UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY MARA FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND SURVEYING DEPARTMENT OF SURVEYING SCIENCE AND GEOMATICS SEMESTER MARCH

2012 JULAY 2012

OCEANOGRAPHY AND OFFSHORE SURVEYING (SUG 571)

ASSIGNMENT 1: VIDEO (PIPELINE ROUTE SURVEY)

GROUP AP2206A

PREPARED BY: NORANIZAH BINTI THANI @ JOHNY (2009979447)

SUBMITTED DATE : 21 MAY 2012

PREPARED FOR: DR OTHMAN MOHD YUSOF

PIPELINE ROUTE SURVEY

Pipeline route is selected to minimize forces of possible soil movement on the pipeline and to avoid any obstructions or hazards, which may occur along the route. To locate the best route for proposed pipeline, the basic criteria in selecting pipeline routes should be followed. The criteria likes avoid bottom obstructions or possible pipeline spans which may exist along the proposed route, avoid other pipeline crossings, avoid anchoring areas if present, minimize pipeline length in unstable sea floors and route the pipe in a relatively more stable area if these could be identified and avoid any mounded obstructions and depressions, which may cause spans to extent possible. These criteria can help the pipeline routed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom depth contours or by having pipeline supports. Other way is by burying the pipeline into the seabed, which may also protect the pipeline against wave and current actions. Actually, the purpose of the survey is to accurately map bathymetry and to detect any wreck or obstructions or geological features which could cause a problem to a pipeline laid on the seabed or buried beneath it. If burial is required the thickness and type of superficial sediments up two meters below the seabed should be known so that the difficulties of trenching could be estimated. To know the water depth, information on the seabed and the type of sub-bottom feature three surveys should be does first to make sure the pipeline routed in a good condition. Three surveys run concurrently namely bathymetry, side scan sonar and shallow profiler:

i)

Bathymetry survey

This survey to determine seabed profile indicating the variation of water depth along which the proposed pipeline is to be laid. The bathymetric map can be produced and the contours also show in the bathymetric map. Echo sounder can be divided by three types such as single beam echo sounder, multi beam echo sounder and multi transducer. The single beam Echo Sounder procedure has be show in the video.

Figure 1: Bathymetric Map

An echo sounder is downward looking sonar. Echo sounders do not measure depth. It measures the time taken for a pulse of sound to travel to the seafloor and return. A transducer fitted in the hull turns electrical energy into mechanical energy and delivers a pulse of sound energy into the water. If the velocity of the sound wave is known, then the distance can be calculated; Depth = (velocity time) 2. However, before this survey start, surveyor should be design run lines first. The run lines are to make sure the survey in the true area survey. From this survey, the gradient and direction of the seabed slope could be ascertained. So, the pipeline routed in a strategic location.

ii) Side Scan Sonar Survey The aim side scan sonar is to see seafloor detail such as confirmation that the seafloor is clear of obstructions, searches for shoals, wrecks and mine and classification of seabed types. In the video show about the side scan sonar procedure. Generally, as the sonar fish advances along the seabed towed by the electromechanical cable, the transducers emit sound pulses and listen for the returning echoes. The pulses length setting is important to achieve optimum resolution. Figure 2: Side Scan Sonar Map Each sound pulse reaches a narrow strip of the seafloor at right angles to the sonar track. The returning sound is converted to electrical energy and sent up the tow cable to the graphic recorder on the surface. The stronger the echo, or the returning signal, the darker the mark that will be made on the paper. With this survey, the proposed pipeline routed can be built the pipeline in good locations. On the seabed, identify depressions and obstructions, which may occur along the proposed route. Rerouting may be necessary if major obstructions, such as massive corals occur along the route.

iii) Shallow Profiling Survey A shallow profiler is effectively an echo sounder that transmits a relatively low-frequency acoustic pulse that can penetrate the seabed. The signal is reflected off sub-surface boundaries between sediment or rock layers that have different acoustic impedance contrast. The returning Figure 3: Sub-Bottom Features sound waves are recorded by an array of hydrophones or by a transducer/transceiver, depending on the type of system. The first useful signal received represents the seabed water interface and show the morphology of the seabed. The time of arrival and intensity of subsequent impulses provides information about layers that exist below the seabed. With the shallow profiler survey, we can determine sub-bottom features, such as faults, volcanic activity, gas vents, movement tendencies, near seabed erosional channels and stratigraphy along the route. In the video, the video only show the shallow profiler survey situation. In conclusion, the three surveys above should be doing first. After that, the good location for pipeline routed can be constructing.

REFERENCES
Videos 1. 2. 3. 4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TwD1x4saoM&feature=relmfu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GA7wfGeto8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFu2676bc6g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4on-Yok4JcE&feature=related

Information 1. 2. 3. 4. http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Oc-Po/Ocean-Floor-Bathymetry.html#b http://www.naismithmarine.com/services.html http://www.clydeside-surveys.co.uk/bathymetric.htm http://www.innomar.com/application-shallow-water.php