Milestone project puts new pin on the map for subsea controls specialist

Pictured, from left, are James Carnegie (Sales (Subsea) and Delivery Director, Viper Innovations), Phil Reid (Managing Director, J+S Subsea) and Richard Knox (CEO, Verlume)

Leading subsea controls specialist, J+S Subsea has announced the completion of a project which represents significant expansion of the company’s international corporate horizons.

The Kintore-based company’s first ever scope of work in Canada has involved the supply of three subsea battery-powered control systems to maintain integrity of the subsea electrical infrastructure when topside electrical power is unavailable.  The project has been delivered through a collaborative approach involving Viper Innovations, Verlume, Richmond Mills Fabrication and MH Engineering (Fife), as well as J+S Subsea.

The scope included the design, engineering, manufacture, marinisation and testing of subsea-deployed systems that will maintain continuous application of Viper Innovations’ cutting-edge V-LIFE technology.  The patented electrical passivation signal maintains the electrical integrity of the field and satellite extensions 350km off the coast of Canada, while the Floating Production, Storage & Offloading (FPSO) vessel is disconnected from the system during scheduled maintenance. 

The J+S Subsea systems can be recharged on the deck of a Construction Support Vessel (CSV) or onshore, via the supplied charger, and redeployed for a further 90-days.  Each system consists of a Verlume-supplied subsea battery and separate J+S Subsea control unit housing Viper’s V-SLIM (Subsea Line Integrity Monitor), with mating Electrical Flying Leads (EFL), housed in a steel frame constructed in accordance with DNV regulations.

Central to swift delivery of the time-critical project was the ability to capitalise on the availability of components in J+S Subsea’s Legacy Locker, an open industry portal for the re-use, refurbishment, repurposing and recycling of subsea equipment.

The latest announcement continues J+S Subsea’s ambitious growth plans in the subsea controls, renewables, and decommissioning sectors, and is an important stride forward in expanding the global footprint of the 37-strong team headquartered in Aberdeenshire.  It comes just months after the company’s largest single contract since a management buyout and keeps it on track to achieve revenues of upwards of £10 million.

This year is already off to a flying start with J+S Subsea recently unveiled as the winner in the Company of the Year (under 50 employees) of the Subsea Expo Awards, whilst J+S Subsea’s Environmental and Sustainability Adviser Kairvee Tyagi scooped the Rising Star award.  The company also reached the finals of the prestigious Offshore Achievement Awards in the category for Exceptional SME/Founder.

Commenting on the latest news, J+S Subsea Managing Director Phil Reid said: “Our unique and innovative Legacy Locker was pivotal in accelerating turnaround time for this bespoke project. This, combined with our inhouse technical expertise, made us ideally positioned to deliver for our client and underline our strategy of sustained growth.”

Richard Knox, CEO of Verlume said: “Through the integration of our Charge compact subsea battery with the technologies of both J+S and Viper Innovations, we were able to collaboratively solve client power delivery challenges by ensuring reliable delivery of subsea power on the seabed.

“This project comes at a time of significant commercial progress within Verlume, adding another subsea deployment to the many systems that have been installed across the offshore ecosystem worldwide.”

Viper’s Sales (Subsea) and Delivery Director, James Carnegie, commented: “It has been fantastic to work with the J+S Subsea team on this project, which highlights the benefits of collaboration and innovation within the subsea industry.  This was also an exciting opportunity to diversify our cutting-edge V-LIFE technology and V-SLIM hardware via a brand-new application of these technologies.”

To find out more, visit www.jands.co.uk

About J+S Subsea

J+S Subsea provides proactive, responsive, and cost-effective solutions for design, engineering, operational support, and maintenance of subsea equipment, primarily related to the subsea production control market. It specializes in new and recertified equipment and is ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001 SEQual, and FPAL accredited. To find out more, visit www.jands.co.uk