The latest HITS (Hull Inspection techniques & Strategy) JIP (Joint Industry Project) led by EM&I on behalf of the Global FPSO Research Forum for the last 10 years was in Rio de Janeiro this month.

The meeting took place against a backdrop of seeking to reduce the carbon footprint of FPSO Operations, an objective that chimed particularly well with the oil companies, operators, contractors, shipyards, research institutes and safety authorities that participated in this JIP.

Of particular interest was the results of a recent trial by EM&I to demonstrate the use of a BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) Scout 137 UAV/Drone with unlimited in-tank flight time and equipped with UT (ultrasonic thickness) probes. 

This now completes a ‘family’ of integrity inspection tools that embodies high-definition cameras for close and general visual inspection, laser scanners for deformation and distortion measurement and some thickness measurement, all of which can be inserted through limited access hatches.

The HITS JIP then focused on the remaining, possibly most challenging obstacle: inspecting bottom plate from the inside of a cargo oil tank.  The development plan that was agreed will now focus on screening for, then testing, the appropriate sensors need to detect anomalies, before moving to the challenge of identifying and trialing the most appropriate delivery methodology be it UAV, crawler, or mechanical means; all with the aim of no manned entry.

HITS JIP was judged a major success and participants now look forward to a period of hard work to deliver the next stage of the development programme in time to be reviewed at the next meeting which is to be held (tentatively!) in Paris in early 2023.