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T H E C U S T O M E R N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E F U G RO G RO U P I S S U E 07 A P R I L 2 0 0 7

Monitoring Landslide Threats in

Central Norway PAGE 7

U.N. Convention on Law of the Sea

Ocean Depth Surveys off Eastern Canada
Upswing in Environmental Surveying
Environmental Characterisation in Brazil
Dimensional Control Survey Techniques
Landslide Monitoring in Norway
New Site Investigation Drilling Records
Shipping Channel Through Adam’s Bridge
Metocean Capabilities in India
Downtown Tunnel, Austin TX
Bulgarian Power Plant Tests
UXO in Rotterdam
Aperio joins Fugro
Fugro Services on Al Burj Project
Surface Geochemistry in Brazil
Geo Celtic Hull Launched in Gdansk
ROV Tooling
Global Marine Geoconsultancy
Corporate Community Relations
Fugro Academy Provides ROV Training
Starfix Navigation Software
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 Offshore Survey
DEEP-WATER BATHYMETRIC SURVEY SUPPORTS TERRITORIAL CLAIM
SURVEYS TO 5000 METER WATER DEPTH AID CANADA’S CASE FOR CONTINENTAL SHELF EXTENSION

Fugro Jacques The field work was conducted from July 23rd to September
GeoSurveys Inc 25th 2006. In total, 21,500 line kilometres were surveyed
(FJGI) has been (enough to have sailed half way around the world), covering
contracted by the 187,500 square kilometres of seabed (three quarters the size
Government of of the United Kingdom). Survey lines, typically spaced at 60
Canada to provide kilometres, traversed up and down the continental slope within
a full ocean depth water depths ranging from 500 metres to 5000 metres. In
survey system some areas, swathwidths up to 18 kilometres were achieved. In
to facilitate the addition, the 2500-metre isobath was surveyed throughout the
acquisition of entire survey area. The survey was designed around existing
bathymetric data data and the line spacing varied to maximize coverage in areas
as part of Canada’s where existing data was limited. As full seafloor coverage was
claim under the not required, a much larger area could be covered.
UN Convention on
the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS).

The survey system

provided included a
vessel fitted with a
The survey area and programme
deep-water multi-
beam system and At the end of the UNCLOS programme, regional mapping was
auxiliary survey instrumentation, operators and technicians, conducted for the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) on
onboard data processing, and a comprehensive suite of the Eastern Scotian Shelf. Data were collected in the area of
project management and technical support services. a subsea sediment flow, which occurred in 1929, causing a
disastrous tsunami on the south coast of Newfoundland. Data
The zone of interest lies on the east coast of Canada in an area acquired provided geologists with clear information on the
off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and Labrador, and in resultant seafloor near the failure zone and seaward.
the South Labrador Sea. The data will be used to substantiate
Canada’s case to the United Nations Commission on the Limits Numerous seamounts and canyons were mapped during both
of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), for a juridical continental shelf phases of the project. Although some of the features were
beyond 200 nautical miles. known to exist, the detail achieved during this survey will
prove invaluable in studying their morphology and geology.
The work was conducted utilizing a Simrad EM120 multibeam The overall data set provides strong supporting information for
echosounder and a Simrad EA500 single beam echosounder, Canada’s territorial claim under UNCLOS Article 76.
both operating at 12 kHz. FJGI subcontracted the RV
Kommandor Jack, operated by Fugro in collaboration with
the owners (Hays Ships).
The vessel has a
permanent EM120
installation but a 12
kHz single beam
transducer was
fitted to the vessel
during project
mobilization. FJGI
also mobilized
DGPS hardware
and software,
motion sensors
and gyros along
with navigation
and processing
computers.
Kommandor Jack deals with North Atlantic seas

02 cross SECTION
FUGRO EXPANDS SERVICES RELATING TO U.N. LAW OF THE SEA
GLOBAL DATABASE MANAGES AND TRACKS ALL UNCLOS APPLICATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

There are 156 coastal states in the world today. Any

activity that takes place in the nearshore to offshore area
of a coastal state is affected in one way or another by
one of the 436 Articles that make up the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Those activities that take place within the coastal states’

exclusive economic zones (EEZs - limit 200 nautical miles),
can be classified as maritime limit and boundary activities.
For some states, activities that take place beyond the EEZ and
extend out to the high seas, can be classified as ‘UNCLOS
Article 76 activities’.

In July 2006, Fugro decided to compile and

maintain a Global Law of the Sea (LOS) Database
to manage and track
all LOS applications
and opportunities in an
efficient manner.

The database has

been sub-divided into
six separate regions
- North America, South
America, Europe, Asia,
Africa and Oceania
- and contains 120
gigabytes of digital information for each of
the 156 coastal states. This includes vector
data for coastlines, roads, rivers, contours
and place names; raster digital terrain
models for all topographic, bathymetric,
sediment thickness, and geophysical data
sets; and also present-day (2000 – 2005)
satellite imagery with 14.25 meter ground resolution.
All 156 coastal states may benefit from some of the LOS
Additional LOS layers have been added for all coastal states’ services provided by Fugro, and approximately 65 will require
territorial sea baseline models, together with data for all UNCLOS Article 76 continental shelf extension services.
existing maritime boundary agreements. Where agreements
are incomplete, ‘hypothetical’ maritime boundaries have been
generated. In addition, all Exclusive Economic Zones have
been included. For the oil and gas sector, all offshore oil and
gas fields will also be included together with information on
prospective oil and gas basins.

The digital base-maps themselves are stored in Mercator

projection, WGS84 datum, with ground accuracy of 0.25 meter
(dependent on digital source information). The intention is to
generate data summaries for all 156 coastal states, supporting
forecasts of requirements and underpinning the expanded
range of LOS services now being offered by Fugro.

