Fugro Geos News

When Aberdeen-based Diamond Offshore wanted to add new functionality to the existing helideck monitoring system on the Ocean Guardian drilling rig in the North Sea, Fugro developed and delivered a fully integrated, user-friendly solution to fulfill the requirements. Severe weather conditions in the North Sea can cause major disruption to offshore operations so Diamond Offshore and its client wanted to better understand the direct correlation between the wind, waves and the performance of the rig anchoring system, as well as accurate station keeping, particularly during storm events.

Fugro GEOS won a contract award which provides Qatar Shell with support for a seabed water temperature monitoring system. The 5-year contract will ensure round-the-clock support and maintenance of the metocean monitoring system, which is part of the Pearl GTL (gas-to-liquids) project in Ras Laffan, Qatar. Pearl GTL is jointly developed by Qatar Petroleum and Shell. Designed, installed and maintained by Fugro GEOS, the monitoring system is a critical element, providing real-time information to help minimise flow assurance problems in pipelines which link the two Pearl offshore platforms with the onshore plant. Using acoustic telemetry, data are sent from the seabed to the platforms and the system interfaces in real-time with the platform’s control system.

Teaming up with JASCO Applied Sciences, Fugro, an underwater acoustics company, is now providing measurement of underwater noise and allied consultancy. The new service will be launched at RenewableUK Offshore Wind 2010 (Liverpool, 29-30 June). The measurement of underwater noise, created during construction and operation of wind farms and tidal turbines, is an important component of any EIA and is vital to ensure the safety and longevity of marine wildlife and ensure compliance with licensing requirements.