Revision of the Guidelines for GNSS Positioning in the Oil and Gas industry published by IOPG and IMCA
The updated ‘Guidelines for GNSS Positioning in the Oil and Gas Industry’ has been released by the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) as IOGP Report 373-19 and the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) as IMCA S 015. The report is a joint publication of the IOGP Geomatics Committee and IMCA’s Offshore Survey Division Management Committee and has wider use than purely by the oil and gas industry.
The document provides guidelines for the use of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) to position vessels, vehicles, and other fixed and mobile installations. Although primarily aimed at oil exploration and production (E&P) related surveying and positioning activities, the principles and recommendations of the Guidelines are equally valid for any similar activities where precise position is critical, for example: offshore renewable energy plant, cable laying operations, harbour construction and management.
The report was originally produced in 1994 by UKOOA, the predecessor of Oil and Gas UK (OGUK), as a response to the development of commercially viable satellite-based positioning. A thorough revision of these guidelines was published in 2011 by a workgroup formed from representatives of IOGP’s Geomatics Committee (the custodians of the document), IMCA, and the marine seismic survey technical community. In fact, IMCA’s Offshore Survey Committee and IOGP’s Geomatics Committee work together regularly holding joint workgroups to ensure accuracy and relevance of such guidelines.
As Nick Hough, Technical Adviser – Offshore Survey at IMCA explained:
“The newly published updated second revision of the Guidelines takes account of the many developments in technology, procedure and practice that have occurred since the first revision some ten years ago.
“The document has been written as far as possible in plain and general terms to provide guidance to those wishing to use GNSS techniques and requiring a suitable authoritative source to support them. It assumes a basic knowledge of GNSS and includes references to textbooks and other sources to encourage readers to refer to these for in-depth descriptions of the principles.”
IOGP Report 373-19 / IMCA S 015 is available to members of both organisations to download free of charge at IOGP bookstore and www.imca-int.com/store/digital-publications/survey/ for members of IMCA.
MacArtney strengthens its sales focus in the UK and Ireland
MacArtney UK appoints Kevin Murray as the new Head of Sales.
Kevin brings large-scale expertise from positions worldwide and will contribute towards ambitious growth plans alongside Managing Director Phil Middleton.
He will be joining the Group in its Aberdeen office on 8 March.
For more information visit: www.macartney.com
Marine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge) Relaunching in 2021!
After the disappointment of having to cancel MAChallenge 2020 due to Covid-19, the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) is excited to announce that we will be launching our Marine Autonomy Challenge on Friday! A key mission of the Maritime Autonomous Systems Group (MASG) Council is to encourage young technologists and help develop careers that contribute to the future of the UK’s MAS industry.
This exciting challenge is open to teams of students studying at UK universities. The first phase involves a video submission and the finals take place in November this year. Each qualifying team will be provided with an industry simulator to enable them to build the autonomous behaviours required to achieve a series of challenges. These will be carried out using a 2m catamaran that has been specially designed, built and equipped for MAChallenge – a cash prize of £2000 awaits the winning team. Our aim is to bring on the next generation of marine technologists and to encourage development and take-up of marine autonomous systems technologies in the UK.
If you haven’t done so already and want to join our list of generous sponsors, then please get in touch with Emma Johnson at SMI.
Visit www.maritimeindustries.org/Maritime-Autonomy-Challenge for more information and an announcement on Friday!
Seiche Ltd and Deep Vision Inc. Announce Collaboration to Develop Real-time Camera System for Automated Detection, Geo-location and Quantification of Marine Mammals
Seiche Ltd and Deep Vision Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative relationship in support of their respective business interests.
Seiche has expertise in the field of maritime environmental monitoring; in particular, Seiche has developed a unique camera system, as implemented in their Mini Dual Camera, that has been specifically designed to aid the observation and monitoring of marine mammals (and other surface, and near surface objects).
Deep Vision has expertise in the field of computer vision and unsupervised machine learning; in particular, Deep Vision has developed a highly advanced, unique, passive EO/IR technology that provides robust, real-time detection and tracking of marine mammals, vessels and other maritime assets on, or near, the surface of the water.
