Deep-sea technology [Robotics Subsea]

As oil companies venture deeper into the oceans, they are having to install production equipment in dark, freezing conditions and under crushing pressures on the seabed. Commercial divers cannot operate in such a hostile environment, so expensive remotely controlled underwater vehicles operated via an umbilical cable that stretches perhaps a couple of kilometres from a support vessel to the sea floor must be used to maintain ever more complex equipment. However, a more cost-effective solution for light intervention tasks may soon be provided in the form of vehicles that 'fly' to work sites without connection to the surface. Subsea production systems are designed to be as simple and reliable as possible. They are built up from modules, which can be retrieved for repair. Problems with hydraulic systems, which are susceptible to fluid leaks and hydraulic contamination, are a particular worry, because of the environmental damage they cause. Seabed Rig AS is taking on a truly awesome challenge in developing a submerged autonomous seabed drilling rig. They spent the last three years developing this technology with assistance from the oil-giant Statoil. In May 2009, Seabed Rig licensed technology and contracted with Energid Technologies Corporation to create a robot control system for the subsea operations.