Bluestream has taken delivery of the third of four ROVs ordered from Saab Seaeye in the last twelve months.
Their new 2000 metre-rated Cougar XT is the second of this model to be added to the 11 strong ROV fleet operated by the Netherlands-based Offshore services company.
Managing director, Rolf de Vries, sees the Cougar as further investment in Bluestream’s ROV resources and its commitment to remote technology.
“We are ready to meet the needs of diverse clients across different market sectors,” he says.
He added that the Cougar XT was chosen as a proven system that is ideal for light work-class jobs and survey tasks. It can also be adapted to receive a wide variety of sensors, ancillary equipment and tooling.
Bluestream’s model comes with an array of cameras, sonar, five-function manipulator and hydraulic disk cutter. A detachable bare skid is also supplied ready for different tooling options.
“We invest heavily in tooling to offer multiple services across the offshore oil and gas industry, and the renewables sector,” says Rolf de Vries.
He goes on to explain: “Tooling options are a vital resource for undertaking a wide number of tasks, ranging from drill support, HP cleaning, grinding, salvage, intervention and non-destructive testing – to pipeline survey work, pipe-tracking, IRM, and tailor made solutions” .
Bluestream has a reputation for finding imaginative tooling solutions to cut operating costs and improve safety – they were first to adapt a Saab Seaeye Surveyor ROV for Christmas Tree installation work.
Their solution included an innovative torque tool that could operate delicate needle valves within torque tolerances without needing the dexterity of a diver’s hand.
“Using a compact ROV with in-house developed smart work-class tooling capabilities avoided any diver intervention at 30 metres,” explains Bluestream’s project engineer, Job Biersteker. “It made huge savings in manpower costs, and avoided risking diver safety – and it can work almost 24 hours a day”.
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Press release, October 29, 2013; Image: Bluestreamoffshore