Cross Section 22

T H E C U S T O M E R N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E F U G R O G R O U P I S S U E 2 2 N O V E M B E R 2 0 12

Fugro’s new state-of-the-art Q1400 Trencher

SAVING TIME AND INCREASING PRODUCTIVITYEquipment, Systems and Expert Knowledge AppliedUnderground and Underwater

Mighty New TrencherPower and high performance savetime on location

Diving ProficiencyHydroelectric dam sees productioncapacity restored

Unconventional SurveyFugro’s new underground ROV helpsaccelerate research

No Reworking RequiredRotary-mounted multibeam assistsdredging strategy

ROTATION IS THE SOLUTIONNEW MULTIBEAM SYSTEM ASSISTS ENGINEERS IN DECOMMISSIONING PROJECT

When a 500-foot-tall structure, the subject of a decommissioning project in the Gulf of Mexico, could not be removed using normal methods, an alternative was devised. At the excavation site, in a water depth of 300 feet, Fugro used detailed mapping technology to collect baseline data and visualise the work site.

Multibeam technology employs a fan-shaped coverage of the seafloor, typically 160 degrees, with the ability to direct the beams toward inaccessible areas, such as breakwaters and shoal areas. Typically, a surface vessel multibeam survey would require the vessel to make turns or run lines over the target site in order to capture the required images. As this was not practical at the decommissioning site, Fugro designed a pre-calibrated, rotary-mounted multibeam system which was attached to an over-the-side pole mount. This enabled a continuous swath of data to be collected in a 360 degree circle, without having to take the vessel off position. With the capability to view the resulting 3D point cloud in real-time, the area of interest was mapped without voids.

Excavation Monitoring

Fugro monitored the excavation process to ensure that the slope of the hole underneath the platform was maintained to assure diver safety. Spoil removal volumetrics were monitored by comparing the progress of the most recent scan to an earlier scan; the volume removed could then be calculated as well as the remainder to be cleared.

A 3D model of the structure and seafloor was created on-screen through data processing. With the processed multibeam data, the client was able to view the landscape of the seafloor where it had been cut to indicate if the structure was under the mud.

Without the advantage of on-site visualisation and its time-lapsed progress, executing this type of project would have been, in effect, ‘digging a hole blind.’ With on-going monitoring at the excavation site, the client was able to determine if changes in dredging strategy were necessary, thus preventing reworking of an area.

email > [email protected]

Removing the structure called for its four legs, which were seven feet in diameter, to be cut below the mudline. As divers needed access to the cut points on the legs, excavation around each leg was required to allow for safe diver operations; the holes for each leg needed to be dug about 25 feet below the natural seafloor. A further challenge was that each leg had a different elevation because the jacket was not level.

Multibeam v Scanning Sonar

Baseline data for the site was collected and the excavation monitored using multibeam technology - selected by Fugro as the most feasible way to gather accurate imagery of the site. For many years, Fugro has utilised a method of scanning sonar to determine topography and map features on the seafloor. However, scanning sonar is two-dimensional and will not show elevation change whereas multibeam sonar provides a true 3D perspective.

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Point cloud image: excavation plans around the structure

Digital terrain model: final results of the excavation

The excavation project showing P&A work

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SPECIALIST SERVICESSTRENGTHENING MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL CAPABILITY AS EMU JOINS THE FUGRO GROUP

Bringing specialist consultancy, survey and laboratory services to Fugro and strengthening the group’s existing marine environmental, meteorological, oceanographic and geological capability, EMU Limited supports developers and other organisations operating in seas, estuaries, rivers and recreational waters.

Consultancy Services

EMU’s consultancy teams specialise in conducting technically complex and challenging projects, providing through-life development support - from site selection and feasibility through consent application, site monitoring and finally decommissioning. Where appropriate, consultancy teams work closely with in-house ecology departments to deliver technical expertise in areas such as birds, marine mammals, fish and benthic taxonomy.

A recent consultancy project reached a significant milestone with the delivery of the Environmental Statement (ES) supporting the marine licence application for the Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm; this marked the start of the formal consultation period. Working with the developer, Mainstream Renewable Power, EMU completed three years of assessment and consultation for the project, which is located approximately fifteen kilometres east of Fife Ness, off the east coast of Scotland. The wind farm will comprise between 64 and 125 turbines and has the potential to produce enough green energy to power a city the size of Edinburgh.

The marine consultancy team managed the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, engaged with consultees and stakeholders and prepared the ES for the development; the application was well received by both stakeholders and regulators.


The company’s specialist offerings include marine environmental consultancy, survey and laboratory services for sectors including renewables, aggregates, infrastructure engineering and government. Further enhancing Fugro’s capability to support clients’ projects from concept to completion, EMU’s expertise will contribute to the group’s strategy to provide fully-integrated solutions.

Environmental Survey and Laboratory Services

An extensive range of survey and laboratory services is underpinned by well established health and safety, and quality systems, accredited to BS EN ISO 9001:2008 and with UKAS accreditation for laboratory testing and sampling services. High specification surveying and laboratory equipment provides support through all stages of marine developments.

