TDI-Brooks completes geotechnical programs in the Black Sea
TDI-Brooks completed two (2) geotechnical support projects for DenAr Ocean Engineering S.A. for the TPAO Sakarya Gas Field Pipeline Route Investigation and Site Survey Project. The project consisted of two (2) cruises.
During the first cruise in April 2021, TDI-Brooks acquired approximately thirty (30) gravity CPTs (gCPTs) with our memory standard 15 cm2 CPT cones. TDI-Brooks’ CPT cones were fitted onto Denar’s piston core (PC) rigs. On box cores, TDI-Brooks provided our cyclic T-Bar’s using Den-Ar’s provided box cores. This project was conducted on the “DENAR 2” vessel over a period of 71 days in the Turkish portion of the Black Sea.
The purpose of the Gravity CPT Stinger (gCPT) tool is to transport a piezocone penetrometer down to the seabed or lakebed to gather dynamic PCPT cone data from the mud line to typically 6-10 m or even 20+ m BML. In addition to its 800 kg driving head with lifting bale and coupling, the rig comprises a self-contained PCPT cone penetrometer that measures tip resistance, sleeve friction and pore pressure using standard ASTM cone protocols. The gCPT system is deployed using the same winch, A-frame, and process as for piston coring. When just above mudline, the tool is triggered like a piston corer to ballistically insert itself into the soil. Once the cone insertion into the soil is complete (less than 3 sec after trigger), the system is immediately retracted from the seabed and retrieved to the deck. Cone data are downloaded from the probe for evaluation and analysis. The tool is readied for the next deployment, typically in less than 5 minutes, making numerous measurements per day feasible, depending only on water depth and winch speed. The maximum water depth for the gCPT is 4,000m.
The TDI-Brooks Auto T-Bar instrument measures the progressive resistance of a soil column to a cylindrical rod (shaped as an upside-down T) as it is pushed down the soil column at a constant rate. Operation consists of mounting the instrument onto a box corer containing an undisturbed seabed soil sample, connecting the instrument to a source of compressed air, and starting the automatic advance of the T-Bar into the soil sample. The resistance of the soil is automatically logged during the downward advance until the bottom of the soil sample is reached by the T-bar. The instrument then reverses T-bar movement and logs the soil resistance generated during the upward, retracing return of the T-bar back up to any desired soil depth or to the surface. This sequence of a downward stroke followed by upward re-trace through the failed soil can be immediately repeated as many times as desired. Sets of 10 such cyclic T-bar tests are typical in box cores.
For the second cruise on the project in July 2021, TDI-Brooks mobilized our research vessel, the R/V PROTEUS, to the Black Sea for ‘heavy’ geotechnical coring/CPT acquisition. This geotechnical program acquired several dozen 20 meter Jumbo Piston Cores (JPCs), 40 meter CPT-Stingers and up to 40-m SB Shelby-tube Stinger-Samplers. The PROTEUS is outfitted with TDI-Brooks’ complete geotechnical tool kit including a suite of innovative geotechnical tools for soil sampling and CPT measurement. The PROTEUS also has a Kongsberg EM-710 (1x1) hull-mounted multibeam (MBES) for surveys to ~2,500m water depth for performing surface geochemical “seep-hunting” (SGE) and seabed heat flow surveys (HF).
More details on our Seabed Geotechnical Services HERE.
Awel y Môr: seabed mobility and scour assessment underway for new offshore wind farm
RWE Renewables has appointed ABPmer to support the design of the Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm in the Irish Sea.
ABPmer is assessing the sediment mobility and scour potential at the wind farm site, located in a dynamic area of seabed off the north Wales coast. The work will be used to help support export cable route selection, as well as inform the ongoing wind turbine foundation and array/export cable design process.
To map the behavioural characteristics of the seabed across the wind farm site and export cable corridor, ABPmer will analyse oceanographic data from its SEASTATES metocean database, recent and historic seabed surveys, and geophysical data specifically collected for the project.
