PREFACE 



The extraction of offshore oil and natural gas from deep, cold and hostile 

 ocean regions has encouraged development of a wide variety of underwater support 

 services. Saturation diving systems , manned submersibles and observation/work 

 bells, one-atmosphere diving suits and remotely operated vehicles are all 

 engaged in the exploitation and production of these offshore resources. Of 

 all these capabilities, the greatest recent surge in activity and employment 

 has been in the area of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) . Although ROVs 

 were introduced to the offshore community 25 years ago, it was not until the 

 past three years that the concept took hold in industry. By 1974 twenty ROVs 

 had been constructed, at the end of 1979 at least 139 of the tethered, free- 

 swimming type will have been constructed. Their application has been varied 

 and each design is unique. To date they have produced many successes and 

 indicate a great future potential. 



The need for increased ROV capabilities to work at a wider variety of tasks 

 and at greater depths is pressing. Already exploration for offshore oil is 

 taking place in water depths of 1,500m (4,920 ft), and production platforms 

 are pumping oil from depths of 310m (1,015 ft). Oil and gas pipelines are 

 under construction which will be in waters 914m (3,000 ft) deep and more than 

 12,893km (7,000 miles) of undersea pipeline are in U.S. waters alone. In 

 1977, according to the Exxon Company, offshore oil accounted for 16 percent 

 (10 million barrels daily) of the worldwide crude production. Offshore 

 proved crude oil reserves are estimated at 26 percent (170 billion barrels) 

 of the world total. As the scope of oil and gas extraction widens and the 

 depth increases, the ambient pressure diver is quickly reaching his physiological 

 limits to provide support. Alternative systems, both unmanned and manned 

 must be developed to intervene for the human manipulator in a wide variety 

 of ocean environments. 



The purpose of this study was: 1) to identify the types and capabilities 

 of currently operating ROVs; 2) to determine the type of work they are now 

 conducting; 3) to assess the performance and problem areas now encountered; 



4) to locate and describe current research related to ROV technology and 



5) recommend research and development programs required to increase present 

 and future ROV performance in all areas (industrial activities and scientific/ 

 research) of present and potential application. While the study treats all 

 types of ROVs, it has concentrated on the tethered, free-swimming variety, 

 although recommendations for towed vehicles are also included. 



The data for this study were collected through literature reviev^s, telephone 

 interviews and personal visits to operators and manufacturers of ROVs in the 

 United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland and France. Written 

 correspondence was used to contact operators in Japan, Norway, Sweden, West 

 Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union. The operators contacted are listed in 

 Appendix A and the sources of published information consulted are contained 

 in Appendix B. The program began in August 1978 and concluded in July 1979. 



