US-based robotics company Square Robot have announced the success of a Joint Development Program (JDP) with energy giant ExxonMobil to design, build and deploy a submersible autonomous inspection robot capable of entering above ground storage tanks through a side entry “launcher” to inspect the internal surfaces of the tank while the tank remains in service.
A key feature of the robot and application is the ability to safely enter more volatile liquids, such as petrol, stored in tanks with an internal floating roof.
The final phase of the development programme was executed in the final week of June when a robot was deployed into a 140-inch diameter above-ground storage tank containing 150,000 BBLS of petrol at ExxonMobil’s Baton Rouge, US, facility. Representatives from both companies witnessed the successful deployment, survey and recovery of the robot in full compliance with the original design objectives.
This ground-breaking service is a world first, offering significant environmental, health and safety benefits. The service eliminates the release of hydrocarbon vapour and waste associated with taking a tank out of service. It reduces personnel risk by avoiding confined space entries. Additionally, with the tank remaining in service and operational, the total cost associated with traditional inspection services is dramatically reduced, adding value to tank owners while arming them with a comprehensive data set regarding the state of their asset so that more informed decisions can be made as part of their integrity programme.
Commenting on the achievement, Tim Westhoven, ExxonMobil Technology Scouting & Ventures Senior Advisor, said: “This is another example of how ExxonMobil is innovating to meet our environmental, safety and cost reduction commitments. We are happy to work with innovative companies like Square Robot to deliver solutions that make our operations safer, more efficient and reduce environmental impacts.”
David Lamont, Square Robot President & CEO, added: “Working with ExxonMobil on this joint project has been a very rewarding experience for Square Robot. The results speak for themselves. I believe ExxonMobil has brought out the best in Square Robot and leveraged our ability to quickly develop world leading technology capable of having a major impact at a company of ExxonMobil’s scale, with no compromise. We are very thankful to ExxonMobil for being such a wonderfully progressive partner.”