Rutter Inc. has announced the successful completion of a collaborative initiative with Statoil Canada Ltd. and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The joint effort to improve offshore oil and gas operations in harsh environments with ice conditions resulted in the development of new remote sensing technology used in the automatic detection and tracking of ice. The resulting ice analysis features integrated into Rutter’s sigma S6 systems are capable of providing automatic identification, outlining, and drift tracking of ice floes; pans; ridges; icebergs embedded in pack ice; and open water leads.

“The technology that was developed has resulted in a large step forward in ice management capabilities,” says Fraser Edison, President and CEO of Rutter. “The additions to the sigma S6 system will allow the automatic identification of ice characteristics leading to improved operational safety and efficiency for operations in ice infested areas.”

The technology developed by Rutter was recently field-tested during trials performed by Statoil along with Viking Supply Ships in the Baltic Sea.

Tags: Rutter Inc., Statoil Canada Ltd.