Seeking to streamline the process of developing new technologies to meet the needs of the pipeline market, reducing costs and production time, Ouro Negro entered into a technological partnership with PipeWay Engenharia. Adding expertise and strength to the Rio Pipeline 2019, which takes place until September 5 in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), they present two offshore inspection projects, for drilling risers and for offloading hoses. The partnership, which follows the open innovation model, encompasses modular robots capable of adapting technologies that are well-established in the PIG market to serve the nonpigpable and tubular inspection segment in general.

“Our vision is to offer solutions that enable companies to perform offshore inspections of this equipment, bringing only pipelines that need repair to the ground base. This way, it is possible to considerably reduce direct and indirect costs to customers and downtime ”, explains Ouro Negro Head of Robotic Systems, Julio Guedes.

He notes that with the joint development and modularity of the robot, it is possible to couple various serial systems to perform inspections on non-pigable and tubular pipes in general. “This modularity allows the customer to evaluate piping with more than one inspection method at the same time, improving reliability and reducing the time required for more assertive gauging,” adds Julio.

The two companies will seek to integrate the technologies consolidated by each other, in an innovative way, hitherto unrealized, to meet market challenges. “We have consolidated expertise in developing on-demand applications where inspection modules are coupled as needed. This way, we will soon be with the robots serving both the offshore and onshore segments, ”concludes Guto Silva, CEO of Pipeway Engenharia.