WesternGeco is using a unique feature of the Sonardyne acquisition hardware to maximise utilisation of its crew. The feature makes it possible for multiple transducers to be synchronised to provide simultaneous range measurements from different locations. The separation created enables the acquisition vessel to position the cable in a single overhead pass along it, thereby saving the crew considerable time.

The sheer size of the survey operation has demanded high levels of operational efficiency from the WesternGeco crew which is working with large numbers of small boats in often difficult sea conditions. Sonardyne's new Type 7815 Version 06 transponders now enable users to work with even larger survey spreads through the availability of over 3,600 unique identities. The transponder has also been redesigned making it easier to maintain and faster to replace batteries. The new design includes a pressure relief valve to ensure that any internal gas build-up can be vented safely before the unit is opened.

To keep track of the enormous number of cable sections, Sonardyne's Radio Frequency IDentification system (RFID) is also being used. Each transponder has a RFID tag attached that carries a unique serial number and its acoustic identity. This information is automatically read as the transponder passes over antennas in the vessel's deployment chute. The data is then combined with the DGPS drop position so that it can be automatically logged with its real as-laid ground station co-ordinates.

Sonardyne International is based in Yateley, England. The company has offices in Aberdeen, Houston, Singapore, Brazil and Oslo. It is recognised as a world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced acoustic instruments and systems for accurate survey, positioning and tracking in shallow and full ocean depth operations within the offshore oil and gas industries.

An image to accompany this press release showing sea trials of synchronised transducers is available electronically or on CD by contacting paul.eastaugh@cwcom.net or David Brown at dpb@sonardyne.co.uk. More from Paul Eastaugh, Sonardyne Media Services or Tel: +44-118-934 1101, Fax: +44 118-934-1137, Mobile: 07889-432014 or on the web at http://www.sonardyne.co.uk

A grid of 'Stations' is placed on the sea-floor and they transmit highly accurate timing information with a unique serial number, which the surface (or sub-surface) processor translates into positioning information. Utilizing Acoustic Digital Spread Spectrum (ADS2) signaling techniques the separation between 'Stations' can be as much as 7km, which means that a grid of only 6 'Stations' will cover an area of 10km x 10km. The system is highly immune to acoustic pollution and, through the use of certain novel techniques, ray bending. There is spare capacity in the signal transmission information, which can be used for additional data transmission.

A financial exercise, comparing NASNet™ to current transponder methods, clearly indicates that savings in excess of 60% can be readily achieved. This equates, on a sizeable offshore field development to many millions of dollars.

NASNet™ is the new generation of acoustic positioning systems, which does away with present 'interrogation' techniques and the multi-various pieces of equipment needed to achieve present accuracies (EHF, MF transponders, DGPS, USBL and LBL arrays, etc.). It offers much to the industry and can be identified as a step change in acoustic technology. For more information on NASNet™ , contact Robert Manson at robert.manson@nautronix.co.uk or visit them on the web at: http://www.nautronix.com or in Houston, Tel: +713-880-2866

The training program will be held in Houston, Texas on the 4th and 5th of October. Anthony Davis & Dick Sainsbury from CODA Technologies will be on hand to present the training program. This CODA System training program is being offered to all SES CODA customers and potential customers as a service to ensure they are collecting, processing and providing their customers with the best Sonar & Seismic data possible.

Those planning to attend or send someone to this training session should contact SES as soon as possible to confirm availability and venue. CODA Technologies web site is located at http://www.coda.co.uk. RSVP and questions to Roger Caron, Sales & Marketing Manager at +713-827-0430 or via e-mail at rlc@ses-services.com. Visit the SES web site at http://www.ses-services.com

The assets include Cibola Energy Services Corporation; an Omaha based natural gas marketing and trading company that has an extensive transportation, storage and customer portfolio in the U.S. Midwest and Mid Continent. BP will also acquire a number of transportation contracts on TransCanada's Alberta System and Mainline and on Foothills Pipe Lines and CanStates Marketing, an Alberta supply aggregation business. TransCanada will also assign to BP the contracts related to the management of assets and supply to SEMCO Energy Gas Company. SEMCO is a Michigan based utility serving over 250,000 customers. The acquisition includes natural gas sales of approximately 1.6 billion cubic feet per day.

Said Brian Frank, President of BP Gas & Power Canada: "This transaction is another important step in the development of our gas marketing and trading business in North America because it will expand our energy product marketing presence into new areas. We will also have the benefit of additional assets in order to serve our existing customer base, as well as access to new customers in Canada, the U.S. Pacific Northwest, Midwest and Northeast."

The transaction is scheduled to close in the fourth quarter and is subject to a number of terms and conditions including regulatory approval in Canada. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. For the complete press release, click here...

