Experiences with the use of an ROV for cleaning and inspecting high stress areas of complex offshore structures

The main purpose of the project was to clean and inspect high stress areas of offshore concrete structures using IKU's ROV "Snurre" which was especially equipped. In addition an attempt to clean a steel jacket tubular joint was carried out. High pressure waterjetting was used. Two cleaning methods, using a special designed frame for cleaning of large areas and a manipulator for spot cleaning, were tried. The cleaned areas were inspected in detail with "Snurre's" two b/w video cameras. Colour photos were taken of interesting spots. The main tasks of the project, cleaning and inspecting concrete surfaces, were carried out successfully. The tubular joint cleaning attempt had too low priority to be successful. However, valuable experiences as to the problems involved were made. Cleaning and inspecting offshore constructions with properly outfitted ROV's will have considerable advantages with regard to cost efficiency and security.