CROSS SECTION THE FUGRO GROUP MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2013

WHAT LIES BEYOND Building a robust understanding of subsurface structure with technology and expertise

www.crosssection-online.com 18 06 CONTENTS CROSS SECTION WHAT’S NEW? 04 WaveWalker: Product of The Year 04 Substantial Investment Enhancing Global Client Offerings Fugro’s updated strategy highlights Welcome investment in purpose-built assets and I’m pleased to bring you our final Cross Section offerings for R&D with an emphasis on technology 15 2013, with this issue illustrating Fugro’s breadth of expertise innovation and staff development and innovative technology. There’s also an update on the 06 New to Fugro’s Global Vessel Fleet outcome of Fugro’s strategic review. Three new specialist vessels join the fleet The review highlighted several elements which focus on TECHNOLOGY, TOOLS enhancing the services and support that clients can expect in all parts of the world. Turn to page four for details on plans for AND TECHNIQUES further investment, accelerating innovation, technology and R&D 08 The Highway Assessment Specialists and personnel development. Surveying around 6,000 lane-kilometres of the Dutch road network each year Articles in this issue feature tried and tested technology, whilst technology developments, such as an alternative 08 New Rescue Simulator pipeline inspection method, have also resulted in performance 3D simulation of rescue operations 16 improvements and dramatic time savings in the Caspian Sea. 10 Safer River Regions and Coastal Cities And off the coast of Nigeria, another new development is Fugro’s global expertise in boosting the safety and efficiency of berthing operations water management at offshore oil fields. 13 Tanker Berthing Control We also take a look at Fugro’s expertise in water management. Boosting safety and efficiency at From a presentation addressing 21st century water challenges at offshore installations a conference in New York to the conclusion of a long-term levee management project involving governments and companies 14 Tailored Expertise: Marine GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS in Europe and the USA, Fugro’s experts are relied upon to Environmental Consultancy Services integrate data acquisition with specialist engineering services, Automatic Identification System for Vessels AIS underpinning a vital role in the management of flood risk. PROJECT REPORTS AUV Autonomous Underwater Vehicle 12 Detailed Characterisation Debra Barker - Editor Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring High-resolution at CALM [email protected] buoy buoy used for offloading oil Californian power generation plant COMF-V Criteria for noise and vibrations 14 Installation Support Wide-ranging workscope at DP2 Dynamic Positioning (Class 2) Sakhalin III project ® Fugro’s airborne laser scanning system for FLI-MAP 15 Clever Thinking obtaining highly accurate topographic data On the cover Major maintenance project at Irish Floating Production, About Cross Section offshore wind farm FPSO Storage and Offloading Facility We are pleased to publish Cross Section Magazine for customers and other Fugro’s strategic review 16 Ultra-High Resolution Where a pipeline is no longer supported on Freespan readers worldwide. Most of the articles are written by Fugro personnel who reaffirms its focus on Pipeline Inspection the seabed due to scouring, uneven seabed, are, or have been, closely involved with the technology or project described; Working with BP produces novel seabed erosion, etc accelerating innovation in we invite you to contact them for further information using the email address technology and delivery deliverables and high quality results FSO Floating Storage and Offloading Facility included with the relevant article. excellence. With a comprehensive range of GLONASS Global Navigation Satellite System OUR BUSINESS integrated global services, Subscribe 18 Vital Insight for Engineers LiDAR Light Detection And Ranging Fugro’s unrivalled expertise Sign-up online to receive email alerts when new issues of Cross A diverse range of expertise and Monoethylene Glycol assists clients in the MEG Section are published. You can also view previous issues in our online technology within Fugro’s management of risk associated Pipeline Inspection Gauge/Pipeline archive or download PDF copies: www.crosssection-online.com Fugro applies innovative geophysics services PIG with subsurface uncertainty, Intervention Gadget technology and expertise Alternatively scan the code using your smartphone. building a robust understanding in complex projects around PLET Pipeline End Termination of what lies beyond. the world. Ray Technique providing highly realistic Tell us what you think tracing simulation for navigation training We welcome your feedback on any aspect of the magazine or website Fugro provides the people, equipment, expertise and technology that support the exploration, Remotely Operated Vehicle ROV and encourage you to send us your comments by email: development, production and transportation of the world’s natural resources. Clients are provided Real Time Correction Messages RTCM [email protected] with the technical data and information required to design, construct and maintain structures and SDU Subsea Distribution Unit infrastructure in a safe, reliable and efficient manner. Very Small Aperture Terminal VSAT for satellite communications COPYRIGHT Material in this magazine may not be reproduced without written permission from Fugro. CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 I 03 WHAT’S NEW?

