Subsea Technology & Rentals (STR), the leading global subsea sensor equipment and solutions provider, has appointed a new general manager in Norway as the company targets the offshore energy, infrastructure and marine science markets in the country and across central Europe.
Oskar Tveit joins STR with a wealth of subsea experience and has worked for several of the company’s key clients, including most recently Solstad.
Supporting Oskar in Norway is James Whyte, a technical operations team leader, who is relocating from STR’s base in Aberdeen. STR plans to increase its headcount into double figures in Norway within two years, with a focus on developing local talent.
Oskar said: “I have had huge respect for STR’s technology and services for many years from the client side and I am proud to be leading the business in Norway. STR has made significant investments in its facilities, people and equipment, building one of the world’s largest sensor technology fleets, enabled by its own in-house product range. This allows us to offer clients a differentiated service while helping them optimise project costs. Being in Norway will provide an additional gateway into supporting our central European clients.”
STR’s new Norway Technology and Service hub will be located at Åkrehamn, close to key customers in Haugesund and Stavanger. The custom designed facility will be 1,000 sqm with STR investing more than NOK 70,000,000 (around £5m) in the base, equipment fleet and organisation in 2025. The workshop will include workstations for both electronic sensor technology and mechanical tooling.
Steve Steele, CEO, said: “Developing a leading sensor, mechanical tooling and inspection service offering in Norway is part of our organic growth strategy. In the last few years, we have become a trusted international provider of subsea sensor technology and services across the offshore energy, infrastructure and marine science markets.
“Oskar is vastly experienced, having spent time with several of our key clients in Norway and is very much respected across the industry. Establishing a technology and service hub in the country provides us with a fantastic opportunity to better service a suite of new customers in Norway as well as those in Denmark, Sweden and across Europe.”
Norway expands STR’s global presence, adding to its technology and service facilities in Aberdeen, Great Yarmouth, Houston, Perth and Singapore -with further expansion on the horizon.
Over the past three years, the company has doubled its headcount to 115 people and expects to add another 20 in the coming year, driving growth through strategic acquisitions.
Subsea equipment plays a fundamental role across various industries, facilitating exploration, inspection, monitoring and intervention below the ocean’s surface. It allows a range of companies to navigate this challenging environment with precision and efficiency.
From the extraction of hydrocarbons to harnessing clean energy and conducting cutting-edge research, subsea equipment offers versatile solutions for diverse applications. Here, we explore the functions and benefits subsea equipment can unlock for three primary subsea industries; oil and gas, renewable energy and marine science.
Subsea equipment in the oil and gas industry
How subsea equipment enables oil and gas exploration
Since the industry began extracting oil and gas from offshore locations, subsea equipment has been integral to the success of operations within the sector. In recent years, the increasing number of ageing assets around the world, and the global energy transition, have required increasingly reliable subsea equipment, which has led to a number of innovations across the subsea equipment market.
Equipment categories that are very connected to oil and gas projects – both in the installation of new infrastructure and integrated risk management (IRM) – are inspection equipment, long baseline (LBL) positioning systems, ROV tools, and oceanographic equipment. The primary uses and functions of subsea equipment in the oil and gas industry include the following:
Inspection equipment: This includes advanced tools and devices used to assess the integrity, performance and safety of materials, structures or systems, often utilising non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques to identify flaws without causing damage.
Long baseline (LBL) positioning systems:This system functions by measuring acoustic ranges to a seabed array of transponders. These are then passed through a least squares computation to accurately trilaterate a position.
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs): ROVs are crucial in providing visual assessments for corrosion, damage or leaks, as well as collecting data to ensure the integrity of subsea infrastructure.
Oceanographic equipment: To provide data on currents and water properties, oceanographic equipment offers a better understanding of the subsea environment and allows companies to make informed decisions on their renewable energy projects.
The benefits of subsea equipment for oil and gas companies
With cost and safety being primary concerns within the industry, along with the expansion into deep and ultra-deep water operations, companies are becoming increasingly selective when sourcing equipment for subsea oil and gas operations.
