Schilling Robotics and Gregg Drilling Announce New Seabed Soil Testing System

Schilling Robotics, LLC, experts in subsea control systems, and Gregg Drilling and Testing, Inc., experts in drilling and geotechnical testing services, announced today the delivery of a new Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) system for deep-water seabed soil testing. Gregg is commencing in-water testing of the system today in Long Beach Harbor, California. Once harbor testing is complete, the system will then be sent to work offshore in June 2009.

Schilling supplied the control system and hydraulics for the Gregg-designed CPT system. The control system consists of electrical and communications components, subsea hydraulics, along with topside hardware, console components, and advanced component monitoring and diagnostic software. Gregg’s CPT is performed using a cylindrical penetrometer with a cone tip penetrating the seabed at a constant rate. The resulting measurement analysis reveals detailed soil conditions, including soil type, stratigraphy, and shear strength parameters. Typical uses of the submersible Gregg CPT unit may include pipeline lay, seabed foundations, cable routes, ports and harbors, and environmental surveys.

"The development of a flexible control system that can be scaled to meet Gregg’s needs provides a key additional capability to their CPT system. The inherent modularity of Schilling’s control system is an important benefit to our customers in that it can be configured to meet various component system needs and constraints, providing one sub-system that is scalable to any size project,” commented Mike Owens, program manager for Schilling Robotics, LLC.

"In researching control systems, we learned that Schilling provides state-of-the-art equipment with the most advanced and reliable technology available on the market, as well as offering proven experience in custom-built control systems. Schilling’s worldwide presence offers fast-responding customer service anywhere around the globe that we may be working. There is distinct value in combining the latest Schilling subsea technology with our team of industry professionals to produce a competitive edge in the market,” says John Gregg, president of Gregg Drilling & Testing, Inc.

Along with John Gregg, two industry-leading professionals have enabled the Company to be a market leader in CPT design and operations. Ron Boggess, marine services operations manager, and Dr. Peter Robertson, technical manager, bring a combination of over 30 years experience designing, building, and operating state-of-the-art CPT systems, as well as being acknowledged authorities on in-situ testing techniques, particularly on the electric cone penetration and seismic cone penetration tests. Robertson has authored over 100 technical papers on the cone, dilatometer, and pressure meter and published a manual on the use and interpretation of cone penetration testing.

About Gregg Drilling

Since 1985, Gregg Drilling & Testing, Inc. has been widely recognized as a leader and innovator in drilling, sampling, and subsurface investigation, providing clients in industry and government with the highest quality services. We’ve set the standard among drilling companies through the pursuit of one simple goal: To provide our clients with high-quality, innovative services performed in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Gregg was formed to meet the increasing demand for quality drilling and sampling services and in 1992, began offering state-of-the-art cone penetration and direct-push technologies. It’s our ability to combine state-of-the-art equipment with advanced technologies and innovative thinking that sets Gregg apart and allows us to provide exceptional performance and value time after time. Gregg is headquartered in Signal Hill, California U.S.A., and has regional offices in Martinez, California, East Palo Alto, California, and Livingston, Texas. Further information about Gregg can be found at http://www.greggdrilling.com/index.htm.

About Schilling Robotics, LLC

Schilling Robotics is a leading global, deep-ocean robotics company founded in 1985. Its customers include offshore oilfield equipment and service providers such as Acergy UK Ltd, Bourbon Subsea Services, Expro North Sea Ltd, and Oceaneering International. Schilling is headquartered in Davis, California U.S.A. and has regional offices in Houston, Texas U.S.A. and Aberdeen, Scotland. In late 2008, FMC Technologies, Inc. acquired at 45% interest in Schilling. FMC Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:FTI) is a leading global provider of technology solutions for the energy industry. FMC Technologies designs, manufactures, and services technologically sophisticated systems and products, such as subsea production and processing systems, surface wellhead systems, high pressure fluid control equipment, measurement solutions, and marine loading systems for the oil and gas industry. Further information about Schilling Robotics can be found at www.schilling.com. The Business Diary includes information about Schilling, the ROV industry, and emerging technology in offshore exploration.

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