High resolution hydrodynamic and sediment transport modelling are also being used to map the detail of long-term regional scale sediment transport pathways.
Heidi Roberts, ABPmer Project Director, said, “Building on our local knowledge from Awel y Môr and adjacent windfarms along with OWF expertise around the UK, our specialists are completing detailed statistical analysis, modelling and interpretation of oceanographic and geophysical data.
Our seabed mobility risk mapping tools are helping RWE understand present and future bedform migration, providing vital information in support of the cable route selection and design.”
GIS analysis of coastal data will also be undertaken to consider the potential for coastal erosion and vertical change in beach levels at the landfall over the project lifetime, supporting the landfall selection and design process.
The Awel y Môr detailed design will continue through 2022, with the wind farm targeting 2030 to be fully operational.
A recognised Development Service Provider offering a wide range of services that support clients throughout renewable project lifecycles, ABPmer has provided input to most of the UK’s offshore wind developments, including technical input to engineering design that satisfies both consenting requirements and international standards.
NOC equips RRS Discovery & RRS James Cook with WaveRadar REX2 systems from RS Aqua
In early 2021, the National Oceanography Centre enhanced their existing research ships with two RS Aqua WaveRadar REX2 system, for the RRS Discovery and the RRS James Cook. The RRS Discovery is now equipped with a full REX2 system, while the RRS James Cook REX2 system will be installed later in the year during routine maintenance.
The NOC’s research vessels are multidisciplinary ships, specifically designed for the challenges of 21st century oceanography. Both ships are fitted with state-of-the-art, high-performing instruments and equipment. Combined they are the UK’s primary vessels for oceanographic observation.
Application
The capabilities of the REX2 sensor system were chosen by the NOC to provide accurate sea state intelligence during the ships’ operations such as offboard equipment handling (ROV operations and large profiling payloads etc.) and to provide absolute wave height data and so greater accuracy of real time sea state whilst underway.
Both research vessels have X-band radar systems installed to provide surface wave, current and sea state measurement to the NOC’s research community and also enhance safety at sea and to provide navigational intelligence. Whilst X-band systems provide sea state intelligence from radar imagery over a relatively large spatial scale (several kms from the ship), the wave and sea state data close to the ship is often of lower quality than required for ship operations.
WaveRadar REX2 is a downward facing microwave radar system that delivers exceptionally high-quality wave parameters in the immediate vicinity of the ship. REX2 has been installed on both vessels to enable the scientific engineering team to ground-truth or validate specifically wave height data for the X-band system whenever the ship is sailing. Furthermore, the wave and sea state intelligence from REX2 will be used whenever the research vessels are carrying out research operations, for instance the deployment of tethered ROV systems or other large and valuable offboard systems. When the vessel deploys these offboard systems, often the ship will be holding position dynamically and is vulnerable to the prevailing wave climate and other features such as rogue waves. REX2 provides direct measurement of ocean waves in the immediate vicinity of the ships in real time, providing reliable wave intelligence to the bridge, to the scientific engineering teams and to any stakeholder with secure internet access to the ship.
REX2 Technology
The full REX2 system, inclusive of real-time motion-compensated wave processing suite - WaveView Connect – and a bespoke mounting frame, is built for the harsh environment of the open ocean and is ideal for the RRS Discovery and the RRS James Cook’s scientific expeditions. With end users from almost every continent operating in every Ocean, internationally recognised hazardous zone certifications and high-level commissioning support from RS Aqua, WaveRadar REX2 can be used in almost any location around the world. Coupled with WaveView Connect, REX2 is able to deliver motion compensated wave measurements in real time. The GR-2 mounting frame is specifically designed for the WaveRadar REX2. It is designed to provide an extremely stable, rigid platform that complements the high performance of the REX2.
Conclusion
These two use cases of the REX2 data – ground-truthing X-band data and real time wave climate observation during ship operations – enable the ship operators and the scientific engineering team to have greater confidence in their understanding of the wave climate in open ocean conditions, whilst also optimising their operations. The end result is an expansion and improvement of the essential ocean variables provided to the oceanographic science community and more efficient and safer work environment at sea.
