A North Tyneside tech firm, Succorfish, pioneers expansion into the oil and gas sector, revolutionizing underwater equipment.
- The firm adapted its MyGearTag device to withstand extreme underwater conditions, enhancing its applications.
- Collaborations with Eastern Seals facilitated device adaptation, ensuring durable performance underwater.
- Extensive testing at IKM’s accredited facility proved the device fit for underwater pressure challenges.
- Succorfish engaged with global service providers to explore the MyGearTag’s broader industry potential.
Succorfish, based in North Tyneside, has taken a significant step into the global oil and gas industry. The company originally focused on addressing the pervasive issue of lost fishing nets through its device, MyGearTag, an acoustic locator using modem technology efficient over three kilometers. This innovation was initially aimed at aiding fishing boats to recover lost gear, which not only posed financial burdens but also environmental hazards.
Now, MyGearTag has been ingeniously repurposed for the oil and gas sector. The adaptation of its casing, composed of recycled fishing nets and weighing 500 grams, allows the device to endure the intense underwater pressures found at oil and gas rig bases. This advancement results from a collaborative effort with Eastern Seals, reflecting a synergy of expertise instrumental in crafting a casing robust enough for the maritime conditions.
Conducted at Cramlington’s UKAS-accredited IKM facility, rigorous testing validated the device’s resilience in deep-sea environments. As a result, discussions are underway with multiple service providers on utilizing MyGearTag for various applications, such as pinpointing seabed storage locations, monitoring rig anchor-line movements, and marking the positions of lost equipment.
Chad Hooper, the founder and CEO of Succorfish, highlighted the versatility of MyGearTag, stating, “While the commercial fishing industry was our primary consideration, we recognized that MyGearTag also has a wide range of potential uses in the oil and gas sector, and we’re now moving to see how we can take advantage of these opportunities.” He underlined the uniqueness of MyGearTag compared to existing heavy and costly monitoring equipment, emphasizing its compact size, cost-effectiveness, and power efficiency.
Developed with support from Newcastle University’s Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the pan-European NETTAG+ project, MyGearTag received funding from UK Research & Innovation and the European Union. The device is manufactured and assembled in the UK, signifying an eco-conscious production process aimed at curtailing the approximately $2.6 billion annual global cost of lost fishing nets.
With production now in full swing, distribution and reseller agreements are being solidified globally. Chad Hooper expressed optimism regarding the device’s reception in the oil and gas industry, mirroring the positive feedback from the fishing sector. He elaborated, “There’s been a very positive response from potential customers across the fisheries industry over the last few months, and we’re confident that we’ll see a similar reaction from the global oil and gas sector as we begin to share the benefits of deploying MyGearTag at their offshore facilities.”
Succorfish’s strategic entry into the oil and gas sector underlines MyGearTag’s transformative potential across industries.
