Liquid Robotics, Inc. and Schlumberger announced the creation of Liquid Robotics Oil & Gas, a joint venture to develop services for the oil and gas industry using Wave Gliders, the world’s first wave-powered, autonomous marine vehicles.
The joint venture will combine Liquid Robotics Wave Glider technology with Schlumberger oil and gas expertise and industry knowledge to integrate and deploy new solutions for customers worldwide.
Liquid Robotics and Schlumberger have equal ownership of the joint venture. Liquid Robotics will provide fleets of Wave Gliders together with relevant engineering, piloting and maintenance expertise, while Schlumberger brings their upstream technology and market leadership. The joint venture will be the exclusive distributor of Wave Glider products and services to oil and gas customers worldwide.
“We are continually interested in developing innovative technologies of value to the oil and gas industry,” commented Ashok Belani, chief technology officer, Schlumberger . “We are extremely excited about the new capabilities the unique Wave Glider platform will bring to offshore exploration and production— particularly in the areas of seismic, subsea and environmental monitoring.”
Wave Gliders offer a game-changing capability to operate offshore for up to a year without requiring a crew, fuel or a dedicated support vessel during their mission. Fleets of Wave Gliders have crossed hundreds of thousands of miles of the earth’s oceans to help scientific, defense and industrial customers gain valuable insights into the marine environment.
“I am very excited about our joint venture with Schlumberger and the opportunity to expand the Wave Glider’s role in the oil and gas market,” said Bill Vass, chief executive officer, Liquid Robotics . “By teaming with Schlumberger, we can greatly accelerate the availability and worldwide deployment of innovative oil and gas solutions. Together, we are changing the economic and risk profile of worldwide ocean measurement.”
[mappress] Subsea World News Staff , June 21, 2012; Image: Liquid Robotics