Many LOS projects have been secured since July 2006 and seven
individual requirements for UNCLOS Survey services have been
identified or are being pursued worldwide.

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 Environmental Survey
UPSWING IN ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEY ACTIVITY
FUGRO INCREASES CAPACITY IN EUROPE, AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST

Comprising oceanographers, “In 2006 we were commissioned

marine biologists and by Halcrow Group Ltd. to perform
taxonomists, Fugro Survey’s the environmental baseline and
Environmental Department has habitat mapping for the UK’s first
expanded rapidly over the last Wave Hub project offshore St Ives
two years, from five personnel Bay in the Western Approaches”,
in 2005 to the current level of added Richard. “The Wave
twelve staff, fully experienced Hub project will be a test bed
in offshore fieldwork, data for experimental wave power
interpretation and reporting. generation”.

“We started by performing The Environmental Department’s

environmental baseline surveys nationally accredited
in the North Sea and around macrofaunal laboratory is
UK waters, utilising a full range becoming increasingly important
A Fugro eyeball ROV surveys mussel-beds
of grab samplers and sea-bed with the recent award to perform
corers, plus water samplers macrofaunal analysis for the UK
and profilers, combined with high resolution digital video/ Environment Agency as part of the sample collection for the
stills cameras and eyeball ROVs”, explained Richard Walters, National Water Framework Directive.
Environmental Survey Manager, based in Great Yarmouth.
“However, over the last two years we have been increasingly With increasing
active in the Middle emphasis on marine
East market”. ecological surveys,
the Environmental
In October 2006, Department of
Fugro was awarded Fugro Survey is well
a large standalone placed to respond
environmental to the demands
baseline and habitat of this market. To
mapping project this end, a new
within a Marine Abu Dhabi-based
Protected Area Environmental Feather star beds offshore St Ives Bay, UK
Environmental science on a sub-tropical island
(MPA) offshore Abu Business
Dhabi for Adma Development Manager is being appointed to assist with
OpCo. This project involved 150 line-kilometres of sidescan marketing and regional growth.
sonar data acquisition, 40 grab sample stations, 10 water
sample/profile stations, 50 line-kilometres of video footage
(using a towed video camera), over 2000 high resolution stills
photographs and 24 hours of eyeball ROV video footage.
The work also involved the onshore survey of a small
island surrounded by corals,
seagrasses and mangroves.
Sitings were recorded of turtles,
dolphins, stingrays and dugongs.

Other overseas projects during

2006 included Libya (Amerada
Hess), Nigeria (Shell) and Gabon
(CNR). Further Middle East work
was forthcoming in January 2007
with a standalone Environmental
Impact Assessment and
Environmental Baseline Survey
for ONGC Videsh offshore Qatar.
Grab sampling off Abu Dhabi Biodiversity associated with deep-water corals offshore Norway

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BRAZIL - A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF THE OFFSHORE ENVIRONMENT
FUGRO’S FAMILY OF SURVEY TECHNIQUES IN BRAZIL

Deep-water oil and gas developments offshore Daily bulletins are delivered to help prepare contingency plans
Brazil demand a thorough knowledge of the offshore for operations to contain and neutralise contamination in the
environment to ensure that cost effective solutions are unlikely event of any mishap.
selected for exploration and production, and that all work
is performed safely and with due regard to sustainability,
location and natural setting. Multi-sensor remote
sensing data

With this in mind, Fugro in Brazil has developed a

family of survey techniques and customized
interpretation solutions combining in-situ data
collection, satellite remote sensing and data
integration using geographical information
systems.

For complex offshore operations involving a

combination of surface and subsea activities,
there is a basic requirement to characterise
the metocean environment, identifying the
ideal conditions for a given operation and
forecasting events that could jeopardize safety
or successful completion. Fugro offers a
In-situ
solution based on the interpretation of remote data Oil spill
sensing data to characterise ocean current modelling
features such as eddies and meanders.

This analysis can

be combined with Finally, Fugro is participating in a coastal mapping project
in-situ metocean extending over 3000 kilometres of Brazil’s coastline. The
measurements, government initiative is based on a combination of fieldwork
to predict likely campaigns and analysis of remote sensing data such as
wind and current satellite imagery
patterns during and aerial
proposed photography.
operational
periods at specific All data is integrated
field locations. in a geographic
information
The continuous system to cover
monitoring of themes such as
environmental coastal sensitivity,
conditions and ecosystems,
rapid response to geomorphology,
any oil spills are and metocean
also vital issues parameters, as well
Environmental sensitivity mapping
Satellite derived sea surface temperature map and for exploration as biological and and coastal studies
current eddy monitoring data - Campos Basin.
operations. socio-economic
Fugro provides resources.
a metocean monitoring system covering specified areas of
interest 24 hours a day. Weather and sea-state forecasts, The information assembled finds a multitude of uses in
together with radar images, assist contingency planning environmental management and may be presented in
and emergency operations. Presently, Fugro is performing a environmental impact reports, prepared by Fugro to assist
pioneering project for El Paso in Brazil. This takes real-time clients to obtain licensing permits, or to plan for drilling or
current, wind and wave data collected by two Wavescan buoys, activities related to oil production.
and integrates the measurements into an oil spill model.

