Walk to Work and the Automation of the Offshore Oil and Gas Market

Abstract

Abstract The offshore oil and gas industry is witnessing a transformative shift towards automation to improve operational efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Walk to Work (W2W) systems are seen as a critical enabler of this automation. This paper explores the role of W2W systems in the context of automation, their benefits, and their implications for the offshore oil and gas sector. Automation technologies, such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced control systems, are being increasingly adopted in the offshore oil and gas sector. Promising designs for Normally Unattended Installations (NUIs) are driven by new technologies that enable remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and autonomous operations, reducing human intervention and improving overall operational performance. However, the integration of automation systems will continue to rely on efficient and reliable methods of offshore access to construct, maintain and repair NUIs. It is often noted that W2W systems will play a pivotal role in this development, but its role in the automation of the offshore energy sector is not properly understood. W2W systems provide a reliable and safe means of transferring personnel to and from offshore installations, supporting the automation efforts in the offshore oil and gas sector. These systems involve purpose-built vessels equipped with motion compensation gangways and accommodation facilities, commonly known as flotels. By ensuring a continuous presence in close proximity to unmanned platforms and facilities, W2W vessels can facilitate the automation of the sector by providing necessary access to offshore installations. A floating workforce supported by such vessels will be a required feature of fully optimised NUI production fields. In this paper we will discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with developing this maintenance regime.