ROVS DIVE TO GREATER DEPTHS OF TECHNOLOGY.

The author surveys the applications of the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) over the last 25 years. In this work the author highlights the application of ROVs to support drilling and completion activities in deep water. Drilling support ROVs have many duties to perform. These range from examination of the drilling site and debris clearance, and changing the wellhead or BOP gasket, to underwater inspection of the drilling rig itself. Reentry of a suspended well is often delayed by the amount of debris laying across the permanent guidebase. An ROV can clear away this debris and establish new guidewires. It can be bounced again to ensure the wellhead connector is securely latched. It can also observe cement returns, place ordnance to clear a drill site when a well is finally abandoned, or replace bent guide posts.