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OFFSHORE SURVEYING

PREPARED BY:
OTHMAN MOHD YUSOF

omy2006@yahoo.co.uk

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OFFSHORE SURVEYING

COURSE OUTLINES:

PART 1: OFFSHORE POSITIONING


PART 2: GEOPHYSICAL EQUIPMENT
PART 3: OFFSHORE EXPLORATION AND
CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM

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OFFSHORE SURVEYING
PART 1: OFFSHORE POSITIONING

1.0 Significant differences from land


positioning:
– far from land
– line of sight?
– 24 hour operation
– No land mark?
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2.0 Important issues on positioning:

• Repeatability data; important


• Redundancy data for analysis
• Dual comparison positioning system
• Errors increase as distance offshore

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2.0 Important issues on positioning:

• Integrity and calibration are regularly checked


• Transformation of coordinate and its parameter
must be understood
• Dynamic environment does not permit
accurate height and horizontal as land survey

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3.0 Different types of Positioning
Systems:

• Optical
• Radio (EPF)
• Acoustic
• DGPS

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3.0 Different types of Positioning
Systems:
Underwater Acoustic Positioning System

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3.0 Different types of Positioning
Systems:
• DGPS

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4.0 Fix
• A measured point is called a fix.
• The fix is made of intersection two or more
position lines.
• Two position lines is minimum as only one
formation of intersection and has no check.

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4.0 Fix

• Three position lines will create redundancy and


ability to have a check on error but cannot
decide which line position is wrong in a bad fix.
• Four or more position lines form a solid fix.
• The best intersection angle required is not less
than 30 degrees.

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5.0 Datum transformation and coordinate
projection

Every country or region has different own geodetic


datum.
Example :
• Peninsular Malaysia : Kertau Datum
• East Malaysia : Timbalai Datum
• Philippines : Luzon Datum
• Satellite Datum is World Geodetic System(WGS )
: WGS 84
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5.0 Datum transformation and coordinate projection

• Each geodetic datum is referred to a particular


spheroid.
• A spheroid is defined by a mathematical model,
usually by its semi-major and semi-minor axes.
• A spheroid can probably used by more than one
geodetic datum.
• But a geodetic datum is unique to only its particular
spheroid.

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6.0 Geodetic parameters

Transformation of coordinates from one


geodetic datum (WGS 84) to Local datum
(UTM) involves the following sequences:
• Convert Latitude, Longitude, and Height on the
first Spheroid (WGS 84) to Cartesians (X,Y,Z
from geocentre)
• Shift to Second Spheroid (Malaysian Revised
Everest 48) by applying the datum shift
constants.
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6.0 Geodetic parameters

• Datum shift can be 3 parameters or 7


parameters
• 3 parameters comprise of 3 translations : dX,
dY, dZ.
• 7 parameters are 3 translations, 3 rotations
(Rx, Ry, Rz) and scale correction.

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7.0 Projection

• As the datum shift process is greatly involved with


geographic coordinates, the coordinates will be
transfer into local grid coordinates system on a
particular type of projection.
• Orthomorphic projections are commonly used for
offshore positioning.
• The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid is
widely used for navigation purposes.
• Due to great distances from land in offshore
positioning, scale factor and convergence are
significance and must be applied.
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7.0 Projection : UTM zone 48

• Latitude of origin : 0 deg


• Longitude of origin : 105 deg
• False Easting : 500,000 m
• False Northing :0m
• Scale factor : 0.9996

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8.0 Common parameters involved in
transformation of coordinates:

8.1 Geodetic parameters are:


• Geodetic Datum
• Ellipsoid
• Semi-major axis
• Semi-minor axis
• Eccentricity
• Flattening

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8.0 Common parameters involved in
transformation of coordinates:
8.2 Datum Shift are:
• Dx translation
• Dy translation
• Dz translation
• Rx rotation
• Ry rotation
• Rz rotation
• Scale correction
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8.0 Common parameters involved in
transformation of coordinates:

8.3 Projection parameters are:


• Latitude of origin
• Longitude of origin
• False Easting
• False Northing
• Scale Factor
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9.0 Integrity Check and Calibration of
Positioning System onboard by:

Why we need to check on our positioning system onboard?


