The Looq Platform produces survey-grade, georeferenced, ground-classified point clouds and orthomosaic images. (Image source: Looq AI)

Looq AI, a pioneer in ground-based reality capture, has announced that its AI-powered photogrammetric data capture platform is now compatible with Trimble Business Center (TBC) software.

This integration allows engineering professionals to efficiently extract and utilise high-accuracy Looq Platform data within Trimble’s desktop workflows for survey and engineering projects, without requiring custom conversions or manual preparation.

The Looq Platform produces survey-grade, georeferenced, ground-classified point clouds and orthomosaic images that are ready for direct use in TBC. This seamless workflow supports a wide range of topographic and design tasks, helping project teams deliver faster and more accurate results while staying aligned with trusted tools.

This milestone follows a year of innovation at Looq AI. The platform streamlines infrastructure digitisation through a scalable ground-based capture process. By combining handheld photogrammetry with advanced 3D computer vision algorithms, Looq delivers high-resolution spatial data and reliable processing for projects of all sizes. Recent advancements, including improved GNSS precision, underground asset capture, standard export formats, and alignment with open standards, have strengthened Looq’s capability to meet the needs of professional surveyors and engineers.

Trimble supports greater compatibility with emerging technologies to foster open, technology-agnostic ecosystems. “We’re pleased to see Looq’s platform is now compatible with Trimble Business Center,” said Gareth Gibson, Strategic Marketing Director, Mapping & GIS and Utilities at Trimble. “This kind of integration supports our goal of transforming the way the world works by enabling users to more seamlessly incorporate high-accuracy, ground-based data into their existing workflows. It’s another step toward driving industry innovation and helping customers achieve better business outcomes.”

AJ Surveying, a San Diego-based utility corridor mapping firm, has already benefited from the Looq–Trimble integration. On undergrounding projects in wildfire-prone regions, the company used the Looq Platform to collect topographic data in drone-restricted and challenging environments, cutting turnaround times by 60% and survey costs by 43%. “With Looq and Trimble Business Center, we’ve transformed the way we collect and deliver data on critical infrastructure projects,” said Amanda Jones, PLS, Owner of AJ Surveying Inc.

Canadian engineering firm McElhanney has also adopted Looq to enhance mapping and topographic surveys. “Looq has helped us bring new levels of efficiency and adaptability to our field workflows,” said Ben Giesbrecht, Project Manager. “The ability to capture and deliver high-accuracy data directly into Trimble Business Center keeps our teams productive and enables seamless collaboration with clients and partners.”

“Our mission at Looq is to empower surveyors and engineers with tools that deliver uncompromising accuracy and unmatched efficiency,” said Dominique Meyer, CEO of Looq AI. “By ensuring our platform is fully compatible with Trimble Business Center, we’re joining a growing ecosystem of innovative solutions designed to help professionals meet today’s infrastructure demands with confidence.”

Sercel WiNG DFU-3C passive seismic sensors can be used to image subsurface hydrogen-generating systems with greater precision and efficiency. (Image source: Sercel)

Viridien, an advanced technology, digital and Earth data company, and Mantle8, a French geoscience company specialising in natural hydrogen exploration, have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate hydrogen exploration across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region

Under the partnership, Mantle8 will leverage GeoVerse, Viridien’s world-leading geological database, to support natural hydrogen exploration in EMEA, as well as using WiNG DFU-3C passive seismic sensors from Sercel, Viridien’s Sensing & Monitoring business, for the imaging of subsurface hydrogen-generating systems. Through the combination of Viridien’s subsurface data and Sercel’s advanced sensor technology, Mantle8 will accelerate its prospect generation and scanning for high-potential zones across EMEA.

“Europe is blessed with abundant, low-emission natural hydrogen, and the drive to map these resources and start drilling is stronger than ever. This partnership gives us the ability to reach that goal much faster,” said Emmanuel Masini, founder and CEO of Mantle8. “Access to Viridien’s GeoVerse database gives us the scale of data needed to fuel our prospect generation and sharpen our targeting of promising zones in line with Mantle8’s thesis. Building on that foundation, deployment of Sercel WiNG DFU-3C sensors provides the capability to image entire hydrogen systems and de-risk drilling programs.”

