At SPE Offshore Europe 2025, HPR’s Managing Director, Jan Stander, demonstrated how this perception can be shifted. Using hand-deployable, agile ROV systems, it’s now possible to capture subsea environments in remarkable detail, building digital twins that deliver real operational value without the need for a dedicated vessel lowering the cost model.
The challenges below the surface
Creating a reliable digital representation of a subsea asset is not straightforward, with operators facing several challenges in gaining a clear picture of what’s happening underwater.
Operating at night or in deeper waters has a big impact on visibility, but even in relatively shallow water, strong currents and inputs from coastal rivers can also affect visibility. Adding to the complexity is marine life attracted to light, which tends to interfere with the quality of the data collected.
On top of this, operational realities further complicate the process of subsea digitalisation and make these environmental factors difficult to avoid. Vessel time is one of the most expensive aspects of offshore work, with dive support vessels costing upwards of £230,000 per day.
This makes working around the clock essential for cost efficiency, despite the environmental obstacles involved. However, any delay caused by incomplete or inaccurate information can also quickly escalate into a major financial hit.
This underlines the complexity, but also the importance of having accurate digital representations of subsea assets. By providing reliable visuals and measurements ahead of critical operations, digital twins help operators avoid costly surprises, reduce project delays, and work more efficiently within tight offshore schedules.
Bringing digital twins underwater
The complex nature of subsea environments means digital twins can’t simply replicate topside approaches; they need systems designed specifically for underwater conditions.
Instead of relying on the traditional model of large, dedicated vessels, HPR ROV has taken a different approach. Our compact, agile ROVs weigh just 20–30 kilograms and can be launched directly from a platform or deployed from a small vessel, making subsea surveys far more flexible and cost effective.
Once in the water, these systems use stereo camera technology to transform standard ROV video into accurate 3D models with photogrammetry, that operators can rely on. These methods have been tested and validated in a test tank, ensuring our compact systems can handle high currents and challenging conditions.
This combination of agile deployment, proven technology, and robust validation makes subsea digital twins technically possible.
Real-world value in action
The true measure of digital twins lies in what they enable. Across oil & gas and offshore wind, HPR’s projects show how subsea visual models translate into tangible value for operators.
- 3D modelling from standard video
Using off-the-shelf ROV video, HPR has produced 3D models without the need for specialist cameras. These give operators the ability to visualise assets, assess condition, and plan interventions in a cost-effective way.
- Precision measurements
For critical operations, millimetre-accurate stereo cameras have provided exact measurements over five-metre areas. In one project, this prevented costly delays to diver-supported installation work, saving hundreds of thousands of pounds.
- Reduced dive time
With the cost of divers, even saving half an hour of dive time can make a huge difference. Visual data allows divers to approach scopes with better information, improving safety and efficiency.
- Repeatable inspections
Digital twins capture precise reference points, enabling repeat inspections and comparison over time. This supports ongoing predictive maintenance and risk-based inspection strategies.
- Wind sector applications
Offshore wind assets benefit from the same approach. HPR’s models track marine growth, coating degradation and structural changes between inspections – providing vital data for operators focused on long-term asset integrity.
- Immersive 360° visualisations
Beyond engineering teams, immersive VR experiences bring subsea environments to life for decision-makers. By seeing assets in context, decision makers and engineering teams can better communicate risks, prioritise interventions and support collaborative planning.
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The future of subsea digital twins
Creating digital twins in subsea environments is still an evolving process, and no two operators are at the same stage. For some, the priority is extending the life of existing assets; for others, it’s about optimising inspection campaigns or reducing the risks of decommissioning.
What’s clear is that not every project demands millimetre accuracy. The real value lies in developing fit-for-purpose models that meets the unique requirements for a specific project or asset - whether that means a quick visualisation to support planning or a precise engineering twin to guide critical operations.
With the right technology and deployment methods, subsea digital twins are achievable. By combining visual fidelity with operational efficiency, they reduce risk, cut costs and give operators greater confidence in their decision-making. The question now is not whether subsea digital twins are possible, but how operators will choose to use them.
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