Descripción del proyecto
Revolucionar la inspección submarina
A medida que los activos de extracción de petróleo y gas en alta mar superan su vida útil de diseño, la necesidad de desmantelar o sustituir estas estructuras se hace cada vez más acuciante. Sin embargo, los costes asociados son asombrosos: se calcula que se necesitarán 20 000 millones de euros en los próximos diez años para retirar unas 80 plataformas y su infraestructura. El mayor reto consiste en inspeccionar y mantener las estructuras submarinas, como las cimentaciones de tipo jacket y las tuberías, donde la alta presión, el agua de mar y las bioincrustaciones dificultan las operaciones y aceleran la degradación. En este contexto, el equipo del proyecto VERNE, financiado con fondos europeos, pretende revolucionar la inspección submarina. Gracias a la combinación de ultrasonidos y pruebas acústicas, se alcanzará una velocidad y precisión sin precedentes, lo que permitirá un examen rápido,el mapeo de defectos y una caracterización detallada.
Objetivo
This project aims to develop and commercialise VERNE: A non-destructive testing (NDT) system that has the potential to revolutionise underwater inspection of tubular structures by achieving far greater inspection speed and precision compared to existing systems. As the majority of offshore Oil and Gas extraction assets have already exceeded their design lifetime, the need for decommissioning and/or substituting these assets becomes increasingly pressing. However, associated costs are enormous and it will cost nearly €20 billion over the next 10 years to remove around 80 platforms and their associated infrastructure. As asset owners strive to prolong asset lifetime while and minimise risk of catastrophic accidents, the greatest challenge is the inspection and maintenance of subsea structures like jacket foundations and pipelines. In underwater environments the high pressure, seawater and marine life (biofouling) obstruct maintenance operations and accelerate structure degradation. Subsea inspections are currently performed using Remotely Operated Vehicles carrying a payload of cameras, sensors and other equipment. VERNE will dramatically improve on their performance by combining ultrasound and acoustic testing that enable (i) the rapid scanning and defect mapping in a 100m radius around the inspection point and (ii) detailed and precise characterisation once defects are identified. VERNE’s technologies enable inspection of both external and internal surface of structures (e.g. pipelines) without the need to remove anti-corrosion coatings and/or biofouling. As such, VERNE will lead to significant cost savings for asset owners while providing a key competitive advantage to subsea service providers. As such, project partners Dacon and Nardoni anticipate a cumulative turnover of €31.468 million and profits of €19.3 million by Year 5 with a breakeven over the total budget in Year 2 and a ROI rate of 13:1 on EC’s grant.
Ámbito científico
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensors
- natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryhydrocarbons
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfossil energynatural gas
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesacousticsultrasound
Programa(s)
- H2020-EU.2.1.2. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Nanotechnologies Main Programme
- H2020-EU.2.1.5. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Advanced manufacturing and processing
- H2020-EU.2.1.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Advanced materials
- H2020-EU.2.3.1. - Mainstreaming SME support, especially through a dedicated instrument
Convocatoria de propuestas
Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoriaConvocatoria de subcontratación
H2020-SMEINST-2-2016-2017
Régimen de financiación
SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2Coordinador
1369 STABEKK
Noruega
Organización definida por ella misma como pequeña y mediana empresa (pyme) en el momento de la firma del acuerdo de subvención.