Electric ROVs debut in North Sea: Shearwater’s £400m gamble on subsea
Norwegian seismic firm deploys upgraded electric ROVs on a 320 sq km ocean bottom node survey at Culzean gas field.
Norwegian seismic contractor Shearwater GeoServices has launched its first commercial operation using newly installed electric remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in the North Sea. The seven-week ocean bottom node (OBN) campaign will be conducted by the SW Tasman, which will deploy the company’s proprietary Pearl nodes with the upgraded ROV system, while the SW Gallien serves as the seismic source vessel. Operations began immediately after the ROV upgrade was completed.
The project represents a key advancement in Shearwater’s strategy to enhance its subsea seismic capabilities. The electric ROVs are designed to improve reliability and operational efficiency, reinforcing the company’s integrated OBN offering. In a recent statement, CEO Irene Waage Basili highlighted the significance of the deployment:
“This project marks a significant milestone for Shearwater as we introduce these new systems, continuing the development of our subsea capabilities and integrated OBN solutions. The upgrade aims to further enhance reliability and increase operational efficiency. The SW Tasman has been in high demand since its launch as an ROV vessel earlier this year, and this campaign both extends that momentum and demonstrates our electric ROV technology in action, strengthening our ability to deliver efficient and differentiated OBN solutions.”
Irene Waage Basili·CEO of Shearwater GeoServices
The SW Tasman, originally built in 2010 as a conventional 3D streamer vessel, was converted in 2023 into a dedicated deepwater dual-ROV OBN unit. The retrofit enabled the vessel to deploy and recover seabed nodes using two ROVs while maintaining seismic source capabilities, allowing some surveys that traditionally required separate node and source vessels to be conducted from a single platform.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Since its conversion, the SW Tasman has completed major projects in diverse environments, including a 2024 deployment offshore India where water depths ranged from 100 meters to 2,900 meters. It later undertook back-to-back surveys in West Africa, covering fields offshore Côte d’Ivoire, Angola, and Ghana.
North Sea campaign aligns with growing backlog: electric rovs
The current North Sea assignment follows a period of increased contract activity for Shearwater. After a slower start to the year, the company reported a backlog of $401 million by mid-August, reflecting a rebound in marine seismic contracting. Recent additions include two large 3D surveys for India’s ONGC, adding approximately 15 vessel months of work, as well as a new seven-week multi-client campaign in the Norwegian Sea.
While Shearwater has not disclosed the client or financial details of the current project, UK marine activity notices indicate the survey is likely taking place at the Culzean gas field in the central North Sea. The operation covers a 320-square-kilometer shot area, with the SW Tasman handling node deployment, the SW Gallien providing the seismic source, and the Boreas-G acting as a support and guard vessel. Mobilization began on September 8, with the campaign expected to last around 50 days.
The North Sea deployment also follows a recent contract for the same two vessels. In May, the Shell-Equinor joint venture Adura hired the SW Tasman and SW Gallien for a two-month, 220-square-kilometer OBN survey over the Jackdaw field in the UK North Sea. The latest project underscores Shearwater’s expanding role in the region as it continues to integrate advanced technologies into its seismic operations.
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