In a historic first for subsea inspection and maintenance, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has selected S2 Robotics to deploy its cutting-edge Thai-Norwegian robotic technology, Nautilus MK2, to inspect and repair a critical section of a subsea oil pipeline suffering from severe corrosion.
The operation follows the discovery of significant wall loss—exceeding 60%—on a 20-inch producing subsea pipeline. To ensure continuous production and avoid costly shutdowns, ADNOC entrusted S2 Robotics with executing a complete non-destructive inspection and structural repair mission.
The selection comes after a successful live demonstration of Nautilus MK2 at Blue Gulf Shipyard in Abu Dhabi, where the robot showcased its ability to perform safe, efficient, and high-precision inspection and maintenance tasks under real subsea conditions.
“The trust given to us by a global energy leader like ADNOC to tackle this significant challenge is a powerful endorsement,” said Phongpat Binsomprasong, Chief Operating Officer of S2 Robotics. “The success of our recent field operations proved that S2 Robotics' technology is ready for services globally. This marks a significant milestone as we deploy our technology on a remote real-time monitoring mission to protect essential energy infrastructure. We are not only improving safety and efficiency but also setting a new standard for the global energy industry.”
NDT-Powered Precision: Corrosion Assessment and Repair
At the core of this mission is Nautilus MK2’s advanced Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) system. The robot performs high-resolution ultrasonic (UT) and time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) scans with 1x1 millimetre precision to verify and map wall thickness along the corroded pipeline segment. The data, transmitted live via satellite, enables real-time interpretation and decision-making by experts onshore.
Based on the NDT assessment, Nautilus MK2 also executed a robotic-controlled carbon fibre wrap application, restoring the pipeline’s strength and ensuring long-term structural integrity—all performed remotely under full subsea automation.
“What sets this mission apart is the Nautilus MK2's intelligent, all-in-one capability,” said Christopher Carlsen, Director of S2 Robotics. “Once on-site, the robot performs high-resolution scans using both UT (Ultrasonic Tool) and TOFD (Time of Flight Diffraction) technologies, achieving a precision of 1x1 millimetres. All data is sent in real-time via satellite, allowing experts and the client to see the inspection and analyse data in real-time. This quick access to precise information is essential for making effective maintenance decisions and reducing risks.”
Collaborative Innovation in Subsea Engineering
The mission was executed through a collaboration between S2 Robotics, SAFEEN Group, and Kongsberg Ferrotech. The subsea worksite was prepared through dredging and marine growth removal, followed by deployment of Nautilus MK2 from the vessel SAFEEN Surveyor for full inspection and repair operations.
This deployment marks a significant milestone for the global energy sector, combining robotics, artificial intelligence, and non-destructive testing to deliver real-time subsea integrity management. With this achievement, S2 Robotics has positioned itself at the forefront of automated NDT innovation for subsea infrastructure—paving the way for safer, more sustainable offshore operations.
Reference: https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/business/tech/40056328
