The Acoustic Corer™ 3D technology images geohazards buried beneath the seafloor such as boulders, cemented layers, shallow gas, abandoned seabed infrastructure and unexploded ordnance. These present a considerable potential risk and cost if encountered during the installation of offshore infrastructure.
The Acoustic Corer is a seabed deployed unit with dual subsurface scanning sonar heads attached to a 12m boom rotating to cover 360 degrees. It offers an integrated operation on a support vessel.
The Acoustic Corer delivers:
High-resolution, high definition, multi-aspect 12m diameter images of the sub-seabed in real time
An image resolution of 0.1m down to 6m reducing to 0.5m resolution at 20-80m depending on soil complexity
Acoustic Corer Commissioning Test in Bay Bulls, NL
Acoustic Corer Applications
Subsea Infrastructure and Anchor Piling
Stable, protected and working seabed platforms are critical to ongoing operational success of any subsea infrastructure. Permanent seabed based infrastructure requires piling to reduce the risk of movement over time.
The Acoustic Corer provides data during risk evaluation and site selection, pre-installation, and to reduce the potential for a failure in pile driving.
Jack-up Movement
Jack-up placement requires an understanding of the geotechnical properties of the seabed.
The Acoustic Corer technology adds confidence to platform foundation surveys and is complementary to conventional geophysical/geotechnical site investigation methods.
Windfarm Installation
Windturbine placement requires robust foundation installation to provide stability of the turbine under loads and vibration generated while operating.
The Acoustic Corer technology provides increased confidence in the placement of the foundation by providing a complete image of the sub-seabed within the foundations footprint. This complements conventional site investigation methods.
Glory Holes
Glory Holes protect seabed installations by lowering the profile of installed infrastructure below the natural seafloor.
The Acoustic Corer technology can locate major geotechnical hazards pre-excavation to assist in the correct placement of glory holes and facilitate informed selection of template and piling locations.
Decommissioning
Decommissioning of subsea infrastructure can require a pre or post verification of the installation site.
The Acoustic Corer technology provides accurate reconnaissance prior to or after removal of buried infrastructure or debris.
