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DEMO2000-Prosj.ret tekn.utv. petro.virk

Development of a Field Gradient Sensor (FiGS®) for autonomous subsea vehicles

Alternative title: Utvikling av feltgradientsensor FiGS® for autonome undervannsfarkoster

Awarded: NOK 4.7 mill.

Project Number:

282085

Project Period:

2018 - 2020

Location:

Partner countries:

FORCE Technology Norway (FTN) is introducing a revolutionizing way to inspect subsea structures and pipelines combining their innovative Field Gradient Sensor (FiGS®) with Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) through the project ?Development of a Field Gradient Sensor for AUVs?. To achieve this, the existing sensor must be modified into a smaller, lighter version that is also customized for higher speed and autonomous operation. Until now, subsea surveys with FiGS® have been carried out with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Subsea vehicles are now moving towards automation using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV). This allows for inspection of longer pipelines in a significantly shorter amount of time, avoiding the heavy vessels and equipment required in an intervention with ROVs. The autonomous approach will also be important for use in arctic regions, where ice will pose a challenge for tethered vehicles. Surveys with AUVs are expected to reduce the duration of a pipeline survey by approximately 80%, resulting in significant savings for the Oil & Gas operators. This innovative way of conducting CP surveys brings new technological challenges for the current FiGS®, which requires a re-design. According to project plan, FTN has performed re-design of existing sensor for use in combination with AUV. The development has primarily been related to mechanical design with respect to adapting the technology to a physical small sensor and electronic that must adapt data collection and management at higher speed and longer inspection durations. FTN has re-designed the FiGS® sensor to comply with AUV requirements by close cooperation with several AUV suppliers. Several tests have been performed with AUV platforms in the period 2018-2019. The tests have confirmed that FiGS® redesign complies the various requirements. FiGS® are tested with the following AUV platforms during the project: - Hugin, testing with Oceaneering and Shell Global - Sabertooth, testing complete in cooperation with Modus - Hugin, first test performed in cooperation with Kongsberg - Freedom, first test planned in Q4 2019 in cooperation with Oceaneering - Flatfish, development project started in cooperation with Saipem and Shell Brazil The latter project with Saipem includes further development of resident AUV with FiGS®. AUV and FiGS® will use a docking station on the bottom of the sea for loading between inspection activities. This means new challenges for the functionality of the FiGS® and is not covered by this existing DEMO 2000 project. Performed tests have also identified other challenges that must me handled in the further development of FiGS® sensor technology: 1. The mechanical device for fixing the FiGS sensor to the AUV was not functional during launch and recovery of AUV. Design for fixing of FiGS sensor to the AUV used during these tests must therefore be adapted to the various AUV platforms. 2. Post-processing of data showed that the FiGS sensors also received signal (noise) from the AUV. The made post-processing of FiGS data impossible. The solution is optimizing the FiGS® positioning on the AUV to remove all/most noise. If this is not possible, the signal/noise from AUV must be identified prior to inspection in order to have it removed by sensor software. Even of further development of FiGS® combined with AUV is identified, FORCE Technology has concluded that the main objects of this DEMO 2000 project are met, and the project can be closed as a success.

FTN har redesignet FiGS sensoren for å tilfredsstille AUV kravene og jobbet tett med flere AUV leverandører. I perioden 2018-2019 er det gjennomført flere offshore tester og demonstrasjoner med ulike AUV plattformer. Disse har bekreftet at FiGS® redesign tilfredsstiller de krav som var forutsatt.

Funding scheme:

DEMO2000-Prosj.ret tekn.utv. petro.virk