Moving towards remote and autonomous operations

Fugro took the opportunity at ADIPEC to launch its Fugro Pegasus USV (uncrewed surface vessel), and share the benefits of remote and autonomous solutions. Ross Macfarlane, remote operations programme manager at Fugro, spoke to Oil Review Middle East about prospects in the region.

THE CLASS-BUILT 12 m USV, the first in the region, was operated live from Fugro’s booth, thus “proving the technology works and is real… it’s current technology, not an idea or future technology,” Macfarlane says.

Participating in the show had been very beneficial in convincing visitors of the technology’s potential, he comments, adding, “The introduction of this breakthrough technology is really exciting... this region in particular is very open to new technologies, wants to do things better and to have the most up to date and innovative solutions available. We’re looking to install this technology globally, and the UAE has proved to be one of the most accepting regions in actively supporting us to get it functioning. It’s groundbreaking and revolutionary for the industries here.” He adds that the weather and sea conditions in the region are also very amenable.

Macfarlane highlights the significant benefits of remote operations in terms of sustainability, safety and efficiency, pointing out that using a lighter uncrewed vessel can reduce carbon emissions by up to 95% compared with conventionally crewed vessels because of its relatively small size and the way it operates. “That’s a massive environmental benefit.” It is certainly something that will resonate in the UAE, with its net zero ambitions.

“There’s also the safety aspect; we’re removing people from the offshore environment, so that’s an improvement straight away, as working offshore in harsh environments is one of the main causes of accidents in the industry,” he points out.

“We’re the first USV operators to launch and recover an ROV remotely, and ours is capable of going up to 400 m depth, so the scope of work we can cover is very wide, ranging from Hydrographic survey to close inspection for pipelines and subsea infrastructure,” he continues.

“If there’s a gas leak in a pipeline for example, you can send the unmanned vessel to investigate it without direct risk to human life. There are safety elements on board as well; there are multiple communication systems and smart systems for the maintenance of control.”

In terms of operational efficiency, the USV revolutionises the way operations are carried out, Macfarlane adds.

“The vessel can run 24/7, constantly gathering data, so the volume of data which we can pass on to the client is going to increase, enabling them to get better insights into their assets,” explains Macfarlane. This will offer benefits in terms of predictive and preventive maintenance, potentially resulting in significant cost savings.

Expanding on the benefits of remote operations more widely, Macfarlane says, “Our ambition is for anyone who sits in front of a computer screen to do it from the shore, thus reducing the numbers offshore. Even in conventional vessels we’re reducing the crew on board and bringing them into the operations centre, for remote surveying, remote rig positioning etc.”

Discussing the impact of remote operations on the workforce, Macfarlane comments, “It’s a transition and evolution of the workforce, representing a relocation, not a reduction in numbers. The people are really key to making it work.

“We have been developing training courses to make sure we have a robust programme. Going forward, we are looking to introduce apprenticeships and new ways into the workforce, as job roles are going to change; we need to ensure we have an education system which supports this. People and skills is the crucial message. Technology, far from taking away people’s jobs, is creating new and more exciting jobs and career paths, and enabling them to develop new skills.”

So what is the future for remote operations in the region? “This is our first vessel, and there are plans to acquire another two next year,” says Macfarlane. “Where we go from there depends on the client uptake, but we hope to drastically expand.”

Certainly the signs are positive. At ADIPEC, Fugro signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports, which supported Fugro in bringing the Fugro Pegasus to the UAE, to expand the use of remote and autonomous technology. The agreement includes jointly developing procedures for the use and implementation of USVs in accordance with the requirements of the UAE, establishing an approved remote and autonomous testing site for USVs, and creating an industrycompliant training programme for Emirati nationals and international mariners, covering the operation of USVs or Marine Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). n

The Fugro Pegasus USV.