Fugro leads uncrewed inspections for Petrobras in Brazil

Petrobras, Brazil’s state-controlled oil and gas producer, has extended its contract with Fugro for an additional 175 days. The agreement expands the scope of inspection, repair and maintenance services to include fully remote surveys of shallow-water infrastructure. Starting in January, the Fugro Aquarius will utilize advanced technologies such as the Blue Essence uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and Blue Volta electric remotely operated vehicle (eROV), enhancing safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability.

This contract represents Fugro’s first deployment of these technologies in the Americas, building on their successful use in Australia, the UK and the Middle East. The uncrewed solution eliminates the need for on-site personnel, cutting carbon emissions by 95% while minimizing the risks inherent in traditional offshore operations. Additionally, it offers clients near real-time access to project data, facilitating faster and more informed decision-making.

Remote survey techniques

“We’re thrilled to introduce the Blue Essence and Blue Volta technologies to Brazil for Petrobras,” said Felipe Vasconcellos, Fugro’s Brazil country manager. “This fully remote solution aligns with our shared commitment to responsible energy development and builds upon recent collaborations to introduce remote survey techniques in the region. Conducting offshore work from the safety and comfort of an onshore office environment allows us to reduce our environmental impact and enhance our operational safety while delivering high-quality inspections.”

Fugro’s highly advanced Remote Operations Center (ROC) in Rio das Ostras will support the upcoming inspection work. Strategically located near Petrobras’ port of operations, the ROC is equipped to handle a wide range of remote survey activities, positioning Fugro as the region’s leading provider of innovative geospatial data solutions for clients in the energy, infrastructure and water sectors.