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 Onshore Survey
SIZE IS IMPORTANT
NEW TECHNIQUES AND APPLICATIONS FOR DIMENSIONAL CONTROL SURVEYS
Dimensional control is one of the most traditional and
purest implementations of survey methodology – yet it’s
also a discipline that has seen vast technological change
and which is ready to meet new challenges.
In its simplest form, dimensional control involves measuring an
object, surface or structure in order to define its size and shape,
or its position relative to adjacent surfaces or structures. Today,
dimensional control involves a sophisticated combination of high
precision measurement and 3-dimensional mathematical modelling.
Dimensional control techniques currently find applications in
industry, both onshore and offshore. Fugro’s surveyors are
employing modern dimensional control methods to assist design,
construction and maintenance operations in the engineering,
manufacturing and petroleum industries.
Checking for deformation in an offshore structure
Applications for the technique are very diverse. They include, for
example, air-gap measurements (in rough terms the definition
of the separation between the sea surface and the underside
of an offshore platform) - a very straightforward form of
dimensional control. The data derived can be compared with
design parameters to identify possible structural deformations,
subsidence, or even rising sea levels.
06 cross SECTION
A more complex example is the complete 3D solid modelling of
an offshore platform module and comparison with earlier surveys
to obtain a definitive overview of modifications to the structure
over time. This data is invaluable when planning maintenance,
embarking upon the design of further modifications or the
installation of adjacent, interlocking structures. A similar approach
is applicable to modules of petrochemical, materials processing,
or other large industrial plant installed onshore.
Precise heights and measurements using satellite positioning technology
Fugro is presently engaged in projects involving traditional survey
techniques ranging from spirit-levelling (typically used to monitor
the relative movements of platforms) to angle and distance
measurements employing ‘total stations’ to monitor surfaces and
structures for deformation.
High precision static GPS measurements are regularly recorded
for air-gap surveys, typically to define the height of a platform
above LAT at centimetre level. Even more advanced is the use of
3D laser scanning over distances from 1 metre to 200 metres to
define the size and shape of objects to sub-centimetre precision
without the use of measuring targets. Laser-scan data is utilised
for dimensional checks during fabrication or installation; to furnish
as-built details in 3D format; to define routing and tie-in data for
pipe-work installations; and to facilitate deformation analysis.
Fugro’s objective is to use dimensional control technologies to
facilitate correct design and fabrication of component modules
and remove uncertainty from the construction phase when
various sub-assemblies are combined into a fully integrated
structure. This objective is realised through accurate, complete
and efficient collection and storage of 3-dimensional data. Mobile
and reflector-less measuring systems are utilised, avoiding the
requirement to deploy targets in situations that may be hazardous
to the staff involved.
Overall, Fugro’s implementation of state-of-the-art dimensional
control technology enables customers to achieve cost savings
and improved safety based on 3D information of the highest
accuracy, analysed and presented in the format most appropriate
to the customer’s needs.
LANDSLIDE MONITORING IN NORWAY
FUGRO SCREENS RISKS AT UNESCO LISTED SITE

The Geiranger and Storfjorden in central Norway are areas Late last year, a satellite positioning solution was also
of outstanding natural beauty. However, although this implemented using a GNSS network of eight receivers. Six
area is a major tourist attraction and listed by UNESCO, receivers are inside the area of movement and two are located
it is threatended by landslides that could change the outside, providing reference measurements. The network is
idyllic scenery for ever. In the most critical location - the designed to track differential movement in different sectors of the
Åknes landslide area - the ground is shifting by up to 20 landslide area. Two different processing methods are used with
centimetres per year and up to 80 million cubic metres separate processing intervals to provide quality control.
of earth and rock is in motion. This volume equates to
the space occupied by approximately 16 million vans or
170,000 houses. A catastrophic landslide could cause a
tsunami wave up to 50 metres high, which would affect six
different communities.

Installing the laser system

The third system is an automated ‘total station’ that measures

distance and angle to thirty different reflector targets. At every
measurement, to each of the different targets, the total station
automatically detects the centre of the reflector prism. The system
is set up in a specially designed building with a 2 x 3 meter
viewing aperture .

Since 2004, Fugro Survey has been involved in surveying the The data management software is based on the GeODin software
landslide area and establishing methods to monitor its behaviour. package and has been developed in cooperation with Fugro in
In 2006, Fugro won a contract to establish an automatic Berlin. The system automatically manages data collection in the
monitoring solution, involving both field instrumentation and an field, transfers
early warning system. information
from sensor
In the field, three different systems to database
are set-up to continually track and generates
movements and topographic internet-based
changes in the landslide area. All analysis and data
systems are specially designed presentations.
to automatically determine very
small movements and to continue Data from 150
to function without interruption in sensors at the
the extremely demanding climatic landslide area
conditions that prevail for periods of is continuously
the year. streamed to a
data management
In 2005, two laser and reflector facility at Fugro
systems were established to monitor Survey in Oslo,
the main crack. At its widest, this where a 24/7
The Robot Station [left] and flying in the mounting equipment
fissure is 30 meters across. The monitoring by helicopter [right]

laser ranging devices are mounted service has been

on the safe side of the crack. The
laser measures the distance to a
fixed reflector plate every 10th of a
second with millimetre accuracy.
The reflector mounting
established. All the data is presented in both via the world-wide
web, and on local desk top machines. It includes automatic
reporting to an expert group of landslide specialists all over the
world.

