Transocean Automates for Safer, More Efficient Offshore Operations

Transocean, a leading offshore drilling contractor has rig operations located in harsh environment and ultra-deep water locations across the globe. In the offshore world, Transocean was challenged to improve their operator’s drilling performance. More importantly, they needed to create a safer environment for employees working in the dangerous red zone areas of the rig.

Transocean partnered with FANUC’s Authorized System Integrator ARC Specialties to design an automated solution to handle the drilling riser, which was the most labor-intensive operation. Before automation, this hazardous job required team members to carry heavy bolts and use brute force to manipulate torque wrenches for each bolt on the riser.

Today, the automated system uses two FANUC’s M-900iB/280 FoundryPro robots with enhanced rigidity for applications that require ultimate precision and can withstand harsh environments. The robots are also equipped with FANUC Soft Float software and a custom torque tool which allows them to react to variances in workpiece precision and the extremely heavy torque load. In addition, iRVision® enables the robots to “see” the position of the bolts.

This is the first system of its kind and has proven a huge success! It’s improved efficiency by moving Transocean’s skilled workers out of the dangerous red zone to other areas of the rig where they can perform different tasks. Another key benefit is achieving higher levels of consistency with the robotic automation without the concern for human safety.

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The robotic system has been highly successful. We were able to reduce the number of people in that dangerous red zone area to zero.

Craig McCormick Senior Manager Innovation & New Technology – Transocean