New Subsea Survey Collaboration Completes First Joint Project
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New Subsea Survey Collaboration Completes First Joint Project

An up-and-coming name in the subsea sector has successfully collaborated with a leading provider of data collection to complete their first joint project in the south Caribbean Sea. Sulmara Subsea recently joined forces with XOCEAN to deliver a seabed survey off the coast of Aruba on behalf of SeaDrill using an XO-450 Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV).

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

A Remote Solution for a Time-critical Survey

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 the quality of data collected. The use of unmanned systems has 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.”

Sulmara Subsea was established in 2019 and is a leading international survey services contractor. From hubs in Aberdeen, Houston and Singapore plus offices in other key global locations, the company provides specialized support services, as well as responsive, innovative and disruptive solutions across the offshore energy sector. 

Using USVs, XOCEAN provides turnkey data collection services to surveyors, companies and agencies, from mapping the seabed to environmental monitoring.

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