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 Offshore Geotechnical
INVESTIGATION RECORDS SET
...BY FUGRO EXPLORER IN GULF OF MEXICO
Fugro recently performed a
geotechnical investigation for
Shell Offshore Inc. in the Great
White Development area in the
Gulf of Mexico. The primary
purpose was to obtain data on
Fugro Explorer
soil and foundation conditions,
to develop design information for the planned Truss Spar
anchored in 2,439 metres of water.
The water depth at the investigation site ranged from 2,325
to 2,796 metres. The maximum total pipe length including the
boring was 2,845 metres, which established a new world record
for geotechnical borings.
The field investigation was performed from the dynamically
positioned drilling vessel Fugro Explorer using a variety of
Fugro proprietary techniques. The Fugro Wheel-Drive Seacalf
was used to perform a total of eight seabed piezocone
penetration tests (PCPTs) to approximately 40 metres
penetration below mudline (BML). Six exploratory borings
were drilled to depths ranging from 58 to 61 metres BML. In
addition to acquiring soil samples, downhole in-situ tests were
performed using Fugro’s Dolphin Remote Vane and Piezocone
Penetration Systems or Fugro’s Halibut Remote Vane System.
...AND BY UPGRADED MARKAB IN CASPIAN SEA
The drilling vessel Markab
underwent an extensive upgrade
at a shipyard near Istanbul in the
summer of 2006, before being
prepared for the trip through the
Volga-Don canal system into the
The Markab
Caspian Sea. The drilling derrick
was laid down and some of the drilling equipment was temporarily
demobilized to meet the height restrictions of the bridges along
the route, and 3.3 metre fresh water draft limitations.
With Markab safely reconfigured in the Caspian, drilling,
sampling and testing were performed on eight deepwater
boreholes in the Shah Deniz field, using the vessel’s drilling
system and Fugro’s Wison MkIII sampling and testing
equipment. In-situ tests included 116 CPTs, 25 vane tests, and
17 Piezoprobe dissipation tests, together with the collection of
200 undisturbed samples.
For an inland sea, the Caspian Sea reaches surprising depths. “The
maximum water depth encountered was 610 metres”, reported
Martijn Klein, Site Manager on Phase 1 of the project, “while the
maximum borehole depth was 180 metres below seabed”. This set
new records for the Markab. The previous record for this spread
stood at approximately 250 metres water depth and 175 metres
borehole depth. Despite the demanding operating conditions, over
50,000 hours were worked without a lost time incident.
08 cross SECTION
SETHUSAMUDRAM PROJECT
DEMANDING NEARSHORE INVESTIGATION FOR SHIPPING CHANNEL
The Government of India proposes to create a navigable
channel 300 metres wide and 12 metres deep linking the Gulf
of Mannar with the Palk Strait. The channel will be created
through Adam’s Bridge and will parallel the International
Boundary Line between India and Sri Lanka, providing a more
direct passage to and from the Bay of Bengal.
INDIA
Palk Bay
Jacques Descloitres (NASA) / http://visibleearth.nasa.gov
A
da
m
’s
Brid
ge
SRI
Gulf of LANKA
Mannar
Given that shallow water depths exist for over 35 kilometres
of the total route, a substantial amount of dredged material
will have to be removed. Fugro undertook the geotechnical
investigation required to assess dredgeability parameters of the
seabed along the proposed channel alignment.
Fifty boreholes were drilled and sampled in water depths from
85 centimetres to 14 metres to completion depths more than
15 metres below chart datum. Wash bore probing was also
conducted to investigate the presence of rock head up to 20
metres below chart datum. Disturbed and undisturbed samples
were collected from each location and the in-situ strength
of the soils was assessed by standard penetration tests. A
comprehensive programme of soil testing was performed on
the samples in Fugro’s geotechnical laboratory to classify the
soils and determine engineering properties
Two modular jack-ups were assembled at Tuticorin, the
nearest available port, and towed 120 kilometres to the site
to undertake the borings. Due to extremely adverse sea
conditions during the monsoon, the boreholes on the north and
south sides of Adam’s Bridge had to be completed before May
2006 and after November 2006 respectively. Transit between
north and south involved opening a railway bridge to allow
access to a shallow 2.5 kilometre wide channel.
Security was a major concern, as the work site lies very close
to the troubled areas of Northern Sri Lanka. Ancient Indian
mythology recounts that the monkey soldiers of the great King
Rama constructed Adam’s Bridge 5,000 years ago to allow the
king to reach Sri Lanka to rescue his wife and devout Hindus
oppose cutting a channel through this ancient earth bridge.
Metocean
CAPABILITIES EXTENDED IN THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
MAJOR OFFSHORE PROJECT UNDERWAY FOR RELIANCE INDUSTRIES

On joining Fugro, Elcome Surveys (ESPL) brought more than

just a survey business to add to the Group’s portfolio; for
ESPL (now integrated with Fugro Survey India in Mumbai),
boasted a very capable oceanographic and meteorological
division that has been undertaking metocean observations in
Indian waters since 1982, in support of both oil exploration
and infrastructure projects.

The integrated
capabilities of ESPL
and Fugro Survey
India, combined with
added technological
expertise from
Fugro GEOS,
represent a
substantial
organisation
with substantial
resources able Fugro staff install meteorological instrumentation on board the drillship Deepwater Frontier
to meet growing
demands for The initial two-year contract involves providing real-time
high quality meteorological and current profile measurements from one
oceanographic rig in water depths of 3000 metres, two others operating from
data and results around 600 metres each and a fourth rig at 1000 metres.
from the offshore community in the Asian sub-continent. “This The contract began in November 2006 with measurements to
capability helps to ensure that every oceanographic assignment 3000 metre water depths from the Deepwater Frontier drill-
undertaken by Fugro in India is completed in a professional ship. The contract provides several interesting challenges, in
manner and to the total satisfaction of clients,” explains Garry particular the number of inter-related measurements required
Mardell, Fugro GEOS Operations Director. from one deep-water rig.

During the first phase of ultra deep-water measurements, the

rig will be fitted with a meteorological station for measurement
of atmospheric parameters in real-time and a custom-made
gantry for deployment and support of Acoustic Doppler Current
Profiler (ADCP) equipment. A downward-looking 38 kHz
ADCP will profile the first 1000 metres, while an upward facing
seabed-mounted ADCP will profile the lower 500 metres.

A horizontal ADCP will provide far field near-surface water

current and directional wave data unaffected by the rig’s
superstructure, whilst an ROV mounted ADCP will provide
current profile data in real-time over the full ocean depth down
to 3000 metres. Data from all instruments will be displayed
and stored on PCs onboard the drill-ship running Fugro GEOS
software.

