Exploring Autonomous and Remotely Operated Vehicles in Offshore Structure Inspections

Operators of offshore production units (OPUs) employ risk-based assessment (RBA) techniques in order to minimise inspection expenses while maintaining risks at an acceptable level. However, when human divers and workers are involved in inspections conducted at high heights, the operational risks can be significant. Recently, there has been a growing trend towards the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for inspections of offshore structures as a means to reduce exposure to human risk. This article provides an analysis of these vehicle inspection capabilities and their potential to enhance robustness and safety within the oil and gas industry. The review assesses both the advantages and the drawbacks associated with these innovative systems, providing valuable comparisons and assessments on their potential use as viable alternatives to conventional inspection methods.