Wood, Librestream launch new camera tech for oil and gas ops

Oilfield services provider Wood, in partnership with Canadian technology company Librestream Technologies, has developed new camera technology that can stream video and store data from remote work locations, including offshore.

Wood said on Tuesday that the Onsight Cube was a rugged camera that could be worn on a helmet, chest mount or a monopod to access high or difficult-to-reach areas. The Onsight Cube connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to a handset.

The technology connects specialists in any location directly with remote worksites, transferring real-time data including audio, pictures, thermographic images and video. This allows decision-makers to review current status, issues, and collaborate on resolutions.

According to Wood, the new technology will improve the quality and speed of problem-solving, reduce overall job turnaround time, and avoid the unnecessary mobilization of people to remote locations.

The Onsight Cube is designed with a protective casing to withstand industrial applications, the technology comprises a thermal camera, secure onboard storage, and can operate in harsh environments including from -20 to +55 degrees Celsius.

Dave Stewart, Wood’s CEO of asset solutions in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, said: “This product is the result of a successful collaboration combining Wood’s oil and gas expertise with Librestream’s real-time mobile video technology.

“By investing in leading-edge digital solutions for the energy industry and leveraging Librestream’s technology portfolio, we are enhancing our service offering and delivering more efficient solutions to customers from desktop to worksite.”

Kerry Thacher, CEO of Librestream, added: “We recognize that workers in the field require both software and specialized hardware to meet their needs and the Onsight Cube is a significant leap forward in hazardous-location collaboration. This new capability now enables use cases that were previously impossible to implement.”

In 2017, Wood extended its collaborative agreement with Librestream to continue its exclusive industry partnership, providing advanced digitally-enabled solutions for global oil and gas customers.

One such solution is Wood’s eXpert technology which has been successfully deployed on behalf of major operators in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East on a range of projects including plant shutdowns, routine maintenance inspections, live construction progress reporting, and factory acceptance testing.

The Onsight Cube is fully compatible with eXpert and enhances the capabilities of the solution allowing hands-free capture of high resolutions images, super-bright LED illumination and infra-red (thermal) vision capture and sharing.

The camera will also be certified for safe use in all areas of oil and gas facilities.