The use of high-quality subsea equipment for oil and gas extraction has revolutionised the sector, offering a number of benefits to companies and operators; from optimising production efficiency, to mitigating operational risks in challenging offshore environments. The most significant benefits are as follows:
Increased efficiency: Specialised subsea equipment allows for more precise and faster extraction processes in the oil and gas sector, which reduces downtime and increases production as a result.
Enhanced safety: With recent innovations allowing for more tasks to be operated remotely, subsea equipment offers an enhanced level of control and safety. It also produces in-depth data to allow for clearer and safer decision making.
Cost reductions: By optimising subsea architecture, increasing operational efficiency and extending the life cycle of ageing assets through improved maintenance and inspection, subsea equipment allows for a number of cost reductions within the oil and gas industry.
Subsea equipment in the renewable energy sector
How subsea equipment is used for renewable energy
As sustainable operations and net zero have become crucial targets for companies around the world, offshore renewables has emerged as a significant subsea market.
To harness power from renewable sources, especially offshore wind and tidal energy, the renewable energy sector relies heavily on subsea equipment for installation, maintenance and monitoring, allowing for the sustainable and efficient generation of renewable energy.
Equipment that support wind farm projects include winches, sidescan and sub-bottom profiling systems, multibeam echo sounders, magnetometers, oceanographic and positioning equipment:
Electric winches: These allow for lifting, pulling and positioning of subsea infrastructure during the installation phase, while using an efficient electric power source.
Sidescan and sub-bottom profiling systems: Utilising advanced sonar technologies, these tools create detailed images of the seabed (sidescan) and map and analyse the layers beneath the seafloor (sub-bottom profiling), to provide critical data for offshore operations.
Multibeam echo sounders: These are sonar systems that utilise multiple beams of sound to map the seafloor in high detail. This provides precise depth measurements and detailed 3D images of underwater environments for various applications.
Magnetometers: These are used to measure magnetic fields and map geological features below the seabed, allowing teams to locate submerged pipelines, shipwrecks, or unexploded ordnance.
Oceanographic instruments: To provide data on currents and water properties, oceanographic equipment offers a better understanding of the subsea environment and allows companies to make informed decisions on their renewable energy projects.
Positioning equipment: This is essential for enabling precise device installation and subsequently maximising energy production, as well as overall safety.
The benefits of subsea equipment in the renewable energy industry
Companies within the renewable energy sector can unlock a range of benefits by leveraging innovative subsea equipment in their projects and operations. As an industry centred around sustainability and lowering carbon emissions, environmental considerations are crucial when it comes to renewable energy, as well as ensuring that operations run efficiently.
The most significant benefits the renewable energy sector can gain from subsea equipment are:
Sustainable operations: Subsea equipment enables the efficient harnessing of renewable energy sources, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and promoting sustainable energy production.
Reliability and durability: The robust design of subsea equipment ensures it can withstand harsh marine environments, providing long-term operational reliability.
Operational efficiency: Advanced subsea technology streamlines installation and maintenance processes, reducing downtime and operational costs.
Subsea equipment in the marine science industry
Using subsea equipment for marine science
The ocean occupies 71% of the earth’s surface and holds many secrets which aren’t immediately visible or accessible to us. Subsea equipment is therefore essential for the marine science industry to allow researchers to better understand and monitor activity from marine life, which provides invaluable data for exploration and aids conservation efforts for the subsea environment as a whole.
Marine subsea equipment can be used to gather intelligence and research on sea life and subsea habitats in the following ways:
Underwater cameras and video systems:These systems are used for continuous visual monitoring of marine life, underwater habitats and geological features below the ocean’s surface. They can be mounted on ROVs, AUVs or deployed as standalone units.
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs): Equipped with cameras, lights and various tools, ROVs can be used to conduct visual inspections, take samples and perform precise tasks at depths which can’t be reached by divers.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs): These are programmable robotic vehicles that operate independently for mapping the seafloor, collecting water samples and measuring elements such as ocean temperature, salinity and currents.