• To check the geodetic and projection parameters are correctly
input in the navigation software.
• It always vessel’s power failures during anchoring operations,
where surveyor sometimes need to reboot the navigation system.
Therefore required checking on the system setup including the
transformation parameters.
• In offshore operation, always have a routine check on the system.

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9.0 Integrity Check and Calibration of
Positioning System

Transiting ; Field procedures and its calculation…

• Transiting around a known platform centre


(coordinated centre)
• A series of fixes taken while steaming around the
platform about 500m off
• How would you determine that 500m? By radar.
• When to fix and how to do the fix?
• The fix is recorded as each pair of legs comes into
transit
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9.0 Integrity Check and Calibration of Positioning System onboard

Transiting ; Field procedures and


its calculation…

Jacket legs are the references


during fixes

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9.0 Integrity Check and Calibration of Positioning System onboard

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Transiting around known platform

Fix #1

Platform

Fix #2

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PART 2: Geophysical equipment

1.0 Geophysics involves the study of:


• Study of parts of the earth hidden from direct view
below its surface by measuring their physical
properties with appropriate instruments.
• Study of the sea floor
• Interpretation of measurements in order to obtain
useful information of the structure and composition of
the covered zones

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PART 2: Geophysical equipment

1.1 Such Geophysics studies are conducted


through the following techniques:
• Seismic
• Gravity
• Magnetic
• Electrical
• Electromagnetic
• Radioactivity

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PART 2: Geophysical equipment
2.0 Geology: Geotechnical
• Another branch of earth science
• Direct observations and analysis of rocks either from
surface exposure or boreholes/wells (determine its
structure composition and history.
• The translation of the seismic information into
geological terms is called geological interpretation.

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Offshore Geotechnical Soil
2.0 Geology: Geotechnical Boring
Typical Geotechnical Drilling Vessel

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PART 2: Geophysical equipment

3.0 General Site Investigation:

Geophysical survey and Geotechnical survey


• The combination of more than one type of the geophysical
equipment is necessary in the site investigation of the hydrographic
survey.
• Therefore, the geophysical equipment with specifications of
different frequencies or bandpass frequency, source powers, and
survey configurations suitable for engineering applications are
used.
• Generally specification and comparison based on high and low
frequency.
• Beam width; band width; pulse length; wave length; accuracy;
resolution; operational distance- range; penetration
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PART 2: Geophysical equipment

3.0 General Site Investigation:

The following geophysical systems are widely used in the


offshore site investigation for oil and gas industry ;
• Echo sounder
• Side scan sonar
• Pinger/pipeliner
• Sub-bottom profiler/boomer
• High resolution multi-channel digital seismic

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PART 3: Offshore exploration and construction
program

1.0 Operation workflow


• Acquisition of rights and permits
• Seismic survey/geological and geophysical investigation
• Rig-site survey
• Rigmove - Drill exploratory well
• If well favorable? NO! Cap well and abandon
• YES! Field development study and design; Pipeline route surveys
• Hazard survey – Pre-installation survey
• Install production platform and compression platform
• Lay pipeline
• As-built and maintenance surveys
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PART 3: Offshore exploration and construction
program

2.0 Offshore surveying


• Exploration seismic surveys
• Site Survey
• Extended site survey
• Installation of offshore production and drilling
structure
• Pipeline route
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PART3: Offshore exploration and construction
program

2.0 Offshore surveying


• Sweep/hazard survey
• Jacket Installation
• Pipeline installation
• Pipeline postlay survey
• Pipeline inspection/surveillance survey

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PART3: Offshore exploration and construction
program

Generally, offshore surveying could be concluded as below:


• SEISMIC ACQUISITION SURVEY

• SITE SURVEY

• RIG POSITIONING

• PRE-ENGINEERING DESIGN AND PRE-INSTALLATION SURVEY

• INSTALLATION SURVEY

• AS-LAID/POST-LAY SURVEY

• ROV PIPELINE AND PLATFORM SURVEY

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PART 3: Offshore exploration and construction
program

3.1 Acquisition of rights and permits

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PART 3: Offshore exploration and construction
program

3.2 Seismic survey/geological and geophysical


investigation

• To see deeper geology zone


• Geophysical prospecting is those techniques employed in the
search of oil and gas; widely used is Seismic reflection.
• Enable geophysicists and geologists to accurately delineate the
stratigraphic and structural traps in the search for possible oil and
gas.
• 1000m depth below sea surface is commonly depth of interest.

