ISS takes delivery of new generation ROV

Vessel & ROV News - January 8, 2008

Oil and gas specialists Integrated Subsea Services (ISS) has become the first contractor to take delivery of a Triton XLX ROV from Perry Slingsby Systems.

The Aberdeen-headquartered diving and ROV service firm has invested £10million in four of the new Triton XLX ROVs, which have innovative dynamic positioning technology which reduces pilot intervention and allows navigation data to direct the ROV.

It is the first time this type of technology, which is used on surface vessels, has been available for subsea projects.

The XLX ROVs also come with the all-new Integrated Controls Engine (ICE) real-time control system which will be the core element of any further applications.

The XLX operator interface includes:

• Dual/Redundant HMI systems
• State of the art graphical diagnostics
• High specification media wall
• Integrated VMAX simulator systems

Created using the latest in video wall technology and capable of displaying up to six graphics and six video windows simultaneously, the XLX can connect up to 24 input signals at any given time. It utilizes, for the first time, touch screen technology and the very latest multi-image display system, taking ROV pilot interface to the next level.

As well as a state of the art optical system featuring CWDM technology for unparallel bandwidth, the Triton XLX also has distributed subsea controls providing advanced diagnostic feedback and survey power and data interfaces supporting RS232, 485, GOB ethernet, PECL and HDTV.

David Rhodes, ROV operations manager at ISS, said: “The XLX ROV gives ISS a leading role in moving the ROV industry to the next level. We chose this system for its advanced features and diagnostics, configured for both construction and survey applications, as built by the leading ROV manufacturer."

“With such significant investment, ISS are now the first company in the world able to offer the systems, placing us at the cutting edge of this new technology.”

The XLX’s advanced tooling interfaces, which come complete with 50HP auxiliary circuit and multiple proportional control circuits, will allow additional packages developed across the industry in the future to be added to the PSS control system.

The new generation ROV also features common and upgradable design for 3,000m and 4,000m systems and has been built with integrated vehicle general arrangement to optimize free deck space, increasing payload and access for maintenance.

“Our systems have been built in simulators to allow pilot training and advanced diagnostics to allow for easier fault finding, as well as reducing cabling – minimizing potential faults and down time,” added Mr Rhodes. “In those terms this is a very exciting step forward in ROV design and service offering.”