Petronas’ technology commercialisation arm, Petronas Technology Ventures Sdn Bhd (PTVSB) has entered into a partnership with Waygate Technologies Robotics AG (WTR), to commercialise a jointly developed robotic inspection device and scale its utilisation in the oil and gas industry.
Based on the BIKE robotic system, the device enables improved data management and inspection of confined or hard-to-reach spaces in oil and gas facilities – onshore and offshore.
The enhanced technology includes a cleaning tool as well as additional ultrasonic and eddy current inspection capabilities.
A commercial agreement was signed recently on the sidelines of the Offshore Technology Conference Asia 2022 (OTC Asia 2022) by PTVSB Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mahpuzah Abai and WTR CEO, Ekkehard Zwicker.
It was witnessed by Petronas Senior Vice President of Project Delivery & Technology, Bacho Pilong together with Baker Hughes APAC Vice President, Graham Gillies.
Under the agreement, Petronas will deploy the updated BIKE robot in more facilities, while WTR will provide comprehensive training and support services. The agreement also marks the commitment by both companies to promote uptake of the device among its partners and customers.
The companies are also co-developing two new versions of the tool, the BIKE I-Beam, designed to overcome specific obstacles and sharp edges in confined spaces, and a micro crawler version to facilitate inspection of smaller pipes.
-NIAGATIMES