Under this MoU, the two companies will advance collaborative efforts to develop a real-time camera-based system that can automatically detect, geo-locate, and quantify the presence of marine mammals and other maritime assets. The system will be resilient under all weather conditions and operable at both surface level and above, e.g. mast mounted for ships. By leveraging state-of-the-art unsupervised machine learning techniques, the system will be truly autonomous.
Both Seiche and Deep Vision have strongly aligned environmentally focused business goals and feel that this partnership will be mutually beneficial both for their respective organisations and for their key stakeholders.
Mark Burnett, CEO of Seiche Ltd, comments: “We are excited to be working with Deep Vision and their cutting-edge technologies, particularly their software capabilities that can rapidly assess changes in the environment and automatically tune detection algorithms to optimise performance. Our Seiche camera systems are currently providing environmental monitoring to clients around the world and this is an important next step in the provision of this technology to further protect marine life.”
Alan Parslow, CEO, Deep Vision, adds: “We are thrilled to be working with Seiche, one of the most respected and forward-looking environmental monitoring companies on the planet. We are confident that the proposed system, once realised, will become a significant tool in protecting marine life. We are certain that such a tool is crucial for the ultimate survival of the North Atlantic right whale.”
For more information on Seiche Ltd, visit www.seiche.com
For more information on Deep Vision Inc, visit www.deepvision.ca
Why accurate subsea navigation was vital for an ROV assisting with deep ocean research
Pelagic Research Services was looking to improve the accuracy of the subsea navigation systems on its ROV. Find out how an accurate and high-performing DVL paired with an inertial navigation system enabled smooth operation in tricky conditions by hydrothermal vents in the deep ocean.
Pelagic Research Services, based in Cape Cod, has been carving out a niche in the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) market with its versatile Odysseus vehicle, which can carry out a wide variety of duties despite its small footprint.
The ROV is capable of providing real-time HD imagery, lifting loads of up to 4000 lb (1814 kg – in-air weight) and using seven-function manipulators to carry out precise work in water depths down to 6000 m.
The ROV has proved to be a flexible tool for University of Victoria’s Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), which installs infrastructure in the waters around Canada’s coasts to deliver data in real time for scientific research to help government and industry decision-making on future projects.
As part of ONC’s “Wiring the Abyss” program, Odysseus has carried out several assignments. Operating in one of the most hostile underwater environments on the planet, the ROV has enabled ONS to monitor and install infrastructure in an area of hydrothermal vents some 200–300 km offshore Vancouver Island at depths of greater than 2200 m.
(Photo ©: Ocean Networks Canada and Pelagic Research Services.)
Accurate navigation is vital in a complex subsea environment
The vents provide a unique habitat, so they have long been the target of serious investigation. But this is not an environment that is easy to work in or get around.
“It can take one or one-and-a-half hours to get to the sea floor at 2200 m, and you might be limited by a weather window, so once you get down there, you need to be able to work quickly and effectively. To do that, accurate navigation is vital,” says Ed Cassano, Pelagic’s Chief Executive.
(Photo ©: Ocean Networks Canada and Pelagic Research Services.)
A high-accuracy DVL and inertial navigation system to pinpoint subsea location
An inertial navigation system (INS) on board means the Odysseus can navigate with considerable precision across the tricky contours around the hydrothermal vents. But an INS only functions correctly if it knows its exact starting location, and that is not straightforward in this environment.
An ROV’s INS routinely uses ultra-short baseline (USBL) acoustic positioning, which sends pings from the ROV to a transceiver on the surface vessel that can then be interpreted to provide positional data. But that becomes less accurate the deeper the ROV goes and the greater the number of water layers of differing density the sound must pass through, as changing density alters the acoustic properties of water.
Even the highly accurate USBL system Pelagic was using routinely resulted in positioning errors of around 25 m down on the seabed. That might be fine for navigation in some deployment scenarios, but not for the precision work required around the hydrothermal vents.
So, Pelagic needed input independent of surface-based technology to accurately establish the ROV’s position. This is where Nortek’s Doppler Velocity Log came in.
