PXGEO has signed a one-year framework agreement with Equinor to conduct advanced autonomous subsea inspection tests using the Saab Sabertooth, a platform designed to operate without direct human intervention in offshore environments.
The initiative represents PXGEO’s first commercial contract focused specifically on autonomous subsea inspection and seeks to validate the operational performance of this technology under real working conditions.
How Are the Autonomous Subsea Inspection Tests Progressing?
The first test will be conducted off the coast of Norway. During the operation, the Saab Sabertooth will perform inspection tasks on subsea infrastructure through an autonomous docking process and subsequent mission execution in AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) mode.
To accomplish this, the system will use integrated sensors, including sonar and high-resolution cameras, with the objective of gathering information on the condition of subsea assets without requiring permanent support vessels.
In addition to verifying the equipment’s technical capabilities, the project will enable evaluation of the subsea intervention drone’s autonomous behavior in real offshore scenarios.
Technology Oriented Toward Uncrewed Operations
The Saab Sabertooth has been developed to combine intervention and autonomy capabilities in a single platform. Thanks to this architecture, it can execute subsea inspection tasks while reducing personnel exposure to complex offshore operations.
The validation of these capabilities is particularly relevant for an industry seeking to optimize operational costs, improve safety, and increase data availability on critical infrastructure.
Likewise, the use of autonomous vehicles opens new possibilities for periodic inspection of subsea installations related to energy production and other offshore activities.
PXGEO Expands Its Presence in the Subsea Market
The alliance with Equinor marks a new strategic step for PXGEO, a company specialized in marine geophysical services and data acquisition technologies for seabed exploration and characterization.
This is our first commercial contract in autonomous subsea inspection and the right partner and platform to execute it.
According to Peter Erkers, PXGEO’s Head of Strategy,
The collaboration also reflects Equinor’s growing interest in incorporating advanced technologies that enable acceleration of the transition toward more digitalized and efficient offshore operations.
A Market in Full Evolution
The tests planned during the agreement will serve to generate operational evidence on the use of autonomous systems in subsea infrastructure inspection. The results could contribute to broader adoption of this type of solution in large-scale offshore projects.
As uncrewed operations gain ground in the marine energy industry, initiatives like this demonstrate how automation and autonomy are redefining subsea asset management and offshore inspection strategies.
Source and photo: PXGEO
