Ashtead Technology has secured a global asset management agreement with Blue Ocean Monitoring to store, maintain and supply underwater gliders for ocean data monitoring.

The deal will see Blue Ocean Monitoring expand its service offering globally with Ashtead providing asset management services and project support from its offices in Aberdeen, Houston and Singapore, the company informed.

Tim Sheehan, commercial director at Ashtead Technology said: “Through this exclusive agreement, Ashtead will hold gliders in each of its bases around the world, from where we will store, maintain and supply them providing our customers with a new, proven technology solution for ocean data collection.

“The gliders can be equipped with a choice of over 40 different sensors, and can be deployed in the water for up to a year at a time. With two-way satellite communications the gliders can be deployed and controlled anywhere in the world, they are highly weather resilient and have no environmental impact.”

Simon Illingworth, managing director of Blue Ocean Monitoring added: “Initially used extensively for academic and military applications, these gliders are now increasingly being embraced by the oil and gas community for a wide range of purposes.

“Oil and gas applications include pipeline leak detection, oil spill response, decommissioning studies, dredge/construction plume monitoring, environmental monitoring and metocean studies.

“We are delighted to be working with Ashtead and we look forward to strengthening this exciting new partnership going forward.”