Ground Robots Bring Potential for Efficiency, Safety in FPSO Operations
Authors: Carpenter Chris 
Published: December 2024

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This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper OTC 32872, “Evaluation of the Potential Impact of Ground Robots on FPSO Operations,” by Gustavo L.L. da Silva, Maurício M. Cordeiro Jr., and Maurício Galassi, Petrobras, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2024 Offshore Technology Conference.

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The objective of this paper is to present the operator’s learnings in evaluating the processes by which the asset crew of a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel identifies scenarios for the application of robotics in day-to-day offshore activities. The studies reveal a glimpse of the addressable market size of ground robots for routine offshore verification tasks. An initial analysis suggests that 30–50% of the theoretical equivalent of hours per year could be freed.

Introduction

In the complete paper, the hypothetical use of ground mobile robots to carry out operational activities is considered. For that goal, the capability of robotic platforms to move along an offshore facility (an FPSO, for the purposes of this paper) has been explored. This includes the ability to overcome obstacles, move up and down stairs or ramps, and walk on uneven floors or gratings while being piloted remotely or even doing so autonomously. Some of the considered equipment may have coupled robotic manipulators that also enable them to interact with the environment, allowing them to open or close doors, turn handles, and activate commands. These robotic platforms, in general, include actuator mechanisms and sensors that enable visual inspections, thermography, dimensional analysis, area mapping, gas measurements, noise and vibration analysis, and other operations requiring specific sensing.

Operational Requirements

A paramount requirement for a robot to be widely used in an FPSO is its ability to operate in hazardous areas. Robotic platforms for hazardous zones are not widely available. However, some companies are quickly advancing in the development and commercialization of these platforms. A Swiss company has already made available a quadruped robot with high mobilization capacity, including the ability to navigate stairs and carry out autonomous missions that have been preprogrammed. An Austrian company has marketed a caterpillar robot that can carry out inspections autonomously in classified areas.

Every such activity will demand thorough analysis to properly define technical and process requirements. On FPSO platforms, the procedure for planning any service takes place at least a few days before its execution, a task already demanding many hours. Subsequently, a permit to work (PTW) is issued to perform the service.

Sensors and Actuators for a Robotic System

Some of the main data-acquisition or processing sensors used in robotic systems are detailed in the complete paper. In this context, “data” means everything that can be processed online or is capable of producing useful information in the future.

Cameras for Acquisition of Images and Videos.

These can be very useful in the visual inspection of systems or equipment, the visualization of the workspace, or the generation of input for image processing with the purpose of identifying patterns of interest, segmentation, classification, or other aspects related to computer vision.