A DVL fires acoustic pulses from its transducers on board the ROV into the water at various distances from the vehicle and then records the time it takes for each of those pulses to be reflected back to the transducer from particles in the water. By applying equations based on the Doppler effect to this data, as well as using proprietary algorithms, this DVL can calculate the ROV’s speed very accurately.
Because it requires no direct input from the surface to do this, a DVL makes an ideal aid for inertial navigation systems. Once the position of the ROV’s INS has been fixed at a point where surface-based positioning technology can function correctly, accurate velocity readings from the DVL on board the ROV will then help maintain the accuracy of the INS, even when Odysseus is moving around areas where USBL positioning is not viable.
Pelagic integrated the Nortek DVL1000, a Doppler Velocity Log combining accuracy with a small footprint, to their ROV. The 1 MHz DVL, which has a maximum operating depth of 4000 m, is widely used by subsea operators, not just because of its light weight and compact form, but also due to its high accuracy, state-of-the-art technology, and ability to operate close to the seabed.
“The DVL1000 integrated seamlessly with the INS system right off the bat. After the first time we took it into the field, the client basically said: ‘You’ve solved navigation for us,’” Cassano recalls.
Improved efficiency in subsea navigation means cost savings
“We were able to move around the subsea spires and vents with confidence and with great efficiency. It really allowed the world to come into focus for us down there. And that meant we had more time to do the work and get the job done faster, which can save thousands of dollars for the client just by speeding it up,” says Cassano.
Given some of the equipment being deployed around the vents can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, mislaying it is not really an option with which anyone involved wants to be presented. The accuracy and reliability of the Nortek DVL1000 has helped ease stress levels among the crew too.
For more information visit: www.nortekgroup.com
The Economist Group and The Nippon Foundation launch a new initiative to promote ocean health
Back to Blue, a new initiative from The Economist Group and The Nippon Foundation, launches today at the 8th annual World Ocean Summit. With an initial focus on ocean pollution, the three-year collaboration is a response to the escalating challenges posed by plastic pollution and, less visibly, pollution from nutrients and chemical contaminants that are damaging ocean life and ecosystems, and in turn human health. The programme, now under development, has been supported by findings from a Back to Blue global survey* which place plastic pollution (59.6% of respondents) and chemical pollution (39.1%) as the top two concerns, followed by climate change (31.1%).
The opportunity to embark on original research, stimulate fresh dialogue and explore new solutions to the vexing problems posed by pollution in the ocean is motivating both organizations. The Economist Group, through its World Ocean Initiative and World Ocean Summit, has been fostering a global conversation on the greatest challenges facing the seas. The Nippon Foundation - with its diverse programmes building and nurturing ocean networks, research and professionals - has a global reputation for championing ocean science and health. The Back to Blue initiative brings together two organizations that share a common understanding of the need for evidence-based approaches and solutions to the pressing issues faced by the ocean, offering a powerful platform from which to accelerate momentum for improving ocean health.
During remarks at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two organisations, Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of The Nippon Foundation, warned that “we are much aware of the land-based problems that occur around us[...]; however, when it comes to understanding the multifaceted problems of the ocean that covers 70% of the earth surface, I believe that our understanding is still very poor. This is already a threat to human security for every individual on this planet.”
Echoing these sentiments, Lord Deighton, chairman of The Economist Group, said: “We [at The Economist Group] have also developed our own passion for the ocean. We held our first World Ocean Summit in 2012, after we had argued in the newspaper that the seas were in trouble, and that human activities were having a profound impact on ocean health. A decade or so later we are more committed than ever to our vision of an ocean in robust health and with a vital economy. The ocean is too big to fail.”
Speaking on the Back to Blue initiative at the launch event, Charles Goddard, editorial director at The Economist Group, noted that “defining and heading towards a pollution-free ocean is an enormous challenge, as we are already seeing in the many extraordinary efforts to address plastic pollution. We hope Back to Blue can contribute vital new knowledge and perspectives on contaminants in the ocean, and to the global architecture of engagement needed to address them. The urgency is very real.”
