In context
By late 2024, offshore energy operators were increasingly adopting uncrewed surface vessels and electric remotely operated vehicles to reduce safety risks and carbon footprints in subsea inspection. Fugro's contract with Petrobras marked a notable step in bringing these technologies to the Americas.
What was reported
Petrobras signed a 175-day addendum to Fugro's existing inspection, repair and maintenance contract, performed by the Fugro Aquarius, to include fully remote subsea inspection surveys of shallow-water infrastructure in Brazil. Work is set to begin in January, using Fugro's Blue Essence uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and Blue Volta electric remotely operated vehicle (eROV).
This marks Fugro's first use of these innovations in the Americas, following successful applications in Australia, the UK, and the Middle East. The uncrewed solution eliminates the need for on-site personnel, reducing carbon emissions by 95 percent and lowering risks associated with traditional offshore operations. It also provides clients with near real-time access to project data for faster decision-making.
Fugro's Remote Operations Center (ROC) in Rio das Ostras, near Petrobras' port of operations, will support the work, positioning Fugro as a leading provider of Geo-data solutions in the region.
Why it mattered
This deployment demonstrated that fully remote subsea inspection can be commercially applied in major offshore energy markets, offering a template for reducing environmental impact and improving safety across the industry.
“Conducting offshore work from the safety and comfort of an onshore office environment, allows us to reduce our environmental impact and enhance our operational safety while delivering high-quality inspections.”
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2024-12-20 · “Fugro pioneers uncrewed subsea inspections in Brazil for Petrobras”