EdgeTech Announces the Availability of the 6205s2 Swath Bathymetry & Side Scan Sonar System
EdgeTech, the leader in high resolution sonar imaging systems and underwater technology, has recently introduced the 6205s2 Combined Swath Bathymetry & Side Scan Sonar System. Building on the success of the popular 6205 and 6205s systems, EdgeTech has redesigned the 6205s2 and achieved a more compact and lighter package with additional features and benefits including the options for an integrated INS, the higher resolution frequency pair of 850/1600 kHz, and EdgeTech’s gap-fill side scan output.
The EdgeTech 6205s2 produces real time, high resolution, three dimensional maps of the seafloor while providing an enhanced and fully integrated swath bathymetry and dual frequency side scan sonar system.
The new 6205s2 is unrivalled in its swath coverage in shallow water when compared to other single head bathymetry-only systems. The system offers co-registered dual frequency side scan and bathymetry with swath coverages up to 200° with a selection of equidistant and equiangle output options. Additionally, the 6205s2 is the only bathymetry system to now offer EdgeTech’s motion tolerant side scan sonar feature for operation in more adverse weather conditions. The new 6205s2 is ideally suited to compact USV (unmanned surface vehicles) projects, especially those looking to achieve bathymetry, side scan and sub bottom profiler datasets with a single data-pass.
The 6205s2 incorporates EdgeTech’s Full Spectrum® technology to exceed IHO SP-44, NOAA and USACE specifications for feature detection and bathymetric point data uncertainty. The data outputs of the 6205s2 are accepted by most third-party acquisition and post processing software packages.
For more information please visit: www.edgetech.com
EIVA releases entry-level hydrographic survey software variant
EIVA’s new software variant NaviSuite Kuda Core provides advanced hydrographic survey software capabilities at an entry-level price. Tailored to support hydrographic surveys with a single USV or small survey vessel using multi-beam echosounder (including backscatter), LiDAR and/or camera, this software solution is…
- simple to configure and run
- affordable for entry-level survey professionals – priced at € 1.998 annually
- ... and provides advanced hydrographic survey features from NaviSuite Kuda software, for example enabling autonomous operations, as it is one of several variants of this software bundle
Software features for automated, efficient hydrographic surveys
Thanks to EIVA’s decades of experience developing and delivering hydrographic survey solutions, not only does the NaviSuite Kuda software yield high quality and deliverable 3D model results quickly, but users can improve the efficiency of their surveys with software tools for…
- Remote operations, including autopilot route planning and onboard processing
- Real-time optimisation of survey area coverage
- Automatic data cleaning
- Automatic data processing workflows
- Patch test for multi-beam calibration
- Easy registration and classification of observations
NaviSuite lets users scale up their software with their survey spread
In addition to the new entry-level variant, the list of bundle variants includes NaviSuite Kuda Pro, which supports more complex survey spreads at a reduced price, and + Processing variants, which provide advanced data processing tools. Since these variants are all part of one big NaviSuite family, users can upgrade between different variants if they scale up operations. Meaning it’s possible to go from a single vessel setup to a large network installation – without changing software.
iXblue delivers the synthetic aperture sonar dedicated to Ifremer's new 6000m-rated AUV
Ifremer, the French Research Institute for Ocean Science, has received its new synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) from iXblue. It will equip the institute’s new 6000m-rated Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) dedicated to deep sea exploration.
This synthetic aperture sonar, the Sams-150, offers a unique seabed mapping solution perfectly suited to deep-sea autonomous vehicles. Benefiting from more than 20 years of development within iXblue, this technology is already being operated by world-class navies and scientific institutes. This interferometric SAS sonar allows for simultaneous real-time imaging and high-resolution bathymetric mapping of the seabed.