• Marine surveys are provided for purposes such as site selection, establishing a baseline, impact assessment, mitigation or long term monitoring. Experienced seabird, marine mammal, fish and benthic ecology teams provide stand alone surveys whilst large scale survey programmes can draw upon the specialist expertise of appropriately certified staff.

• Extensive laboratory facilities provide a wide range of services including benthic taxonomy, specialist sediment analysis and accredited microbiology, offering services including Legionella testing, potable water testing, microbial tracers and environmental waters analyses.

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“The project team performed exceptionally well and has produced an environmental statement that everyone involved can be very proud of. I am delighted with the way the team has worked together over the past three years and look forward to working with them in the future.”

Zoe Crutchfield, Environment and Consents Manager, Mainstream Renewable Power

CRITICAL APPLICATIONFUGRO ENHANCES EFFICIENCY OF SUBSEA INSTALLATION WITH REAL-TIME 3D IMAGERY

When Fugro provided surveying services in the Gulf of Mexico for the installation of a subsea structure, the scope of work comprised numerous services. Among them was real-time 3D visualisation navigation for subsea installations. Rising to a complex challenge, Fugro deployed the CodaOctopus Echoscope® 3D Sonar.

As the wye sled was deployed, it was monitored as it reached depth to ensure that all the rigging was performing as expected. During installation, the altitude of the sled was monitored from the pipeline, enabling the sled to be aligned with the pile. Measurements were then taken from the corners of the sled to ensure appropriate and safe distance from the pipeline. Final sonar images were taken of the site to verify proper installation for future pipeline tie-ins.

Off Critical Path

The utilisation of the Echoscope® enhanced the safety and efficiency of the project, maximising the preparation work that could be completed off the critical path. Fugro’s Echoscope® services gave the operator an immediate real-time 3D view of the subsea scene and assured the accuracy of the installation.

Fugro Chance Data Manager, Tony Gray, was intricately involved in the project. As for the future use of Echoscope®, Gray commented, “There is a world of possibilities with this 3D technology, be it installing platform legs subsea, seabed clearance surveys or even close-proximity subsea structure point cloud acquisition. Echoscope® is a resourceful tool that can be used in subsea projects where time, risk and depth are all critical factors to visualisation and measurement.”


Prior to installation of the wye sled subsea structure, Fugro provided positioning support during dredging operations. The wye sled assembly, a ‘Y’-shaped connector which serves as a future tie-in point, was to be installed near an active pipeline. Tons of seafloor material and concrete were removed from underneath the pipeline that the sled was to tie into and around the pile it was to be installed upon. Dredging operations stirred up the ocean floor, rendering visual navigation difficult and, with the resulting critical time factor, it was necessary to identify additional safety measures.

Unique Sonar Device

Fugro’s solution was to employ the CodaOctopus Echoscope® dual frequency sonar for navigation purposes. The Echoscope® is a unique sonar device which uses phased array technology. Generating over 16,000 beams simultaneously, it produces instantaneous three-dimensional sonar images of both moving and stationary objects, enabling extremely rapid reconnaissance and inspection.

The fast-track timing of the project meant that it was not practical to perform a trial run. The client relied on the expertise and professionalism of the Fugro team to safely operate the Echoscope® and assist them with the subsea installation in poor visibility. Fugro quickly designed and manufactured a custom frame for mounting the sonar onto an ROV. The Echoscope® operators were able to use the 3D models and colour-by-depth settings to confirm that they had achieved the desired dredging around the pile and that they were ready to install the sled.

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Wye sled assembly

Sled measurement using Echoscope® 3D technology

The CodaOctopus Echoscope® provided 3D images of the underwater working environment in real-time

TANGANYIKA EXPLORATIONFUGRO SURVEYS WORLD CLASS ASSET IN EAST AFRICAN RIFT VALLEY LAKE

The Lake Tanganyika South Block in Tanzania is one of over 300 exploration and production tenement interests held by Beach Energy and its subsidiary companies. Beach considers it highly prospective for oil and is currently conducting geophysical surveys and geological studies in the first of three exploration phases.

The acquisition of 2,100-kilometres of 2D seismic over the Tanganyika South Block utilised a local 60-metre vessel, the M/V Mwongozo, which had undergone a programme of refurbishment. Between September 2011 and May 2012, this former ferry had been upgraded and recertified into a seismic acquisition vessel with accommodation for up to 50 people and autonomy of 3 weeks.

Two support vessels completed the fleet - the 40-metre chase boat Malagarasi and the client-supplied 12-metre catamaran Beach Binti. Beach contracted Omega Nitro, with assistance from the Tanzanian Navy, to ensure the security of the survey vessels and personnel.

Processed Data

The quality control and field processing of the acquired data were performed onboard the M/V Mwongozo using Fugro’s UNISEIS™ software; processed data were transmitted in near real-time to Beach Energy’s office in Adelaide, Australia.

Preliminary results from the survey confirmed a rifting structure similar to that further north at Lake Albert in Uganda. Natural oil seeps evident on the surface of Lake Tanganyika, which were sampled and analysed by Beach, indicate a working petroleum system is present in the sedimentary section of the rift beneath the lake and Beach is targeting big oil (in excess of 200 million barrels), describing the Lake Tanganyika South Block as a possible ‘world class asset.’