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3.2 One of the methods for geophysical
equipment: Seismic reflection method

• Widely used geophysical techniques for exploration


and site investigation surveys.
• The structure of the subsurface formation is mapped
by measuring the times required for a seismic wave
(pulse), generated in the earth by a near-surface
explosion, mechanical impact or vibration, to return to
the surface after reflections from the interfaces
between formations having different physical
properties.
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3.2 One of the methods for geophysical
equipment: Seismic reflection method
• Reflections are recorded by detecting device called
streamer cable consisting of numerous hydrophones,
responsive to the acoustic waves at the sea surface.
• Variations in reflection times from place to place on the
surface usually indicate structural features in the strata
below.
• Depths to reflecting interfaces can be estimated from
the recorded times and velocity information.

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3.2 SEISMIC ACQUISITION SURVEY:

• Fish trap survey vessel (escort seismic


vessel)
• 2-D seismic
• 3-D seismic

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3.2.1 FISH TRAP SURVEY

Hydrographic surveyor’s roles prior to seismic survey;

Before the seismic operation, priority for site clearance.


• Clear from any fish trap or any potential hazard to seismic
streamer (>3kms)
• Streamer with series of hydrophones spaced along it, at several
metres below the sea surface, is potential to get entangles with a
fishtrap mooring with sinkers and string attached to it.
• If entangle, it will damage the seismic system and delay the
expensive operation.

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3.2.2 ASSIST SEISMIC VESSEL

Hydrographic surveyor’s roles during seismic survey;


• To assist and navigate the seismic vessel along
the proposed seismic lines.

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TYPICAL OFFSHORE SEISMIC SURVEY LINES

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TYPICAL SEISMIC SECTION

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Offshore exploration and construction program:

3.3 Site Investigation

The primary objectives of the site investigations in the


hydrographic survey are:
• Engineering applications
• Delineating potential engineering hazards/constraints
• Performing engineering inspection
• The geophysical site investigation involves the use of more than
one type of reflection techniques (Seismic); shallow subseabed
within 100m and deeper geology within 1000m subseabed.
• Each of the reflection techniques is equipped with different
frequency, sound sources, survey configurations.

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Offshore exploration and construction program:

3.3.1 Site Investigation; To Detect Drilling Hazards


• The seismic data are analysed to determine any hazard to the
positioning of the rig or subsequent drilling.

Such hazards are:


• Hydrocarbon seeps on the seafloor
• Buried river channels; less stable sediments which unsuitable for
rig anchoring
• Gas pockets within the sedimentary section, can cause blow-outs
• Mud sediments; have low shear strength; unsuitable for anchoring

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Offshore exploration and construction program:

3.3.2 The integral parts of the offshore site


investigation in
hydrographic surveys:
a. Bathymetry
– Data acquisition by echo sounder
– Can be used to determine:
• Water depth information
• The variation of the water depth or irregularities of the
seabed and their significance
• The gradient of the seabed slope and its dipping direction
• Contouring the survey area; general trend of the seabed is
displayed. Irregularities (coral outcrops),
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b. Side Scan Sonar

• To record and see the seafloor


• Similar to aerial photograph using light, but
SSS using sonar
• To define the type of the seabed
• To identify clearly all seabed features such
as coral outcrops, pockmarks, mud
mounds, scar marks, gas seepages in the
water column, and all man-made features
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b. Side Scan Sonar

• To define the significance of the seabed


features in term of the height, depressions, the
minimum clearance to the engineering
activities.
• To check the existing submarine man-made
features for any anomalous occurrences, such
as kinks, suspensions, embedment /burial of
pipelines.

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Side Scan Sonar

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c. Seabed Sampling

• To check the composition of the seabed


sediments and to define the geotechnical
properties of the sediments, for the
purpose of anchoring, design of the
submarine pipe and cable lines.
• Could confirm the interpretation of the
seafloor information from SSS
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d. Pipeliner/Pinger

• To investigate shallow zone less than 30m


subseabed.
• To check for the superficial sediments, shallow small
channel.
• To check the near shore pipeline trench and its infill.
• To detect both the exposed and buried pipelines.
• With high frequency and low power, the shallow water
profiling is could be achieved.