WAVEWALKER PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Fugro recently collected the New Mechanical Product of the Year award for the WaveWalker 1 walking jack-up at this year’s British Engineering Excellence Awards (BEEAs).

WaveWalker is an innovative, eight-legged ‘walking’ jack-up barge which was designed especially for marine operations in rough seas, surf zones, beaches and other intertidal locations where operation of traditional self-elevating work platforms is uneconomic. Fugro Seacore provided design and engineering expertise to create the jack-up barge which is owned and operated by “Fugro’s strategic review reaffirms WaveWalker BV, a joint venture between Fugro its focus on innovative technology Seacore and Van Oord. and delivery excellence.” SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT Fugro’s project design engineers Dan Harris and Paul van Riel, CEO, Fugro Steffen Phillips collected the award at a ceremony in London. ENHANCING GLOBAL For more information on WaveWalker 1, go to www.wavewalkerbv.com or use your smartphone to scan the code: CLIENT OFFERINGS

Investment in state-of-the-art vessels positive about our staff,” noted Paul van Riel, STRENGTHENED ORGANISATION FOR continues as one of the key elements of Fugro’s CEO. “As part of our strategy, we shall DELIVERY EXCELLENCE email > [email protected] Fugro’s recently completed strategic review. increase our emphasis on staff development Fugro’s historic success is based on high value, Whilst its global fleet expansion programme and grow the number of employees needed to technology-intensive client offerings. The sees the introduction of more new survey support our growth ambitions.’ updated strategy identifies the development of Team Fugro and geotechnical vessels, investment in other ‘Team Fugro’ for continued delivery excellence purpose-built assets will bring additional Fugro Academy, the initiative that facilitates and efficiency in client services. This will ROV systems for geotechnical projects, more staff development and delivers training across involve strengthening of the group’s regional AUV systems for deepwater operations and, the group, will support its further investment organisation and further collaboration between  Retaining focus on delivery to enhance subsea efficiency, a greater range in people. The inauguration in January 2014 divisions within the regions. Leveraging Fugro’s excellence and efficiency in of subsea tooling. of a new marine training centre in Cornwall, global scale in this way will enhance its global client services UK marks the expansion of Fugro Academy’s client service; sharpening the focus on key  Providing seamless The strategic review served as a health training and development resources which national and multinational clients will result integrated services check for the business which operates in an now include a survey and engineering training in better execution of large, multi-disciplinary environment which is undergoing significant programme created specifically for new and cross-divisional projects.  Reinforcing collaboration between changes. The scale, global spread, complexity offshore survey recruits. divisions and within regions and duration of clients’ projects continue The high quality and richness of data, which to increase along with their demands on ACCELERATING INNOVATION differentiate Fugro from other providers,  Extending client services by technology. It is also evident that their Investment to step up research and remains fundamental across its global expanding into new and expectations are changing. development underpins a renewed drive services. Clients can also expect to benefit emerging regions towards a coherent R&D portfolio. Building from continued development and creation of on Fugro’s strong history of innovation, new services and the expansion into new and Project design engineers Steffen Phillips  Managing varying regional EXCEPTIONALLY POSITIVE ABOUT OUR STAFF The project incorporated feedback from clients, acceleration of innovation in technology emerging regions such as Mozambique, the and Dan Harris with Justin Leonard from dynamics with local expertise Igus UK, sponsor of BEEA Mechanical shareholders and a group of more than 200 is another key strategy objective, along Caspian and deeper water. Product of the Year Award. Fugro senior managers and key staff. “Clients with increased focus on business process have made it clear that they are exceptionally innovation. email > [email protected]

04 I CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 I 05 WHAT’S NEW? NEW TO STATE-OF-THE-ART FUGRO’S GLOBAL SURVEY VESSEL

The 65-metre-long Fugro Brasilis recently VESSEL FLEET entered service and is scheduled to undertake diverse tasks such as geophysical mapping, bathymetric and geotechnical survey in Fugro continues to renew its global vessel fleet and the group’s recent water depths of up to 3,000 metres. As the latest in Fugro’s series of FSSV65 offshore strategy review underlined the strategic importance of the renewal survey vessels, she is equipped with dynamic programme. Replacing older tonnage with modern vessels is differentiating positioning and a suite of modern, high- resolution survey equipment, making her the Fugro from other providers. most advanced of her type in the South Atlantic.