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Beach Petroleum (Tanzania) Limited signed a Production Sharing Agreement in June 2010 and contracted Fugro to undertake both airborne and marine surveys. Early September 2010 saw the commencement of the airborne survey, with completion by the end of the following month, whilst the 2D seismic acquisition began in June 2012.

Identifying Target Areas

Fugro conducted a FALCON® airborne gravity gradiometer (AGG) survey and a high-resolution airborne magnetic (HRAM) survey to collect data over 27,040 line kilometres. Its Interpretation Team incorporated the new data with the available 2D seismic data, digital terrain model (DTM) data, bathymetry, Landsat and regional geology information. The resultant imaging of the architecture of the rift zone and interpreted sediment thickness provided an indication of prospective petroleum target areas that was used to plan the seismic survey.

“Data quality is excellent, with some attractive structures identified on field processed sections that will likely be the focus of 2D infill seismic later in the programme.”

Doug Roberts, Operations Manager, Beach Energy

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Aircraft used to conduct FALCON® AGG survey

Fugro was awarded the Arkona Becken Südost contract by Arkona Windpark Entwicklungs GmbH (main shareholder E.ON Climate & Renewables Central Europe) to perform the main geotechnical investigation at the German wind farm site off the coast of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, 35 nautical miles north east of Rügen Island. A detailed desk study was conducted as the area was classed as ‘potential risk’ because allied forces had used it as a dumping ground for captured German ordnance following WWII.

The geophysical survey vessel Coral Wind undertook the over-water survey of the planned borehole locations in order to detect debris and unexploded ordnance (UXO). A 100 metre clearance area was required for the jack-ups to ensure their legs would remain free of obstructions whilst penetrating the seabed; the drill ship needed a 650 metre area for its anchor spread.

The fieldwork was carried out in the summer and early autumn of 2011 in water depths ranging from 22 to 37 metres. Three vessels - Fugro’s Excalibur jack-up, MV Fugro Commander and the jack-up platform Pauline - along with various support vessels were deployed and managed by the Fugro project team. All vessels were fully equipped with accommodation for all field staff, keeping transit and crew changes to the distant port of Sassnitz to a minimum.

FIRST CLASS RESULTA CHALLENGING WIND FARM PROJECT OFF THE BALTIC COAST OF GERMANY

Their work on one of the largest offshore geotechnical ground investigations of 2011 gained Fugro the accolade of being a finalist for the “2012 Ground Engineering International Project of the Year Award.” The outstanding work was the Arkona Becken Südost offshore wind farm project in the Baltic Sea.

The geotechnical site investigation included 80 boreholes at depths of up to 60 metres below the seabed (78 for wind turbine locations and the other two for the transformer location). Semi-continuous deep cone penetration tests (CPTs) were performed in downhole mode, running the WISON™ system, at several locations.

The project concept for the fieldwork centred around meeting the client’s requirement for the data to be delivered on time, within programme and of the highest possible quality. The fieldwork was undertaken across a huge area, with varying water depths and ground conditions. In addition, with the UXO risk across the entire site, mitigation measures were required to allow safe working. The positioning of a 60 metre x 30 metre jack-up platform within a 100 metre cleared box obviously requires the highest marine skills available – the Fugro team was certainly up to the task.


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“The project shows the power of the Fugro Group. We work with clients throughout the lifetime of a project, from initial concept phase to maintenance of the finished project.”

Tony Hodgson, Global Business Development Manager, Fugro Renewables

“We had 186 days to carry out the entire project and the end result was no lost time due to health and safety issues. In fact the planned works were completed some 90 days ahead of schedule, mitigating potential weather delays in the latter portion of the year. We delivered first class geotechnical samples to the client’s satisfaction, ahead of time and within budget. Job definitely well done!”

Bob Jenkins, Fugro Global Service Line Manager

Jack-up barge, Pauline, at quayside

INTERPRETING BUBBLESTHINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX LEADS TO IMPROVEMENTS IN DATA INTERPRETATION

The presence of fluid expulsion (bubbles) in the water column can have important implications for offshore oil and gas activities, yet bubble detection and interpretation is widely under-utilised. Fugro has developed a new method of interpreting fluid expulsion whilst reducing the need for secondary surveys.

It was the higher frequency water column data that sparked a solution. Much useful information is found in the water column, but on its own it is difficult and time consuming to review. By combining it with the sub-bottom profiles, both datasets are strengthened, correlating their anomalies for more complete data interpretation and reporting.

Merging the Datasets

Fugro utilised datasets acquired simultaneously using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The ‘sub-bottom profiler with enhanced water column (EWC)’ product is formatted in a single SEGY file, compatible with major interpretation software packages. Multiple tests of the sub-bottom profiler with EWC have proven the technology in AUV surveys with water depths up to 2,900 metres. The methodology can be applied to current, future and past datasets that have co-located sub-bottom profiler and side scan sonar data.

