Vessel + ROV vs AUV
Same pipeline. Fewer days, fewer vessel days, less weather risk, lower cost.
Vessel + ROV
Tethered, slow, tied to a large spread and the weather window.
AUV
Untethered, fast, runs below the weather from a smaller vessel.
| Factor | Vessel + ROV | AUV-led |
|---|---|---|
| Survey speed | 0.25–0.5 kn (pipeline following) | about 3–3.7 kn |
| Time on a 155 km pipeline (pilot) | 19 days | 7 days |
| Inspection cost | Baseline | up to 55% lower (reported) |
| Total survey cost | Baseline | 30–40% savings (reported) |
| Time offshore | Baseline | ~40% less |
| Vessel | Large DP2 support vessel | Smaller DP1 vessel (reported pilot) |
| People & deck kit | 35–50 personnel, 75–90 t (deepwater) | Compact spread |
| Weather | Umbilical limits work in high sea states | Works below the weather once submerged |
| Data quality | Umbilical-induced motion | Steady constant-altitude data |
| Intervention & close-in work | ✔ Best tool | ✘ Not designed for it |
The honest bit: right tool, right task
AUVs are not a replacement for every ROV job. ROVs remain the right tool for intervention, repair support and close-in work. The win comes from letting the AUV cover the long survey runs, then sending an ROV only to the spots that need it. In one published study, AUVs covered around 96% of pipeline length.
That is how we work: independent engineering with qualified partners, so each part of the campaign gets the right tool.
Fewer vessel days. Better data.
Tell us about your pipeline or survey area and we will scope an AUV-led campaign.
Figures are drawn from published industry data (technical conference papers, operator pilots and equipment specifications) and are illustrative ranges, not guarantees. Reported results: survey speed about 3–3.7 kn for survey AUVs vs 0.25–0.5 kn for a pipeline-following ROV; inspection time cut from 19 to 7 days on a 155 km pipeline pilot; up to 55% lower inspection cost; 30–40% total survey savings; around 40% less time offshore. Actual results depend on scope, water depth, field conditions and data requirements.