Rough Weather Conditions Research Articles

Field trial of a seismoacoustic method for ice cover parameters monitoring on the Franz Josef Land archipelago

Among the physical parameters of the freezing seas ice cover, ice thickness is of key importance, and its measurement is one of the most important tasks. The increased interest in the state of the sea ice cover as an indicator of global climatic changes, as well as the growth of comprehensive development of the Arctic shelf has caused intensive development of technical and methodological bases for ice observations. Despite the great variety of approaches to ice thickness estimation, all of them are not without weaknesses. Thus, most contact methods imply direct human presence, which significantly complicates the procedure, taking into account, among other factors, the rough weather conditions of the Arctic. Remote methods depend on weather conditions and cannot always provide high spatial resolution. In this connection, it is promising to use satellite observations coupled with the results of autonomous “ground” measurements, which can be seismoacoustic data containing information on the characteristics of elastic waves propagating in the ice-covered sea, is promising. The purpose of this work is to experimentally test a new passive method for monitoring ice cover parameters along long profiles based on the analysis of natural seismoacoustic fields. The article analyzes the data of a full-scale seismoacoustic experiment with a multichannel group of geophones placed on the floating ice of Alexandra Island in the Franz Josef Land archipelago within the framework of a complex expedition of the Russian Geographical Society. The demonstrates that it is in principle possible to use flexural-gravity waves propagating in the floating ice to estimate its characteristics, both in the active mode and by analyzing the ambient noise, is demonstrated. The results of ice parameter reconstruction obtained in a nondestructive manner using seismoacoustic waves and averaged over long profiles are compared with the data of direct contact measurements. This can be further used for monitoring seasonal and multiyear variability of sea ice thickness of freezing seas, including shelf zones.

Impact of direct seakeeping computation on ship Underwater Keel Clearance prediction

The continuous increase in worldwide ship traffic poses relevant challenges on the management of the onboard safety during navigation and specific operations. Among these issues, navigation in relatively shallow water areas, being either channels or port areas, is of major interest especially when rough weather conditions occur due to the increased risk of grounding. Such a problem, which is deeply related to the seakeeping performance of a ship, can be tackled by different perspectives. In the present paper, the approach proposed by the PIANC recommendations, typically used to design port and channels areas and infrastructures, are analysed from the perspective of ship design hence dealing with its operability. In particular, the dynamic Underwater Keel Clearance (UKC) of a ship is studied based on direct seakeeping computations to assess the effect of the operability conditions in terms of sea states and ship speed at different wave encounter angles.

Riser Allows Live-Well Intervention With Coiled Tubing From Monohull Vessel

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 212939, “A Proven and Versatile Coiled Tubing Live-Well Intervention Solution From a Monohull Vessel in the Norwegian Continental Shelf,” by Kjetil Austbø and Stein Kristian Andersen, Equinor, and John Stuker, SPE, SLB, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. _ The complete paper describes the use of a riser for coiled tubing (CT) operations from a monohull vessel already performing riserless well interventions (RLWI). The project was developed by the operator, an intervention-vessel company, and several service providers. The solution covers 200- to 500-m water depths and converts back to riserless operation after CT operations. Introduction The operator has more than 600 subsea wells globally in multiple countries and more than 550 subsea wells on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS), which accounts for more than 83% of all subsea wells in the area. Successful interventions here using RLWI vessels encouraged the operator to investigate the possibilities of also performing CT operations from a vessel. The best option was found to be a strategy that included a monohull vessel that could perform both RLWI and CT operations. The analysis of operations in rough-weather conditions in the NCS showed that riser-based CT operations from such a vessel could be performed in the summer season only. Thus, the operator required a flexible solution such that the same RLWI vessel could cover both year-round RLWI and summertime riser-based CT interventions efficiently. The solution materialized when a larger vessel was engaged to expand the usable weather season and allow year-round RLWI operations. Description and Application of Equipment and Processes To enable riser-based CT intervention in the NCS, the chosen option required more equipment and interfaces than were required when performing RLWI. To conduct riser-based CT interventions in live wells, a way to handle, deploy, and tension the high-pressure riser was required, as was an interface for both wireline and CT equipment in the vessel. A system to handle live-well returns from the well also was necessary. After many engineering iterations, the RLWI vessel implemented a modular riser-handling package that could be installed and then removed when not needed. On top of the surface flow tree, a custom CT tension frame (CTTF) was developed for the CT and wireline stacks and pressure control equipment (PCE), each inside separate support frames within the CTTF. With the CTTF connected to the riser, each support frame could be skidded to the well center, eliminating the need for crane lifts while changing between wireline and CT. CT Planning Well Control and Barriers. Because of limited space on the RLWI vessel, only one dual-ram blowout preventer (BOP) would fit in the CT support-frame cartridge within the CTTF. In addition to the dual strippers, the rest of the PCE requirement considered the subsea emergency disconnect package (EDP) and lower riser package (LRP) to complete the well-control equipment. The EDP and LRP included a safety head, a production isolation valve, and a retainer valve, all capable of cutting wireline and CT.

