The Future of the Observation ROV Market

The observation class remotely operated vehicle (ROV) market is forecast to grow by almost 10% annually between 2019 and 2026, and emerging market trends are providing exciting development opportunities.

In 2017, Seatronics, the lead brand within Acteon’s electronics and tooling segment, performed extensive market research into observation class ROVs. What we discovered drove the development of VALOR (Versatile and Lightweight Observation ROV), a new generation of observation class ROV set to positively disrupt the market with survey and inspection capabilities beyond those of other vehicles in its class.

Today, the observation class market is dominated by one or two key players, and there are hundreds of these vehicles currently in use. Although these ROVs are popular, it is becoming clear that exponential advances in power- and data-hungry sensor technologies, driven largely by the mobile telecommunications and automotive industries, are outpacing the capabilities of these vehicles and other, similar market offerings.

More advanced sensor packages require more bandwidth and higher power, as seen in larger light work and work class ROVs. These vehicles have higher mobilisation and demobilisation costs and require larger operating teams. This comes at a time when many customers, particularly those working in renewable energy, are trying to reduce their operational footprints by using smaller vessels and smaller teams while spending less time offshore.

Our mission has been to positively disrupt the observation class ROV market by offering an innovative platform that gives our customers a competitive advantage. We designed VALOR to meet the changing demands of the observation class ROV market. The vehicle provides customers with class-leading capabilities in three key areas: bandwidth, power (thrust capability) and size.

UNRIVALLED BANDWIDTH

VALOR supports bandwidth that is unrivalled in observation class ROVs: a 20-Gb/s Ethernet-based connection (expandable up to about 100 Gb/s) with throughput to five highly configurable sensor ports and three camera connectors. This level of connectivity is more synonymous with modern work class systems and is not typically found on an inspection class platform.

Therefore, VALOR can support the most advanced sensor packages available, unconstrained by bandwidth limitations. Of course, if clients just want a camera on a stick, VALOR can do that, too. But with options for a range of pipeline and dynamic laser scanning tools, and the ability to accommodate dual manipulators, customers can adapt the system however they want.

UNMATCHED POWER

VALOR boasts an unrivalled power and propulsion system, enabling the user to utilise the full thruster capacity without compromising payload operations. It has a dedicated 20-kW power supply that is available to the user via a dedicated auxiliary connector, enabling the use of more power-hungry tooling, such as cleaners and water-jetting tools, without the need for an additional umbilical. This not only reduces the risk of entanglement but also increases the vehicle’s capabilities. VALOR achieves this advance without impacting its ability to provide full power to the thruster system, which also outputs more force than any other vehicle in this class.

Combining this power with an intelligent thruster control solution enables VALOR to hold station in currents of up to three knots, which means it can operate in significantly harsher conditions than those typically associated with vehicles of this class. This is a great advantage for our clients working in challenging environments such as the North Sea, who can operate both earlier and later in the season. Downtime is also reduced, so customers can get the job done quicker and spend less time offshore, which gives them a competitive advantage when bidding for jobs.

A word of caution on the statement above: having a lot of thrust is not a new phenomenon for ROV pilots, however, having too much thrust can be just as challenging as not having enough when it comes to effective vehicle control. As part of the core design, several pilot-aiding features were incorporated into the VALOR experience to aid operations and improve data quality.

VALOR’s intelligent control software combines the pilot’s input with real-time sensor data to calculate the optimal power needed to manoeuvre and hold station. This provides a smoother and more accurate level of control in even the harshest of environments.

COMPACT FOOTPRINT

VALOR was designed to be a small, yet versatile solution with a more compact footprint than its market competitors while still boasting an increased payload capacity. It can hold as much as 19 kg of tooling and sensor equipment in various configurations. At just 86 kg in air, its light weight is a big selling point to a market seeking smaller and lighter operational solutions that can be mobilised onto significantly smaller vessels.

We are seeing a strong shift in the demand for small, yet powerful, observation class ROVs. Customers are sending a strong message that they are impressed with VALOR’s performance and are seeing great value for their investment. With repeat orders and also having a very buoyant rental market for customers with lower capital resources, 2021 has been very positive.

The scope of applications is also diversifying. Beyond oil and gas, we now see VALOR being deployed across an increasing range of renewable energy projects, in particular those for offshore wind farm installation and maintenance. These projects are actively seeking to reduce vessel time and the carbon footprint of operations: VALOR is perfect for this. Additionally, VALOR’s station-keeping abilities are excellent for underwater inspection in lieu of dry-docking (UWILD) projects.

In the future, we will likely start seeing ROVs launched from unmanned survey vessels and controlled from shore. VALOR has the capability for that, so it really does encompass everything that the observation ROV market is looking for at present, but on a very small and affordable platform.

For more information, visit: www.seatronics-group.com.

This story was originally featured in ON&T Magazine's Special December 2021 issue. Click here to read more.