The work to date has been carried out using the MV Southern Supporter which covered the deep and shallower regions of the work area. The final geophysical pipeline route surveys in deep water were completed using Fugro’s sonar Deep Tow 2 system which was mobilised from North America.
The shore approach, surveyed using the MV Samson Explorer, was examined using the traditional survey methods as well as the proprietary Fugro Refraction system. All information will be collated and used to select sites for detailed design level geotechnical investigations and to assist in execution of the proposed horizontal directionally drilled shore crossing.
During this phase of the contract, 6800 kilometres of geophysical data were gathered and 140 Large Gravity Piston and Box Cores were retrieved from depths of as much as 1400 meters.
The next phase for Fugro Survey contract has started and is expected to be completed in early 2006. The deepwater coring vessel Bavenit is collecting detailed design level geotechnical engineering information at the proposed greater Gorgon subsea structure locations and along the proposed pipeline routes.
The geotechnical data collected in this phase will be augmented with coring done from a jackup drill rig in the shallow areas along the pipeline shore approaches and crossings.
This contract for the Gorgon project is worth more than A$30 million and draws upon Fugro’s worldwide resources of Fugro with expertise coming from Australia, The Netherlands and the US.
“A concerted effort was made by Fugro to maximise local content and ensure technology was transferred where possible to Australian personnel,” said Fugro Australia managing director Steve Duffield.
“This has added to the Australian skills base to the extent that personnel are being seconded to other operating companies to make use of the enhanced skills.”
The offshore facilities for the Gorgon Project will be in 200 – 1,400 metres of water depth.
These underwater pipelines will be used to transport gas from the greater Gorgon area fields to the Barrow Island facilities for LNG production and export to overseas markets.
The Gorgon Joint Venture participants are the Australian subsidiaries of Chevron (50% and operator), ExxonMobil (25%) and Shell (25%). ExxonMobil is operator for the Upstream Jansz field.