Synoptic and Mesoscale Analysis of a Severe Weather Event in Southern Brazil at the End of June 2020

At the end of June 2020, an explosive extratropical cyclone was responsible for an environment in which a squall line developed and caused life and economic losses in Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. The aims of this case study are the following: (a) to describe the drivers of the cyclogenesis; (b) to investigate through numerical simulations the contribution of sea–air interaction to the development of the cyclone as an explosive system; and (c) to present the physical properties of the clouds associated with the squall line. The cyclogenesis started at 1200 UTC on 30 June 2020 on the border of southern Brazil and Uruguay, having a trough at middle-upper levels as a forcing, which is a common driver of cyclogenesis in the studied region. In addition, the cyclone’s lifecycle followed Bjerknes and Solberg’s conceptual model of cyclone development. A special feature of this cyclone was its fast deepening, reaching the explosive status 12 h after its genesis. A comparison between numerical experiments with sensible and latent turbulent heat fluxes switched on and off showed that the sea–air interaction (turbulent heat fluxes) contributed to the cyclone’s deepening leading it to the explosive status. The cold front, which is a component of the cyclone, favored the development of a pre-frontal squall line, responsible for the rough weather conditions in Santa Catarina state. While satellite images do not clearly show the squall line located ahead of the cold front in the cyclone wave due to their coarse resolution, radar reflectivity data represent the propagation of the squall line over southern Brazil. On 30 June 2020, the clouds in the squall line had more than 10 km of vertical extension and a reflectivity higher than 40 dBZ in some parts of the storm; this is an indicator of hail and, consequently, is a required condition for storm electrification. In fact, electrical activity was registered on this day.

The Effect of Azimuth Thruster on the Manoeuvring Ability of a Stern Trawler in Rough Weather Conditions

The results of computational analyses on the manoeuvring performance of a stern trawler with an azimuth thruster located in the forward part of the vessel are presented. The initial design of the vessel with a single shaft, propeller and rudder is considered to have insufficient manoeuvring performance with a trawl pull load of 40 tons in moderate environmental conditions with a forward speed of 3 knots. The modified design is equipped with an azimuth thruster located in the forward part of the vessel that can rotate 360 degrees to produce additional thrust. In order to assess and simulate the manoeuvring performance of the vessel, the surge, sway and yaw equations are set and solved in the time domain. The hydrodynamic forces due to surge and sway motions and the yaw moment are represented by a nonlinear modular mathematical model. The manoeuvring coefficients of the mathematical model employed are estimated by two distinct approaches; the first one is based on semi-empirical methods and the other is based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The external forces due to wind, current and waves are mathematically represented by proven semi-empirical methods based on the results of scaled model tests and full-scale measurements. A comprehensive computational test matrix is established and extensive computational analyses and manoeuvring simulations were carried out to indicate that an azimuth thruster with sufficient thrust located in the forward part of a stern trawler could significantly improve the manoeuvring performance of the vessel despite adverse environmental conditions.

Terrain surveillance system with drone and applied machine vision

Road accidents are a major contribution to the Annual death rates all over the world. India, ranks first globally in the number of fatalities from road accidents. According to the Ministry of Roads & Transportation, India saw over 440,000 road accidents in 2019. As a result, over 150,000 lives were lost. Poor road conditions contribute to these directly and indirectly. In India, safety standards and conditions of roads are maintained by local bodies in a given area of jurisdiction. While there have been several attempts at improving the quality of roads, weren’t instrumental in giving proper results [42]. A recent study suggested that Artificial Intelligence (AI) might help achieve the goals. Some of the AI applications have had better results when powered with Computer Vision. While computer vision has been previously used to identify faults in roads, it is not widely implemented or made available for public use. Road inspection still largely remains a time-consuming manual task, hindering the maintenance process in most cities. Moreover, being unaware of unattended faults on roads is often the cause of road accidents, especially in rough weather conditions that make it impossible for drivers to visually gauge any dangers on their route. The proposed model uses a transfer-learning approach; using Mask R-CNN in identifying the defects at an instance level segmentation. As adding this, it requires less labelling and an additional mask helps in blocking out extra noise around the images. This paper trains a Mask R-CNN architecture-based model to identify potholes, discontinuous roads, blind spots, speed bumps, and the type of road--gravel, concrete, asphalt, tar, or mud--with a dataset of images obtained from a drone. The model is further trained to create depth maps and friction estimates of the roads being surveyed. Once trained, the model is tested on a drone-captured live feed of roads in Chennai, India. The results, once sufficiently accurate, will be implemented in a practical application to help users assess road conditions on their path.

