Public engineering firm profile
Stafford, TX
Emerging Market Marine Engineering Consultancy
Deep Reach Technology (DRT) is a Stafford, TX-based specialist ocean engineering consultancy founded in 2011 by Dr. John Halkyard. It focuses on the world's most difficult offshore engineering problems, including deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining, floating offshore wind, and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). DRT's multidisciplinary team of ocean, geotechnical, metallurgical, process, and naval architecture engineers delivers concept design, digital twin modelling, techno-economic analysis, and qualified-person reporting for operators, license-holders, and government-sponsored R&D programs worldwide.
Full-lifecycle offshore engineering for polymetallic nodule and seafloor sediment mining systems, from mine development plans and offshore system concepts to qualified-person reporting for capital markets.
Design, analysis, and modelling of floating production and support vessels, spar platforms, moorings, and riser systems for offshore energy and mining applications.
Physics-based digital twin development of integrated offshore systems, enabling engineering optimization and investor-facing concept illustration.
Concept design and techno-economic analysis for floating offshore wind and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems.
Offshore geotechnical investigations, seafloor trafficability assessment, and subsea vehicle and micropile design for mining and wind applications.
Shipboard and onshore process design for recovery of rare earth elements and polymetallic minerals from seafloor sediments and nodules.
Ship and offshore structure design, hydrographic surveying, and oceanographic data collection for offshore project development.
Scoping studies, feasibility analyses, and strategic technical advisory for emerging offshore resource development programs.
Deep-Sea Mining
Developed a digital twin of an integrated offshore deep-sea mining concept, including full physics engine and offshore dynamics, covering a production support vessel, offshore supply vessels, subsea harvesters, and a riser system. Used to optimize engineering and operational parameters and illustrate the concept to investors.
View project source2021 | Pacific Ocean (NORI-D claim area) | The Metals Company | Deep-Sea Mining
Served as Qualified Person for The Metals Company's successful 2021 IPO, developing the offshore development plan, mining systems concept, and staged development systems for production support vessels as part of the SEC-compliant technical disclosure.
View project sourceNOWRDC | Offshore Wind
Developed an innovative manufacturing and installation method for offshore floating spar or buoyant tower wind turbines, with capacity to produce and install approximately 50 turbines per year at 30-40% lower CapEx than current methods. Sponsored by the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium.
View project sourceLockheed Martin | Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)
Provided deep technical expertise in concept design, dynamic modelling, physical prototype testing, and techno-economic analysis for a floating OTEC project, including hydrodynamic testing and load analysis of the unique structure.
View project sourceFounder, Chairman of the Board
50+ years leading deep sea development projects. Co-inventor of the Spar platform. Technical lead on OTEC Platform Development for Lockheed-Martin. Visiting Professor, National University of Singapore 2008-2014.
Chief Executive Officer, Board Member
25+ years in project and executive management in energy services and engineer-to-order businesses.
Chief Technology Officer, Board Member
20+ years in design and numerical hydro-thermal modelling of offshore renewable and deep-sea mining systems. Led DOE and ARPA-E projects.
Vice President of Projects, Board Member
40+ years experience in offshore oil and gas drilling and floating production projects, including projects spanning $1 billion.
Chief Commercial Officer
34 years of international experience in the energy sector, specializing in strategic and technical business development.