Marine Considerations for a Submarine Network SubOptic Guide Workshop #4

Transcription

1 Marine Considerations for a Submarine Network SubOptic Guide Workshop #4 Presenter: Stuart Wilson Company: Global Marine Systems Limited Slide 1

2 Presenter Profile Stuart has 12 years of experience with Global Marine Systems Ltd. He currently heads their cable route engineering department, and has experience in marine maintenance service management, and installation project management. Stuart runs GMSL s internal training courses in desk top study, marine survey, route engineering, and engineering for renewables and hydrocarbon developments. Name: Stuart Wilson Title: Route Engineering Manager stuart.wilson@globalmarinesystems.com Slide 2

3 GUIDE Session 4 - Purpose PURPOSE To explain why marine-related engineering and operations are critical to reliability and reparability of any undersea network Marine engineering planning and operations impact throughout the project lifespan Cable Route Study Survey Installation Maintenance De-commissioning /recovery Working in the Marine Environment is challenging! BUT FIRST lets look at the marine components of a subsea network Slide 3

4 SURVEY Marine Components of a Project Vessel Ops Topographic Survey Survey Systems Diver Survey Slide 4

5 INSTALLATION Marine Components of a Project Vessel Ops Ploughing Shore Ends ROV Burial Slide 5

6 MAINTENANCE Vessel Ops Marine Components of a Project Jointing Fault Locating Cable Recovery Slide 6

7 GUIDE Session 4 - Outline How knowledge and experience of the marine components contribute to the main project phases Phase 1 Planning Feasibility Studies Phase 2 Project Development Desk Top Study Cable protection Marine and Regulatory Stakeholder consultation Planning for maintenance Limiting marine contract upscope Phase 3 Construction Survey operations Installation operations Phase 4 Owning & Operating Repair scenarios Permitting Spare plant management Offshore liaison Slide 7

8 PHASE 1: PLANNING Goals: Creation of initial cable routing, Identify marine factors pertinent to the feasibility study Feasibility Study Marine Supplier Consultation Slide 8

9 Feasibility Studies Marine supplier RFI responses provide: Ability to EVALUATE Wet plant solutions Transmission solutions Marine solutions Budgetary timelines and costings Supplier experience comparisons Major marine obstacles Comparative design features Slide 9

10 Lessons Learnt PLANNING Make sure RFI s address all the areas of the project which are critical to the eventual success of the project RFI assessment and scoring should be weighted and proportional to the criticality of each element to the project s success Request relevant experience or evidence to back capability claims Understand the customer s appetite for new technologies and ideas vs dependable proven solutions Good planning decisions require professionals with a broad understanding of the industry (potentially in-house or consultants) Slide 10

11 PHASE 2: PROJECT DEVELOPMENT Goals: Understanding the risks and constraints for the cable. Development of a credible route for survey and refined supply tendering. Ensure your marine supply agreements cover key marine issues Cable Route Study Stakeholder and regulatory authority consultation Slide 11

12 Cable Route Studies Why a Desk Top Study? (also known as a Cable Route Study) Lots of the risks to a new cable are known and there is information on their nature available from numerous sources. We just need to collate and analyse the significance for each new FO cable project It allows the relationships between risks to the cable vs. the engineering solution options vs. the financial cost to be explored so that the cable is both financially viable and secure. Brings definition to the project and the first thorough understanding of the practical challenges for the marine phases Gives confidence to owners and financiers through provision of engineering solutions to cable routing issues at an early stage prior to commitment of costly resources during the survey and installation phases Slide 12

13 Objectives A submarine cable route that is secure and economically viable Cable Route Studies Provide qualified cable lengths & types for accurate costing and solution design Content Identify potential risks to the cable throughout its lifetime Manage known risks through sound engineering practices. Geo Hazards Met:Ocean Marine Protected Areas Fishing Risks Human Activity Risks Historical Fault Analysis Provide a route for marine survey, in which the client can be confident ICPC Recommendation No 9 Minimum Technical Requirements for a Desk Top Study Route Engineering Site Visit Reports RPL / SLD / Crossings Slide 13

14 Assessing Natural Influences Using information in the public domain combined with past experience and new research to assess: Cable Route Studies Bathymetry Geology and Topography bathymetry sediments and geological features seismology, volcanoes, tsunami Met:Ocean waves currents and tides weather ice Sand Clay Chalk Seabed Core Slide 14