*In January 2021, The Economist Group, in cooperation with The Nippon Foundation, undertook two related surveys - one of industry and public-sector executives, the other of the general public (global citizens) - to better understand their views and priorities around key ocean issues. The survey was conducted to provide a reference point for the Back to Blue initiative among the global audience we expect to be engaging, as well as to seek feedback on the direction and relevance of the initiative, and to help us gauge progress towards our goals.
Survey details:
Survey 1. Industry and Public Sector
Sample size: 1000
Geography: 20% each from North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, 40% Rest of the World
Employment status: Full or part-time employees
Type of organisation respondents work for:
70% for profit organisations (a range including minimum 50 each from finance, food (including fisheries) and beverage, travel (including shipping) and tourism, energy
30% public sector, non-profit organisations or academia
Survey 2. General Public/World Citizens
Sample size: 3000
Geography: 20% each from North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, 40% Rest of the World
Age: 50% Millennials (1981-96) and Generation Z (1997-) / 50% Generation X (1965-80) and Baby Boomers (1946-64)
Gender: At least 40% male/female
For more information visit: www.backtoblueinitiative.com
First Marine Solutions names Hexagon | VERIPOS as key supplier of offshore positioning solutions
With VERIPOS, FMS achieves reliable and robust positioning for offshore hydrographic survey operations
First Marine Solutions (FMS) has made a significant investment to strengthen their new survey department through a key supplier partnership with Hexagon | VERIPOS to achieve a complete and robust offshore positioning solution. With the purchase of high-precision LD8 GNSS receivers, Quantum software and a subscription to VERIPOS’ PPP correction services, FMS can begin offering decimetre-level accuracy for offshore hydrographic survey, positioning and construction operations.
FMS’ selection of VERIPOS as their key supplier of GNSS positioning and correction services recognizes VERIPOS’ complete positioning offerings. VERIPOS delivers positioning through their GNSS receivers, antennas and GNSS+INS technology, with complete redundancy in corrections from VERIPOS’ own 80+ station reference network. VERIPOS technology and services provide a complete positioning solution supporting offshore construction, mooring, hydrographic survey and other offshore energy applications.
“Our investment with VERIPOS positioning products and services bolsters First Marine Solutions’ in-house offerings,” said FMS Survey & Positioning Manager Carl Lafferty. “Choosing VERIPOS as our key supplier of GNSS positioning receivers and correction services firmly establishes FMS as a leading turnkey supplier in the offshore energy market.”
With their investment in precise positioning, FMS extends their positioning solutions into their work in offshore survey as well as temporary and permanent mooring solutions for floating offshore units to support the emerging renewables market.
Learn more about VERIPOS GNSS positioning hardware, software and correction services at veripos.com.
Ocean Infinity acquires MMT
Combining world-class innovation with unrivalled experience
Ocean Infinity and MMT are excited to announce an acquisition that brings together MMT’s deep expertise and established track record as a distinguished marine survey and data analytics provider and Ocean Infinity’s best-in-class robotic technology and operational expertise.
The combined force will maximise the potential of Ocean Infinity’s fleet of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), and the soon to be launched Armada fleet of uncrewed, low-emission, robotic ships. The company will be uniquely placed to support its international clients’ data acquisition requirements, working across multiple sectors including, energy, subsea cables, government and defence.
Following the acquisition by Ocean Infinity, MMT will continue to operate under the MMT brand. The enlarged group will have a headcount of over 300 people and will operate from an expanded geographical footprint with offices in the US, Sweden, UK, Singapore and Norway.
Per-Olof Sverlinger, CEO of MMT said:
“These are two world-leading companies with highly complementary competencies that are joining to strengthen our unique positions and our continued international expansion and development. This is a highly positive development for all MMT stakeholders. Our clients will continue to receive our trademark, personalised levels of support, but will now also be able to access an expanded range of services. For our team it opens many exciting opportunities and the chance to be on the cusp of the wave at a time of real change in our industry.”
Ola Oskarsson, founder of MMT said:
“We are a company with unique knowledge and unique employees, with a passion for what we do. As part of Ocean Infinity we can create new opportunities for our clients and our team and enjoy continued growth. Ocean Infinity has the ambition to be at the absolute forefront of technology when it comes to future analysis of the sea and seabed, which is a perfect combination for our skillset. I am proud of our past and extremely excited about our future.”
