UK: ROVOP Invests in New Jobs and ROVs

Rapidly growing and award winning energy services firm ROVOP is to create around 60 jobs to accompany the purchase of five remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

The Aberdeen-based subsea specialist will invest around £15million over the next 18 months in the workclass hydraulic machines, supplied by FMC Schilling Robotics, with the first ready for use in January 2013.

Continual high demand for ROVOP’s fleet has led to this latest expansion and the purchases are with a view to obtaining new work. Recently signed contracts for work on windfarms across Europe will be served by the company’s existing vehicles.

The soon to be received heavy-duty ROV systems compliment the mid-size machines already operated by ROVOP, allowing the company to provide the full range of ROV services demanded by the offshore market.

The company will create highly skilled ROV pilot-technician posts and provide comprehensive training programmes for existing electrical and mechanical engineers. The first 12 new recruits are set to leave Aberdeen during December to undertake intensive training at FMC Schilling Robotics’ California facilities.

ROVOP selected FMC Schilling Robotics HD and UHD models following a rigorous selection process. The 150Hp HD represents the latest in ROV technology, delivering industry leading performance, power and reliability. The highly integrated modular design of the ROV enables rapid maintenance of all subsystems which, compared to traditional ROVs, can save valuable hours in costly drilling or construction operations offshore.

Operating systems on the machines provide the most advanced ROV control system in the world and include several automated features that greatly improve efficiency. These allow for complex remote intervention operations to be performed in less time, due to the inherent power and stability of the ROV combined with the capability for the operator to perform tasks with the highest degree of precision.

The mobile ROVs can be installed on clients’ vessels, rigs or platforms. These will be made available to global oil companies, offshore construction, inspection repair and maintenance (IRM) and survey clients who require the highest standards of ROV service available.

Steven Gray, Managing Director of ROVOP, said “This represents a significant milestone in the development of ROVOP.  We will now be operating the most modern, capable and reliable fleet of ROVs in our market.

“Our new vehicles will enable us to carry out heavy work as well as more complex automated tasks subsea. The demand for our expertise and service continues to grow strongly and we expect that to continue as our fleet increases in size, power and capability.”

“The ROVs are designed to deliver faster and more efficient field servicing, allowing our personnel offshore to focus on providing the highest level of service and focus on excellent delivery for the client using the advanced features of the ROV and its operating system.”

In addition, ROVOP is investing around £250,000 in a state-of-the-art ROV simulator. The simulator, also provided by FMC Schilling Robotics ROV, reflects a new generation of such technology, with the most realistic 3D modelling and real-life field operations scenarios. This system will allow personnel to undergo situational training, as well as rehearsing tasks and scenarios before heading offshore.

Doug Middleton, ROVOP’s Operations Director, commented: “The FMC Schilling Robotics simulator is a critical part of our strategy to be the ROV operator of choice for the offshore energy industry.  Our dedication to safe and efficient operations means that being able to rehearse scenarios and train personnel to the highest possible standards is key to our future plans. Working with the most technologically advanced equipment, as well as providing an excellent training environment is important to our ability to recruit and retain the best ROV personnel in the industry at all levels from trainees to supervisors.”

Tyler Schilling, President and CEO of FMC Schilling Robotics, said “We are very pleased to be selected as ROVOP’s long term partner for the supply of ROV systems.  ROVOP’s customers will experience first-hand the performance benefits from our significant investments in developing ROV technology that is both easy to operate and easy to maintain.”

In just over a year of trading, ROVOP has already grown to employ more than 30 staff and was named Promising New Business at the 2012 Grampian Awards for Business.

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Press release, November 22, 2012, Image: ROVOP