The Maritime Alliance, a California-based non-profit organisation that promotes sustainable, science-based ocean and water industries, has awarded Fugro with an Environmental Leadership Award for its oil seepage mapping collaboration.
The recognition was received in San Diego during the organisation’s BlueTech Week, an international gathering of over 485 marine professionals from academia, government, and industry in December.
Drone Intelligence
Sharing in the award was Planck Aerosystems, a drone intelligence company specialising in highly autonomous unmanned aerial systems. Fugro collaborated with Planck Aerosystems on a project to identify and map oil seepage from abandoned offshore well sites in Santa Barbara County. The work was performed for Aqueos Corporation under contract to the non-profit environmental group Heal the Ocean.
Results from this project prompted the California State Assembly to pass legislation SB-44 funding a legacy oil and gas well removal and remediation programme through 2028. The legislation was signed into law in October.
The Maritime Alliance cited the Fugro/Planck Aerosystems collaboration as a prime example of member companies working together for mutual benefit, as well as to the benefit of the ocean environment. Craig McLean, assistant administrator and acting chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), presented the awards.
In addition to the Environmental Leadership Award, Fugro received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, signed by Representative Duncan Hunter.
