Barely recognizable from the Gulf of Mexico saturation diving company that emerged from a three-way merger back in 1969, Oceaneering is today in fully fledged dynamic growth mode. In the US, Russell McCulley looks at the company's plans to build more than two dozen new ROV systems in 2012 and hire more than 300 for its core business in coming months. In Scotland, David Morgan checks out Oceaneering Umbilical Solutions' pioneering test, qualification and reliability lab.

Tritech announces the appointments of Scott McLay as Sales Director and David Bradley as Supply Chain Director.

EMU is an independent marine survey and environmental consultancy specialist with annual revenues of over EUR 20 million. Based in Southampton, it also has premises in Portsmouth, Edinburgh, UK, Dinard, France and Perth, Australia. The company conducts ecological, geophysical, sediment sampling and hydrographical surveys, laboratory analysis, and provides environmental consulting and reporting services. It currently employs 150 highly-qualified and experienced surveyors, oceanographers and marine environmental scientists.

Subsea 7 S.A.  On April 10, 2012 the Company purchased 423,000 of its shares at an average price of NOK 146.26 per share. This represents approximately 0.12% of the Company’s issued share capital. 

As you may have already heard, this year’s RESON Users Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Miami from the 6-8 November.  This year’s conference is already shaping up to be a great event with the exhibitor and the attendee list already beginning to populate.  However the true success of this event is based on the high quality of speakers that are drawn to it.

Scanmudring are broadening their global reach through a new UK operation mirroring what they already offer from their HQ in Norway. Scanmudring UK can now supply all their key tools –including the Scanmaskin, Scancrawler, ScanROVdredge, and Scandredge – and provide full technical and customer support through their centre in Ellon near Aberdeen, UK.

The European Union's energy commissioner has called for a temporary ban on new oil drilling in the North Sea.
Gunther Oettinger said any responsible government would "freeze new permits" following the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
He suggested a "de facto moratorium" until the causes of the accident are known and safety procedures reviewed.
His comments came as new figures showed drilling activity in the North Sea had risen sharply in the past three months.
But SNP MEP Alyn Smith said a ban would be "wholly disproportionate and unhelpful".

The Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board has approved Suncor Energy's application to develop three additional stages of its Firebag in situ oil sands project. Firebag stages four, five and six each have a planned production capacity of approximately 62,500 barrels per calendar day. Cost estimates for stages four to six are expected to be detailed as each stage receives final approval from Suncor's Board of Directors. Preliminary work is currently under way on Firebag stage four, with production targeted in late 2012.

Oceanscan Limited, the Aberdeen based equipment rental, personnel services and specialised products manufacturer is celebrating the 6 month birthday of the opening of an office in the Orbis Energy Centre, Lowestoft.  Ken Hunter, Managing Director said "Our Company has just celebrated twenty years of being in business and have now entered what we believe will be an exciting new chapter in the company's development.

Subsea 7, one of the world's leading subsea engineering and construction companies, has become the first company to gain OPITO approval to deliver the new oil and gas industry Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST) programme to its personnel.

The MIST programme was initiated by the UK's Step Change in Safety Leadership Workgroup and developed in conjunction with OPITO - The Oil & Gas Academy.  It includes nine modules designed to ensure that the quality of training developed and offered by individual companies achieves recognised industry standards.

LinkQuest is pleased to announce the expansion of its facility at 6749 Top Gun Street to 20,000 square feet. Now occupying most of a state-of-the-art two-story building at the heart of the high tech region in San Diego, California, LinkQuest has increased its space for R&D, manufacturing and training by more than 40%.