By: Franyi Sarmiento, Ph.D., Inspenet, August 12, 2022
Houston-based subsea robotic services developer Nauticus Robotics, Inc. announced that it has signed an agreement with Shell plc to advance to the qualification phase for a more efficient means of acquiring subsea integrity data using Nauticus’ Aquanaut and Hydronaut robotic platforms.
This collaboration will allow Shell to add an advanced tool to its subsea asset integrity management pipeline with the potential to improve subsea operations. Shell and Nauticus will collaborate with the industry’s leading inspection tool service providers, leveraging their expertise and technology to fully integrate with Nauticus’ robotic services solution.
An initial feasibility study for the phase-controlled project was recently completed, and the team now moves into the operational qualification phase, which focuses on remote operations of the robotic duo using supervised autonomy and tool control using Nauticus’ acoustic communication network technology. The collaboration is aimed at the preliminary work required for an offshore pilot project.
This alliance will utilize the company’s flagship and all-electric underwater robot, Aquanaut, which is deployed from Nauticus’ small surface vessel, Hydronaut, which is used for Aquanaut’s transportation, recharging and communication, among other tasks. Together, this robotic pair will function as a unified solution to provide a new means of performing subsea work in the offshore service industry. Their inherent autonomous architectures will allow a transition to much more autonomous operations than conventional solutions.
This material from Petrobanca.com was edited for clarity, style and length.
Image: Nauticus Robotics
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