Dr. Devinder S. Sodhi was born and educated in India. In 1962, he went to Germany for training and industrial experience. After coming to Canada in 1964, he worked for two years in industry, received his graduate education, and taught as Associate Professor at Memorial University of New-foundland. In 1978, he joined US Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, where he is currently a Senior Research Scientist. From 1993 to 1994 he was the Chairman of the Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. His research interests are in ice mechanics, ice-structure interaction, and ice forces on structures.
Prof. Hiromitsu Kitagawa got his Bachelor's degree from the Department of Naval Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University in 1959. In 1985, he got the Doctor of Engineering from the Department of Naval Architecture, the University of Tokyo. After graduating from the Yokohama National University, he joined the Ship Research Institute of the Ministry of Transport, Mitaka, Tokyo, as a Research Engineer. In 1988, he was promoted to the Director of the Ship Performance Division. Since 1993, he worked as the Director-General of the Institute. In 1995, he joined the Shipbuilding Research Centre of Japan, Tokyo, and became the President of the Research Centre. Since 1996, he has been a Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo. Since 1995, he is the Chairman of the International Committee of the Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions. He designed and managed the Ice Tank of the Ship Research Institute and excuted a lot of fine researches particularly on ships and structures in ice. After joining the Hokkaido University, he has been working on ice and snow accretion mainly.
JNOC WORKSHOPS
CHALLENGING OFFSHORE FIELD DEVELOPMENT
MARGINAL FIELDS, HARSH ENVIRONMENT AND DEEPWATER
Development of marginal fields challenges engineers to complete projects using the best technology available often under severe economic constraints. The successful installation of several deepwater facilities shows that deepwater technology has matured from the regime of pure research and development to reliable engineering practice. Design and fabrication of more standard fixed steel jacket structures has become almost routine, allowing engineers to become more creative in developing alternative concepts for economically marginal areas. Furthermore, many operators have had favorable experiences with subsea and floating production equipment, the reliability of which has improved markedly in recent years. Now, application of all of this technology is allowing development of smaller and previously more economically risky marginal fields in harsh environments and in deepwater areas. To stimulate discussions regarding the state of offshore engineering, the Japan National Oil Corporation's Technology Reserch Center has organized two workshops. Leading members of the offshore engineering community have been invited to share their thoughts on new innovations and recent experiences in 1) development of marginal oil fields and 2) developing fields in deepwater areas of the world. Ongoing re
