Construction of a Remote-Controlled Underwater Inspection Robot for Pipeline Monitoring in the Niger Delta

Subsea pipeline integrity monitoring in the Niger Delta region is essential for preventing oil spills that have severe environmental and economic consequences for South South Nigeria. This project presents the construction of a remotely operated underwater vehicle designed for visual inspection of shallow-water pipelines in the Niger Delta. The ROV chassis is fabricated from PVC pipe and acrylic sheets, providing a lightweight, pressure-resistant frame. Four brushless DC thrusters in a vectored configuration provide three-dimensional manoeuvrability controlled via an umbilical cable connected to a surface joystick controller. A GoPro camera and three underwater LED lights are mounted on the frame to provide live video feed transmitted through the tether. An Arduino Mega onboard microcontroller manages thruster speed and direction based on joystick inputs received from the surface via serial communication. The ROV was water-tested in the Escravos Channel in Delta State at depths up to 8 metres. Manoeuvring stability was rated satisfactory by three experienced pipeline inspection engineers who participated in trial dives. Video feed quality was assessed as adequate for detecting visible corrosion, weld defects, and sediment accumulation on pipe surfaces. Tether management during lateral current conditions was identified as the primary operational challenge. The study proposes an upgraded version incorporating sonar-assisted navigation and a mechanical arm for light intervention tasks. Keywords: ROV, underwater inspection, pipeline monitoring, Niger Delta, remote control