Vibrocorer Work Instruction

Stolt Offshore
Survey Operations
Vibrocorer Work Instruction
GR-SRV-453
Prepared by : Approved by : 1.0

Version
P.P. Syratt P.J. Jansen
Project Surveyor Chief Surveyor

P.P. Syratt P.J. Jansen
Issue for use

Reason for Issue
Jan.17.02
Issue Date Prepared by Approved by
Stolt Offshore Division
Process
Date of Issue
Stolt Offshore Survey Services

Document Title:
Survey Operations
Document No & Revision
Jan.17.02 Page 2 of 8
GR-SRV-453
Ver. 1.0
This is an electronically generated document which has been reviewed and approved in accordance with Stolt Offshore Limiteds Management System. An audit trail of review and approval is available within the electronic system and a master approved copy is available from the HSEQ Department. The screen version of this document is the CONTROLLED COPY at all times. When printed it is considered a FOR INFORMATION ONLY copy, and it is the holders responsibility that he / she holds the latest valid version
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. SCOPE.......................................................................................................................................................................3 2. OBJECTIVE.............................................................................................................................................................3 3. REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................................3 4. DEFINITIONS..........................................................................................................................................................3 5. RESPONSIBILITIES...............................................................................................................................................3 6. PROCEDURES.........................................................................................................................................................4
Process
Date of Issue

Document Title:
Survey Operations
GR-SRV-453
Ver 1.0
1.
SCOPE
This Work Instruction covers the description, deployment and recovery of conventional and hydraulic Vibrocorer Systems.
2.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this work instruction is to enable suitably qualified personnel to operate vibrocorers in the various geotechnical surveys. The geotechnical results are used in corroboration with other available data, to facilitate the design of seabed installations, such as pipeline / cable routes and platform locations.
3.
REFERENCES
QA Practices QA Practice GR-SRV-051 GR-SRV-052 GR-SRV-066 GR-SRV-323 : : Mobilisation and Demobilisation Shipping, Handling and Packing Route / Site Survey Operations Pre-Lay Survey Operations Geotechnical Operations Soil Sampling Practice
4.
DEFINITIONS
Hz Vpm V : : : Hertz Vibrations per minute Volt
5.
RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of the Senior Surveyor to ensure that all equipment mobilised is checked off the equipment manifesto. The Senior Surveyor is also responsible that any damage or loss is reported to the Project Surveyor at the earliest opportunity. It is the responsibility of the Senior Surveyor to ensure that all equipment is tested and fully operational according to the mobilisation procedures. The Senior Surveyor should ensure that deployment / recovery instructions are in place and understood by all personnel involved with the deployment, including crane or winch operators. The Senior Surveyor is responsible for carrying out the sampling operations in accordance with the client specifications and in line with the following procedure.
Process
Date of Issue