Pneumatic Breakwaters and Their Use for Ships protection in Coastal and Offshore Areas of Persian Gulf

Pneumatic breakwater is a kind of wave energy damping structure which is capable of reducing a portion of wave energy. The structure utilizes an air bubble column deep in water to induce a counter flow which opposes the wave current resulting in damping of its energy and the height of the wave. Fast installation with the least space occupied along with posing no obstacle for shipping and maneuvering are advantages of this structures. Although the disadvantage of this method can be wasting of almost half the energy of outgoing air. Using this method, a range of waves with lower height can be achieved. To draw the most advantage out of this method, the pneumatic breakwater can be combined with Floating breakwater. In order to explore the effectiveness of Hybrid breakwater, a physical or numerical model in deeper water depth is required. Utilizing this method in coasts where other kind of ordinary breakwaters are not practical and temporarily in the vicinity of shore in deeper water is economically effective. This breakwater can be attached to the ship (DAHET) or rig (ATAB). Hybrid system creates a safe atmosphere for smooth transfer of the passengers of crew boats to and from wharf in a continuous manner even in rough sea and bad weather condition. Case study in Persian Gulf indicates that pneumatic breakwater is practical in Persian Gulf except for longitude between 51° and 57° and latitude between 24° and 28° Northern which extends from eastern north to 14 Kilometers of Parsian Coasts and 30 Kilometers of Lengeh Port and from western south to 6 Kilometers of Dubai coasts to Abuzabi and from eastern north to 12 km of Kargan port to Sirik and from western south to 130 Kilometers of eastern coasts of Qatar.

Influence of Natural Fibers as Additive on Characteristics of Stone Mastic Asphalt

The purpose of this article is to emphasize on the development of stabilized Stone Mastic Asphalt Mix for laudable and tangible pavement performance. Attempts have been made to stabilize SMA Mix using synthetic fibers which is too costly and not readily available. The concept of using natural fibers and waste materials to replace these energy intensive synthetic fibers or polymer additives is a recent development in this field. India, being an agricultural economy, produces fairly huge quantity of natural fibers such as coconut, sisal, banana, sugar cane, jute etc. The addition of these natural fibers as additives to SMA has really thrust a revolutionary change to the transport system. This research is an attempt to propose an ideal surface course for the pavement of India using natural fibers stabilized SMA that can face rough weather conditions and more loads. Analyzing the illustrated results of the comparative study on the performance of the stabilized mixtures it is inferred that additive plays a prominent role in the volumetric, mechanical and drain down characteristics of SMA. Improved Marshall Quotient and Marshall Stability value show higher rutting resistance and improved tensile strength shows better Cracking Resistance. This study brings out the importance of additives in SMA and proposes an eco-friendly alternative to Synthetic fibers.

A sea trial of enhancing carbon removal from Chinese coastal waters by stimulating seaweed cultivation through artificial upwelling

The potential of artificial upwelling (AU) in enhancing transport of nutrient-rich bottom water to the surface, stimulating seaweed growth and consequently increasing organic carbon removal from coastal waters to land after harvest has attracted increasing scientific interest. This practice, however, hardly have field experiments to confirm the hypothesis. The coastal mariculture environment requires rigid AU system that not only can withstand rough weather conditions but also be effective in fertilizing the surface ocean. In this paper, a new solar-powered, air-lifted AU system was applied to study the potential effect on regional carbon removal. Experiments were conducted in the oligotrophic Aoshan Bay, Shandong Province, China. Comparison of the temperature and nutrient column between AU influenced site and the reference site suggests that the nutrient-rich bottom water has been successfully lifted to the surface. The results show that the growth of seaweeds was effectively stimulated by AU. The average weight of a single plant has increased by 8.98g, and consequently an extra carbon removal potential of 14.8 thousand tons in Chinese coastal waters could be expected if the system can be applied along the Chinese coastal waters.

Coupling voyage and weather data to estimate speed loss of container ships in realistic conditions

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the speed loss based on the real-life voyage data and weather reanalysis. A methodology for coupling weather and voyage data is presented. Speed loss is investigated for a series of container ships of different dimensions which are then compared with the existing methods for speed loss. Another approach in estimating voluntary speed reductions in high seas is having first hand experience of the captains. For this purpose, we have designed and handed a questionnaire to ship masters. This has provided additional insight to the decision-making process during the voyages in rough weather conditions. This analysis sets the ground for a more comprehensive study, including various ship types, sizes and weather conditions leading to more accurate prediction of wave loads, fuel consumption or emissions from ships.

Energy and environmental analysis of an innovative greenhouse structure towards frost prevention and heating needs conservation

Greenhouse cultivation is a rapidly growing part of the agricultural sector. The reduction of energy use in greenhouses is strongly connected with the reduction of the production cost and the impact of greenhouse farming on the environment. In this work, an innovative greenhouse structure towards energy conservation and crop frost preventing is studied in a real scale greenhouse structure. The system combines the advantages of the air inflated greenhouse and the thermal curtain system leading to sufficient heating needs conservation. The experimental results showed that the application of the system in a greenhouse limits the use of artificial heating systems and also prevents freezing, even in rough weather conditions, compared to a typical greenhouse structure. The results showed that CO2 emissions are also reduced by the use of the system. This system can be proven as a very efficient solution for greenhouse producers in all type of climates to reduce the heating costs and also protect the cultivation from freezing conditions in extremely low temperatures.

Performance evaluation of input-dissipation parameterizations in WAVEWATCH III and comparison of wave hindcast with nested WAVEWATCH III-SWAN in the Indian Seas

In this investigation, we evaluated the WAVEWATCH III (WWIII) model performances by testing the sensitivity of different input-dissipation parameterizations for the Indian seas using deep and shallow water measurements. Five input/dissipation terms of WWIII namely ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4 and ST6 have been used to simulate the significant wave parameters in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea for the years 2003 and 2004. The comparisons suggest that the simulations using ST4 physics functions best; with low RMSE and PE for all the seasons. The ST2 physics was best in simulating rough weather conditions. Further, at a location off Gopalpur, the SWAN hindcast outperforms WWIII; by using ST4/ST6 physics, with low PE. The study also points out to the fact that such comparisons have limitations and hence model performance evaluation must aim to consider spectrum and source function analysis.

Experimental Research on Water Column Oscillations in Moonpool of a Drillship in Downtime Period

A drillship is a kind of merchant vessel with a self-propulsion unit and drilling equipment used for oil exploration. The major difference with the merchant vessel is the moonpool. A moonpool is a vertical opening from the continuous deck to the keel plate of the vessel for drilling operations and other applications like the launching of measuring instruments. This moonpool opening allowing the entry of water into the vessel. The water motion within the moonpool is mostly related to the encountering wave frequency, the geometry of the moonpool and the draft condition of the vessel. The major amplitude of the water particle motion within the moonpool, either may be in the sloshing mode or in piston mode. This water motion leads to the entry of green water on the deck during the rough weather condition. This is known as the downtime period of a drillship, during this time the operation of the drillship is in off-mode. This paper presents the study about the downtime period of drillship experimentally with rectangular moonpool

Accident Mitigation and Management Measures for NH-44(India) from Khannabal to Qazigung in Jammu-Kashmir

Accidents are not natural but they are caused is a common cliché in the area of traffic safety. Thus, if accidents are caused, surely the reasons responsible for them could be identified and appropriate remedial measures developed and implemented to the extent feasible. This study lays emphasis on the safety analysis and accident studies of National Highway -1A(NH-44) on the 24 Km long stretch of road from Khanabal to Qazigund which is the main connecting link of Kashmir valley to Jammu and the rest of the country. As such this road is subjected to heavy vehicular traffic carrying passengers and goods and is the main strategic road of the state of Jammu and Kashmir State, it is one of the busiest and dangerous roads of the country. The problem of traffic flow is very acute due to complex flow of vehicular traffic, presence of mixed traffic along with pedestrians. Traffic accidents lead to loss of life and property. Also the stretch under study is subjected to rough weather conditions particularly during the winters. The primary objective of this study is to carry out the safety analysis of National Highway-1A(NH-44) on the 24 Km long stretch of road from Khanabal to Qazigund and provide a solution to the traffic accidents which occur on this 24 Km long stretch of road from Khanabal to Qazigund. The National Highway-44 (formerly known as NH 1A) connecting Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country has always been susceptible to accidents.