“Viridien is committed to working with partners to develop knowledge and solutions that will accelerate the energy transition. Natural hydrogen is one area, alongside geothermal energy, critical mineral exploration and carbon storage, where our advanced geoscience and data science technology can support the global effort to meet net-zero targets,” said Chris Page, EVP, New Business Development, Viridien. “Together, we are enabling faster, more accurate identification of promising natural hydrogen zones, supporting a cleaner energy future for the EMEA region.”

Mantle8 has confirmed some of the highest recorded hydrogen concentrations at its Comminges prospect in the French Pyrenees. Utilising Sercel WiNG DFU-3C sensors, combined with Mantle8’s HOREX multiphysics imaging technology, the first-ever images of an entire active hydrogen system have been produced, validating Mantle8’s proprietary exploration technology and reinforcing the commercial case for natural hydrogen as a low-cost, low-carbon energy source.

Shipping is seen as one of the most promising opportunities for low-carbon ammonia and methanol

While ammonia and methanol are gaining traction as low-carbon fuels and hydrogen carriers to support the global energy transition, large-scale adoption is slow due to uncertain demand, says data and analytics company GlobalData

Demand for low-carbon ammonia and methanol is being driven by industries such as shipping, power generation, fertilizers, and chemicals, given their potential to decarbonise existing operations. GlobalData’s Strategic Intelligence report, “Ammonia and Methanol in Energy Transition,” reveals that countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, and members of the European Union are backing low-carbon projects, while companies including Yara, Maersk, CF, and Mitsubishi are exploring large-scale investments to boost their production.

Low-carbon ammonia capacity is estimated to grow to nearly 250 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by 2030, with more than 460 upcoming plants globally. Low-carbon methanol is also projected to grow, with plant numbers approaching 150 by 2030. However, many projects are in early stages of development, with some hydrogen-linked initiatives already seeing delays or cancellations.

The report also highlights that low-carbon ammonia and methanol are closely linked to the scaling of hydrogen, acting as carriers for transport and storage. However, growth depends on stronger infrastructure commitments, technology advancements, and regulatory requirements. Shipping is seen as the most promising immediate opportunity, but significant investment and regulatory clarity are required to move beyond pilots.

Ravindra Puranik, Oil and Gas analyst at GlobalData, commented, “Low-carbon ammonia and methanol could complement the energy transition by acting as fuels and hydrogen carriers, but their role is far from guaranteed. Cost competitiveness, safety standards, and infrastructure development will be critical. Without supportive regulation and faster project execution, many of the current net-zero ambitions may not translate into reality.

“Low-carbon ammonia and methanol initiatives had a promising start earlier this decade. However, the pace of development is already slowing, with some high-profile hydrogen projects seeing cancellations or postponement. Combined with high production costs and technical challenges in handling, this raises doubts about whether low-carbon ammonia and methanol can achieve the scale once envisioned. These challenges underline the gap between announced capacity and what will realistically materialise by 2030.”

Halliburton has launched the next-generationTuring electro-hydraulic control system, with bidirectional choking and built-in position sensors for fast and accurate flow control

Part of Halliburton’s of SmartWell intelligent completions technology, this system sets a new standard in reservoir flow control suitable for all completion applications, improving recovery and reducing well count.

The Turing electro-hydraulic control system facilitates fast zonal optimisation through integrated position sensors that help operators manage well performance with speed, precision, and confidence. Its simplified, flexible design reduces rig time, operational risk, and production delays to deliver measurable value to our customers.

Operators can remotely and selectively adjust zonal ICV positions in seconds. Built-in high-resolution sensors increase fidelity and expand choke position options. Fast, precise bidirectional control of the ICVs enables flow control from or into each zone without closing the ICV. This capability supports routine, active well optimisation and supports the adoption of fully automated, data-driven optimisation technology.

Paired with the Clariti digital reservoir management suite, the Turing electro-hydraulic control system provides customers with added insights and real-time advice on opportunities for well production and field optimisation. The system can manage up to 12 zones with three control lines, two hydraulic and one single-wire tubing-encapsulated conductor (TEC). The TEC line communicates with downhole sensors through the DataSphere permanent monitoring suite to eliminate additional lines and reduce subsea infrastructure costs.

“As the pioneer of SmartWell intelligent completions, Halliburton’s advancements in this technology strengthen our industry leadership. Our new Turing electro-hydraulic control system builds on that legacy. It empowers our customers to improve recovery, manage subsurface uncertainty, and achieve lower costs with greater operational efficiency,” said Maxime Coffin, vice president, Halliburton Completion Tools