Sonar Systems: Multibeam and side-scan sonar systems are also used for mapping the seafloor, as well as providing detailed imagery and data to detect underwater objects and studying marine life.
Underwater drills: These allow researchers to collect samples from the seabed for geological studies, allowing marine scientists to gain important data on seabed sediments.
The benefits of subsea equipment in the marine science industry
When it comes to marine science, knowledge is power, and by utilising high-tech subsea equipment, researchers can gain a better understanding and invaluable insight into the ocean’s environment and wildlife in order to better protect them.
The most significant benefits that marine scientists can unlock through the use of subsea equipment are:
Enhanced research capabilities: Thanks to the availability of a vast range of innovative technology, subsea equipment offers detailed and extensive exploration of underwater environments, providing researchers with high-quality data for scientific analysis.
Environmental monitoring: By using specialised subsea equipment, marine scientists can continuously monitor the underwater environment, helping them to track changes in marine ecosystems, assess the impact of human activities and develop conservation strategies to protect the ocean’s wildlife.
Data collection: Efficient and precise data gathering methods are provided by modern subsea equipment and supports a wide range of scientific research within this industry, from climate studies through to marine biology and geology.
Subsea equipment is essential for driving advancements and efficiencies in multiple offshore industries, with its applications enhancing operational safety, efficiency and sustainability across the board.
At STR, we provide state-of-the-art subsea equipment, carefully designed to meet the diverse needs of a range of industries. Discover our impressive product portfolio and find out more about how subsea equipment can benefit your operations…
As the subsea sector continues to progress, new innovations in technology and equipment continue to emerge, resulting in cost efficiencies and enhanced operational output for operators in a number of industries.
Electric winches have grown in popularity and application in recent years due to the many benefits they have over their hydraulic counterparts, and are now seen by many in the subsea sector as a go-to piece of subsea equipment.
Here we share the core capabilities of electric winches, their primary benefits and how they can be the key to unlocking safe and efficient subsea operations…
The primary function of an electric winch
Electric winches are used to lift, pull and position heavy loads underwater, making them an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to deployment and recovery during subsea operations. Using an electrical system, these winches are powered by a direct current of electricity to enable its lifting mechanism, which winds a cable up or down by rolling a large drum.
The key components of an electric winch include the cylindrical drum – the size of which will determine the winding speed and cable length – as well as a rope or cable which is made of steel or synthetics depending on the strength requirements. The clutch allows for free spooling where fast deployment is needed, while the automatic brake ensures optimum safety by locking the drum when it’s not actively pulling, and the control system enables its use from a safe distance.
Finally, the electric motor forms the heartbeat of the winch, with a battery or separate power source to drive its lifting and lowering functions. This is its core differentiator to hydraulic winches which are driven by a hydraulic system.
Applications of an electric winch
One of the reasons electric winches have become widely used in the subsea sector is their incredible versatility. Depending on the size and capability of the electric winch, you can lift and lower virtually anything, whether it’s to load equipment on and off the vessel, or lowering it underwater during deployment and recovery.
Electric winches have been widely utilised across a number of industries where subsea projects are essential. Within the rapidly growing renewables sector, electric winches offer high performance capabilities while reducing energy consumption and supporting cleaner operations, making them a go-to choice.
They have also helped to progress the oil and gas market to support inspection, maintenance and repair efforts, as well as commissioning and decommissioning projects. Similarly, in the marine science sector, winches are utilised for lowering and raising survey or sampling equipment to ensure high quality data acquisition while protecting the surrounding environment.
Finally electric winches offer the flexibility to support operations in both the manned and unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market, allowing for projects to be completed remotely or from a survey vessel, to improve overall safety and flexibility.
Benefits of an electric winch
Electric winches offer a number of benefits which have made them a preferred alternative to their hydraulic counterparts. One of their primary advantages is their ease of use; unlike hydraulic winches, which require a complex setup with pumps and fluid systems, electric winches are powered directly by a battery or a connection to the electrical system. This makes them much easier to install and maintain which results in cost efficiencies, reduced downtime and enhanced safety.
