Ocean Visuals AS is a Norwegian company providing sensor systems for early detection of oil and organics in water.

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

We deliver Oil-in-Water Locator, OWL™ sensor systems for real-time detection, verification and classification of oil-in-water. Our suite of OWL™ sensors are capable of detecting hydrocarbon molecules down to part-per-million level, ppm. From the air and above the water surface, AIR OWL™, ELF OWL™ and SEA OWL™ sensors are capable of detecting oil molecules 3 meter into the water column.

Ocean Visuals` OWL™ technology combines LIF Lidar with real-time data processing and advanced algorithms to differentiate between various types of oil and other substances, even in complex and changing marine environments. This technology is indeed a powerful tool for oil spill detection and response, potentially reducing both the environmental impact of spills and the cost of cleanup efforts.

OWL™ sensors use Hyper-spectral Laser-Induced Fluorescence LiDAR lasers to excite the hydrocarbon molecules that creates a unique spectral image for that particular measurement sample. The sample may then be matched against a library of known oil type spectral samples, enabling real-time classification of that particular oil type sample. OWL™ sensors operate in the invisible spectrum of ultra-violet light and operating them is eye-safe.

Our ALGAE OWL™ sensor is designed for detection of organics, specifically phytoplankton. The aquaculture industry is randomly affected by harmful algae outbreaks causing loss of livestock. ALGAE OWL™ is designed to detect phytoplankton from the surface down the water column to 30 meter depth and with part per billion (ppb) mg/l. The algae density can be used to calculate volume, and correlated with sea current data provide predictions of direction. It is also possible to characterize between classes of algae.

Ocean Visuals has patented the technology with United States Patent # US 10041882 granted 7. August 2018 and European patent pending, application # EP14809287.7.

We are a proud recipient of the European Commission #SealOfExcellence and the European Commission EIC Accelerator Grants 2024.

Detect submerged, invisible oil early to prevent it from reaching the coastline.
Generate real-time data with ppm accuracy for early warning of risk.
Get oil type classification on the fly, save on water sampling and lab cost.
Create prediction systems by correlating sensor data with other metrics.

Submerged-Oil Tracking by Airborne Hyperspectral Fluorescent Lidar - Brochure