VISUALIZATION

Leading energy company contracts Mechdyne to support HIVE installations: Mechdyne Corporation today announced that it has been selected by BP to provide service for advanced visualization centers that BP operates to support its exploration and production teams. BP contracted with Mechdyne as a single point of service for its highly immersive visualization environment (HIVE) facilities which are used for review and analysis of oil and gas formations based on stereoscopic display of seismic data and computer modeling simulations. BP has established HIVE facilities globally including countries such as Norway, Jakarta, Trinidad and the UK. The HIVE facilities typically include a large, curved display wall and three stereo projectors tied into BP modeling and simulation computer systems. Due to advances in technology and the global footprint of these systems, the specific projection systems and integration details for each HIVE varies between locations. Mechdyne’s demonstrated ability to work with the full range of technologies installed by BP was an important factor in the selection. "Mechdyne created its dedicated technical services group to provide world-class support that leverages more than a decade of experience in the design and installation of visualization centers," said Matthew McKaig, Mechdyne service manager. "From legacy systems based on CRT technology to state-of-the-art digital projection, we draw on a knowledge base that spans the evolution of visualization in a wide range of applications." Other criteria contributing to Mechdyne's selection were the ability to provide system training, the availability of a global service team that could operate across 20 time zones, and provision of a client accessible database for tracking installed equipment service records across all of the HIVE facilities it supports. BP is one of the world's largest oil and gas companies with operations in more than 100 countries across six continents. The company's main businesses are exploration and production of oil and gas; refining, manufacturing and marketing of oil products and petrochemicals; transportation and marketing of natural gas.