Houston-based marine robotics company Ocean Infinity has signed a five-year global framework agreement (GFA) with energy giant Shell concerning subsea data capture services.
The GFA encompasses all countries where Shell is currently active or plans to operate in the future and covers the provision of lean-crewed and robotic seabed geomatics, spanning geophysical and geotechnical services, within the offshore energy sector.
Services governed by the agreement include the Armada fleet of high-tech, ammonia-ready uncrewed vessels.
Ocean Infinity noted that the partnership with Shell began with a project in Mauritania, simultaneously utilizing a fleet of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), marking the inception of surface robotics working in the oil and gas sector.
“This agreement enables new, lean-crewed vessels into high-value field work. Using our robotic fleet to service global offshore energy activities will power the maritime industry’s transformation into safer, more efficient new ways of working. It also solidifies a long-standing and valued collaboration between Shell and Ocean Infinity,” said Katya Krylova , VP Business Development at Ocean Infinity.
“Working through framework agreements like this allows us to achieve shorter lead-times, reduce risks, improve strategic alignment together with flexibility and scalability, work faster and ultimately supply our partners with their data more quickly. It enables us to optimise resources, making for more efficient and sustainable operations, such as by positioning our fleet more effectively to reduce transit times to and from work sites.”
To remind, Ocean Infinity took delivery of the last in a series of eight Armada vessels at the beginning of the year.
Vard received a contract to design and build these highly advanced, 78-meter vessels in November 2020 and in February 2022 won another contract for the design and construction of a new series of six multi-purpose offshore vessels, all of which will be operated from shore and will eventually utilize green ammonia as fuel.