Fugro believes that adding EWC to sub-bottom profiler data could soon become the new standard in AUV data presentation. This technique could prove valuable in fine-tuning core location sites, aiding in confirming or disproving benthic sites and other resource identification, saving on ROV and other secondary surveys.

email > [email protected], [email protected]

If associated with benthic communities like tubeworms, bubbles in the water column would indicate areas to be avoided, because of permitting restrictions. However, the presence of bubbles may suggest areas for future exploration if they are associated with natural hydrocarbon seeps.

Conventional methods of bubble detection and interpretation can be inefficient as they require separate review of two different data types derived from sub-bottom profiler and side scan sonar sensors. Fugro’s new method combines these disparate data sources for streamlined interpretation.

Evaluating the Source Data

The joint development effort was headed by Fugro’s global Geophysical Technology Steering Committee who considered the strengths of each source dataset:

• Sub-bottom profiler data: provides high resolution acoustic seismic profiles in frequencies ranging from 1 to 16 kHz. This information is useful in identifying areas of possible fluid expulsion based on the seismic character of the near-seafloor and shallow sediments. There is typically no useable information in the water column because the acoustic frequencies are too low to image water column anomalies.

• Side scan sonar data: provides high resolution acoustic images of the seafloor in much higher frequencies, ranging from 100 to 500 kHz. These data are used to identify anomalous areas of seafloor that could represent benthic communities where fluid tends to expel. With higher frequencies, side scan sonar data does offer useful water column information.

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“This technology allows for easy interpretation of fluid expulsion using current data types. Areas once labelled as ‘possible fluid expulsion areas’ can now be reclassified as ‘probable fluid expulsion areas.’ While EWC data cannot disprove the presence of fluid expulsion, it does provide additional evidence of active events.”

Mike Kucera, Technology and Process Manager, Fugro GeoConsulting, Inc

AUV sub-bottom profiler data showing how EWC provides additional evidence of active events

Having successfully completed a series of jetting and cutting trials, the first of two remarkable new trenching systems was delivered in June. Just a few weeks later the Q1400 was working for Centrica on the Lincs offshore wind farm off the Skegness coast, UK. The high performance systems are built by Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd (SMD) and Fugro’s second state-of-the-art Q1400 is scheduled for delivery during October.

Safe and Efficient

The Q1400 sets new standards offshore and nearshore for the oil and gas industry, and marine renewables. The high power unit is uniquely equipped with a common trenching module and separate tracked jetting and chain cutting skids. Its customised launch and recovery system, which is rated to sea state 6, allows it to operate in poor conditions without compromising safety whilst its deck transfer skidding system allows mode changes to be carried out safely at sea in less than six hours.

In chain cutting mode the Q1400 can accommodate products with a diameter up to 250 millimetres, although the system can be adapted to facilitate larger products if required. In jetting mode Fugro expects to achieve jetting speeds in the range of 250-500 metres per hour, depending on the soil conditions - speeds which exceed those of most units currently available.

The RT-1 breaks new ground in handheld geophysical instrumentation for mineral and petroleum exploration. The unit has a large memory allowing for over 9,800 readings and automatically adjusts ranges to ensure maximum reading precision. An LCD display provides a numeric readout and a moving bar graph.

Magnetic susceptibility is an important parameter for geologists and geophysicists in all phases of exploration work. Essentially it determines the ability of a rock unit to become magnetised by an external field, such as that of the earth.

The system’s superior performance means that operators are set to benefit from cost savings as a result of reduced time spent on location.

Powerful Performance

Other key advantages of this enormous crawler-trencher, which is as tall as a house, are power and weight - it is one of the most powerful systems currently available in the market place. In jetting mode it works with a pair of 400kW variable speed-drive water pumps plus another 300kW low-pressure water pump at the rear of the vehicle to enable backwash/backfill. In jet trenching mode, the Q1400 has a total of 1050kW (1400hp) of available power, 800kW of which is via variable speed-drive electric motors coupled directly to the water pumps. It can trench to a depth of three metres in optimal soil conditions.

Although the Lincs wind farm project for Centrica is nearshore it is not without its challenges. Conditions at the site are described as “fairly heavy duty” with a requirement to cut through flint modules in the order of 200 millimetres in diameter. Despite these challenges, Fugro is confident of the Q1400’s success.

By assigning a parameter value to a rock type, important correlations can be made between surface mapping, drilling programmes and airborne surveys. It is also fundamental in the testing of grades in Australia’s booming iron ore industry.

Manufactured by Fugro, the RT-1 looks set to replicate the success of its predecessor, the GMS-2, of which approximately 2,000 units were produced.

And the colour? Even that was carefully researched. Fluorescent pink was chosen by the company’s field-experienced staff as being the easiest to spot in environments from the desert sands of Australia to the snow of the Canadian Arctic.

MIGHTy MINIFUGRO’S TRENCHER SETS NEW STANDARDS IN OFFSHORE AND NEARSHORE ENERGY INDUSTRY PRETTY IN PINK

Fugro’s new trenching business draws on core skills from the Fugro Group and is born out of eighteen months of market evaluation and system design. With the new Q1400 system, which is capable of working efficiently on ultra-deepwater oil and gas developments, the company is at the cutting edge of the offshore market.

