Equinor, on behalf of the Njord licence, has awarded Saipem a subsea service contract using a wireless underwater intervention drone and a ROV. The 10-year contract, with five 2-year options for additional extension is worth an estimated EUR 40 million.
This contract which will make Equinor the first user of such technology, is estimated to be completed and put into production in 2020; at the time the Njord field resumes production in the Norwegian Sea.
Anders Opedal, executive vice president, Technology, Projects & Drilling of Equinor noted that
This is a historic contract in the oil and gas industry. It is the first contract signed for the use of advanced wireless drone services. We are pleased to secure a contract that will bring subsea technology a big step forward. Equinor aims to help shape the development of this type of technology, which this contract underscores.
Hydrone-R, the underwater intervention drone, is planned to operate autonomously below the Njord and features a variety of sensors aboard as well as other artificial intelligence features, so that it is capable for unmanned navigation and to autonomously detect any anomalies on a wide range of subsea systems. In fact, the Hydrone-R can be operated wirelessly and can also be connected to subsea infrastructures via through-water communication links.
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The Hydrone-R is the first ever resident subsea drone can stay underwater uninterrupted for 12 months. The drone is capable of covering an area within a 10-kilometer radius for inspections and interventions and can further cover an even larger distance via intermediate subsea docking stations for recharging; mission download or data upload.
Njord Operations Manager, Olav A. Godø, stated that
It is very exciting to be a pioneer for this type of technology offshore. Enabling personnel to plan and perform operations from shore rather than being flown offshore, this pathbreaking technology will also reduce costs
Furthermore, the ROV, Hydrone-W, will be connected to the platform like a traditional ROV and will be used for heavy intervention work. The machine is electric as well and can be operated without a surface ship from a Njord control room or from shore. Its work tasks will include supporting drilling activities and the entire plan of inspections and interventions on the Njord subsea assets such as the Pipeline End Manifolds (PLEMs), riser bases, umbilicals and flowlines.
According to a statement of Equinor, the use the electric technology will contribute to significant carbon reduction, a reduction in response time and will make operation possible regardless of weather conditions.
