The application of fully unmanned robotic systems for inspection of subsea pipelines

This paper focuses on recent innovations in the methods used for external remote subsea pipeline inspection. An unmanned method is revealed, in which an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), paired with an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) was utilised to complete inspections. Results are presented from a recent project, in which existing hardware and software were integrated and combined with automated workflows to form a solution, involving an AUV operated from a USV, with operations remotely controlled from shore. As inspection data was acquired, self-actuating workflows ran onboard the AUV, enabling data processing tasks to commence and QC messages/alerts to be transmitted to the control centre, this allowed execution of in-water mission adjustments. The primary focus of this paper is on the development and implementation of an automated, fully unmanned system for subsea inspection operations. Initially, a brief review is presented of recent developments in this field. Links are drawn between these wider developments and progress made within the project, and areas are highlighted where further work is required for realisation of a comprehensive unmanned pipeline inspection solution. •Unmanned systems are demonstrated capable of completing subsea pipeline Inspections.•Combined AUV/USV operations removed requirements for personnel offshore.•Through water AUV/USV communications, relayed to shore, allowed manual AUV retasking.•Onboard AUV self-actuating data processing cut post mission processing requirements.•Unmanned robotic systems proven capable of surveying subsea assets 100 km from shore.