Editor's note: This Subsea Systems column first appeared in the November-December 2023 issue of Offshore magazine. Click here to view the full issue.
By Ariana Hurtado, Editor and Director of Special Reports
Offshore operators need technical support and troubleshooting tools that allow them to streamline their subsea operations, increase uptime, minimize delays and drive cost-effectiveness. Several innovative technologies are introduced every year for the offshore energy sector, but now artificial intelligence (AI) is helping make the options for advancement nearly endless.
One such example is Unique Group's new Aquila Subsea platform, an AI chatbot that was specifically designed for the subsea survey sector and that offers technical assistance by providing instant and accurate responses.
"One of the key benefits of Aquila is its ability to provide instant and accurate technical support. In the offshore sector, time is of the essence, and delays due to equipment issues can be costly and even dangerous," Unique Group's Chris Blake, vice president survey, told Offshore. "With Aquila, there's no need to waste precious hours sifting through manuals or troubleshooting problems. This AI-powered solution responds immediately to your technical queries, offering concise and precise answers anytime and anywhere. This not only expedites issue resolution but also ensures that the solutions provided are reliable, reducing the risk of errors in critical offshore operations."
The company said its technology, which was just recently launched in early September, is different from others on the market because Aquila provides real-time responses to a wide range of technical queries related to survey equipment.
"In contrast, traditional or alternative methods have often fallen short by offering delayed responses, inaccurate information, limited availability and resource-intensive troubleshooting methods," Blake said. "They may mainly rely on human subject matter experts or outdated support channels, leading to inefficiencies, delays and costly downtime."
The company said specifications of Aquila were defined to meet the critical requirements of survey personnel in the field. Aquila is a GPT-based application created using a document database of various equipment.
"It was designed to be always readily accessible, ensuring that our clients could rely on it during critical offshore operations as well as in their workshops," Blake said. "Moreover, its AI-driven capabilities ensure that the information provided is both accurate and dependable, reducing the risk of errors and equipment downtime."
Aquila's capabilities are particularly well suited for various offshore energy applications, such as equipment troubleshooting and maintenance guidance. Central to Aquila's functionality is its 10,000-plus Survey Equipment Knowledge Base, a resource for users. This knowledge repository houses a vast collection of manuals, data sheets and manufacturer information, providing users with an extensive library of technical documentation. The tool can also be an educational resource for operations teams that are training their engineers and technicians on different equipment specifications and requirements.