Electric winches also provide a significant advantage in terms of their remote operation capabilities. With technological advancements, many electric winches now come with wireless remote control systems that enable operators to manage a winch from a distance, increasing safety and precision as a result.
Additionally, electric winches consume much less energy and tend to be quieter than their hydraulic winches, which is crucial for cost savings and ensuring that sensitive marine environments are protected. Even when not in use, hydraulic winches require a huge amount of power to stay operationally ready and are renowned for being noisy when in use.
This combination of versatility, ease of use, and safety features positions electric winches as a superior choice for professionals seeking reliable and efficient load handling solutions.
Choosing the right electric winch for your subsea project
When it comes to subsea operations, choosing the right winch is crucial for safety reasons and to ensure effective operations. This involves a number of important considerations, such as the environmental conditions which could damage or erode winch over time, the control mechanisms required and the desired process for installation and maintenance needed.
What is arguably the most important consideration when choosing the right electric winch is the load capacity needed for the project. Winches vary in how heavy a load they can carry, so it’s crucial to take this into account and select a winch. As a general guideline, the chosen winch should be able to pull at least 1.5 times the weight of the equipment or vehicle being lifted and positioned.
At STR, we have the largest fleet of electric winches in the world, with a team of experts who can support you in choosing the right winch to ensure efficient subsea data acquisition for your offshore operations. No matter the project scope, our innovative electric winch designs and bespoke technical support offers a cost-effective solution for a range of subsea projects.
Subsea Technology & Rentals (STR), a leading global provider of advanced sensor technology and solutions for the offshore energy and marine science markets, has welcomed Maxime Even as the new General Manager of their Singapore Technology and Service hub.
With over two decades of experience in the offshore survey industry, Even will play a key role in supporting STR’s clients across Asia-Pacific (APAC) and the Middle East, while his background in marine operations, business development and project management will help drive growth and expand STR’s regional operations and client base.
Jason French, STR’s Regional Director for APAC, said: “With his impressive experience in the offshore survey market, Maxime brings a wealth of regional knowledge to our hub in Singapore and understands the unique challenges faced by our clients. The APAC region presents significant opportunities, particularly in offshore renewables, and we know Maxime will contribute greatly to our continued success in this dynamic and rapidly growing market.”
Established more than 20 years ago, STR operates globally and serves clients in the offshore energy and marine science markets, helping them acquire mission-critical marine data through the provision of advanced subsea sensor technology, solutions and services.
As the 23rd of June marks International Women in Engineering Day, we’re shining a spotlight on the achievements of women in the engineering field and recognising the invaluable contributions of female engineers worldwide.
At STR, we are proud to champion the talents of our diverse team. We sat down with STR’s Group Technical Compliance Engineer, Shani Perdicou, to explore what led her to a career in engineering, the challenges she has faced in the field and the advice she would give to aspiring female engineers.
Tell us about your journey so far, and what inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
“My career began in 2003 when I joined the Royal Navy as a Mine Warfare and Communications Specialist serving in Portsmouth, Plymouth and Scotland. This role marked the beginning of my journey into the world of engineering and after eight years in the Navy, I transitioned into the geophysical sector, working offshore as a Geophysical Engineer for a marine survey company. This position appealed to me as I’ve always preferred to be hands-on and I thoroughly enjoyed being offshore, as well as the flexibility that being on a six month rotation allowed me to have.
“Throughout my career, I’ve often been one of only a few women in predominantly male-dominated environments, which has reinforced my commitment to supporting and advocating for more women in engineering.”
How would you describe your current role at STR and what does a typical day look like for you?
“I am the Group Technical Compliance Engineer at STR, and my main responsibility is managing our database of assets that support our clients’ projects. My day-to-day tasks centre around ensuring all equipment is of the required standard, which involves a thorough process of monitoring and repairing faults, internal failures and damages. I’m also client facing and issue technical reports on damaged equipment, as well as arrange payments and third-party repairs.
