Home / Services / Geophysical & Hydrographic Surveys
03

Geophysical & Hydrographic Surveys

One site survey, two deliverables: geophysics identifies hazards on and beneath the seabed; precision bathymetry models its shape — for pipeline routing, jack-up rig positioning and FPSO moorings.

Geophysical & Hydrographic Surveys — HPS Offshore

Service scope

  • Identification of geological faults, lithological changes and coral formations.
  • Detection of sub-surface bodies and surface gas expressions.
  • Identification of erosion, scour and internal slides.
  • Verification of natural or man-made features affecting jack-up approach and positioning.

Bathymetry & hydrography

  • High-resolution seabed mapping and 3D bathymetric modeling with multibeam echosounder (MBES).
  • Pre-lay, as-laid and post-lay surveys.
  • Subsea pipeline and cable routes.
  • Drill centers and FPSO moorings.

Survey types

  • Reconnaissance survey — preliminary pipeline route studies.
  • Seabed engineering survey — project design.
  • Detailed seabed engineering survey — prior to structure installation.
  • Detailed sub-surface engineering survey.
  • Seabed and sub-surface survey — pre-drilling well site investigation.

Equipment & systems

  • Multibeam echosounder (MBES) — seabed depth, shape and relief.
  • Side scan sonar (SSS) and Mesotech sonar — geological features of the seabed.
  • Sub-bottom profiler — first layers beneath the seabed.
  • Marine magnetometer.
  • DGNSS positioning, gyrocompass and motion reference unit (MRU) for wave compensation.
  • CTD sensor — sound velocity calculation through the water column.
  • HTP 3000 USBL transceiver — tracking of subsea vehicles and equipment to 4,000 m.

2DHR multichannel seismic

  • Deep geophysical survey using the reflection method for exploration and production.
  • Shallow and deep profiling (air gun and multichannel streamer).
  • Data on geological layers, potential hydrocarbon accumulations and sub-surface structure.

Frequently asked questions

What is a site survey and when is it required?

It is the site characterization performed before positioning a jack-up rig, laying a pipeline or cable, or installing structures: it identifies faults, shallow gas, obstructions and seabed hazards, and delivers the precision bathymetry that engineering design requires.

What equipment do you deploy on a survey?

Multibeam echosounder (MBES), side scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler, marine magnetometer, DGNSS positioning with gyrocompass and motion reference unit (MRU), CTD sensor and an HTP 3000 USBL transceiver tracking down to 4,000 m.

Multibeam vs single-beam bathymetry — what is the difference?

Multibeam covers a full swath of seabed at high point density and produces engineering-grade 3D models; single-beam only yields profiles along lines. Pipeline routes, drill centers and FPSO moorings call for multibeam.

Do you run high-resolution seismic?

Yes: 2DHR multichannel seismic with air gun and streamer, resolving geological layers, potential hydrocarbon accumulations and sub-surface structure ahead of drilling.

Need this service for your project?

Tell us about your scope, location and timeline. We respond within one business day.

Contact our team →

Other services

← All services
01

ROV Work Class Operations

02

ROV Visual Inspection

04

Subsea Positioning

05

Differential GNSS Services

06

Offshore Construction Support

07

Geotechnical Investigation