Saipem’s underwater intervention drone Hydrone-R has reached a significant milestone, boosting efforts in the offshore energy industry.

The drone deployed on energy firm Equinor’s Njord Field development project offshore Norway has completed 167 days of continuous subsea residency.

For almost half a year, the Hydrone-R had been running autonomous missions and remotely operated tasks without interruptions. Through the communication link to the rig, Saipem’s onshore control center in Stavanger, Norway, fully controls the activities.