The DeltaLifter concept is a result of extensive hydrodynamic know-how combined with offshore operations experience. The principal inventor, Dr Birger Natvig, has advised oil companies, naval architects, offshore contractors, terminal operators and shipowners on a range of hydrodynamic, offshore operation and floater design issues. He served as president of the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (“ISOPE”), has authored a number of scientific publications and has served as a speaker and moderator at several professional seminars. He holds a BSc degree in naval architecture from the University of Strathclyde and earned an MSc in ocean engineering and a PhD degree from the University of London on non-linear motion behaviour of floating structures.
The DeltaLifter Development
His partner, Professor Tor Vinje, earned degrees in applied mathematics and a doctorate in ship structure, and taught at the University of Trondheim and the University of Oslo in Norway as well as the University of Michigan in the US. A recognised authority in hydrodynamics, response statistics, system mechanics and structural engineering, he has held senior technical positions in Det Norske Veritas, Aker Marine Contractors, Norwegian Contractors and Seaconsult AS; in addition, he has authored number of scientific papers and served as expert witness in international arbitrations.
Other team members include naval architects and professionals with extensive experience in the offshore energy industry, in particular in wave response analyses, mooring system analyses and calculations related to a variety of fixed and floating offshore installations.
DeltaLifter Technologies AS, the owner of DeltaLifter patents, has entrusted the further DeltaLifter commercial and technical development to International Contract Engineering (“ICE”). This would include optional development of design packages for Class approval and construction of prototype units. As Europe’s largest independent marine design bureau, ICE has a 50-year history and clients world-wide, including in the offshore energy industry. ICE will also supervise construction and commissioning of prototype DeltaLifter units, and will provide engineering services to builders, owners and operators of DeltaLifter units.