The FROG-6 sat proudly at the Reflex Marine stand at PECOM (Petroleum Exhibition And Conference Of Mexico) in Villahermosa, Mexico and attracted a great deal of interest from a wide variety of visitors to the event.
The novelty factor of people being able to sit inside the FROG and have their photo taken was enormous. That, coupled with a cocktail event organised by UKTI, meant a constantly busy stand. We were grateful of the assistance of our local partners, GINEMEX, who were also present at the event.
Reflex Marine and/or the FROG featured in at least 1 of the state newspapers for 5 consecutive days during the event. We were also featured on the state and local radios and television. Such positive publicity meant great exposure for the FROG-6 and Reflex Marine and led to attendees purposely searching out our stand.
The Tabasco state governor, Arturo Nunez Jimenez and the General Director of PEMEX Exploration and Production, Gustavo Hernandez, came by the stand and our Mexico Manager, Rebecca Loto, was asked to give a brief history of the FROG and Reflex Marine.
Everyone commented that the traditional rope basket (named “widow-maker” in Mexico) is archaic and dangerous and the FROG offers a much safer option for offshore crew transfers. We pointed out how the FROG’s features overcome the four main risk areas for personnel transfers (falling, collision, immersion and lateral impacts).
After completing a number of stringent tests of the FROG-6 in front of government agencies and the state owned oil and gas company, PEMEX, we are now pending a final certification from the merchant marines in order to be able to sell the FROG-6 in Mexico.
An energy reform bill was passed in December, 2013, allowing international companies to have access to deep water oil and gas supplies in Mexican waters, previously only allowed for PEMEX. This means the potential for the FROG-6 has now expanded and will be able to work on non-Mexican vessels.