Solstad Offshore, DeepOcean Group and Østensjø Group have joined forces to fast-track the adoption of uncrewed vessels and remotely managed services
Together, the well-known Norwegian companies want to drive down operating costs and emissions in the offshore industry.
The partners have established two joint ventures to support their remote operations drive. One, Remota AS, will own and operate remote operations centres; the second, USV AS, will develop, own and operate uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs). The three partners will each own 33.33 percent in the two JVs.
Their first remote operations centre is already fully operational. It will operate independently of its three owners and offer its services to operators, vessel owners and service companies worldwide. The centre will initially offer its services to offshore shipping companies and operators of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) but aims to expand its service offering to other industries as well.
Remota will offer remote operations and semi-autonomous maritime services to existing vessels, remote operation of ROVs and USVs. In addition, the company’s first remote operations centre will function as a control centre for drone technologies.
The centre already operates DeepOcean’s ROVs and has been in operation since 2019. The remote operations centre has already remotely managed ROV operations in European waters, supporting clients with subsea installations in addition to inspection, maintenance and repair campaigns.
USV AS will be used to invest in USVs equipped with work-class ROVs. The partners believe that this type of vessel is capable of considerably reducing operating expenses compared to conventional vessels that are utilized for subsea inspection, maintenance and repair work.
Using unmanned vessels will help fast-track the green transition in the offshore industry, the Norwegian companies say, enabling more efficient operations and significantly reduced operating costs.
The USV technology has been developed by DeepOcean and the other partners were involved in the final stage of the development process. It is estimated that the USV solution can reduce CO2 emissions by more than 90% compared to a conventional offshore vessel, when conducting subsea operations.
Solstad Offshore chief executive Lars Peder Solstad said, “Solstad, DeepOcean and Østensjø already have the technology, competence and assets in place, but teaming up will enhance the capacity, growth prospects and market penetration of our remote operations offering. Operators of offshore energy assets have challenged the supplier industry to deliver even more cost-efficient services. This is our response.”
Østensjø investment director Håvard Framnes said, “Remote operations are key to unlocking huge emission reductions and cost savings for the marine and offshore industries. The joint ventures aim to fast-track the adoption of remote technologies, which in turn will make ocean-based industries more sustainable.”
Remota AS will be led by chief executive Sveinung Soma. “With our remote operations centre and the backing of three leading international supplier companies, we believe that Remota can offer customers a world-leading remote offering for marine and subsea operations,” Mr Soma said, “I believe it can transform how ocean-based industries approach offshore work.”
DeepOcean chief executive Øyvind Mikaelsen said, “This is about taking our experience, track-record and technology and scaling it. Remota will have operations and turnover from day one, and we will double the support capacity at the remote operations centre in Haugesund.
“This is an excellent way of reducing the cost and CO2 footprint of offshore operations. By limiting personnel exposure to offshore operations, safety is also enhanced.”
