Though the offshore drilling industry has undergone a number of technological and safety changes in the past few decades, some related industries are still playing catch up, including the remotely operated vehicle sector. However, as a recent article in Offshore Magazine explains, even though ROVs haven't been around as long as tools in other industries, the machines are beginning to hit their "productivity era," and are helping offshore drilling machines increase their own efficiency rates.
The magazine explained that since ROVs were first created, the ROV industry "has advanced to the point where there is less focus on how or if the job will get done, and added concentration on how to get the job done more effectively. With vessel and rig rates reaching $750,000 or more per day, it is understandable why the focus has shifted in this direction, and there is one common concern that every company shares – not enough skilled people."
This also means that training people to use ROVs has also become easier, and oil rigs often rely on fewer people to operate ROVs. Eventually, the article explained, as ROVs become more user- friendly and intuitive, the machines will be easier to operate, and rigs won't need the ROV experts who currently operate the machines.
Still, until we get to that point, most offshore oil rigs will continue to need the necessary equipment security when it comes to ROVs. With ROV manufacturers insurance, ROVs can be protected in case damage is sustained, so offshore oil rigs can continue to use the machines to prosper.