Equipment can be easily deployed using DESTINED FOR APAC DEEPWATER both stern and side hydraulic A-frames and the vessel can be configured to support AUV and light ROV operations. Excellent data Fugro Voyager, a purpose built DP2 standards with quarters for up to 60 persons “We’re very pleased to be operating a quality and economical running costs are the geotechnical drilling vessel, is entering service that are outfitted to the highest standards. A state-of-the-art survey vessel and look result of an acoustically quiet hull form and propulsion system. with Fugro’s Offshore Geotechnical Division large soil laboratory is centrally located next forward to focussing specifically on the to expand its operations in the frontier areas to the drill floor giving a unique open-plan of the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Specifically working environment for geotechnicians. Other demands of the Brazilian market.” email > [email protected], designed and built to address the varied areas include client offices, a conference room, [email protected] Rogério Carvalho, demands of the region’s deepwater markets, day rooms and a gymnasium. Fugro Brasilis – offshore survey vessel.  Senior Marketing Manager, Fugro Brasil the new vessel has several features which will enhance overall productivity. The new vessel represents a significant investment in deepwater equipment for the At 83 metres by 20 metres, with a twin tower frontier areas of the Asia Pacific region and drilling derrick over a centrally located moon demonstrates Fugro’s commitment to Three vessels, pool, the vessel has automated pipe and tool the region. specifically designed for OPTIMISING handling equipment to promote safe drilling floor operations. Equipment includes both email > [email protected] differing specialist roles, COASTAL AND downhole and seabed sampling and testing are amongst the newest SHELF OPERATIONS systems rated for 3,000 metres water depth. additions to Fugro’s global fleet. The Fugro Voyager is equipped with a dynamic positioning station-holding capability Fugro Helmert is a 41.5-metre long multi- (DP2) and is built to Comfort Class COMF-V(3) purpose offshore survey coastal vessel (FOSCV40) and this recent addition to Fugro’s fleet improves the company’s ability to meet the survey needs of offshore wind energy projects, offshore cable and pipeline corridor design and IHO-S44 ENC nautical hydrographic charting programmes. Fugro Helmert – multi-purpose offshore survey coastal vessel.  With a sophisticated suite of modern handling and surveying equipment, Fugro Helmert is at the leading edge of purpose-built survey vessels A dynamic positioning system (Class 1) Powerful work deck handling systems include of her type. She is equipped with acoustic provides station-holding capability whilst an A-frame and an innovative hold-down deck- survey systems and underwater positioning overall vessel positioning includes Fugro channelling fastening system. for ROV and towed systems whilst coastal and proprietary satellite positioning systems as shelf operations are optimised as a result of well as sources for precise motion, heading email > [email protected] acoustic system sensors located in the specially and positioning data. All acquired data can Fugro Voyager designed blister keel, ensuring that the overall be processed onboard and transferred via - geotechnical drilling vessel. draft of the vessel is a maximum of 2.8 metres. VSAT worldwide.

CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 I 0007 TECHNOLOGY, TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES THE HIGHWAY Contract Deliverables: ASSESSMENT Road geometry Longitudinal and transverse profiles SPECIALISTS Texture profiles Rutting, cracking Collecting and processing surface and ravelling Contract condition data Options: Edge damage and friction surveys Under a multi-year contract with a Dutch local ARAN road analyser vehicles and will perform authority consortium, Fugro is undertaking initial data processing whilst KOAC-NPC will highway condition surveys across most of the be responsible for client specific data analysis provincial road network of the Netherlands. A and reporting in line with Dutch highways strategic agreement signed earlier this year specifications and end-user pavement with Dutch pavement consultant, KOAC- management systems. NPC, sees the two companies combining their leading expertise for highway condition Fugro has a long association services for public agencies and road with KOAC•NPC, having provided contractor clients. complementary pavement The two highway assessment specialists were investigations for projects awarded the work by a procurement consortium across the Netherlands since representing Dutch provinces. This is the the mid-1990s, including roads, first time the provinces have established an integrated and unified specification for pavement airports, industrial areas and dike quality measurements in the Netherlands. revetments.

The contract, awarded to Fugro and KOAC- email > [email protected] NPC on the basis of both quality and price, Fugro and KOAC•NPC have teamed up to includes the collection and processing of road undertake road surface condition surveys surface condition data from around 6,000 in the Netherlands. Mark Pehlig of Fugro lane-kilometres of the provincial road network Fugro will use its world-renowned ARAN road (L) signs the agreement with Han van each year. Fugro will use its world-renowned analyser vehicles. Herpen of KOAC•NPC (R). 

