Technology

The imaging campaign will cover an area of 3,400 sq km, capturing high-density onshore data set over blocks B404a and B208 of the Berkine Basin. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Viridien (formerly CGG) will be conducting seismic imaging for a project in eastern Algeria by Groupement Berkine -- a joint venture between Sonatrach and Occidental Petroleum, among other global partners 

CGG is supporting majors such as bp in subsurface digital strategies since they signed a multi-year global data transformation and curation agreement in 2022.

This imaging campaign will cover an area of 3,400 sq km, capturing high-density onshore data set over blocks B404a and B208 of the Berkine Basin. It will involve a team of scientists from Viridien, who will work out of the company's advanced subsurface imaging centre in France.  

Delivering new subsurface insight

The team will draw on their experience of imaging similar large and ultra-dense land seismic surveys in the Middle East to apply an advanced imaging workflow to this project's dataset, and deliver new subsurface insight. They will also work towards polishing the resolution of the target area’s thin and faulted geology. 

Peter Whiting, executive vice president - geoscience, Viridien, said, “Viridien has been selected to conduct this high-profile project in recognition of its ongoing development of best-in-class imaging technology and significant high-performance computing capabilities. This, together with our long track record in Algeria, dating back to the 1950s, in-depth geological knowledge of the Hassi Messaoud Basin, and recent successful completion of a series of reimaging projects in the country, makes Viridien the preferred partner for delivering the best-possible subsurface images for critical field development decisions.” 

Last year, CGG's sensing and monitoring wing Sercel deployed its systems for a 3D mega-crew project in harsh terrain and desert conditions in North Africa.

Spencer Parker, general manager-North America at Process Vision. (Image source: Process Vision)

Monitoring solutions company Process Vision will be presenting a paper titled 'Detection of Contamination in Gas Pipelines' at CEESI Gas Ultrasonic Meter User’s Conference 2024 in Colorado 

“The paper I am presenting will share multiple videos of real-world installations and, with the knowledge gained, provide a circular argument where allowing liquids to pass into gas transmission networks leads to lost revenue for the gas processor, increased operational costs on the transmission system operator and poses serious safety threats," said Spencer Parker, general manager-North America at Process Vision. 

“Two-phase flow in sales quality gas is considered a fault condition. Ensuring that liquids are avoided or filtered in analyser sample systems will protect gas analysers but can lead process engineers to be unaware when these liquids are present, allowing liquids to pass through custody transfer points without tripping alarms and contaminating gas transmission systems,” he added.

Gas sample from the pipeline is significant to ensure long-term, reliable service from gas ultrasonic meters. Designed to closely detect high-pressure situations in gas pipelines, Process Vision's tech solution has come to the conclusion that phase separation and natural gas liquids (NGL) recovery systems do not necessarily perform to specification. In an earlier presentation, Paul Stockwell, founder and managing director of Process Vision, had explained how errors in hydrocarbon dewpoint can lead to large losses for gas processing. Process Vision's model can record live streaming of the pipeline's internal situiation, which can be accessed from a control room. 

LineVu demonstration

Process Vision will also be exhibiting its latest development for liquid carryover studies -- Discovery System. 

In a demo installation, Process Vision's LineVu will be deployed for pipeline assesment to determine liquid carryover problems. Remote access to a real-time dashboard will provide data by the minute, which will serve as the basis for better decisions, resulting to significant improvement in financial, safety and compliance performance. 

The LineVu process camera, which was launched in February, boasts of accurate liquid carryover monitoring in gas pipelines. 

"We are excited to participate at CEESI and to be able to introduce attendees to the capabilities of LineVu and our Discovery System for their high-pressure gas pipelines," said Parker. "Our system's ability to provide live streaming and high-resolution video combined with our proprietary machine learning models enables proactive monitoring of glycol and NGL carryover, leading to increased revenue for processing plants and reduced maintenance costs for transmission system operators."

