Boeing

The Boeing Company, Fugro GeoServices, Inc. and Oceaneering International, Inc. today announced a partnership to provide advanced underwater survey services. The venture combines Oceaneering's and Fugro's marine experience and intimate knowledge of customer requirements with Boeing's unique unmanned vehicle and autonomous guidance technologies.

The suite of new underwater services - initially targeted at oil and gas exploration and telecommunications markets - will be available following the completion of sea trials, expected by the end of this year.

Boeing, with 30 years of experience in the development and operation of underwater vehicles for the government, will have responsibility for the autonomous vehicle portion of the total system. Boeing is currently the prime contractor for the U.S. Navy's unmanned underwater vehicle program - the Long-term Mine Reconnaissance System.

"Today's announcement is an example of Boeing's strategic intent to open new frontiers and aggressively pursue growth opportunities that bring proven technology capabilities to new customers," said Anil Shrikhande, vice president, Boeing Ventures. "The new venture demonstrates Boeing's core competence in the integration of systems - this time in a deep-sea environment."

Netherlands-based Fugro, a world leader in all offshore survey services and geophysical data analysis, will provide the sensor payload and data analysis technologies.

"Our partnership will lead the market in providing the next generation of survey services by eliminating the need for a tethered line for towing or data transmission," said Tom Hamilton, president, Fugro GeoServices in Houston. "We will provide a compelling value proposition for customers through dramatically reduced cycle times for deep water surveys, increased survey efficiency, platform stability and navigational accuracy."

Oceaneering, an industry leader in providing oceanic engineering services and hardware, will be responsible for the surface ship handling equipment and the vehicle launch and recovery system. John Huff, chairman and CEO, Oceaneering, said, "This venture is an excellent example of a creative collaboration that meets emerging customer requirements for deep water oil field surveys and performing more efficient telecommunications route surveys and inspection operations."

The proposed underwater vehicle is intended to eventually replace towed survey systems presently used to collect sonar, bathymetric and sub-seafloor profile data. It can be launched from a wide range of surface vessels and reach ocean depths of 10,000 feet while autonomously performing pre-programmed survey missions.

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