Succeeded in a joint research sea trial using an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) with Total Energies.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and Total Energies (France), a major energy company, will use Kawasaki's Autonomous Underwater Vehicle ( AUV ) off the coast of Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, to conduct joint research on anti-corrosion potential measurements in close inspections of submarine pipelines. A research sea trial was conducted and was successful.
Focusing on the increasing demand for maintenance of submarine pipelines in the oil and gas field, we have developed the world's first submarine pipeline inspection robot arm that combines our long-cultivated submersible-related and industrial robot technologies. We have been developing the AUV " SPICE ( Subsea Precise Inspector with C lose E yes )" (hereinafter referred to as " SPICE " ).
In 2020 , a demonstration test conducted under the “ Nippon Foundation for Offshore Oil and Natural Gas- DeepStar * 1 Collaborative Technology Development Grant Program” * 2 demonstrated that SPICE ’s stable pipe tracking capability (automated submarine pipeline We have confirmed its high potential as a platform for close-up inspection of submarine pipelines (ability to accurately position inspection sensors relative to submarine pipelines). In response to this result, Total Energies made a proposal for the construction of an integrated system of anti - corrosion potential measurement technology called " LTCP ( Light Touch Cathodic Protection) " owned by the company and SPICE . I started a research project.
In the joint research project, we will study simulations and basic design for building an integrated system until February 2021 , and from August 2021 , detailed design for building an integrated system of LTCP and SPICE for Total Energies, SPICE After remodeling the main body, a sea test was conducted off Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture from August 30th to September 2nd , 2022 , and the anti -corrosion potential of the simulated submarine pipeline was successfully measured.
In the sea trials, under the supervision and witness of Total Energies, simulated pipes and anti-corrosion devices were installed on the seabed to verify the system . We have confirmed that the anti-corrosion potential measurement technology functions properly through the accurate robot arm autonomous control performance. From this result, it is shown that SPICE can automate and speed up the pipeline proximity inspection, which is conventionally performed by ROV ( Remotely Operated Vehicle ) , including anti-corrosion potential measurement. is ready.
Total Energies R&D Subsea Robotics Project Leader Mr. Andy Gower commented:
“ The LTCP demonstrated reproducibility in establishing the efficacy of the cathodic protection system in a given test environment, but the There was a need to deploy this technology in close proximity, and SPICE 's ability to place the sensor at a close distance from the test object allowed LTCP to demonstrate reproducible performance. With the potential for deployment, other non-destructive testing sensors and technologies should also become available, providing broader data on aging pipelines and a more detailed assessment of their health. The future trend is highly mobile sensor platforms, and LTCP integrated with SPICE provides an effective solution for determining the performance of cathodic protection systems in operational conditions.”
Comment from Mr. Okaya, Manager of the Development and Design Section, AUV Business Promotion Department, Ship & Ocean Division of MHI: "We have been promoting the development of an AUV with an arm called SPICE
by fusing our company's underwater vehicle and industrial robot technology . We are confident that we will be able to accurately target the sensors where proximity is required by using .Total Energies has given us this wonderful opportunity for joint sea trials. In this sea trial, we were able to obtain useful inspection data in combination with LTCP , and we were able to demonstrate the capabilities of SPICE as a platform for close proximity inspection of pipelines , continuing from 2020. We will continue to seek further possibilities in the future. We will continue to develop it.”
In 2021 , we received an order from MODUS SUBSEA SERVICES LIMITED in the UK for the first commercial SPICE aircraft, which is more advanced than the aircraft used in this joint research sea trial, and we are currently manufacturing and testing it in preparation for its market launch. We are. In the future, we will promote the development of high-performance, high-quality products for the AUV market, where demand is expected to expand as underwater equipment that meets the needs of the unmanned and automated market , and will actively work to expand the commercial use of AUVs . increase.
< SPICE main items>
| full length | : | about 5.6m | |
| width | : | about 1.4m | |
| height | : | about 1.1m | |
| weight | : | Approximately 2,500 kg (weight in air) | |
| water resistance depth | : | 3,000m | |
| maximum speed | : | 4 knots | |
| propulsion equipment | : | 1 main propulsion propeller , 2 side thrusters , 2 vertical thrusters | |
| navigation equipment | : | inertial navigation system, sonar | |
| Safety device | : | Ballast release device, Iridium beacon |
| * 1 | A consortium for marine technology development consisting of energy majors responsible for the exploration, development and production of offshore oil and natural gas, marine development companies, universities, research institutes, etc. | |
| * 2 | A cooperative subsidy program by The Nippon Foundation and DeepStar for the purpose of entering technology development in the ocean development field . Our company was adopted in the program in 2019 as "Practical use of autonomous submersible robots in the offshore oil field" and conducted a demonstration test. |
Kawasaki AUV (SPICE) Test witnesses ( Total Energies, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, supporting companies )
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