Zupt began offshore trials in 2017 to implement remote metrology surveys using its C-PINS inertial navigation system. As drillships started conducting more jumper and spool metrologies, there were concerns about managing personnel on board, equipment logistics, and ensuring equipment readiness. Therefore, the shift towards remote metrology operations without deploying additional personnel to field sites was seen as a way to enhance efficiency and safety, with the bonus of reduced environmental impact. Zupt has had 100% success with 30+ remote surveys, and there have been no emergency offshore mobilizations to rectify operational downtime. This success translates into cost savings for clients, as Zupt's lumpsum remote metrology pricing model ensures predictable expenses.

The remote metrology procedure involves a few simple steps. Upon equipment arrival offshore, ROV personnel verify the packing case count against the manifest. The equipment is brought to the ROV deck days before the metrology operation for full system integration, ensuring reliable ROV and onshore communication. The day before the metrology, the ROV team gathers the CTD profile, assembles the C-PINS into lifting hardware, and attaches the stab. On the metrology day, the ROV team brings the system online. They check communications with Houston for ROV video, serial data (over ethernet), voice/phone, and data acquisition begins as if our personnel were sitting in the ROV control room with the pilots.

With offshore equipment interfacing handled by the ROV team, the onshore survey team can promptly initiate fabrication deliverables upon completion of the data acquisition with a deliverable to the client within 24 hours. Additionally, the known upfront cost of the metrology allows flexibility in the project schedule without being constrained by reducing day rates before and after the job.

The Benefits of Remote Metrology

• Lumpsum Cost: Remote metrology is a lumpsum cost, providing a generous fixed number of equipment days.
• Only Equipment Mobilized: Only the equipment is mobilized offshore, and no additional metrology personnel are needed. The equipment is mobilized well in advance of the metrology date and does not require urgent demobilization.
• Compact Equipment Spread: Equipment spread is compact and does not vary much based on operational conditions
• Real-time Data Acquisition: We complete data acquisition onshore in real-time with relatively low bandwidth requirements of 1024 KBPS. The offshore ROV team is provided with a detailed task plan and constantly communicates with the onshore team.

The advancement of technology is rapidly improving bandwidth availability and affordability, particularly with emerging satellite communication solutions such as Starlink, which signifies a positive trajectory for remote metrology services and enhances accessibility and reliability for clients.

Contact Zupt today to learn more about remote metrology services and how they can enhance your offshore operations.

Inertial Metrology using Zupt's C-PINS is a proven and efficient method to accurately determine the measurements required for jumper or spool fabrication between subsea assets. Over the past 16 years, Zupt has completed more than 300 inertial metrologies, which have proven to be more efficient than traditional LBL acoustic metrology methods, consistently saving an average of 50% vessel time. This efficiency translates to significant cost savings and enhanced productivity for offshore marine construction projects worldwide.

Zupt's inertial navigation system, C-PINS, has several advantages, one of which is its simple and efficient design. The system is self-contained and needs only one subsea connection to the ROV for both power and communication, making it simple to connect and communicate on any vessel, rig, or barge equipped with a work-class ROV. This reduction in setup time allows our survey team to immediately get to work, without the delays associated with complicated interfacing. 

In terms of accuracy, Zupt's inertial metrology solution consistently delivers precise measurements required for jumper or spool fabrication.  The data obtained by C-PINS is comparable to that acquired through traditional LBL acoustic metrology methods but with a significant speed advantage. It saves valuable vessel time by eliminating the need for an acoustic array and operates effectively in shallow water or in the presence of drilling noise and vibration.

Another significant benefit offered by Zupt's inertial metrology is real-time quality control. Clients can confidently make decisions during survey operations with precise assessments available in millimeters or fractions of a degree throughout the data collection process in real-time. The final deliverable is provided within 24 hours after data collection, minimizing project downtime, and contains all metrology data required for jumper or spool fabrication.

Inertial Metrology offers a proven, efficient, and accurate solution for determining measurements crucial to subsea jumper/spool fabrication. By maximizing productivity, minimizing project timelines, and reducing operational costs, Zupt's inertial metrology enables faster, cost-effective project completion.

The Benefits of Inertial Metrology

• Vessel Time Savings: A significant reduction in vessel time, averaging 50% time savings compared to traditional LBL acoustic metrology methods.
• Simple Interface: Efficient operations with a one-connector interface to the ROV and short communication checks.
• Minimal Downtime: Elimination of the need for installing acoustic arrays, to immediately get to work
• High Accuracy: Delivering precise measurements required for jumper or spool fabrication
• Quality Control: Real-time quality control during data collection
• Quick Deliverable: Deliverable to the client within 24 hours after data collection is complete

Contact Zupt today to learn more about inertial metrology services and how they can enhance your offshore operations.

We care about efficient projects for clients through focusing on accuracy and reliability using our technology.

Who We Are

We are invested in helping people move towards efficiency through developing technology to revolutionize operations for a simpler future.

1. We are a small company who can say yes faster

2. We are experts delivering unique solutions for clients’ projects

3. We make complex technology easy to use

4. We have a true understanding of the integration of navigation, positioning, localization, and perception sensors

5. We leverage technology and operations to deliver timely results 

In all that we do, we make your operational success simple by developing solutions that are more efficient and easier to use. Our mission is to deliver quality results faster, through our cutting-edge technologies that work.

“It was a pleasure to have Zupt involved with one of our Client’s projects. Their never say ‘no’ attitude and ability to work with us on a one-to-one basis clearly helped deliver a very successful and timely project.”

“Zupt has been a close partner of Total for many years. They have demonstrated a very high degree of professionalism and lots of competence in developing a pure Inertial solution for Deepwater metrology.”