Aker Forms New Division

Aker Maritime has established a new product technology and deepwater R&D group to be headed by Dr. John Halkyard, who is the former technical director of Deep Oil Technology, Inc. The new group will support Aker in its quest "to be the source for deepwater solutions." Dr. Halkyard says that the group is focusing on products that will "make quantum improvement in deepwater field economics…that will change the way things are done." Imminent projects include concepts that were initiated by Deep Oil Technology: a unique FPSO with dry trees and drilling capacity called an "Oil Box," which can produce and store 2MM BBl or more of oil.