'Pioneer' USV agreement is made by DeepOcean and Aker BP.
'Pioneer' USV agreement is made by DeepOcean and Aker BP.
In order to "pioneer" the use of an unmanned surface vessel (USV) for subsea inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) and survey operations, oil and gas operator Aker BP and Norwegian subsea services provider DeepOcean have entered into an agreement.
When performing subsea IMR activities, the USV solution, according to DeepOcean, can cut CO2 emissions by more than 90% when compared to a traditional vessel.
The first USV is anticipated to be ready for offshore operations in 2025, at which point USV AS, a specialised supplier, will enter into an eight-year charter arrangement with DeepOcean.
"Aker BP looks forward to using the USV on our subsea fields after it has been built, tested, and is ready for offshore operations. It's a clever method that allows us to use well-known subsea technologies without needing to send a sizable vessel or an excessive number of people offshore, according to Jarle Marius Solland, Operations Manager for Subsea Execution and Survey at Aker BP.
The 24-meter-long vessel will be operated remotely from land, and while operations are underway, the vessel's crew and ROV operators will share a remote operational center.
It will have a battery package and a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, which should enable the vessel to operate offshore for up to 30 days without refueling or charging.
According to DeepOcean, the USV will be equipped with a newly developed launch and recovery system that enables the operation of work-class ROVs from relatively small vessels. It will also be outfitted with a work ROV that can operate down to 1,500 meters of water depth and a sizable tool package to perform subsea operations, the company said.
Aker BP has contributed to the development of the USV, and DeepOcean and Aker BP already work together under a framework agreement for subsea IMR and survey work. Both businesses have a long-term goal of shifting 30% of IMR work from conventional vessels to USVs.
"Unmanned operations is a logical progression from our long-term development partnership with DeepOcean in remotely controlled subsea operations. Our technology strategy is motivated by a goal to cut costs and emissions. Torbjrg Opedal, VP Subsea of Aker BP, stated that DeepOcean supports this aim.
The parties have agreed to work together to implement new technologies, with an emphasis on "Remote First," which enables the replacement of traditional vessel and tooling procedures with more effective, creative, and environmentally friendly ones.
The subsea activities pertaining to inspection, intervention, repair, survey, and emergent operations, as well as related onshore engineering and project management services, were awarded to DeepOcean by Aker BP in May of last year.