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Designing for Depth: Overcoming Engineering Challenges in Subsea Habitats

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As humanity ventures further into the oceans, the concept of living and working beneath the waves has evolved from science fiction to tangible reality.

Subsea habitats – pressurized structures that allow humans to live and conduct research underwater for extended periods – present unique engineering challenges that demand innovation across materials science, structural design, environmental control, and human factors.

Designing these habitats requires a multidisciplinary approach that can withstand immense pressure, guarantee safety, and enable long-term occupancy in one of the planet’s most hostile environments. [Read more…] about Designing for Depth: Overcoming Engineering Challenges in Subsea Habitats

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

Beam unveils new underwater robot for wind farm operations

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Beam, a provider of high-technology offshore wind services, has launched a new autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

Scout, a concept expected to enter the market in 2025, will put the power of subsea inspection directly in the hands of wind farm operators.

The company says this is “an important step” in Beam’s journey to develop cutting-edge underwater technologies that transform the viability and scalability of offshore wind. [Read more…] about Beam unveils new underwater robot for wind farm operations

Chouest acquires ROVOP to expand subsea capabilities

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The Chouest Group is pleased to announce its acquisition of ROVOP, a leading remotely operated vehicle (ROV) company. With this acquisition, Chouest, alongside its subsea service company, C-Innovation, will now control a fleet of over 100 ROVs and 6 autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).

Bringing ROVOP under the Chouest umbrella not only expands Chouest’s service offerings but also provides ROVOP with enhanced resources.

ROVOP will benefit from the support and capabilities of other Chouest companies, including its vessel based operations, Caltex Oil Tools, Bram Offshore and C-Innovation, allowing it to better serve existing clients and attract new business with expanded service offerings. [Read more…] about Chouest acquires ROVOP to expand subsea capabilities

Nauticus Robotics raises $12 million in new investment

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Nauticus Robotics, a developer of subsea robots and software, has raised an additional $12 million as part of a second tranche of investment.

The new investment will expedite certification of Nauticus’ flagship robot, the Aquanaut, which facilitates the transformation of tethered ROV (remotely operated vehicle) operations to fully autonomous operations.

It is expected to perform numerous tasks in water depths ranging from 200 to 2,000+ meters during February in preparation for an inaugural job inspecting a deep-water production facility of a major oil and gas company in the Gulf of Mexico. [Read more…] about Nauticus Robotics raises $12 million in new investment

Nauticus to supply Aquanaut to Petrobras Brazil

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Nauticus Robotics, a developer of autonomous robots using artificial intelligence for data collection and intervention services for the ocean industries, has been awarded a contract with Petrobras, one of the world’s largest energy companies, to deploy Aquanaut, the company’s autonomous subsea robot, to support Petrobras’ offshore activities.

Petrobras has ramped up efforts recently in robotics and artificial intelligence and is pioneering their application to the offshore sectors.

Toward that end, this relevant contract was competitively awarded to Nauticus and will utilize Aquanaut in Petrobras’ Deepwater Production Field using supervised autonomy for infield inspection services. [Read more…] about Nauticus to supply Aquanaut to Petrobras Brazil

Nauticus Robotics and Leidos agree $2.7 million contract extension

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Nauticus Robotics, a developer of autonomous robots using artificial intelligence for data collection and intervention services for the ocean economies, has been awarded an additional $2.7 million under its current contract with Leidos, science and technology company.

The funded a extension allows continued development of an Aquanaut-derivative in preparation for customer adoption decisions and government opportunities expected later this year.

The state-of-the-art subsea platform, an unmanned underwater vehicle (“UUV”) with advanced artificial intelligence, sensing capabilities, and more can perform a growing number of jobs without hazarding human divers. [Read more…] about Nauticus Robotics and Leidos agree $2.7 million contract extension

Nauticus Robotics launch new generation of its Aquanauts

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Nauticus Robotics, a developer of autonomous robots using artificial intelligence for data collection and intervention services for the ocean industries, has launched the first of three second-generation Aquanauts, dubbed the “Mark 2” (MK2).

The Aquanauts will now start commissioning exercises. Following commissioning, Nauticus expects to send the initial Aquanaut MK2 units to the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico in the coming months to support customer initiatives in those regions.

The Aquanaut MK2 is a fully electric, untethered and autonomous subsea robot that is controlled through acoustic communication networking and underpinned by Nauticus’ proprietary software suite, toolKITT. The artificial intelligence-based software suite allows for robotic controls, user interfaces, sensor integration, simulation, data analysis, and communication frameworks purpose-built to enable subsea work. [Read more…] about Nauticus Robotics launch new generation of its Aquanauts

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

Nauticus Robotics expands into Europe with operating bases in Norway and the UK

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Nauticus Robotics, a Houston-based developer of ocean robots, autonomy software, and services to the marine industries, has launched operations in Norway and the United Kingdom, beginning the company’s international expansion strategy for 2023 and beyond.

The operating bases are strategically located in Stavanger, Norway and Aberdeen, Scotland to service the North Sea offshore market.

The company will deploy assets and collaborate with local partners to service the region’s extensive offshore wind and oil and gas assets with its expanding Nauticus Fleet, a robotic navy of surface and subsea robots. [Read more…] about Nauticus Robotics expands into Europe with operating bases in Norway and the UK