Tasks such as deploying Offering true physics-based subsea ‘Ray tracing’ - a technique pioneered by Fugro simulation in a user-friendly package, the - provides highly realistic sonar simulation NEW probes to measure CO2 software is designed to speed up verification for navigation training, along with altimeter- levels and posting pods of vehicle design configurations and tooling. based ranging for hatch mating and pod SUBMARINE with life-support provisions It will also enhance the development and posting. Models have been developed for a are realistically reproduced. practice of rescue mission procedures and range of SRVs including the Perry Slingsby LR7, RESCUE improve pilot training. OceanWorks Merlion 500 and ADS 2000.

SIMULATOR The new SRV simulator enables navigation to Based on Fugro’s DeepWorks ROV software, targets using both camera and sonar views in the new simulator will run on a desktop PC or realistic sea conditions. A new model governs it can be integrated into a submarine rescue Fugro’s new Submarine Rescue friction behaviours when bodies collide with vehicle’s hardware control console. each other or with the seabed and manipulator Vehicle (SRV) simulator is the behaviours are realistically reproduced in email > [email protected] world’s first system capable of 3D operational tasks. Software enhancements include better proximity awareness, easier trim simulation of rescue operations. The new SRV simulator enables navigation to targets using and ballast control whilst a new ‘supervisor’s both camera and sonar views in panel’ enables simple control and monitoring of realistic sea conditions.  the training scenario.

08 I CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 I 09 TECHNOLOGY, TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES “Information about the land-water interface is essential in flood prevention and without it you are helpless. Fugro therefore integrates SAFER RIVER REGIONS high quality data acquisition with expert engineering services.”

Dirk Brinschwitz, AND COASTAL CITIES Director, Fugro Water Services

There is increasing evidence that DUTCH INNOVATION Historic city of Dordrecht. Flood risk mapping. climate change and rising seas will The Dutch have always been pioneers in hydraulic and geotechnical engineering. cause more frequent and more The devastating North Sea flood of 1953 devastating natural disasters. prompted research and development in flood control and a major flood defence Flooding – from larger river flows and higher network became a pillar of Dutch innovation. storm surges – is becoming an increasing Further significant river floods in 1993 and threat and natural disasters can cause damage 1995, together with studies on climate measured in tens of billions of dollars. In change, led to increasingly sophisticated addition to direct financial costs, such disasters approaches to water management that focus result in human tragedy, large-scale destruction, on environmental adaptation and long-term economic damage and severe disruption. safety of flood plains.

Levees, dikes and embankments play a vital NATIONAL LEVEE ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME role in the management of flood risk – a role Geo and geo informatics Modelling, surveying and risk assessments When the Dutch regional water authority which has been highlighted following a series needed to determine the strength of its of recent storm events such as hurricanes in primary levee system, consisting of 365 the USA (Sandy, Katrina and Rita), cyclone kilometres of levees and numerous locks and Xynthia in France and monsoon floods in sluices, Fugro conducted safety assessments. Pakistan. In 2011 much of the Mississippi River Advanced examinations included liquefaction experienced the worst flooding for a century studies, assessments of macro-stability whilst this year, extreme floods seriously and piping and strength determination of affected Central Europe. historic water- and soil-retaining structures. Soil investigations, FLI-MAP® airborne LiDAR Fugro’s expertise in water management surveys and monitoring were undertaken. provides the latest insights into flood risk mapping, levee investigation and evaluation. A key requirement was to assess the Integrating this expertise with a range of multifunctional levee running through services such as soil investigations, geo- the historic city of Dordrecht. This levee is monitoring, flood risk mapping and technical intertwined with historic buildings, many consulting, enables Fugro to play a key role in of which are an essential part of the water- helping to prevent flood disasters. It continues retaining structure, introducing a variety of to develop pioneering technologies that collect, geo-hazards. The task also carried a societal analyse and transform real-time levee data perspective. Archive investigations and into information for decision makers, with Sensor based data collection Geotechnical design and soil investigation acquired data helped Fugro to demonstrate vital information available via web interfaces, sufficient water-retaining capacity to meet smartphones and tablets. ‘Room for the River’ programme. Levee reconstruction. national requirements.

WATER CHALLENGES FOR van Haegen, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure VALUABLE EXPERTISE evaluation of levees, Fugro has actively COASTAL CITIES and the Environment. The conference The International Levee Handbook provides contributed to the project, participating in Leading an American Dutch strategy team at included innovative flood technology and the the definitive guide to good practice in national and international expert meetings the ‘H209 Forum’ in New York in September, economics and governance of water. the evaluation, design, implementation, and providing valuable expertise on For more information please visit: Fugro presented a session on the protection maintenance and management of levees. geotechnical evaluation methods, site www.fugrowaterservices.com of coastal areas from future storms together Since 2008 Fugro has been advising the city Its recent launch was the culmination of a investigation and monitoring techniques. (use your smartphone to scan the code) with for keeping such vulnerable of Norfolk, Virginia on inundation mapping five-year cooperation between governments, areas safe and resilient. and measures as part of the city’s climate institutes and companies in the UK, Ireland, The project created an international network adaptation strategy. The US city faces similar France, The Netherlands, Germany and USA. of leading levee experts in Europe and the Opening speakers at the event were Honorary climate threats to New York and sent a USA, which is expected to continue as an Chairs Shaun Donovan, US Secretary of Housing delegation to share experiences and learn As one of the few companies in the world international levee association; several Asian and Urban Development, and Melanie Schultz from the participants. performing geotechnical investigation and countries have already shown an interest. email > [email protected]

