BORA Blue Ocean Research Alliance

The BORA Blue Ocean Research Alliance®  is an innovative partnership between NOC Innovations and Subsea 7.

By combining our scientific prowess with Subsea 7’s global reach and fleet of 120+ remotely operated vehicles, we’re ramping up the delivery of marine research around the world for the benefit of humanity.

BORA’s an example of how research institutions and private businesses can work together for the greater good.

Here are a few benefits of our alliance with Subsea 7:

Scientific Value

• Data is openly accessible, and contributes to global ocean observations
• Results are published in scientific papers where possible, citing all contributors from academia and industry

Sustainability

• BORA supports its funders’ sustainability priorities. Projects are developed by our team of scientists and funders to ensure the objectives are relevant to society and the scientific community
• The global nature of this alliance reflects the global nature of climate change, meaning we’re now able to focus on developing projects wherever they’re needed most with the world’s best insights, tools and technology

Stakeholder Engagement

• BORA works with local governments, research organisations and other national stakeholders to share knowledge, data and commercial industry partners

A worldwide impact

BORA’s already established a number of global research projects that are enabling the collection of vital ocean data and the publication of world-class marine research. 

Take BORAbox, for example.

BORAbox is a sensor box. It’s being fitted to Subsea 7’s Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to measure Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs).

BORAboxes are currently being used to monitor ocean acidity levels using the latest lab-on-chip sensor technology. It gathers data when Subsea 7’s projects are operational, and enhances the global reach of marine observation.

This data’s then used to support wider observational initiatives, and included in datasets that help shape major ocean health assessments and contribute to addressing critical questions like: ‘is the ocean getting more acidic – and, if so, how quickly and by how much?’

It also supports evidence-based policymaking at local, national and international scales.