PTT to Develop ROV for Marine Environment, Habitat Survey

PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) in association with the Training Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/TD), King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute (KURDI) and the Institute of Marine Science of Burapha University jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for the marine environment and marine habitat survey.

PTT to Develop ROV for Marine Environment, Habitat Survey

The project underscores the environmental friendly petroleum exploration and production practices at PTTEP’s wellhead platforms. The cooperation marks the first time ever in Thailand that ROV is developed for the environmental purpose.

The honor representatives at the ceremony include Mr. Asdakorn Limpiti, Acting Executive Vice President for Technology & Sustainability Development Group of PTTEP; Dr. Chumnarn Pongsri, Secretary-General of SEAFDEC/TD; Asst. Prof. Worawit Chaturapanich, Vice President for Administration of KMUTNB; Prof. Dr. Uthairat Na-Nakorn, Director of KURDI; and Dr. Saowapa Sawatpeera, Director of the Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University.

PTTEP has firstly initiated to use ROV for the marine environmental study at the company’s wellhead platforms in the Gulf of Thailand apart from the inspection and maintenance purposes. The functionality of ROV is to measure and monitor the marine environment and marine habitats from the real time data, resulting in increasing the incredibility. To ensure that the project will meet the requirements of all stakeholders and PTTEP’s petroleum exploration and production (E&P) is environmental friendly, the academic institutions and community are welcomed to engage in the cooperation.

Mr. Asdakorn Limpiti disclosed that “We would like to express our gratitude to all parties to make the project happen. The initiative is in line with our vision in becoming leading Asian E&P company driven by technology and green practices. We emphasize the environmental friendly operation as one of the key elements of the business sustainability.”

Under the one-year cooperation starting from June, 2014, SEAFDEC/TD supports ROV for the development, while KMUTNB will design, develop and install additional tools to function ROV as per the project’s objectives. KURDI is responsible for the measurement of the marine environment, whereas the Institute of Marine Science of Burapha University handles the marine biodiversity study.

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Press Release, June 18, 2014