WIRELINE Issue 35 Spring 2016

CASE STUDIES

EFFICIENCY

Human risk factors presented by rope access, such as working at height for sustained periods and in confined spaces, were reduced, while the inspection of critical components was completed within a day, in comparison with rope access that usually takes between three and four days. As a result, there were significant cost savings and Maersk Oil can identify and more efficiently plan for any subsequent contact-based inspections that are required. This inspection technique can be applied to all large internal tanks on FPSOs, as well as bulk carriers and tankers. Malcolm Connolly, Cyberhawk’s technical director and founder, says: “Not only have we removed one of the most significant risks associated with tank inspection – working at height – but we have also highlighted the significant cost and time savings that can be achieved by ROAV inspection.”

CYBERHAWK REDUCES THE TIME AND COST OF INTERNAL TANK INSPECTIONS Cyberhawk Innovations has improved the safety, time and cost of inspecting cargo oil tanks on operational floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels using remotely operated aerial vehicles (ROAVs). Maersk Oil, which owns and operates the Gryphon FPSO on the UK Continental Shelf, traditionally inspected the cargo tanks for integrity, damage assessment and class certification using technicians who were suspended on ropes. They focussed on areas of high stress such as stiffeners, brackets, bracing, webs and stringers. But carrying out a visual non-contact inspection of the tank using Cyberhawk’s ROAV brought benefits. Cyberhawk mobilised an experienced two-man ROAV team comprising a pilot and inspection engineer.

To share your story, contact efficiency@oilandgasuk.co.uk

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