Underwater Drone Completes Autonomous Mission in Norway’s Arctic Coral Area

Saipem’s Hydrone-R Underwater Intervention Drone (UID) has successfully concluded an autonomous survey mission focused on the Arctic coral area of Njord, Norway.

Operating entirely without cables or surface support vessels, the drone utilized underwater robotics to gather data essential for the understanding and protection of marine ecosystems. The operation is part of a ten-year contract signed in 2019 with Equinor, marking the first global service agreement for underwater drones within the offshore energy sector.

The Hydrone-R is stationed subsea to perform inspections and interventions on underwater assets. By monitoring these systems, the drone provides critical information regarding potential hazards, which helps improve the overall integrity and safety of Equinor’s subsea infrastructure.

Since the beginning of its deployment, the drone has accumulated more than 500 days of subsea residency. This includes a world record of 240 days of continuous stay on the seabed. On the Njord field specifically, the drone has completed hundreds of missions independently, allowing for operational efficiency and interventions even during extreme weather events that would typically halt traditional operations.

At the end of 2025, the drone enabled commissioning activities on a Njord well while wave heights reached 12.5m. These are conditions in which no traditional Work Class ROV could operate. Beyond its technical performance, the use of the resident drone leads to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and increases safety for personnel by removing the need for constant surface vessel support.