MSI Third Year of Operations in Sakhalin
The 948km island of Sakhalin is found in Russia's far east, a harsh and perilous region. In the north of Sakhalin, winter lasts from October to May where the average temperatures is -24 degrees C (although the record lowest is -54 degrees C) and +10 degrees C (maximum on record +38 degrees C) in summer. This, with addittional natural circumstances, makes Sakhalin both an interesting and challenging place to work and MSI is proud to commence its third consectutive year of work in Sakhalin, again with Romona Inc. for Elvary Neftegas (ENG). Elvary Neftegas is a joint venture company, formed between Rosneft and BP for the Sak IV and V development. In the summers of 2004 and 2005, real-time current measurements were provided to support drilling campaigns in the north of the Island in the Kaigansky-Vasuykansky area. This is further north, further offshore (49km) and in deeper water (114m) than any previous well drilled off Sakhalin by any company. In 2005 and 2006 winter moorings were deployed during the (extended) winter period. IN 2006, a real-time current profiling package, consisting of an RDI ADCP, Linkquest acoustic modems and MSI proprietry software, and a 0.9m directional waverider were installed in the close proximity of the drilling rig "Transocean Legend" to provide real-time wave measurements and current speed and direction profile to assist the drilling operation. MSI engineers, mobilised from both of the MSI South Africa and Australia offices, assisted Romona to deploy a further 3 seabed moorings, an additional 0.9m waverider and conduct CTD profiles. This metocean program is designed to provide engineering data for the design of ENG's offshore facilities.