15 Cable Route Studies Evaluating Manmade Influences Fishing Shipping and anchors UXO and dumping grounds Wrecks and obstructions Existing cables and pipelines Hydrocarbon Industry Renewable energy developments Marine Protected Areas Maritime Boundaries Piracy Tourism Slide 15

16 Cable Selection and Protection Collate and assess all available data in a GIS to determine the optimum route engineering Spatial Analysis of Historical Faults Cable Selection influenced by risks and deployment limitations Burial requirements and extents (given the available information pre survey) Additional protection at shore ends pipeline crossings GIS Cable Types Cable Protection GIS pic Armour types Articulated Pipe Slide 16

17 Stakeholder Consultation Meetings held during DTS site visits (and concurrent permitting visits) will often be first contact with wider marine stakeholder groups. Fishing, renewables, hydrocarbons, port authorities, coastguard, environmental and permitting regulators, local councils, tourist industry Input into DTS from various marine and terrestrial sectors Have a prepared message Understand potential reactions If possible use existing stakeholder groups (e.g. Fishing federations, CZM groups) Landing Parties can help facilitate meetings Slide 17

18 DTS Procurement Procurement Turnkey vs Discrete Work Package: Consider if a turnkey contractor has a bias towards their own solutions (ships and installation tools), however a design and build model can place the balance of risk with the supplier. Suppliers undertaking discrete work packages may have no financial interest past the DTS stage (consider how the outcome of a poor DTS can have huge impact on subsequent larger high value project phases) Scope, Content and Deliverables: Content should be relevant and focused. DTS SOW should include clear deliverables and objectives Reminder from slide 13 ICPC Recommendation No 9: Minimum Technical Requirements for a Desk Top Study Slide 18

19 Maintenance Models Planning for Maintenance Zone Private Spot Market Cost Structure Standby costs shared by group according to length of system entered Repairs on a cost basis Spare plant storage fixed rates Fixed standby costs offset by installation work Fixed repair day rates. Spare plant storage fixed rates Lump Sum or Day Rate. Costs subject to short term market forces, seasonal variations Spare plant storage fixed rates Availability Vessels on standby at strategic baseports with agreed outside work allowed within limitations Vessels on standby at strategic baseports with outside work allowed within limitations Subject to market availability and distribution of vessels Jointing resources? Cableship or VOO? Contract Management Supplier managed by CMG (committee represented by major members) Provides mutual support Supplier has direct relationship with MA Supplier contracts directly with MA, but potentially no prior relationship Slide 19

20 Limiting marine contract up-scope Commercial Factors common to survey and installation Weather inclusive/excluded/limited, define how will weather be measured Vessel capability define working parameters (e.g. Sig wave hts?) and understand their significance Accurate and well defined SOW, levering RFI and DTS results Fuel costs fuel escalation clauses: potential effect of leadtime into project Responsibility matrix incorporating all project activities and importantly including permitting Vessel Mobilisation are vessels in region; Are they VOO s or specialised assets (differing project risk profiles) Burial have clear contractual clauses to cover cable burial (reasonable endeavours) Marine Contractor Experience experienced staff and knowledge Consistently High Quality (DTS, Survey, Installation Maintenance), delivers high system performance for customers purchasing cable capacity Slide 20

21 Lessons Learnt PROJECT DEVELOPMENT Ensure a project s DTS stage is thorough. Money spent here with a reputable supplier will reap rewards throughout the project Focus the DTS Geohazard, Met:Ocean and Human influence content on the most significant risks to the project Selecting a DTS supplier with a good understanding of modern installation capabilities and solutions will deliver realistic routing Meetings during permit study and DTS stages are valuable opportunities to commence wider stakeholder consultation, maximise the benefits to the project by planning these well Plan for maintenance and consider the best fit for the network s business model vs service levels Cover all the key marine supplier commercial issues in the supply agreements for survey and installation Slide 21

22 PHASE 3: CONSTRUCTION Goals: Successful survey and installation phases. A secure undersea cable system delivered on time and on budget. Survey Operations Marine Installation Operations Slide 22

