New offshore drilling safety technology has been developed to monitor and provide advanced warning of potential risks in the “Red Zone”, the area of the rig floor where heavy drilling equipment operates and the risk of injury is highest.
Vision IQ, a nonexclusive solution developed by technology company the Marsden Group, in conjunction with offshore drilling contractor Seadrill, combines artificial intelligence (AI), Laser Imaging, Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and advanced edge computing technology to ensure safer and more efficient operations in the Red Zone for offshore rigs and drillships. Comparable to the use in autonomous vehicles, LiDAR technology surrounds the Red Zone of the rig to create a dynamically monitored environment, while AI technology allows real time monitoring of the Red Zone using 3D visualizations.
According to Seadrill, this holistic view enables users to pinpoint the exact position of crew members on the rig floor in relation to moving heavy equipment and provide advanced warning of potential hazards, thereby limiting scope for human error. Vision IQ is engineered specifically for offshore drilling and can be integrated into the rig’s anti-collision system (ACS), creating a more unified, seamless approach to safety.
Seadrill said it has piloted Vision IQ on one of its rigs under contract in offshore US Gulf of Mexico with an international oil company, and it will deploy the technology on 12 rigs by the end of 2020.
The offshore driller said it will also voluntarily share the technology behind Vision IQ with its peers in an effort to boost safety across the industry.
Anton Dibowitz, CEO of Seadrill, said, “The introduction of Vision IQ is a major advancement in ensuring worker safety and improving the environment for our offshore crews. The safety of our people and our operation is fundamental, it is the cornerstone of our business. Vision IQ will help transform Red Zone management.
“We have committed to sharing this technology with the wider industry as it is the right thing to do, given the significant safety benefit it provides. Vision IQ also supports Seadrill’s sustainable business approach, as safety is at the heart of our culture and will deliver a safer operation for our customers.”