Fugro’s new RT-1 Magnetic Susceptibility Meter is a highly portable instrument, designed for field and laboratory use. With both digital and analogue display, it enables the easy collection, storage and transfer of data.

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“The Q1400 is an integrated unit that is ideally suited to work in both the oil and gas and renewable markets. The fact that it is capable of switching from cutting to jetting mode in less than six hours while at sea will provide an operator or a contractor with enhanced efficiency in their trenching capabilities.”

Mike Earlam, Managing Director, Fugro Salt Subsea Ltd Working for Centrica at Lincs offshore windfarm

In chain cutting mode

Deployment from Bourbon Enterprise

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The Q1400 is working in shallow water at the Lincolnshire site but it is also capable of free flying in jetting mode as well as operating in water depths to 3,000 metres. This is of huge strategic importance as it means that the system is capable of working efficiently on ultra-deepwater oil and gas developments of the kind becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide and especially in the Atlantic.


Watch an animation of Fugro’s new Q1400 trencher system:http://fugrotsm.com/trenching.html

FALCON – BORN TO FLYFUGRO’S AIRBORNE GRAVITY GRADIOMETRY SURVEY ADVANCES HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION

Fugro has been working successfully with Buru Energy at the site of Western Australia’s most recent oil discovery. Following their FALCON® Airborne Gravity Gradiometry (AGG) and magnetic survey, Fugro’s Interpretation Group has focused on providing integrated and constrained 3D modelling and inversion results.

In fact, the use of FALCON® AGG data in conjunction with a 2D seismic dataset adds a 3D element, enabling the lateral (off-section) extent and geometry of structures to be mapped.

Aside from the detailed intra-sedimentary fault mapping (notably invisible on the magnetic dataset) the Ungani oil field closure itself was well imaged by the AGG data. The Ungani field lies in the core of an anticline, part of a series of E-W trending folds across the survey area; another FALCON® anomaly with a similar signature (GDD High, E-W trending structure) lies six kilometres to the north of the anomaly over Ungani. The survey identified a number of potential targets for follow-up and the highest priority target, which is anticipated to also contain oil, is currently being drilled by Buru Energy.

The Fugro Interpretation Group is providing integrated and constrained 3D modelling and inversion results. Depth to basement modelling and inversion has been conducted as well as depth to top (and density properties) of the carbonate reservoir over the survey area. The full 3D model is built up from seismic interpretation, well information, terrain and geological mapping and is assessed against the magnetic and gravity gradient dataset from the survey, where any misfit is iteratively accounted for, without breaking any of the initial model constraints.

The combination of fast and effective surveying, mature and reliable FALCON® technology and specialised geophysical data interpretation led to highly successful results and Fugro is well positioned for further work in the highly prospective Canning Basin and Fitzroy Trough area.


Buru Energy Limited is an oil and gas exploration and production company solely focused on the Canning Superbasin, in the southwest Kimberley region of Western Australia. The company had significant exploration success in 2011, making the first new field onshore oil discovery in Western Australia in 10 years.

In December 2011 Fugro carried out a 3,337 line-kilometre airborne survey utilising their FALCON® airborne gravity gradiometer (AGG). Exclusive to Fugro, the FALCON® technology provides the world’s most accurate and highest resolution airborne gravity data. The AGG survey was flown over the Ungani oil field and surrounding area in the Fitzroy Trough portion of the Canning Superbasin. The rock properties of the two discovery wells and reliable 2D seismic data were to be incorporated into an integrated interpretation solution to give greater confidence in the results.

The FALCON® AGG technology clearly delineated the major basin faults and trends and imaged many of the transform faults cross-cutting the trough, which can be very difficult to interpret from 2D seismic data. Ambiguity in line-to-line correlation between the seismic lines was removed, providing a much greater degree of confidence in ongoing interpretation.

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DEEPER UNDERGROUNDFUGRO DEVELOPS NEW ONSHORE ROV TO EXPLORE GALLERY LOCATED 500 METRES UNDERGROUND

As part of a long-term laser scanning contract, Fugro was asked to develop a tailored system for fast topographic inspection of underground ‘micro-galleries.’ These 100-metre-long tunnels are dug within the bedrock of an experimental underground laboratory for nuclear waste storage in Bure, north-eastern France.

The micro-galleries were not perfectly circular and were subject to rapid degradation. To ensure that the costly equipment would be protected in case of dropstones, a fast recovery system was designed. The new system had to be able to proceed on rocky terrain and in total darkness so this necessitated a lighting system and a night vision camera.

Unique Solution

The result was a small vehicle composed of 4 totally independent wheels and an umbilical cord, with a laser scanner mounted on the front. The vehicle was constructed and tested within the client’s time and budget constraints.

In July 2012 the system was deployed with immediate success within the micro-galleries. For one 100-metre-long gallery, the survey required 108 consecutive scans over a period of 12 hours. This was a significant improvement on previous solutions tested by the client, which were only able to perform surveys within 40-metre-long galleries, taking several days to complete. Fugro’s unique solution has enabled Andra to accelerate its research in this important site.