“While I’m not on the front line of securing new business, my role is crucial in maintaining the quality, reliability and performance of our assets – which is something STR prides itself in.”
What do you enjoy most about your job?
“I thoroughly enjoy the variety of my role and the opportunity to interact with colleagues across all of our Technology and Service hubs, including Australia, Scotland, Singapore and USA. I also love engaging with different departments, from the sales team and engineers, to the calibration and finance departments. The diversity in my responsibilities, and the fact that I’m recognised as a key member of the operations team, always keeps things fresh and interesting!
“STR has provided me with fantastic support and flexibility, which is particularly important for me having young children. The company is also committed to professional development and encourages everyone to participate in training and developing their domain knowledge and career – I will soon participate in the company’s new “People Development” programme aimed at team leaders and supervisors who manage, or will soon manage, a team.
What do you think are the biggest barriers currently facing women in engineering, and how has this changed from previous years?
“I would say that one of the biggest barriers for women in engineering is visibility. Young people, particularly young women, don’t see or hear enough about female engineers which potentially encourages the stereotype of who ‘should or shouldn’t’ be an engineer.
“For a long time, I think there has been a perception that to fit into an engineering role, you need to be a certain profile of person, which can be discouraging for those who don’t fit that mould.
“Having said that, the industry has changed for the better since I started my career. In the past, hiring managers would feel obligated to interview a female candidate just to tick the diversity box. Nowadays, the focus is more on qualifications and personal attributes, which is a significant progression. There’s also been a noticeable increase in female representation in STR and at industry events – I’ve seen more female speakers and attendees on LinkedIn recently, which is great and reflects the positive changes happening within our field!”
What challenges have you faced as a woman in engineering, and how have you overcome them?
“When I joined my vessel in the Navy as one of the first females in mine warfare, none of the 38 males on board had ever sailed with a female before. Because of this, several crew members had to be convinced that I was capable of doing my job, not just intellectually but also physically. I was fortunate to work with a good group of people who didn’t focus on my gender, however, the perception that females are weaker than men was often a challenge. Despite this, I wasn’t given any special treatment and was expected to perform the job just the same as everybody else.
“Another challenge I’ve faced as a woman in engineering was uniform related. When I started going offshore, the overalls provided were tailored for men and often didn’t fit properly. Trousers were too long, and boots and gloves in my size were rarely available. As well as this, the expectation to go above and beyond to justify my position in a male-dominated field was also a struggle. Thankfully, over time, I think the industry has become more inclusive and focused on skills and capabilities rather than gender.”
What initiatives have you seen or would like to see that support women in engineering?
“I’ve noticed an increase in career fairs at local colleges and schools, which is a step in the right direction. I’ve participated in a few of these with STR, where we visited a local college and the students found out more about what we do. As a result of this, we recently had a female student join us as a Trainee Engineer following a work placement.
“I think it’s crucial to engage with students when they’re around 13 or 14 years old to make them aware that engineering is a viable and exciting career option. It’s encouraging to prospective employees that STR has female engineers across all our departments, making new female hires feel supported. The more we reach out to students and show them that engineering is an accessible and rewarding career path, the more we can open doors for the next generation of female engineers.”
What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in engineering?
“Go for it! My mum always told me that engineering offers a career for life; it’s one of those professions that’s always evolving, we see how quickly technology develops!
“It’s important for young women to remember that engineering isn’t gender specific and the industry is just as suitable for females as it is for males – there are no jobs in engineering that are solely built for men. If you have the capability and are willing to put in the work, you’ll succeed!”
Are you passionate about STEM and looking for a diverse career in the offshore industry? Visit our website to discover our latest vacancies: https://www.str-subsea.com/careers
Taking place every two years in London (UK), Oceanology International is a place where knowledge across the marine science, offshore energy and technology markets is shared, cementing it as a central hub to showcase innovation and discuss new ideas.
