Combined Impact

Success Stories

In-depth insights from our successful projects and the measurable impact we've delivered for our clients

Subsea Geophysical Services

Advanced nearshore pipeline mapping using integrated geophysical technologies to determine precise burial status and mitigate environmental risks. Our comprehensive survey delivers the critical data needed for pipeline integrity management and regulatory compliance.

Geophysical Pipeline Survey

Precision Mapping of Critical Crude Oil Pipelines in Sensitive Nearshore Environment

1. Challenge

A leading National Oil Company managing an extensive product network of over 3,957 km of pipelines required precise determination of the burial status for two critical crude oil pipelines—48" and 36" diameters—within a sensitive nearshore environment. The challenge involved conducting a comprehensive geophysical survey within a 200-meter wide corridor where traditional survey methods risked inadequate data resolution. Accurate depth of burial, identification of potential exposures, and mapping of seabed features were essential for ensuring pipeline integrity, preventing environmental damage, and maintaining regulatory compliance in an ecologically sensitive area.

Subsea Geophysical Services

Pipeline Mapping

2. Our Approach & Solution

The Geosoft Subsea Survey division deployed an integrated geophysical approach specifically designed for high-resolution nearshore pipeline assessment, balancing data quality with environmental protection.

  • Multi-Sensor Survey Platform: We utilized a specialized survey vessel equipped with dual-head multibeam echosounder, side-scan sonar, and sub-bottom profiler to simultaneously collect bathymetric, seabed imagery, and subsurface data.
  • Precise Positioning & Navigation: Implemented high-precision DGPS with RTK corrections and underwater acoustic positioning to ensure all data was accurately georeferenced within the defined 200-meter corridor.
  • Environmental Safeguards: Conducted the survey with strict environmental protocols, including marine mammal observers and passive acoustic monitoring to minimize impact on the sensitive nearshore ecosystem.
  • Integrated Data Analysis: Our geophysicists combined all data streams to create comprehensive deliverables including depth charts, burial status maps, contour plots, and feature identification around the survey area.

3. Technologies & Methodologies

CategoryTool / TechnologyPurpose
Bathymetric SurveyDual-head Multibeam EchosounderHigh-resolution seabed mapping and pipeline detection
Seabed ImagingSide-scan Sonar SystemPipeline exposure identification, seabed feature mapping
Sub-surface ProfilingSub-bottom ProfilerPipeline burial depth determination, sediment layer analysis
PositioningDGPS with RTK, Acoustic PositioningCentimeter-accurate positioning of all detected features
Data ProcessingQPS Qimera, SonarWiz, GIS SystemsIntegrated data analysis and deliverable generation
Environmental MonitoringMarine Mammal Observers, PAMEnvironmental protection and regulatory compliance

4. Results & Impact

  • Comprehensive Burial Assessment: Successfully determined the precise burial status of both 48″ and 36″ pipelines along the entire survey corridor, identifying exposed sections requiring immediate attention.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Achieved 100% data compliance with client specifications and regulatory requirements, enabling informed decision-making for pipeline maintenance and risk management.
  • Environmental Protection: Maintained zero environmental incidents throughout the survey operation, demonstrating that comprehensive data collection can coexist with ecological sensitivity.
  • Risk Mitigation: Provided the critical data needed to prioritize intervention activities, potentially preventing pipeline damage, product release, and environmental contamination.
  • Operational Efficiency: Completed the survey within the aggressive timeline despite challenging nearshore conditions, enabling the client to proceed with integrity management activities without delay.
Conclusion

This project exemplifies GeoSoft's capability to deliver mission-critical subsea data in environmentally sensitive environments. By combining advanced geophysical survey technologies with rigorous environmental safeguards and precise positioning, we provided the definitive assessment of pipeline burial conditions that the client required for both operational and regulatory purposes. The survey doesn't just represent data collection—it represents risk mitigation, environmental stewardship, and the protection of critical national infrastructure. This is the quiet, exacting work that prevents major incidents and ensures the long-term sustainability of energy transportation networks.

Our clients

Trusted by Industry Leaders

We partner with offshore operators and pipeline companies to deliver precision survey solutions.

Offshore Operations

Major offshore oil and gas operators trust our survey technology for critical infrastructure projects.

Pipeline Companies

Leading pipeline infrastructure companies rely on our precision mapping and underground utility services.

Engineering Firms

Engineering consultancies partner with us for accurate survey data and 3D modeling services.

Impact

Timeline

Comprehensive survey results delivered in six weeks.

Deliverables

Topographical drawings, digital terrain models, contour maps, longitudinal profiles, 2D & 3D underground utility maps.

Safety

Avoided potential hazards and optimized pipeline route.

Cost-Efficiency

Achieved significant cost savings and reduced construction time.

Technology

Utilized advanced tools like LiDAR and GPR.

Efficiency

Enhanced data collection and analysis processes.

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