15th September 2008

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A University of Ulster researcher has invented a system for protecting vital marine-based facilities such as oil and gas rigs from terrorist attack.

Colin Hillis, from the Faculty of Art, Design and the Built Environment, has applied for a patent for the system which involves placing an array of small unmanned units in defensive positions around the facility. 

The units consist of a submerged platform which can be located on the sea bed, connected to a float. The submerged platform would contain a lethal or non-lethal defence weapons capable of destroying or disabling attack craft picked up by sensors on the float. This will offer layered security to maximise protection of large marine assets.

Mr Hillis, who is completing research on transport security for his PhD, said: “Marine assets such as oil and gas rigs, windfarms, stationary vessels or even coastal refineries are obvious targets for terrorists in the modern world. 

“The traditional method of protecting them by deploying physical resources is very labour intensive, expensive and not always effective as demonstrated in an attack on the Bakr and Khawr Al Amaya oil terminals in 2004. My system would be remotely controlled and activated and would use a range of measures quickly and effectively to disable small attack craft who enter the exclusion zone around the facility.”

The defence units could be placed in positions around the marine asset or could be self-propelled into position using global positioning technology. Part of the unit would be sunk to the sea bed and connected to a float containing sensing and communication equipment. 

The devices would automatically detect any vessels entering the area around the asset. The devices could be disabled to allow legitimate craft such as supply ships into the exclusion zone.

Mr Hillis is now seeking a partner organisation to develop prototypes of the device and to trial them. 

His concept has been accepted as an inventive step by the University of Ulster Office of Innovation and an independent European Patent Attorney.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office, Department of Communication and Development
Tel: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk