Bluestream adds two new ROV systems to North Sea fleet

Inspection service provider Bluestream has expanded its ROV fleet for services to the UK Central and Northern North Sea sectors by adding two new Saab Seaeye-based systems. 

Blustream said on Tuesday that it added two new gravity-based Saab Seaeye Cougar XT Compact Zone II ROV systems to its fleet.

The low-profile design of the vehicle is especially suited for fixed or floating platform inspections. The Cougar XT Compact version of the Cougar concept was chosen for its regulatory compliance in the Central and Northern North Sea sectors.

According to Bluestream, the platform-based inspection package offers considerable cost-saving benefits, when compared to inspections carried out from ROV vessels.

Also, adding the two Cougar XT Compacts to its current fleet brings Bluestream’s total of Saab Seaeye vehicles to 22 systems.

The compact version of the Cougar has a slimmed-down profile which is easily maneuverable inside complex platform structures, while its thruster pack helps cope with strong currents and turbulent waters, Bluestream said.

Bluestream required a flexible equipment plan for their Cougars which, like all Saab Seaeye robotic vehicles, are designed for easy customization and enhancement with third-party systems.

The two Bluestream Cougar Compacts will be equipped with a Seaprince sonar, Kongsberg cameras, and an underslung hydraulic skid ready for fitting an array of third-party equipment which includes, but not confined to, the FlexiClean tooling, subsea water jetting, shear-cutter, subsea excavation pumps, subsea sensors, and an array of CP systems.