In the past 30 years ROV technology has developed to become a trusted tool for deep-water exploration and building subsea energy infrastructure. Increased capability and flexibility, industrial modern work-class systems can be found working with efficiency and reliability at great depths for extended periods. In addition, smaller lighter ROVs are still the mainstay of inspection and survey duties. Big or small, ROVs are unseen heroes working day and night to literally keep the lights on.
DRIVING CHANGE
But as with any industry new legislation and new generations force progression and change. Much like the automotive industry the undersea robotics sector has had pressure on ease of use, operating costs and meeting the challenge of energy transition and plug in digital services. This has seen a drive for cleaner more efficient technologies such as electric propulsion and electric tooling solutions. At SMD we have made considerable investment in reducing the energy used by our products by up to 40% whilst simultaneously boosting the performance of our ROVs to cope with >3kn water currents.
More efficient propulsion opens up the use of battery packs. And we are seeing the emergence of a new classification of tether-less highly capable autonomous robot that can venture further afield. Previously these machines were torpedo shaped and limited to “on the move” data gathering. Now we see hovering versions coming to market that can stop, investigate, and intervene without a physical connection to surface.
This type of system requires new levels of onboard computing power, intelligence and decision making and is an area SMD are heavily invested in.
With the arrival of the above, the traditional ROV support vessel has come under pressure. It is expensive, produces a lot of CO2, and requires a large offshore crew and is constrained by the weather. For high-power heavy duty ROV systems, a constant surface fed power supply is still necessary. And we are seeing developments to reduce the size of support vessels through robotisation for this application.
REALIZING RESIDENCY
However, resident ROV systems eliminate the support vessel requirement completely. Permanently positioned under the sea, not affected by launch weather windows, they offer appealing advantages. Some versions of these machines dock with existing energy infrastructure, where they can recharge and download data. Other more radical solutions are pairing fly out ROV systems with autonomous underwater motherships. The concept of swarming ROVs working in unison to undertake simultaneous underwater tasks is becoming a reality rather than a cinematic fantasy.
The emergence of secure and fast broadband is a key enabler for change, not only for reduced size robotic vessels and no vessel resident systems, but also traditional ROV operations. Open ocean broadband offers high speed data links to anywhere in the world permitting control and oversight from shore. This requires less people offshore and can align to the work/life balance expectations of younger generations and can enable those who have so much offshore experience to remain in the industry, transfer their skills and know-how and be home in time for tea. Interconnected land-based stakeholders can see the same single source of truth, increasing efficiency and effectiveness of decision making to lower operational costs. This “over the horizon” digital technology is another key focus area for SMD.
So, going back to the original question—what has changed with ROV systems? Quite a lot. Progression has not just focused on the machines but the whole infrastructure surrounding offshore subsea robotic operations. It is the advances in infrastructure and interconnectivity which will unlock the biggest step change in the value ROVs bring to offshore operations.
This feature originally appeared in ON&T’s April 2024 issue. Click here to read more.
