Case study: Griffon Hovercraft supporting oil and gas exploration projects

The oil and gas industry is truly global, with operations conducted in every corner of the globe, from Alaska to Australia and in every habitat known to man. Truly all terrain vehicles, hovercraft are ideal for traversing snow, ice, tundra, shallow water, mudflats and desert, areas rich with valuable resources which are often inaccessible by other forms of transport.

Since the UNCED conference in 1992, protecting the environment has become an important consideration and is now at the forefront of the minds of all major oil, gas and energy companies. As the craft hover just above the surface of the terrain, they do not damage the terrain and their low noise levels make them ideal in today’s environmentally conscious society.

For exploration projects, hovercraft provide numerous advantages. They are often used on reconnaissance missions to survey potential project sites and will transport people and equipment during the subsequent construction, pipeline-laying and excavation phases. Able to park almost anywhere and operate from unprepared areas, there is no need for expensive infrastructure, making them cost effective and able to be used in a variety of locations. Craft can also be configured to carry emergency equipment, giving the vehicles a multi-purpose role and ensuring that the project is covered by a high speed emergency response system.

Griffon Hoverwork already have a number of craft in operation around the world on exploration and research projects. Energy giant Shell have operated three Griffon hovercraft and found them to be a valuable asset to their work. We have won a subsequent contract with the company to research the best design and materials for a hovercraft to operate in sub-zero temperatures, to support and enhance their exploration work in cold climates.

The benefits a hovercraft has over all other forms of transport make them a vital asset to any exploration or survey work. Griffon Hoverwork also offers extensive training programmes, both in the UK and on location, to ensure that you get maximum efficiency from your craft.

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