You may also like
Back in January, I was cc’d into an exchange of emails that was begun by Brian Skeels, former FMC subsea hardware guru […]
When I was offered my first job writing about the energy market way back more than 40 years ago, I had to […]
I think that I might have fibbed in my last blog. I suggested that it was likely to be my last visit […]
There were two announcements of note last week. Firstly, the proposed Global Underwater Hub will supercede, replace and absorb Subsea UK and […]
8 thoughts on “Can AI cut the cost of subsea engineering?”
Thanks Steve. You succinctly demonstrate how the great new AI and other computer-based technologies are a tremendous help in analysing and facilitating solutions to problems and challenges. They don’t replace the human experience, but they can very much amplify it’s effectiveness (in the right hands 🙂
Incidentally, my rather rusty recollection of the TOGI skimming tool connector repair in those late 80’s is that it took about 4 months from first diagnosis of the damaged seal face, to getting a successful test of the repaired seal. That was a truly brilliant recovery by the team – very much enhanced by the ingenuity of Hydro’s diving specialists, despite being one of the first big subsea problems encountered beyond diving depths.
Yes I like to be in touch and read all the pros and cons , but after 3 years working in Houston on the biggest blow out , would find it difficult to tell the court it is because of “automated design” this as happened , to devastated people. How do you interrogate or make the computer design responsible ? Ain’t you a responsible eng. ? Unfortunately my old friend Red Adair is not there anymore , but think about the old guy when working in my garage with zero safety in mind.
The basic system works with me , design by, reviewed by , approved by !
Whilst working on Agip Toni for Cameron, we had some offshore tigers supporting us that came off the TOGI project (TOGI to Toni?) and they, as a large number of folks do in the industry, wouldn’t stop talking about their last project! For the rest of us they became the TOGI bears, which still makes me chuckle today!
Nice story. Thanks for reading and commenting. Wo#ho do u work for now?
Nice one Jason – it’s taken me a long time to realise that I too am a Togi bear! It was a great team to be a part of, for sure. The nearest I’ve come since then to a similar can-do team spirit, fully supported by slick management responses, was the Reliance Industries romantically named KG-D6 challenge in the Bay of Bengal.
Steve,
History, robots, computers, any new technology, new R&D groups, etc. etc.. The kind of questions that you used to get – a list of things that you were supposed to put in order of importance. If you answered “all of the above” the old bugger (like me) up front gave you 0/10 even though it was the right answer. First point, the real problem is the old bugger up front. By and large the industry is still doing what he did 40 – 60 years ago – same mistakes, and cowardly approach to personal or technical risk. Too many still believe in the million monkey business. That is where the history, robots, etc, business comes in. There are a lot of clues in history b ut they are not easy to uncover and utilize. Sorting through all the junk and identifying the critical element of modern technology, wheter it me nano technology, or whatever is far from easy but, and it’s a big but, other disciplines are doing things even more difficult. A short time ago I had a discussion with a young relative, an MD, who id modeling part of the brain to better understand autism. He has access to a mountain of non-linear neuron response data. He can invert a 100×100 matrix in seconds. I spend 9 months using NASA’s Apollo backup computers to invert a measly
12×12 matrix. That’s the second point, computational capability combined with youthful ideas can do magic. For the past few years I have assigned a cost reduction coursework assignment for my students – it is very encouraging the way that the better ones marry olds ideas with new capabilities to yield cost and schedule reduction – the fresh look old ideas combination can, in a positive environment yield more than 20% improvements.
A final note on the risk taking business. Enjoyed seeing input from Iam Ball. Whenever we meet, we (secretly of course) regale ourselves with remembrances of a subsea well we worked on – worst well in history! Funny after 40 years but the important thing is that we both survived without having to resort to something less exciting, denistry, accounting, journalism,etc. to survive.
Best regards,
Bil
Maybe if all the collective experience and field data (good and bad) was more widely accessible an AI could be gainfully employed in organising that data, looking at trends and patterns, and maybe flagging up potential issues before they become reality. That would help in each of the design/review/approve process stages (but not replace them!). But maybe I missed the bit where everyone started to openly shared failures as much as they shared successes…
Thanks Tony : Words like failure are not used in banking, hence if you cannot get your money out and may sometimes later get it ? The Gov step in and call it a bail out…and everyone keeps quiet. I would agree with your comments that we should not re invent the wheel , what lesson is learnt ? if the cause(s)and follow up is carefully missed out of the eng. media, don’t talk about it ! Being an operator does not require to have the highest % financial exposure ?the others have to keep their commitments, when things go wrong .What surprises me is where operators get their collateral bail out money ? Considering the risks and what an offshore failure turn out to be, one guy in the Shetlands told me don’t worry same as the banks.