CSA Deploys Real-Time Automated Sound Detecting System

On Tuesday, 2 July 2013, CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA) successfully deployed a real-time automated system that immediately displays the continuous spectrogram of a live audio stream to an interactive website.  In addition to the acoustic data stream, various sound monitoring analyses are readily available on the website.

Together, CSA, SeaRobotics Corporation, and members of the Technical University of Catalonia, BarcelonaTech (Spain) have linked the autonomous platform onboard automated acoustic monitoring system to the Internet from the SeaRobotics facility in Stuart, Florida, thus creating a live connection between subsea data acquisition and a user’s desktop via an un-cabled, unmanned observatory.  The resulting data can be monitored online via CSA’s website www.oceansound.com. 

Oceansound.com is a unique web-based real-time PAM application available for the offshore industry, anticipating the future broad use of acoustic data at large spatial and temporal scales.  This unique approach provides the opportunity for a significant impact on how applied acoustic-based research is currently conducted.  Oceansound.com is designed for ease of operation (non-expert) and provides a monitoring system that operates 24/7 continuously, automatically, and without the need for post processing.

CSA’s vision is to provide solutions that far exceed current acoustic monitoring technology, increase and highlight the benefit of acoustic measurements, and demonstrate industries’ concern for the marine environment. 

For more information on CSA’s ocean sound services or the recent deployment of the automated system capable of real-time streaming to the Internet, visit www.csaocean.com or www.oceansound.com. 

CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. specializes in consulting services for Federal, State, and private industry clients in multidisciplinary projects, integrating science and technology to evaluate environmental activities throughout the world.  CSA offers a wide variety of services related to environmental management and community planning to support clients working in marine, estuarine, wetland, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats throughout the United States and overseas.

McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE: MDR) (“McDermott”) has announced  that one of its subsidiaries has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by Exxon Mobil Corporation for its Julia development. The value of the contract is included in McDermott's second quarter 2013 backlog.

The Julia field is located approximately 265 miles southwest of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico Walker Ridge area in water depths of approximately 7,000 feet. The Julia Phase I project is a subsea tie-back to a semi-submersible floating production unit and the scope includes six subsea wells, one six-slot manifold, two umbilicals, six jumpers, two flowlines with two steel catenary risers, two subsea pump modules and topsides support equipment. Production will flow through two 10-inch production flowlines with subsea single-phase boost pumps. Exxon Mobil Corporation, the operator, and Statoil each hold a 50 percent interest in the Julia field development.

“McDermott offered a very competitive solution for the Julia project with the right people, assets and technology, based on our experience with a similar deepwater Gulf of Mexico subsea tie-back project that we were awarded in 2011,” said Stephen M. Johnson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of McDermott. “The Julia subsea infrastructure requires a high level of engineering design and construction work, a key component of which is high-specification welding to help ensure long-term integrity and reliability of the subsea facilities. The installation solution we offer provides a high degree of reliability and precision using key vessels in our fleet for deepwater lowering and flexible lay, and further demonstrates our commitment to the subsea market.”

McDermott will undertake engineering, procurement and construction of the jumpers, four suction piles associated with the manifold, subsea pump, pump transformer and Subsea Distribution Unit /Umbilical Termination Assembly, as well as the transportation and installation of the manifold, suction piles, flying leads, subsea pump system, the power and control umbilicals and SDU/UTAs. McDermott will also carry out testing of the tie-back system and mechanical completion before hand over to the customer.

McDermott expects to successfully execute this high‐profile project employing its in‐house expertise and capabilities for subsea engineering, high‐spec fabrication and subsea installation. Work will commence with immediate effect in our Houston office.

McDermott deepwater installation vessel Derrick Barge 50 is expected to undertake the installation of suction piles and subsea equipment, including the manifold, pump station and transformer. The vessel’s new deepwater lowering system has the capability to lower loads of up to 480 tons to depths of up to 11,500 feet.