SubC Imaging discusses the deployment of Rapid Digital Imaging (RDI)-equipped Rayfin cameras by Wood, a leader in project management, engineering, and technical services for energy and materials markets, to enhance their offshore asset inspection capabilities.
Traditional Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) visual inspection methods, involving video data collection and manual analysis, were deemed time-intensive and cost-inefficient.
Objective
To develop a streamlined, cost-effective inspection approach that surpasses conventional methodologies in efficiency and reduces offshore personnel involvement.
Solution
Wood adopted SubC Imaging’s Rayfin camera, featuring RDI technology. This system was procured through Ashtead Technology, SubC’s premier rental partner, with Wood leasing five RDI-equipped Rayfin cameras.
Technical Specifications and Advantages of RDI
- Image Capture: RDI captures thousands of high-resolution still images at more than twice the speed of conventional ROV video inspection.
- Motion Blur Reduction: High-resolution digital stills with minimal motion blur, further reduced when synchronized with LED strobe, surpassing typical 30FPS video frame grabs.
- Data Synchronization: Real-time embedding of system time and GPS coordinates into JPEG photos as EXIF metadata.
- Processing Efficiency: Direct integration of digital stills into reports, eliminating manual frame selection and facilitating improved computer vision, AI, and 3D modeling processing.
- Data Transfer: 2Hz topside transfer of digital stills, negating post-inspection high-resolution data downloads.
- Software Compatibility: Rayfin API and RDI system integrate seamlessly with industry-standard software tools and existing inspection workflows.
Operational Impact:
- Inspection Speed: Accelerated inspection process without compromising data quality.
- Data Quality: Superior resolution and zoom capabilities compared to traditional video frame grabs.
- Offline Analysis: Ability to review images while ROV performs other tasks, reducing vessel time and costs.
- 3D Modeling: High-resolution images enable creation of comprehensive 3D models of structures.
- Anomaly Detection: Enhanced capability to identify and address anomalies, reducing frequency of inspection stops.
- Data Integration: Unique data deliverables integrate directly into reports, fault-finding tools, and high-resolution 3D models.
- Decision Making: Facilitation of rapid, informed decision-making and optimization of asset management strategies.
Clinton Jensen, Field Engineering & Inspection Team Lead, Wood, said; “The level of detail captured by RDI has exceeded our expectations. It has enabled us to conduct the inspection of subsea assets more efficiently and cost-effectively than with traditional methods.”
Conclusion
The implementation of RDI technology has significantly enhanced Wood’s operational efficiency through faster inspections, higher quality data acquisition, and reduced post-processing time. This technological advancement, offered jointly by SubC Imaging and Ashtead Technology, represents a paradigm shift in offshore asset inspection methodologies, setting new industry standards for operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
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