Oceaneering International recently made an advancement in subsea geotechnical surveying by placing an order with UK-based Feritech Global for an auto-drop piston corer. It said the next-generation equipment is anticipated to revolutionize the process of extracting sediment samples from the seafloor, saving substantial time and enhancing overall efficiency.
The piston corer, a tool in subsea geotechnical surveying, functions as a heavy tube plunged into the seabed to extract samples of soft sediment. Those samples are crucial for developers involved in offshore installations like wind turbines, oil and gas pipelines, or undersea cables.
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Feritech Global has successfully designed and constructed the auto-drop piston corer, boasting advanced features aimed at streamlining survey operations. The system, programmable and capable of being lowered to pre-set sea depths before automatically releasing, promises precision and efficiency. Oceaneering said the automated functionality replaces the traditional manual triggering method, enabling significantly faster sampling rates.
“The new auto-drop piston corer technology represents a step change in precision and efficiency,” Rob Ferris, Managing Director of Feritech Global said. He estimates that the advancement could potentially accelerate seabed sampling processes by up to ten times compared to conventional piston corers. The new launch and recovery system (LARS) and winch are designed for remote operation via an integrated control panel, which can be comfortably worn by a single operator. Oceaneering said it eliminates the need for multiple personnel, drastically reducing operational costs and enhancing portability.
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Brandon Wacasey, Oceaneering’s Project Management Lead for Survey and Geotechnical Operations, is optimistic about the project, highlighting its potential to enhance safety and efficiency in subsea survey operations.
Oceaneering plans to deploy this cutting-edge auto-drop piston corer in the international market, aiming to strengthen its position in the Geoscience sector.
Oceaneering was awarded a project in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana. The project’s scope involves jumper and subsea field development installation, as well as various associated tasks. Work on the project has already commenced and is anticipated to extend through the remainder of 2023. Oceaneering’s announcement did not indicate specifically which Stabroek Block project it was hired for.