The recent award of a major contract by Reliance Industries
Limited illustrates the depth of capability now available. This
contract covers metocean measurements from rigs operating
on the east and west coasts of India. The data will be used in
real-time for operational purposes and analysed for design
criteria. RIL is the largest private operator in India, having
acreage in ultra deep water (up to 3000 metres), deep water (up
to 1800 metres) and shallow water (up to 600 metres).
The second phase of measurements at 600 metre depths
will include downward-looking ADCPs with horizontal ADCPs
measuring currents and waves, with meteorological stations
aboard the rigs.
The initial contract involves carrying out observations for two
years on three rigs; with the possibility of a contract extension
of up to three more years on a further four rigs.

cross SECTION 09
 Onshore Geotechnical
SUPPORTING AUSTIN’S GROWTH
THE DOWNTOWN TUNNEL
Deep sewer tunnels are
required to meet future
growth and demands of
downtown redevelopment
and growth in Austin,
Texas. The project
requires trenchless Town Lake and Downtown area, Austin, Texas
construction to avoid surface disturbance. Fugro is the
lead geotechnical consultant for the tunnel project and will
perform all site investigation work while assisting Parsons
(the prime project consultant) with interpretation of the
geotechnical data.
The greater metropolitan area of Austin, Texas has a population
of over 1.5 million. A sewerage interceptor tunnel, known as the
‘Downtown Tunnel’, is now required to relieve peak flows and
to convey effluent onwards for treatment. Because of traffic
concerns, existing downtown development, building foundations,
and underground utilities, a deep tunnel with a limited number of
working shafts became the preferred alternative.
Geotechnical cross section for alignment alternative D1
Several alternatives were screened based on an analysis
of the complex geology and site hydraulics. Existing urban
development and anticipated future renewal projects were
taken into account together with estimated tunnel construction
costs. However it was the placement and acceptability of shaft
locations that largely dictated project alignment.
The chosen option is for a 5,200 metre long tunnel, 2.4
metres in diameter. It will be 21-24 metres below the surface,
constructed in a formation consisting of partially faulted
sedimentary rock overlain by 6-15 metres of alluvial soils. In
addition to complex geology and deep structural foundations in
the downtown area, the tunnel will pass beneath Austin’s Town
Lake lying in faulted rock deposits, and potentially difficult
ground with low cover.
The project team evaluated many alternatives to optimize
project configuration, including type of conveyance, alignment,
and shaft site selection. The screening tools developed will
be instructive to other tunnel owners, planners, designers and
contractors. Final design is currently in progress and is likely to
involve 28 land borings and 10 marine borings to depths up to
29 metres. Construction is anticipated to start in 2008/2009.
10 cross SECTION
CHALLENGING SITE IN BULGARIA
GROUND INVESTIGATION FOR LIGNITE POWER PLANT
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
is financing the construction of the new lignite-fired power
plant Maritza East 1, located near the town of Galabovo,
Bulgaria, at a total cost of ~ €1.2 billion. The ash, slag and
gypsum waste will be transported, via an 8 kilometre long
conveyor to a 120
million cubic metre
capacity waste dump
previously filled with
ash waste from the
old Maritza East 1
power plant and with
mine waste. The
dump deposits are
now up to 30 metres
thick, exceeding
natural ground height The power plant ‘Maritza East 1’
in places.
Fugro’s Berlin office undertook the soil investigation using a
combination of techniques including drilling with liner sampling
and standard penetration testing (SPT); excavation of trial pits;
and performance of cone penetration testing (CPT). In total,
65 drillings were completed at depths of up to 60 metres. CPT
data was obtained using a crawler rig at 125 locations and to
depths of up to 40 metres. 15 borehole tests were completed
to determine water permeability and 21 test pits were dug to
collect samples for environmental and geotechnical testing.
To determine the geotechnical properties of the bottom ash,
fly ash and gypsum, 680 geotechnical soil classification tests
and 180 triaxial, shear and oedometer tests were completed
in Fugro’s German soils laboratories and at the Technical
Universities of Hamburg and Bremen.
The entire project spanned the
period February to September 2006.
The drilling and CPT investigations
on the waste dump area were
successfully completed in the face
A bulldozer creates the access route of the joint challenges of the very
low bearing capacity of the existing
ash dump, and the wet and cold weather. It took great effort
and time to bulldoze 6 kilometres of access tracks and prepare
them with gravel in order to make them drivable.
Sample cores
SURPRISE FIND HINDERS CONSTRUCTION IN ROTTERDAM
FUGRO HELPS CLEAR UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE FROM DEVELOPMENT SITE

A series of new apartment-buildings is planned for the This small (42 millimetre diameter) device is equipped with a
Lloydkade in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. In early 2006, magnetometer, allowing the earth’s magnetic field strength
demolition work had been completed and new construction to be measured in three orthogonal directions. Regular types
was about to commence. Then suddenly, an unexploded 50 of ordnance can be
kilogram bomb was found at the site. Discovery of this relic detected at distances of
of WWII bombing triggered a detailed risk assessment that 2 metres from the probe,
revealed the possible existence of unexploded ordnance extending the separation
(UXO) to a depth of 18 metres below ground. between test points to
2.8 metres and reducing
The top 3 metres of the site were investigated both by ground disturbance. The
controlled digging, under supervision of a UXO expert, and by CPT data logging system
using various detection methods. The conventional method continuously collects and
for finding ordnance at greater depth is by flushing in 90 displays tip resistance,
millimetre diameter PVC tubes at 1.0 to 2.0 metre separations cone friction, and
Telephoto image of bomb disposal in progress 200
and lowering a magnetometer into the tubes to record magnetic metres beyond on-site excavation magnetic field strength
field strength. This method has a severe impact on permeability in real time allowing
of the subsoil and could potentially lead to a major influx of immediate decision making on the presence of UXO.
water, destabilising the site.
Detection works commenced in October 2006. One additional
In August 2006, Rotterdam Municipality contacted Fugro to 500 kilogram German bomb was found and destroyed in-situ.
supply an alternative detection solution optimised for detecting By December, the entire 12,500 square metre site had been
and clearing UXO at greater depths. Fugro elected to deploy a investigated, and declared free of ordnance. Building work
magnetometer cone penetrometer test (CPT) probe. could finally start in a risk free environment.

