Tautwires
Highly accurate and reliable (relative) position measurement of submerged objects
Overview
High-quality taut wire systems for accurate position measurement in on- and offshore environments
Whether the coordinates of a subsea cable, or the position of submerged tunnel segments – the absolute and/or relative position of (submerged) objects are generally of vital importance to the successful completion of a subsea operation. A taut wire is a highly reliable subsea metrology technique that provides detailed insight in the position of a submerged object. Seatools supplies various taut wire systems of unprecedented accuracy, which enables our clients to improve their operational efficiency and the quality of the work they deliver. Our taut wire systems stand out thanks to sophisticated algorithms that correct for catenary effects caused by currents and gravity. We combine our algorithms with highly accurate sensor technology and refined mechanical designs.
- Expertise
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- Taut wire systems for position measurement of (submerged) objects
- Subsea metrology systems
- Value creation
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- Unprecedented measurement accuracy
- Straightforward installation and calibration
- Operable in any environment: above surface, subsea, splash zone, or mixed
- Track record
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- Systems for the marine civil, offshore renewables, and offshore oil & gas
- Delivered multiple systems for offshore installation projects
- Delivered systems for subsea cable installation projects
Our HighWire enabled Boskalis to install sewer pipes in currents of up to 4 knots at an extremely high accuracy level of 1 centimeter, contributing to smooth operations and reduced valuable operating time.
HOW WE CREATE VALUE
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Straightforward installation and calibration
Calibration can be performed in a highly automated manner: the system can be calibrated on deck, immediately before an operation, and without the need for high-tech equipment or in-depth knowledge.
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Efficient operations thanks to unprecedented measurement accuracy
Our taut wires achieve unprecedented levels of measurement accuracy. With the use of algorithms that correct for catenary effects caused by currents and gravity and a combination of high-accuracy sensors with balanced mechanical designs, we are able to reach previously unattainable levels of accuracy. In practice, these extreme accuracy levels have proven to enable smooth installation operations, saving valuable offshore time.
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Operable in any environment: above surface, subsea, in a splash zone, or mixed
Multiple-zone operability has obvious benefits for subsea cable-laying processes in beach-landing areas and shallow waters where a measured object (e.g. a cable plough) travels from one zone to the next. Traversing zones does not affect the taut wire, whereas other positioning reference systems, such as a USBL, are not able to function under these circumstances.
Field-proven taut wire systems
Semi-standardized solutions
- HighWire® – Taut wire position reference system
Accurate positional data under harsh conditions
The HighWire is a robust taut wire system for offshore and submerged operations. The system can be applied in operations that require accurate and real-time positional data of submerged objects, such as during pile driving, mudmat or caisson installation, spool piece installation, and marine civil engineering projects.
Key features:
• Unprecedented measurement accuracy
• Operable in any environment: above surface, subsea, splash zone, or mixed
• Unaffected by noise
How can our taut wire systems help you achieve accurate and effective offshore and subsea installation operations? Our experts gladly discuss and advise on potential solutions for your project.
TRACK RECORD
- Project duration:
- 9 months
- Client:
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Effective positioning of submerged tunnel segments thanks to highly accurate measurement system
For the construction of the Busan-Geoje tunnel, Strukton was awarded the construction, immersion, and accurate positioning of tunnel segments. Because of the crucial importance of high accuracy levels during the subsea positioning of tunnel segments, Seatools developed a Tunnel Segment Measurement System (TSMS). The TSMS is a compact and light-weight measurement system, based on a combination of taut wire technology and accurate distance sensor technology.
- Date:
- March 2009
- Project duration:
- 4 months
- Client:
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Effective installation of sewage outfall pipes enabled by extreme measurement accuracies
In 2004, the HighWire was delivered for a project that required Boskalis to install sewage outfall pipes at water depths of 50 meters, in currents of up to 4 knots. In this setting, the HighWire® system realized an extremely high accuracy level of 1 centimeter and enabled our client to make male/female connections as quickly and smoothly as possible, and save valuable operating time.
- Project duration:
- 3 weeks
- Client:
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Accurate registration of a cable’s position during subsea cable installation projects
Thanks to the system’s success in 2004, Boskalis decided to rely on the HighWire® again to determine the position of a subsea cable plough. During the upgrade required for this project, the wire orientation was changed from nearly vertical to nearly horizontal, and a modification of both the system’s mechanical design and its software were successfully completed.
Again, the system performed excellently, even outstripping the 2004 accuracy level of 1 cm.
- Date:
- March 2006
- Project duration:
- 4 months
- Client:
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Accurate and real-time touchdown point and cable shape monitoring without ROV
On request of Tideway, Seatools developed a dedicated Touchdown Monitoring System for the installation of the Norned cable. The system, based on taut wire technology, provides accurate and real-time data about the cable’s position and shape in water depths of up to 75 meters. The system provides data at full laying speeds and, at times, strong tidal currents; conditions in which expensive ROVs are unable to operate.
- Date:
- March 2006
- Project duration:
- 4 months
- Client:
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Accurate and real-time cable departure angle measurement
During the installation of the Norned cable, our client applied this cable departure monitoring system in conjunction with the cable touchdown monitoring system. The combination was deployed in order to obtain unobstructed insight in the cable’s shape, touchdown position, and behavior. The cable departure monitoring system is executed with a Seatools Twinclino sensor, which provides the cable departure angle in two directions in a highly accurate manner.
RELATED NEWS
Completion HighWire upgrade project
19 October 2016
Seatools completed the upgrade of a HighWire taut wire system. The upgraded system will be deployed to determine the position of a subsea cable plough during a cable installation project executed by Boskalis.
CONTACT
WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT WITH OUR EXPERTS?
CONTACT FORM
OTHER CHANNELS
- General
- +31 (0) 186 68 00 00
- info@seatools.com
- Sales
- +31 (0) 186 68 00 00
- sales@seatools.com
- Service (outside office hours, emergency only)
- +31 (0)186 65 00 75