Sulmara Subsea and XOCEAN collaborate on data collection in Caribbean

Operating 15 km off Barcadera Port on the Western side of Aruba, the USV completed the 26 km² seafloor survey in 70 m of water using high resolution multibeam. The objectives were to identify any seafloor features and classify the seabed to allow moorings to be safely installed.

Throughout the mission, a team combining Sulmara and XOCEAN USV pilots, surveyors and data processors monitored performance to ensure safe operation of the vessel and quality of data collected. Use of unmanned systems holds many benefits, including safety due to operators remaining onshore and efficiency thanks to 24/7 operations. XOCEAN’s USVs have a negligible carbon footprint and all other emissions are offset, resulting in a fully carbon neutral operation.

Commenting on the successful completion of the Aruba project, Kevin McBarron, CEO of Sulmara said: “With COVID-19 lockdown in place across the Caribbean, our client needed a remote solution on this time-critical survey. Time previously spent with XOCEAN on the potential benefits of collaboration meant both companies were able to react quickly and efficiently to meet SeaDrill’s needs.”

James Ives, XOCEAN CEO added: “Our USV platform has demonstrated itself to be a safe and ultra-low carbon solution for the collection of ocean data. We are delighted to be working in Aruba with Sulmara and Seadrill on this ground-breaking project.”

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/offshore-and-subsea/14082020/sulmara-subsea-and-xocean-collaborate-on-data-collection-in-caribbean/