Utilising an Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV), the company enhanced scheduling, reduced cost and offered a carbon conscious methodology to the site survey.
First Marine Solutions (FMS) survey and positioning business line have successfully completed a rig entry survey utilising a 100% electric ASV. The survey was undertaken in preparation for a potential rig move of Well-Safe Solutions’ jack-up rig, the Well-Safe Protector. This ensured the seabed was clear of debris and that nothing would impact the safe relocation of the unit.
The ASV was equipped with a Ping DSP side scan sonar, that provided both 2D and 3D Sidescan and Bathymetric data.
The entire operation was monitored live from FMS own remote operations facility – The HIVE (Hybrid Integrated Vessel Environment) – based in the recently renovated FMS Survey and Technology Centre in Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.
The company aim to stretch the realms of remote and autonomous operations, reaching out to an online surveyor based in Copenhagen to analyse and interpret the live data acquisition some 650 miles away.
The entire scope was completed in less than 2 hours, an enhancement in schedule by 90%. An incredible time saving, when achieving the same results can traditionally take over 24 hours to mobilise a suitable vessel.
Carl Lafferty, Survey and Positioning Manager, said “When I joined FMS in December 2020, I delivered the tag line – Championing new technology, to challenge the status quo.
We set out to challenge industry norms and demonstrate through genuine consultation and investment in technology, that we can deliver quality data to our clients, faster and more efficiently, whilst striving to achieve a reduction in carbon footprint.
I believe this project to be the epitome of everything we set out to do, and I want to take this opportunity to thank the Well-Safe team for supporting our approach to hydrographic survey operations and giving us the opportunity to demonstrate what is achievable when you do things differently.”
Lou Duncan, Rig Manager at Well-Safe Solutions, said “Well-Safe have always been open to exploring innovative technologies, and FMS had a great service offering when looking to survey for potential rig move locations. Preparation is precaution, and this survey was key to enable the continuation of our rig readiness programme without major impact to the schedule.”