OSIL have recently completed an order for a specialist 9m High Power Vibrocorer system for seabed studies, and two turbidity monitoring buoys for a highly technical and high profile company, based in the Middle East.
The sealed Vibrocorer head housing for the motors is designed to operate in water depths of up to 600m. Two large electrical motors power two concentric weights, which produce the necessary vibration. The motors are adjustable and can run at various frequencies. Once the unit is on the sea floor the high power vibrator motors are engaged and drive the core barrel with PVC liner into the bed. The cutting shoe and core catcher have been specifically designed to minimise the sample disturbance.
The modular system is easily assembled dockside or on the vessel itself into either a 3m, 6m or 9m system before deploying over the stern. The unit has been designed for easy horizontal recovery on to the vessel and then easy recovery of the core barrel once back on deck. The standard Vibrocorer is a high power modular system that can be quickly and easily deployed, delivering a well defined core of 100mm diameter. OSIL are also able to produce a low power version for less-compact sediments, utilizing only one electric motor to produce the vibration.
The Vibrocorer was also supplied with a winch, which contains the umbilical between the Vibrocorer and the control unit. This ruggedized control unit is designed to operate in all weather conditions.
The two turbidity monitoring buoys were based on the 1.2m Shearwater buoy platform, and were each equipped with two OBS500 Turbidity probes with ClearSensorTM Antifouling system. These probes were located in the protective moonpool built into the design of all OSIL buoys, as well as on the seabed.
[mappress] Subsea World News Staff , March 05, 2012; Image: OSIL