The primary objective is to guarantee economic and efficient energy for a competitive Europe in the short term by addressing the difficulties of developing European hydrocarbon resources, related to the technical limitations and excessive cost of performing sub-sea operations in deep waters (up to 3000 metres). Currently these activities are performed by Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), which are connected to a surface support vessel by umbilicals.

The project shall develop a system to permit these activities to be carried out with Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), which do not have any physical connection to the surface and thus do not require dedicated surface support, permitting the operations from the existing infrastructure in the work area, typically a floating production system, leading to cost saving, continuous monitoring and faster reaction to accidents. The system aims at a depth rating of 3000m, a 20km step out range, 5 hours free swimming and global IMR capability.