Offshore industry inspection robots called Argonauts are being trialled on a North Sea gas plant owned by Total for the next 18 months as the industry moves closer to a time when offshore operations can all be handled automatically. The development of the robots grew out of the ARGOS (Autonomous Robot for Gas and Oil Sites) challenge run by Total. Argos is designed to work alongside workers at the site in order to monitor their progress through drilling operations, while also providing real-time information about how well they have been doing with each task. Inspection capabilities include leak detection and thermal and visual assessment.
Offshore industry inspection robots called Argonauts are being trialled on a North Sea gas plant owned by Total for the next 18 months as the industry moves closer to a time when offshore operations can all be handled automatically. The development of the robots grew out of the ARGOS (Autonomous Robot for Gas and Oil Sites) challenge run by Total. Operating as a team, the tracked bots work in shifts, autonomously returning to a docking station when running low on power. Inspection capabilities include leak detection and thermal and visual assessment.