Robots in the offshore oil and gas industries: a review of recent developments
ISSN: 0143-991x
Article publication date: 13 November 2019
Issue publication date: 16 January 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide details of recent developments in robots aimed at applications in the offshore oil and gas industries.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a short introduction, this first discusses developments to remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). It then describes the Total-sponsored Autonomous Robot for Gas and Oil Sites (ARGOS) robot challenge. This is followed by a discussion of the Offshore Robotics for Certification of Assets (ORCA) programme. Finally, brief concluding comments are drawn.
Findings
Subsea residency and other techniques are being developed that will enhance the availability and capabilities of AUVs and ROVs and reduce their operating costs. Mobile robots that can operate in harsh topside rig environments to monitor and detect hazards arose from ARGOS and are being developed further prior to commercialisation. Bringing together academics and users, the collaborative ORCA programme is making significant progress in the development of aerial, topside and underwater robotic and sensing technologies for rig asset inspection and maintenance.
Originality/value
This paper identifies and describes key development activities that will stimulate the use of robots by the offshore industries.
Keywords
Citation
Bogue, R. (2020), "Robots in the offshore oil and gas industries: a review of recent developments", Industrial Robot, Vol. 47 No. 1, pp. 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1108/IR-10-2019-0207
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited