Drill Rig Support
As drilling moves further offshore and into deeper waters, the impact of the oceanographic regime on operators becomes more significant. Recognising the need to support our clients in this regard, MSI offer a range of services specifically tailored for the offshore drilling industry. 

Real-time current profiling
Real-time current data through the water column can be of great assistance for a safe and successful drilling programme. Acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCPs) are deployed in purpose-built frames over the side of the drilling platform. Real-time data is then sent from the ADCP via a power / signal cable to a PC running easy to understand customised display software. The choice of ADCP depends on the water depth and can range up to 1000m using a single instrument. In addition, a combination of units can be used where the water depth exceeds 1000m with data from deployed ADCPs being telemetered to the rig in real-time using acoustic modems.

	Typical displays include: Profile of current speed & direction (graphics and tabular Warning alarm when currents exceed pre-specified limits Export of individual profiles or time series to graphic files System status checks

Real-time wave measurements

As with current measurements, real-time wave measurements can provide invaluable information during drilling operations. These are normally provided either by installing a wave measurement buoy in the proximity of the platform and telemetering the data via radio to a receiving station installed on the platform, or by installing a wave radar on the drilling platform.
Data displayed includes parameters such as significant wave height, wave period & wave direction.

Real-time weather measurements

The installation of an automatic weather station on a rig can assist in safely carrying out deck operations, as well as provide input into a decision making system for safety determined operations such as crew changes via helicopter or vessel. The data can be displayed in real-time providing parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, air temperature, air pressure, relative humidity, cloud height and visibility, and logged on the hard drive for future processing.

Weather Forecasting
Accurate site-specific weather forecasts are essential in support of offshore operations. MSI, through our association with Aerospace & Marine International, provides custom forecasts accessible 24 hours / day via a secure web server, e-mail, and / or fax, in text and graphical formats for easy dissemination and application, featuring:

• Wind speed and direction
• Sea height and period
• Primary and secondary swell height, direction, and period
• Combined wave heights
• Visibility  

As well as site specific forecasts in support of drilling operations, MSI can provide an optimum voyage routing service in support of rig tows. This service includes:-

• Initial set-up
• An Initial Route Recommendation and Voyage Forecast sent to your ship as well as to your office.
• Daily Voyage Monitoring of the ship progress and weather prospects, with en route weather advisories and diversion recomendations if necessary.
• Daily Voyage Monitoring of the ship progress and weather prospects, with en route weather advisories and diversion diversion recommendations if necessary/.
• A detailed Voyage Summary Report that is recognized worldwide as both reliable and objective.
• Weather Monitoring System (accessible 24-hours a day via the Internet), which includes en route estimations of the vessel's performance, continuously updated DR and reported positions, ETA, voyage track, weather information etc.

To support the issued forecasts, additional images can be provided as required. Examples of these are given below (move your cursor over the image for a description or click the image for a full size version). 
 

Other Services
Aside from the above-mentioned services which are of specific interest to offshore drilling contractors and their clients, MSI offers the following complementary services:

• Project Management - Full project management of all aspects of metocean projects internationally.
• Desktop Studies - Review of existing data in the form of a desktop study can provide a cost effective alternative or precursor to a physical measurement programme.
• Metocean Data Collection - Collection of oceanographic and meteorological data for operational and design purposes. This includes real-time and self-contained long term stand-alone deployments.
• Data Processing Analysis - Data quality control, processing, analysis and reporting using Matlab-based suite of software, presenting results in any client determined format
• Baseline Studies - Conducted to determine the physical and biological status of the environment at a specific location both prior to, during and after operations.
• Environmental Impact Assessment / Management- Preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Management Programs in support of proposed operations / developments.

View our Offshore Drilling Support Services brochure (178kb).

Click here for more information on the full portfolio of services MSI can offer.

For more information on our rig support services, please Contact Us