Design of ROV launch and recovery system

Abstract

The remotely operated vehicle represents a key element in cost effective development, maintenance and decommissioning of various subsea installations. The ROV is in particular useful when performing deepwater operations. In many cases unique and highly advanced tooling are developed to perform complicated operations on subsea structures. Without the ROV it would be very hard, if not impossible to develop deepwater subsea fields. This thesis investigates how remotely operated vehicles are launched and recovered during subsea operations. The report takes a basic look at several common launch and recovery systems that are in use. The software SolidWorks have been used to design a 3D model of an improved ROV launch and recovery system. On older drill rigs the ROV requires extensive guiding through the ROV moon pool. Usually the guiding is done physically by the ROV crew, using ropes, chains or “båtsake” (stick) to control the ROV. The main focus when designing the improved launch and recovery system is to separate “man and machine”. This is done by integrating a Hydraulic Rotary Table on a Guide Beam. The Beam is guided by two 6 inch Guide Pipes running from the substructure of the moon pool and all the way up to the workshop area. The Guide System together with the Hydraulic Rotary Table will allow the ROV to be mechanically rotated and adjusted before and during launch and recovery. The benefits of such a system will be less contact between the ROV and the crew. This concludes a safe and more efficient launch and recovery.