AN INNOVATIVE COLLABORATION TO STRENGTHEN
THE INDUSTRY

We believe that the strongest solutions come from sharing knowledge, working across sectors, and calling on insights born of experience. This philosophy guides the Clear Gulf Joint Industry Project (JIP), which brings together experts from the oil and gas industry and the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. A unique collaboration, Clear Gulf focuses on creating cutting-edge techniques for managing production more efficiently and safely.

As a pioneer in advanced monitoring solutions for the offshore energy industry, Astro Technology has taken the lead in managing Clear Gulf. We are eager to contribute our expertise in developing fiber-optic sensing technologies that can withstand the most extreme conditions to deliver vital information in real time. Highly accurate and reliable monitoring buttresses both productivity and safety, and we believe it will help shape the future of the industry.

Specifically, advanced monitoring systems can identify and even facilitate rapid response to events that could otherwise lead to leaks, downtime, and even catastrophic failures. We are confident that Clear Gulf will significantly improve environmental security and safety in deepwater operations, reducing risk of spillage and other hazards. This is especially critical as offshore drilling and production move into ever-deeper waters.

Many advantages – and access to cutting-edge technology
Founded in the fall of 2010, Clear Gulf supports extensive testing and further development of Astro Technology’s advanced monitoring solutions, with critical input coming from experts at NASA as well as leaders within the industry. The project’s technical steering committee, which meets monthly, will include representatives from all participating companies. In addition to being involved in the development of critical technology that will optimize future performance, participants will be part of a high-profile effort to enhance safety and reduce environmental risk.

The project brings a range of practical benefits. For example, the Clear Gulf steering committee will work with the Bureau of Offshore Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement to ensure that systems support operators in meeting new offshore regulations.

Other benefits of participation include:


Technological advances – now and in the future
The project aims to expand on existing monitoring technologies currently in operation – such as sensors that measure flow properties at depths of more than 7,500 feet and pipeline lengths of up to 60 miles. Specifically, Clear Gulf will focus on:

In the future, Clear Gulf will develop new innovations to enhance performance even further. A prime example is Intelli-Fields, a smart system that enables sensors to communicate with each other, as well as with operators and engineers in different locations. Ultimately, Intelli-Fields will be capable of triggering or helping to manage an automatic response to situations as they arise.

Next steps: Enlisting cross-sector support to continue to innovate
At Astro, we have staked our business on the conviction that knowledge holds enormous power for the oil and gas industry – it is key to prevention of hydrocarbon spillage as well as successful management of offshore operations. A system cannot succeed without data. The more accurate and reliable data you have, the better management you can achieve.

Clear Gulf's approach is drawing increasing attention and support across sectors. In October 2012, Astro Technology founder and president David Brower addressed representatives from the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee in Washington, D.C. Astro Technology visited Capitol Hill again in August 2013 to update Congress on the status of the JIP.

Clear Gulf is an opportunity for the oil and gas industry to demonstrate its leadership on safety and environmental issues. To learn more about how your company can get involved in this groundbreaking effort, please contact cleargulf@astrotechnology.com.