Offshore Soil Investigation Order from Horizon Geosciences
Horizon Geosciences, headquarted in the United Arab Emirates, has purchased its fifth offshore soil investigation system from A.P. van den Berg, The Netherlands, for the purpose of analysing the seabed’s geotechnical condition. Horizon Geosciences wanted to expand its wire-line capabilities to deeper waters and therefore decided to procure the WISON-APB-1000 that is used for cone penetration tests and soil sampling at water depths up to 1,000m.
Starting from 1974 the WISON-APB system has become a proven wire-line system for performing CPTs and taking soil samples. It is deployable from any drill ship and is available in three versions (550, 1,000 or 3,000m water depth rating) with tools varying in pushing length (1 to 3m) and pushing force (50 to 150kN). The tool plus umbilical are released from a remote-controlled and self-tensioning electric winch for heave compensation placed on deck of the vessel. All WISON-APB tools work in conjunction with A.P. van den Berg’s digital data acquisition system, consisting of the Icontrol and Icones. It enables measurement of cone resistance (qc), local friction (fs), pore water pressure (u) and inclination (Ix/y). The Icone is easily extendable with click-on modules to measure other than the four standard parameters. The modules Conductivity, Magneto, Vane and Seismic are available and can be used at water depths up to 1,000m. Sampling with the Push Sampler is done by pressing and retrieving a sample tube into the soil. Sampling with the advanced Piston Sampler, the sampler type with the highest recovery ratio, is also possible. With this type of sampler the sample is guided by a piston and secured by an optional core catcher. Both sampler types can also be used with a hardened cutting shoe for an even better recovery.
Horizon Geosciences already own a ROSON system (a seabed frame with a wheel drive system to perform CPTs and take samples up to 1,500m water depth), a HYSON top pusher that is mounted on a platform for near shore soil investigations and two WISON-APB-Classic systems (a wire-line system to perform CPT’s and take samples in combination with geotechnical drilling up to 550m water depth). A.P. van den Berg is Horizon’s preferred supplier of offshore CPT equipment, because of its extensive know-how, professionalism and full service package.
