Page 16: of Marine Technology Magazine (January 2021)

MARKETS Outlook for 2021

WHAT’S IN STORE

FOR 2021?

IT’S ALL ABOUT “MORE” ... MORE REMOTE, MORE

DATA & MORE AUTONOMY

BOSS

Late 2018, before net zero targets had been agreed to by most western energy giants and nations, BP came out with a goal to reach 100% of subsea inspection by marine autonomous systems by 2025. It was a tangible goal then and it’s one that might now be reached faster as remote and a more “digitally” oriented operations take hold with greater opportunities for new nimble players in the market. It’s a goal being chased in offshore wind too.

By Elaine Maslin ate 2018, before net zero targets had been agreed to has now accelerated some of that innovation. Remote opera- by most western energy giants and nations, BP came tions a reality rather than a road map. out with a goal to reach 100% of subsea inspection

L Refocus, reform – greener visions by marine autonomous systems by 2025. It was a tan- gible goal then and it’s one that might now be reached faster Taking a step back, it’s a tough, rapidly evolving environment as remote and a more “digitally” oriented operations take hold for many, with depressed oil prices having impacted the oil and with greater opportunities for new nimble players in the mar- gas industry speci? cally, resulting in a wave of company re- ket. It’s a goal being chase in offshore wind too. structuring. “Companies are busier than ever working out what

Some of it’s about emissions targets. Starting in 2019, the to prepare for the future,” says Bjørn Søgård, Segment Director growing mass of pledges to net zero targets by nations, up- for Subsea, DNV GL. Tier 1 contractors created through merg- stream companies and even suppliers has accelerated moves ers just a few years ago are starting to be unravelled into more to do more remotely – lowering emissions (and, it’s hoped renewable versus traditional business (e.g. Aker Solutions spin- also, costs). In offshore wind, it’s also about the growing mass ning off its offshore wind and carbon capture segments) or de- of turbines out there that present a signi? cant operation and merging to distinguish upstream from midstream-downstream maintenance challenge. A global pandemic restricting travel (e.g. TechnipFMC and its spinout Technip Energies), points 16 January/February 2021

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