Pipeline Sonar Development

Abstract

Two years ago, Brown & Root surveyed the acoustic and magnetic fields with the idea of obtaining a “tool” to track pipelines on or beneath the ocean floor. It was imperative that the equipment acquired be capable of yielding high-resolution information as to depth, cover, and horizontal position of the line. Additionally, the surrounding bottom and sub-bottom structure information was desirable for determining loading and scouring characteristics. The results of the study were negative; however, we felt that a development program utilizing acoustics had a high probability of success. At this time, the developed equipment has been fabricated and is being readied for testing in the Gulf of Mexico. The finalized equipment configuration is basically a narrow beam sonar system, with a multiple element array, that is hydralically scanned at the rate of 30/sec. Owing to the required speed of data collection, it was decided to implement fiber-optic displays in a format that would allow for three-dimensional viewing of the bottom and sub-bottom strata by the operation on location. Additionally, the fiber-optic method allowed for direct digital printout of positioning information and depth on the sonar records, in real time, eliminating lengthy data reduction normally performed on shore.