Powering the world is a massive undertaking. As energy supply companies look towards ways to sustainably source power, new technologies have become the backbone of progress. In 2016, Italian based Saipem branched off from its parent company Eni and is now one of the largest oilfield service companies in the world. Saipem provides the technical support for energy companies to maintain offshore and onshore energy mining operations. One of Saipem’s clients is Equinor. Headquartered in Stavanger, Norway, Equinor operates offshore drilling platforms in 30 different countries. They are focused on utilizing renewable energy sources through oil, gas, wind, and solar plants.

In 2016, Equinor shut down the Njord, Norway drilling site to make extensive upgrades to the steel floating platform. The Njord drilling site first opened in 1997. When upgrades are complete, Njord will be able to also source raw materials from the nearby Bauge and Fenja oil fields. Equinor plans to have Njord back up and running later this year with the ability to produce well into 2040. One of the biggest upgrades that Njord will benefit from will be a new autonomous subsea drone from Saipem, Hydrone. The 10 year contract with the possibility of a 10 year extension between Equinor and Saipem will be a first of its kind in subsea developments. “This is a historic contract in the oil and gas industry. It is the first contract signed for the use of advanced wireless drone services. We are pleased to secure a contract that will bring subsea technology a big step forward,” said Equinor’s Executive Vice President of Technology, Projects & Drilling, Anders Opedal. “Equinor aims to help shape the development of this type of technology, which this contract underscores.”

Hydrone was built by Sonsub, a division of Saipem that drives the company’s technological prowess. Sonsub’s Hydrone is a completely electric submersive drone that can remain underwater for up to 12 months before needing servicing. Underwater docking stations will be strategically placed along the oilfields of Njord and the surrounding areas. These docking stations will be used to recharge the drones and be a data uplink center that will allow Hydrone to service pipelines within a 20km radius. The drone can reach depths of 3,000 meters to access critical pipeline depths. The drone will be able to perform tasks autonomously or remotely from an onshore control room.

The submersible drones are equipped with a series of sensors to navigate, as well as an AI computer to detect any anomalies. It will be used to collect data, make inspections and repairs to pipelines and rig structures. The drone has cameras that can focus in the dark depths of the ocean to collect visual data of structural integrity, cracks and fissures, corrosion, moorings, cables, and connectors. The drone’s robotic arms can be used for underwater construction and repair missions. These interventions could include sealing leaks, replacing valves, or connecting and disconnecting leads. Hydrone can be released into the water from Njord’s floating rig, a ship, or from the shore side wharf. It uses propellers and thrusters to swim through the water.

Currently, Hydrone is undergoing its final stages of testing. The first round of tests was conducted at Saipem’s Sonsub warehouse in Venice, Italy followed by practical trials at Sonsub’s marine lab in Trieste, Italy. The marine lab built subsea structures and 500 meters of pipelines to test Hydrone. The final test has brought Hydrone 300 meters offshore to perform real-world operational tests. The missions that will be performed by Hydrone would normally take 2-3 days just to organize. Now, with the drone, there will be no interruption to workflow as the device will be continuously in place.

Hydrone, which Saipem’s Sonsub has been developing since 2015, will be the first commercially deployable resident subsea intervention drone. Equinor’s use of these resident drones will reshape how energy companies sustainably manage their operations. “When you design a pipeline and riser network to last for 25 years, you are forced to make a number of conservative assumptions, all of which leads to quite a constant capex [sic: capital expense],” said Roberto Di Silvestro, head of Sonsub. “But if you can reduce the level of uncertainty, you can also reduce capex over the life of the field.” Utilizing drones that can remain under water for extended periods of time will cut down expenses for repairs and ensure that renewable sources are smartly and safely extracted.