Oil Patch Bits: Fugro completes positioning projects in Cook Inlet

Fugro Chance Inc. said Sept. 26 that it recently expanded its regional survey capabilities to include positioning services. Debuting its global capability in Cook Inlet this August, Fugro positioned a jack-up rig onto the first offshore exploratory well to be drilled in the basin in the past 18 years.

Fugro completed the project using a number of proprietary tools. These included a local historical database for infrastructure avoidance, as well as STARFIX.NAV®, a comprehensive graphic, positioning, and navigation system.

STARFIX.NAV proved an especially important asset for the rig move, given its ability to generate position calculations without supplemental land-based survey stations. As a result, Fugro was able to greatly reduce rig downtime during the survey program, which in turn allowed the rig operator to maximize use of a short drilling season. These time savings were further enhanced by scanning sonar technology, which was used to safely assist the rig onto its final location.

In addition to the jack-up rig positioning project, Fugro performed multiple geophysical projects in Cook Inlet this summer in support of annual pipeline surveys and a decommissioning program.