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Enhanced Electromagnetic Sensing for Subsea Infrastructure Integrity
Kongsberg Discovery integrates upgraded passive electromagnetic sensing into the Blue Insight ecosystem to streamline cathodic protection surveys and mineral exploration.
www.kongsberg.com
The Kongsberg Listen electromagnetic sensor system has received a comprehensive technical upgrade, enhancing data processing speeds and visualization capabilities for complex underwater environments. This platform-agnostic technology is designed for integration with autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and towed assets to support high-precision subsea inspections across the energy and defense sectors.
Integration within the Digital Supply Chain
Originally developed as Argeo Listen, the technology was acquired by Kongsberg Discovery in August 2025. The current upgrade focuses on incorporating electromagnetic (EM) sensing into a unified digital supply chain for subsea data. By embedding the sensor’s software environment into the Blue Insight ecosystem, the system enables an end-to-end workflow. This allows operators to move from raw electromagnetic measurements to client-ready 3D visualizations within a single operational framework, reducing the requirement for manual data transfers and disparate software tools.
Technical Specifications and Performance
The Kongsberg Listen system utilizes a passive electrode and magnetometer array to measure electric and magnetic fields in seawater. These measurements are critical for evaluating the cathodic protection (CP) of subsea pipelines and identifying the integrity of buried infrastructure.
- Cathodic Protection Evaluation: The system employs eight silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes flush-mounted on the hull of the carrier platform. This configuration minimizes turbulence and ensures a depth rating of up to 6,000 meters.
- Contactless Sensing: Unlike traditional physical-contact probes, the system captures 3D electric field data without touching the asset. This prevents potential damage to the pipeline coating while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio.
- Data Processing: The upgraded electronics and automatic quality control (QC) mechanisms allow for the estimation of anode material consumption rates in real time. This provides measurable data for proactive maintenance planning of offshore energy assets.
The system has been validated through commercial survey operations on HUGIN AUVs. Technical applications include:
- Pipeline Integrity: Non-intrusive surveys of both exposed and buried pipelines to detect field gradients and current densities.
- Marine Mineral Exploration: Utilizing high-sensitivity magnetometers to identify geophysical anomalies.
- Geophysical Surveys: Mapping buried cables and subsea infrastructure with a high degree of repeatability in varied ocean conditions.
Exhibition and Operational Launch
The upgraded system is scheduled for its international trade show debut at Oceanology International (Oi26) in London, occurring March 10–12, 2026. The event will serve as a platform to demonstrate how integrated EM sensing contributes to the broader automotive data ecosystem of subsea robotics, where sensors, navigation, and analytics converge to provide persistent situational awareness for critical infrastructure.
Competitive Context
In the field of subsea electromagnetic sensing, Kongsberg Listen competes with established multi-sensor platforms that utilize similar Ag/AgCl electrode technology. However, the system distinguishes itself through its platform-agnostic modularity and its direct integration with the Blue Insight data environment. This objective advantage reduces the processing latency typically associated with the interpretation of complex 3D EM datasets compared to standalone legacy sensors.
www.kongsberg.com
The upgraded system is scheduled for its international trade show debut at Oceanology International (Oi26) in London, occurring March 10–12, 2026. The event will serve as a platform to demonstrate how integrated EM sensing contributes to the broader automotive data ecosystem of subsea robotics, where sensors, navigation, and analytics converge to provide persistent situational awareness for critical infrastructure.
Competitive Context
In the field of subsea electromagnetic sensing, Kongsberg Listen competes with established multi-sensor platforms that utilize similar Ag/AgCl electrode technology. However, the system distinguishes itself through its platform-agnostic modularity and its direct integration with the Blue Insight data environment. This objective advantage reduces the processing latency typically associated with the interpretation of complex 3D EM datasets compared to standalone legacy sensors.
www.kongsberg.com
