Norway-based ocean services provider DeepOcean has completed subsea dredging operations remotely from shore for the first time ever.
This milestone activity was carried out for Norwegian oil and gas player Aker BP.
DeepOcean’s remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) onboard the Edda Fauna were utilized for the seabed dredging, while the onshore operations were run from Remota’s remote operations center (ROC) outside Haugesund, Norway.
Remota is a joint venture between DeepOcean, Solstad Offshore and Østensjø Rederi.
“This latest advancement for remote subsea operations is paving the way for the Unmanned Service Vessel (USV) to be delivered later in 2024 and enter a long-term charter to DeepOcean. Remote operations are key to unlocking significant emission reductions and cost savings,” DeepOcean said.
DeepOcean and Aker BP have partnered up to “pioneer” the use of a USV for subsea inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) and survey work.
The first USV is planned to be ready for offshore operations in 2025 when it will go on an eight-year charter agreement with DeepOcean from specialist provider USV AS.
Earlier this year, the two companies performed subsea trials with an autonomous inspection drone (AID) at an Aker BP-operated field in the central North Sea.