ENGINEERING GEOPHYSICS SPECIALIST APERIO JOINS FUGRO

CAPABILITIES BOOSTED IN GROUND GEOPHYSICS AND NON-DESTRUCTIVE INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES

Based in Cambridge, UK, but operating internationally,
Aperio has grown to become a leading provider of
specialist technical services, particularly within the
transport infrastructure sector. Fugro Aperio now employs
a team of forty people and owns a wide range of state-of-
the-art instrumentation including Europe’s biggest range
of Ground Penetrating Radar equipment.
The company also owns infrared thermal imaging, metal
detection, ultrasonics and ground resistivity systems.
Since joining Fugro in December 2006, resources have been
applied to a quality control survey of a new concrete bridge on
the Papworth bypass project in Cambridgeshire.
Further from home, Fugro
Aperio has partnered with
leading Australian highways
consultants PMS and has just
completed a survey of the
Australian highways all the way
from Perth to Sydney. Ground
penetrating radar was employed
GPR road survey between Perth and to determine the thickness
Sydney, Australia
and material type of road
pavements. This data can be made accessible to highways
engineers online via the REVEAL Construction Database.
REVEAL is already established in the UK and Germany and
is a cornerstone of Fugro’s efforts to enable the geophysical
surveyor and the engineering client to work in closer harmony.
Notable recent contracts additionally include a 700 line-
kilometre survey of London’s orbital motorway - the M25
- which is to be widened over the next few years in a £5 billion
scheme. Survey results will be used by bidders quoting for the
huge project and by designers once work is underway.
Fugro Aperio is playing a
key role in modernising
the London Underground
rail system. On the
District Line through
East London, trackbed
surveys will provide a
comprehensive picture
of the condition of the
ballast and underlying Multi-channel ground-penetrating radar system for
trackbed investigation
formation materials.
Results will be delivered in an integrated report alongside track
geometry records and ground investigation findings. The report
will provide the infrastructure team with the most complete
understanding of what is one of the world’s oldest and most
complex metro railways.

cross SECTION 11
 What’s New?
PUSHING THE LIMITS OF SURFACE GEOCHEMISTRY IN BRAZIL
GEOTECHNICAL SOIL INVESTIGATION FUGRO MAPS HYDROCARBON SEEPAGE IN THE PELOTAS BASIN

When it is built on the As the demand for new oil exploration areas grows,
southern shoreline of the Fugro has just started a project for the Brazilian National
Palm, Jebel Ali, Dubai, Al Petroleum Agency (ANP), to characterize the Pelotas Basin.
Burj (literally The tall Tower)
will be at least 700 metres The project is designed to map natural hydrocarbon seeps
high. It will challenge the - indicators of an active petroleum system. Detection and
Burj-Dubai (currently under analysis of these seeps is based first on data derived from
construction) and will dwarf satellite imagery. This includes multi-spectral radar data, sea
existing giants like Tapei 101 surface temperature mapping, wind field and wave data and
(Taiwan), Petronas Towers rain intensity information. Metocean data (currents and tides)
(Kuala Lumpur) and Sears are also considered to identify possible seep locations that
Tower (Chicago, USA). are subsequently correlated with marine seismic results to
select piston core sample locations. Geochemical laboratory
As the world’s heaviest man- analysis of the sediment samples yields data on hydrocarbons
made structure, it will apply that may have migrated from source rocks, deep below, and
the greatest load on any accumulated in the surface sediments.
foundation system anywhere
on earth. Fugro was awarded Full data integration allows these accumulations to be mapped
the geotechnical investigation in extent, frequency and hydrocarbon content, providing an
required to assess the soil insight into the prospectivity of the basin for future offshore
profile and quantify the load- licence rounds. Over the next seven months, more than 3000
The Al Burj skyscraper, Dubai
bearing capacity of the rock. piston core samples will be collected in Pelotas Basin in a
range of water depths to 3000 metres using the Fugro-owned
The investigation was run to 200 metres below ground level, survey vessel OceansatPEG I.
using Mazier core barrels to extract cores from the upper layers
of sand and cemented sand. Cores at greater depths were
obtained with specially enhanced double tube PQ wire-line
core barrels. The geological sequence observed comprised
a sandstone layer underlain by inter-bedding of siltstone and
conglomerate down to 70 metres, then a massive mudstone
and gypsum layer. One borehole was continued down to 300
metres, believed to be a record in the Gulf area for onshore
geotechnical investigation. In-situ assessment included Lugeon
permeability testing done by means of a wire-line packer down
to 160 metres and use of a high pressure rock dilatometer to
the exceptional depth of 200 metres.

The project involved five Fugro geotechnical crews and drilling

Oil seep mapping based on radar images to assist geochemical piston core sampling.
rigs and is expected to be completed in April 2007.

GEO ENDEAVOUR TO AFRICA Geo Endeavour goes first to Cape Town for a few days at
quayside to complete full mobilisation for an initial survey
In February 2007, Fugro Survey in South Africa took over project secured in Gabon.
operation of the geophysical survey vessel MV Geo Endeavour,
which has been working offshore India for the last 3 years.
Fugro can now offer the West, Southern and East African
markets a dedicated and locally based survey vessel capability.

