www.marinetechnologynews.com Open in urlscan Pro
2606:4700:20::ac43:46c1  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

GET /news/search

<form action="/news/search" class="compact-search-w" method="get">
  <div class="compact-search">
    <input class="anime" type="text" name="search"> &nbsp; <input class="anime" type="submit" value="News Search">
  </div>
</form>

https://emails.marinelink.org/User/Subscribe

<form action="https://emails.marinelink.org/User/Subscribe">
  <input type="hidden" name="ELID" value="k2dpz">
  <input type="submit" class="btn" value="Subscribe">
</form>

Text Content

Thursday, November 16, 2023
 * Home
 * Magazine
 * Directory
 * Events
 * Videos
 * Advertising

 
 * Offshore Energy
 * Hydrographic
 * Ocean News
 * Subsea Defense
 * Vehicle News
 * New Products

 * 
 * 

New Wave Media

Elaine Maslin March 10, 2022


SUBSEA TECHNOLOGY AND THE NEW ROUTES TO RESIDENCY

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

 * Touch screen controls allow pilots to press one button to select a new tool
   and let the ROV do the rest. Images from TechnipFMC.
 * TechnipFMC’s new Gemini ROV is already working in the US Gulf of Mexico for
   Shell. It comes with new manipulator interfaces and an onboard tool carousel.
   Images from TechnipFMC.
 * TechnipFMC’s new Gemini ROV is already working in the US Gulf of Mexico for
   Shell. It comes with new manipulator interfaces and an onboard tool carousel.
   Images from TechnipFMC.
 * Fugro has Remote Operation Centres from which to operate its ROVs and USVs.
   Photos from Fugro.

Efforts to increase remote capability often go hand in hand with increasing ROV
residency. But exactly what form residency takes is diverging. Elaine Maslin
takes a look.

Dial back the clock five years and there was a movement towards an idea dubbed
subsea resident remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The idea, in simple terms, is
that you increase ROV availability and reduce cost and carbon emissions by
having the vehicle permanently based subsea in underwater garages. A number of
vehicles could even cover a cluster of fields, potentially with different owners
who can dial up, on demand, a vehicle when they need it.

The resident ROV wasn’t an entirely new idea and there is still momentum behind
the concept. But there’s also fragmentation; different approaches and concepts
and even alternative routes to providing remote ROV services without the need
for a fully crewed vessel.

Subsea 7’s tetherless autonomous intervention vehicle (AIV) has demonstrated its
autonomous behaviors for inspection work offshore Norway and in the US Gulf of
Mexico. In August, Norway’s IKM Subsea reached a 100-day continuous subsea
operations milestone with its tethered Merlin UCV R-ROV at the Snorre B facility
offshore Norway, where it’s been based since 2018, along with a tool stand,
supported by on and offshore staff.
Oceaneering has been supplying ROV services through its E-ROV – an electric ROV
deployed in a cage with batteries from which it can work for weeks at a time
wherever it’s been put – while its Freedom ROV (more of a hybrid AUV/ROV) was
expected to start untethered offshore trials in August with operations focusing
on pipeline inspection starting in Q4.

Other ongoing projects include Italy’s Saipem and Norway’s Eelume working on
systems able to work from a universal docking station, built by Blue Logic in
Norway, with support from Equinor. For Saipem, that means its Hydrone-R vehicle,
which is set due to be deployed at Equinor’s Norne field in the Norwegian Sea.
Eelume, meanwhile, is targeting TRL5 by the end of 2021 for its snake-robot,
culminating in two of them being deployed with a docking station at the Åsgard
field offshore Norway in Q4 2021 for pipeline inspection, near template visual
inspection and valve operation. Other concepts have also been covered in these
pages, including Houston Mechatronic’s shape-shifting robot and Modus Seabed
Intervention’s AUV system, as have moves to deploy ROVs from USVs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TechnipFMC’s new Gemini ROV is already working in the US Gulf of Mexico for
Shell. It comes with new manipulator interfaces and an onboard tool carousel.
Images from TechnipFMC.  