23 Importance of Good Construction Why Successful Survey and Installation are Important Survey and Installation is typically 40% of a subsea network expenditure. It is recognised as the sector of the project with the most risk. Clearly it is important all the aspects described in this presentation are executed well. Right First Time. Particularly installation which is a Once Only operation. The survey provides the information which enables the final cable lengths & types to be ordered for manufacture Survey results allow final installation routing documents and planning to be completed Well executed survey and installation activities have a direct impact on the reliability of the network and the prevention of cable faults Prevention of Cable Faults Good selection of cable burial tools combined with competent installation teams Good slack management, especially in areas of variable topography Specialised cableships integrated positioning, cable management, layout Skilled and experienced professional mariners judgment on currents, weather (making the right dynamic assessments and choices offshore) Slide 23

24 Bathymetry Side Scan Sonar Sub Bottom Profiler Magnetometer Cone Penetration Tests Seabed Samples Marine Survey Tools Multibeam technology uses upwards of 100 independent acoustic beams to collect soundings via a fan shaped swathe Side Scan Sonar imagery to identify and dimension obstacles and sediment texture Sub Bottom Profilers utilise the process of seismic reflection to produce a longitudinal profile through the seabed sediments Magnetometers used to provide As found positions for features such as existing cables or pipelines CPT s provide multilevel sediment strengths through pressure sensors in tip and sleeve of the rod Seabed samples provide ground truthing and contribute to burial assessment Survey Existing Cable Slide 24

25 Installation Generic Installation Stages 1 Cable Loading Berthing arrangements (accessibility and availability of berth) Direction of load direction of lay Loading rates - single or twin line, LW or armoured Rigging/cable track suitability, potential source of cable damage Testing (Electrical, Optical) FAT Cable and plant acceptance Route Clearance and PLGR Route Clearance for known Out Of Service (OOS) cables Pre Lay Grapnel Run (PLGR) Slide 25

26 Installation Shore Ends Direct or Pre Laid Beach Operations cable pull HDD duct and Articulated Pipe Cable Lay and Burial Generic Installation Stages 2 Cable slack management, software Ploughing involves A-frame operations, plough share size, tow force monitoring, speeds vary with seabed types, ploughing provides simultaneous lay and protection. ROV Burial involves LARS, jetting swords, cable detection technologies, post lay burial and inspection Divers depth and current limitations, H&S Slide 26

27 Installation Cable Crossings Notifications Polyurethane ½ shell cable protection systems for pipelines ICPC Recommendations Additional Protection Measures Matressing Rock Placement I and J Tube platform connection and protection systems Acceptance Generic Installation Stages 3 RFPA - Ready For Provisional Acceptance after completion of marine scope. Later after full system testing complete Final Acceptance Slide 27

28 Past Examples Consequences of Poor Management and Execution Some past examples and their consequences to projects: 1 The route selection opts for a route through an area with high levels of trawl fishing and mobile sandwaves. The resulting high level of cable faults breaks the financial model on which the cable is based, rendering it uneconomical to operate 2 A poor survey fails to accurately classify a seabed feature correctly, which subsequently damages the installation plough causing project delays, cable damage and a contract dispute. 3 The permitting study does not accurately identify all permitting requirements and permit delays force eventual change of landing point location late in the project, with associated costs and delays 4 The use of an underpowered installation vessel limits plough burial depth achieved, not meeting target burial for fishing risks. This results in higher fault rate = high O&M costs and poor reliability record. 5 Poor armouring selection post survey leaves the cable exposed to higher risks from external aggression. This results in higher fault rate = high O&M costs and poor reliability record. Slide 28

29 Lessons Learnt CONSTRUCTION Time and investment spent on marine survey will directly influence the success of the installation. Reduce risk from weather by using seasonal windows for marine operations and appropriate contractual clauses Late decisions on network configuration and landing point selection can delay the project timeline and increase costs due to CV s Using less experienced marine contractors may offer financial attractions, but requires additional focus and experienced project management to be successful Project timelines are under a constant squeeze. Selection of cable armouring for manufacture prior to survey completion will decrease timelines, but increase the project risk profile Comprehensive pre installation preparation will increase customer confidence levels Slide 29

30 PHASE 4: OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE Goal: Ensure a reliable network through a professional, effective and timely maintenance service. Repairs Fault Prevention Inventory Management Slide 30