For over five years, Fugro has been actively involved in the geological and topographical monitoring of underground facilities at this experimental laboratory, run by Andra, the French national radioactive waste management agency. The unique nature of this environment, built 500 metres underground, has often led to requirements for specific data acquisition and processing procedures. This new request was for a 3D laser scanning system to model the micro-galleries with sub-centimetric accuracy in order to monitor distortions through time.

Beyond a Straightforward Survey

Despite Fugro’s extensive experience with pipeline inspection systems, it was clear that neither the technical characteristics nor the cost of such systems were in line with the project. New technical and methodological solutions were required.

This unconventional survey called for Fugro engineers to develop a cost-effective mobile platform which took into account the unique environment of the underground galleries and the constraints of the sensor system. With a two-month timescale for design, build and testing, Fugro’s engineers had to use their skills and imagination to seek solutions outside their domains of expertise.

Engineering Challenge

The micro-galleries presented several constraints for the laser-scanner but the main concern was the sensor itself and how to operate it safely and efficiently within the 30-centimetre radius galleries. Key considerations included the weight of the sensors (up to 40 kilogrammes), the requirement for the optical centre of the laser scanner to be horizontally and vertically centered in the gallery for accuracy, the size of the platform to maximise the field of view of the laser and the data communication between sensors and the control centre at the entrance of the micro-gallery.

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“Our engineers reached beyond their domain of expertise to offer not just a survey service, but a complete solution to the client’s needs.”

Claude Michel, Managing Director, Fugro GEOID SAS

New underground ROV for accurate tunnel surveyExperimental laboratory, 500m below the ground

SPEEDING UP THE PROCESSCOMBINING STRENGTHS TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINEERING PROCESS FOR RAIL ELECTRIFICATION

When Network Rail wanted to accelerate the engineering process for the UK’s rail network electrification programme, Fugro’s FLI-MAP® system provided a fast and accurate mapping solution. Not only did the aerial surveys save a significant amount of time but the need for personnel to work on the tracks was avoided.

Multiple returns technology, combined with FLI-MAP®’s unique ability to scan in multiple directions (forward, nadir and aft), increases the likelihood of receiving hits from the ground and thus obtaining a good canopy penetration. The final dataset represents a full 3D point cloud in which cross sections can be drawn at any point along the route to gain insight into the track bed, angle of slopes, height of platforms and all other dimensional elements.

Processing and Delivery

Delivery times were crucial as speeding up the design process for the electrification programme was the main goal. After completing all field surveys and data quality control, intelligence was added to the original point cloud which consisted of billions of individual 3-dimensional survey points. Specially developed algorithms were used to classify individual points into predefined categories such as ground, vegetation and buildings. The next stage in the data processing was to extract objects from the point cloud and imagery data. For the extraction of the rail tracks a special mathematical formula was used to search for linear features in the dataset which represented the rails. Features along the railway route such as platforms, buildings, bridges and roads were also mapped, following the high standards prescribed by Network Rail.

The project deliverables were used to start designing the electrification programme. The support efforts of Network Rail together with Fugro’s LiDAR mapping expertise led to a successful solution for this high profile and challenging project.


Fugro’s relationship with Network Rail began with a mapping survey on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in North West England - the world’s first twin-track inter-city passenger railway. Utilising Fugro’s FLI-MAP® airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system, the survey was completed in less than a day, with processing of the deliverables taking less than six weeks. Previously the survey process would have taken many months and would normally have involved survey personnel working on the tracks.

FLI-MAP® LiDAR Survey

Essential for good planning is reliable basic information. For many of the rail tracks due for electrification, maps are either not available or out of date. Since the Liverpool – Manchester pilot project, over 1,200 kilometres of multiple rail track has been surveyed with Fugro’s airborne LiDAR system.

The approach was based on Fugro’s in-house developed FLI-MAP® system, which was installed under a helicopter. The system captures accurate and high density 3D point clouds and simultaneously acquires aerial photography and video that can be used to support engineering design and computer-aided design. The surveys for the electrification programmes were planned with a point density of more than 60 points per square metre.

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“Fugro’s solid approach and our ‘first time - on time - right!’ policy proved highly successful with no rework or corrections required.”

Huug Haasnoot, Managing Director, Fugro Aerial Mapping

Fast and accurate mapping with Fugro’s airborne LiDAR system

London’s Paddington Station

A DAM GOOD JOB!FUGRO HELPS TO RESTORE PRODUCTION CAPACITY AT HYDROELECTRIC DAM IN BRAZIL

When Fugro performed a successful bounce diving project for energy company Copel at the Bento Munhoz da Rocha Netto Hydroelectric Dam in Paraná State, Brazil, production capacity was restored. The project involved clearing ten years’ worth of debris from the water inlets of the dam.

The diving operations took place in water depths of between 50 and 70 metres, using a mixture of helium and oxygen. Tasks undertaken by the divers included the clearing of debris from the water intake grids located on the inside of the hydroelectric dam.

