Subsea services specialist Trendsetter Engineering continues to provide the industry with its cutting-edge subsea well control and containment technologies, as Mike Cargol, Senior Vice President of Subsea Lifecycle Services, shared in a recent interview.
Cargol provided valuable insights into the company’s pivotal role in subsea operations following the Macondo incident, demonstrating its commitment to safety and innovation.
Technological expertise and subsea well control
Founded in 1996, Trendsetter Engineering began as a consulting firm specializing in subsea services. However, the company found its true calling after the Macondo disaster in 2010, which exposed major gaps in subsea well control and containment.
Seizing the opportunity, Trendsetter became the first company to design, engineer and deliver a dedicated subsea capping system, enabling the U.S. Gulf of Mexico to resume oil and gas exploration. Since then, Trendsetter has grown considerably, providing 95% of the subsea capping and containment systems in the world, maintaining this equipment on behalf of several global consortia.
The collaboration with Oil Spill Response Limited(OSRL) has been essential in Trendsetter’s growth. This unique alliance, based on genuine collaboration rather than the typical supplier-client relationship, has facilitated the development of standardized procedures for subsea well response.
With systems strategically located around the world, Trendsetter and OSRL have worked together to develop advanced equipment, standardize maintenance and train global teams, ensuring a rapid and coordinated response to subsea incidents.
We have been able to reduce response times.
What used to take weeks can now be done in less than fourteen days, a total game changer for the industry.
Cargol explained.
In addition, the company is exploring the electrification of valve systems valve systems and telemetry to improve system sizing, reliability and response efficiency. These innovations not only improve operational effectiveness, but also enhance the safety and sustainability of subsea operations.
With a clear vision for the future, Trendsetter Engineering remains at the forefront of subsea containment and control, ensuring the industry is better prepared for potential incidents while working to minimize risk and improve response times. As they continue their global expansion, Trendsetter’s relationship with OSRL and their ongoing innovations will undoubtedly shape the future of subsea safety for years to come.
Source and photo: Inspenet