31 Generic Repair Sequence (Time) Call Out Mobilisation and Load Transit to repair ground Fault Location Cable Recovery Damage clearing First joint Testing Stock cable lay Final joint Testing Re-Burial? Release from site Transit to baseport Discharge and demob 1 min 24 hrs dys 4 hrs 8-60 hrs 5-10 hrs 14 hrs 1 hr 6 hrs 14 hrs 2 hrs hrs 1 min dys 12 hrs Repair Scenarios Call Out Notice would normally consist of a minimum of 1 to 3 below; 1. Name of the system to be repaired 2. Amounts and types of spare plant to load 3. The fault location And if possible; 4. Type of fault (Fibre Break / Shunt) 5. Tests carried out so far to locate the fault 6. Type of cable and armouring at the fault location 7. Latest RPL and SLD 8. Depth of water at the fault location 9. Representatives to join repair ship Slide 31

32 Repair Scenarios Abyssal Depths Continental Shelf Deep Water Longer Repair Times Longer Transits Longer Recovery Operations Grapnel Recovery Techniques Oceanic Currents More Repair Cable Required Satellite Communications Only Greater probability of a transoceanic system more complex dispersion management Shallow Water Shorter Repair Times ROV Recovery Techniques More Marine Traffic ROV Re-Burial Shore End Replacements shore teams, visas? Greater probability of unrepeatered larger fibre count joints and longer testing times Slide 32

33 Maintenance Permitting Permitting for maintenance operations Issues Short timescales Cabotage laws Disputed territories or fault localisation doubts Potential Impacts Delay to start of operations Delay, use of 3rd party vessel, cost increase Cost increase, national observers? Notifications or permits? Mistake in requirements could lead to ship detention 3 rd party seabed assets Planned repair Role of agents Permit time limits Damage could lead to a claim and remedial action Increased efficiency, risk reduction, planned network traffic management Good agency network will improve efficiency Reapplication for permits - Delay Ship operators must act responsibly when faced with national permitting requirements. The industry has advocated and lobbied national governments to simplify and reduce permitting burden but it remains a challenge. Slide 33

34 Spare Plant Storage Considerations Depot or Ship? Potential Consequences Spare Plant Management Reduced access to spares, ease of load, port limitations Climatic control and conditions Plant damage or warranty invalidation UV light damage Uncovered cable pans/tanks can result in damaged cable Periodic inspection and testing Cable or plant loaded for a repair proves to be faulty when loaded and repair is delayed Housing frames Jointing equipment Spares for protection systems Jointing part pooling Handling procedures Lack of frame can increased risk of damage when transporting housings (Repeater, BU) Lack of specialised jointing equipment or definition over who supplies, could lead to repair delays Pipeline crossings often use poly protection systems. For replacement banding is an essential consumable Can reduce inventory costs, but requires mutual management and agreement Lack of procedures or conformance to supplier guidelines may lead to damage or warranty invalidation Slide 34

35 Fault Prevention Benefits of Offshore Liaison Programs Main benefit is fault prevention. If an offshore liaison program prevents just 1 cable fault, it could save $250K+ in repair costs Better co-operation from fishing fleets and other maritime industry's The Toolbox AIS (Automatic Identification System) allows online alerts and ID of ships in proximity to cables Cable awareness programs charts websites Port Visits Cable Protection Committees latest developments in cable protection, opportunity to gain shared industry experiences and solutions Lobbying government authorities for cable protection zones Slide 35

36 Lessons Learnt OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE Speed to repair is essential to restore communications and reduce risk of more disruption Careful selection of DMOQ/KPIs will improve the service provided and act as an incentive Good selection and management of spares will prevent surprises when you least want them - during repair operations Make sure you have a good understanding of the permitting requirements in all the maritime jurisdictions crossed by your network Offshore liaison programs can make a difference, but activities should be tailored to address local scenarios in the most effective way Use of shipboard owners representatives can benefit both the maintenance service provider and the cable owner(s). Slide 36

37 GUIDE Session 4 - Summary SUMMARY Marine-related engineering and operations are critical to reliability and reparability of any undersea network Things to take away Thorough engineering planning will have a positive impact throughout the project lifespan Well planned and structured procurement and contracting will result in better survey, installation and maintenance for all Experienced submarine cable industry marine personnel will bring huge benefits to all aspects of a project, on all sides Permitting can be a critical factor Slide 37

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