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Terrain Evaluation
An early and well-founded appreciation of the nature of the seabed terrain enables us to help developers define their optimal scheme faster and better. To an experienced eye, bathymetric data reveals profound insights into the past and present stories of the seabed. AG can help guide pipeline route selections to traverse unstable slopes on the continental shelf, avoiding potential geohazards, to optimal sites for fixed platforms on islands of hard ground in seas of soft and liquefiable sediment. This use of “better” geology is a massively powerful tool to get any project into production faster, cheaper and more reliably.
AG has extensive project experience using this approach and is able to identify potential seabed risks and issues as well as offer opportunities for cost savings. The bottom-line is that it is always advisable to get a terrain evaluation done by professionals as early as possible.
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Geophysics
What lies beneath? Good geophysical data arms the project team with crucial early information, underpins the scoping and success of the geotechnical site investigation, and provides a bench-mark for engineering design and construction. Arguably, the most important aspect of the geophysical data is the scope of work for the survey as this shapes what information is gathered. AG specialises in defining the most suitable scope, keeping an independent eye on the best organisations to acquire the data, and supervising offshore activities to ensure that client's project needs are accommodated.
AG’s key contribution to a project is its ability to integrate geophysics, geology and geotechnics. Our geophysicists, geologists and engineers operate closely as a team to achieve the best possible results.
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Geohazard Assessment
The seabed is constantly changing, at least in geological time. Reliably predicting whether these changes can influence the integrity of an offshore development requires an experienced eye. A geohazard has the potential to totally change the course of an offshore development. Some geohazards are obvious while many are much harder to detect but have the potential to cause catastrophic damage to pipelines and seabed structures. Some will undoubtedly happen in the future, and the key is defining the exposure for the project.
Arguably the most common and dangerous geohazard is simply a lack of understanding of the engineering behaviour of the seabed sediments. That threat is eliminated simply by getting the right professional advice.
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Palaeontological Studies
A microscopic look at an offshore sediment will reveal many secrets, which, when combined with age-dating, can be vital in defining an accurate geological model, including an informed opinion about geohazards. AG leads the field in this highly complex area, both in terms of expertise and equipment, especially for the carbonate sediments commonly found in tropical areas.
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Pipeline Route Selection
As more offshore developments move into deeper water, we are seeing ultra-long tie-backs crossing continental slopes and rugged terrain. Experience has shown that the shortest pipeline route is rarely the optimal route, and often redirection around a potential geohazard hotspot will reduce risk. Risks include slope failure, debris flows and turbidity currents in deep waters below the continental slope and migration of sandwaves in relatively shallow waters on the continental shelf. Optimal route selection needs input from all the geoscience disciplines within AG, as well as coherent and regular dialogue with the pipeline design teams.
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Facilities Site Selection
A location shift as small as 100 metres can make all the difference when it comes to selecting the optimal foundation concept. AG is well placed to bring a unique level of experience to bear on the development at a pivotal stage during site selection. Armed with reliable knowledge of the seabed and the various platform concepts / design paths that can be followed, AG can act as the client's geotechnical representative during planning and execution of geophysical and geotechnical site investigations, and also as part of the team tasked with selecting the right location for the development.
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