OceanTech Develops Inspection Robot Prototype

OceanTech has been awarded a Subsea Research Project ''ANDWIS'' (Automated Non- Destructive Weld Inspection Robot) within the Petromax 2 program.

Inspection Robot

Project Manager Geir Ingar Bjørnsen explain the new Robot to be a game-changer in detecting fatigue cracks in Jacket Structures subsea and in the Splash Zone.

The major challenges in the Splash Zone for such inspections are the forces from the current and waves, as well as the complex geometry to follow. Divers has a huge HSE challenge working in this zone, and ROV’s has major challenges in positioning due to the movements. Different types of crawlers have also problems with the positioning and being able to do efficient inspection in this zone.

To solve these challenges, OceanTech has developed a robot prototype which holds on to the structure and can move along the welds to be inspected. The research project will develop brand new technology to make the control easier, and with new sensoring to make the robot autonomous.

Inspection Robot also for Subsea use

In addition to being able to do efficient inspection in the Splash Zone, the robot can be used at deeper water and being deployed by ROV’s. The Robot will be connected to the ROV’s control system and powered from the ROV.

OceanTech Vertical Access Tool (VAT) will deploy the new system in the Splash Zone

It is also likely that the ANDWIS robot can bring other sensors and NDE equipment like wall thickness measurements, CP or FMD inspection.

Many of the older offshore installations have major issues related to corrosion and structural damages, especially in the Splash Zone (+5 to -10 meters). There are cases where Jacket Structures have large crack’s, which can be critical for the structure integrity. Most oil-companies are today choosing to inspect and monitor these structures (which is very costly) or to repair it using different kinds of clamping solutions.

In cases with Life Time Extension, such inspections are also an important as input to the calculation related to remaining lifetime.

OceanTech has since 2007 developed robotized access tools for operations in the Splash Zone on offshore installations. This work was started under Linjebygg Offshore, where the Splash-Zone division was bought by OceanTech in 2017. By utilizing robust and flexible access tools, OceanTech has successfully completed mechanical work, inspections and maintenance that require a high degree of precision.