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Intro to ROV: what is an ROV? Components of an ROVs Steps to an ROV survey Duties of an ROV pilot The ROV market in West Africa ROVs in the Oil & Gas industry References Appendix 1 blah blah safety rules

What is an ROV?
A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is a tethered underwater vehicle; it is a sort of underwater robot that allows the controller to be located above the water. ROVs are common in deepwater industries such as offshore hydrocarbon extraction. An ROV may sometimes be called a remotely operated underwater vehicle to distinguish it from remote control vehicles operating on land or in the air. ROVs are unoccupied, highly maneuverable and operated by a person aboard a vessel. They are linked to the ship by a tether or umbilical link. This is a group of cables that carry energy/electrical power, video/communications and data/information signals back and forth between the operator and the vehicle. High power applications will often use hydraulics in addition to electrical cabling. Most ROVs are equipped with at least a video camera and lights. Additional equipment is commonly added to expand the vehicles capabilities. These may include sonars, magnetometers, a still camera, a manipulator or cutting arm, water samplers, and instruments that measure water clarity, light penetration and temperature.

Components of an ROV
Conventional ROVs are built with a large floatation pack on top of an aluminium chassis, to provide the necessary buoyancy. Syntactic foam is often used for the flotation. A tool sled may be fitted at the bottom of the system and can accommodate a variety of sensors. By placing the light

components on the top and the heavy components on the bottom, the overall system has a large separation between the center of buoyancy and the center of gravity: this provides stability and the stiffness to do work underwater. Electrical cables may be run inside oil-filled tubing to protect them from corrosion in seawater. Thrusters are usually in all three axes to provide full control. Cameras, lights and manipulators are on the front of the ROV or occasionally in the rear to help in maneuvering. The majority of the work class ROVs are built as described above; however, this is not the only style in ROV building. Specifically, the smaller ROVs can have very different designs, each geared towards its own task. All ROVs contain some sort of visual device, such as a camera, to see under the water, and additional tools vary according to what type of ROV is being used. For example, some ROVs have multiple manipulators to carry out myriad operational functions at water depths up to 10,000 feet. As ROV technologies and capabilities have improved, the offshore oil and gas industry has come to rely on ROVs for drilling support and subsea construction services to enable deepwater exploration and development projects worldwide. Basically the major components that may be found on ROVs include, but are not restricted to these: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi)
(vii)

floatation/buoyancy pack camera and light systems depth sensor heading sensor velocity sensor (e.g. DVL) manipulators/cutters Additional sensors such as sonars, magnetometers, soil/water samplers, etc.

Types of ROVs ROVs can vary in size from that of a bread box to a large van. The functions ROVs perform can range from simply carrying a camera to observe subsea environments to housing multiple agile arms to perform numerous functions subsea. Used primarily for observation and inspection operations, Small Electric Vehicles are the tiniest version of ROVs. These robots simply carry a single

camera and are deployed in waters no greater than 984 feet (300 meters) deep. High Capability Electric ROVs are larger versions of their Small Electric Vehicle cousins. These ROVs are able to dive to depths up to 20,000 feet (6,096 meters), but they are still only equipped with video cameras and are unable to perform many other tasks because their electricity supply limits them. Primarily used by the science and military industries, High Capability Electric ROVs are unable to perform any heavy tasks typically required by the oil and gas industry. The next iteration of ROV, the Work Class Vehicle is powered electrically and hydraulically, enabling some more serious work subsea. Although payload and lift capabilities are restricted, the Work Class Vehicle ROV does generally include a seven-function manipulator and a five-function grabber. Most of this class of ROV is deployed in the drilling and construction support sector, as well as pipeline inspection. The most advanced version of ROV is the Heavy Work Class Vehicle ROV. This kind of ROV is capable of working in waters measuring up to 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) deep. Aptly named, the Heavy Work Class Vehicle boasts horsepower ranging from 100 to 250 and has lift capabilities up to 11,025 pounds. Additionally, these ROVs house multiple manipulators and grabbers capable of performing subsea tie-ins and deepwater installations. Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are the next step in ROV technology. It is most likely the next commercial ROV technology will be a hybrid between the AUV and ROV, with less umbilicals needed to connect the subsea robot to its above-water controller. As the oil and gas industry moves to a more subsea environment, ROVs will become an even more important tool in drilling, development and repair offshore. In fact, some ROVs are being built to work on specific subsea developments, with manipulators and tools designed for work on equipment in a precise field. In this case, as the subsea architecture is being designed, the ROV that will handle the subsea work is taken into account, as well, ensuring that all tasks at hand can be managed by the ROV.

An ROV Survey
ROV surveys are usually conducted with the aim of providing a visual inspection of a designated area or structure; while ROV intervention services focus more on subsea installation repairs and fittings. ROV interventions specifically require Work Class ROVs with good manipulators, payload and lift capabilities.

Basically the scope of work usually details what is required of the survey. Most times this comprises of a visual examination of a designated area (or structure) by an expert while the ROV pilot maneuvers the vessel. A video recording is made of the site, and sonar images are also recorded. The positions of noteworthy defects in the case of structural inspections are noted on camera shots. For a site survey, soil samples are also collected and analyzed. Field reports are usually a written based on a qualitative evaluation of the ROV video by either the Reports Coordinator or the Online Surveyor. Camera shots and sonar images are also attached. These are then checked by the Party Chief and the base project surveyor. After approval the reports are then issued to the client.

The ROV Pilot

The ROV Pilot works with security by operating the remotely operated vehicles from the drill rigs or vessels. It is the ROV Pilot's responsibility to keep components working in perfect operational and technical order in order to allow underwater and operations inspections. An ROV Pilot adheres to the security rules of the company and works with a team to carry out operations involving the recovery and launching of remotely operated vehicles. In addition, the ROV Pilot also has the responsibility of identifying and solving any equipment problems. The ROV Pilot must remove, inspect, test and replace electric engines, hydraulic engines, hydraulic valves, hydraulic pumps and electric pumps. It is the ROV Pilot's job to test the equipment, cables and video systems, in addition to testing and operating the light systems. Many ROV Pilots have a Technical Degree in Electronics, Mechanical or Electrical fields. Others have college degrees with additional courses in electric or hydraulic fields. Skilled ROV Pilots have abundant knowledge of hydraulics, maintenance, electronic and mechanics, in addition to having completed ROV related training.