On April 1, China Oilfield Services Limited China Offshore Fugro Geosolütions (ShenZhen) Co.,Ltd (COSL-Fugro)’s independently developed “FCV4000”, a 4,000-meter working-class multi-purpose cable-controlled remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for deep-sea resource development, successfully completed the joint development project of the Panyu 11-12/10-1/10-2 oilfield adjustment in the eastern South China Sea.
ROV is an unmanned diving equipment remotely controlled by cables. Its core is composed of a pressure-resistant frame, a propulsion system, a power and communication umbilical cable, and a surface control terminal. It is equipped with high-definition cameras, sensors, robotic arms and other devices. Through modular tools such as robotic arms and samplers, it can perform offshore engineering support, offshore oil and gas facility maintenance, marine resource development, marine scientific research, engineering rescue and other tasks in extreme environments of deep sea high pressure and low temperature.
As offshore oil exploration and development continues to move farther and deeper, offshore engineering operation-level ROV equipment technology faces challenges such as 40 MPa high-pressure adaptation, long-distance transmission of data signals, and intelligent and refined operation.
It is reported that the “FCV4000” heavy-duty ROV uses the independently developed high-strength titanium alloy frame and composite pressure-resistant buoyant material for the first time, and the float pressure resistance coefficient reaches 1.2 times the safe load. The structural strength of the “FCV4000” ROV is 50% higher than that of the “FCV3000” heavy-duty ROV, and the buoyancy redundancy is ≥15%.
During the research and development process, the project team has successfully overcome key technologies such as titanium alloy pressure-resistant cabin and autonomous control system, and successfully extended the operating depth limit to 4000 meters.
As the epitome of localized advanced equipment and technology for ocean exploration, the ROV has a localization rate of over 90% for its key parts supply chain, and may become an important equipment for China to advance into the deep sea oil field.