Tech
nology

Ocean Visuals offer OWL™ LiDAR sensor systems for real-time detection and classification of oil and organics in the sea.

Screenshot of OWL MAP™

Realtime detection

Detect, monitor and identify oil in water as it happens.

This technology is crucial for preventing environmental damage, as it allows for immediate response to oil leaks or spills from ships, pipelines, or offshore drilling activities. Using advanced sensors enables the system to detect changes in water composition or surface patterns.

Below surface control

Detects up to 40% more of the spill than traditional technologies

Many believe that because oil is lighter than water it should stay at the top of the water surface, but unfortunately this is not the case for all hydrocarbons. Scientific reports* from some of the largest oil spills in history show that in fact up to 30-40% of an oil spill goes undetected by existing technologies like satellite radar or camera sensor systems. We are here to change that.

40%
greater detection rate

Precise, remote classification

Our sensors combine the principles of lidar and fluorescence spectroscopy to provide detailed information about the composition and distribution of substances present in the water.

As oil is intrinsically fluorescent and emits light in the blue-green spectral range when illuminated by UV light it is easily distinguished from other substances in the water. Using the Hyper-spectral curve of the emitted light, we can spectrally “fingerprint” the data, and thus receive a real-time identification of oil category and type (crude oil, hydraulic oil etc) on the spot, with no samples or lab analysis required.

Tech benefits

Hyperspectral laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) LIDAR sensor systems are powerful tools for real-time detection and classification of oil in water. By investing in real-time detection and classification systems, companies dealing with oil can save substantial costs, protect their reputation, and reduce their environmental impact. We provide real-time data gathering with our best-in-class photonics sensory and contextualize the data from the air, on the surface and subsea to extract insights.

Safeguarding Ecosystem Services

By preventing or quickly addressing oil spills, companies can help protect local ecosystems that may provide significant services, such as fisheries or tourism, whose damage could have broader economic impacts.

Protecting Company Reputation

By effectively managing and quickly responding to oil spills, companies can avoid negative publicity, which can have long-term impacts on their brand value and ultimately their profitability.

Data-Driven Decision Making

The rich data gathered by the system can support better decision-making around maintenance schedules, operational adjustments, and investments in other prevention or mitigation measures.

Minimizing Operational Downtime

In the case of an oil production facility, rapid detection and classification of oil in water can help to quickly address any issues, reducing the downtime of the facility, which can be a significant cost saving.

Lower Insurance Premiums

Companies that can demonstrate robust monitoring and quick response capabilities may be able to negotiate lower premiums with their insurers, since they are reducing the risk of a significant event.

Reduced Monitoring Costs

Traditional monitoring methods often require manual sample collection and lab analysis, which can be time-consuming and costly. A hyperspectral LIF LIDAR system, on the other hand, provides continuous, real-time monitoring, significantly reducing labor and analysis costs.

Preventive Maintenance:

Predictive analysis using the sensor system can help identify potential oil leaks or spills before they become a significant issue, enabling preventive maintenance and avoiding expensive repairs or cleanup.

Minimizing Fines

Many jurisdictions have severe penalties for unaddressed oil spills. Rapid detection can help businesses react faster and possibly minimize the risk of such fines.

Efficient Cleanup

Real-time detection allows quick identification and localization of oil spills, leading to faster and more effective cleanup. The quicker the response, the less damage is done to the environment, reducing the long-term costs of restoration.

Real-Time, On-Site Monitoring

Ocean Visuals' system allows for real-time, on-site monitoring. This immediacy is crucial for rapid response to oil spills. Satellite and IR imaging, on the other hand, can be limited by factors like orbit cycle times, cloud cover, and the need to process data before it can be used.

How is Ocean Visuals HLIF lidar sensor system disruptive from traditional satellite radar (x-band radar) or camera sensors (IR)?

Ocean Visuals' Hyperspectral Laser Induced Fluorescence (HLIF) LiDAR sensor system represents a significant advancement and a disruptive approach compared to traditional satellite radar (like X-band radar) and camera sensors (such as infrared or IR cameras) in several key ways:

Detection Capability at Molecular Level

The HLIF technology used by Ocean Visuals can detect hydrocarbons at the molecular level by inducing fluorescence in these molecules. This allows for the identification of specific types of hydrocarbons, which traditional radar and camera sensors cannot achieve. Radar and IR cameras typically detect oil based on surface characteristics or temperature differences, not on molecular properties.

Intellectual Property Rights

Ownership of products and methods is a fundamental principle at Ocean Visuals, especially in the development of our groundbreaking laser sensor system, the Oil in Water Locator (OWL). We recognize the importance of safeguarding intellectual property and have actively pursued patent protection in both the USA and EU. Our commitment to creating the most advanced sensor equipment on the market is driven by the unique technology underlying real-time detection and classification of oil types in water environments. At the heart of this technology lies an extensive database of distinctive spectral images, serving as distinct signatures for various oil types. This advanced pattern recognition allows us to perform in-situ classification of oil, eliminating the need for costly sampling measures and subsequent laboratory analyses.

Our collaboration with Petrobras, the leading oil and gas company in Brazil, has been of significant importance. Through a close partnership, we have developed and refined methods for detecting, verifying, and classifying oil in water. This collaboration has resulted in the establishment of a comprehensive database of various oil compositions, forming the basis for our field analyses. By integrating geographic information systems (GIS), we can effectively distribute analyzed data for production monitoring.

The continuous flow of unique data can also be integrated with other datasets, such as AIS ship positions or meteorological data on ocean currents. This enables the development of predictive models that not only estimate oil quantity and type but also the expected movement of oil over time. Our real-time detection systems thus provide a unique opportunity for modeling oil pollution, including oil spills that have sunk below the water surface – a scenario that traditional satellite and airborne radar systems struggle to detect.

Our use of laser-based technology eliminates the problem of false alarms often associated with radar-based systems. Furthermore, our flexible sensor platform allows for autonomous measurement from various platforms, whether from ships, helicopters, drones, or aircraft. By controlling sensors via GPS or time synchronization, and with the ability to adjust measurement frequency from a central operations center thanks to cloud-based technology, we can effectively tailor monitoring to meet specific needs. Sensors can even be programmed to automatically increase measurement frequency upon oil detection, functioning as passive alert systems from various platforms, including ferries and supply vessels.

Although the patenting process has been time-consuming, with the US patent 10041882 - DEVICE FOR REMOTE OIL DETECTION secured in 2018 and the EU patent EP3074752 - DEVICE FOR REMOTE OIL DETECTION approved after nearly a decade, we believe that this investment of both time and resources is crucial. It not only grants us ownership but also control over the unique method enabled by our sensor system, ensuring our leadership and innovation advantage in this field

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PetrobrasBIRD AerosystemsOceanPact