Seabed Soil Testing System
Schilling Robotics, and Gregg Drilling and Testing have delivered a new Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) system for deep-water seabed soil testing. Gregg is commencing in-water testing of the system today in Long Beach Harbor (CA, USA). Once harbor testing is complete, the system will then be sent to work offshore in June 2009.
Schilling supplied the control system and hydraulics for the Gregg-designed CPT system. The control system consists of electrical and communications components, subsea hydraulics, along with topside hardware, console components, and advanced component monitoring and diagnostic software.
Gregg's CPT is performed using a cylindrical penetrometer with a cone tip penetrating the seabed at a constant rate. The resulting measurement analysis reveals detailed soil conditions, including soil type, stratigraphy, and shear strength parameters. Typical uses of the submersible Gregg CPT unit may include pipeline lay, seabed foundations, cable routes, ports and harbors, and environmental surveys.