ROVOP Expands Fleet and Innovates to Help Operators Reduce Costs by 40%

Independent subsea remotely operated vehicle (ROV) service provider ROVOP has expanded its fleet of ROVs for the US region. The company has taken delivery of a new vehicle which will be the first of its kind for the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and, in a direct response to market conditions, is set to help operators reduce costs by 40%.

The commercially-proven Seaeye Leopard electric work class ROV, the most powerful vehicle for its size in the world, adds to ROVOP’s existing capability at its Houston base.

Managing director of Saab Seaeye, Jon Robertson, signs new ROV deal with ROVOP’s chief executive officer, Steven Gray.

Wayne Betts, President of ROVOP Inc., said: “The latest investment further strengthens our long established working relationship with Saab Seaeye. The Leopard system can reduce costs by 40% in comparison with traditional ROV systems, both in terms of equipment and personnel costs.

“ROVOP has realigned its service offering to ensure we are competitive, versatile and flexible to meet our clients’ requirements in this challenging market. Recent contract wins, coupled with an ongoing demand across our fleet, makes it clear how our adaptable and customer-centric approach works.

“We listen to our clients and take action to align with their needs. As part of this, we are working alongside our clients and suppliers to ensure we reduce costs and increase efficiency.

“Further savings are also achievable, beyond our lower charges, when using the Leopard vehicle due to the small topside footprint enabling deployment from smaller vessels and directly from platforms. The addition of the Leopard system further underpins our capabilities, enhances our service offering and will bring considerable added value for our customers in terms of cost effectiveness.”

The ROV’s immense power in a compact package offers work class capability in a small footprint that is significantly less than other vehicles used in the GoM.

With ½ ton forward thrust and its iCON intelligent control system, the 2000m-rated Leopard powers ahead at a speed of over four knots, whilst providing a stable work platform for handling significant work tasks in strong currents. This makes it ideal for the GoM region where loop currents often stop operations.

The system is ideally suited to work tasks such as drill support, pipeline survey, exploration, salvage, cleaning and IRM.

Managing director of Saab Seaeye, Jon Robertson, said: “We are extremely pleased that ROVOP has selected the Leopard system, which opens a new market segment in cost effective work class ROV solutions, and that they have decided to deploy this system in the GoM where we expect the industry will respond well to a step change in costs.

“The work capability of the system, together with its exceptional ability to work in high currents well beyond traditionally accepted ROV limits, gives us confidence that the Leopard will be a success in the GoM as it has been proving to be in other regions. Strong sales of the Leopard reflect the fact that it meets the need to reduce costs for operators.”