Viewport3 introduces remote offshore 3D data capture service

Offshore staff

ABERDEEN, UK – 3D scanning specialist Viewport3 has developed a new remote data capture service, allowing users to collect and process 3D data from offshore via remote working arrangements.

The company says demand for the service has grown as operators seek to reduce the numbers of personnel working offshore, combined with travel restrictions related to Covid-19.

The company’s technique involves providing divers and ROV personnel with instructions for the task along with remote support, allowing them to collect and submit the data to Viewport3 for processing and analysis.

Over the course of the development, the company said it had improved the service to ensure users can retrieve the correct data. It became apparent that written instructions were insufficient, so site-specific video and graphical workflows were created to demonstrate how to collect all the required information.

Co-director of Viewport3 Richard Drennan said: “While it isn’t appropriate in every single set of circumstances, or for all accuracy requirements, there are many instances where…the best camera for an urgent 3D scanning task, is the one you have available to you at the time…

“We are in the unique position of being able to use cameras that are currently fitted to the ROV, or which divers have otherwise readily available, meaning we can get to work very quickly.

“The volume and quality of the information we can retrieve remotely can save our customers multiple offshore campaign days and streamline future inspection tasks.

Viewport3 claims to be able to process and interrogate data acquired from any source, in addition to its own. The company has developed work-flows that are said to effectively process this legacy data, cleaning it to create 3D models, thereby making it more accessible and understandable.

Co-director Chris Harvey said: “Oilfield and marine operators are in possession of a valuable untapped resource in their back-catalogue of legacy digital video and stills. Once we have digitally processed these, our customers can review the information in 3D, and make business critical decisions about asset integrity, without the need for an offshore campaign.

“This is advantageous at the best of times, but particularly so during this period of uncertainly and restriction of movement.”

03/31/2020