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shorter stays, more capability
Part of the reason for this fragmentation is due to the range of operations ROVs
can perform, from inspection to heavy duty intervention and a lack of definition
of what a resident system needs to be, how long it needs to remain subsea and
when remote operations is remote operations, says Peter MacInnes, marketing
director, ROV services, at TechnipFMC, which has recently unveiled its new
Gemini ROV, two of which are already working in the US Gulf of Mexico from two
deep-water rigs. Most of what has been done to date, in terms of residency, has
been at the observation end of the scale, he says.

With Gemini, TechnipFMC is targeting the heavy intervention end of the scale,
for work on BOPs and subsea trees, for example, including fluid intervention,
which is why it’s a hydraulic ROV and not fully electric, says MacInnes. For
this type of work, it’s not about the length of deployment, it’s about what it
can do while it’s there, he says. That’s why Gemini has been designed for
month-long deployments, with some significant advances around tooling and
automation (as well as having two manipulators as standard).

An ROV with a tool belt
In terms of tooling, Gemini comes with an inbuilt tooling carousel, with 15
tools, and a further 15 on the tether management system. These have a new
interface; instead of the traditional manipulator jaws that grab a T-bar on a
tool, the manipulator tip is a stab that picks up a tool and provides a
hydraulic, electric and communications interface. The vehicle also has up to
five machine vision cameras, so the vehicle knows what it’s looking at and can
more accurately measure distance; the machine vision cameras help fine-tune
station keeping capability to within 25mm (better than what can be achieved with
current navigation sensors, MacInnes says). Together, these capabilities enable
the vehicle to perform predetermined tasks, such as tool selection, helping to
overcome any issues with latency. The pilot (remote or otherwise) simply taps a
touch screen to select the tool (an “intent based instruction”) and the ROV does
the rest – instead of having to bring the ROV to surface to reconfigure the
tooling, says MacInnes. 

These capabilities take it a step closer towards operating under a level of
supervised autonomy. And it means there’s more consistency in the performance of
these tasks (it could take anywhere between 10 minutes to two hours to insert a
hot stab, depending on experience, with the current generation ROVs, says
MacInnes).  
“It’s the similar technology to companies such as Tesla but more complex,” he
says, “because, for a car, all it has to do is avoid hitting something. 

As long as it avoids being within 2-3cm, it’s done its task. We need to
physically engage with things, such as insert a hot stab, and that creates
additional complexity.”

The move towards supervised autonomy will support a reduction in the amount of
support required offshore, including ROV crew, says MacInnes. But whether full
autonomy is needed – and if it could justify the investment that would be
required – is questionable, he says. One thing that is viable, with the level of
supervised autonomy that TechnipFMC is moving towards, is operating these
systems from a USV, he says. “With supervised autonomy, we can start to
interface this new generation of work class ROV technology with new generation
of USVs,” says MacInnes. “It’s achievable and we are on a path to achieving
that.”

On-board remote residency
Operating an ROV from a USV is on the target list for Fugro. It says that, by
the end of this year, it will be the first company in the world to provide
offshore subsea inspections via USVs and ROVs that are operated from onshore
Remote Operations Centers (ROCs); including ROVs and autonomous underwater
vehicles (AUVs) deployed from USVs.

Being able to use a remotely operated USV, ROV inspection solution to cover,
according to Fugro, potentially 75% of today’s inspection scope has the obvious
safety, efficiency and sustainability benefits. It could also enable operations
within the 500 m exclusion zone, due to the lower threat posed by a 12-tonne
vessel compared with a full size ROV support vessel, says Ivar de Josselin de
Jong, Global Director for Remote Inspection, Fugro.

The firm has a strategic partnership with USV builder SEA-KIT, from whom it has
ordered its first two 12m vessels; one due to enter operations in Australia by
the year end and the other coming into the North Sea early next year. The 12 m
“Fugro Blue Essence” vessels will host a new “Fugro Blue Volta” high-power
inspection eROV (electric ROV) able to do inspection work down to 450 m, says de
Jong. In addition, a 24 m vessel is being designed, targeting 2,500 m depth
deployment with a new “mid-range” eROV able to perform intervention work. The
new hydrodynamically designed eROVs have been designed and developed by Fugro
and the first two units are being built in their ROV factory in Singapore, with
deliverydue in October.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fugro has Remote Operation Centres from which to operate its ROVs and USVs.
Photos from Fugro.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Delivering ROVs with USVs
As part of its new fully electric eROV design, Fugro is moving navigational
intelligence to the vehicle to facilitate more efficient piloting and to prepare
for future tetherless operations. Increasing the level of autonomy will aid
vehicle control when deployed from an USV, with the USV acting as a surface
gateway, when needed. Alternative scenarios could involve a development that
enables the upload of a mission and let it execute the task, says de Jong. This
could potentially support field resident scenarios with the USV acting as a taxi
for an ROV. The company is also paying close attention to developments in
electric tooling.