Document Title:
Survey Operations
GR-SRV-453
Ver 1.0
It is the responsibility of all survey personnel involved in the installation and operation of coring equipment to comply with this procedure and provide any comments on improvements to the Project Surveyor.
6.
6.1 6.1.1
PROCEDURES
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION General Unlike grab samplers that are used for collecting surface sediments, core samplers are design for the collecting a depth sediment profile to provide material to establish the vertical distribution of sediments. The type of core sampler used at particular sites will vary depending on the purpose of the survey and will be dictated by the project design. Vibrocorers are just one of a variety of sampling equipment that can be used to obtain cylindrical cores of the sediment profile. Vibrocorer systems are designed provide energy from a vibration head to a core barrel or tube to assist its vertical penetration. The vibrations provide the means to displace the sediment particles and overcome the frontal resistance and wall friction, which oppose the progress of the core barrel. The vibrocoring raises the pore pressure in water saturated sediments along the wall of the core barrel and generates a thin layer of liquefaction. There are various models of vibrocorers that essentially differ in terms of their portability (weight and geometry), mode of vibration, core barrel dimensions, force, power requirements and depth rating. Vibrocorers can be classified as pneumatic, electric or hydraulic systems. Vibration heads have been designed to provide different vibration characteristics. The choice, and consequent performance, of each system will depend on the nature of the sediments sampled. The more typical modes of vibration have been named as Vibropercussive and Resonant Drive. On some models high-speed contra-rotating vibrators are coaxially positioned to enhance the penetration of the core barrel by adding a slight horizontal oscillatory torque to the vertical amplitude. This is defined as the Vibrotorsional mode. Vibrocorers are generally used for the medium frequency range of between 20 and 180 Hz providing 1200 to 10800 Vpm. Amplitudes vary inversely to the frequency and vary from a few centimetres to a few millimetres. At higher frequencies of between 200 to 360 Hz is referred to as Resonant Mode. At these frequencies between 12000 and 22000 Vpm are generated with amplitudes down to a fraction of a millimetre. Vibrocorers are often used in conjunction with piston / gravity coring tools to increase penetration and sample recovery in areas of hard bottom or sand. The advantage of such a combination is that vibrocorers can be deployed using the same deployment systems
Process
Date of Issue

Document Title:
Survey Operations
GR-SRV-453
Ver 1.0
and can be quickly interchanged when required. In deep water operations, however, the deployment and recovery of electrical cables / hydraulic hoses can be difficult. 6.1.2 Electric Vibrocorer Systems The most conventional vibrocorer systems are of the electrical type that can be run via an armoured umbilical cable on standard, 115/220V, vessel power supply or dedicated generator. Other systems may require 3 phase, 230-460V, 50-60Hz power. The size and weight of electric vibrocorers vary greatly from lightweight units to heavy duty. Standard units are approximately 1000 kg in weight and have a depth rating of generally less than 500 metres. 6.1.3 Pneumatic Vibrocorer Systems Pneumatic piston vibrators operate with very little adjustment and required no electric power. However, pneumatic systems run on compressed air and are, therefore, limited to operations in shallow water. The use of compressors and bulky hoses impede ease of operation in rough seas. 6.1.4 Hydraulic Vibrocorer Systems Hydraulic systems comprise a self-contained fluid flow in equilibrium with its surroundings and so are not limited in depth of operation in the same respect as pneumatic vibrocorer systems. Since a hydraulic generator is required it is the practical length of umbilical hose that is the determining factor. Most hydraulic systems are depth rated to 1000 m. Hydraulic systems afford more than 5 times the installed power of conventional vibrocorer systems. They are designed to improve recovery of firm / stiff silts, clays, dense sands and sandy gravels, operating faster to than the electrical equivalent. Hydraulic vibrocorer systems are generally more bulky and heavier than electrical systems with vibration heads weighing typically 3000 kg offering penetration depth of between 6 and 7 metres. 6.1.5 Core Barrels, Tubes, Liners and Catchers Core barrels / tubes are available in either steel or aluminium. The choice of material is based on the balance of durability and weight. Steel cores are very strong but tend to corrode rapidly in salt water. Conversely, aluminium cores are lightweight but damage easily, particularly when penetrating dense sediments. Core barrels are available in standard lengths of 3 m, 4 m, 6 m or 8m, with diameter in the order of 100 mm. The one-way valve on the top of the core barrel lets the water out during penetration, but prevents the sample from sliding out while recovering. Clear PVC core liners are generally used to prevent contamination between samples.
Process
Date of Issue

