Variabel oppdrift

Controlled Variable buoyancy of submerged equipment has been for a long time a requirement in the subsea and ROV industry. The IKM VBS (Variable Buoyancy System) is simply explained a method for controlling uplift by means of evacuation of fluid (water) from sealed compartments/canisters. This system does not utilize compressed gas in any form. The VBS allow underwater lifting and reposition of items heavier than the ROV can do by its own force and remove the requirement for surface lift wire and solid buoyancy elements. The principle is based on the fact that one liter of evacuated water generates one kg uplift. The VBS can be controlled to both evacuate and refill water as long as the ROV have the power and control enabled. Any depths where normal O&G operations is performed is within the capacity of the VBS. Components used will be designed to handle the differential pressure experienced based on working depths. In order to keep weight low, composite materials will be the preferred material for production. Introduction of the IKM VBS represent a new and revolutionary method to install and relocate items under water by means of ROV and significantly reduce operational costs.Deep Water Testing Successfully December 2018.

Ettersom endelig test offshore (Snorre B) ikke har latt seg gjennomføre pga infrastruktur utfordringer på installasjonen er det oppnådde resultatet basert på inshore test i fjorden utenfor Tau i Ryfylke. Denne testen ble gjennomført på 170 meters vanndyp fra fartøyet Despina. Her om bord ble ROV type Merlin WR 200 brukt for kontroll av pumper og selve VBS test enhet. Resultatet er vedlagt i rapports form. Konklusjon er at VBS virket etter hensikten og løft under vann, 5,5 tonn, ble verifisert. Dette gir TRL nivå 4 i Equinor sin vurdering.