Unmanned News


OPT and Saab Seaeye Partner

Feb 01, 2019

Ocean energy solutions provider Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. electric underwater robotic systems manufacturer Saab Seaeye Ltd, have entered a nonexclusive agreement to jointly develop and market solutions for autonomous underwater vehicle…

Offshore Platforms Controlled from Land

Nov 15, 2018

Aker BP said it will become the first oil company in Norway to control operations of a permanently manned offshore platform from land from next year.Operating platforms remotely can be done with fewer staff than doing it offshore and other oil…

Unmanned Platform Starts Production at Oseberg Vestflanken 2

Oct 15, 2018

The Oseberg Vestflanken 2 field in the North Sea came on stream on Sunday. Remote-operated from the Oseberg field center, the new Oseberg H platform is the first unmanned platform on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Recoverable resources are 110 million barrels…

TechnipFMC, Petronas agree technology partnerhsip

Oct 31, 2017

TechnipFMC and Petronas have signed a tripartite heads of agreement (THoA) to 'leverage' their respective resources in areas including enhanced oil recovery and unmanned equipment. The collaboration, involving Petronas Research and Petronas Technology Ventures…

Video: Statoil installs Oseberg unmanned platform

Aug 14, 2017

Statoil installed its first unmanned wellhead platform, the Oseberg H for its Oseberg Vestflanken 2 on the Norwegian Continental Shelf this summer. Oseberg Vestflanken 2 installation. Image from Statoil…

ASV works with Shell on unmanned seismic source

Jul 25, 2017

ASV Global has started phase 2 of a multi-phased project with Shell aiming to develop an unmanned seismic energy source vessel as part of their Rapid Autonomous Marine 4D (RAM4D) source concept. Upcoming trials for the project will include…

Oseberg topside, jacket set sail

Jun 26, 2017

The topside and jacket for the Oseberg Vestflanken 2 unmanned wellhead platform set sail on 25 and 26 June respectively from Heerema Fabrication Group’s (HFG) Heerema Zwijndrecht yard in the Netherlands. The platform and jacket will be…

Oil & Gas UK publishes drone guide

Jan 06, 2017

A new publication to help guide the growing use offshore of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) – also known as drones - has been published by Oil & Gas UK. The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations Management Standards and Guidelines were developed by a work group set up by the trade body…

Aker BP's Valhall, Hod hit 1 billion boe mark

Jan 05, 2017

Valhall and Hod have passed 1 billion boe produced, more than three times what was expected at the opening of the field in 1982, Aker BP said. Image of Valhall, from Aker BP. Hod…

Internet of autonomy

Jan 01, 2017

Unmanned autonomous systems and the internet of things are two phrases that are bandied about a lot. But, it’s not so often that they have come together and within the marine environment in a project involving offshore industry players – albeit those who also have a foot in the defense sector…

Solan concerns prompt production blip

Nov 14, 2016

Premier Oil's Solan field, west of Shetland, was shut-in over concerns about safety on the what was designed to be normally unmanned facility.  The Solan oilfield came onstream in April this year. The to be normally unmanned facility…

Unmanned offshore vessel takes shape

Nov 01, 2016

UK firm Automated Ships and Norway’s Kongsberg Maritime have signed a memorandum of understanding to build the world’s first unmanned and fully-automated vessel for offshore operations. In January 2017, Automated Ships will contract the Hrönn…

Less is more

Aug 01, 2016

Unmanned facilities are being given serious consideration offshore Norway. Elaine Maslin reports. Percentage of unmanned platforms per North Sea sector. Unmanned distribution. Image from Ramboll…

Unmanned facilities, IO operations needed for today's industry

Jun 28, 2016

An aversion to risk, the race to be second, impairs the oil and gas industry’s ability to innovate.  Yet, the oil price slump, from mid-2014 to today, has been a “brutal wake-up call,” creating a realization that working smarter in a…

Statoil's Oseberg Vestflanken 2 approved

Jun 14, 2016

Norway’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has given Statoil the green light to move forward with the development of its unmanned Oseberg Vestflanken 2 project that is expected to tap some 110 MMboe in the North Sea. Illustration…

Current News

VARD to Build Hybrid Ocean Energy Construction Vessel for Island Offshore

ABS and Seatrium Partner on Decarbonization and Energy Transition

Ulstein Verft Begins Outfitting Olympic's Next CSOV

Ørsted’s Gode Wind 3 Delivers First Power

Subscribe for OE Digital E‑News