Biomechanics and behaviour in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) when facing gradually increasing water flows

Water motion, because of its potential to dislodge intertidal organisms, plays a crucial role in shaping marine communities as it creates available spaces suitable for interactions, settlement and colonization. To understand how water flow influences the behavioural ecology of benthic species such as echinoids, we investigated how the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamark, 1816) can cope with increasing flow velocities through a biomechanical and behavioural approach. Whereas sea urchins maintained in static conditions for several weeks showed weak adhesive properties, they immediately reacted to increasing hydrodynamic forces. Sea urchins were dislodged at a flow velocity of about 70 cm s−1, with a few individuals enduring up to 90 cm s−1. This response was modulated by two behavioural strategies: (1) at low flow velocities, an escaping strategy characterized by fast upstream locomotion relying on tube feet; and (2) above a threshold flow, a streamlining strategy characterized by changes in overall shape and spines orientation, accompanied by a fast decrease of the animal's movement until complete immobility. Although the threshold at which the switch in behaviour occurs and the detachment velocities were both probably underestimated because individuals were aquarium-acclimatized, the behavioural sequence reported reveals how P. lividus can avoid or withstand rough weather conditions. From an ecological perspective, the occurrence of a range of water velocities too slow to dislodge sea urchins but sufficient to inhibit their active movement is relevant to understand how echinoids can structure benthic communities by controlling macroalgae development through their grazing activity.

Environmental performance of speed optimization strategies in offshore supply vessel planning under weather uncertainty

Supply vessels serving oil and gas installations at sea are a major emission source of greenhouse gases in offshore logistics. Speed optimization strategies applied in tactical vessel planning significantly reduce fuel consumption and thus emissions. Nevertheless, the environmental performance of these strategies in rough weather conditions is difficult to estimate as the duration of supply vessel operations is weather dependent. In this paper we develop a simulation-optimization tool which estimates the average fuel consumption for weekly vessel schedules. The schedules are constructed by using speed optimized vessel voyages which are simulated under different weather conditions. Results of experiments on real instances show that rough weather conditions increase fuel consumption and costs. The application of speed optimization strategies reduces fuel consumption both in winter and summer, but the reduction may be at the expense of a fixed vessel cost increase in the winter season.

Swedish-Norwegian co-operation in the treatment of three hypothermia victims: a case report

BackgroundAccidental hypothermia with cardiac arrest represents a challenge for pre-hospital rescuers as well as in-hospital staff. For pre-hospital personnel, the main focus is to get the patient to the correct destination without unnecessary delay. For in-hospital personnel early information is vital to assess the possibility for resuscitation with extracorporeal re-warming. The challenge is augmented when rescuers must cross national borders to reach and/or deliver the patients. We present a case where three adolescent boys suffered severe hypothermia after a canoeing accident in Sweden.Case presentationThree 14-year-old boys were canoeing a mountain lake close to the Norwegian border when their boat capsized and they all fell into the cold water. The rescue operation was hampered by rough weather conditions, and immersion times spanned from 63 to 125 min. Flight times from the scene of accident to the nearest ECMO center in Norway (Trondheim) and Sweden (Umeå) were about 30 and 90 min respectively. Two of the victims showed no vital signs after retrieval from the water and had extremely low body temperatures. They were brought to Trondheim University Hospital where they were resuscitated successfully with extracorporeal re-warming. Unable to be weaned from ECMO in the initial phase, both patients were retrieved by mobile ECMO teams to Karolinska University Hospital, from where they were discharged to their homes with good outcomes, although with some sequelae. A third victim with moderate to severe hypothermia without cardiac arrest was treated at a local hospital, from where he after a short stay was discharged without physical sequelae.ConclusionThese cases are a reminder of the traditional mantra that «no one is dead until warm and dead». Good communication between pre- and in-hospital staff can be vital for optimizing patient treatment when handling victims of severe hypothermia, and especially when there is multiple victims. Communication between neighboring countries, but even neighboring regions within the same country, can be challenging. We encourage regions similar to ours to review protocols regarding hypothermia management, making them more robust before incidents like this take place.

Sources and levels of ambient ocean sound near the Antarctic Peninsula.

