Buyer’s Guide for WROV
Workclass ROVs are, not surprisingly, the workhorses of the offshore construction industry. Whether it’s connecting pipelines in ultra-deep water or supporting power cable installation during offshore wind developments, without work ROVs, these jobs would be almost impossible to complete. But when buying such complex equipment, getting it right is essential when investments can run into many millions of dollars. At Dockstr, our team not only understands the technical and operational aspects of WROVs but has an in-depth knowledge of the market for both new and used systems and equipment in this complicated and fast-moving market.
Work Class ROVs - the basics
Work class ROVs (“Work ROV” or “WROV”) form the largest and most capable category of underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle. They can be as big as a small car, weigh several tons and tend to be designed around an electro-hydraulically power unit. They are designed to withstand the immense pressure of the deep ocean and to carry a wide array of tools and sensors. Unlike submersibles or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), ROVs are tethered to a surface control unit by an umbilical cable, which provides power, control signals, and a video feed for the pilot.
Today, WROVs possess impressive intervention capabilities that range from complex articulation using force-feedback manipulators to gathering vast amounts of data using arrays of survey sensors.
Some key characteristics of a work class ROV:
Size and weight: Work class ROVs typically weigh around five tonnes and can occupy ten cubic meters and beyond in some cases.
Depth capability: Work class ROVs are designed to operate at extreme depths with some exceeding 3,000 meters depth rating.
Payload capacity: Work class ROVs have a large payload capacity (typically up to 250kg) allowing them to carry a wide variety of tools and sensors. These tools can include cutters, torque tools and dredging systems to name just a few.
Manpower: Work class ROVs typically require a team of six highly trained operators to deploy, operate and maintain the vehicle and its various systems. Making sure there are sufficient trained operators is an important consideration when buying a WROV.
Capacity and Capabilities
Work Class ROVs are the workers of the underwater intervention world, with capabilities and reach far exceeding those of human divers.
WROVs are equipped with powerful thrusters that allow them to manoeuvre in strong currents. Advanced manipulator arms, often with interchangeable grippers and cutting tools, enable them to perform delicate operations with surprising dexterity. High-definition cameras and powerful lights provide operators on the surface with a clear view of the underwater workspace, allowing for real-time decision making. Work Class ROVs can also be fitted with various additional sensors, like sonar for detailed mapping, to broaden their range of capabilities for specific missions.
Common applications include:
Offshore Oil and Gas: WROVs install and maintain subsea infrastructure such as on oil rigs and pipelines by undertaking delicate tasks like flange tightening or leak repair. They can also perform non-destructive testing using specialised ultrasound or X-ray equipment attached to their manipulator arms.
Marine Renewables: Work class ROVs play a vital role in the construction, inspection, and maintenance of offshore wind farms and tidal arrays. Their ability to operate in strong currents makes them ideal for these activities.
Search and Recovery: In murky or deep waters, ROVs can be invaluable for locating shipwrecks, downed aircraft, or lost equipment. Their high-resolution cameras and sonar systems can penetrate darkness and debris, aiding in search and recovery efforts.
Scientific Research: Work class ROVs are instrumental in deep sea exploration and oceanographic research. Equipped with specialised cameras, sensors, and sampling tools, they can collect vital data on everything from hydrothermal vents and coral reefs to marine life and geological formations.
Military applications: Work class ROVs can be used for mine countermeasures, underwater reconnaissance, and other military tasks.
Critical Factors when buying a WROV
Choosing the right remotely operated vehicle for your specific requirements is crucial to ensure efficient and successful operations. Consideration of key criteria when selecting a WROV is essential to ensuring your investment matches your unique needs and applications.
Application
Given the wide range of possible applications of ROV technology, and the various models of ROV available, it’s essential to select the right equipment for your project as not all WROVs are equal. For example, ROV power can range from 100HP to 250HP therefore ensuring that you have sufficient power to meet the needs of your project, or client is essential.
Payload Capacity:
When deploying an ROV, it is essential to consider the equipment and payloads that will be used. As an example, heavy WROVs such as the Schilling UHD can have payload capacities of up to 300kg whereas smaller systems such as the SMD Atom has around half the payload although it’s a smaller overall system.
Manoeuvrability:
WROVs are able to manoeuvre in most environments due to their power and this is therefore less of a concern than for smaller ROVs. That said, factors such as currents/tides, visibility, and confined spaces should always be considered although some WROVs feature advanced manoeuvring capabilities using doppler technology including omnidirectional movement and precise control.