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Pipeliner/Pinger

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e. Sub-bottom Profiling Boomer
• To map the general stratigraphy and structure
• To identify the facies change and composition of the
sedimentary facies
• To delineate anomalous features/structural anomalies
(erosional, folds, faults, possible upwards migration of
fluids from deeper source).
• Shallow zone is within 100 m from the seabed surface;
interest zone.
• Correlation data; borehole data and delineation of
possible thin sand layer overlying soft clay.

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Sub-bottom Profiling Boomer

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f. Multi-Channel High Resolution Seismic

• To collect useful information within 1000m below seabed surface.


• To map stratigraphy and structure
• To identify the facies change and composition of the sedimentary
facies into the deeper zone
• To delineate anomalous features/structural anomalies (erosional,
folds, faults, possible upwards migration of fluids from deeper
source).
• Most of the drilling hazards occur within this interest depth zone.
• Correlation data; well and borehole data and exploration deep
seismic data in order to improve interpretation of geological
structure.

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The site investigation involves the use of more
than one type of the geological data acquisition
systems.

Site surveys
• To establish the forecast potential drilling problems
within 1000m below seabed surface.
• By using a high resolution geophysical site survey.
• The objective of site survey is for safe undertaking of
the exploration, evaluation and production drilling (
jack-up, semi-submersible rigs or drill ship), soil
borings (120m below seabed), and installation of
jackets/platforms.

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Site surveys
• Soil borings are required prior to jack-up rigs or
jackets/platforms installations, to have analysis on
foundation at the location.
• Correlation data:
– Accurate water depth is required at any PWL; such as the
irregularities, gradient and the direction of the dipping seabed
are required. The water depths at all anchor locations are also
required.
– Seabed information; all seabed features such as coral/rock
outcrops, debris, man-made features, etc, which pose as an
obstruction to the jack-up, platforms/jackets and also the
anchors. Clayey and very sandy seabed could be differentiated
to facilitate the location of good anchoring positions. The
seabed materials could be further confirmed by sampling. It is
absolutely necessary for the jack-up rig and anchors to avoid all
the man-made features on the seabed, such as pipelines and
cable lines.
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Jack-Up Rigs – Must know Shallow Geology
Mud mats are used when the
seafloor is very soft and support
is required to stop the legs from
penetrating too far into the
sediment

Spud Cans on the ends of each


leg penetrate a short distance
into the seabed and stabilise the
rig
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Site surveys
• Correlation data:
– Sub-bottom profiling; (100m subseabed shallow zone). To map
the subseabed structural trends. To delineate the shallow
anomalies such as faults, folds, near seabed channel
developments, shallow gas accumulation)
– Sub-bottom profiling; (intermediate zone; 1000m depth
penetration). To identify shallow gas accumulations.
– Seabed sampling; carried out by grab sampler or gravity/drop
corer. Detail geotechnical analyses could be carried out in the
geotechnical laboratory. The seabed samples are useful for
anchoring. The seabed samples could be correlated with the
interpreted sea floor information of the side scan sonar.
– Soil boring; Potential punchthrough and leg penetration of a
jack-up rig could be analysed by soil boring. Sub-bottom
profiling data can correlate with the borehole information to
determine the extent of the soil behaviour.

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Site surveys
• Shallow depths potential hazards are
potential within the following cases:
• Shallow gas
• Near-surface faults
• Old river
• Glacier channels
• Sediments strength
• Water bottom anomalies
• Man-made objects

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Shallow depths potential hazards
Blow-out crater & Gas Plume
Gas Plumes from Crater
Blow-out Crater

Seabed

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3.4 Sweep Surveys
• The objective is to check the clearance of the
seabed such as sunken vessel, wreckage,
pipelines
• Sweep survey is a resurvey of the seabed at a
specific location, to determine any significant
changes in the seabed.
• Normally, a sweep survey is required around
proposed jacket/platform location a few weeks
before its arrival.