As a global provider of mission critical sensor packaged solutions, enabled through in-house innovative and specialist services, our primary focus is to enable the acquisition of higher quality, critical marine data. With innovation at our core, Oceanology was our primary platform to showcase our cutting-edge products, including a member of our Smart Deployment System product range – The SeaTow 2000 electric winch, our SeaCount cable measurement system and our deepwater SeaSpyder drop camera system; all of which represent pioneering engineering. It was also the perfect opportunity to announce our latest advancement in New Product Development (NPD), such as our Fast Deployment System and ROV Multiplexer, both of which are being developed in-house by our Products & Technology (P&T) team.
Bringing specialists from core divisions of our business – operations, products and technology, senior leadership and sales – each team member discovered trends and insights that will help us unlock new opportunities and develop solutions for our customers. Here, we discuss our key takeaways and how we think these shape the future of the subsea industry.
Insight 1: Preference has shifted in favour of autonomous and remote operations
Driven by economic factors, health, safety and environmental concerns and of course, feasibility through advancements in technology, the move towards autonomous operations on uncrewed service vessels (USVs) is increasing, and therefore the demand for products with remote capabilities is significantly growing.
With this new way of working bringing a multitude of benefits such as increased safety by removing people from hazardous environments, unmanned operations resulting in a smaller carbon footprint and cost savings through reduced personnel as well as the unit cost of the asset (USV vs manned vessel), it’s no wonder that questions on remote capabilities were on the rise at this year’s Oceanology event.
Raymond Forsyth, Group Technical Director said: “With this shift comes the need for new innovation and changes in ways of working, coupled with robust, reliable technology. While remote operations come with many advantages, the quality of the product needs to be unparalleled to ensure high performance without manual input and offshore maintenance. It’s also important to consider that unmanned vessels tend to be much smaller than conventional manned vessels, therefore a compact product design that can be operated autonomously is often a required feature.
“Conversations around remote capabilities were often directed to our SeaTow 2000 electric winch which we had on display, as ultimately, our Smart Deployment System range (SeaTow) enables the entire survey project. Our SeaTow products have been designed to go much further than just ticking the box for remote operations, the winches not only correct any arising faults but also report on performance statistics to minimise any downtime.
“It’s still important to note that human experience and intervention is required to enhance project performance, and it’s vital that specialist knowledge and experience is used to ensure the correct technology is selected and working cohesively with other equipment as a complete sensor solutions package. Autonomous operations will be an important part of the future way subsea operations are managed. However, it will take time for the markets to adopt this new technology and success will be dependent on strong collaboration across the whole supply chain.”
Insight 2: The demand for single high-performance products has extended to innovative solution-led packages with a focus on equipment integration
Fundamentally, customers need subsea deployment systems and sensor products that are reliable and high-performing to complete their operations, but there’s been a shift from using equipment from various manufacturers to looking for multi-product packaged solutions from one service provider that can integrate all the technologies to solve a number of challenges at once, while maximising data capture.
There are many benefits to working with one service provider that uses the same engineering and operational methods – products will work in harmony, prompting enhanced operational efficiency, reduced costs, and less impact on the environment when considered as a full package offering. When selecting technology packages for projects, it’s vitally important we engage with our clients, forming an extended part of their operations team, to understand the specific user case, the subsea environment, vessel / USV and the desired data requirements – only then, can we provide the optimum results.
Steve Steele, CEO said: “Throughout the event, customers were keen to discuss technology that would enable smarter working, increased efficiency, reduce the impact on the environment and improve data quality, therefore being able to do more with less.
“At STR, we have a very strong heritage of innovation and we were proud to showcase some of our products at the event. We have been designing and developing in-house products for more than twenty years and are continually challenging ourselves on enhancing our product offering. At our Innovation and Technology Centre in Great Yarmouth, we are continuously investing in our team, infrastructure and expanding our in-house product catalogue – as evidenced by two new products that we’re bringing to market in 2024.
