wwuhl 1Q%m=~oRETEc~~oL~v coN==NcE Th#smWr msptavrti tilpr-n-atme&hore Tockno~y Conferenceheldln Ho.stcm Texas, 6.9 MaY 196S This Pawrwa8 salectnd for presentation by the OTC Prowam Commmea following revmw of mfomurton Cont8imd in m ab$tmd subnuttsd by the authm(s) Contents of ttw paver as F#eseoted hava motbnn lewmd by the Otfshore Technc.!qy Confe!exe and we subject to conectjmbytfwwlhof[s)~cmabrtal, -me8eni~, tisdnmmsaf!ly refl=t any position cflhe Offshcfe Technology Contwence orkoffmsrs Permissm to COPYIS restricted to an abstract C4 nti more tfmn SW words Illustratmns may not be coPwd The abstract should conb,nconspgcuws achtidoemenb oltiere and bytiom the paper was presented @ . q AbstractConventional 3D surveys, although designed and processed wilh clear exploration objectives in mind, of{cn contain much valuable information in the shallow section This information can add significantly to shallow gas studies based on conventional high resohrlion seismic [cchniqucs. Examples from the North Sea are used to illustrate how an integrated approach to interpretation can lead to a better understanding of [he shallow geology and to a more accurate and reliable assessment of drilling hazards, particularly shallow gas. A ncw apprrx~chto site investigations has been tried and tested and has been found to be both time and cost etTecti\'e.
Recent developments in multibeam echosounder backscatter processing are now included in most commercially available processing software. These tools allow end users to produce properly corrected backscatter mosaics and add more robust qualitative and quantitative discrimination of seabed materials to their seafloor characterizations. This paper reviews backscatter processing and presents some examples that demonstrate the advantages of multibeam backscatter over conventional sidescan sonar. Fully corrected backscatter data increases confidence in interpretations of seabed features, and is an improved baseline data set for implementing automated mapping techniques, which can potentially produce more detailed maps in less time. The corrected backscatter is also more appropriate for integration with sediment samples and subsequent quantitative analysis used in seafloor classification systems. These mapping efforts are of benefit to engineering favorability assessments and other types of seafloor investigations. Introduction Both multibeam echosounders and sidescan sonars can be used to collected acoustic backscatter data. Backscatter data is obtained from the reflection of acoustic energy back toward the sonar, where its intensity can be measured. After various corrections are applied, backscatter intensity is essentially a function of the seafloor's physical properties, namely acoustic impedance, roughness (grain-size and small-scale topography), and volume inhomogeneity (variability in the thin layer of sediment penetrated by the acoustic signal). While backscatter from sidescan sonars, developed in the 1950's, has seen wide spread use across many disciplines, a broad base of users is increasingly utilizing the power of multibeam echosounder backscatter for their unique applications. For many years now, fisheries investigators have been utilizing multibeam echosounder backscatter for habitat mapping, and hydrographers have been using it for target detection in shallow water. However, it is only in recent years that it has come into common use in deep-water site investigations for oil field developments. This paper attempts to give a basic review of backscatter processing and presents some examples that demonstrate the advantages of multibeam echosounder backscatter over the more commonly used conventional sidescan sonar imagery.
Modern Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) systems require transmission of high quality imagery to a remote location while meeting severe operational constraints such as extended mission life using battery operation. This paper describes a robust imagery system that provides excellent performance for both long range and short range stand-off scenarios. The imaging devices include a joint EO and IR solution that features low power consumption, quick turn-on time, high resolution images, advanced AGC and exposure control algorithms, digital zoom, and compact packaging. Intelligent camera operation is provided by the System Controller, which allows fusion of multiple sensor inputs and intelligent target recognition. The System Controller's communications package is interoperable with all SEIWG-005 compliant sensors. Image transmission is provided via VHF, UHF, or SATCOM links. The system has undergone testing at Yuma Proving Ground and Ft. Huachuca, as well as extensive company testing. Results from these field tests are given.
The offshore oil and gas industry spends over $60bn per year on oil and gas wells and of this some $6bn, or around 10% is eaten up by geological and geotechnical problems such as stuck pipe, lost circulation, well bore instability, shallow water flows and other problems. On top of this are the environmental costs of the oil spills that can result from lost well control, and perhaps most importantly the human costs in terms of injuries and loss of life resulting from some of the worst incidents. This paper lists the geohazards within and around a well, the drilling risks implied by these geohazards, and the impact they can have on the planning and drilling of offshore wells. Current practice in geophysical and geotechnical site investigation techniques which, when correctly applied and interpreted, can help to reduce the risks and costs associated with the ‘Top-hole’ section is summarised and discussed (the Top Hole section is defined as the depth to the base of the first pressure containment string). Finally, a systematic approach to assessing and mitigating top-hole geo-risks through a multi-disciplinary geoscience and engineering approach is described. The authors are members of a working group of the Offshore Site Investigation and Geotechnics (OSIG) committee of the Society of Underwater Technology (SUT) who are drafting guidelines on the subject.
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