"With a swath width of 500m for a constant resolution of 6cm, our new Sams-150 sonar optimizes the compromise between the resolution and range of imaging solutions. Thanks to its interferometric processing, a high-resolution bathymetric model can be generated simultaneously with the production of the imaging data, thus ensuring a coverage equivalent to more than 10 times the height of water under the sensor,"
explains Bertrand Chemisky, head of civil activities at iXblue Sonar division.
"Our SAS technology, coupled with an inertial navigation system and an acoustic positioning system, will ensure precise geo-referencing of each pixel, thus enabling the creation of homogeneous maps over large areas.”
The Sams (Synthetic Aperture Mapping Sonar) solution as designed by iXblue responds to the operational objective of significantly reducing the duration of operations at sea and therefore the cost of data acquisition. Following these same considerations, iXblue Sams sonar aims at optimizing the autonomy of underwater vehicles by seeking the best compromise between mapping coverage and energy consumption.
"The UlyX AUV is capable of diving down to 6,000 m and navigating on mapping profiles or in quasi-stationary flight near the bottom," explains Jan Opderbecke, project manager for the development of the UlyX system at Ifremer. “It is equipped with a suite of state-of-the-art sensors to produce a set of data on the explored area: high-resolution imagery-bathymetry data with the Sams-150, multi-beam bathymetry, and optical images aided by a laser profiler for photogrammetry. The AUV also implements a set of modular scientific sensors adapted to the scientific mission: physical parameters, chemical analysis, magnetometry, etc. Sams-150 has been selected based on its specifications for integration and use on the UlyX AUV: size, survey parameters such as altitude, resolution and swath. The unprecedented performance of the sonar and the data processing software chain are real assets. By combining imagery and bathymetry, the data from the Sams-150 sea trials show a significant potential that will bring scientific exploration to a whole new level.”
"We are very proud to contribute to this technological breakthrough in deep-sea exploration alongside Ifremer and to be able to participate, at our level, to France's leadership in deep-sea exploration,"
adds Bertrand Chemisky.
Sonardyne hybrid positioning chosen for vessels across energy and science
Acoustic and inertial position reference systems from marine technology company Sonardyne have been chosen to underpin the critical station keeping activities of multiple deepwater vessels operating in the energy and ocean research sectors.
Through a combination of upgrades to existing installations and the purchase of new systems, four deepwater drillships, a marine construction vessel and a floating production system working in North and South America will be using Sonardyne’s 6G (sixth generation) Marksman DP-INS technology. In addition, an ultra-deepwater scientific drilling vessel has now also upgraded its Marksman DP-INS system to the latest (sixth generation) equipment configuration.
Image Caption: Helix Energy Solution’s Helix Producer-1 floating production system is supported by Sonardyne’s 6G DP-INS system. Image from Helix Energy Solutions, by Robert Almeida.
Marksman DP-INS improves vessel positioning performance by exploiting the long-term accuracy of Sonardyne’s Wideband acoustic signal technology with high integrity, high update rate inertial measurements. The resulting navigation output is capable of riding-through short-term acoustic disruptions associated with deep water drilling and is completely independent from GNSS so can be considered as a third, independent reference for DP Class 3 vessels.
The system uses a combination of single or dual redundant surface transceivers, Sonardyne’s own vessel-based INS sensor and Long Baseline (LBL) seafloor transponders. However, unlike conventional LBL operations, Marksman DP-INS does not need a full seabed array of transponders to be installed and calibrated before subsea operations can commence. For most subsea tasks, positioning specifications can be met with only one or two transponders deployed on the seabed. Additionally, as the system needs only occasional aiding from the acoustics, transponder battery life is substantially increased so the need to task an ROV to deploy and recover transponders for servicing is reduced.
Noble Drilling has ordered a 6G upgrade to the Marksman system onboard its Noble Globetrotter II, adding two HPT 7000s to the vessel, as well as Compatt 6+ transponders for its vessel seabed array inventory and for wireless underwater marine riser flex joint monitoring.
