The esteemed Spotlight on New Technology Award for 2024 has been presented to DeepOcean at the annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) for their groundbreaking Autonomous Inspection Drone (AID). The AID represents a significant advancement in subsea inspection capabilities, providing a cost-effective solution with enhanced data precision and quality, as emphasized by CEO Øyvind Mikaelsen.
A collaborative effort between DeepOcean, Argus Remote Systems, and Vaarst, the development of the AID has been supported and funded by industry leader Aker BP. The AID is built on the foundation of the Rover MK2 ROV from Argus, integrating advanced hardware and software packages. With Argus overseeing the AID platform and navigation algorithm, DeepOcean has taken charge of the digital twin platform, mission planner software, and live view operations, while Vaarst has contributed the machine vision camera Subslam 2x for autonomous navigation and data collection.
The AID, despite its compact size of 1.25 x 0.85 x 0.77 m and weight of 320 kg in air, is versatile and capable of operating in water depths of up to 3,000 m. With DP mode capability, as well as station keeping and remote control functionalities, the AID is a robust and adaptable tool for subsea inspection. Additionally, inspection data is efficiently streamed onshore, while the drone’s position is continuously relayed back into the digital twin to enhance situational awareness.
The AID has successfully completed subsea trials at Aker BP’s Alvheim Field in the central Norwegian North Sea. During a comprehensive 10-day inspection campaign, Aker BP and DeepOcean conducted thorough assessments of subsea trees and other critical infrastructure, effectively managed from the Edda Fauna vessel and Remota’s remote operations center in Haugesund, Norway.
This recognition at OTC 2024 reaffirms the industry’s dedication to technological innovation and excellence in subsea inspection. The continued collaboration and support from industry leaders, such as Aker BP, have been instrumental in propelling the development and deployment of the Autonomous Inspection Drone. As the industry moves towards more cost-effective and sophisticated subsea solutions, the AID stands as a testament to the advancements in autonomous technology, setting a new standard for subsea inspection capabilities.