Saipem is exhibiting its autonomous underwater drones Flatfish and Hydrone-R at Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) 2026 in Norway, one of the major international events for the oil and gas and renewable energy sectors.
At its stand, Saipem is showing a real Flatfish unit, an underwater drone built for advanced inspection missions that runs fully autonomously and can operate at depths down to 3,000 meters. Alongside it, the company is presenting the track record of Hydrone-R, an underwater drone for inspection and intervention work that has operated offshore Norway for several years.
Flatfish and Hydrone-R are part of Hydrone, Saipem's underwater robotics program. The drones use artificial intelligence to carry out complex autonomous missions and can stay on the seabed for up to 12 months without interruption, alternating between operational missions and recharging cycles at dedicated underwater docking stations. Saipem says the technology helps cut costs and improve the safety and efficiency of offshore operations, while reducing the need for support vessels and the CO2 emissions that come with them.
The stand also displays a scale model of Scarabeo 8, one of the most advanced semisubmersible offshore drilling units in Saipem's fleet. It is built to operate year-round in extreme conditions such as those in the Barents Sea, and it is currently working on Aker BP's offshore activities off the coast of Norway. The unit can work at different depths using either dynamic positioning or anchoring systems, and it is designed to meet strict international standards, including a "Zero Discharge" principle intended to eliminate discharges into the sea during operations.
Through its presence at ONS 2026, Saipem is highlighting its work in underwater robotics and drilling technology, with a stated goal of making offshore operations more efficient, sustainable and safe.
