Subsea and SeeByte to Create New Generation AUVs

Offshore engineering company Subsea 7 and software company SeeByte have joined forces to develop the next generation of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for the offshore industry.

The project aims to develop the first autonomous vehicle capable of inspecting risers, pipelines, moorings and other structures.

The AUV will also be used for docking, data exchange and light intervention activities, says Subsea 7.

The project will be carried out together with oil majors BP and Chevron, with initial onshore trials followed by full offshore operation trials.

The new generation of AUV's are expected to significantly change the way in which offshore inspection and intervention activities are carried out by removing costs and the need for a dedicated support vessel.

"Our vision is that this technology will meet our future inspection and intervention requirements and eventually reduce the need for intervention vessels for routine inspection and intervention work,” says Chevron Subsea Engineer Alexis Denz.

By Ozge Ibrahim