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3.4 Sweep Surveys
• To check around pipeline/cableline crossings.
• To recover any kind of debris/wreck such as
pipe section, anchor, sunken ship, aircrafts
where the approximate position is known.
• Pipeline leak due to corrosion or damage
pipeline dragged by anchor could be
investigate (anchor scar, direction and
displacement of pipeline from its original
position)

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3.5 Rig-move ; semi-submersible rig
• To assist rig-positioning from old PWL to a new PWL
• Two survey teams are required; one on the rig (Team
1) and the other onboard survey vessel (Team 2).
• Survey vessel team tasks: conduct current metering to
obtain current profiles; direction and speed
• Rig/barge master will decide the rig heading
• Team 2 will calculate the anchor pattern for the rig
based on heading and anchor chain length
• Team 2 will marks the locations for prime anchors
combination
• Surveyors should confirm the final rig position once all
anchors are on the bottom.
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3.5 Rig-move ; semi-submersible rig
Hdg

Rig

anchor

Anchor pattern calculation

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3.5 Rig-move ;
semi-submersible rig

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3.5 Other type of Drilling platforms;

Jack-up rig
Drill ship

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3.6 Pipeline Route Surveys
PRE-ENGINEERING DESIGN AND PRE
INSTALLATION SURVEY
• DESIGN PIPELINE ROUTE TO PLATFORM LOCATION
• ANALYSE ALL RELEVANT HYDROGRAPHIC AND
OCEANOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS ALONG THE ROUTE
• ANALYSE HAZARDS ALONG PLANNED ROUTE
• ANALYSE SOIL CONDITIONS
• IF NEEDED, PLAN AND INVESTIGATE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE
(Detour route)

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3. 6 Pipeline Route Surveys
• Very long pipeline are laid from one production field to
another, or to the nearest terminals, which are
normally called trunk pipelines.
• Short pipelines could also link platforms together
within the same production field, normally called infield
pipelines.
• A long pipeline could pass through a widely different
types of seabed and shallow subseabed conditions
from deep to shallow water (vice versa).
• Pipeline route is selected to minimize forces of
possible soil movements on the pipeline and to avoid
any obstructions or hazards, which may occur along
the route.
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3.6 Pipeline Route Surveys

• A corridor of the route is normally surveyed, where the proposed


pipeline(s) is centred along the central survey line.
• In the event the whole corridor is not suitable, such as massive
oral outcrops, rerouting and therefore resurvey will be required.
• The following results are required for the laying of pipelines;
• Bathymetry; a continuous bathymetric survey is required. A
seabed profile indicating the variation of water depth could be
readily made available, along which the proposed pipeline is to
be laid. The gradient and direction of seabed slope.
• On the seabed, identify depressions, obstructions, which may
occur along the proposed route. Rerouting may be necessary if
major obstructions, such as massive corals occur along the route.

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3. 6 Pipeline Route Surveys
• Determine sub-bottom features, such as faults,
volcanic activity, gas vents, movement tendencies,
near seabed erosional channels, and stratigraphy
along the route.
• Pipeline passes through the dumping zone requires
magnetometer survey, so as to check for any buried
metals, such as debris or military waste.
• As most pipelines are laid on the seabed, seabed
samplings and geotechnical analyses in the
laboratories are required to check the condition of the
soil in order to facilitate the design of the pipelines,
such as diameter, wall thickness, coating thickness,
pipeline embedment, etc.
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OFFSHORE SURVEYING
3. 6 Pipeline Route Surveys
PRE-ENGINEERING DESIGN AND PRE-INSTALLATION SURVEY
TYPICAL SPREAD ARRANGEMENT FOR PRE-LAY SURVEY

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The basic criteria in selecting pipeline routes,
particularly in unstable seabottoms, including the
following:
• Avoid bottom obstructions or possible pipeline spans
which may exist along the proposed route.
• Avoid other pipeline crossings, such as over
pockmarks/depressions, whenever possible, or by
using supports and sand baggings.
• Avoid anchoring areas if present
• Minimize pipe length in unstable sea floors and route
the pipe in a relative more stable area, if these could
be identified.

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3.7 INSTALLATION SURVEY : JACKET/PLATFORM

• Fabrication of top module and jacket at fabrication yard.


• Tide observation should be carried out at the wharf for at least
one lunar month.
• Determine keel clearance for the barge before towing.
• Probably need to run bathymetry and dredging if required.
• The jacket is then transferred onto the barge/pantoon.
• The surveyor task is to assist towing process from the fabrication
yard to the intended new location, with all positioning system
onboard.
• Design the safe towing route.

