In a groundbreaking development, MIT-World Peace University (MIT-WPU), an Indian educational institution, has inaugurated Asia’s first-ever Subsea Research Lab. This pioneering venture, undertaken with Aker Solutions, signifies a major leap in the energy sector education and research, fortifying India’s position as a hub for subsea engineering knowledge and expertise.
MIT-WPU’s Department of Petroleum Engineering (PE), one of India’s oldest and most established in the field, was instrumental in the creation of this advanced laboratory. The lab represents a functional prototype of deep-water offshore petroleum operations, set to reshape the training landscape for the energy sector’s future professionals.
The Subsea Research Lab serves as an interactive academic platform for both undergraduate and postgraduate petroleum engineering students. It is designed to facilitate joint professional training programs in subsea engineering and Industrial Safety and Health Engineering (ISHE) with industry experts, providing practical training using real-time drilling and well control systems. Simulated drilling and well control experiments at the lab offer an experiential learning experience for budding engineers.
Furthermore, the lab’s strategic initiative includes fostering collaborations with industry and government entities at both national and international levels. The aim is to catalyze joint research projects, contributing to knowledge generation and fortifying the nation’s energy security.
The lab is spearheaded by Dr. Samarth Patwardhan, a Professor in Petroleum Engineering and the Director of Research and Development at MIT-WPU. Dr. Patwardhan asserts that the lab’s establishment reflects the university’s commitment to empower students with the required knowledge and skills to flourish in the energy industry.
Parag Paranajape, Manager of Systems Engineering at Aker Solutions, expressed his perspective on the collaborative effort. He emphasized the global subsea oil and gas development’s continuous expansion and the urgent need for proficient professionals to meet this dynamic industry’s demands. This partnership between Aker Solutions and MIT-WPU is an important stride towards addressing this skill gap.
Aker Solutions has been instrumental in the project from its conception to fruition. The company contributed to the lab’s design, procurement, fabrication, installations, assembly, and equipment testing, and remains actively involved in the commissioning of the project and its working modules.
In summary, the inauguration of the Centre for Subsea Engineering Research by MIT-World Peace University, in collaboration with Aker Solutions, heralds a new era in the field of subsea engineering education and research in Asia. This innovative venture is destined to foster the development of skilled professionals, stimulating innovation in the energy sector, and securing India’s position as a knowledge center for subsea engineering.
GLOBAL ROUNDUP: Net-Zero Breakthrough: Oil & Gas Industry’s Remarkable Green Shift
