MEMBER NEWS: Rovco completes decommissioning contract with Well-Safe Solutions

February 20, 2023
MEMBER NEWS: Rovco completes decommissioning contract with Well-Safe Solutions

Rovco has successfully completed a contract awarded by Well-Safe Solutions to support its well plug and abandonment decommissioning operations in the Southern North Sea.

This is the second contract that the leading provider of subsea and hydrographic survey projects has secured with Well-Safe Solutions, having previously performed survey work on an abandoned subsea wellhead in UK waters in 2021.

During the project, which mobilised in July, Rovco provided Well-Safe Solutions with field survey operations, to ensure the safe and efficient decommissioning of a platform which ceased production in 2015. Earlier this year, Well-Safe Solutions signed an agreement with Ithaca Energy to plug and abandon six wells on the platform. Work being carried out by Well-Safe Solutions will continue into 2023.

Operated by Rovco’s highly experienced team, the project utilised the VOS Star, on charter from Vroon, equipped as standard with Seaeye Leopard work-class ROVs, fitted with multi-beam echo sounders, the highest quality 4K stereo cameras, manipulators, recovery basket and photogrammetry technology to carry out specialist hydrographic surveys and underwater asset inspections.

As part of the project, Rovco supported the client with debris survey and clearance solutions in water depths of 20 to 30 metres, as well as habitat characterisation surveys to mitigate risk and eliminate uncertainty about seabed conditions prior to the client deploying a jack-up vessel at the site.

Using its innovative SubSLAM X2 technology, Rovco also performed jacket inspection operations, providing the client with highly detailed 3D models of the platform footings to precisely identify any scouring across the structure. Powered by Rovco’s sister company Vaarst, SubSLAM X2 produces 3D reconstructions of underwater assets in real-time, from which users can take measurements with sub-millimetric accuracy. Mounted on an ROV, travelling dynamically at general visual inspection speed, SubSLAM’s ability to zoom in, rotate and fly means that it can provide full coverage of a structure from all angles, as well as the seabed and surrounding environment.

Simon Miller, Chief Revenue Officer at Rovco, said: “Being awarded a second contract with Well-Safe Solutions underlines their confidence in Rovco’s proven track-record.

“Accurate data sets from subsea surveys and inspections is key to the safety and efficiency of their operations and they know they can rely on our people and our technology to provide the highest quality data in real-time.

“We’re pleased to be able to play a continuing role in decommissioning and the energy transition in the North Sea, supporting Well-Safe Solutions in its quest to safely and cost-efficiently plug and abandon wells in the Southern North Sea.”

Founded in 2016, Rovco is a global provider of subsea robotic and hydrographic survey solutions to the offshore wind and oil field decommissioning sectors. The company focuses on the use of perception, data and autonomy technology to modernise and help further the growth of marine generated renewable energy. For more information, visit www.rovco.com.

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