Employee feature: Bo Jiang, Data Analyst, Asset Integrity

At Ashtead Technology, our experts are highly experienced in the delivery of asset integrity solutions for the installation, construction and life of fieldof offshore energy infrastructure.

Bo Jiang is a Data Analyst for our Asset Integrity service line, based at our facility in Halifax, Canada. Working closely with our international asset integrity and remoteoperationsproject teams, Bo’s role involves analysing critical information obtained offshore and preparing data reports for our customers.​

In this article, Bo shares his experience of joining Ashtead Technology and the key role he plays to help customers make faster and more informed decisions about the integrity and future performance of their safety-critical infrastructure.

Background

Before joining Ashtead Technology, I worked as a Systems Analyst in Singapore for several years. I had a keen interest in data analysis which led me to study Geospatial Data Analytics at Nova Scotia Community College in Canada. I was aware of Ashtead Technology as one of the leading names in subsea asset inspection and was excited to be offered the role of Data Analyst as it suited my background, knowledge and interest.

My first project within Ashtead Technology was to analyse 2D and 3D sonar data collected from subsurface jacket pile sockets to support the installation of a large offshore wind farm development in the UK offshore sector. The analysis showed the results of the socket drilling and dredging work carried out to help the customer determine the integrity of the sockets prior to pile installation. Through using my software development experience, I was able to help reduce analysis time by 50%.

How my role has evolved

On top of my data analysis tasks, I have recently completed training so I can perform photogrammetry data processing to support Ashtead Technology’s offshore 3D modelling (3DM) service offering. Photogrammetry is used to generate 3D models of critical infrastructure from 2D photos taken by offshore engineers and the models are then interrogated to obtain critical dimensions, such as linear and angular measurement, flatness and circularity deviation, interference between components, and area and volumetric calculations.

At the forefront of subsea inspection technology

Recognising the need for a cost-effective alternative to high accuracy and high-resolution 3D modelling photogrammetry, Ashtead Technology entered into a global partnership with Whitecap Scientific Corporation, the developers of ROV3D Recon, last year. ROV3D is a real-time 3D reconstruction technology that can be used on nearly every type of ROV and without external specialists. ROV3D provides digitisation to routine offshore inspection tasks and can give valuable insights to support our customers’ real-time decision making. Our team put a lot of effort into testing the camera calibrations and modelling capabilities of the ROV3D system.

I was also recently involved in the data processing to support the launch of our new optical Chain Measurement System (CMS). The system was designed by our Halifax-based engineers and uses artificial intelligence and machine vision to measure the critical dimensions of underwater chain links to manage long-term integrity. Our optical CMS solution uses high-resolution video combined with machine vision algorithms to provide real-time results which is helping to reduce chain measurement time by more than 50%.

Collaboration and teamwork

One of the things I value most about working at Ashtead Technology is being part of a strong and collaborative team. Our Halifax team is small, but large on talent and motivation. Everybody in the team has their own unique skill set that they excel at, and we all work together and help each other like a family. I really enjoy working in a team where I am continually enhancing my knowledge and expertise, and I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my career with Ashtead Technology.