KING LORIS™: Advanced Steel Riser Inspection
The Challenge of Inspecting Steel Risers where conditions are hardest
Steel risers on spread-moored deepwater floating production units require regular inspection, and the areas that matter most are within the top 50 metres. Near the surface, waves, currents and vessel motion create demanding conditions for both the risers and the inspection equipment.
These conditions restrict diver access and make it difficult for conventional free-swimming ROVs to maintain position, slowing inspection and limiting operating windows. Clamps, supports, and closely spaced structures also hinder conventional crawler access and movement.
The Solution: KING LORIS™
LORIS is a cleaning and inspection module fitted to the EM&I KING CRAB™ ROV. Together they form KING LORIS, which uses electromagnets and mechanical grabbers, combined with KING CRAB’s precision thrust control, to move along the riser while remaining attached.
Its seven-axis manipulator, fitted with a purpose-designed cleaning and inspection head, reaches around the riser to clean the surface, perform visual inspections, and take ultrasonic thickness measurements along the full circumference. The manipulator’s reach minimises repositioning around the riser, enabling efficient inspection in confined spaces. Once work at each location is complete, KING LORIS quickly detaches and manoeuvres around obstacles, then reattaches at the next inspection point.
Above the splash zone, the same inspection approach can use a simpler crawler and, where appropriate, rope-access support.
The Benefits of KING LORIS™
- Stays attached to the riser: Electromagnets, mechanical grabbers and precision thrust control hold position where free-swimming ROVs struggle.
- Full circumference from one attachment: Seven-axis manipulator cleans, inspects and takes ultrasonic thickness measurements right around the riser.
- Fewer repositioning moves: Manipulator reach allows efficient inspection in confined spaces.
- Negotiates obstructions: Controlled release and regrip to pass clamps, supports and closely spaced structures, then reattach at the next point.
- Diverless: No diver access required in the most demanding section of the riser.
Is it Proven?
KING LORIS builds on the KING CRAB™ platform, where advanced pool trials in the UK and first sea trials nearshore Brazil have already validated the design and demonstrated expected performance. KING LORIS has been accepted for client testing and evaluation and is targeted to be deployed offshore in Q1 CY 2027.
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