Deepwater operations in the Gulf of Guinea is set to be boosted by the activities of the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) which recently established the Sub-Saharan Africa Branch with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.

First on their list of specialised activities is to arrange the successful and highly renowned SUT Subsea Awareness Course for individuals and organizations with a common interest in underwater technology, ocean science and offshore engineering.

According to Ross Agazuma who is the pioneer Chairperson for the new branch, SUT was founded in 1966 and now has members in more than 40 countries. The association is headquartered in London with branches in Norway, UK, USA, Brazil, Australia, Malaysia and Nigeria.

Agazuma further disclosed that through its numerous learning and membership programmes, SUT will enhance subsea capacity building within the Gulf of Guinea especially at this time of unprecedented deepwater exploration success in the region. To this end, he said that arrangements have been concluded to hold the first Subsea Awareness Course in Nigeria come 2010.

Originally developed by Shell, and taken over by SUT, this seven-day course is suitable for engineers who are new to the offshore industry, top level industry managers, and those transferring from other disciplines within the industry. Others include engineers who have worked in subsea previously but who would benefit from a refresher course and exposure to the latest technology.

In her contribution, the SUT Events Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Omolua Oyakhire, mentioned that history is being made as the Subsea Awareness Course will be holding for the very first time on an African soil. She disclosed further that Subsea UK and the National Subsea Research Institute will lead major oil producing and service companies to contribute to the course.

Some of the companies include FMC Technologies, Cecon ASA, Technip, Shell, Total, BP, Castrol Offshore, Aker Solutions, 2H Offshore, Global Maritime, Cooper Cameron, Subsea7, Intec SEA, Fugro, OAG Technologies, Framo Engineering Oceaneering, Schlumberger, Dof Subsea, Duco and Statoilhydro

Expounding on the mandate of the Society, Agazuma added that the SUT aims to promote further understanding of the underwater environment and encourage cross-fertilisation and dissemination of ideas, experience and information between members in academic research, applied research and technology, industry and government.

It also seeks the development of techniques and tools to explore, study and exploit the oceans as well as achieve proper economic and sociological use of resources in and beneath the oceans. In addition it is concerned about the further education of scientists and technologists to maintain high standards in marine science technology and offshore engineering.

The Society provides its members with a forum for communication through technical publications, events, branches and specialist interest groups, he said.