Offshore staff
(UK)-Veritas DGC has purchased the first commercial application of Concept Systems Ltd.'s (CSL) Orca-integrated command and control software package for marine seismic acquisition.
CSL, a subsidiary of Input/Output, Inc., reports that Orca is the first of a new generation of integrated command and control systems designed to harness the complex data workflows found onboard modern seismic vessels.
The company further states that Orca manages all aspects and stages of the navigation and seismic data workflows for vessel operators, enabling them to operate more safely and more efficiently during complex survey operations while delivering processing-ready data to customers.
The system reportedly offers reduced downtime with increased functionality, flexibility, and operational efficiency.
The purchase by Veritas is the culmination of two years of specification and development work between Veritas and CSL. The latest field trials have been underway for the last three months on the SR/V VeritasVantage, an advanced marine seismic acquisition vessel capable of deploying up to 10 solid streamers.
"Veritas is committed to being the technology leader in marine streamer acquisition," said Tor Haugland, senior VP of Veritas Marine Acquisition. "We want each vessel in our fleet to be capable of deploying a wide variety of streamer spreads to meet the geophysical objectives of our global customer base."
Haugland also stressed the importance of being able to support complex acquisition geometries, including wide-azimuth and multi-azimuth surveys, and to be prepared to deliver highly repeatable images in time-lapse (4-D) programs.
Haugland continues: "As the intricacy of marine streamer vessel operations continues to increase, we needed a software command and control system capable of handling them. We are pleased to have worked with Concept during the development input phase and during sea trials and look forward to rolling out Orca to the rest of the Veritas fleet in the months ahead."
Alan Faichney, CSL's managing director, added that his company is pleased that Veritas experienced the additional value that Orca can bring to complex, multi-vessel streamer operations. "They are known throughout the seismic industry for being on the cutting-edge of technology and for their safe, highly-efficient vessel operations," he said.
Faichney continued: "They provided us with unique insights into what the ideal next-generation command & control system needed to deliver. We incorporated their feedback throughout the development process and now have a more robust, higher-value product to offer to our customers."
CSL considers Orca a "leap forward" in streamer vessel command and control. The product reportedly incorporates features that support the major imaging trends in the seismic industry, including tight streamer spacing, wide- and multi-azimuth geometries, and 4-D.
4/27/2006
