Lowering Carbon Emissions, Increasing Worker Safety Through Remote Operations

By Simao Silva, Oceaneering

Remote offshore operations are becoming more commonplace as technology advances. The benefits are evident due to the reduced crew size required on the offshore asset, leading to reduced CO2 emissions and a safer work environment.

Oceaneering achieved proof of concept for remote piloting of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in 2004 with successful execution on multiple assets in the North Sea. To date, Oceaneering has completed nearly 70,000 hours of remote ROV operations from shore with technology adoption accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, lowering the number of personnel needed offshore while maintaining operational standards.

In simplified terms, the operation of ROVs has always been remote. The pilot controls the underwater robot from the floating asset, where all commands flow through a cable or fiber optic. Operating these robots from shore adds one chain to the communication link. The information is now also transmitted via the internet before it arrives at the machine.

Remote piloting and automated control technology enable complete ROV piloting via virtual connection technologies such as vessel-to-vessel radio frequency, satellite/internet and subsea optical link. This capability allows for increased technical and operational support from onshore during complex or long-duration activities, providing access to a broader team of subject matter experts (SMEs) and specialists.

In 2015, Oceaneering launched the onshore remote operations centers (OROC) enabling effective execution of offshore operations from a remote base. Working from an OROC eliminates offshore safety risks for the shorebased team.

In addition, it increases efficiency by decreasing the number of workers mobilized offshore, reducing operational wait time, simplifying the interaction between the customer representative and ROV pilots and operations. It also enables teams to manage multiple operations that require specialist oversight from a unique location.

Remote piloting of ROVs gained popularity in the North Sea due to the availability of high-speed communications infrastructure offshore. Previous trials of remote piloting have been performed in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) on the Ocean Evolution vessel using high latency satellite communications. In 2020, Oceaneering conducted the first commercial remote piloting of an ROV in the GoM utilizing the operator's existing infrastructure, including high-speed communications connected to a tension leg platform (TLP).

Managing the communications path is the biggest challenge in moving ROV control to an onshore facility. In the GoM, many offshore facilities are not in the LTE network range as in Europe, but this infrastructure is expanding fast with the adoption of radio links. The challenge is due to the location of the assets and their distance from the beach. In addition, offshore data communications links are narrow, diminishing the ability to transfer data in real-time. Because communications from the operating TLP were already available, remote ROV piloting was a prime candidate for this project.

Special equipment is needed to manage remote ROV operations. It relies on the data transferred from the offshore asset to the onshore facility. The ROV pilot needs to see and respond in near-realtime subsea for this solution to be effective. This scenario is especially true for work programs where it is vital to transmit the data from glass to glass (i.e., camera to monitor) in the least amount of time.

The data stream passed through a data transport system using secure, encrypted tunnels to transmit data between the offshore asset and onshore facility to ensure cybersecurity. The ROV control software has the flexibility to allow complete control of the ROV and manipulators by either offshore or onshore pilots. With a collaborative approach, the pilot at one end controls flight while the pilot at the other end controls manipulators. Cybersecurity is one area that receives the most attention, including using a specialized company to test the system by trying to hack into it.

A proprietary remote piloting system transmits this project's video, audio and control data. In addition, the configuration safely and securely controls and store data. Designed to upgrade the existing ROV control system, the remote piloting add-on was shipped to the offshore asset and installed by the ROV crew already onboard in a couple of days.

The activities carried out using remote operations from shore-based centers involve drilling support and subsea completions. Most are general visual inspection, close visual inspection, cleaning with less frequent operations involving valves actuation and tooling manipulation.

Training is an essential portion of remote operations projects. The pilots train on simulators onshore to learn how to adjust how they maneuver the ROV to account for signal latency to execute work subsea effectively. The training program also includes a portion designed to be asset specific. It allows team members to become familiar with the subsea field layout.

One of the main changes from the standard mode of operations is how the pilots interact with each other. They communicate via a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) communication link for remote operations instead of face-to-face. In this project, the training and familiarization process lasted approximately four weeks before responsibility for the controls was transferred to the shore-based remote pilot to execute the work scopes.

The ROV control software and data communication hardware ensured the pilots' safe and robust execution at both ends of the link. Control is handed over in a structured manner that involves a series of invite and acknowledge commands sent via the software. This methodology, along with visual and audible indicators, ensures that each pilot is fully aware of who has control of the ROV at any given time. In addition, the pilots are in direct voice communication with each other via a VOIP communication link.

With the positive results of the inaugural GoM project, this technology is gaining a foothold in the United States. In addition, as communication networks in the GoM improve, such as implementing 4G LTE in the region, remote operations will become easier to implement.

Simao Silva

Simao Silva is a Director at Oceaneering in Houston, TX. He has over 20 years experience in the subsea sector, 17 with Oceaneering. Simao studied Engineering at the Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), has a Business degree from Aspen University, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

A pilot and other personnel oversee remote ROV operations from an OROC in Stavanger, Norway. Courtesy of Oceaneering