“Our mission critical products (we refer to them as “enablers”) form part of a more comprehensive product package offering, and it’s one of the reasons why our clients work with STR. Managing subsea projects is complex, no matter the market sector, and they are getting larger with greater demands on our client project teams. At STR, we work very closely with our clients to provide the right mission critical sensor package solution and after-market service care to de-risk our clients’ projects and maximise their results.”
Insight 3: The environment is rich for product development and cleaner technology remains a priority
As technology advances, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible within the subsea sector, and the buoyancy and positivity in the market strengthens the appetite for smarter engineering and paves the way towards the energy transition.
With environmental concerns remaining at the top of companies’ agendas, we made the decision years ago to engineer electric winches and raise awareness of the benefits over their hydraulic counterparts, but education is still key to encourage and support this approach being adopted on a global scale.
Rob Williamson, Group Research and Development Director said: “Throughout the event, we received a high volume of interest in our Smart Deployment Systems (SeaTow 2000 electric winch), with clients intrigued to see if its technical specification and capabilities can address their challenges.
“For example, adopting the use of our electric winches can solve deck space challenges as they eliminate the need for such an intensive power source while benefiting from higher motor efficiency. This, combined with a lower power generator and low standby power consumption, means operators can significantly reduce fuel expenses while reducing environmental concerns through excellent motor efficiency.
“In addition, a core focus for us was to announce our latest innovations, our Fast Deployment System – which will significantly support autonomous and remote operations – and our ROV Multiplexer – which takes data acquisition to an even more advanced level. Both these products are integral to complementing our subsea packages and increasing efficiency for our customers.
“Our aim remains simple, we’re not building products just to sell it, we’re engineering equipment to solve our customers’ problems, helping them complete their surveys to an unrivalled standard while also enabling them to transition to more sustainable methods.”
In summary, this year’s event presented an extremely positive outlook for the subsea sector and the main trends support the transition to the global goal of reaching Net Zero. While there were concerns raised about the global supply chain and market demand, the show symbolised investment within the sector and emphasises the importance of collaboration between suppliers to overcome common challenges and achieve ambitious targets.
With more than 20 years’ electronics and operations experience, Michael Greening joined STR in 2023 as our Rental and Services Sales Manager for the Americas region.
In this instalment of our ‘Meet the Team’ series, Michael shares his perspective on what makes STR the go-to choice for subsea technology, why he is so passionate about the work he does and what he sees in STR’s future…
Tell us more about your career background and what led you to STR…
“I began my career in the Marine Corps, where I served for 11 years focusing on avionics and electronics for helicopters. I then became an electronics instructor before transitioning into the subsea industry.
“My first role in this sector involved technical and engineering support on ROVs and support equipment for an ROV provider in Louisiana. This led me to a position as an offshore Survey Engineer at a leading global offshore survey company where I progressed to project support manager, then operations manager.
“During this time, I got to know STR through renting its equipment and was always impressed by the quality of the service. I previously worked with Randy Mullins, STR’s Regional Vice President, and when he joined STR at the beginning of 2023, I was keen to explore new opportunities to further develop my career. When the opportunity arose to lead the regional sales team at STR, I felt the growth ambitions of the business matched my personal goals.”
What is your key area of expertise and which of STR’s technologies are you most involved in?
“I’m highly experienced in construction and survey equipment such as LBL and surface positioning, but since joining STR, I’ve developed a great understanding of geophysical equipment. The confidence and knowledge I’ve built on the equipment is down to the incredible team that I work with, which is full of individuals passionate about enabling each other’s progression and finding effective solutions for our customers.
“I think this approach has allowed me to fit in really well with the STR team and the work we do. Throughout my professional life, I’ve thrived in high-stakes environments that demand quick reactions, precision, and the ability to solve problems. From challenging circumstances in the Marine Corps to handling imminent requests in the offshore industry, I’ve honed my ability to find fast and effective solutions to solve problems.
What does a typical day look like for your role, and what is your ultimate goal?
