA Exploracion operations.
Houston-based subsea equipment specialist Koil Energy has secured a multi-million dollar subsea safety control system contract from a major international energy company. The contract includes the design, procurement, manufacturing, installation and testing of KOIL’s technology solutions. Engineering and procurement will begin in 2024, followed by manufacturing in Houston in 2025.
UK-based Exail has been contracted by French maritime services provider Bourbon to supply Octans Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) units for integration into its fleet. Octans AHRS will increase the efficiency of Bourbon vessels in installation, maintenance and repair tasks in the oil and gas and offshore wind industries. The units will be installed on several Bourbon Evolution 800 Series multipurpose support vessels, providing measurements of roll, pitch and heave.
France-based Vallourec has secured an order from ExxonMobil to supply line pipe for the Whiptail development offshore Guyana. This is the fourth major order within the framework of the long-term agreement signed in 2021. The Whiptail order strengthens Vallourec’s strategic supplier relationship with ExxonMobil Guyana. The project is located in the Stabroek Block, a strategic basin covering an area of 26,800 square kilometers off the Guyana continental shelf.