New Online Learning Program for Subsea Engineers

Subsea UK has launched its new online learning program to support the development of new engineers and technicians entering the subsea sector and to develop graduates to become the next generation of engineers to help the UK’s $14 billion subsea sector achieve its global potential.

The Introduction to Subsea Engineering course can be completed in around 60 hours, spread over eight weeks. Students will study a series of modules to become fully inducted into a sector which has revolutionized the way in which hydrocarbons are extracted since its early days in the late seventies.

Initially rolled out by Subsea UK a few years ago, the on-line program of four modules, designed by the Robert Gordon University, has been significantly up-graded and up-dated to include recent developments and new practices in the fast-growing sector.

The new course has become mandatory training for a number of companies in the industry. Aker Solutions (AKSO.OL) will be putting its graduate engineers through the program which is delivered on-line through the university’s virtual learning environments, CampusMoodle.

Neil Gordon, chief executive of Subsea UK, said: “As our industry continues to evolve to meet the challenges of exploiting valuable reserves in water depths extending to some 3,000 metres in harsh and highly complex environments, so too has the content of this unique on-line learning program. With updated course material, the program now features progression and tracking options for learners, more interactive content and better designs which make it more intuitive and appealing for students.”

Matt Corbin, managing director of Aker Solutions added, “The subsea sector is one of the most dynamic and exciting areas of the global oil and gas industry. By providing a comprehensive overview of how that sector has developed, its specific technologies and how the subsea jigsaw fits together, our new engineers have a much broader understanding of the impact of their role and the opportunities open to them.”

Meanwhile, Subsea UK’s one-day ”Fundamentals of Subsea Systems” training courses have been positively received by the industry with 70 people from over 30 companies taking part.

The course is open to anyone who needs an overview of subsea systems and processes, how the technology and engineering have evolved over the years to meet the demands of oil producers as they move to harsher and more complex environments in order to recover the world’s remaining reserves.

The course is delivered by Alistair Birnie, himself a former chief executive of industry body, Subsea UK. With 35 years’ experience in subsea engineering, Birnie is a Professor of  Subsea Engineering at the National University of Singapore where he specializes in Subsea Systems and Subsea Construction, teaching MSc level graduates and managing research programs in the field of ultra-deep water operations.

Subsea UK’s one-day course has been specially developed to provide a broad but in-depth overview of the sector both from a UK perspective but, as a global sector, also shares useful insights into the latest subsea engineering and technology, covering aspects of how subsea fields are developed, and how subsea systems are designed, installed, operated and decommissioned.

The next “Fundamentals” course take place on July 13.