GE buys subsea actuators firm

The product line acquired by GE goes to market under Oceaneering’s Subsea All Electric brand and Ifokus, a Norwegian brand acquired by Oceaneering in 2007.

GE can pave the way for electrification in the subsea space, giving us a new technology that is faster to operate for processing applications

GE Oil & Gas’ Rod Christie

Both brands specialise in the design and manufacture of subsea electric valve actuators.

“With Ifokus as part of our solutions portfolio, GE has the opportunity to pave the way for electrification in the oil and gas subsea space, giving us a new technology that is faster to operate for processing applications, has excellent enhanced diagnostic capabilities and can be seamlessly integrated into a customer’s existing controls, communications and power network,” said Rod Christie, CEO of GE Oil & Gas’ Subsea Systems business.

Ifokus is at the forefront of the offshore industry’s efforts to enhance conventional, hydraulic fluid-based subsea controls equipment with faster electric actuation systems that offer increased diagnostic capabilities.

Accodring to GE, electric actuators appeal to operators because they offer potentially lower overall system costs and are more environmentally compatible by reducing the risk of hydraulic fluid leaks.

Electric actuators are fitted to the subsea systems that control the flow, usually oil or gas, out of the well or the injection of fluids into the well to enhance recovery.

GE says the technology is ideally suited for complex subsea processing applications and more difficult extraction environments such as deepwater fields, or fields with longer offsets from the shoreline.

Oceaneering’s 16-strong Stavanger-based engineering team dedicated to the Electric Actuator product line will move to GE Oil & Gas, joining its Subsea Systems business that also has operations based in the Norwegian city.

The closing of the deal—subject to the standard regulatory approvals—is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2015.