The Subsea Systems Institute (SSI) was established in 2015 as a Texas Center of Excellence under the RESTORE Act and collaboration between the University of Houston, Rice University and the Johnson Space Center (NASA). In addition, the SSI and the University of Houston has partnerships with the Lone Star Community College, Texas Southwest University, Houston Community College, and other colleges to lead research and develop training and educational programs to accelerate energy related workforce development in critical areas for the state of Texas.
The Terms of Reference for SSI are developed within the activity of offshore energy development, including improving sustainable/safe development, with a particular focus on the Gulf of Mexico. The vision and objectives for the institute are to:
Support economic and workforce development in the State of Texas through collaboration between research institutions, colleges and industry;
Positively impact offshore safety by bringing together NASA, industry, and academic expertise to develop best available technology and risk mitigation practices to the Gulf of Mexico;
Provide unbiased third party validation and establishment of best practices to build public trust in the sustainable and safe offshore drilling and production operations in the Gulf of Mexico region and beyond;
Attract and retain talent for jobs and investments in the local, state and national economy and to reinforce Houston and the state of Texas’s reputation as the Energy Capital of the World.
About RESTORE
As a result of the DeepWater Horizon incident, President Obama signed into law the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act, otherwise known as the RESTORE Act.
The RESTORE Act established the Restoration Trust Fund, which allocated 2.5 percent of the money received in civil penalties for the creation of Centers of Excellence in the five Gulf Coast states to further Gulf coast science, monitoring and technology.
Then-Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) awarded the funds (about $4.1 million) for the Texas Center of Excellence to the consortium partners of the University of Houston, Rice University, and NASA Johnson Space Center.
People and Partners
Ramanan Krishnamoorti, PhD University of Houston Dr. Krishnamoorti is the Chief Energy Officer at the University of Houston. Prior to his current position, Krishnamoorti served as Interim Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer for UH and the UH System. During his tenure at the university, he has served as chair of the UH Cullen College of Engineering’s chemical and biomolecular engineering department, associate dean of research for engineering, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering with affiliated appointments as professor of petroleum engineering and professor of chemistry. Dr. Krishnamoorti obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and doctoral degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University in 1994.
Sergio Kapusta, PhD Rice University Dr. Kapusta is the interim director of the Rice Energy and Environment Initiative. Internationally acclaimed for technical accomplishments in oil and gas safety of operations, Dr. Kapusta worked at Shell in all areas of the oil and gas business and served as chief scientist of the Royal Dutch Shell group of companies. His responsibilities included advising the senior management of Shell on science and engineering topics that affect the industry, collaborating with academic and research institutions, and developing Shell’s strategic R&D plans. Dr. Kapusta is the author of over 70 technical papers. Dr. Lulla holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering and MBA from Rice University, where he currently teaches in the Engineering and Business Schools.
Kamlesh Lulla, PhD, PhD NASA Johnson Space Center Dr. Lulla is the director of the University Research, Collaboration and Partnership Office at Johnson Space Center. Internationally acclaimed for his research and scientific accomplishments in optical remote sensing technologies and Earth observation sciences, Dr. Lulla served as a chief scientist for Earth science payloads for shuttle and the International Space Station. His responsibilities included training shuttle astronauts in Earth imaging for more than 40 flights. Dr. Lulla is the author of over 200 scientific and technical papers and co-author and co-editor of the recent NASA book “Wings In Orbit.” Dr. Lulla holds two PhD degrees in Earth and Space sciences.
Advisory Board Members
John Allen
SSI Advising Consultant, Allen Energy Consultants, LLC (AEC)
As an industry expert and consultant to the SSI, John has contributed his perspective on the varying challenges facing the energy industry and the initiatives proposed by researchers developing solutions to those challenges. John began his career with General Electric Company (GEC) of England PLC founding GEC Oil and Gas and managing the Deepwater Production and underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) business, both commercial and military.
John by acquisition joined ABB and served as CEO for ABB Seatec and Vice President of Technology and Engineering for Oil and Gas Inc. He also served as the Director of the corporate ABB Oil and Gas Research Center (Zurich/Houston), coordinating technology across ABB Offshore Systems, Lummus Engineering & Deepwater and Vetco. John moved to General Electric (GE), by acquisition and moved into the role of Executive General Manager in GE Energy. He was responsible for GE Corporate’s business with major oil companies.
This included upstream, midstream, downstream and power generation. John is a graduate of the University of Surrey with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of London and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Bath. John is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Society of Underwater Technology and chairs multiple Industry initiatives.
John Allen
SSI Advising Consultant, Allen Energy Consultants, LLC (AEC)
Yasser Bangash
Senior Facilities Engineer, BP
Yasser is a Mechanical Engineer with over 20 years of experience in Engineering, Manufacturing and Consulting. He has been with BP since 2009 and is currently a Senior Facilities Engineer in BP’s Upstream Technology. In his current role, he is involved in testing and application of Robotics in BP’s current and future facilities.
Yasser holds a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Oklahoma City University.
Yasser Bangash
Senior Facilities Engineer, BP
Paul Doucette
General Manager for Industry Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement, Baker Hughes
Paul Doucette is the General Manager for Industry Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement at Baker Hughes. Paul interacts with key stakeholders around the globe to help chart the strategic direction of the company, particularly with regard to the energy transition and low-carbon future.
Previously to joining GE Oil & Gas in 2007, Paul career includes roles with Cornell Companies, Inc. as Vice President of Public Affairs and Business’ serving as Vice President of Ward Creative Communications from 1996-2000, Director of Public and Government Affairs with Star Enterprise from 1991-1996 and with Texaco in roles ranging from Sales to Director of Public and Government Affairs.
