By working in close partnership with its customers, subsea technology specialist STL has launched a number of firsts to the sector, including the successful deployment of its Xtreme Release (XR) Connector. Managing Director, Drummond Lawson maintains that industry-changing technology is crucial to unlock further efficiencies in offshore applications worldwide.

With a big focus on collaboration and cost reduction at the moment, how are you utilising this within your business model when developing new technology?

STL combines innovative technology with high-quality customer service throughout a project and product lifecycle, and our products – including the patented XR Connector – have been developed to overcome a number of challenges posed by maintaining efficient operations in the most demanding offshore environments.

Our team of engineers can complement and enhance a range of innovations to fit requirements and, instead of selling solely from a ‘shopping list’, we work with customers from the outset of a project to ensure we understand their project needs fully before embarking on product design.

Can you tell us about STL's Xtreme Release Connector?

The XR Connector is a pioneering product that allows a vessel’s crew enough time to respond to challenging scenarios without the risk of getting stuck to the wellhead or damaging the connector or riser if the crew do not react fast enough – a risk presented by all other connectors on the market.

Its face-to-face technology differs fundamentally from all other subsea connectors, which offer a conventional male into female engagement. In an emergency scenario, it allows operators to stay connected to a subsea well for longer in adverse weather and minimises pre-emptive disconnects when bad weather strikes.

What are the key benefits of this technology for the Subsea sector?

The XR Connector is the only connector in the industry that is able to disconnect a riser at 100% of its rated bending capacity. It greatly enhances safety and saves time and money by increasing a vessel’s operating window; ultimately increasing productivity levels.

Its unique proven design ensures no damage is done to the connector even after repeated release; with the ability to disconnect rapidly from the wellhead in an emergency situation.

As an industry first, the high-angle connector enables vessel operational continuity at greatly reduced risk to personnel, assets and the environment – whilst guarding against the consequences of dynamic positioning failure in DP vessels.

Are there any limitations with this product or challenges you have had to face with bringing this to market?

Acceptance of new technology into the subsea industry is always challenging and the XR Connector has been no stranger to this. Early adoption of the XR was as a result of a client having a need that no other connector could address, providing the launch opportunity for the product. Since then, interest has been high, but uptake has been low, purely because of the small number in operation.

With the signs of the industry beginning to recover from the downturn, operators and service companies alike, are taking a different approach to component selection, and we are having completely different conversations which are far more open to technological advancements which provide genuine performance benefits. This is generating completely different mindsets and raising our confidence that the XR Connector is now coming of age and being accepted into the industry as a proven product with a genuine track record.

You have also launched a visualisation service with 3D animation, can you tell us more about this?

Our Visualisation service gives new and existing customers access to high-quality 3D animations of their own products – crucially before they are developed and launched to the market. It also allows oil and gas firms the opportunity for their teams to understand and assess the most complex of engineered systems before they even exist.

We are often producing content that is technically very complex, so our visualisation skills are based on a thorough understanding of both oilfield technologies and environments, coupled with a mechanical insight into product operation.

The demand for innovation and technology, continues to grow within the industry, what impact is this having for your company?

Operators and service companies are constantly seeking a balance of technology, quality and customisation, as well as product availability through shorter manufacturing lead-times and value for money.

These demands to develop technology for highly complex and critical applications have put pressure on the sector. However, STL has succeeded in launching a number of firsts to the market with quantifiable benefits, and this is a huge driver for the company going forward.

As we see a shift away from purely price driven decision-making, to those that consider total lifetime value of their subsea technology investments, this will provide customers with more sustainable operations and, ultimately, prevent project delays.

What do you predict for the future of the oil and gas industry with regards to digitalisation and technology? Will this continue to increase efficiencies?

Digitisation has a place, certainly, particularly in terms of enhancing product development cycles, enabling more product testing in software before it is manufactured, and in the storage and recall of manufacturing, operating and maintenance details of products which have been in the field for a period of time. In terms of product development and collaboration, however, this is very much the realm of human ingenuity and imagination coupled with interpersonal relationships.

Although some aspects of communication can be facilitated through digital means, limitations in conference calling technology and video conferencing capabilities still makes getting around a table with key individuals and working through the challenges hugely valuable.

What are STL's plans for the future? Will you continue to develop more products following on from the Xtreme Release Connector?

By incorporating the key benefits of the XR Connector, we are now developing the HB Connector – similar to the XR Connector, but at a significantly reduced cost to the customer.

This technology was designed following a request for a lower cost version of the XR for use in deep-water applications, and its imminent delivery as a lower-cost, high-performance derivative of the XR Connector presents further opportunities.

We also understand there is a growing need for high-pressure connectors within the subsea sector, as deep-water developments will go up the industry’s agenda as we experience an increase in the oil price. We are hopeful of progressing into new markets if there is demand within the supply chain for this type of technology that will increase efficiencies and productivity offshore, whilst exceeding current industry limitations.