Optimising Forum Energy Technologies’ UK-based ROV operations
Fostering a partnership with a syntactic materials specialist
Key Products
Challenge
As a world-renowned provider of value-added solutions that increase the safety and efficiency of energy exploration and production, Forum Energy Technologies (FET) boasts one of the world’s most comprehensive ranges of Work-Class and Electric Observation-Class Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) designed to perform a wide variety of deepwater operations in the world’s harshest environments.
FET are world-renowned for their extensive aftercare and support functions which now also includes a rapidly expanding service workshop.
In the face of heightened demand for deep-sea exploration, rising operational and import costs are forcing many ROV manufacturers to explore ways to optimise the cost-competitiveness of their supply chains whilst maintaining the same level of performance from their buoyancy modules.
FET recognised Base Materials as experts in syntactic materials, identifying the opportunity to build a collaborative technical partnership to further develop their buoyancy systems and complement their service workshop.
FET valued having a UK-based partner that could not only supply high-performance buoyancy modules, for use by its Work-Class and Electric Observation-Class ROVs, but with the expertise to offer a refurbishment and repair service capable of extending the operational lifespan of its existing syntactic foam modules.
Solution
To date, Base Materials has supplied multiple sets of its Subtec® buoyancy modules for its Mohican Observation-Class ROVs, its XLX-C next-generation heavy-duty Work-Class hydraulic ROVs, its Super Mohawk ROVs, and its Comanche ROVs.
The next step in the partnership was to jointly develop a repair and refurbishment service to extend the operational lifespan of two sets of existing modules, some of which were 15 years old, for use across FET’s industry-leading XLX ROVs – heavy-duty Work-Class hydraulic ROVs designed for demanding deepwater intervention and survey tasks. By giving existing modules a second lease of life FET and their customers can extend the overall service life of an ROV, significantly cutting capital expenditure and reducing landfill waste.
The ROV industry is facing significant challenges in the number of available ROVs, resulting in operators looking at all available options to extend the life expectancy of their current fleet of vehicles.
FET’s XLX and XLX Evo make ideal candidates for life extension through Base Materials buoyancy repair and refurbishment scheme.
Provided from its production facility in Birmingham, UK, Base Materials’ repair and refurbishment service comprises an inspection of the buoyancy module to review the material core, damage, breakage or corrosion of metallic inserts, weight in air and weight in water calibrated testing, and a dimensional laser scan. To ensure the modules meet original specifications, Base Materials can repair scuffs, cracks, splits and chips, and replace missing sections or damaged inserts. The service also includes re-paint and re-coat of a module’s protective skin to
improve longevity for abrasion and impact resistance, meeting the high standards FET require.
Partnering with Base Materials has been instrumental in optimising our UK-based ROV manufacturing supply chain. Their expertise in syntactic materials and broad range of services has allowed us to strategically enhance our portfolio and provide our clients with a full end
to end turn-key solution.
MATTHEW SIMPSON
Systems Support Manager at Forum Energy Technologies