PXGEO and Equinor putting drone for autonomous subsea inspection ops to the test

June 10, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Marine geophysical service provider PXGEO has joined forces with Norway’s state-owned energy giant Equinor to carry out testing of the next-generation underwater intervention drone (UID) technology for offshore inspection.

Saab Sabertooth UID testing will be conducted in Norway; Source: PXGEO

PXGEO and Equinor have signed a one-year framework agreement to run autonomous inspection trials with the Saab Sabertooth UID.

The work to be undertaken is expected to test and verify this UID technology, with the aim of validating autonomous behaviors for offshore inspection.

As the first call-off for a test nearshore in Norway is already on the way, the Sabertooth will dock autonomously and inspect subsea infrastructure in AUV mode.

This will be conducted using onboard sonar and cameras. The test represents PXGEO’s first step into a market where unmanned operations are becoming the standard.

Peter Erkers, PXGEO’s Head of Strategy, commented: “This is our first commercial contract in autonomous subsea inspection and the right partner and platform to do it with.”

This deal with Equinor follows PXGEO’s two assignments with Petrobras-led consortia for the provision of seismic acquisition offshore Brazil.