Technological Features:
WROVs offer a remarkable range of technological features for their operators/owners. Features such as HD video, complex survey arrays, intervention tooling, data transmission and autonomous navigation systems offer significant enhancements to core ROV functionality.
Depth Rating:
Typically, Workclass ROV are delivered with 3000m capability although some are rated to 4000m. However, some specialised systems working in the Ocean Science space can operate at up to 6000m although these are quite rare. However, even if an ROV is rated to 3000m, it needs the supporting equipment such as LARS/umbilical/winch to be able to operate at the rated depth(s).
Power and Endurance:
WROV power is stated in horse-power (HP) and this can range from 100HP to 250HP. Operators should however be aware of the high input power required from the host vessel to supply these systems.
Size:
WROV spreads can weigh almost one hundred tonnes and take significant deck space to operate. Along with power requirements, these are important considerations for any buyer although in many instances they are ignored.
“When buying or sourcing WROVs there tends to be a focus on the vehicle itself. But systems weight, power requirements and size are just as important when it comes to mobilisation. A holistic, system approach is therefore always required”
Work ROV Options
Compared to mini-ROVs for example, there is significantly less choice for the WROV buyer in terms of manufacturer and models available. In terms of manufacturers, three main companies dominate the WROV supply chain globally although some excellent tier-two manufacturers are producing increasingly impressive equipment in this space.
And whilst the focus tends to be on the ROV supplier itself, equal attention should be paid to the manufacturers of important supporting equipment such as deployment system (LARS), umbilicals, manipulators and other sensors and equipment.
Three established manufacturers dominate the WROV supply space; Forum Energy Technologies (FET), SMD and Schilling are estimated to supply around 80% of all WROVs that are not built in-house by some companies (e.g. Oceaneering).
Schilling Robotics (owned by TechnipFMC) based in California offer the HD, UHD and the newly introduced Gemini Workclass ROVs that cover most requirements for buyers of these systems.
FET’s WROV offering is based around the well established XLX-series of WROVs that benefit from a rich history that extends back many years to prior companies such as Perry-Tritech and Slingsby Engineering.
SMD (Soil Machine Dynamics) based in Newcastle, England have a long history in delivering robust WROVs such as Quantum, Quasar and Atom. More recently, SMD have launched an all-electric EV option of the Quantum and Atom ROVs.
Beyond these three main WROV OEMs, several operating companies choose to design, build and operate their own WROV fleet in order to keep control over this strategically important technology. Oceaneering, the largest ROV operator in the world choses to build their own ROVs (Nexus, Magnum, Millenium) as do Saipem (Innovator) however because of this, used systems from these companies seldom, if ever find their way to the secondary market.
Apart from the three main manufacturers, smaller, niche manufacturers such as Kystdesign and Argus (both Norway), Aleron (Centurion Subsea, UK) and Hoytek (Turkey) to name four offer buyers with interesting alternatives.
Whilst there tends to be most focus on the ROV itself, the other main constituent parts of a WROV play an equally important role in an overall WROV system. Two of these include:
Launch and Recovery System: Several established manufacturers offer traditional A-frame/winch deployment solutions such as Dynacon (owned by FET) and SMD whilst companies such as Lidan, Kongsberg and MacGregor offer good alternatives.
Manipulators: Although alternatives exist, the WROV manipulator market is dominated by Schilling (and has been for over thirty years) with the Atlas, Orion, Rigmaster (grabber) and top of the range Titan systems being the industry gold standard in manipulator technology.
The WROV manufacturing landscape is a niche area of complex subsea engineering and robotics that is generally dominated by a few highly capable companies. But options do exist and this can be an important factor when considering investments in excess of five million dollars per WROV system when new. At Dockstr, we understand the WROV supply landscape, both new and used and can help you strategically navigate this highly specialised area of equipment supply.
What can we do for you?
Remotely operated vehicles can be extremely complicated systems that require comprehensive evaluation before purchase and this is particularly relevant to WROVs where levels of investment dwarf observation class systems. Technical, operational, financial and strategic considerations mean that the right level of understanding is required to support an acquisition (or indeed rental).
At Dockstr, our strong commercial and technical backgrounds have helped many customers make the right decision by supporting their equipment-related needs in the area of remote intervention. Therefore, if you are thinking of investing or divesting in this specialised area of subsea engineering, we can offer support at various levels to achieve the right outcome for your business.