“I’m up early to catch up with the UK office and handle some emails – it’s a great start to the day to feel organised and on top of customers’ priorities. By the time 8am rolls around, my focus shifts to regional meetings and customer calls.
“I spend about 70% of my time communicating with customers discussing their operational requirements and making sure they’re getting the optimum technical solution for their project, including pre-mobilisation equipment integration tests.
“My goal every day is to get as much information from our customers as possible to ensure I can deliver a service that makes their jobs easier and more effective, all while getting back to them with a solution as quickly as possible.
Why are you so passionate about the work you do?
“For me, it’s the fast tempo of it all and the support I receive from everyone at STR. I’m the type of person who just can’t sit still for too long, and I’ve always thrived in a fast paced environment where I need to solve problems quickly. At STR it’s constantly dynamic and different every day. One moment you’re attending team meetings or completing paperwork, the next you’re helping a customer with an urgent request that needs to be solved as soon as possible.
“I’ve also always enjoyed being part of a team, whether it was playing sports growing up, being in the Marine Corps or being part of an offshore team. What I really like about working at STR is the level of camaraderie – everyone is working towards a common goal, which you don’t always get in business.
“Another reason I’m so passionate about working for STR is that there’s a real commitment to supporting its team and what’s important to them. With my background in the Marine Corps, STR now sponsors a veteran non-profit organisation called Now or Never, which I’m really passionate about. It organises fishing and hunting trips for veterans to help build trust and relationships or support those who are having a hard time connecting with the civilian world once they’ve come out of service.
What do you see in STR’s future over the next 3 to 5 years?
“STR has experienced significant growth both internationally and locally. We have quickly transitioned from start-up to a scale-up business in the USA and we are excited about the emerging offshore renewables market. One of our main goals is to continue to support our customers’ growth through our diverse service suite. STR has invested in all its facilities, equipment fleet and the organisation and we have recently increased the capacity of our in-house production team. We have a new product development plan, which is very exciting, and I believe will further enhance STR’s technology and service offering.
“Autonomous systems, new technology are transitioning some offshore activities and ways of working from offshore to onshore, reducing the number of people on vessels and rigs. As a result, there’s going to be an increased requirement for specialised technical experts to integrate and maintain the equipment during mobilisations and project operations. This is an area STR can continue to deliver value to our customers.”
Why do you think people choose STR as a supplier?
“What I’ve learned is that if you want to separate yourself from your competition, you have to ask yourself ‘How fast can I solve my client’s problems and provide them with the optimum technical solution?’. As someone who comes from an operations management background, I’ve been on the other side of the fence where you’re trying to mobilise a vessel on a Friday night, you’ve got a question and there are no suppliers available to answer the phone until Monday. Those 48 hours could potentially cost >$200,000 in vessel time lost waiting for that answer.
“At STR, we are an organisation from top to bottom with a depth of operational experience and strong domain knowledge. We’re always prepared to go the extra mile to get the best technical solutions package delivered to our customers on time. We pride ourselves in being agile and providing our customers with best-in-class customer service – providing the best customer experience drives strong re-occuring sales and helps develop very strong customer relationships.
When you work with STR, it’s not like going to Walmart and picking something off the shelf – we dig deep into the engineering and operations side of things, and ask ‘what application do you need the equipment package for?’, ‘How can we support you to optimise vessel uptime, improve data acquisition and overall project performance’ That’s the level of attention and customisation our customers need from STR – it’s more of a partnership with the customer and it’s one area we pride ourselves in doing differently from our competitors.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career?
“This isn’t so much a piece of advice but a quote that I have always remembered throughout my career: “They say that no matter how hard you work, there is always someone, somewhere who is working harder than you – be that someone”.
“This is something that I’ve applied in all areas of life, both personal and professional. There are many things that are out of our control, or things that other people are better at, but the one thing that is controllable by any person is their work ethic. If you work hard, stay curious about what you don’t know and learn from your mistakes, then you’ll succeed.”
Find out more about STR and our suite of best-in-class services here…
