WOODSIDE Energy is to pioneer the use of an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) for reservoir monitoring at the Scarborough gas field off Australia's north coast.

The Reach Remote 2 is being delivered to Australia from Norwegian engineering firm Reach Subsea.

The Reach Remote 2 USV will perform reservoir monitoring on the Scarborough gas field, utilising Reach Subsea's proprietary gWatch technology.

A media release from Rech said this operation demonstrates the USV's ability to reduce offshore personnel operational risks, cut costs, and reduce environmental impact compared to traditional crewed vessels.

"gWatch is a reservoir monitoring technology widely used across Norwegian gas fields. It measures time-lapse gravity and seafloor deformation to detect small changes in reservoir mass and pressure," the release said.

"These high-precision measurements significantly reduce uncertainty in gas reserves (GIIP) and aquifer influx, enhancing history-matching workflows and supporting more accurate production forecasts and infill well planning."

Reach Subsea's CEO Jostein Alendal said the project demonstrates that the transition to a robotic future is not a vision -- it's happening now.

"We are reducing HSE risks by removing personnel from hazardous environments, reducing operational costs, and cutting the carbon footprint of offshore activities by up to 90%," Mr Alendal said.

"It's a major leap forward for the industry and a testament to what innovative technology can achieve."

The release said this deployment also marks the start of Reach Subsea's Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair (IMR) operations in Australia, supporting clients across the energy sector.

"The deployment to Australia highlights Reach Subsea's expanding global presence and its dedication to safer, smarter, and more sustainable offshore operations.

"The Reach Remote platform represents a major technological step forward in the industry's transition toward autonomy."