Arrays of hydrophones were deployed within the Bransfield Strait and Scotia Sea (Antarctic Peninsula region) from 2005 to 2009 to record ambient ocean sound at frequencies of up to 125 and 500 Hz. Icequakes, which are broadband, short duration signals derived from fracturing of large free-floating icebergs, are a prominent feature of the ocean soundscape. Icequake activity peaks during austral summer and is minimum during winter, likely following freeze-thaw cycles. Iceberg grounding and rapid disintegration also releases significant acoustic energy, equivalent to large-scale geophysical events. Overall ambient sound levels can be as much as ~10–20 dB higher in the open, deep ocean of the Scotia Sea compared to the relatively shallow Bransfield Strait. Noise levels become lowest during the austral winter, as sea-ice cover suppresses wind and wave noise. Ambient noise levels are highest during austral spring and summer, as surface noise, ice cracking and biological activity intensifies. Vocalizations of blue (Balaenoptera musculus) and fin (B. physalus) whales also dominate the long-term spectra records in the 15–28 and 89 Hz bands. Blue whale call energy is a maximum during austral summer-fall in the Drake Passage and Bransfield Strait when ambient noise levels are a maximum and sea-ice cover is a minimum. Fin whale vocalizations were also most common during austral summer-early fall months in both the Bransfield Strait and Scotia Sea. The hydrophone data overall do not show sustained anthropogenic sources (ships and airguns), likely due to low coastal traffic and the typically rough weather and sea conditions of the Southern Ocean.

Experimental Investigation on Impact of Container Geometry on Efficiency of Non-Buoyancy Body Type Wave Energy Converter

The ocean is one of the biggest renewable energy resources. Energy harnessing from the ocean is an interesting area that is worth researching and full of promise for all energy engineers and researchers. There are a number of methods to follow in energy extraction from the ocean wave and tide. Point absorber is one of potent devices for energy extraction from the ocean wave. It could potentially afford a large amount of power in a relatively small device compared with the other technologies. It extracts the energy from the up-and-down movement of the buoy(s) on the ocean wave. To take full advantage of the device the point absorbers are designed to move freely along the wave. During rough weather condition, the wave exerts high buoyancy force on the buoy(s), forcing the device to face more stress and causing the device failure. To overcome this drawback, floating bodies in a point absorber were replaced by non-buoyant object in a certain research. That result showed that the ratio between the heave responses of the container and the corresponding wave amplitude (heave response ratio) of the device reached up to 2.6 so that the energy capture of this device was considerably raised per unit wave front. The results showed the energy production in the device being appreciably high at the range of 2.3-2.7s wave period and proportional to wave height under 30W and 60W electrical load condition. That experiment was conducted on a steel cylindrical container of diameter 0.4 m and height 0.7 m, used as non-buoyancy object. In this paper, a test was conducted to find the impact of the container geometry on the efficiency of non-buoyancy body type wave energy converter with existing result circumstance. The results obtained in the test on various shapes of the containers such as cylindrical, conical, inverted conical and double side conical, were plotted. The results showed that when using inverted conical shape of container, approximately 9% of output power could be increased compared with the using of existing cylindrical shape of container.

Demarcation of Right of Way (ROW) and Re-Installation of Damaged Markers of Transmission Pipeline in Balochistan, Pakistan through Geomatics Technologies: A Case Study of Zarghun to Quetta High Pressure Natural Gas Supply

The alignment of gas pipelines in a rugged terrain has always been a serious challenge around the globe but they can be perfectly aligned with the help of Geo-Spatial technologies. When South Zarghun gas fields were discovered in Pakistan, gas transmission pipeline laying process between gas fields and Quetta city was as challenging task for the Government of Pakistan. Very rough terrain and extreme weather conditions especially in winter season were the two major constraints for the alignment of pipeline. Geomatics survey was essential before transmission pipeline construction work, done twice by private consultant in Pakistan’s local geographic coordinate system. SSGC took decision in 2006 for the construction of pipeline but unfortunately it could not be executed due to law & order situation in Pakistan especially in Balochistan province and later all bench marks of pipeline alignment route were vanished by the locals. In 2012, SSGC again started pipeline construction work on war steps. Previous pipeline alignment survey was converted into existing SSGC’s GIS coordinate system i.e. UTM Zone 42 WGS84 using ESRI ArcGIS software. Identification & re-installation of all bench marks and re-routing of pipeline were done by SSGC GIS survey team with the help of global positioning system (GPS) and satellite data. Finally, right of way (ROW) of transmission pipeline from Zarghun gas fields to Quetta city was designed and produced in the form of GIS map for pipeline construction activities.