ROV Inspection
Draining and cleaning a tank or vessel so someone can go inside is a major undertaking. A remotely operated vehicle inspects the asset submerged, while it stays full and in service.
About ROV inspection
Emptying a storage tank or vessel to inspect it internally is rarely simple. Product has to be transferred or disposed of, the asset cleaned and gas freed, and confined space entry arranged, all before the inspection starts and with the asset out of action throughout.
A remotely operated vehicle carries out the inspection with the tank still full. Deployed on a tether and controlled from outside, the ROV carries camera and sensor payloads through the product or water to survey floors, walls, internal structures and submerged components that would otherwise need draining and entry to reach.
This suits tanks in service, sumps, fire water tanks and other water assets, and flooded or partially flooded vessels. It gives operators a view of internal condition without the cost, downtime and risk of taking the asset out of service.
Inspection scope
The scope of an ROV inspection depends on the asset, the product and what needs to be assessed. It commonly includes:
- Internal visual inspection of floors, walls and roofs in service
- Sump, pit and interceptor inspection
- Fire water tank and stored water asset inspection
- Flooded and partially flooded vessel inspection
- Assessment of internal structures, supports and fittings
- Sediment, debris and product condition observation
- Ultrasonic thickness readings where the payload allows
- High-resolution video and still imagery for the record
Why inspect by ROV
No draining or cleaning
The asset stays full and in service, avoiding product transfer, cleaning and gas freeing before inspection.
No man-entry
The vehicle enters the space instead of a person, removing a confined space entry and its controls entirely.
Keeps assets available
Internal condition is assessed without an outage, so storage and process capacity is not lost.
Reaches submerged areas
Flooded vessels, sumps and full tanks can be surveyed where hands-on access is not possible.
Reporting and recommendations
Every ROV inspection produces a clear report covering the internal condition of the asset, the areas surveyed and any defects, corrosion or accumulation observed, supported by the video and imagery recorded on the vehicle.
Where a finding warrants further work, we set out practical recommendations, whether that is a planned out-of-service inspection, cleaning or repair. Reports are written by the inspector who reviewed the footage, so the recommendations reflect genuine assessment of the asset.
Related inspection services
Need to inspect a tank without draining it?
Talk to our team about ROV inspection and whether it suits your asset and inspection programme.