Seatronics, Meridian Complete Mexico Pipeline, Deliver Cost Saving

Seatronics has completed a project with marine services organisation Meridian Ocean Services (Meridian) in Mexico. The aim of the project was to inspect and chart existing pipelines along the coast of Ciudad Del Carmen, and required a full survey equipment spread utilising a Forum Comanche ROV.

As a light work class ROV would be inappropriate for the type of planned inspection (due to the payload capacity of 250 kg) Seatronics proposed the implementation of the RTS Gen 5 Multiplexer as a suitable solution for the identified issue, as well as the use of a technician to help with the integration of the electronics to the ROV. The technology provided by Seatronics enabled Meridian to run the equipment while utilising the Comanche’s native 300 voltage direct current (VDC) power supply. Additional buoyancy was also added by Meridian. This enabled a smaller ROV to be used to complete a project that would normally require a much larger vehicle.

John Dunn, engineering and technical manager, Meridian, said, “The project goal was to determine the integrity of the pipe laid previously within the area. Seatronics provided continuous support during the pre-mobilisation period for a challenging ROV integration and changing customer requirements in a short time frame. The equipment provided performed effectively and Seatronics’ support in various challenges during the project enabled its successful completion. The innovative configuration we developed made deployment of a smaller ROV spread possible; eliminating the requirement for a work class vehicle to perform the complex project, and delivering significant cost savings.”  

The full range of equipment supplied for the project by Seatronics included the Gen 5 Multiplexer; two R2 Sonic 2024 multibeam systems; an Teledyne Workhorse DVL system; an Octans Fiber Optic Gyro; a TSS - 440 pipe tracker; a Tritech bathymetric system and a Sidus green line laser. Seatronics facilitated full factory acceptance testing prior to mobilisation with the supply of subsea cabling, manufactured in-house by Seatronics, providing the client with everything required to ease potential issues during mobilisation.

Phil Middleton, group managing director, Seatronics, said, “Our customers want to guarantee that all project elements are carried out in a cost-effective and efficient manner. With this in mind, Seatronics is dedicated to providing our customers with custom-built marine technology solutions whilst complying with all project restrictions. Following on from our success in this project, we are planning to work again with Meridian on an additional project, due to mobilise in the near future, with the same equipment spread utilised to great effect in Ciudad Del Carmen.”