Shore-based control gaining traction for inspection AUVs, survey USVs

Laura: The Freedom autonomy program is an ongoing initiative that has delivered a viable product for pipeline inspection. Over the past few years, we have introduced numerous advancements, including vertical and horizontal docking, payload-informed flight, multi-directional movement, obstacle avoidance and expanded autonomous behaviors.

In the North Sea, Freedom has successfully conducted pipeline inspections for TotalEnergies in challenging environmental conditions in areas where legacy technologies have struggled. These operations include acquiring high-resolution laser imaging and bathymetric data in a single pass—an efficiency advantage over conventional AUVs that typically require multiple passes. Last year, Oceaneering received TotalEnergies’ annual Innovation Award, in recognition of Freedom’s role in advancing subsea robotics.

We maintain a multi-year development roadmap to continually enhance the AUV’s capabilities. Recently, Oceaneering secured defense contracts leveraging Freedom technology and its Compass software, leading to the development of new features tailored to defense applications. 

Offshore: While traditional AUVs may require two to three passes over the same pipeline to collect the data, Freedom can do this in a single pass. Can you elaborate how?

Laura: In terms of acquisition and re-runs, the Freedom achieves significant efficiency gains by flying lower to pipelines while dynamically avoiding obstacles. Traditional AUVs conduct high-pass surveys first. Freedom eliminates this step through real-time positioning relative to the pipeline, reducing the need for infill surveys. 

Using a sophisticated perception stack, the vehicle processes multiple data sources to determine the most accurate pipeline position. Its multi-thruster design allows precise, rapid adjustments, enabling fast, low-altitude flight above the pipeline. Additionally, Freedom’s environmental perception enables interactions with subsea objects, such as autonomous connector engagements and suspended cage navigation. In high-current environments, the vehicle maintains position without crabbing into the flow, ensuring consistent data acquisition.

The main aim has been to ensure that there are no gaps in the data gathered for the client. That problem has been solved by detecting and following the pipe using instruments, but also by having the distribution of propulsion with the thrust power to realize that. Thanks to its obstacle avoidance system, Freedom is uniquely capable of safely working in both deep water, shallow water and areas with steep cliffs without compromising data acquisition. 

Offshore: Where are Freedom AUVS operating at present?

Laura:  We are actively working with multiple operators across key regions. Freedom is deployed both as part of a multi-asset approach, integrating with ROVs and uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) for long-term inspection contracts, and as a standalone asset for shorter-term needs. Additionally, Freedom’s core technology is being applied across multiple solutions in the Oceaneering robotics portfolio. These systems are designed for long-term reliability, with maintenance cycles extending up to six months, making them suitable for subsea residence and critical infrastructure protection.

Offshore: How many Liberty resident system docking stations does Oceaneering have in service, and for what type of programs?

Laura: Currently, one Liberty is operating on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, where it has so far accumulated nearly 21,000 operational hours and saved over 850 vessel days (based on the assumption that 24 hours of Liberty operations equate to one vessel day). We anticipate additional deployments in the coming years. The development has proven highly effective for subsea asset inspection, intervention and commissioning of xmas trees [XT]. In this process, the XT is deployed by a vessel, while Liberty remains on site for commissioning, allowing the vessel to depart post-deployment. A recent addition to the system’s capabilities is pipeline pigging and isolation, which significantly reduces operational costs and vessel dependency.

At present, the Liberty Subsea Docking Station (LSDS) supports only Oceaneering ROVs and AUVs. Integration with the Freedom AUV is on our roadmap and is expected to be relatively straightforward. The LSDS features a modular design, allowing it to be reconfigured seamlessly between work-class tethered operations and AUV operations as needed.

Offshore: Has Oceaneering had requests to take this technology to frontier deepwater E&P regions, such as Guyana, Suriname, Namibia, Côte d’Ivoire or the Black Sea? And do communications links in these emerging plays act as a constraint on remote operations?

Laura: Liberty has not yet been deployed in these regions, but they are potential target areas, with Guyana being of particular interest. The current version is depth-rated to 1,000 m, whereas operations in Guyana would require a deepwater version of Liberty, which is already on our development roadmap. This will be explored in collaboration with the customer to ensure it delivers the expected value in enhancing operations efficiently and sustainably.

