UK order for AUV extends scope of offshore services
SPICE will be used for cable and pipeline inspections, as well as more conventional surveys, both in the North Sea and elsewhere, after delivery to MODUS in 2021. MODUS has also committed to acquire a second SPICE unit subsequently.
The AUV, called SPICE (Subsea Precise Inspector with Close Eyes), features a submerged docking system and unique robotic arm for non-destructive testing. The solution, which has been designed and built by KHI, permits pipeline and subsea asset inspection operations down to depths of 3,000 metres.
SPICE launches itself, searches for the pipeline to be inspected, performs inspections, and returns to the docking station once its mission completes. As this entire process is handled autonomously, SPICE does not require a dedicated operator while the support vessel does not need to be capable of dynamic positioning.
The AUV features Sonardyne’s hybrid navigator SPRINT-Nav to support accurate and long-duration navigation on its missions. For underwater positioning and communications, the SPICE AUV is using Sonardyne’s AvTrak 6 – a combined transponder, modem and emergency relocator beacon all in one. KHI has also been using Sonardyne’s Mini-Ranger 2 Ultra-Short Baseline (USBL) system with a Robotics Pack to support tracking and communications during development and testing.
“Our goal with the SPICE AUV is to enable operational efficiency of inspection operations, to reduce cost and reduce the burden and risk experienced by crews working on support vessels offshore. We believe that Sonardyne’s instruments will support the highly accurate navigation of the SPICE AUV, supporting our goals,” says Noriyuki Okaya, Development & Design section, AUV Department Kobe Shipyard, at KHI.
The SPICE solution, which was originally developed for the maintenance and inspection of subsea oil pipelines, has potentially wider applications to other subsea asset inspection tasks, such as for umbilicals for power transfer and control signal transmission, or for offshore wind farm cables.
