OI 2016 Preview: Hydrography, Geophysics & Geotechnics

Hydrography, geophysics and geotechnics lie at the heart of Oceanology International, the world’s largest marine science and ocean technology exhibition and conference, (ExCeL London, UK 15-17 March), and this year’s conference session at OI 2016 shows just how relevant the topics continue to be. “This year’s Hydrography, Geophysics and Geotechnics session will be split into two  themes,” explains Chairman Andy Hill, Marine Geohazard Technical Authority, BP exploration and a long-time OI supporter, who shares the role with Richard Salisbury, Director, Fugro and Ken Games, Geophysical Director, Gardline Geosurvey. “The day-long conference, on Thursday 17 March, will this year showcase emerging technologies and up-to-date best practices in support of effective delivery of offshore energy projects in their widest form. We have this year been able to select from an exceptionally strong set of submitted papers, indeed I would say they are the strongest set of papers in more than a decade, and I am looking forward to this packed session. It promises to be a full-on day, to the very last minute, to round off your week at Oceanology!”

“We are delighted that Andy is able once again to join us to chair this key conference stream, we are always glad to welcome him to OI,” says Event Director, Jonathan Heastie. “It is undoubtedly going to be a very interesting and educational day. Indeed that is very apt for the Thursday of OI is traditionally our Careers Day, when we welcome students, graduates and post graduates from universities around the country to find out about the exciting opportunities open to them in ocean science and marine technology – a sign of the commitment of the industry to foster the next generation of marine professionals. I hope they, as well as visitors and exhibitors enjoy this fundamentally important session.”   

Following Andy Hill’s welcome and opening remarks the conference stream will begin with a presentation by Duncan Tamsett, Geophysicist, Kongsberg Underwater Mapping on ‘Color sonar’; this will be followed by James Cowles, Science and Survey Product Manager, ASV talking about ‘Using an Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) for bathymetric survey’; and then Allan Spencer, Business Development – Europe, CELLULA Robotics focusing on ‘Remotely operated seabed drilling and sampling technology – performance and benefits of an automated system’.

Following a short break for visiting the exhibition and networking, the conference will reconvene for a three-presentation session. The first will be by Andy Cowland, Geophysical Consultant, Fugro Survey Limited talking about ‘Seismic renaissance – A revitalized seismic service providing higher quality and reduced cost’. His presentation will be followed by ‘Hybrid data driven model based 3D de-multiple of 2D marine seismic data using swath bathymetry or side-scan sonar data to bootstrap the model’ by Graham Gillott, Principal Geophysicist, EPI Group Ltd; and ‘Ground modelling through inversion of high-resolution marine geophysical data: A new approach to fully integrated offshore site characterization’ by Mark Vardy, Marine Geoscientist, National Oceanography Center.

An hour-long break enables visitors to take in the waterborne demonstrations and visits to vessels and well as the exhibition, before the session on integrated case studies begins. First under the conference spotlight is Alistair Robertshaw, Geohazards Specialist, BP who will consider ‘Investigating acoustic anomalies in the water column’; followed by Jarle Henssel, Project Manager and Geophysical Specialist, COWI A/S looking at ‘Ultra high resolution seismic for offshore wind farms (OWF): a case study’. HRS remains on the conference agenda as Ian Stennett, Head of Geophysics and Seismic Processing considers ‘High resolution seismic (HRS) for time-lapse imaging around a steam injection installation.

After a short break, the conference ends with three presentations. Andy Barwise, Principal Geotechnical Engineer at Statkraft will highlight ‘An integrated approach to optimization of site investigation for foundation design through geology, geophysics and geotechnics’; while Carol Cotterill, Marine Geoscientist at the British Geological Survey considers ‘Past landscapes and their impact on current offshore engineering: a case study from the North Sea Basin’. Mile Clare, Researcher at the National Oceanography Center is the final speaker in the conference stream with ‘Direct monitoring of landslide and turbidity current geohazards provides new insights for offshore risk assessments’.

OI 2016 is staged in partnership with the SUT and with The Hydrographic Society UK; the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST); the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA); the Marine Technology Society (MTS); and the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) as endorsing organizations.

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