Restoring Production Levels

A total of 20 dives were completed by the team, with two additional dives to simulate procedures in the event of an emergency. The project was completed in sixteen days and during this period 39 tons of debris was removed. As a result the hydroelectric dam increased its production capacity by sixty percent.

Due to the success of this campaign and having successfully obtained all the certification and clearances from DNV and the Brazilian Navy, Fugro is now known in the industry to have the necessary expertise for cleaning hydro dams and the client has confirmed future work of a similar nature.


Not only was the project considered technically very challenging but it was also a sensitive one; approval to undertake the requested services was required from the Brazilian Navy, which regulates all diving activities in Brazil. Fugro was recommended by risk management specialists DNV in Brazil and was then asked to undertake a complete review of the scope of work.

The project demanded expert knowledge of diving techniques and the use of specialised diving equipment. A high level of technical proficiency and vast experience meant that the diving procedures met all the client’s guidelines as well as the safety requirements set out by the Brazilian Navy.

Creative Solution

Due to the slope of the dam wall, Fugro had to engineer a launching platform for the divers. This was constructed prior to mobilisation and transported from its operations base in Rio das Ostras to the work location, with strict road transportation guidelines. Fugro’s creative solution was to use gravity to balance the weights of the diving equipment and to ensure that no welding was needed to install the diving equipment. The final diving platform was six metres in length, allowing divers to safely enter the water and resurface.

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Debris which had accumulated over ten years was cleared Fugro’s specially-engineered launching platform

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Bento Munhoz da Rocha Netto Hydroelectric Plant

• Named after the governor of Paraná in the 1950s

• Formerly known as Foz do Areia

• Located on the Iguazu River

• Constructed between 1976 and 1980

• Total capacity 1,676 MW

• Length 828 metres (2,717 ft); height 160 metres (520 ft)

• Contains 14,138,000 m3 (499,300,000 cu ft) of material: 14,000,000 m3 (490,000,000 cu ft) of rock-fill and 138,000 m3 (4,900,000 cu ft) of concrete

• Six wheel-type gates bring water into the power station

For the construction of the vital new vessel docking quay to enable large LNG ships to bring their cargo to Brazil, Fugro was awarded an early stage geotechnical programme by Petrobras BR. Although this was the first jack-up based geotechnical investigation with Petrobras, Fugro’s local teams had previously carried out numerous geotechnical investigations for them.

The proposed site of the docking quay is 25 kilometres northwest of Salvador in the Bay of Santos, Bahia and is to be linked to the land by a nine-kilometre seabed pipeline. Fifteen boreholes of depths between 40 and 62 metres below seabed level were needed for the design of piles for the new quay.

The water depth at the site (20 metres) and the very soft seabed sediments that extended to around 30 metres below seabed presented a challenge. The on-site geology comprised seabed sediments to depths of 27 to 40 metres, underlain by stiff clays and sands; and from depths of 28 to 43 metres below the mudline, by mudstone and shale. The rock was generally very weak, extremely weathered and highly fragmented at the top, making coring challenging. A previous contractor had conducted an investigation, but was unable to core into the rock profile.

Fugro’s specialist modular four-legged jack-up platform, Skate 3C, was shipped from Cornwall, UK, fully-equipped with specialist drilling equipment, to begin site work in late March 2012. Skate 3C was manoeuvred on to each position using its on-board propulsion system, guided by Fugro’s Starfix® GPS navigation equipment. Once on location the legs were lowered to the seabed and pushed into the sediment between 5 and 8 metres; the platform then operated in floating mode throughout the investigation.

Nineteen boreholes were completed - the original fifteen, plus an additional four added by the client due to the scope’s speedy completion. The site work was completed within programme schedule (late April 2012) whilst laboratory testing and reporting were completed mid-June.

The Skate 3C and her specialist equipment remain in Brazil for further projects. Combined with their geophysical capabilities, laboratory testing facility and engineering skills, Fugro is well prepared to assist Brazilian clients in the development of their marine coastal operations.

A CORING CHALLENGESITE INVESTIGATION FOR NEW LNG QUAY SEES BRAZIL DEBUT FOR FUGRO’S JACK-UP TECHNOLOGY

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is to play an increasingly important role in Brazil, to match the country’s economic growth. The Bahia LNG Regasification Terminal, with its capacity to regasify 14 million cubic metres per day, will ensure the injection of natural gas in the fuel-hungry north-eastern Brazilian state.


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“We were delighted to assist Petrobras safely and effectively, combining good coring techniques with high quality laboratory testing facilities and expert reporting capabilities.”

Bob Jenkins, Fugro Global Service Line Manager

“This represents a perfect debut for the use of our up-to-date jack-up technology in Brazil.”

Luiz Antoniutti, Development Leader, Fugro’s marine geotechnical business in Brazil

Fugro laboratory in Brazil

The campaign covers eight months (to February 2013), focusing on five key areas of safety improvement that were identified by higher incident rates and other factors.

