Routine subsea inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) tasks certainly represent some of the more challenging—and costly—deployments and traditionally rely on support vessels from which to deploy and recover the necessary equipment and technologies.
With the ongoing expansion of the offshore energy sector, and in particular, the accelerating and concerted efforts to plug offshore wind into the global energy mix, the growing appeal and subsequent adoption of uncrewed vessels for critical survey work is likely to prove instrumental in identifying—and sticking to—a sensible path to a more carbon-conscious future.
TECHNOLOGY TRIUMVIRATE
This is certainly the view of USV AS, a joint venture between DeepOcean, Solstad Offshore, and Østensjø that recently contracted Astilleros Gondán shipyard to build a USV capable of slashing the carbon the footprint of subsea IMR campaigns by more than 90 percent when compared to topside-heavy conventional approaches.
The 24 m x 7.5 m hybrid diesel-electric USV will be supported by an exclusive battery package developed by Seam, capable of powering remote offshore operations for up to 30 days without needing to recharge or refuel.
For closer underwater inspection and intervention measures, the USV will be supported by a 1,500-m depth-rated Work Class remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
REMOTE SUBSEA CAPABILITIES
While designed to perform several autonomous functions, the USV will be monitored and controlled by a shore-based command—a team of skilled USV and ROV operators.
To maximize the USV’s workable weather window, it will be outfitted with an innovative launch and recovery system (LARS) that is able to fully protect the integrity of the ROV and its tooling in a way that a conventional moonpool or A-frame system cannot.
This, according to DeepOcean CEO Øyvind Mikaelsen, is the key to guaranteeing safe and reliable remote offshore operations. Speaking exclusively to ON&T about this collaborative approach to engineering fit for-purpose uncrewed platforms, Mikaelsen said: “This project is about channeling the extensive collective expertise of three prominent commercial partners, all with vast experience of managing ISR campaigns in some of the harshest marine environments on the planet—the North Sea.”
The capacity to remotely control an ROV with such comprehensive tooling capabilities while being hosted from an uncrewed marine asset marks a true step change in bringing real-world solutions that harness cutting-edge technology in the name of driving meaningful efficiency gains.
Håvard Framnes, Investment Director at Østensjø, added: “In the age of remote operations, we believe our USV allows operators to prioritize personnel safety while guaranteeing operational efficiency.
“Once again, this demonstrates how the Norwegian offshore cluster is driving innovation across the ocean industry and ultimately leading the way in terms of developing future-proof products to help propel the energy transition.”
Delivery of the USV is expected by the end of 2024. The plan is that the USV, following offshore testing, will be ready for operations in 2025.
This story was originally featured in ON&T Magazine’s August 2023 issue. Click here to read more.
