96 | Vortex International T T Hugh de Lacy ‘All we can do is support renewable energies The departure of global oil giants BP and Shell from windfarming to return to oil and gas extraction has created a major spin-off for the New Zealand-based one-man international underwater machinery manufacturing and rental company Vortex International. Founded and run by Joe Goodin from his base in New Plymouth, Vortex International supplies underwater machinery, including dredges, camera winches and gas-sampling tools. Components of the machinery are manufactured in virtually all of New Plymouth’s engineering workshops, and assembled there for dispatch. Windfarms continue to be a major user of Joe’s Vortex machinery, but since late last year BP and Shell have stopped investing in them because of their low profitability. Instead they’re turning back to oil and gas exploration and production. Last year Shell sold its stake in American, South Korean, Philippines and United Kingdon windfarms, while BP is spinning off its windfarm assets into a joint venture with a Japanese rival, off-loading 70% of their value. “Off-shore windfarms simply don’t make money they were projected to do, and some of the larger companies’ shareholders have determined a re-focus on oil and gas,” Joe says. “All we can do is support renewable energies where possible, and support all our clients as best we can. “This has been on the radar for some time but it’s a positive for us, increasing demand for our machinery.” Vortex International remains the world’s only manufacturer of subsea-specific camera winches, which are used to conduct sub-sea inspection work, from standard annual surveying to keeping an eye on sea-floor volcanoes. Sonars, 3D scanning equipment and cameras are attached to the winches, and other Vortex products include tools to protect the environment when drilling sites are decommissioned, measuring underwater volvanic activity, and testing for gas leaks in oil wells. “In association with TFMC we’re currently designing a dredge to run on a 50/50 mixture of water and glycol, replacing the hydraulic oils previously used. “We’re also doing another project with the world’s largest sub-sea mining equipment manufacturer, SMD, working with their DEVELOPMENT Vortex International remains the world’s only manufacturer of subsea-specific camera winches. Phone John on 06 278 7170 Hydraulics, Towing Eye Replacements, Certified Welding & lt400 Repairs, Deck Manufacturing & Repairs, All General Engineering Services Mob 0274 827916 | 50 McAlpine Rd, RD 12 Hawera 4672 Proudly supporting Vortex International • CNC MILLING • CNC TURNING • CAD DRAWING • PROGRAMMING • MANUFACTURING COMPONENTS ONE OFF • PROTOTYPE | MASS PRODUCTION SPECIALISED IN QUALITY PRECISION ENGINEERING SERVICES IF YOU HAVE A PROJECT CHALLENGE, PLEASE TALK TO US, WE CAN PROBLEM SOLVE, DESIGN, DRAW AND MACHINE ANY TYPE OF COMPONENTRY 11 Mustang Drive, Bell Block, New Plymouth 027 270 00115 | 06 755 0005 superiormachining.co.nz specialist engineering group to design and build electricity-powered sub-sea motors specifically for us to run on their electric ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles). “The aim is to standardise the voltage and types of motors used to electrify sub-sea equipment,” Joe says. The last two years has since a big boost to the volume of Vortex International’s business, with an increase in turnover of somewhere between 30% and 100%, based on a mixture of international sales and rental revenue. “The four-inch and six-inch sub-sea dredges and gas collection tools we supply to the Brazilian oil giant Petrobas have increased three-fold, and we’re now their preferred supplier. “Anyone who wants to buy these dredges has to do so through us,” he says. Vortex International has continued its mutually beneficial relationship with Ashtead Technology, by far the world’s largest off-shore equipment rental company, whose recent acquisitions have doubled it in size. Ashtead splits the rental of Joe’s machinery with him 60/40, with Joe getting the larger share. Joe set up his manufacturing business in 2009 after first becoming involved in off-shore mining in 2000, prompting him to develop prototypes of attachments like dredges for sub-sea machinery. His business strategy was to build the machines and rent them out, but direct sales also provide about 40% of Vortex International’s annual revenues.
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