10 I CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 I 11 PROJECT REPORT TECHNOLOGY, TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES SEISMIC REFLECTION CALIFORNIA DETAILED CHARACTERISATION Photo courtesy of PG&E Photo courtesy Did you know?

This project has been the subject of interest from both public and regulator and the survey results will be shared with multiple TANKER BERTHING CONTROL external audiences. at offshore installations

DCPP is a 2300-megawatt A high precision, portable berthing aid Working in tandem with permanent equipment nuclear power generating facility system is boosting the safety and efficiency installed on the CALM buoy/FPSO/FSO, that has operated since 1985.  of tanker operations at the largest FSO in the PilotSTAR calculates precise positioning and Gulf of Guinea, West Africa. heading data based on real-time kinematics and moving base line algorithms. Boasting sub- In 2008 the United States Geological Survey Tailored to meet the specific demands of both Inset image: Fugro’s PilotSTAR is a fully integrated berthing decimetre accuracy – 0.01 degrees accuracy (USGS), as part of a Cooperative Research Fugro and the client, the digital multi-channel P-Cable system deployed.  that provides positioning assistance in the azimuth determination – it is sensitive and Development Agreement (CRADA) GeoEel and P-Cable systems are of extremely during complex marine operations at offshore enough to detect even slow-speed motion. with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company high resolution and fidelity. The central installations. Together with precise real-time (PG&E), located a previously unrecognised California survey site is highly regulated to positioning and heading data the system also Tanker pilots now have easy access to crucial underwater fault* near PG&E’s Diablo Canyon protect marine wildlife, especially mammals, provides metocean data; this gives advanced data at all key locations (tanker, tugs, FPSO Power Plant (DCPP). from human activity; Fugro has an annual warning of conditions that may affect vessel or FSO), along with predicted and historical survey permit that allows geophysical surveys motion and impact mooring hawser tension, tanker positioning, hawser tension and Situated near Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo using low-energy (<2 kJ) seismic sources. allowing vessel pilots to take appropriate metocean information. With the benefit of a County, California, DCPP is a 2300-megawatt One of the key factors in selecting a seismic action. By measuring a detailed profile, Wi-Fi connection, the data can also be viewed nuclear power generating facility that has reflection acquisition system is therefore the the system can also detect solitons that would on an iPod. operated since 1985. The discovery of this ability to incorporate a low-energy seismic adversely affect marine operations. newly recognised fault required detailed source while ensuring high data quality. One of the very first commercially available email > [email protected] characterisation to estimate the potential iterations of the P-Cable system was deployed FSO Unity is moored 60 kilometres off the ground motions that could be generated by the FAULT ZONES on this project using a 14-streamer array Nigerian coast – an area renowned for the fault and the potential risks to the power plant. Fugro’s characterisation efforts began with in December 2011. Recent improvements ‘rip ’ phenomenon. As a long-standing PilotSTAR concurrent 2D and 3D seismic reflection to the system include enhancement of the partner to Total in West Africa, Fugro was SEISMIC REFLECTION SURVEYS surveys intended to image the northern extent GeoEel positioning, with highly sensitive depth commissioned to develop a berthing aid Between 2010 and 2012, Fugro undertook a of the Shoreline Fault Zone and its potential gauges evenly spaced along the cross- solution for tanker loading and offloading at FEATURES: series of offshore multi-channel low energy intersection with the Hosgri Fault Zone. For cable and digital compasses placed in front The quality of the resulting a CALM buoy or in tandem with FSO Unity.  Fully integrated seismic reflection surveys using high-resolution this initial survey, an array of four streamers and back of the streamers. Combined with GPS 3D data was described as  Highly accurate GeoEel digital multi-channel hydrophone was deployed in a traditional multi-streamer antennae on the paravanes, tripoints and the Quick and easy to set up, PilotSTAR is a “stunning” by both PG&E  Portable and ruggedised streamers in both two dimensional (2D) and arrangement, whereby each GeoEel was towed seismic source, this allows precise modelling light, portable system which is packaged  Rapid installation three dimensional (3D) imaging configurations. directly from the stern of the vessel. of the location of each hydrophone group and and the California Public in a robust carry case. It is based on a GPS/  38 hours' autonomy The 3D array was deployed using Geometrics’ common depth point during data acquisition. Utilities Independent Peer GLONASS receiver with a built-in moving base  User-friendly P-Cable system. The P-Cable is a recent A more robust 3D survey system capable of Accurate positioning of the array is crucial Review Panel. line solution algorithm feed that comes with innovation in which multiple GeoEel streamers covering wider swaths of the seafloor (P-Cable) for 3D seismic data processing and results in Fugro’s Starfix® RTCM corrections. It consists BENEFITS: are connected in a parallel arrangement to was used to image both the southern end of greatly improved data resolution. of two fully autonomous pods which the pilot  Improves safety concurrently acquire multiple, closely spaced the Shoreline Fault Zone in San Luis Bay as well *Dr. Jeanne Hardebeck, research seismologist places on the tanker’s bridge wings; plus a  Reduces cost for the USGS, is credited with recognising the 2D seismic reflection profiles, which effectively as segments of the Hosgri Fault Zone offshore email > [email protected], discovery of the Shoreline Fault in 2008 using pilot case containing an AIS receiver and a  Worldwide support provide a 3D dataset. Point Sal and in Estero Bay. [email protected] PG&E and USGS data. ruggedised laptop, which runs the navigation and user-friendly software.

