Survey Operations

Bathymetric System Work Instruction

GR-SRV-428

Prepared by: Approved by:

1.0
Ver.

N.R.Shilling PJ Jansen
Issue for Use
Reason for Issue

Senior Surveyor Chief Surveyor

Jul.20.01
Issue Date Prepared by Approved by

Acergy

Survey Operations

Jul.20.01

GR-SRV-428 Ver. 1.0

Bathymetric System Work Instruction

Page 2 of 5

This is an electronically generated document, which has been reviewed and approved in accordance with the Acergy Management System. An audit trail of review and approval is available within the electronic system. 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. , Acergy or a subsidiary thereof, Copyright 2006 and design right reserved. Copying and/or disclosure of the confidential information contained herein is prohibited without written permission of the proprietor.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. SCOPE.................................................................................................................3 2. OBJECTIVE..........................................................................................................3 3. REFERENCES.......................................................................................................3 4. DEFINITIONS......................................................................................................3 5. RESPONSIBILITIES.............................................................................................3 6. PROCEDURES......................................................................................................3 6.1 SYSTEM OBJECTIVES....................................................................................3 6.2 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION..................................................................................3 6.3 SYSTEM INSTALLATION.................................................................................4 6.4 VERIFICATION AND CALIBRATION..................................................................4 6.5 SYSTEM OPERATION.....................................................................................5

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Acergy

Survey Operations

Jul.20.01

GR-SRV-428 Ver. 1.0

Bathymetric System Work Instruction

Page 3 of 5

1.

SCOPE This procedure covers work instructions for bathymetric systems.

2.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this work instruction is to provide a guide to enable suitably qualified personnel to calibrate and operate bathymetric systems.

3.

REFERENCES GR-SRV-431 GR-SRV-313 GR-SRV-441 : : : Velocity Probe Work Instruction Tidal Prediction Practice Atmospheric Pressure Monitoring Work Instruction

4.

DEFINITIONS CTD ROV : : Conductivity, Temperature, Depth Remotely Operated Vehicle

5.

RESPONSIBILITIES All survey and ROV personnel are responsible for complying with this procedure.

6.
6.1

PROCEDURES
SYSTEM OBJECTIVES

Subsea Bathymetric Systems are used to determine seabed topographical information by measuring the depth of the instrument below the sea surface and its altitude above the seabed, the sum of which gives the seabed depth. To fully utilise the accuracy of these systems, there are also a number of environmental considerations to be made at each work location. The surface unit allows the input of relative density and speed of sound through seawater, which can be obtained using a temperature and salinity probe at each work location. Tidal variations will also require to be considered and the necessary corrections made. These corrections can be obtained by tidal observations using a Tidal Recorder or by using Admiralty Tidal Predictions. As the depth sensors operate on pressure, variations in the surface atmospheric pressure will also require to be input, again using the surface unit. These instruments can be zeroed at the surface and compared to a barograph. Thereafter any variations monitored on the barograph can be implemented on the unit.
6.2 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

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Acergy

Survey Operations

Jul.20.01

GR-SRV-428 Ver. 1.0

Bathymetric System Work Instruction

Page 4 of 5

Subsea bathymetric systems are a highly accurate item of equipment for measurement of water depth by means of sensors, which operate on pressure. Measurement of water is achieved by measurement of depth of instrument in the water and also the measurement of altitude.
6.3 SYSTEM INSTALLATION

These units are generally installed on ROVs. Care must be taken, when installing the unit, to avoid deflection of the Echosounder beam off other sensors and hardware on the vehicle. There should also be no obstructions below the unit. The unit must be held as close as possible to the perpendicular in order that the altitude measurement does not include any error due to angular range measurement to the seabed.
6.4 VERIFICATION AND CALIBRATION

Bathymetric systems should always be factory calibrated and should always be accompanied by the calibration sheet. Accurate bathymetric measurement requires an accurate knowledge of atmospheric pressure, relative seawater density and the speed of sound in water. The sound velocity and relative densities shall be measured using a temperature and salinity probe. The calculated values shall be entered in the surface control unit. The atmospheric pressure may be measured using a barometer or alternatively, the surface unit can be set to zero depth reading at the surface. The requirement for accurate speed of sound information is smaller when the system is used close to the seabed. Information on tidal variation is also required if the survey is performed over a prolonged period of time for accurate measurement of seabed topography. As a gross check in the field the units Echosounder can be compared against a cross profiler or an altimeter if available. With the ROV sitting on the seabed the cross profile scan can be dumped and compared against the unit Echosounder reading. The ROV shall then be lifted off slowly and the readings then again compared. At the same time a check on the total system operation is to add the pressure sensor depth to the Echosounder altitude and see that it remains constant (assuming the ROV moving vertically upwards). Atmospheric Pressure (millibars). The unit should be adjusted to read zero on deck or the sea surface. If a barometer is available onboard then changes in atmospheric pressure during ROV operations should be applied to the unit. If the barometer pressure is not equal to the

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Acergy

Survey Operations

Jul.20.01

GR-SRV-428 Ver. 1.0

Bathymetric System Work Instruction

Page 5 of 5

value set to achieve a zero reading on deck then a constant should be noted and applied to the barometer readings throughout operations. Relative Seawater Density. This should be calculated for known or measured temperature and salinity observations through the water column. A reasonable default value is 1027 Kgm3 Velocity of Sound in Seawater. This should be calculated for temperature, salinity and depth observations on the seabed or taken directly from a velocimeter. A reasonable default value is 1485 ms-1 .
6.5 SYSTEM OPERATION

Most commonly, the Subsea Bathymetric units will be used whilst interfaced to a computer data logging system. The survey data shall be recorded along with the navigational fix data for further processing as required according to project specifications. The survey raw data shall be recorded in raw uncorrected form, excepting correction for atmospheric pressure, relative density and velocity of propagation so that systematic errors may be traced and corrected later. It is however, also possible to manually record the survey data. Each measurement shall be logged and associated with a Navigation Fix. This allows the survey information to be plotted with respect to position along the survey route.

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