C-Innovation Chooses Kongsberg AUV Systems

C-Innovation (C-I), a member of the Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) group of companies and an integrated marine services company specializing in advanced subsea solutions has signed an agreement with Kongsberg Maritime to acquire four new Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV). The order adds significant AUV capabilities to C-I’s already established Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) fleet.

C-I offers comprehensive subsea field development services, including front-end engineering, design and installation serving a global customer base. Its advanced ROV capabilities provide a broad spectrum of support to subsea construction projects, as well as drilling, intervention, maintenance and heavy lift assignments.

General Manager of C-Innovation LLC, Mr. Richard Bourque commented that this purchase allows C-I to do more advanced and faster surveys in deeper water: “We can now offer HiSAS data from the 4500 meter HUGIN to the offshore industry. All vehicles are portable to some extent but especially the MUNIN vehicles can be mobilized anywhere in a very short time. The combination of our ROVs and AUVs will put C-I in the lead on Inspection maintenance and repair.”

The Kongsberg Maritime AUV delivery includes two HUGIN AUVs and two MUNIN AUVs. The HUGINs are depth rated to 4500 m and equipped with the latest generation of HISAS 1032, Kongsberg Maritime’s Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS). They also carry an EM 2040 multibeam echo sounder, sub-bottom profiler, color still image camera and laser profiler. The MUNIN AUVs are rated to 1500 m and equipped with a Kongsberg Maritime EM 2040M multibeam echo sounder, sidescan sonar, sub-bottom profiler and color still image camera.

C-I’s new HUGIN and MUNIN AUVs are specially designed for subsea inspection, mapping and pipeline surveys. They feature the most advanced autonomous pipeline tracking software, developed by Kongsberg Maritime, enabling the AUV to track and follow alongside a pipe using either the SAS or sidescan. The vehicles can also fly directly overhead a pipe tracking it with the EM 2040 to collect high resolution bathymetry, photo imagery and a laser profile of the pipe.

The HUGIN includes swappable batteries and removable data storage. The C-I MUNINs have a fast charge system and data download facility designed to maximize productivity and minimize down-time between dives. They are also supplied with the Kongsberg Maritime Reflection AUV post-mission analysis software.

In-mission supervision including real-time data transmission and position aiding is provided by Kongsberg Maritime’s HiPAP acoustic system. The best position solution available is calculated by NavLab navigation post processing software.