Q. Can you explain who Fugro is to our readers?
A. Fugro is a global group of companies specializing in geotechnical, survey, subsea, and geoconsultancy services. We provide the people, equipment, expertise, and technology to support responsible resource development, helping clients manage risk and avoid uncertainty. We are headquartered in Leidschendam, the Netherlands, and have North American headquarters in Houston, Texas. Our Anchorage, Alaska, office serves as a regional hub through which we deliver Fugro’s global capabilities to clients statewide.
Q. Where is your company located?
A. Our Alaska office is located in midtown Anchorage.
Q. What do you most want people to know about your company?
A. Fugro has been working in Alaska for more than 40 years, performing onshore and offshore projects for oil and gas, mining, sustainable energy, and public sector customers. We take great pride in this history and are committed to continued success in the state.
Q. What year was the company founded and by whom?
A. Fugro was founded in 1962 by Dutch engineer Kees Joustra, whose focus was on foundation technology and soil mechanics.
Q. What is your company’s primary business activity?
A. Fugro is heavily involved in the energy sector and has been working with oil and gas companies in Alaska since the early 1970s. Our services are designed to support the full project lifecycle, from exploration to development, through to production and eventual decommissioning.
We also support a number of surveying and mapping programs in Alaska for federal and state government agencies. Examples include hydrographic charting for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and airborne and satellite based mapping services in support of the Alaska Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative (SDMI). The resource development community, along with numerous other stakeholders, benefits from these public datasets, which aid safe navigation and support preliminary planning activities such as siting and route investigations.
Q. Are there important projects the company is currently a part of or has done recently?
A. We are working on a number of oil and gas projects in Alaska- both in Cook Inlet and the Arctic. During the 2014 field season, crews were mobilized in multiple locations across the state. We performed onshore and offshore shallow hazard assessments, assisted with rig moves, performed pipeline crossing assessments, installed metocean systems, and acquired and processed data for the SDMI. 2015 is looking to be another busy year for us despite the global downturn in the oil and gas market. As stakeholders in Alaska’s future, we are grateful for this continued investment in our state and for the trust that clients have instilled in us as partners on these programs.
Q. How many employees does your company have?
A. Company-wide Fugro employs approximately 12,500 professionals. Locally, we have a small but mighty team of 10 fulltime employees who focus on successful execution of Alaska programs.
Q. Describe the equipment your company uses and are there any new equipment purchases planned?
A. We utilize a wide range of equipment for our Alaska projects- from purpose-built vessels to jack-up rigs to specialized aircraft. These platforms are outfitted with a variety of data acquisition systems, including geophysical, geotechnical, and geospatial systems for the collection of scope-specific data. Most of these systems can also be installed on vessels and aircraft of opportunity, as needed. Fugro’s global resources also include specialized laboratories, and a wide range of sensors and systems.
Q. Is your company expanding any of its operations or locations?
A. We believe Alaska as a region offers much growth potential. We are always on the lookout for competent, motivated people to join the Alaska division. Just recently, we added an experienced hydrographer, Marta Krynytzky, to help manage offshore projects. We are also great fans of the University of Alaska system that provides terrific engineering and geomatics majors as interns and future hires.
Q. Is the company changing any of its services?
A. We are not changing our core services, but we are continuously refining our acquisition and processing techniques to provide increased efficiency and value. We are also expanding our onshore presence, especially as it pertains to geophysical and geotechnical consulting. In 2014, we worked with a number of Alaska clients to assess onshore geohazards within the North Slope and Cook Inlet. We also performed site characterization studies for a key Alaska project, collecting and analyzing geophysical and geotechnical data in south-central Alaska.
Q. What is your company’s main strength or its edge over the competition?
A. We are locally based but have the strategic and financial backing of a global company. That means we can weather an economic downturn without sacrificing safety or quality. We also maintain a highly skilled local staff, trained in Alaska’s field conditions, and this affords us flexibility despite sometimes unpredictable market pressures.
Q. What is the most challenging work/contract the company has undertaken?
A. Fugro has been involved in some of the world’s most high-profile and difficult projects- from response efforts related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to the righting of the Costa Concordia to the current search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. These projects have involved numerous technical and logistical intricacies, made all the more challenging by the circumstances surrounding these events. In Alaska, our workscopes tend to be more straightforward, though remote locations and environmental conditions pose everyday challenges that must be planned for and managed to ensure safe and efficient operations.
Q. What is your company’s safety record? What steps does the company take to ensure a safe work environment?
A. We have an excellent safety record, which is managed through an Alaska-specific quality, health, safety, and environment (QHSE) program. Additionally, Fugro fosters a culture of safety among employees through a behavior-based campaign that encourages employees to take responsibility for their own safety, as well the safety of their colleagues. This campaign educates employees to recognize and handle various safety risks in and outside of work.
Q. What do you see as your company’s biggest challenge in the next five years?
A. Our challenges are similar to the challenges facing our customers. Together, we must remain competitive in a less-than-ideal marketplace. We are prepared in this regard. We have strong management processes, proven safety programs, and efficient and solutions-oriented technical teams. We earn the support of both our clients and our parent company by delivering on expectations.
Q. Has your company been involved in any community projects or charity events?
A. We make a number of contributions to local charity events. Last year, for instance, we sponsored staff participating in the Lost Lake Run to benefit those with Cystic Fibrosis, as well as the Alyeska Climbathon, which raises money for women’s cancer research. This year, we are in the process of selecting events and causes that are near and dear to the hearts of our Alaska employees.
Q. What is the address of your company’s Web site?
A. www.fugro.com
