Ativatec ROV Tools

Ativatec is a Brazilian company specialized in subsea technology and robotics engineering. The company was born at the Genesis Incubator at the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) in 2005. Today, Ativatec offers subsea services for Petrobras at the Campos Basin. Ativatec has a very good track record in developing new subsea technologies in partnership with government research institutes and universities such as FINEP, FAPERJ, PUC-Rio and Petrobras. Prizes and recognition from Petrobras for the services and products developed for the National Operator along the last 9 years, has earned Ativatec a preferred partner status with Petrobras and the company is recognized as one of the main Brazilian subsea robotic companies in the market.

Ativatec tools:

Ultrasonic Subsea Inspection – CRAB TOOL

Wet Xmas trees and PLEMs (Pipeline End Manifold) are mechanical devices that have bolts as key components. Due to the extremely aggressive deep water environment and the presence of hydrogen in the water, PETROBRAS has faced some problems with these bolts, which have failed due to cracks. Offshore ultrasonic inspection in deep water is a great challenge in pipeline maintenance technology. Ativatec’s ultrasonic inspection tool, called Crab Tool (Crack Bolt Detection Tool) was developed for in-situ bolt inspection in order to detect cracks, even small (3mm deep), nucleated from the thread. Fourteen ultrasound transducers, seven per side, sequentially scan the bolt and the respective A-scan is real-time displayed at the surface. Once a crack is detected it is possible to pin-point its location and length. Designed to be operated by a ROV (remotely operated vehicle), the Crab Tool ‘s innovative technology was validated in offshore operations under 900 meters depth.

Subsea Hydrate Dissociation Tool – “SAES”

Offshore Oil Production Companies have always needed to deal with hydrate formations in their subsea oil production systems, such, as in X-mas Trees, Pipes, Manifolds, Controls and Connections. Hydrate causes different problems, such as, loss or decrease of oil flow in production pipes, subsea valves being blocked and environmental risks. Petrobras and Ativatec developed a new Subsea Hydrate Dissociation ROV Tool called “SAES”. This tool is capable of heating a specific location of the subsea system and dissociating the hydrates, thus reestablishing the regular production flow. The first prototype was produced and tested at Petrobras’ Research Center’s Subsea Technology Laboratory with success at a depth of 1500 meters and 100 degrees celsius. The “SAES” tool technology drastically reduces costs and increases safety and efficiency in subsea hydrate control operations.