Introduction
To mark AMOG's 20th year in business, the company underwent a major corporate re-branding. At the launch of this new image, Prof Potts, founding partner and, at the time, Managing Director, gave a speech on the history of the company. An abridged and updated version of this speech follows here:
The Story
We are frequently asked, "what does AMOG stand for - where did it come from?"
We have come a long way since our humble beginnings, starting in the back bedroom of the then Potts House on Sydney's North Shore.
We started with an idea that there was an opening in the Australian Offshore sector for a high tech service provider in the fields of advanced hydrodynamics, naval architecture and structural dynamics. We had a few project opportunities with Esso to get us kicked off, so in collaboration with like-minded engineers and academics, the Australian Marine and Offshore Group was conceived.
At this point, I would particularly like to make reference to my old "Monash Mafia" mates; Professors Hinwood, Grundy and Melchers, who were instrumental in the formation and development of AMOG. Hinwood and Melchers are still in the background of AMOG and active with us today. You can read more about these remarkable gentlemen on our AMOG Alumni page on this website.
Another founding partner, Malcolm Rowe, and I became the full-time resources. With the professors providing part-time contributions to the venture, we launched AMOG onto a largely receptive Australian offshore sector.
The small business proved a success so, by early 1992, the trading partnership was incorporated, and the "Australian Marine and Offshore Group Pty Ltd" was formed, with the founding partners each becoming directors.
A few months later, we followed ESSO to Melbourne and established the new primary business office, again the back bedroom of the then Potts house. Within a few months, however, and with the addition of several technical staff, the company outgrew the confines of the back bedroom. In December 1992, we rented our first real office, located in Monash Business Park, conveniently located for access to personnel and resources at the adjacent Monash University.
AMOG still has strong ties to Monash University; we attend many of their industry events and seminars, present as guest lecturers, recruit many of their talented engineers as AMOG graduates, and I have the pleasure of serving on the Monash Engineering Foundation Board, as well as having received a Professor in Practice from my alma mater.
With this larger suite of offices, the work profile continued to grow and AMOG established itself as a viable engineering consultancy. We have scarcely looked back since.
In 1993 we were fortunate enough to be part of the APPEA Study on the "Environmental Impacts of Offshore Drilling Activities in Australian Waters," for which we won the AMEEF Industry Environmental Award in 1994.
As mentioned earlier, the main foundation work conducted by AMOG came from ESSO Australia, and was associated with the Pipeline Cost Reduction Study, which involved diver-less pipeline and flexible riser installation schemes for marginal fields in Bass Strait.
On the basis of this work, along with the West Tuna and Bream B studies, AMOG was honoured with the 1995 "Engineering Excellence Award," presented by the Institution of Engineers Australia. The success with Esso, and the associated accolade, allowed the company to expand our role in the offshore market on a stronger footing. In 1994, we well as working on West Tuna and Bream B concrete gravity platforms, we were also involved in the BHPP Dai Hung FPU, FSO and CALM buoy export system, the East Spar TLP, and many other exciting projects.
In 1996 AMOG worked on the BP/BHPP Greater Neptune Field Development project in the Gulf of Mexico, looking at the concept development of deepwater floating production platforms. This was the beginning of an ongoing role in supporting projects in the Gulf of Mexico.
During this period, we also commenced working on structural engineering assessments of mining machines in conjunction with Krupp Engineering Australia, an association that has continued. In 1997 we opened a Perth office to cater for our growing West Australian client base. From this office, over the years we have supported developments such as Wandoo A and B, Stag, Legendre, the Woodside Second Trunckline, Griffin Stybarrow, Mutineer-Exeter, Woollybutt, and Gorgon, to name but a few.
By 2000 we had diversified our business considerably from its founding market sector, and were involved in more than just the Marine and Offshore industries. In recognition of this, the "Australian Marine and Offshore Group Pty Ltd" became simply "AMOG Pty Ltd" and commenced trading as "AMOG Consulting."
In 2001 we commenced work assisting BHP with the development of the Angostura Field in Trinidad, which was wide ranging in its scope. Soon after, we commenced work in support of BHP's Cabrillo Port Floating LNG Project, which was a ground-breaking floating production import facility off the east coast of California. Although this project was never sanctioned, it spawned significant interest in floating LNG production systems in Australia, and internationally, a field in which we continue to be involved.
The Basker Manta Gummy Design Contract, awarded to AMOG in 2004, was another company-building project. We worked hand in hand with Upstream Petroleum (now AGR) to design and have installed with first FPSO in Bass Strait. It was an exciting 11 months form project approval to first oil for ANZON - I understand it is still a record schedule for the floating production industry worldwide.
In 2005, AMOG provided significant support to Defence with the completion of important naval projects for the Collins Class Submarines, Landing Craft, Hydro Ships, and Frigate upgrade projects. We also expanded into ocean renewable energy, conducting analyses on new technology for marine based power generation.
By 2006, we opened an office in Houston and established a more permanent presence in Sydney and Adelaide.
In 2007 we secured a technology role on the Sydney Desalination Project. We have since worked as part of the teams on the Adelaide and Melbourne Desalination Plants. Around this time, we also commenced what is now a significant areas of our Safety Business, conducting Major Hazard Facility Audits.
By 2008, we were expanding into the rail sector, as well as supervising mooring and pipeline installation activities throughout South East Asia.
AMOG continues to stay at the forefront of industry through innovation. We have taken on lead roles in technology development including a long association with DeepStar®, and initiating numerous Joint Industry Projects, including the industry leading SCORCH JIP. AMOG staff are constantly developing new techniques, equipment and analytical software at the cutting edge of industry.
Over the years, we have been involved in floating production projects in locations as diverse as Australia, South East Asia, Brazil, West Africa, India, and the Gulf of Mexico. I have had the privilege of employing a great team of engineers and the good fortune of establishing long-standing relationships with a number of clients that have entrusted AMOG to undertake such interesting and challenging work.
As the company celebrates its 25th year of operations in 2016, I look forward to what AMOG will go on to achieve in the next 25 years.
Professor Andrew E. Potts
September 2016