The key areas of awareness are:

1. Planning and Awareness - operations, work activities and change management

2. Transportation and Driving - seat belts, mobile phones, maintenance, unloading and loading vehicles

3. Plant, Equipment - tools and materials, inspections, correct use, modified tools, manual handling, mobilisation/demobilisation

4. Workplace Behaviour – “taking 5” before starting work, not taking short-cuts, reporting hazards, intervention and not walking by

5. High Risk Activities - work at height, mechanical lifting operations, confined spaces, diving operations, personnel transfer

The message for each area of awareness will be delivered personally by management and reinforced by promotional materials, strategic safety signs and humorous targeted posters that highlight each phase of the campaign.

By strengthening Fugro’s health and safety culture, the goal is to create a safer working environment and reduce the number of incidents, minimising personal injuries, lost time and project disruption.

FUGRO’S iPOWERtm CAMPAIGNNEW INITIATIVE HIGHLIGHTS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN FUGRO’S GLOBAL HSE PROGRAMME

Workplace incidents are of major concern to clients, operators and service companies alike and much has been done to convey the safety message to employees. Reducing workplace incidents and injuries is a primary goal at Fugro and so a personal responsibility HSE campaign has been introduced to highlight this.


Christened ‘iPower™,’ the new campaign encourages employees to take responsibility for their own actions and those of their fellow employees. Campaign elements are identified by an inspired icon which is composed of the letter “I” with an “eye”

above it. The letter “I” represents the ‘Individual’ and the “eye” is the watchful eye keeping a lookout for not only the individual’s safety but the safety of others.

Fugro’s safety performance has improved year-on-year and the number of incidents has been reduced by implementing externally certified occupational health and safety management systems and using engineering control measures and precautions. To maintain the momentum and ensure continual improvement, the iPower™ campaign focuses on individual behaviour.

Fugro recognises that employees, especially those in the field, are at the front line of safety. They influence health and safety through their own actions and are often in the best position to understand and control common workplace hazards and associated risks.

The campaign was initiated by Scott Rainey, Director of Fugro’s Geotechnical Division, and implemented for the whole group. Launched during July and August by senior management, the message to all Fugro employees worldwide included presentations, pamphlets, posters and items such as iPower™ T-shirts.

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“The iPower™ initiative is intended to strengthen the health and safety culture of our personnel by addressing two key elements. First, we believe self-awareness is necessary for us to continue the improvement in our current HSE programme. Second, we wanted to give management a toolkit to communicate to our employees that working safely requires safety-focused behaviours and attitudes.”

Scott Rainey, Director, Geotechnical Division

In West Texas, USA, Fugro geoscientists recently conducted a statistical analysis of the Spraberry-Wolfcamp formations. The Spraberry runs through the heart of the Permian Basin and was first discovered in 1943. The upper Spraberry begins at a depth of about 2,400 metres (8,000 feet) and the Wolfcamp lies below it. Both formations are largely comprised of shale and the total productive area is estimated at more than 400,000 acres.

Well logs and drill cuttings had been collected when the field was first drilled for conventional resources. These measurements were sufficient for the analysis, so there was no need for an expensive new logging series. The analysis was performed to build a model of the probable distribution of minerals and organic carbon that could produce oil or gas.

Effective Fracturing

The team used Fugro’s PowerLog® software and its advanced mineral analysis capability for the project. Understanding where minerals are in the field helps to determine where fracturing will be most effective. For example, potassium and uranium are common indicators of clay and organic carbon; quartz makes well stimulation easier; free water causes production problems. Knowing where these fluids and specific minerals are improves the probability of success.

A key value of this analytical approach is that it can be applied to other wells in the area.

Geoscientists can then compare water saturation, porosity and mineralogy with confidence when designing completions and fracture stimulation programmes. The model calculated the presence and location of organic carbons, key minerals and water and it was used to help target organic rich areas while avoiding water zones, which can impede economic production.

Predictive Powers

The model can be further detailed by applying rock physics analysis to predict the most and least productive zones. Geoscientists compute Poisson’s ratio, Young’s modulus and bulk compressibility. These elastic rock properties are then used to determine important fracture characteristics (including how brittle the formation is and how the fractures will propagate) and estimated frac height. The predictive powers demonstrated by this study empower reservoir engineers to improve their drilling programmes. Targeted well placement, perforation and fracturing jobs should all lead to lower cost with equal or better total production.

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PO Box 412260 AA LeidschendamThe NetherlandsTel: +31 70 311 1422For further information, please email: [email protected]

www.fugro.com

NO OTHER COMPANY CAN PROVIDE THE SAME COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF GEOTECHNICAL, SURVEY AND GEOSCIENCE SERVICES

To subscribe to an electronic version of CrossSection, visit www.crosssection-online.com for more details.

KNOWING WHERE TO FRACFUGRO APPLIES ADVANCED MINERAL ANALYSIS TO IMPROVE THE PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS

Hydraulic fracturing is an essential step in developing shale oil and shale gas plays and the key to optimising well performance is knowing where to frac. Leading companies are using innovative technology to find the mature hydrocarbons, natural fractures and water zones that define sweet spots.


“Mineralogical analysis is a critical best practice for identifying sweet spots in shales. We integrate all available information from multiple disciplines to help our clients know where to frac.”

Eric Adams, Global Service Line Manager, Fugro-Jason

Documents

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