Oliver Plunkett, Ocean Infinity’s CEO said:
“When we started Ocean Infinity we revolutionised the industry with the deployment of AUVs on an unprecedented scale and we are set to push the boundaries again with our fleet of uncrewed low-emission robotic vessels. To achieve our ambition of transforming operations at sea through innovation and technology we need the very best people who share our passion for creating safer and more sustainable ways of working. I’m thrilled that we are being joined by a highly impressive group of new colleagues from MMT who collectively bring with them decades of knowledge, experience and a track record of excellence. With the team from MMT alongside us I have no doubt we will exceed all expectations and create the leading ocean and seabed data analytics business in the world.”
For more information visit: www.oceaninfinity.com or www.mmt.se
Scientists create first of its kind guidelines for identifying species through images
Scientists have created a set of unique guidelines for image-based species identification to improve biodiversity data collection. Led by Dr Tammy Horton at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), the new guide provides rules for the use of open nomenclature signs in image-based biodiversity studies. The guidelines have been developed as a way of indicating the level of certainty in the identification of species. The guide is the first of its kind to bring together the fields of scientific nomenclature and image-based analyses to improve biodiversity data collection.
As scientists move away from monitoring the biodiversity of oceans using traditional sample-based methods to increasingly using remotely operated technology, vast numbers of images and videos require analyses and identification. This is managed by naming the taxa seen in those images and often providing them with ‘temporary’ names using open nomenclature. The new guide allows for identifications to be more easily understood and shared through a standardised process, making them more useful to other researchers, environmental managers and policy makers.
Drawing on expertise and experience from NOC, University of Southampton, the Charles Darwin Research Station (Ecuador), National Geographic Society (USA), Flanders Marine Institute (Belgium) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (Belgium), the guide offers a simple flow chart to help determine the term to use at each level of identification. It also gives examples of recommended use for these terms for input to online databases and in the preparation of catalogues of the fauna of an area.
Lead author, Dr Tammy Horton, said: “Image-based biodiversity work is increasingly common but will always have limitations to the level of certainty in species identification. This is particularly critical in deep-sea studies where most of the animals are poorly known and we often encounter new species that have not been described before. Developing these clear rules for the use of open nomenclature will improve the clarity, precision and comparability of biodiversity data.”
The full article is available at:
Recommendations for the standardisation of open taxonomic nomenclature for image-based identifications.
Tammy Horton, Leigh Marsh, Brian James Bett, Andrew Russell Gates, Daniel O B Jones, Noëlie M.A. Benoist, Simone Pfeifer, Erik Simon-Lledó, Jennifer Durden, Leen Vandepitte, Ward Appeltans.
Frontiers in Marine Science, Deep-Sea Environments and Ecology. 08 February 2021
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.620702
Turkey gets Falcon for emergency response
The rapid detection of hazardous substances in Turkey’s offshore water is made possible with a Saab Seaeye Falcon operated by MOST Maritime and Environmental Services.
MOST Maritime’s emergency response team chose the remotely operated vehicle for its speedy deployment complete with cameras and multi-sensor detectors, ready to locate the incident, observe, and secure the danger.
The company provides global emergency response services for petroleum and other harmful substance spills in the sea and inland waterways worldwide.
Easy to deploy, the Falcon’s rapid response capability makes it a vital resource for hydrocarbon leak detection where speed is essential to avoid the serious consequences of economic loss and environmental pollution.
Depth rated to 300m and 1000m, the Falcon is the world’s top-selling underwater vehicle in its class noted for its ability to handle a wide range of cameras, sensors and tools, and a reliability record covering thousands of hours of undersea operations.
The Seaeye Falcon’s success comes from its reputation as a versatile resource, with five powerful thrusters packed into a compact and easy-to-handle metre-sized vehicle enhanced by Saab Seaeye’s iCON™ intelligent control architecture. The resultant design is a highly manoeuvrable, multi-tasking vehicle that is easy to use and able to handle strong currents.
For more information visit: www.saabseaeye.com