Opening up offshore opportunities

Pipeline infrastructure, especially in the oil and gas industry, is vast and essential for the safe and efficient transport of resources. Regular inspections are crucial to prevent damage, leaks, and costly downtimes. Traditionally, these inspections have relied on human divers or large remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), or work-class ROVs but advancements in compact ROV technology, underwater drones from Blueye Robotics are changing how these inspections are conducted.

Pipeline inspections, particularly for long-distance pipelines, present several challenges. These pipes can stretch for thousands of metres and often include sensors, valves, and critical junctions that require close monitoring. Large ROVs, while effective in open areas, are not always suitable for specific, confined sections of the pipeline, especially near platforms or at pipe intersections. Blueye ROVs – such as the Blueye X3 – are designed to navigate and inspect specific points like leg platforms, fixed platforms, and wellheads with minimal risk to the structure.

Frequent inspection of hard-to-reach areas

Because traditional ROVs can’t always reach confined sections, one of the core advantages of Blueye ROVs is their ability to inspect pipeline sections that divers and larger ROVs cannot access easily. Areas such as platform legs, mooring systems, and confined spaces within cooling or ballast tanks often remain difficult to inspect, creating risks if problems go undetected. The small size and agility of Blueye ROVs allow for inspection within tight structures, including intricate pipeline systems and standing platforms.

This capability enables operators to perform more frequent, quick-check inspections of pipeline end terminals or junctions – critical points where leaks, biofouling, or structural defects might emerge. With a Blueye ROV, crews no longer have to wait for a scheduled large-scale ROV deployment and can instead monitor pipelines proactively. This increased frequency of inspections minimises downtime and helps operators maintain the structures through timely maintenance. The ROVs are designed for single person use, are portable, and can be easily operated; they take only minutes to connect and deploy, making them an excellent tool for everyday tasks and operations.

For instance, Noble Corporation recently used the Blueye X3 for a critical thruster inspection on a drill ship in Ghana, where fishing nets were suspected of entangling the aft thruster. By deploying the X3 underwater drone, Noble confirmed the thruster was clear, saving significant operational time and preventing a costly drilling stoppage, which would have cost up to US$200 000. This efficiency can be applied to pipeline-specific issues, where time-sensitive inspections are crucial for preventing shutdowns.

Targeted inspections of pipeline transit points and FPSO components

The unique vertical design of the ROV, with its low centre of gravity and balanced buoyancy, provides excellent stability for underwater maneuvering and recording. This stability allows it to efficiently inspect critical points like platform legs, valves, and junctions – where large ROVs struggle to maneuver. Congested and complex environments, like pipeline intersections near rigs or inside Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units, which process and store oil and gas in deep water, require routine and frequent inspection to ensure safety. Blueye ROVs can smoothly access these specific points without risking damage to infrastructure.

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Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/special-reports/23122024/opening-up-offshore-opportunities/