“It’s an important change and transformation, the ROV business is going
through,” de Jong says. But it’s not without its challenges. “The big challenge
with ROVs is that they need so much attention day to day. Field resident or USV
based ROVs need to be left alone,” says de Jong. “We’re aiming at 30 days
continuous ROV operations from the Fugro Blue Essence, remotely controlled from
one of our ROCs. Compared to the current situation that’s unimaginable. Changing
from an 80 m ROV support vessel with 60-70 people on board moving to a situation
where they are onshore.”

Bandwidth, regulatory and HR challenges
The transition to remote and autonomous operations also brings connectivity
challenges, he adds, Fugro’s ROCs are equipped to facilitate the required
bandwidth, uptime and reliability of the satellite connection, which is  key to
safe operations and effective data delivery To enable smooth operations upon
delivery of the first systems, Fugro has taken up a front running role in
developing the legal and operational framework, maritime regulations, etc. They
are working together with regulatory bodies and flag states to jointly work on a
guideline for uncrewed offshore operations, he adds.

It’s also going to be a human resources challenge. “It’s a super exciting
environment and it’s extremely interesting to be involved in these developments
and at the forefront of this massive transformation,” says de Jong. It’s a
transformation that is going to change the way people work, change the type of
assets used and the legislative environment we operate in. “We won’t have client
representatives onboard because we won’t have anyone onboard,” says de Jong. “We
have a remote client solution where clients from any location around the world,
enter chat rooms, look at real time data acquisition and back deck CCTV that
ties into the ROCs.”

Power to the resident subsea robot
Meanwhile, others have been focusing on subsea power for underwater vehicles.
Independent North Sea operator Chrysaor, for example, is working with wave
energy firm Mocean Energy, subsea energy storage company EC-OG and AUV
specialist Modus in a project to look at using renewable energy to supply subsea
power for resident AUVs or subsea tiebacks. The project, supported by the Oil
and Gas Technology Centre, will look to use Mocean Energy’s Blue Star wave
energy converter and EC-OG’s HALO subsea energy storage system.

New Jersey based Ocean Power Technologies have launched a lithium-iron phosphate
based Subsea battery system with a nominal storage capacity of 132
kilowatt-hours. It utilizes OPT’s battery management system, can be scaled up,
for higher power demand, and can be integrated with the firm’s PowerBuoy wave
energy convertor for recharging or used standalone.

What’s clear is that all roads point towards increasing remote capability, which
requires a level of automation, and ultimately towards autonomy. But opinions
over the shape and form these systems take is, depending on their use, differ.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IKM Subsea has notched up 100 days continuous operations at Snorre B with its
Merlin UCV R-ROV. Photo from IKM Subsea.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eelume and Kongsberg Maritime have also formed a collaborative partnership with
Triumph Subsea Services to support its and its underwater garage development.
The partnership is focusing on 500m and then 1500m and 4000m systems, including
a docking system that will allow Eelume to be deployed with ROVs and subsea
packages to create an integrated autonomous subsea inspection and light
intervention robotic system for easy launch from a vessel. Triumph will also fit
two Eelume vehicles with residency garages onto all its construction vessels,
including wind turbine installation vessels.


RELATED NEWS


EXAIL, KONGSBERG PARTNER UP ON LONG BASELINE (LBL) SUBSEA POSITIONING SOLUTIONS

Exail and Kongsberg Discovery said Tuesday they were collaborating in the field
of Long Baseline (LBL) subsea positioning solutions.


