-Joint collaboration to reinforce commitment to safety and sustainability in the oil and gas sector

Ambipar, a global leader in environmental solutions, and SBM Offshore, a global player in the ocean-infrastructure sector, announced an innovative solution for cleaning cargo oil tanks on floating production, storage, and offloading units (FPSOs).

Traditionally, cleaning these tanks involves significant health and safety risks for workers, who operate in restricted spaces under high temperatures and in contact with chemical residues.

The new approach, resulting from collaboration between the two companies, will implement technology to use remotely operated robots to carry out the process in a safe way, dramatically reducing confined space risks and potential casualties.

The technology has already been successfully applied to an FPSO in offshore operation. The robot removed heavy oily sludge, while the onboard team (POB) monitored the process remotely, 24-hours a day, from a safe location outside the tank.

This new system completely eliminates the need for people to enter the tanks during the cleaning activity, one of the most critical and dangerous steps in the operation, as well as reducing operational and environmental risks.

This solution represents a qualitative leap in operational safety, sustainability, and efficiency for the offshore industry, protecting workers’ lives, but also reducing operation time and the environmental impact of these activities.

“This robotic solution marks a turning point for the offshore industry. By automating a traditionally hazardous process, we are not only enhancing safety but also boosting operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact. It’s a clear demonstration of how innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand,” said Rogério Calderaro, Head Global of Industrial Services at Ambipar.

In addition to enhanced safety, the solution also reduces the costs and timeframes involved in the cleaning process, and could become a new standard for the sector.

The initiative aligns with both companies’ commitment to technological innovation and the transition to more sustainable operations in the oil and gas industry.

Jaap-Harm Westhuis, Technology, Innovation and Product Development Director at SBM Offshore said:

“We are excited to announce this agreement with Ambipar. Together, we will be at the forefront of a new revolutionary approach to deliver cutting-edge solutions to eliminate human-related risks while delivering complex tasks such as the cleaning of oil tanks on FPSOs. This collaboration will enable companies to offer much safer working conditions for their crew, whilst protecting the environment.”

About SBM Offshore

SBM Offshore is the world’s deepwater ocean-infrastructure expert. Through the design, construction, installation, and operation of offshore floating facilities, we play a pivotal role in a just transition. By advancing our core, we deliver cleaner, more efficient energy production. By pioneering more, we unlock new markets within the blue economy. More than 7,800 SBMers collaborate worldwide to deliver innovative solutions as a responsible partner towards a sustainable future, balancing ocean protection with progress.

About Ambipar

Ambipar is a global leader in environmental solutions and invests and operates decarbonization, circular economy, energy transition and environmental regeneration projects. It was founded in 1995 and operates in Brazil and 41 countries with a broad portfolio of environmental services, especially for waste recovery and responses to environmental emergencies, based on the principles of sustainability. A pioneer in various products and services, it is a benchmark in the market by Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I), with more than 100 circular economy solutions, over 25 patents, and more than 50 national and international innovation awards. With mor than 23 thousand employees around the world and ver 600 operational bases, the company has shares listed on B3 and The New York Stock Exchange. Its performance is also recognized by Standard & Poor’s, which classified Ambipar’s shares as green stocks on the B3, the Brazilian stock exchange.