Permanently mobilised with a standard analogue survey

spread, various other equipment such as a multi-beam echo
sounder, seabed sampling systems or a digital high-resolution
multi-channel geophysical profiling spread may be fitted
on demand for more detailed drill site investigations or field
development surveys. Geo Endeavour

12 cross SECTION
Geosciences
FUGRO WELCOMES A NEW FRIEND...
GEO CELTIC’S HULL LAUNCHED IN POLAND

On 26 January 2007, citizens of Gdansk, Poland and Fugro

staff enjoyed an early opportunity to view the company’s
first super-class seismic survey vessel as Geo Celtic took
to the water for the first time.

The hull is launched

To the satisfaction of all concerned, the launch went without

a hitch and Geo Celtic safely entered the sea as planned, en
route to becoming one the new flagships of Fugro’s 3D/4D
Geo Celtic’s hull in the Gdansk shipyard seismic survey fleet.

Following Polish tradition, the shipbuilder, Gdansk Shipyard Once successfully

(Stocznia Gdanska), arranged a formal launching ceremony and afloat, the vessel
highly enjoyable champagne lunch to celebrate the launch of was handed over
the completed hull. Gdansk Shipyard invited a group of guests to Bergen Yards
including several local dignitaries. Bergen Yards and Fugro’s BMV and future
representatives included owners, E. Forland
a small delegation Shipowners. The
from Bergen, Oslo and vessel is to be towed
Leidschendam which to Bergen, Norway
included Klaas Wester, for final outfitting and
Geo Celtic enters the sea for the first time
President and CEO installation of seismic
Fugro N.V., Hans Meyer survey equipment and instrumentation. Delivery to Fugro-
Managing Director Fugro- Geoteam AS is scheduled for late summer 2007. The vessel is
Geoteam AS and Martin expected to be in operation later this year and will be capable
Hartland Project Manager of simultaneously deploying twelve seismic streamers up to
Speeches before the launch Fugro-Geoteam AS. 8000 metres in length.

...AND SEES AN OLD FRIEND HONOURED.

At a ceremony held on 25 January 2007, at Restaurant
Le Canard in Oslo, more than eighty guests gathered
to celebrate the formal award of the King’s gold medal
for distinguished service, to Arne Øftshus, Exploration
Manager Russia for Fugro Multi Client Services.

Constituted by King Haakon VII in 1908, the medal rewards

individuals who have made a particularly noteworthy
contribution to society. It was presented by the official
representative of HM King Harald V of Norway, Mr. Hans
Røsjorde, who explained that the award recognised Arne’s
(Above) Arne Øftshus receives his Gold Medal
central role in championing geophysical disciplines in Norway. (Right) The medal and commendation.

cross SECTION 13
 Offshore Survey
ENHANCED ROV TOOLING CAPABILITY WINS KEY CONTRACTS
ENGINEERING AND INTERVENTION ON TOOLING SERVICES COMPLEMENTS OTHER FUGRO BUSINESSES

“Fugro has recently made “This is a 2 year contract with extension options, which we
significant investments in commenced in July 2006.”
intervention tooling as part of
an increased commitment to the The second contract involves provision of Fugro’s ROV support
subsea engineering market”, vessel Skandi Carla, configured as a Multipurpose Intervention
explained Grant Aitchison, Subsea Vessel (MIV) to carry deep-water ROV systems and provide
Construction & Engineering subsea engineering and intervention tooling support for field
Manager with Fugro-Rovtech in maintenance. Fugro is responsible for the pre-engineering
Aberdeen. activities, provides engineering and
design analysis, and procures and
“This initiative has already borne installs subsea equipment utilising
fruit”, Grant continued. “We have a variety of intervention tooling.
been successful in securing the The work scope also includes
award of two significant field support the design and manufacture of
contracts for Woodside Energy in bespoke intervention tools for the
Mauritania”. installation of subsea hardware.
The offshore phase of the project is
Woodside operates the Chinguetti scheduled for April 2007.
field in the North West African
Margin, offshore Mauritania. The Grant Aitchison adds, “Our subsea
field is located in deep-water Block Subsea Control Module Deployment engineering and intervention
Frame
4, approximately 80 kilometres west tooling experience is based on a
of Nouakchott, the capital city of Mauritania, in water depths solid track record of developing
A Tool Deployment Unit (TDU) during a
ranging from 800 to 1500 metres. engineering solutions within the Systems Integration Test (SIT)
marine and subsea environment,
“Firstly we have a contract to supply an ROV system and with emphasis on utilising enhanced ROV intervention
Subsea Engineering and Intervention Tooling Support on the techniques for construction, installation, maintenance and
semi-submersible rig Attwood Hunter during the drilling of repair operations. Recent expansion in capability clearly
additional exploration wells, and for well completions work”, demonstrates Fugro’s commitment to becoming a world leader
comments Grant Aitchison. in deep-water intervention services”

GLOBAL MARINE GEOCONSULTANCY ESTABLISHED

HARNESSING ADVANCES IN SURVEY AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

In the same way that surface processes cause changes in As a company that specialises in the interpretation of
the geographic landscape, the submarine environment is geophysical, geological and geotechnical data, Fugro has
also dynamically changing. experts in all types of geohazards such as gas hydrates, mud
volcanoes and large slides. Calling upon its well established,
‘It is not only necessary to world-class resources and experience, Fugro is launching
recognise the geological a global consultancy designed to combine the capability of
structures and the processes individual expert groups located in offices across the world.
that are creating them, but it
is equally important to know “We are not only using advances in survey technology, but
whether the processes are active advances in communications technology to deliver this global
or not. It would be extremely expertise”, Pat advised. It is intended that four main centres,
expensive in terms of cost and in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, USA and Singapore, will
time to route a pipeline avoiding form the hub of this initiative, essentially providing a 24-hour
a potentially hazardous feature if service. Regional sites can call upon this service as necessary
it can be determined that it has and conversely, the network can call upon regional expertise
not been active for thousands as required. “What we are essentially doing is providing a world
of years’, said Fugro Offshore class data interpretation facility to support the world-wide survey
Geotechnics’ Commercial capabilities that we already offer”, Pat concluded.
Director, Pat Power.