12 I CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 I 13 TECHNOLOGY, TOOLS PROJECT REPORT AND TECHNIQUES MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS IRELAND

TAILORED EXPERTISE Marine Environmental Consultancy Services

Extensive experience in all phases of marine development projects, including site selection, environmental impact assessment and post consent support, enables Fugro to provide a comprehensive marine environmental consultancy package. Organisations operating in marine and coastal environments can count on an established team of multidisciplinary specialists for practical and innovative INSTALLATION SUPPORT solutions. AT SAKHALIN III PROJECT Fugro’s fully integrated GIS team has developed a customisable risk mapping tool and methodology to refine the Fugro’s multi-purpose support vessel Southern process of constraints analysis and Ocean recently performed installation and feasibility across multiple sectors. support for JSC Mezhregiontruboprovodstroy CLEVER THINKING This allows for on-the-fly changes and (MRTS), one of Russia’s largest energy multiple scenario outputs based on industry construction contractors. provides innovative maintenance solutions environmental and engineering risks. Additionally, ‘cost of development’ model Located in approximately 90 metres of water, output can be incorporated and overlaid 28 kilometres off Sakhalin Island in the on environmental scenarios, providing a Sea of Okhotsk, the remote Kirinskoye gas complete spatial representation of the condensate field is part of the Sakhalin III consentability of the area to be developed. project in Russia. Arriving in Korsakov, Sakhalin Completion of a major maintenance project Fugro’s jack-up barges - Excalibur and Highly detailed lift planning was essential. This tailored expertise supports the in late May 2013, the Southern Ocean was for long-standing client, GE Energy, has Deep Diver - carried out the complex lifting The position, deck height and orientation of decision-making process at early stages of contracted to perform the workscope during proved that clever thinking, patience and operations. Excalibur’s recently installed the jack-ups were precisely calculated to avoid offshore projects. the Russian summer period, with project perseverance combined with the right 300-tonne Huisman crane was the main crane obstructions and 3D modelling was used to completion in mid-September, prior to the equipment can deliver the best solution. whilst Deep Diver provided the ‘tailing’ crane. analyse the flight path of the rotor. Each lift Well-established relationships with winter sea ice re-forming. used both cranes to place the rotors onto the regulators and stakeholders across the UK At Arklow Bank offshore wind farm, located Extremely shallow water as well as strong deck of the jack-up platform with precision, enable the consultancy team to evolve and INCLUDED IN THE Subsea pipeline spool deployment utilising on a shallow water sandbank in the Irish Sea, currents and soft sediments presented after which the blades were placed in a rack. adapt to changes in legislation and policy, WIDE-RANGING WORKSCOPE: the Southern Ocean’s 250T crane. Fugro carried out maintenance that required their own challenges to marine operations. The storage and sea fastening structures to providing up-to-date advice and services.  Pipeline pre-commissioning and the removal of wind turbine rotors and access Positioning and jacking-up required the support the rotor hub and blades on the deck Fugro’s excellent track record in the UK, pressure testing to the hub. It was not possible to remove the professional approach that comes with 30 of Excalibur were designed and built by Fugro’s supporting planning and consenting blades individually so the entire rotors, each years’ experience of operating a fleet of jack- engineering department.  Recovery and installation of pig applications for a wide range of marine Additional services included the provision of weighing 90 tonnes and with a diameter of ups in difficult conditions. launchers-receivers sectors, provides a strong base from two FCV 3000 work class ROVs and associated 105 metres, had to be lifted. email > [email protected] which to extend its marine environmental  Spool metrology and installation remote tooling, as well as back deck lifting consultancy services to clients worldwide.  X-tree protection structure installation equipment and personnel. Fugro’s previous  SDU and PLET protection work at Sakhalin was invaluable in the delivery “Special thanks to Fugro for their flexibility, patience and expertise email > [email protected], structure installation of the key project objectives, completing the throughout the planning, design and operation phases of this project. [email protected] workscope to the satisfaction of both client  MEG flexible jumper installation and regulatory authorities, in the safest, most Their professionalism was instrumental in the successful completion  Installation of umbilical protection frames efficient manner and without incident. of this operation.”  Mobilisation, demobilisation and crew changes email > [email protected] Chris Delahunt, GE Operational Site Lead

