Ensuring Reliable Inspections
of Flexible Flowline Cables

High-Efficiency and Reliable Underwater Inspection for Flexible Flowlines

The FIFISH Underwater Robot provides an efficient, reliable underwater inspection solution for flexible flowline systems. It enables precise condition monitoring and integrity management, powerfully supporting offshore oil and gas production.

Malaysia, Southeast Asia
July 2023

Flexible flowlines play a critical role in offshore oil and gas development. Serving as fluid transmission channels between subsea production systems and Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units, they use multi-layer composite structures to endure alternating loads, resist seawater corrosion, and adapt to extreme marine conditions.

However, in complex ocean current environments, flexible flowline inspections face major challenges: the flowline’s flexibility makes deformation monitoring difficult, currents interfere with equipment positioning accuracy, and inspections must not disrupt normal production. Traditional methods often rely on divers or large-scale inspection devices, resulting in low efficiency and significant safety risks.

FIFISH Underwater Robot: An Innovative Underwater Inspection Solution

Due to their flexibility and limited corrosion resistance, flexible flowlines are more prone to wear and therefore require precise, regular inspections. In the challenging offshore environment, the FIFISH Underwater Robot leverages its advanced 360° omnidirectional maneuverability, current-stabilized hovering, autonomous navigation, and rapid positioning capabilities, paired with real-time 4K HD dual-camera imaging. It thoroughly inspects and records the flowline structure and surrounding underwater environment, remaining unaffected by currents or other external factors. This ensures efficient, reliable inspection of the entire flowline system.

Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success

The FIFISH Underwater Robot successfully performed both quantitative and qualitative inspections of flexible flowlines—deployment went smoothly, and it delivered clear, detailed real-time images that allowed for timely detection of any damage, wear, or corrosion.

Unlike traditional approaches, in which divers or heavier equipment can be delayed or endangered by powerful currents, the FIFISH Underwater Robot offers faster, safer, and more efficient results.

Three Key Advantages That Exceed Client Expectations

In complex currents, the FIFISH Underwater Robot delivers full-range, precise maneuvering and high-accuracy inspection without disrupting operations or endangering personnel, highlighting three key advantages:

1. Safety
Eliminates diving-related risks, achieving zero manual submersion.

2. Accuracy
Provides high-precision, real-time inspection covering 100% of the flowline’s surface to ensure no area is overlooked.

3. Cost-Effectiveness
Substantially boosts operational efficiency and reduces potential downtime, minimizing reliance on costly manual checks and achieving significant cost savings.