14 cross SECTION
Fugro Group
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
AN ILLUSTRATION OF CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
Fugro companies aim to be good neighbours through
their direct or indirect contribution towards the general
wellbeing of the communities within which they work.
Managers and their employees are encouraged, where
and when appropriate, to involve themselves in the local
community and to support charitable and cultural events,
trade and academic bodies that aim to improve the
effectiveness of the industries in which Fugro operates.
Every year, Fugro carries out many hundreds of projects in local
and regional communities, making possible many educational,
cultural, social and sporting initiatives through (inter)national
donations and sponsorship.
As well as several cultural events in the Netherlands, the Fugro
Group is a major supporter of the annual MS150 bike ride - a
150 mile bicycle ride from Houston to Austin, Texas, in aid of
the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
At the same time Fugro operating companies support many
smaller-scale regional or local initiatives. This brief selection
from Fugro companies around the world demonstrates the
breadth of local involvement in community affairs:
(Left) Fugro donations help
people in the village of Mojosari
- victims of the earthquake on
Java in 2006
(Right) Children enjoy
the environmental trail at
Planckendael Zoo, established
with the help of Fugro Belgium.
(Above) The junior team of the RKAVV
football club in Leidschendam in their new
Fugro-sponsored kit.
(Right) One of the changing exhibitions in
the ‘Hermitage aan de Amstel’, one of the
many cultural events and organisations
sponsored by Fugro.
FUGRO ACADEMY CURRICULUM
EXPANDS
ROV TRAINING RECEIVES FOCUS
The Fugro Academy is designed as a three-tiered training
programme. Tier 3 – Professional and Technical Level - is
business line specific, focused on developing the technical
skills required by a broad range of personnel categories to
undertake the work that Fugro performs. Courses planned
will take professional and technical staff from induction
through to specialist professional levels of expertise.
A trainee on the ROV simulator
The current upsurge in demand for ROV services in the oil and
gas sector is creating a substantial challenge for technical
service contractors supplying the resources. Fugro’s response
has been to commit to designing and building a fleet of
new generation deep-water ROVs, and to invest in a long-
term programme of recruitment and training for ROV pilots /
technicians within the Fugro Academy framework.
ROV induction course elements embrace core ROV
technologies, including hydraulics, electronics, and mechanical
systems. Other issues include vessel operations and how they
interact with the ROV; launch and recovery systems; umbilical
equipment and other potentially vulnerable sub-systems.
Students are introduced to an ROV simulator and practice
navigation and flying skills in typical operational scenarios.
Training is given on survey techniques and drilling operations
as well as subsea engineering and how ROV services relate
and interface to these activities. At regular intervals, there
are workshop opportunities to inspect and gain hands-on
experience with specific
equipment discussed in
each of the classroom
presentations.
The expected outcome is a
trainee ROV pilot-technician
equipped with sufficient
knowledge to be a productive
and safe member of an ROV Candidates that completed the November ’06
team. ROV Trainee Induction Programme
cross SECTION 15
 Offshore Survey
STARFIX NAVIGATION SOFTWARE FEATURES REAL TIME 3D CHARTS

Starfix Display, a part of the Starfix Furthermore, the software allows the
Seis real-time navigation suite, ‘camera’ to follow moving objects and
now provides the Fugro offshore supports a number of predefined fixed
surveyor with 3D charts as an and dynamic ‘camera’ locations.
integrated feature.
Survey activities such as USBL
Starfix Display has the ability to display calibrations and AUV mission
a realistic 3D scene over the project monitoring, where sea bed topography
area using detailed terrain models and is an important consideration, benefit
3D shapes of structures and vessels. greatly from the DTM views.
The scene can also incorporate raster
drapefiles and vector charts. Additionally, construction activities
will benefit from the views generated
Moreover, the package offers flexible by the Fugro Engineers CSM catenary
Anchor cable draped over DTM
lighting and rendering options, library now implemented in Starfix
allowing visual enhancement of Anchors.
important features.
This catenary library supports multiple
The updated and much faster Starfix. catenary touchdowns as well as
B2N Binner file format, used by the 3D floatation buoys. It can interact with
charts to provide Digital Terrain views, a DTM and display points of contact.
can manage data sets in excess of The operator can easily distinguish
1 GB at greater than 10 Hz. The B2N between suspended and grounded
files may also be managed in Starfix segments through visual indications
Workbench for added functionality. in form of colour shading and anchor
curtain profiles. Anchor curtains are
If no DTM is available for the work also used to indicate the catenary’s
area, a user-selectable flat sea surface direction and position in relation to
Vessel shapes and sea surface
and a seafloor is still available. existing pipelines and structures.

Vessel guidance information such as 3D charts have also been found

trackplot sail lines, and target positions useful in ROV guidance in proximity to
are all shown in 3D and presented in pipelines and jackets or in congested
an intuitive manner. The user has the areas. The depth perspective assists
ability to move freely around in the the ROV operator in clearly seeing
scene and change ‘camera’ orientation where the vehicle sits with respect to
to get the right perspective for a critical the subsea features.
activity or phase of an operation.

Beacon position clusters

during USBL system calibration
showing fl at sandwave seafloor

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Tel: +31 70 311 1422
For further information, please email: crosssection@fugro.com

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NO OTHER COMPANY CAN PROVIDE THE SAME COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF GEOTECHNICAL, SURVEY AND GEOSCIENCE SERVICES

16 cross SECTION