Norwegian player Equinor has contracted Italy’s Saipem to deliver subsea drone technology at the Njord field in the North Sea, marking the debut of the advanced wireless drone services.

Under the €40 million ($43.7 million) deal, Equinor will be the first user of the technology expected to be completed in 2020. 

“We are pleased to secure a contract that will bring subsea technology a big step forward. Equinor aims to help shape the development of this type of technology, which this contact underscores,” Equinor’s vice president of technology, projects & drilling, Anders Opedal, said.

For its part, Saipem will use its underwater intervention drone (UID) Hydrone-R and the all-electric work class remotely-operated-vehicle (ROV) Hydrone-W when the Njord field development, off Norway, resumes production in 2020 after an upgrade of the Njord A platform.

Hydrone-R operations will start from the first quarter of 2020, immediately following completion of the endurance tests currently underway, while Hydrone-W will be delivered in 2021.

The contract has a duration of 10 years with the option for an additional 10-year extension.

The technology is part of Saipem’s Hydrone programme and it can support drilling activities, as well as the entire plan of inspections and interventions on the Njord subsea assets, namely pipeline end manifolds (PLEMs), flowlines, umbilicals and riser bases.

Essentially, the Hydrone-R drone may be autonomous below Njord for months between scheduled maintenance, whereas Hydrone-W will be connected to the platform like a traditional ROV.

Both are electric and can be operated without a surface vessel.

“The use of this technology will therefore contribute to significant carbon reduction. In addition, the response time will be reduced. Furthermore, the operations will not be dependent on weather conditions,” Equinor said.

“It is very exciting to be a pioneer for this type of technology offshore. Enabling personnel to plan and perform operations from shore rather than being flown offshore, this pathbreaking technology will also reduce costs,” operations manager at Njord, Olav Godo said.

“Both Hydrones will operate with minimal environmental impact, thus conforming perfectly with Equinor and Saipem’s commitment to green technologies,” Saipem said, keeping in line with its recent pledge to energy transition.

Field Development

Saipem to use underwater drones at Equinor’s Njord field