Global industrial AI-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) company Cognite has partnered with exploration and production (E&P) firm Aker BP to deploy the quadruped robotic dog ‘Spot’.

The strategic collaboration is aimed at leading the remote-controlled offshore mission on the Skarv installation, which is 210km offshore in the North Sea.

It is built on the digital agenda of the two companies to transform the offshore industry through digitalisation.

The partnership is expected to result in improved efficiency, enhanced safety, and sustainability.

Aker BP CEO Karl Johnny Hersvik said: “We are eager to explore how robotics systems can make offshore operations safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.

“The Spot offshore visit at the Skarv FPSO is one small step towards Aker BP’s vision to digitalise all our operations from cradle to grave to increase productivity, enhance quality, and improve the safety of our employees.”

In February, Spot was issued an official employee number at the Aker BP Capital Markets Day.

Furthermore, Aker BP has many other projects which involve drones.

The E&P firm has additional mobile robots to deliver optimised remote operations using the SaaS company’s data-driven technology.

Cognite CEO John Markus Lervik stated: “This historic pairing of minds and machines working together to solve industry problems demonstrates that data-driven decisions can change industry now.

“This ability to guide Spot by remote control is a huge step forward for the industry and something we will continue to work closely with our partners on as we continue to innovate and provide data-driven solutions.”

This February, Aker BP partnered with Cognite to explore the potential of robotics in the offshore oil and gas industry.

In August 2018, Aker BP signed a smart service contract with Cognite and Framo Services to digitalise its Ivar Aasen platform in the North Sea.