14 I CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 I 15 PROJECT REPORT

PIPELINE INSPECTION AZERBAIJAN

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT In less than seven days, 740 kilometres ‘Geocoder’ software was used to process The poor water clarity of this area, together of pipeline were fully surveyed. This time backscatter data, producing GeoTIFF images with restricted vessel availability made it included all operations such as transits, line that were used to aid feature interpretation. difficult to meet BP’s annual targets for GVI turns and re-runs. Data output formats included GIS (SSDM) PINS. Investigation into alternative methods and PODS databases. highlighted the “FlexMode” option in RESON’s RESULTS 7125 MBES, which was specifically designed BP concluded that the performance of the dual In this manner it was possible to view any for pipeline inspection operations. This head, inwardly focused MBES configuration 3D perspective of the pipeline, seabed or functionality allows part of its fan of acoustic was “exceptional”. Point cloud data (one engineering feature. (The point cloud is an beams to be operated in “equi-angle” mode, georeferenced point of data for each individual isometric model of the area that has been creating a narrow, steerable sector of densely return) were acquired at a survey speed of 5 surveyed. It can therefore be used not only to spaced beams to deliver a very highly resolute knots. This produced a point cloud density of visualise the pipeline and its features, but also and dense data set of the area of the seabed 3 to 5 centimetres across track in the dense to take measurements to, between and within upon which it (the steerable sector) impinges. sector - on and immediately adjacent to the features and points that are displayed). The The vessel is piloted to keep the dense pipeline - and 20 centimetres in the along model can be distributed electronically. steerable sector of beams impinging on the track direction. pipeline and the seabed on either side of it. “This data is of the highest quality Small lateral offsets are compensated for by The raw data were processed using proprietary steering this sector electronically to keep the Fugro software, some of which was developed I have ever seen from a vessel- pipeline in view. specifically for this project. The multibeam mounted system. Even the ‘horns’ data were recorded at 0.2 metre intervals on on the pipeline supports are visible.” Elaborating on a concept devised by BP led the 7125 topside electronics in RESON to the deployment of two RESON 7125 MBES format (S7K) and imported to Fugro’s Eric Primeau, Survey and Positioning transducers on one vessel. Each transducer ‘Starfix.Proc’ for correction of position, motion, Team Lead, Azerbaijan, Georgia and was mounted on an over-the-side pole, one draft and tide and cleaning. The data remained Turkey region, BP on each side of the vessel. The transceiver in point cloud format and adjacent beams heads were tilted inwards by 15˚ to provide from each transducer were paired so that the The preliminary survey results were available an intersection point beneath the vessel’s hull data could be analysed in three dimensions prior to demobilisation for immediate risk upon which each systems’ dense sector could to provide pipeline position, pipeline and assessments. Quality assured data were available be centred. When robustly installed, accurately seabed levels and freespans. The point cloud shortly afterwards followed by final reporting, calibrated and heave-compensated this was then entered into Fugro’s ‘Starfix.Review’ including full charting and event listing. arrangement offers significant advantages: visualisation and interactive application which ULTRA-HIGH RESOLUTION was specifically modified to view point cloud Based on the survey results the frequency  8,000 depth measurements per second data in 3D, with configurable windows for of the acoustic pipeline inspection has been  Ability to ‘see’ beneath the pipeline where the pipeline event and position listings, 3D, increased to become an annual event, leading not in contact with the seabed profile and plan views. It was possible to take to a reduction in more costly and time- PIPELINE INSPECTION  5 knot survey speed measurements in any window. consuming ROV-based GVIs. email > [email protected]

