Innovation

  • AI software solution to revolutionise offshore asset inspections

    INNOVATION

    AI software solution to revolutionise offshore asset inspections

    The power of ground-breaking, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has been harnessed in a new real-time inspection solution, capable of autonomously detecting and categorising equipment anomalies. The Au... more

  • Marine bacteria in Canadian Arctic capable of biodegrading oil

    INNOVATION

    Marine bacteria in Canadian Arctic capable of biodegrading oil

    Marine bacteria in the frigid waters of the Canadian Arctic are capable of biodegrading oil and diesel fuel, according to a new study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the Ame... more

  • INNOVATION

    ‘Super’ sensors could help to detect mechanical issues in pipelines

    Like Peter Parker’s superhero ability to sense imminent danger, Dr Dinh’s sensors are designed to help prevent injury and death on resources sites by detecting early mechanical issues in oil and gas pipelin... more

  • INNOVATION

    Green hydrogen demonstration drives zero emission future

    A state-of-the-art green hydrogen fuel, developed in partnership between the University of Newcastle and Southern Green Gas has today been unveiled and demonstrated in Hyundai’s NEXO hydrogen fuel cell SUV. ... more

  • AI software solution to revolutionise offshore asset inspections
    22 Sep, 2021
  • Marine bacteria in Canadian Arctic capable of biodegrading oil
    18 Aug, 2021
  • ‘Super’ sensors could help to detect mechanical issues in pipelines
    13 Apr, 2021
  • Green hydrogen demonstration drives zero emission future
    07 Apr, 2021

Scientists discover the key to mitigating impacts of artificial light in tropical forests

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a major factor in global insect decline. In a paper published this month in the journal Insect Conservation and Diversity, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) scientists and partners found that using amber-coloured filters to remove the blue spectra of light from “warm white” LED (light-emitting diode) lamps drastically reduces insect attraction to nocturnal lighting in a tropical forest. This is the first study to validate quantitative predictions of how lamp colour affects insect attraction and provide clear recommendations to mitigate the negative impacts ... more

Scientists use 3D printed rocks, machine learning to detect exploration-caused earthquakes

Geoscientists at Sandia National Laboratories used 3D-printed rocks and an advanced, large-scale computer model of past earthquakes to understand and prevent earthquakes triggered by energy exploration. Injecting water underground after unconventional oil and gas extraction, commonly known as fracking, geothermal energy stimulation and carbon dioxide sequestration can trigger earthquakes. Of course, energy companies do their due diligence to check for faults - breaks in the earth’s upper crust that are prone to earthquakes - but sometimes earthquakes, even swarms of earthquakes, strike unexpectedly. S... more

Leading industry players sign agreement to develop new LNG carrier designs

Qatar Petroleum and several leading international liquified natural gas (LNG) players have signed a multi-party agreement with LNT Marine, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), and Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) to collaborate on the development of new medium and large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier designs. The agreement paves the way for the establishment of a Joint Industry Project (JIP) that targets the development of new LNG carrier designs utilising the LNT A-BOX® LNG cargo containment system. Other signatories to the Agreement include Qatargas and affiliates of ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil... more

Collaboration to pilot novel method for measuring offshore methane emissions

Neptune Energy and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a United States-based non-profit environmental advocacy group, have announced a scientific collaboration to test a first-of-its-kind approach for measuring oil and gas methane emissions from offshore oil and gas facilities. EDF will coordinate a team of international researchers that includes Scientific Aviation, a provider of airborne emissions sensing, and Texo DSI, a UK-based drone platform provider, to evaluate advanced methods for quantifying facility-level offshore methane emissions, identify key sources and prioritise mitigation actions. Met... more

Successful trials show way forward to making quieter drone propellers

Researchers have published a study revealing their successful approach to designing much quieter drone propellers. The team used machine learning to design their propellers, then 3D printed several of the most promising prototypes for experimental acoustic testing at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s specialised ‘echo-free’ chamber. Results now published in Aerospace Research Central show the prototypes produced around 15dB less noise than commercially available propellers, validating the team’s design methodology. RMIT University aer... more

Scientists use satellite data to monitor methane emissions from pipelines

For the first time, scientists, using satellite data from the Copernicus Sentinel missions, are now able to detect individual methane plumes leaking from natural gas pipelines around the globe. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases, second only to carbon dioxide in its overall contribution to climate change. The energy sector, including oil, natural gas and coal, is one of the largest sources of methane emissions. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), oil and gas operations worldwide emitted just over 70 million tonnes (Mt) of methane into the atmosphere in 2020. Until recentl... more

Drones assist researchers to identify dangerous, unplugged oil wells

There are millions of unplugged oil wells in the United States, which pose a serious risk to the environment. Using drones, researchers from Binghamton University, State University of New York have developed a new method to locate these dangerous wells. New York State has an estimated 35,000 abandoned oil or gas wells, while Pennsylvania has more than 600,000 dating back to the early days of drilling. Overall, the U.S. has an estimated 2 million orphaned wells. These wells pose multiple risks. They release methane into the atmosphere, a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, along with chemic... more