About The OTRC

The Offshore Technology Research Center (OTRC) is a graduated National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center supporting the offshore oil and gas industry. It is jointly operated by Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin. (Note: Links to University Main Pages will open in a new window).

Established in 1988 with funding from the NSF and industry, the Center was created to conduct basic engineering research and develop systems for the economical and reliable recovery of hydrocarbons and other energy sources at ocean depths of 3,000 feet or more. During its first decade, the OTRC achieved a leadership role in cutting-edge research on critical elements of the deepwater production problem. The OTRC has approximately 26 investigators in several departments at the two campuses, performing interdisciplinary research in five principal areas: Floating Structures, Risers and Moorings, Materials, Seafloor Engineering, and Subsea Systems.

In the past few years, gas and petroleum reserves under ultra-deep water (6,000 to 10,000 feet) on the continental slopes of the Gulf of Mexico have been demonstrated to be of enormous economic and strategic significance to the United States. The OTRC is playing a pivotal role in the development of these reserves and is continually seeking to expand its wave tank capabilities to accommodate testing for greater depths.

The wave tank, or model basin, is the most prominent symbol of the OTRC. Researchers use the tank to develop high-quality data sets against which sponsors can validate their models. A three-dimensional wave maker along with wind and current generators simulate the conditions facing deepwater structures. The facility has tested models of structures ranging from Tension Leg Platforms and Spars to Remotely Operated Vehicles for the petroleum industry and an Assured Crew Return Vehicle designed by NASA for the international space station.

New technologies have contributed to the rising interest in exploration and development in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. This interest is evidenced by the recent offshore natural gas and oil lease sales in the Western Gulf of Mexico.

Deepwater operations, however, are significantly different from conventional operations in more shallow waters of the continental shelf. As the industry moves into deeper water, new technical, safety and environmental challenges will arise. The OTRC has already demonstrated research strength in areas such as wave, current and wind loading on floating structures, application of high-performance composite materials to offshore structures and advanced techniques to explore and characterize the engineering properties of the largely unknown, deep seafloor of the Gulf of Mexico.

The Center now stands ready with the expertise to address the need for new and evolving technologies, larger and more complex facilities, modification of procedures and additional environmental protection issues. For more information about the OTRC, please see our Contact Page.