KREMLIN: MORE SIGNS APPEAR OF UKRAINIAN INVOLVEMENT IN NORD STREAM BLASTS

The Kremlin said on Monday that more signs were appearing of Ukrainian
involvement in the blasts that ruptured Russia's Nord…


ASHTEAD TECHNOLOGY BECOMES EXCLUSIVE RENTAL PARTNER FOR REACH ROBOTICS' ROV ARM
SOLUTIONS

UK-based subsea rental equipment and solutions specialist Ashtead Technology has
signed a rental agreement with Reach Robotics…


CHINA SHIP IS FOCUS OF PIPELINE DAMAGE PROBE, FINLAND SAYS

An investigation into the damage to the Balticonnector gas pipeline is currently
focused on the role of the Chinese NewNew…


GREENSEA IQ DEMO DAY: BAYONET’S TECH SHINES AT CORDAGE PARK

On October 17th, the waterfront in Plymouth, MA, was abuzz with innovation and
excitement. A demonstration and ribbon-cutting…


CONVERTED OSV ENTERS SERVICE IN THE UK AS AN UNDERWATER SURVEILLANCE SHIP

A converted offshore support vessel has taken on a new life as a dedicated
underwater surveillance ship for the U.K.'s Royal…


FEATURED COMPANIES


VIDEORAY

VideoRay is the largest volume producer of Underwater ROVs (Remotely Operated
Vehicles) in the world. Established in 1999, VideoRay has worked with technology
and mission partners throughout the world to develop and prove the small ROV
tool for a wide range of applications.


SUBCTECH GMBH

SubCtech is a German manufacturer, maker of the OceanPack ship based measurement
systems used for scientific research and industrial monitoring of water quality
and oceanographic parameters. SubCtech also excels in ROV and subsea Li-Ion
battery technology. The…


DIGITAL EDGE SUBSEA LTD

A world leader in offshore digital video recording (DVR) + inspection systems.
Digital Edge Subsea develops and manufactures DVR products for use throughout
the offshore oil and gas industry including diving, remote operated vehicle
(ROV) and topside operations.


NORBIT SUBSEA

NORBIT SUBSEA designs and develops wideband multibeam sonars for hydrographic
applications, forward-looking applications as well as advanced subsea leakage
detection. Our solutions are based on the latest in analog and digital signal
processing and our products…


HYDROCOMP, INC.

Hydrodynamic and propulsion system design tools for naval architecture and the
propeller trades – from concept to 3D CAD. Our core mission is providing
engineering tools to develop ships, boats, and other marine vehicles – and their
propellers – more efficiently and responsibly.


ADVANCED NAVIGATION

Advanced Navigation is a global company headquartered in Sydney, Australia. We
are one of the most innovative providers of inertial navigation systems,
acoustic navigation solutions, and robotics technology. Trusted by many of the
world’s leading technology companies…




SPONSORED


LEARN ABOUT THE NEW FEATURES THAT COME WITH THE TELEDYNE ODOM E20 5TH SOFTWARE
UPDATE


GENERATIONS OF INNOVATION IN SONAR & ULTRASONIC TECHNOLOGY AT MASSA






August 2023
Efforts to map the world’s oceans are ramping up, with new and emerging
technologies leading the way.
Read the Magazine
This issue sponsored by:


POPEYE: AUTONOMOUS ANCHORING FOR LARGE COMMERCIAL VESSELS





Search Marine Technology Jobs


SECOND OFFICER

● Military Sealift Command


ELECTRICIAN

● Military Sealift Command


FIRST ASSISTANT ENGINEER - MIXED WORK SCHEDULE

● Military Sealift Command


THIRD OFFICER - MIXED WORK SCHEDULE

● Military Sealift Command


FIRST ASSISTANT ENGINEER /CHIEF ENGINEER (ROTATIONAL 60/30)

● NOAA
Post Resume Employers –
Post Jobs



Marine Technology Reporter is the world's largest audited subsea industry
publication serving the offshore energy, subsea defense and scientific
communities.

Subscribe

Marine Technology ENews is the subsea industry's largest circulation and most
authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email three times per week

Subscribe for MTR E-news


 * Marine Technology Reporter Magazine
 * Subscribe to MTR Magazine
 * Subscribe to Maine Technology E-News
 * Marine Technology Mobile App
 * Marine Technology Directory
 * Contact us
 * Authors
 * Terms and Conditions
 * Copyright
 * Privacy

 * Oceanography News
 * Sea Technology
 * Ocean Technology
 * Marine Technology
 * Ocean Science
 * Marine Science

 * Maritime Propulsion
 * Marine Electronics
 * Maritime News App
 * Marine Engines Database
 * Maritime Mobile Apps