Three new seminars are planned for 2008 as part of the Deepwater Infrastructure Forum’s professional development meetings.
Established by COPRI in 2002, the Forum has provided an opportunity for marine and offshore engineers to meet quarterly in an environment which allows for networking and the opportunity to gain expertise in both the technical and business issues that arise in the field of deepwater development. In its first five years, the Forum has addressed tough issues such as the movement of walkabout drilling rigs after Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. It also has offered discussions about financial drivers for the offshore industry, design issues in cold regions and tools for deepwater construction.
DIF Chairman Scott Chitwood said discussions for the coming year will begin with a February 26th meeting on weight-control issues with floating structures. In-service repair of floating structures will be discussed in June. Then, in September, the group will convene to learn about Floating Protection Storage Offloading systems in the Gulf of Mexico.
Events are open to both ASCE-COPRI members and non-members alike. Unless otherwise noted, meetings are typically scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Technip Offices in Houston, Texas. Attendees typically pay $10 to attend the meetings which are arranged to allow for an hour of seminar time and an hour of discussion. Two professional development hours are awarded for each seminar.
For more information about participating in DIF, contact Chair Scott Chitwood at (281) 544-2978 or james.chitwood@shell.com.
