Straightpoint will exhibit at Stand 3B199 at SPE Offshore Europe 2017, which takes place at the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre in Scotland on 5-8 September (illustration: Straightpoint)

Straightpoint will exhibit at SPE Offshore Europe 2017, which takes place at the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre in Scotland on 5-8 September.

This is the first time the force measurement, load monitoring and suspended weighing load cell equipment manufacturer will take exhibition space at the biennial show, having launched a full range of ATEX and IECEx products since the last time the event was held at the same venue almost exactly two years earlier. It is also the first time organisers have created a decommissioning zone that will feature a themed exhibition and conference space.

David Mullard, business development manager at Straightpoint, says, “We specifically chose a stand [3B199] close to the decommissioning zone, which is a key area of interest for us. The Radiolink plus [wireless load cell], for example, is often used during decommissioning to record description, weight and serial numbers against items as they are removed. We are also intent on positioning ourselves as the chosen supplier for load monitoring, measurement and control systems used on cranes, hoists and winches for safe and successful energy exploration and production offshore.”

Straightpoint’s range of explosion proof products, which conform to the 2014/34/EU directive, includes the Radiolink plus; wireless compression cells; shackle cells; load pins; and the Running Line Dynamometer (or TIMH), all of which meet Zone 0, 1 and 2 hazardous area classification.

Additionally, Mullard says, Straightpoint will show its latest innovation, the Clamp On Line Tensionmeter (or COLT), for measuring tension on static lines, boasting a state-of-the-art Bluetooth load monitoring app among a host of standout features. The COLT measures tension on wire rope up to 11,000 lbf (lb. force) / 5,000 kgf (kg force) and up to 1 inch (25 mm) diameter. It clamps onto pre-tensioned wire ropes, eliminating the need for additional sheaves or tooling.

Mullard says, “It’s important to be mindful of the fact that although oil and gas accounts for a significant majority of offshore activity, this event also represents an opportunity to engage with wind farm, tidal and subsea professionals, representing niche industries that are of growing importance and relevance to our products. They all need load monitoring technology, whether it be used to monitor sea conditions and working loads or to conduct tests on lifting equipment as part of a LOLER inspection.”

He explains, “One only has to look at the exhibitor list and peruse the conference schedule to denote that the biggest, most experience oil and gas professionals will descend upon Europe’s energy capital for the show. We must prepare to have dialogue with quality professionals from our stand in addition to participating in networking activity alongside the world’s most renowned petroleum engineers.”

The centrepiece of Straightpoint’s 3-m x 3-m, product centric stand will be a new truss system first seen at the LiftEx trade show last November, upon which a series of products will be available for visitors to interact with. Additional features include demonstrations of equipment, including its multiple wireless load cell controller software package, and corporate videos.

Mullard concludes, “I expect to find a cautiously optimistic industry in a transitional phase. Offshore Europe attendees understand that to successfully make that transition from a soft market to one in full recovery mode it needs to accept tougher conditions and adopt advanced technology to shape its future; that’s where we come in.”

Visit Straightpoint at Offshore Europe Stand 3B199, noting the hashtags #OE17 and #loadcell to network before, during and after the event.

Tags: SPE Offshore Europe 2017, Straightpoint