The DP-INS system onboard Helix Energy Solution’s Helix Producer-1 floating production system has also been upgraded to 6G. The vessel is operating on the Phoenix and Tornado field in the US Gulf of Mexico for Talos Energy.
Two Brazilian drilling company’s deepwater drillships. Both rigs were fitted with Marksman DP-INS when they were launched in 2011. Also in Brazil, another rig operator has ordered a 6G upgrade for the Marksman system onboard its 6th generation, deepwater semi-submersible rig.
An Asia-based scientific drilling ship recently completed a Marksman DP-INS 6G upgrade. Sonardyne’s Marksman LUSBL technology was first installed on the vessel in 2005. This was upgraded to DP-INS with Sonardyne’s 5G hardware in 2012.
A US-based marine contractor has also ordered a Marksman 6G upgrade kit system to DP-INS to improve their vessel DP capability, especially when GNSS positioning is unstable or masked by nearby platforms.
Andre Moura, sales & Application Manager, at Sonardyne in Brazil, says:
“Vessel utilisation rates have been rising steadily over the past 12 months, providing vessel owners and operators with the confidence to invest now in technologies that will deliver long-term operational efficiency gains. Marksman DP-INS is one of those technologies; it’s mature a field proven technology which can be installed in the field and addresses industry’s need for a third, independent DP reference.”
SEA-KIT and Fugro ink contract for next generation 18m USV
World leading Geo-data specialist, Fugro, has ordered a SEA-KIT XL Class Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) for future North Sea operations. The 18m USV, the first of its kind, will be built at SEA-KIT’s expanding UK production facility on the Essex coast.
“Following the successful delivery and award-winning operations of the 12m vessels built so far for Fugro, we are delighted to announce this order for the first, larger SEA-KIT XL Class
USV. The XL design is a result of industry collaboration aimed at overcoming the complex challenges of effective uncrewed operations at long range in heavy seas. Our 18m USV will push the boundaries of robustness and versatility, meeting the increased challenges of endurance, communications and station keeping head on.”said SEA-KIT CEO Ben Simpson.
The SEA-KIT XL USV has a 7-tonne payload capacity and powerful bollard pull, making it suitable for towing spreads and larger sensors. The vessel can launch and recover a wide variety of remotely operated vehicles and payloads, has fully redundant station holding capability, Cat 0 operations for unrestricted use and a large lithium UPS supply for ship systems.
This build will feature the latest developments in uncrewed systems technology, including the next generation of SEA-KIT’s proven proprietary remote helm USV control and surveillance platform, G-SAVI.
Ivar de Josselin de Jong, Director Remote Inspection at Fugro, said:
“This order is an exciting next step in the roll out of Fugro’s remote and autonomous strategy and the development of our global USV fleet. The Blue Eclipse is the first 18m USV in an anticipated global series of long endurance and more capable USVs that will be deployed in the offshore energy sector with comparable ROV inspection performance to regular DP2 vessels. Equipped with the Fugro Blue Amp electric eROV and being operated from one of our nine global remote operations centres (ROC), we will be able to support our clients in achieving safer and more efficient data collection operations, whilst contributing to our mutual carbon footprint reduction ambitions.”
Fugro and SEA-KIT formed their ongoing partnership in March 2020, with a joint remit to improve safety and efficiency and to reduce the environmental impact of offshore operations. Work will start on the hull of the 18m USV in March with delivery scheduled for early 2023.
SEA-KIT recently sponsored the virtual Maritime Autonomous Systems Regulatory Conference, with Robert Courts MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, as keynote speaker. Themed ‘The Reality of MASS’, this year’s event focused on developments made in the commercial and defence maritime sectors and sparked in-depth discussion on how autonomous vessels are now providing realistic opportunities to achieve net zero emissions in shipping.
North Sea research initiative INSITE announces Professor Dickon Howell as Programme Director
North Sea focused research initiative, INSITE, has announced the appointment of Professor Dickon Howell as its new Programme Director.