Document Title:
Survey Operations
GR-SRV-453
Ver 1.0
Various tulip type core catchers are available to secure the end of the core barrel. These are designed to secure to the core barrel / tube and prevent sample loss. 6.2 6.2.1 SYSTEM INSTALLATION AND OPERATION Mobilisation During mobilisation the equipment should be inspected to ensure it has not suffered any damage. Any loss, omission or damage, particularly to hoses should be reported to the Project Surveyor at the earliest opportunity to arrange replacement. Any repairs that can be undertaken on board should be carried out before commencement of the survey. Sufficient core liners and replacement core catchers should be available for the duration of the coring program. Ensure all core liners and tubes are cleaned thoroughly before use. There should also be adequate core boxes for storage. The vibrocorers should be assembled in the seabed frame. The Survey Engineer should ensure the system is secure and tested as operational. Tag lines should be attached to the frame to maintain stability during deployment, particularly during periods of excessive sea state. The Survey Engineer should also ensure that generators or compressors to be used should be serviced and in full working order, all hoses are checked for breaks, and winch cabling is in good order. Prior to commencement of sampling operations the Senior Surveyor should review the full workscope. The requirements and specifications should be addressed and approved by the Client Representative onboard. The position of required coring locations should also be confirmed with the onboard geophysicist in consultation with survey data available. A list of the proposed locations should be given to the on-line surveyor. 6.2.2 Deployment The Senior Surveyor should ensure that deployment instructions are in place and understood by all personnel involved with the deployment including the winch operator. Vibrocorers are general deployed in a specially designed seabed frame that is deployed over the side by crane or over the stern using a pivotal A frame and winch. Prior to deployment the vessel should be positioned stationary at the proposed sample location. The vessel should maintain station at the core site and remain on position while the vibrocorer is deployed and coring. The corer should be released and deployed to the seabed in a controlled manner. To avoid unnecessary tension on cables or hoses, conditions may dictate that the vessel position itself on anchor. This will obviously reduce the rate at which samples can be recovered from a number of sites. Care should also be taken to ensure that all cables are keep clear of the vessel to prevent snagging especially in the vessel propellers.
Process
Date of Issue

Document Title:
Survey Operations
GR-SRV-453
Ver 1.0
6.2.3
Operation When the vibrocorer frame reaches the seabed (when the winch cable goes slack) a position fix should be logged on the navigation software by the on-line surveyor and recorded in the field logbook. Some vibrocorer systems are fitted with inclinometers that allow the operator to determine its verticality. Any misalignment can be accommodated in the adjustment of the frame legs, either electrically or hydraulically. Once the seabed frame is in place the vibration head should be activated. The rate of penetration varies with mode of vibration, diameter of core barrel, weight of vibration head and, of course, sediment type, but in good conditions a 3 metre core should be achieved in minutes. The installation of a penetrometer probe on the core barrel provides allows the monitoring of tip resistance and sleeve friction during coring.
6.2.4
Recovery On completion of coring, the vessel should position itself directly over the vibrocorer in order to ease recovery of the core barrel and prevent core damage. The vibrocorer should be hoisted steadily to the surface. Any sudden movements or collision of the corer should be avoided to prevent unnecessary disturbance of the sample. During recovery attention should be given to securing the core head to the back deck as soon as possible using the tie lines attached. The system should be fastened before the core barrel is removed. Once secured, the core barrel should be detached from the vibration head. Some vibration heads can rotate to a horizontal position to facilitate the removal and reloading of the core liner. Core liners should be removed and the sample placed in a core box for further analysis. The core boxes should be sealed and labelled accordingly. If fitted with a digital sensor, the Senior Surveyor should record in field log the depth of penetration of the core barrel. If not fitted with a depth sensor, the Senior Surveyor should measure an estimate from the disturbed grease marks on the core barrel itself.
6.2.5
Sample Handling and Testing It is important that samples are handling, tested, stored and labelled in the correct manner. Each sample should be separated from adjacent core samples to avoid contamination. Samples should be handled with care to avoid disturbance or damage. Measurements of shear strength in cohesive soils are normally carried out immediately. Samples should be waxed and sealed prior to transfer to shore.
Process
Date of Issue

Document Title:
Survey Operations
GR-SRV-453
Ver 1.0
The handling of all samples should be carried out under the instruction of the Senior Surveyor.

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