Remote monitoring saves time, cost and mobilisations on construction project offshore Norway
PROJECT OVERVIEW
A UTEC comms hub was installed on a construction support vessel to facilitate a remote processing project on a development offshore Norway. UTEC, a Geo-services brand in Acteon’s Data and Robotics division designed the comms hub to be flexible and to have the capability to deliver all types of remote services including processing, operations, and monitoring. The flexibility of the system is crucial to support the ever-changing nature of offshore operations.
THE CHALLENGE
After the mobilisation of the comms hub, Havfram, UTEC’s customer, was requested at short notice to assist the central control room of an offshore production facility with the commissioning of a well. This required streaming video to monitor ROV valve operations in real-time at the offshore production facility and in separate client offices onshore. UTEC was able to quickly enable streaming services on the comms hub to meet this requirement without affecting the originally planned remote processing configuration.
CUSTOMER GOAL
Havfram’s goal was to complete the commissioning support activities as requested by their customer at short notice. The comms hub was used to do this by providing a cost-effective and rapid alternative to the mobilisation of a video telemetry system which would have taken several days to arrive in the field as well as involving extra equipment costs, personnel mobilisations, and additional time to install the equipment, both on the platform and the vessel.
OUR SOLUTION AND ITS COMMERCIAL BENEFITS
Market-leading services and integrated solutions
- UTEC used the comms hub to live stream ROV video directly to the platform control room and multiple onshore locations as requested by Havfram with no delay, resulting in the valve operations being completed safely, quickly, and successfully.
- Multiple technicians were able to monitor the operation without the need for additional personnel and equipment mobilisation, saving time and reducing cost.
- Havfram’s end client was able to perform vital operations to maintain production with minimal disruption.
- The UTEC comms hub facilitates all aspects of remote services by providing a secure and resilient communications link whilst being extremely efficient in its use of bandwidth.
Optimise the project to increase commercial value
- The comms hub provided live video streams from the ROV to the central control room, as well as additional onshore sites, to avoid the delay, cost and HSE exposure involved with mobilising extra equipment and personnel. This type of operation would normally require the use of a video telemetry system which would involve the mobilisation and installation of equipment in at least two locations.
Minimise the environmental impact
- To deliver this solution no extra travel, personnel, or equipment was required which contributed to reduced HSE risks and reduced environmental impact by avoiding unnecessary CO2 emissions.
Combine digital technology and data to enhance our expertise
- The comms hub was interfaced with the vessel video system and the ROV video was live streamed to multiple sites to provide a real-time solution that required no additional equipment.
- The UTEC video streaming client minimised the bandwidth used whilst allowing multiple users to see the data.
- The flexibility of the UTEC system allowed it to stream video simply by enabling a streaming license.
PRODUCTS USED
- UTEC Comms hub
Ross Leitch, UTEC EA Region General Manager: “UTEC is delighted to have supported Havfram at short notice using our remote services communications technology to successfully complete this operation. This example demonstrates our ability to rapidly provide a solution using the flexibility of our comms hub units for an operation that would otherwise have required mobilisation of additional personnel and equipment to the platform.”
David Turnbull, Havfram Offshore Manager: “We have successfully completed the flexible product pull-in activities and platform commissioning support as requested by our client. We were able to provide full video of the activities from the operations to multiple involved parties, which were performed efficiently and professionally to our client’s satisfaction.”
