New generation of robots will reduce worker risks

● Second phase of project should operate between -30C and +60C

The next phase has been announced in a world-first project to see autonomous robots working on offshore oil and gas installations.

The development is being supported by the Oil and Gas Technology Centre (OGTC) in Aberdeen and Total, with trials of the first generation of the robot at the operator’s Shetland gas plant and Alwyn platform in the North Sea last year.

Energy giant Equinor has now joined Total in pledging further field tests of the second generation which will be the world’s first offshore work class robot.

The new model will have a stronger chassis and a heavy-duty arm that can lift objects and turn valves.

The aim is to reduce workers’ exposure to highrisk situations offshore.

Total subsidiary Saft will produce a unique lithiumion battery to allow the machine to operate in a temperature range of -30C to +60C.

It will be able to run for a year without maintenance.

Jean-Michel Munoz, R&D next generation facilities project manager for the Deep Offshore Programme at Total, said: “Exploration and production operations are conducted in increasingly harsh and challenging conditions. This project is key to Total’s forwardthinking approach, making operations safer by reducing the exposure of personnel to potentially high-risk situations and the immense challenges our teams face – paving the way for tomorrow’s simpler, streamlined and less expensive facilities that will require less annual maintenance.”

The second generation announcement comes as the Taurob team prepares to exhibit at the SPRINT

World Conference for Inspection and Maintenance Robotics, in Rotterdam this week.

Stine Vatneberg, leader of automation technology for R&D at Equinor added: “Equinor recently awarded the first contract on use of wireless, autonomous underwater drones in the oil and gas industry.

“We look forward to testing and deploying the world’s first autonomous grounded robot in collaboration with key partners.”

ON TRACK: The aim of offshore work class robots, which can be maintenance-free for a year, is to cut workers’ exposure to high-risk situations