QC INTERVENTION
for
Marine Geoscience Surveys
On a daily basis vessels around the world are mobilizing to conduct major marine geoscience
surveys for oil & gas operators, engineering companies, pipeline operators, cable companies and
construction projects. Involving geophysical, geotechnical, oceanographic, hydrographic and
environmental data acquisition instrumentation and equipment, small fortunes are invested to
satisfy the objectives of a client company. The surveys may be for regulatory compliance,
exploration, construction, engineering, environmental or other considerations.
These surveys tend to be costly, from a few thousand to well over a hundred thousand dollars per
day which may involve several survey vessels, AUVs, ROVs, lift boats, barges, aircraft,
specialized marsh vehicles or arctic systems. Obviously, the Client’s interest is in obtaining
necessary data in the shortest amount of time. Survey contractors are usually compensated on
either a lump-sum or day rate basis. Lump sum contracts promise delivery of certain data and
interpreted reports at a fixed price. Any additions or changes to the program in the field can
trigger additional charges for time and material. On the other hand, day rate operations are more
under the control of the client company and can result is a higher cost survey, in some cases.
A Project Manager working for the client company is usually the focal point for receiving results
from the field and responsible for making on-the-spot decisions in regards to data acquisition.
The PM normally works with a project team of in-house professional and possibly affiliated
design, engineering or consulting firms involved with the project. Daily review of field
operations and collected data must be made rapidly so that it may be distributed and analyzed.
Therefore it is imperative for the company to have a representative aboard to monitor and assist
with the field operation on a continual basis. This person may be either a company employee or
a contractor. However, an independent contractor provides a specified service with operational
responsibility falling to the appropriate corporate project managers.
Client Rep, QA/QC Rep, Bird Dog, Geo, Company Man, Freelancer: What do these mean?
What is needed?
Client Rep – usually responsible for data QC and may be charged with survey contract
compliance and satisfaction of project objectives.
QA/QC Rep – responsible for monitoring the technical aspects of data acquisition procedures
and quality of recorded data. Review of geophysical survey data (sidescan sonar, subbottom
profiler, MBES, SBES, magnetometer, multi-channel seismic, etc) through SEG-Y and XTF
viewers and available QC software programs. Verification of all system offsets, positioning
accuracies, sound velocity profiles, heave compensation, and other variables to be integrated into
daily reports.
Bird Dog – Used in seismic exploration referring to the Client or QC representative, usually
having full responsibility for field operations for the company.
Geo – A widely used term that can identify a geophysicist, a geologist or geotechnical engineer.
It is also used to refer to someone with substantial field experience in one or more of the
geosciences, and capable of interpretation and preliminary analysis of field data.
Freelancer – Independent contractor hired directly or through 3rd party personnel firm.
Many surveys can be conducted by recording necessary geophysical or geotechnical information
and process data or test samples when the results are delivered ashore (i.e. geohazard survey for
permitting, site specific geophysical grid survey, drill site survey, and many hydrographic
projects).
However, engineering survey projects such as pipeline routing, LNG FPSO site investigations,
2D seismic site surveys and others require occasional on-site modification of the survey design.
This can result from discovery of seafloor or subbottom hazards or geologic/sedimentary
anomalies that may impact the feasibility of a specific route or location.
If the company representative aboard is a company employee having full responsibility for
changes in program scope, survey efficiency can be more effectively realized.
QC INTERVENTION
Since a project manager is usually primarily responsible for modifications of a field survey
program, it is important to provide him/her with data and observations to support possible
modifications during the survey period.
Primary items to be addressed:
A) Adherence to technical survey specifications
B) Conformance to contractual issues
C) HSE observations
D) Data quality
E) Observed geohazards or geologic/sedimentary events having potential impact on
route/site feasibility
F) Satisfaction of project objectives
The on-board rep can prepare pertinent information that can be transferred via satellite at the end
of each day or upon specific observations.
a) Detailed daily log to include;
1) Log of daily events
2) Survey progress
3) Time allocation; survey, equip down, weather down, travel, mob/demob
4) General data quality
5) Comments on each survey line or geotechnical location
6) Identify survey lines requiring re-acquisition due to weather or system failure
7) Weather conditions (sea state, wind)
8) Suggested improvements on data acquisition procedures
9) Suggested modifications to survey plan
10) Safety meetings and remarks as to compliance to HSE procedures
b) AutoCAD survey progress map on which screenshots or data samples of anomalous
events may be imported
c) Short interpreted record sections from all systems showing anomalous features. Can be
digital photos, screen dumps, data viewer captures, etc.
Seafloor Fault
Gas Charged Sediment
System Tow Diagram
d) Integration of data sets (sidescan, subbottom, magnetometer, SBES)
Grab sample/Sidescan Sonar
Sidescan/Subbottom/SBES
e) Digital photographs of operations procedures and HSE related activities
This article is intended to be a brief overview of elements of a marine survey that may be of
primary interest to the project manager and marine geoscientists associated with a survey
program. Each project will require a different reporting system depending on the survey scope
and responsibilities assigned to project personnel.
Richard Seeger
SeaScape
Technical Resources
Tel: 713 703-3555 ● Fax 866 610-8853
Email:Richard@SeascapeQC.com
www.SeascapeQC.com
Seascape Technical Resources, Inc. As independent marine
survey consultant, provides in-house consulting, contract QC,
client representation, business development and technical
operations support to various organizations worldwide.
Preparation of survey specifications and scope of operations,
contract preparation and selection of survey vendors