Fugro completed a geological hazard study in ultra-deep waters off Sabah, in East Malaysia, for Petronas Exploration the campaign relied on an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to collect detailed information about the seabed and subsoil in the fields Megah y Limbayong.
The work was carried out between June and August 2026 with the aim of obtaining high-resolution data that would allow the identification of possible geological risks and support engineering decisions associated with the offshore development of both fields.
Echo Surveyor 8 analyzes the seabed off Sabah
To carry out the study, Fugro deployed his AUV Echo Surveyor 8 from the Fugro Equator ship the vehicle operated near the seabed to collect bathymetric, geophysical and shallow subsurface data.
This information allows for the characterization of site conditions before proceeding with the subsequent engineering stages. The data obtained will be used to assess geological risks and support both the technical design and development planning for Megah and Limbayong.
The use of the AUV also facilitated the execution of the survey in an ultra-deep water environment, by moving close to the seabed, this type of autonomous platform can obtain high-resolution information on areas intended for the development of offshore projects.
Remote operations support Fugro’s study
The campaign also had the support of Fugro Remote Operations Centre in Kuala Lumpur (KLROC), from where continuous quality control and processing of the data collected during operations were carried out.
The combination of autonomous acquisition and remote processing enabled a constant flow of information throughout the project. This provides Petronas Carigali with a more detailed technical basis for assessing seabed conditions and planning the development of the Megah and Limbayong fields.
The project also reflects the growing use of autonomous underwater vehicles and remote operations in the geophysical studies necessary to develop energy assets in deep waters.
Fugro reinforces the use of AUV technology in offshore projects
Safri Drahman, Fugro regional director of the Marine Site Characterization business line for Asia-Pacific, highlighted that the integration of advanced technologies with real-time remote operations allows for faster information gathering and improved execution of these types of projects.
Fugro specializes in the acquisition and analysis of geo-data for onshore and offshore projects, while Petronas Carigali is the main upstream exploration and production subsidiary of Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil and gas company.
The campaign carried out in Megah and Limbayong is part of the preliminary technical work necessary to assess risks and support the development of offshore resources in Malaysia.
Source: Offshore Energy
Photo: Fugro