CSUMB selects TEI for Sub-Bottom Profiling
The California State University at Monterey Bay (CSUMB) (Seaside, California) will equip the R/V "MacGinitie" with a Triton Elics International (TEI) (Watsonville, California) Delph Seismic acquisition and processing system to collect sub-bottom data from an Edgetech FSSB. CSUMB will collect side scan, multibeam, and sub-bottom data, and make sediment grabs along with ROV-video ground-truthing for the Santa Monica Watershed Restoration Foundation. The main focus of the study is to gain insight in the decrease of near shore kelp beds due changes in the bottom on the Central California coast.

Triton Elics International develops integrated survey systems and advanced survey tools for commercial and military customers. For further information, contact Francois Wolf, Director of Marketing at +831-722-7373 or at fwolf@tritonelics.com. More information is available on TEI's website at http://www.tritonelics.com

World Trade Center - Before and After Comparison
Space Imaging's IKONOS satellite captured these startling one-meter resolution color images of the World Trade Center before and after the terrorist attack. Roll your mouse over the image to see the view lower Manhattan before and after. For more imagery of the World Trade Center and The Pentagon, please visit our attack gallery.

This was the 'image of the week' and illustrates the colossal construction damage and brings it home... perhaps, all too well! CLick below to view but be forewarned... http://www.spaceimaging.com/gallery/ioweek/iow.htm.
Links and images Courtesy: http://www.spaceimaging.com

The partnership holds License No. 001, which covers acreage southeast of the Faeroe Islands on the boundary with the United Kingdom. The well will be drilled in about 3,116 feet of water. The well is expected to take two to three months and will be the last well drilled on the Faeroe Shelf this year. The drillship West Navion is still drilling for BP on Faeroes License 004. Full press release from OilOnline, click here...

The High Island 197 #1 was drilled to a total depth of 13,956 feet. The well encountered approximately 140 feet (true vertical depth) of high quality hydrocarbon-bearing section in two intervals within the Miocene Robulus sequence. Both intervals are hydrocarbon filled to the base of the sands encountered. The discovery well has been completed and appears capable of sustaining high flow rates. Additional drilling is planned for the new field discovery during the fourth quarter of 2001. Engineering design is proceeding for a platform, and the related facilities required to produce the field.

Spinnaker operates the discovery and block and owns a 50% working interest (WI) and 42% net revenue interest. Partners in the project include Continental Land & Fur, 25% WI and Westport Resources (NYSE: WRC - news), 25% WI.

Spinnaker Exploration Company is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of natural gas and oil in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. For full press release, click here... To learn more about Spinnaker, the Company's web site may be accessed at http://www.spinnakerexploration.com.

Oceaneering International, Inc., one of the world's largest operators and manufacturers of remotely operated vehicles, uses SolidWorks(R) three-dimensional computer-aided design (3D CAD) software to develop vehicles and tools that support the oil and gas and telecommunication industries around the world. SolidWorks' 3D CAD software reduces Oceaneering's design time by optimizing the way engineers create and fit different parts together and thereby minimizing production errors. These capabilities enable Oceaneering to quickly build remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that meet their customers' challenging requirements.

Oceaneering uses SolidWorks software to design products that will perform tasks in very demanding environments. The company used SolidWorks to design its latest two classes of ROVs, the eMagnum(TM), an electric ROV, and the Minimum, a small, electric observation vehicle. Both vehicles are designed to operate at 10,000 feet below sea level and can work together or separately providing visual and intervention support to a variety of oil and gas operations. Oceaneering also uses SolidWorks to design custom tools for these vehicles for a variety of purposes such as the recovery of the first submarine (the Hunley), the Titanic salvage, the Bismark/ HMS Hood survey, and the Ehime Maru salvage.

Oceaneering, along with Boeing and Fugro, have also completed designing and are presently assembling an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) that will map the ocean floor for customers requiring survey information prior to laying and/or burying cable or pipe.

About Oceaneering
Oceaneering is an advanced applied technology company that provides engineered services and hardware to customers who operate in marine, space, and other harsh environments. For more information, see the company's web site at http://www.oceaneering.com.

About Texas Engineering Systems
Texas Engineering Systems, L.L.C. is a leading SolidWorks value added reseller with a strong engineering focus. TES offers the best in design and analysis software, and unmatched service and support. For further information, visit the company's web site (http://www.texaseng.com) or call (877-395-2100).

About SolidWorks Corporation
SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets mechanical design software solutions. Founded in 1993, SolidWorks' mission is to deliver the power of 3D to everybody in design and manufacturing. For the latest news, information, or a live online demonstration, visit the company's Web site (http://www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).

Courtesy Businesswire, read complete press release by clicking the following link: http://ny-web1.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/212670279&ticker=dasty Contact Laura Kozikowski, SolidWorks Corporation Tel: +978-371-5077 or e-mail: laurak@solidworks.com Or, Darby Johnson, Beaupre & Co. Public Relations, Inc., Tel: +603-559-5809, e-mail: djohnson@beaupre.com

*** POSTPONED Oceanology Int. Pacific Rim, Singapore, Dec 4-6 ***