Subsea UK 2014 Developments in ROV Technology Smarter Technologies Enable Smarter Platforms (ROVs) => Improved Offshore Operations Nick Lawson
What does an ROV do? Any ROVs primary function is to provide a platform to get sensory and intervention equipment to the work site and carry out critical work effectively, efficiently and safely. 2
Effectiveness of an ROV? The ROVs effectiveness is governed by its, operational reliability and appropriate ruggedness ability to fit the necessary equipment to do the work ability to get the equipment to the work site ability to carry out the planned work at the work site all without presenting hazards to personnel or infrastructure If any of the above are not fulfilled appropriately the operation will be compromised. i.e. inevitably leading to downtime, effect on client schedules, consequential expense, damage to company reputation and likelihood of future work being affected. 3
Technologies to Improve Operations A number of new technologies are making it easier for pilots to get to the worksite and carry out operations faster with greater accuracy and with less risk. Kalman filter based navigation systems Improved vehicle auto control functions Visualisation software packages (many already used on vessels, by survey & projects) Integration with typical navigation software Integration with typical survey software Integration with mission planning software These improve real time coordination as well as mission planning and post mission lessons learnt. 4
Kalman Filter based Navigation Systems These provides accurate real world position of subsea equipment Latitude, longitude and depth below mean sea level Combines the data from many positioning sensors to provide an overall absolute position with greater accuracy than any one on their own and throughout the water column. North Seeking Gyro (RLG/FOG) with Inertial (INS) Accurate heading and attitude sensing - accurate all the time XYZ acceleration - good for short term relative positioning but high position drift rate Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) XYZ position relative to seabed - good relative positioning HPR (Hydroacoustic Position Reference e.g USBL) XYZ position relative to vessel Depth Sensor Accurate depth relative to vessel DGPS Latitude, longitude and height of antenna relative to mean sea level 5
New and Improved Auto Functions Improved auto functions Auto heading, depth, altitude, relative position New auto functions Auto absolute position (throughout water column) Waypoint following Remote command interface Allows connection to external navigation systems These are crucial to piloting efficiency for all types of operations WP4 Home Destination WP1 WP 2 WP 3 Other typical auto functions include auto cable/pipe follow, auto velocity. 6
Integration with Navigation and Survey Packages A variety of industry standard packages are used extensively by vessels and survey. E.g. Eiva Navisuite, QPS QINSy, Fugro Winfrog, etc. While these are used by ROV ops they are not extensively integrated with ROV control. 7
Integration with other Visualisation Packages Mission planning, simulation and training packages offer additional benefits to ROVcentric projects 8
Operational Benefits of Integrating Technologies By integrating these technologies with ROVs Accurate real world positioning Easier piloting Improved situational awareness and virtual visibility throughout operations for all ops personnel and clients Improved project planning and lessons learned Risk is Reduced Efficiency is Improved Quality is Improved $$$ 9
Complementary Technologies These technologies bridge the gap between the real world and the virtual world providing the pilot with definitive knowledge of their surrounding. They enable accurate monitoring and positioning of assets. Particularly useful where field data is unreliable or unavailable. Also where depth perception is crucial i.e. during intervention work. Situational awareness is key to mission efficiency. 3D Sonars 3D Cameras 10
General Technical Improvements Has to be able to carry out the missions. Safety & Reliability are still paramount! Continuous development and reduction of complexity in ROVs Elimination of complex control cans User friendly simple junction boxes Easier connectivity and greater versatility Ability to fit the latest sensory & tooling equipment Wide range of easily configurable interfaces RS232, RS485, ECL, GB Ethernet, SD, HD-SDI, 5V-120V AC/DC 11
The future Subsea Operations Platforms (ROV/AUV/???) Technology How do we make them better? (Intelligent/Simpler) 12
The future 13
The future? AUVs are already providing beneficial and economic vehicles during the exploration phases of life of field, however these are unlikely to be trusted sufficiently near subsea assets during the following phases particularly when producing. Due to the power required during the construction and decomissioning phases of life of field heavy workclass vehicles will continue to be required for these operations. During the long term production phase many inspection and intervention tasks can be carried out by lighter work class ROVs providing economies but with potentially reduced capability for unseen circumstances. 14
The future? Wireless light work class ROVs would provide an economic solution for many operations. Full mission awareness throughout missions Eliminate significant associated equipment (LARS and potential relocate Ops), smaller/less invasive, surface vessel requirements reduced Enable continuous inspection capability for subsea installations, including (limited) reactive intervention capability Eliminate issues with umbilicals/tethers drag & risk of snagging/breaking, no limit to operating sea state Can do everything an AUV can, but eliminates the complex decision making issues, should provide same level of confidence as an ROV Negate data retrieval issues of survey AUVs Etc 15
Forum Subsea Technologies The previous technologies provide accurate positioning and situational awareness. Forum have successfully flown a heavy work class ROV from a different continent via a typical satellite link. Forum are developing a novel subsea wireless communications and power solution to enable the physical link to be eliminated while still maintaining its remote operations capabilities. (its still a ROV!) 16
Forum Subsea Technologies If these blue sky technologies are successful they will enable a step change in ROV operations. Enabling significant benefits during the production phase of Life of Field, as well across many other areas/sectors and subsea operations in general No Complex Autonomy No Increased Risk Significantly Reduced Infrastructure Many Other Benefits, Possibilities and Opportunities for our Clients and Forum 17
Thank you. Any Questions? We welcome your feedback Subsea UK 2014 Developments in ROV Technology Nick Lawson www.f-e-t.com