FIXED PLATFROM INSPECTION

Geo Oceans is a specialist provider of subsea inspection and survey services within the challenging offshore environment, using innovative Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) systems at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods in order to complete in-water inspections of fixed assets and platforms.

With the support of our parent company Vertech, we are capable of providing clients with industry-leading and turnkey class inspection services on assets under Lloyds Register, ABS and DNV GL classification societies. We have a wealth of experience across the globe inspecting subsea infrastructure, splash zones and platform jackets using our Asset Deployed ROV observation class systems.

Geo Oceans integrates state-of-the-art cameras, sensors, manipulator technology and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) systems onto small, powerful and agile Mini-ROVs. This allows us to provide services that traditionally are only possible using large work-class ROVs or divers, which also require costly dive support vessels.

Our Mini-ROVs are quick, efficient, cost-effective to mobilise, can be manually deployed from the platform and can operate in challenging sea conditions. The Geo Oceans team has developed subsea tools to improve the accuracy of our data and has armed our ROV systems with various technologies to stabilise the ROV to the structure if required.

Through using our Asset Deployed ROVs for fixed platform inspections, clients are able to unlock the benefits of omitting traditional diver and work class ROV inspection methods. 

Health and Safety

Asset-Deployed ROVs assist in the reduction of HSE risk by:
  • Implementing a diverless approach, removing all people-related risks within the water
  • Providing the ability to operate freely and safely within hazardous splash zones
  • Using intrinsically safe (Ex-rated) equipment and ROVs
  • Eliminating the need for manned entry into confined spaces

Facility Operations

Asset-Deployed ROVs assist in the reduction of any impact to facility operations through:
  • Providing the ability to conduct high-risk activities and other scopes of work without requiring facility isolations
  • Being flexible with survey operations and schedules
  • Reducing the amount of personnel required for scopes
  • Simplified installation processes of launch and retrieval systems (LARS)

Cost Reduction

Asset-Deployed ROVs assist in the reduction of operational cost through:
  • Reducing expenditure on costly diving crews
  • Reducing the amount of personnel required to complete works
  • Improved efficiency in scope completion
  • Multi-site inspections of the same facility being achieved within a single mobilization
  • Eliminating the need for additional survey and support vessels

Improved Data Quality

Asset-Deployed ROVs assist in the improvement of data quality through:
  • Being able to gain access to all subsea components and structures
  • Providing HD video recordings and surveyor commentary for al CVIs and GVIs
  • Being capable of 3D modelling facility components
  • Using stereo cameras for measurements
  • The ability to conduct marine growth assessments
  • Improved NDT capabilities (UTM & CP)
  • Innovative tools for the preparation of surfaces that are to be tested
  • Advanced NDT capabilities (ACFM & Corrosion Mapping)
  • ROV stabilisation systems

ROV Positioning, Navigation and Retrieval

ROV dive plans and navigation procedures are prepared prior to mobilisation and deployment. Our ROVs have sensors that allow the pilot to navigate around the asset or seafloor and to locate target structural components or areas. The sensors include a compass, depth sensor, video cameras, scanning sonars, and if required, INS and USBL.

The small size and weight of our mini-ROV systems provide flexibility in the deployment and retrieval methods. Our ROVs can be handled and deployed manually by two personnel using simple davit and winch systems from any area on the platform.

The mini-ROV can be deployed from several different locations on the facility to allow safe and efficient access to all areas of the vessel hull. Deployment locations can be established in liaison with the facility management to maintain safe operations and to minimize disruption to the facility and other operations. Deployment locations can be clearly marked with barriers and tags to segregate the work zone. Only intrinsically safe and facility-approved pools snd equipment are used when operating in hazardous areas.

Marine Growth Removal and Hull Cleaning

Geo Oceans conduct detailed subsea asset structure marine growth assessments with modeling to predict the effective marine growth thickness for future periods, supporting asset life extension applications and engineering requirements. 

Any areas of the subsea asset that are covered in marine growth or are badly corroded can be cleaned for coating assessments, visual inspection (GVI and CVI), contact and proximity cathodic protection potential (CP), ultrasonic thickness measurements (UTM), and advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) inspections. 

Marine fouling can be removed causing minimal damage to the coatings or infrastructure, using tools including mechanical scrapers, brushes, and high-pressure water blasters.

The cleaning tools can be mounted to remote subsea crawlers systems deployed by ROV, to provide a great level of control and accuracy of the cleaning. The same robotics may simultaneously clean and inspect the asset using advanced NDT sensors. 

Project Examples