Seatools Rolls Out New Precision Flow Excavation Spread

Subsea technology company Seatools has introduced Carrera E 3D motion-controlled precision flow excavation spread.

The 630+ kW, all-electric deep-water excavator features Seatools’ ROV DP technology and, according to the company, it sets the stage for unprecedented levels of accuracy, production, and workability in the mass flow excavation (MFE) market.

Seatools developed the Carrera E mass flow excavation spread leveraging its capabilities in heave compensation and ROV control technologies.

The patent-pending spread features 3D motion control, which enables precision excavation operations at a minimum of seabed disturbance. Thanks to the Carrera E’s incorporated dynamic positioning (DP) capabilities, the tool may follow a pre-programmed track (e.g., a cable route) with high precision and in a highly automated manner, the company explains.

Seatools said it arrived at the design by performing a holistic analysis on subsea excavation operations. Johan Sol, responsible for business development, explains: “Early on in the development process we analyzed excavation operations as well as the direct and indirect cost drivers from a client point of view. Especially in terms of indirect cost drivers – vessel day rates, environmental downtime, survey costs, and crew costs – we found significant room for improvement: in some cases, total project costs could be cut by 50% while realizing reduced environmental impact and safety improvements.”

The Carrera E is launched by means of a dedicated, actively heave-compensated LARS, which is said to minimize trench depth variation and prevents physical contact between the product and the excavator.

“We intend to upset the MFE market’s status quo. The Carrera E precision flow excavation spread represents a whole new performance level in terms of productivity, accuracy, environmental impact, and safety. And we’re eager to see the change it will produce in markets such as offshore renewables, offshore decommissioning, and offshore oil and gas construction,” Johan Sol concludes.