Stapem Group acknowledged the ceremony as a beginning of expansion, innovation and operational excellence. (Image source: Stapem)

The Stapem Group organised a naming ceremony for its latest vessel -- the STAPEM Boreale -- at the Sonils Base in Luanda Port

Designed specifically for the Angolan offshores, the vessel will operate in Blocks 17 and 32, representing a major investment and strategic vision. 

Blocks of strategic significance

Spearheaded by TotalEnergies, the approximately 658mn-boe rich Kaombo project of Block 32 is considered by the major as one of its greatest technical feats, while Block 17 is known for the signifiacant GIR FLEX project, also operated by TotalEnergies. 

Representatives from TotalEnergies were present at the ceremony, besides other key industry stakeholders such as ANPG, Sonangol and Sonils. 

Acknowledging the ceremony as a beginning of expansion, innovation, and operational excellence, Jean-Marc Gerber, general manager of Stapem Group, said, “I would like to thank all the Stapem Group women and men whose dedication, commitment, and motivation ensured the timely completion of this project despite the short timeframe. This highlights our commitment to excellence and operational efficiency.”  

The SSV Navicula Star is FreeStar's first acquired vessel. (Image source: FreeStar Subsea Services)

A newest addition to the ever-growing innovative offshore market is FreeStar Subsea Services, a merger by Vriezoo ROV Services and Mark Offshore

After years of dedicated research, the company has launched the outfitted SSV Navicula Star vessel, acquired from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ).

Founded by Mark van der Star and Willem de Vries, FreeStar boasts its equal efficiency in not only offering ROV but also survey support services. Over time, it has extensive plans to introduce a comprehensive suite of subsea services, including bathymetric and geotechnical surveys, cable protection, and burial operations.

“The SSV Navicula Star is equipped with an onboard ROV to quickly respond and save costs at the start of a project. The vessel can accommodate 11 people and is equipped with a crane, two davits and an A-frame with several winches, for deploying and/or recovering a variety of loads into or out from the water. The ROV control and survey desk are situated inside at deck level for quick response to the workdeck. With a draft of only 1 m, it is also capable of beaching. In our view, this makes the Navicula Star the ultimate shallow water vessel,” said Star, who has 25 years of experience as a sailor, shipowner, and both operations and commercial director. 

Bringing in a rich experience from his own underwater inspection business, Vriers ensured that the venture's procedures are ISO certified and comply with voluntary ISM standards. “With our fleet of five offshore and four inshore ROV systems and the Navicula Star, we can provide our clients with complete service offerings,” he said. 

As the market for vessel capacity continues to be tight, FreeStar's entry couldn't have been timelier. 

Tech innovations galore

Given the time-consuming process of acquiring and familiarising with the nature of a vessel, FreeStar onboarded AI-provider TechBinder whose smart vessel optimiser (SVO) was deployed to build a network of all electrical systems and ensure power optimisation. It made the complicated process of understanding a vessel's power dynamics and making data-driven decisions smooth sailing. Vessels are increasingly becoming electric with the latest example being the modular, electric-drive design of the 18-mtpa Rovuma Onshore LNG facilities. 

The SVO technology can constantly monitor exhaust fumes output and update consumption patterns accordingly. While it is originally a diesel-powered vessel, the Navicula Star will run on HVO biofuel, keeping sustainability in mind. 

Another company that became a part of the project with its interactive map system GR:Dit was Periplus. GR:Dit allows users to store and analyse all kinds of spatial geodata, which can be directly accessed even mid-survey or mid-ROV mission. 

“We are very proud to have taken delivery of the Navicula Star and to have started FreeStar with Mark Offshore. This will elevate our service level and broaden our horizons. I am excited to embark on this new journey and look forward to growing the business in the coming years,” said Vries.

Star said, “We are shallow draft and offshore specialists. With our own vessel, added with Vriezoo’s underwater inspection, repair and maintenance capabilities, FreeStar is looking forward to serve our existing and new clients around the globe. I am enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead and look forward to showcase the Navicula Star to our clients. We want to thank NIOZ for their cooperation and the delivery of the RV Navicula. We are very proud to give this beautiful lady a new career!”