Prof Howell, an experienced marine scientist who is a respected leader in the field, takes over from Dr Richard Heard who will continue as an adviser to the organisation.
The new director will bring his considerable expertise and global experience of leading the blue economy, marine policy, governance, stakeholder relations and regulation to INSITE, leading its funding programmes, outreach and research development.
Speaking about his appointment, Prof Howell said:
“INSITE will continue with this vital work and we have further plans to release collective research, outcomes and drive the debate further within the decision making process.”
Dickon Howell is Professor of Practice at Newcastle University School of Natural and Environmental Science as well as director and founder of Howell Marine Consulting. He is an expert in policy development with a track record of bringing together regulators, scientists and politicians to find solutions on sustainability within the marine environment and has advised governments on biodiversity conservation and many other issues affecting offshore activity.
The INSITE Programme (INfluence of Structures in the Ecosystem) is a joint industry study on the impact of man-made structures in the North Sea. INSITE aims to facilitate and inspire research into the role of these structures in the marine ecosystem by providing funding and building the interface between scientists and industry.
INSITE draws funding from various sources - including its principal partner UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) - to provide grants to academics across the UK and Europe to carry out specific research. The resulting findings become part of an ongoing resource, which is available via scientific literature to industry, academia, government and other relevant policy bodies to inform current and future decisions about activity in the North Sea and around the globe.
MacArtney introduces new Managing Director for their Asia Pacific Operations
MacArtney announces a change at the top for their Singapore office, serving the APAC area.
Steen Frejo, the outgoing Managing Director of MacArtney's regional hub in Singapore, was responsible for proposing and setting up a local presence in the APAC area, concentrating on servicing the regional markets in 2013.
The move was a success, and MacArtney now has well-established offices and 21 employees in Singapore, Australia and China with an expanding and loyal customer base.
He will be succeeded by Anthony Gleeson, former Regional VP Asia of Sonardyne.
One of the pioneers
Steen is among the first MacArtney employees and joined on 2 May 1984 as employee no. 7.
In his new position as Sales Director, he will be based at MacArtney headquarters in Denmark and be responsible for sales out of Denmark, including new distributor and regional operation start-ups. Steen gained a wealth of experience for his new role, building up business in the APAC area.
"I wish to say a huge thanks to all the employees, partners and customers all over the Asia Pacific, helping and supporting MacArtney over the last eight years to also become a key player in the subsea industry in Asia. I am eternally in their debt",
are the words of Steen Frejo upon announcing his move. He will start his new position on 1 January 2022.
Experienced successor
Anthony Gleeson is taking over as Managing Director of MacArtney Asia Pacific on 1 November 2021. He joined Sonardyne in 2009 as Regional Sales Manager based in Singapore with previous experience in the subsea industry gained from Teledyne TSS. Anthony's brief at Sonardyne was to focus on China in particular, which was achieved with considerable success, rising to become Regional VP Asia. A position in which he and his team focused on oil & gas, defence and ocean science, with renewables becoming more and more prominent in recent years.
"I probably used a MacArtney connector on my very first day working offshore in the mid-90s. I believe there is a high degree of synergy in the subsea technology industry, and I look forward immensely to working at MacArtney, a truly progressive and innovative market leader",
said Anthony upon being appointed Managing Director of MacArtney Asia Pacific.
MacArtney Group CCO Rasmus Frøkjær Bonde concludes:
"We look forward to welcoming Steen back to Denmark, benefiting from his substantial knowledge and experience. His homecoming is considered a focal point in further pursuing global growth. At the same time, we are excited to continue to grow our Asia Pacific presence and market development with a strong profile as Anthony at the helm."
The MacArtney Group is a leading supplier of underwater technology products and system solutions to the renewable energy sector, oil & gas offshore operators, ROV, diving, survey contractors, ocean science institutes, and navies worldwide.
Caption: Managing Director Steen Frejo – MacArtney Asia Pacific Operations – hands over the helm to successor Anthony Gleeson.