While limited communications infrastructure in Guyana’s frontier regions present some challenges, they do not necessarily hinder Oceaneering’s remote operations. We mitigate these issues through dedicated satellite links, private secure networks and redundancy measures to ensure reliable connectivity and data security. With extensive experience in remote and offshore environments, Oceaneering is well-equipped to adapt to these constraints and maintain effective operations.

Offshore: Is the company extending the application of Freedom/Liberty and remote operations to offshore wind and future carbon capture and storage projects (to support drilling of injection wells and subsea facilities)?

Laura: Yes, these are both areas Oceaneering is actively working on. We have already conducted engineering studies utilizing the Liberty solution to support CCS subsea fields. Using resident robotics solutions ensures that CCS operations maintain a minimal environmental footprint throughout their life cycle.

Liberty has also been deployed in offshore decommissioning campaigns. One of the most recent applications was pipeline pigging and isolation, conducted as part of the Equinor-led Veslefrikk decommissioning project in the North Sea. A paper was also prepared in collaboration with Equinor, TD Williamson and Oceaneering and presented at OTC [the Offshore Technology Conference] back in 2023. On this single campaign, Equinor saved approximately eight vessel days by using the Liberty resident system instead of a conventional vessel-deployed ROV.

Offshore: Do the company’s Onshore Remote Operations Centers (OROCS) in Morgan City, Aberdeen, Stavanger and Macaé all provide similar capabilities?

Laura: All OROCs share core capabilities and can collaborate across regions. However, certain OROCs specialize in specific technologies. Our Gulf of Mexico OROC (Morgan City) leads uncrewed surface vehicle control, while Norway specializes in AUV operations, and the US and Brazil lead remote survey capabilities. As these capabilities mature, best practices are shared across the global OROC network.

Offshore: Has the company made any recent improvements to expand or improve the services provided by the OROCs?

Laura: The current communication link to the OROC primarily relies on LTE (4G). In 2023, we conducted onshore qualification testing of Starlink for integration into the Liberty Buoy. The key concern was whether the phased array antenna could maintain satellite tracking despite the buoy’s movement. To address this, we developed a gimbal system capable of moving the antenna across all axes, including rotation, to accurately simulate buoy motion. This movement was replicated using real-world data from accelerometers installed on the buoy.

The testing was successfully completed, and the next step is offshore integration and qualification. If this phase also proves successful, it will enable Liberty operations in areas beyond LTE coverage.

Offshore: Would you say that more operators and survey companies are switching to remote operations from shore where feasible?

Laura: We do see steady adoption across the Western Hemisphere, though there is less in the Asia-Pacific region. Operators are actively relocating personnel onshore and modifying rig designs to accommodate remote operations, supported by enhanced telecomms infrastructure.

Offshore: Have there been any recent improvements to the company’s other offerings for remote operations, such as RPACT (Remote Piloting and Automated Control Technology) for ROVs?

Laura: We are streamlining over-the-horizon operations through advanced, software-defined control rooms. Additionally, our new Virtual Command Center functions as a global digital twin, tracking assets, connecting teams and auditing equipment in real time to enhance responsiveness and service consistency.

Oceaneering’s Remotely Operated Survey service has many facets, which enable it to be used across almost all our offshore operations. This extends from applications such as positioning for drill support and rig moves; remote metrologies, as being conducted in West Africa; remote photogrammetry for modeling assets; and remote processing of conventional surveys from our dedicated vessels such as the Ocean Intervention II and of AUV surveys from shore.

The Omnio Tool Changer is a significant development project aimed at enhancing the capabilities of subsea robotics. It is designed to support various tasks, including enabling efficient tool changes underwater. The first article of the electro-mechanical tool changer for drill support, along with a tooling basket, has already been delivered. Additionally, four more tool changer kits have been ordered and should by now have been delivered. This year will also bring the development of additional capabilities including IMR specific tooling, as well as a tether management system/cage-based tool deployment system.