Scientists at the National Oceanographic Centre (NOC) have released a review of how marine robotic capabilities can support the environmental monitoring needed for decommissioning oil and gas installations.
The review shows how existing sensors and autonomous platforms could be used to assess all the types of marine environment encountered during decommissioning monitoring. The approach was tested and refined in consultation with representatives from industry, environmental managers, and regulators.
Autonomous systems are already making step changes in the way that marine survey and scientific investigations are being done, allowing high-resolution information on large areas of the marine environment to be collected much more quickly and frequently than before.
NOC scientist Daniel Jones, the lead author of the review said, “Industry and the government regulators are taking note of these new technologies. Expert syntheses, such as this, will be helpful in developing a more cost-effective but still rigorous approach for the future.”