SMD and Blade Offshore Services team up on subsea drilling rigs

UK: Remote offshore equipment firm SMD and risk management company Blade Offshore Services have announced a joint venture to design and build subsea remote drilling rigs for the offshore wind industry.

The rigs are said to offer a cost effective alternative to conventional monopile and gravity foundation installation.

Both partners, which are based in north-east England, have worked with the offshore oil and gas industry worldwide.

SMD specialises in remotely operated vehicles as well as marine trenching and mining.

Among Blade’s risk management activities is verification compliance for dynamically positioned deepwater vessels.