First uncrewed pipeline inspection with a UUV and USV combination

Successful completion of the first uncrewed, over-the-horizon pipeline inspection for Equinor with an uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) launched and recovered from an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV).

LOCATION

Deployed from Bergen, Norway out into The North Sea.

KEY STATS

4 offshore pipeline inspected

2 UUV dives completed

175km of pipe surveyed

100 Up to100km from shore

6 days offshore operation

0 risk to personnel with no crew onboard

RESULTS

• Proven launch & recovery of UUV (Kongsberg HUGIN) from USV 'Maxlimer'
• Complete command & control of UUV underwater for two 20+ hour dives
• Real time monitoring of pipeline inspection data
• High-quality bathymetric, Synthetic Aperture Sonar & HD image data collected
• Risk reduction with mission executed by small team of onshore personnel
• Versatility of USV platform demonstrated for inspection, wreck survey, oceanographic floats, towed arrays & more
• Paradigm shift in safety, sustainability & cost reduction for offshore geophysical survey & pipeline inspection