Press Release: 13:01 WAT • 15 May 2025
Offshore operations are inherently high-risk. From strong currents and unpredictable weather to subsea pressure and limited visibility, the challenges of inspecting and maintaining underwater infrastructure are significant. In Nigeria, where FPSOs, subsea pipelines, and offshore loading terminals form the backbone of hydrocarbon exports, ensuring asset integrity below the surface is not just important; it's mission-critical.
Enter Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs): rugged, camera-equipped robots designed to inspect, repair, and monitor subsea equipment without putting human lives at risk. At Terrawatt, we leverage advanced ROV technology to deliver safe, cost-effective offshore services that meet international standards while addressing Nigeria's unique marine environment.
Traditional methods of underwater inspection, such as commercial diving, are expensive, time-consuming, and potentially dangerous. Nigeria's offshore zones, particularly in the Niger Delta Basin, often present low-visibility conditions and rough seabed profiles, making human-based inspections even more hazardous.
ROVs offer several advantages:
With Nigeria's offshore assets aging and susceptible to corrosion, marine growth, and mechanical failure, the need for reliable, high-frequency inspections has never been greater.
In early 2024, a multinational operator engaged Terrawatt to inspect flexible risers and anchor chains on an FPSO off the coast of Ondo State. The client had received vague reports of unusual movement and suspected structural fatigue.
Using a Seaeye Falcon ROV equipped with multi-beam sonar and an articulated manipulator, our team completed a full subsea survey in 36 hours. We discovered advanced corrosion on two riser clamps and early-stage fatigue on the chain links closest to the seabed.
Our prompt report allowed the client to replace the clamps during a planned maintenance window—avoiding what could have become a major incident. Estimated savings: ₦1.2 billion in avoided downtime, spill risks, and emergency repairs.
At Terrawatt, we deploy ROVs across a wide range of use cases:
Detecting leaks, corrosion, and external interference from trawl nets or debris.
Measuring potential across sacrificial anodes and ensuring continued corrosion defense.
Identifying marine growth, weld integrity, and scouring at platform bases.
Tracking fatigue in mooring chains, fairleads, and underbelly structures.
Rapid deployment after weather events to confirm asset integrity.
Using work-class ROVs to retrieve tools or remove marine litter obstructing critical systems.
Historically, ROV operations in Nigeria relied heavily on expatriate pilots and foreign vessels. But Terrawatt is changing that. Through strategic training programs in collaboration with local marine institutes, we've trained over 30 Nigerian ROV pilots and maintenance technicians.
Our in-house team can now handle the full spectrum from deployment and piloting to diagnostics and reporting with minimal external support. This not only lowers client costs but also strengthens Nigeria's capacity for world-class offshore operations.
One notable success: Chinedu A., a Port Harcourt-based technician who completed Terrawatt's ROV mentorship program in 2022, now leads pilot operations on deepwater projects in the Bonga and Egina fields.
Beyond inspection, Terrawatt helps clients integrate ROV footage and sensor data into centralized Asset Integrity Management Systems (AIMS). This allows for:
In 2023, a Terrawatt client used ROV-based video logs to successfully defend against a third-party claim of seabed interference damage—saving the operator from costly litigation and reputational risk.
We understand that visuals speak louder than reports. Our ROV footage is annotated, timestamped, and geotagged—offering clients crystal-clear insights into the health of their offshore assets. Where necessary, we provide 3D reconstruction of complex components like riser towers or manifold junctions.
For offshore safety presentations and investor communications, we also offer highlight reels that showcase ROVs in action—ideal for demonstrating compliance, readiness, and proactive maintenance culture.
As Nigeria's offshore oil and gas infrastructure ages and subsea production increases, the need for non-invasive, accurate, and timely inspections is only going to grow. ROVs offer a proven, cost-efficient solution—and Terrawatt is leading their deployment in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
With local pilots, modern equipment, and decades of operational insight, Terrawatt is your go-to partner for ROV-assisted inspections, repairs, and asset monitoring without risking human lives or operational delays.
Need a subsea inspection or emergency ROV deployment? Contact Terrawatt today and let's ensure your offshore assets remain safe, compliant, and productive from seabed to surface.