Advances in ROV & AUV Capabilities and Tooling for Energy Applications

摘要

Abstract Deepwater oil and gas operations often deal with harsh environmental conditions which pose numerous challenges for the design and deployment of in-well, topside, and subsea systems and stretch the performance envelopes of the associated equipment. High pressure, temperature, and well flows require specialized downhole and subsea equipment with robust and resilient performance specifications. Punishing surface and subsea conditions such as wind, wave, and loop currents can make it difficult to locate and maintain subsea equipment with typhoon and hurricane seasons in various parts of the world generating up to100 mph winds and 12-foot storm surges which can force facility evacuations. Because of all these factors, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have become critical for ensuring the safety and integrity of deepwater operations. ROVs are typically tethered to a surface vessel by a cable and are controlled remotely by a human operator, while AUVs are self-sufficient and can operate independently without a human operator. These specialized underwater robots are used for a variety of critical under-water applications, which range from monitoring and inspection to rescue and repair. This paper discusses recent advancements in the use of ROVs and AUVs in deepwater operations, specifically focusing on design considerations as defined by the interplay between water depth, buoyancy, propulsion and stabilization requirements during service operations. It also covers auxiliary tooling systems - the various tooling kits used for inspection, repair, and maintenance missions, all of which are fundamental to maintaining the safety and reliability of subsea systems. Finally, the paper explores innovations in the range of capabilities for special missions, deployment techniques, power sourcing options, the effect of different communication systems on the degree of autonomy and the range of underwater vehicle navigation systems.