SEABED Rig has contracted fellow Norwegian company Energid Technologies to apply its know-how in robotics software to the autonomous subsea drilling now under development and supported by StatoilHydro, the Norwegian Research Council (Petromaks and DEMO2000) and Innovation Norway.
Practical operation on the hostile ocean floor is only possible using robotics. However, such systems will have to be versatile and able to perform many tasks, from drill-pipe insertion to maintenance and repair. They must be mechanically advanced and intelligently controlled.
To assist with their development, Energid is to use its proprietary Actin software to simulate the necessary robotics. Actin was originally developed for use with Nasa robots.
“Energid is going to help Seabed Rig change the way people think about offshore oil drilling,” said David Askey, chief business development officer at Energid.
The robot rig will be remotely controlled from an interactive 3D interface via a flexible umbilical to a surface vessel that carries power, communication, cement and mud flow.
It will also include a circulating and cleaning system for water.