Group Operations Manager Joins SUT Middle East Committee

The group operations manager of energy equipment manufacturer and service provider Flowline Specialists has joined the committee of a newly formed branch of the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT).

Graeme Chalmers, who is based in Dubai, is one of the founding committee members of the SUT’s Middle East branch, which was launched in early 2019 to meet local demand. The branch extends the global reach of the international society, providing a focal point for SUT members in the region and creating a platform for all those with an interest in the area of underwater technology.

The 18-strong committee, made up of subsea industry professionals who are based in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, is planning a series of events for the year ahead which aim to fulfil the needs of members across the Middle East.

A multidisciplinary learned society, the SUT brings together organisations and individuals with a common interest in underwater technology, ocean science and offshore engineering. Founded in 1966, it has an international outlook with members in over 40 countries and branches based on six continents. Membership is drawn from a broad base and includes engineers, scientists, industry professionals and students.

The Middle East branch’s first events were held in April and were well attended. Both focused on new subsea technology for field life extension and also covered the evolution of subsea technology from diving bells to ROVs, the challenges of subsea asset integrity and new subsea technology. The first event was held at Heriot Watt University, Dubai on Monday, 08 April, before being repeated two weeks later at Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa University.

Graeme Chalmers relocated to Dubai from north-east Scotland in 2015 to launch and run Flowline Specialists’ Middle East subsidiary Flowline Specialists DMCC, which also services clients in North Africa, Asia and Australia. The firm designs, engineers and supplies a range of cable handling and deployment equipment for use onshore and offshore in the global oil and gas and renewable energy industries.

Commenting on the SUT new branch, Graeme said: “There’s a diverse network of subsea and underwater engineering related businesses in the Middle East, with many bringing their diverse expertise from other oil and gas regions. Establishing the local branch of the SUT allows these like-minded individuals and businesses to come together and share knowledge with one another and provide insight to the wider supply chain.

“I’m very pleased to have been invited to be part of the branch’s founding committee and look forward to working with industry colleagues to help build the SUT’s presence in the region and deliver an exciting programme of events.”

For further information on the SUT’s Middle East branch, visit www.sut.org/branch/middle-east/.

Headquartered in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, Flowline Specialists designs, engineers and manufactures a wide range of equipment for the global oil, gas, subsea and renewable industries. All of its equipment is modular, allowing for easy and rapid deployment in the UK and worldwide. Established in 2001, the firm employs over 50 staff and has an additional manufacturing base at Fyvie, Aberdeenshire and operational bases in The Netherlands and Dubai – UAE. For more information, visit www.flowlinespecialists.com or telephone +44 (0)1651 871872.