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3.7 INSTALLATION SURVEY : JACKET/PLATFORM

• A construction barge is standing by and position at the


new location, with all eight anchors on the bottom and
intended heading.
• Surveyor onboard should observe current speeds and
directions.
• Once the towing vessel approaches to the location,
the jacket will be released and slide down.
• The jacket will be linked up to the crane on the
construction barge.
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3.7 INSTALLATION SURVEY :
JACKET/PLATFORM
• The jacket will be sling above the sea bottom.
• The jacket centre position and heading will be
adjusted and checked until within tolerance.
• Surveyor should carried out checking, calculate and
produce the results.
• Once within tolerance, the jacket will be lowered down
on the bottom.

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INSTALLATION SURVEY : JACKET/PLATFORM

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INSTALLATION SURVEY

INSTALLATION :
JACKET/PLATFORM

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OFFSHORE SURVEYING
3.8 Pipeline Prelay Survey

• The pipeline route survey determines the suitability of the route to


lay the pipeline at the initial stage of planning.

• Immediately before the laying operation, it is necessary to do a


checking survey so as to ensure a clear seabed, with no
significant variation, compares to the seabed condition as
presented earlier in the pipeline route survey, mainly debris due
to unrecorded activities or even a recent wreck.

• An recent change in the seabed along the final route could be


discovered in the prelay survey to enable earlier replanning
before the actual pipelaying.

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3.8 Pipeline Prelay Survey

• Prelay survey will further indicate those features along


the final proposed pipelines; for instance, possible
spans if pipeline crosses over pockmarks/depressions
and scar marks, if these are unavoidable.
• Pre-installation survey is normally carried out for the
emplacement of the jackets/platforms for similar
purposes.

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OFFSHORE SURVEYING
3.9 Pipeline lay/installation
• Surveyor should calculate the barge anchor pattern
• Monitor on anchor handling vessels as when to shift
the next anchor and compute the coordinate to deploy
the anchor to a new anchor pattern, based on
sequence of anchor pattern.
• Survey vessel could check anchor buoys on regular
basis.

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Pipeline lay/installation

A typical pipelay barge anchor. Note the


size compared to nearby oil drums.
An Offshore Pipelay Construction Barge

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Pipeline lay/installation

Typical ‘BEACH-PULL’ Operations


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3.10 Pipeline Postlay Survey
Immediate check on the aslaid pipeline is necessary to identify the
following:
• To check the conditions of the newly laid pipeline on the seabed;
such as burial, spannings over pock marks/scar marks kinks,
position and condition of the pipeline crossing (if any), etc.
• To compare the final position of the pipeline with its proposed
position.
• The final position of the pipeline should be updated on all
navigation/hydrographic map, to ensure that any offshore
activities, such as anchoring, will not lead to damaging the
pipeline and therefore disrupting the production.
• To check the postlay seabed condition along the pipeline.
• Side scan sonar and echo sounder pipeline crossing could be
used to up-date the final pipeline alignment.

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3.11 Maintenance Survey : Pipeline Inspection
Survey
• Pipelines are laid to meet the long term production
and continuous supply of the oil and gas from the
production fields to the terminals.
• As it was laid, it subjects to numerous human activities
and the effect of the environmental processes.
• It is therefore, necessary to monitor the conditions of
the pipelines, in the way to properly check the effect of
the human activities and the environmental processes
on the pipeline, which could in turn indicate whether
the pipeline was designed in accordance with the
conditions.
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3.11 Maintenance survey : Pipeline Inspection
Survey

The survey is normally carried out on a routine basic, every


two to five years, with the following objectives:
• To check the general conditions of the pipeline; totally
embedded/buried, partially to intermittently buried, remained well
exposed on the seabed.
• To check for any development new spannings and kinks.
• To check for any displacement of the pipeline from its original
position

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Maintenance survey : Pipeline Inspection
Survey

ROV CONFIGURED FOR ‘FREE-FLY’


PIPELINE INSPECTIONS

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Maintenance survey : Pipeline Inspection Survey

ROV PILOT IN THE ROV CONTROL UNIT


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Maintenance survey : Pipeline Inspection Survey

STILL IMAGE CAPTURED BY THE ROV UNDERWATER CAMERA


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OFFSHORE SURVEYING
Maintenance survey : Pipeline Inspection Survey

Possibly leak pipeline


with gas seepage

Gas seepage from


the ground

Existing pipelines

Post construction debris in


the vicinity of existing
platform

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