Kongsberg Ferrotech, robotics company that designs and manufactures subsea robots for the oil and gas industry, has announced that it is developing a revolutionary new underwater 3D printing technology called, “Subsea Additive Manufacturing for Lifetime Extension”, a truly ground breaking project.
This underwater 3D printing technology research and development project will be performed with SINTEF, an independent research organization, and other major industry players, and supported by the Research Council of Norway.
The project will allow for in-situ repairs of subsea components like flowlines and conductors, by use of Additive Manufacturing techniques – significantly extending the lifetime of the assets. Lifetime extension is of high importance for sustainable development and optimal utilization of resources, both in Norway and globally. The successful development and implementation of the project will represent a game-changer for maintenance and repair of subsea components.
For Kongsberg Ferrotech, the development of underwater 3D printing will represent another significant step towards “taking the workshop to the damaged pipe” – whether it is a conductor pipe in the splash-zone or a pipeline resting on the seabed – and will unlock a world of opportunities in the global markets.
The company has already developed a subsea robotic system for remote repairs called Nautilus which can be enhanced by additive manufacturing abilities.
According to Christopher Carlsen, CEO at Kongsberg Ferrotech, “This is the start of a new industrial adventure that is of strategic importance to our company. We see a large long-term market opportunity also beyond the oil and gas industry.”
“The collaboration with Equinor, Gassco, and SINTEF represents world-class expertise within operations of underwater installations, underwater transport systems, and research on metallic repair processes. This unique opportunity to develop underwater 3D printing for lifetime extension is an important technology leap – not only for Kongsberg Ferrotech but also for the industry. We plan to offer service and maintenance based on 3D printing as early as 2022.”
– Christopher Carlsen, CEO at Kongsberg Ferrotech
It has been reported that that company has completed deepwater testing of the underwater 3D printing system in the Trondheim Fjord in Norway and the technology is ready to be deployed in the Southeast Asian market in Q3 2021.
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