Petrobras Scientists, In Partnership With PUC-Rio, Develop Innovative Robot Specializing in Offshore Flexible Pipeline Inspection

The Petrobras Robot In Partnership With PUC-Rio Will Be Responsible For Performing Tasks That Pose High Risks To Oil Company Employees

Scientists at Petrobras have developed a robot specialized in the inspection and cleaning of offshore flexible pipes in partnership with PUC-Rio. The unprecedented robot, equipped with HD cameras and operated remotely, has been named Autonomous Underwater Riser Inspection Diverless, or AURI. The AURI is capable of accurately identifying various damages or issues occurring in the pipes, such as bubbles, tears, and/or deformation of the outer cover, indicating collapse or possible leakage. This way, the safety and efficiency of operations are enhanced, not to mention the reduction of operational costs.

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Robot Installation Process in Offshore Flexible Pipes

The Petrobras robot in partnership with PUC-Rio, which has already won the ANP Award for Technological Innovation granted by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), will be installed in offshore flexible pipes with the support of an ROV (which stands for Remote Operated Vehicle). Once installed, it begins executing tasks, being operated remotely by a specialized professional.

Another differentiator is the robot’s ability to carry the necessary tools to perform inspections on offshore flexible pipes in 360 degrees, even when the pipes are very close to the vessel’s side, an area traditionally considered impossible to assess with ROV-mounted tools. After developing this technology with PUC-Rio, Petrobras is now seeking licensing as well as the patent for the project.

Technician Marcos Reis de Morais reported that more than 10 companies have shown interest in this technology, which will eventually be incorporated into submarine inspection service contracts. The development of this robot is part of Petrobras’s Sinergia Diverless Program, created to find solutions that can help reduce professionals’ exposure to risk while increasing safety during offshore operations.

Risk Reduction by Exposing Petrobras Professionals During Offshore Operations

Technician Morais explained that the tools currently used for cleaning pipes are attached to ROVs throughout the operation, and even then, the ROV must be used to perform visual inspections afterward.

The AURI Diverless will eliminate the need for the ROV to perform cleaning and inspection, allowing its function to focus solely on installation and uninstallation, freeing it for other activities afterward.

The AURI will also record videos of the inspected area for later analysis and image archiving, allowing assessment of the flexible pipes by teams remaining on land, ensuring total safety.

Future Possibilities

According to those responsible for the robot project, the tool has the potential to prevent professionals from spending more than 1,300 hours underwater, thus reducing their exposure to high risk and keeping them safe during offshore operations.

Jorge Luiz Brito from the Duque de Caxias Refinery, Reduc, which is also part of the project, reported that they accepted the challenge of making a critical stage of the inspection of these flexible pipes autonomous, specifically the cleaning and visual inspection in shallow waters – up to 50 meters – in an area traditionally occupied by divers.

Brito added that they are exploring some possibilities to develop a set of platforms of which the AURI Diverless will be a part.