Unlocking sea state insights

Operating in some of the world’s most challenging environments is routine for the offshore energy industry. Successful offshore operations, particularly in oil and gas pipelay activities, heavily depend on understanding sea state conditions. Real-time, accurate sea state information is crucial for ensuring the safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of these operations.

Sea state – defined by factors such as wave height, period, and direction, as well as surface current and wind conditions – directly affects the design, deployment, and maintenance of offshore infrastructure, vessels, and equipment. For pipelay operations, precise sea state data is especially critical, as the stability of the vessel and the pipeline must be carefully managed to avoid costly disruptions or damage.

The role of accurate sea state data

In the oil and gas industry, accurate sea state data in real-time is vital, not only for the safe operation of offshore rigs and vessels, but also for the precise laying of pipelines and cables. Pipelay operations require accurate and reliable information to plan effectively and to minimise risks such as pipeline buckling or misalignment during installation. Real-time sea state measurements allow operators to monitor conditions closely, plan work during optimal weather windows, and minimise downtime caused by adverse conditions.

Exact ocean data helps reduce operational risks, as it allows teams to avoid weather-related delays and to schedule maintenance and repairs during favourable conditions. Beyond improving operational efficiency, reducing unnecessary trips offshore also minimises the environmental impact of offshore activities, contributing to lower carbon emissions.

Optimising offshore operations with real-time data

Dry-mounted wave radars have become a valuable tool for improving the efficiency and safety of maritime operations, particularly those involving pipelay activities. These radars, installed above the waterline, are shielded from harsh marine conditions, leading to low maintenance costs and longer lifespans. By providing accurate, real-time measurements of wave height, period, and direction, dry-mounted radars enhance decision-making and navigation, allowing for more efficient fuel use and reduced operational costs. Their versatility also makes them suitable for deployment across various platforms, including ships, offshore rigs, and coastal installations.

One leading technology in this space is the Miros WaveSystem, which exemplifies the state-of-the-art in real-time sea state monitoring. The system includes the automatically calibrated Miros Wavex, a virtual sensor that uses data from standard marine X-band radars for directional wave and current measurements, and the DNV alpha-factor approved and motion-compensated RangeFinder, a high-frequency microwave radar that provides sea level and draft measurements. Both are IoT-enabled and designed to be standalone devices with embedded processing and browser-based user interface, eliminating the need for complex integration or external processing systems.

When paired with Miros Cloud, this system provides all stakeholders in offshore operations – such as pipelayers, diving technicians, control room and vessel operators – a secure overarching view of sea conditions. This facilitates better planning, decision-making, and coordination during complex offshore operations.

In addition, Miros also offers Forecast, a new app that integrates real-time ocean data with sea condition forecasts, empowering marine teams to navigate unforeseeable environments with greater certainty. Forecast equips users with real-time ocean data and forecasted conditions seamlessly integrated into a dynamic dashboard. By providing up-to-the-minute views of sea conditions alongside forecasted data, with up to 10 days in time-series visualisations, the app allows marine operations teams, to confidently navigate unpredictable seas and execute their operations with reduced risk and enhanced efficiency.

Supporting the Northern Lights pipelay project

The value of real-time sea state data is especially evident in pipelay operations, which have typically been critical for transporting hydrocarbons from offshore production sites to onshore facilities but will soon take on new importance for the deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS). Precision in such operations is crucial as errors can lead to environmental hazards, increased risks, and compromised pipeline integrity. Leveraging advanced pipelay technology alongside real-time data, operators can significantly enhance both the efficiency and safety of these activities, reducing costs and bolstering the sustainability of oil and gas operations.

A notable example is Miros’ contribution to the successful laying of a 109 km pipeline for the pioneering Northern Lights CO2 transport and storage project. By equipping project vessels with a cloud-enabled WaveSystem and an additional RangeFinder wave radar, Miros delivered accurate, real-time sea state data, ensuring safe and efficient pipelay operations for this groundbreaking initiative.

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Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/special-reports/28112024/unlocking-sea-state-insights/