Paul served with the 2nd Bomb Wing, 2nd Air Force of the Strategic Air Command. He holds his Masters in Business Administration from Nicholls State University; Thibodaux, Louisiana and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana Tech University. He is a graduate of the Advanced Executive Development Program of the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University.
Paul is an avid long-distance cyclist, logging thousands of miles each year. He enjoys spending time with his wife the 1991 National Teacher of the Year, Rae McKee and their five children and nine grandchildren.
Paul Doucette
General Manager for Industry Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement, Baker Hughes
Luis Garza Rios graduated from the University of Michigan, obtaining Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
He joined ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company in May 2000, holding numerous positions, ranging from R&D to planning to management, and gaining experience in the areas of offshore structural design, station-keeping, meteorology and oceanography, marine risers, pipelines, marine systems, arctic engineering and subsea engineering.
He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Department at the University of Michigan.
Director of Research and Chief Research Engineer, TechnipFMC
Dr. Grauer recently joined TechnipFMC as Director of Research and Chief Research Engineer. She was previously with Hoerbiger as Vice President of Engineering. She currently serves as Past Chair of the Internal Combustion Engine Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Center of Marine Robotics at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Prior to joining Hoerbiger, Dr. Grauer held various management roles within Schlumberger and also worked as Corporate Technology Manager of OneSubsea, A Schlumberger Company.
Prior to the acquisition of Cameron International Corporation by Schlumberger, Dr. Grauer served as Engineering Manager of Technology & Engine Development for Cameron. Prior to Cameron, Dr. Grauer was a Research Engineer and Program Manager for the Department of Energy Efficiency & Industrial Technology department at the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory. Dr. Grauer has also taught Mechanical Engineering courses at Idaho State University and Kansas State University.
Dr. Grauer holds both a B.Sc. and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University where she graduated with honors.
Diana K. Grauer, PhD
Director of Research and Chief Research Engineer, TechnipFMC
Dr. Luc Huyse manages the Facilities Engineering R&D Portfolio with an explicit focus on delivering integrated technology solutions to the Business Units. Luc previously stood up the Facilities & Operations Support Center and championed Facilities Engineering’s Digital efforts with the same focus on value generation for the Business Unit through digital transformation and improved monitoring of our equipment performance.
Luc joined Chevron in 2008 and has served in several roles including pipeline and integrity management analytics Subject Matter Expert (three patents), root cause failure analytics (Bigfoot technical Root Cause Analysis), process optimization, technology qualification leader, technical authorities (Energy Technology Company President’s Award).
Luc has a PhD in Civil Engineering (Univ. of Calgary, Canada) and a Bachelor of Applied Science from KU Leuven in Belgium. Luc designed structural repairs of historical buildings in Europe before joining NASA in Virginia and Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio. He worked on the return-to-flight mission following the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and is the co-recipient of a NASA Group Achievement and as well as an R&D 100 Award for the development of probabilistic design and analysis software.
Director of Emerging Technologies, Oceaneering International Inc.
Peter’s responsibilities with Oceaneering include integrating new technologies into products and services.
In his 35 years with Oceaneering, he has filled multiple management and technical roles with most product and service businesses. He was Director of Engineering for Oceaneering Umbilical Solutions worldwide, Worldwide Chief Engineer for OIE, manager of the Special Projects Group as well as other engineering and operational positions.
He is a graduate from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and is a Professional Engineer registered in Texas and is a Project Management Professional.
Peter Moles
Director of Emerging Technologies, Oceaneering International Inc.
Todd Newell
Vice President of Technology, Oceaneering International
Todd joined Oceaneering in May of 2008. He stared his career in the Automotive Industry in 1992 designing industrial robotics and automation solutions and before joining Oceaneering was Director of Operational Excellence for Crane Co.’s Aerospace & Electronics division.
As an Oceaneer, Todd has served within multiple technical roles and is well positioned with the knowledge and experience needed to lead Oceaneering’s technology research and development strategies.
Todd holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University.
Todd Newell
Vice President of Technology, Oceaneering International Inc.
Sudhir Pai
Chairman, Board of Directors, Technology Collaboration Center
Sudhir is the Chairman, Board of Directors, Technology Collaboration Center, based in Houston, Texas. He has strong interests in energy, renewables, space, robotics, drones, Formula 1 and everything digital.
He has held a variety of management, technology and business leadership positions within Schlumberger, including VP & GM of Completions business, GM of Schlumberger operations Mumbai India and more recently MD at Liquid Robotics Oil and Gas (LROG), a Schlumberger start-up JV. He sits on the executive advisory boards of SPE ENGenious, SpaceCom and the Energy Drone & Robotics Summit.
In April 2016, he was recognized by the United States National Diversity Council with the 2016 Texas Multicultural Leadership Award. He is deeply committed to World Alliance Solar Impulse Foundation, United Way of Houston and KinkaidConnect mentor program at his daughter’s school.
Sudhir Pai
Chairman, Board of Directors, Technology Collaboration Center
Francesco Tripodi
Commercial GoM, SOLUTIONS business line, Saipem
Francesco graduated from the “Mediterranea” University of Reggio Calabria, obtaining a Bachelor and Masters degree in Electrical engineering. He obtained a further Engineering Doctorate degree in Underwater Acoustics from a joint program held by University of Pisa and the Italian Navy.
Francesco joined Saipem in 2008 as a design engineer in the subsea robotics group, advancing through his career towards technology deployment and operations leadership roles on a global basis. Later on, he participated in commercial and business development activities of products and services featured by advanced technological content within the E&C offshore division.
He is currently covering the position of Commercial GoM of Saipem’s SOLUTIONS business line.