Benefits

In the Azerbaijan sector of the Working with BP, Fugro has developed, Acoustic PINS traditionally involves either PIPELINE ENGINEERS BENEFIT FROM: Caspian Sea sixty per cent of designed and deployed an acoustic method sidescan sonar or multibeam echo sounder  High levels of confidence of of pipeline inspection (PINS) that dramatically (MBES) - or both. The sidescan sonar is towed external pipeline integrity BP’s 1,232 kilometres of offshore reduces the time taken to carry out pipeline behind a survey vessel so that the pipeline pipeline assets lie in water depths inspection and produces improved information remains within the detection envelope of  Identification of seabed assets between 12 and 25 metres. and novel deliverables to assist pipeline the transducer. With the MBES technique the in the context of the seabed and engineers in pipeline integrity assurance. transducer is rigidly mounted and the survey each other In these waters, particularly in shallow vessel maintains a position that keeps the  View of pipeline suspensions in full parts, poor water clarity makes General TRADITIONAL INSPECTION METHODS pipeline within the detection envelope of Visual Inspection (GVI) of pipelines via ROV External pipeline inspection can be carried the transducer.  Detection and monitoring problematic. Delays due to poor visibility out visually (GVI) by cameras mounted on an of precisely determined on the continental shelf of the Absheron ROV, electrically by current sensors mounted dislocations, etc Peninsula are compounded by restricted vessel on an ROV and acoustically. availability, leading to increased costs. Neftegaz 62 with pole-mounted MBE. 

16 I CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 I 17 OUR BUSINESS

VITAL INSIGHT FOR ENGINEERS

Fugro’s range of engineering geophysics expertise and technology is Geotechnical services for infrastructure, mining and oil & gas sectors.  as diverse as the needs of its clients. Focusing on helping to build a robust understanding of subsurface structure and condition, Fugro’s engineering geophysicists enable clients to better manage risk One of the key elements of Fugro’s recently Serving the geotechnical needs of clients GROUND INVESTIGATIONS updated strategy is the coordination and operating in the infrastructure, mining and  French Guiana associated with subsurface uncertainty. delivery of integrated services to clients oil and gas sectors, Fugro’s geophysics team - European Space Agency site on a regional basis. Amongst the unique provides vital insight for civil and structural  Serbia - mineral exploration advantages it offers is the seamless engineers and contractors working to deliver integration of geophysical methods such as safe and reliable facilities and structures.  Mozambique and Ghana deep seismic imaging with a comprehensive In addition to helping characterise the ground - coastal construction drilling and geotechnical investigation conditions beneath the earth’s surface, Fugro’s  UK - new nuclear power capability, and the skills to integrate the geophysical experts survey and assess: plant construction geophysical and geotechnical data on-the-fly  Azerbaijan - oil and gas facilities to optimise the site characterisation process  Road and rail networks using specialist  Turkey - Izmit Bay bridge and create a more robust ground model. vehicles equipped with multiple sensors  including ground penetrating radar, laser USA - Craney Island port By carefully evaluating geophysical data, scanners and high resolution video development, Virginia boreholes (that can represent a significant  Qatar - Doha metro construction investment for clients) can be targeted to  Civil engineering structures such as dams hit a specific feature such as a fault or a and sea defences to determine condition “One day the geophysics coal seam, allowing clients to obtain more and detect leaks information from a more modest drilling team will be characterising budget. The resulting information can make a  Modern and historic buildings to check stratification and structure to significant difference in refining designs to suit their wellbeing map coal resources to depths actual conditions, as well as reducing delays of 1,000 metres and the next during construction and mitigating the risk of Fugro’s integrated approach is viewed problems downstream. positively by clients and early indications it might be investigating show an unprecedented level of demand for geotechnical properties and With an unrivalled range of surface, downhole, large-scale site investigations. Regardless of geohazards such as shallow and marine geophysics, Fugro enjoys a the application the aim is typically the same – gas, faults and karst in the reputation for mobilising quickly and to find out what lies beyond the surface with completing surveys in challenging conditions. minimal damage, intrusion and disturbance to top 50 metres; another Most of its geophysical hardware is modular the environment or the users. day we could be asked to and highly portable, enabling rapid and determine groundwater cost-effective mobilisation at complex and email > [email protected], distribution in the top 20 demanding sites, from the tropical rainforests [email protected] and coastlines of Central Africa to the urban metres of the ground” jungles of Europe. Dr Rod Eddies, Regional Service Line Manager

CROSS SECTION 25 I DECEMBER 2013 I 19 To subscribe to an electronic version of Cross Section, visit www.crosssection-online.com

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