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Fugro and NOAA partner to advance remote deep-ocean mapping

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Fugro and NOAA Ocean Exploration have entered into a five-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to design and deploy remote and uncrewed technologies that will accelerate deep-ocean mapping and characterisation.

This public-private partnership aims to close critical data gaps in one of the least understood parts of our planet, enabling informed decisions about offshore energy, marine resource management and national security.

The collaboration combines NOAA’s scientific and operational expertise with Fugro’s leadership in remote and uncrewed systems. [Read more…] about Fugro and NOAA partner to advance remote deep-ocean mapping

Fugro secures two contracts to support Brazil’s offshore energy expansion

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Fugro has signed two three-year contracts with offshore energy services company Constellation to support responsible deepwater exploration activities in two of Brazil’s most strategically important regions: the mature Campos Basin and the emerging Equatorial Margin.

The contracts come as Brazil works to strengthen its long-term energy security by developing its domestic oil and gas resources as a strategic bridge to low-carbon developments.

Fugro’s work will involve deploying advanced remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) aboard Constellation-managed vessels to carry out subsea equipment inspections, interventions and a range of observation and survey activities. [Read more…] about Fugro secures two contracts to support Brazil’s offshore energy expansion

Fugro and Spoor to develop bird-monitoring solution for offshore renewable energy projects

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Fugro and Spoor, a software company that helps renewable energy projects reduce their environmental impact, have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a new bird-monitoring solution for offshore renewable energy projects.

This innovative system will not only help protect bird populations but also supports the growth of renewable energy by making environmental assessments more affordable, cleaner, and safer.

The solution uses video cameras installed on Fugro’s SeaWatch Wind Lidar and other metocean buoys to record bird activity at wind farm locations. Spoor’s advanced computer vision and AI software then analyses these recordings to quickly and accurately identify bird species. [Read more…] about Fugro and Spoor to develop bird-monitoring solution for offshore renewable energy projects

Fugro pioneers uncrewed subsea inspections in Brazil for Petrobras

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Petrobras, a Brazilian multinational petroleum industry giant, has signed a 175-day addendum to Fugro’s current inspection, repair and maintenance services contract, performed by the Fugro Aquarius, to include fully remote subsea inspection surveys of shallow-water infrastructure in Brazil.

Work will begin in January, leveraging Fugro’s advanced Blue Essence uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and Blue Volta electric remotely operated vehicle (eROV) technology to enhance inspection safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

The contract marks Fugro’s first use of these innovations in the Americas, following successful applications in Australia, the UK, and the Middle East. [Read more…] about Fugro pioneers uncrewed subsea inspections in Brazil for Petrobras

Fugro strengthens position in marine robotics with acquisition of Sea-Kit International

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Fugro has reached a binding agreement for the acquisition of the remaining shares in Sea-Kit International, a long-standing partner in the development of hi-tech uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for low carbon emission maritime operations and research.  [Read more…] about Fugro strengthens position in marine robotics with acquisition of Sea-Kit International

Fugro SpAARC’s space operations set to grow with further funding

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Fugro’s Space Automation, AI and Robotics Control Complex (SpAARC) in Perth, Western Australia (WA), is to receive an additional AUD 5 million (just under $3.2 million US) in funding from the WA Government.

Roger Cook, the WA Premier, made the announcement at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth on the morning of the opening of IPSEC 2023, Perth’s Indo-Pacific Space and Earth Conference for leaders in space and cross-sector technologies.

This additional funding cements Fugro SpAARC’s position as an international hub for space activities and will boost both WA’s and Fugro’s capacity for space mission operations. [Read more…] about Fugro SpAARC’s space operations set to grow with further funding

Fugro’s marine robot completes ‘world’s first’ fully remote offshore wind ROV inspection

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What is being described as “the world’s first” fully remote inspection of offshore wind farm assets has been successfully carried out by Fugro, using one of its Blue Essence uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) with Blue Volta, an electrical remotely operated vehicle (eROV).

The inspection at the Aberdeen offshore wind farm in the North Sea (also known as the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre) was jointly funded by Vattenfall and Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.

This partnership gives innovators in the offshore wind supply chain the opportunity to test and prove technologies in real-world conditions to support innovation in operations and maintenance. [Read more…] about Fugro’s marine robot completes ‘world’s first’ fully remote offshore wind ROV inspection

Fugro marine robots locate World War II ship 80 years after tragic sinking

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In an extraordinary mission that took nearly five years of planning, Fugro has played a key role in locating the wreck of the Montevideo Maru, one of the worst international maritime disasters in history.

In close partnership with the Silentworld Foundation and the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Society, and support from Australia’s Department of Defence, Fugro used their unparalleled deepwater hydrographic and oceanographic expertise to successfully identify the wreckage of the Japanese transport ship at a depth of more than 4,000 metres off the coast of the Philippines.

The Montevideo Maru was carrying approximately 1060 prisoners of war and civilians when it was sunk by an American submarine in 1942 during World War II. [Read more…] about Fugro marine robots locate World War II ship 80 years after tragic sinking

Fugro and Petrobras pioneer remote subsea inspection in Brazil

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Fugro and Petrobras have achieved a major milestone in Brazil’s offshore energy sector by successfully completing the country’s first-ever remote subsea inspection survey.

This technology trial was carried out by Fugro in collaboration with Petrobras under an existing multiyear contract with the aim of minimising risk and improving sustainability during inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) projects.

Fugro utilised a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployed from the Fugro Aquarius to conduct the survey. Office-based personnel piloted the ROV from an operations centre in Aberdeen, Scotland, instead of from the vessel itself. [Read more…] about Fugro and Petrobras pioneer remote subsea inspection in Brazil

Fugro provides uncrewed surface vessel to TAQA

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Fugro has completed its first fully remote offshore survey inspection in the European North Sea for energy company TAQA using one of its Blue Essence uncrewed surface vessels (USV) with Blue Volta electric remotely operated vehicle (eROV).

The complex project, in Europe’s busiest part of the North Sea, involved the inspection of two platforms and over 40 kilometres of pipeline off the coast of the Netherlands.

The inspection investigated the mobility of the seabed, pipeline depth measurements, visual inspections and cathodic protection measurements within the 500-metre zone to ensure the integrity of TAQA’s assets. [Read more…] about Fugro provides uncrewed surface vessel to TAQA