GAPS USBL is the one for Fugro Survey (Middle East)

19th February 2009 - 09:25 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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Fugro Survey (Middle East) Limited (FSME) has recently ordered another GAPS, IXSEA's pre-calibrated USBL system, because of its unique high performance in extremely shallow waters.

The first GAPS USBL was mobilized in the spring of 2008 for several construction jobs on behalf of the EPC contractor J. Ray McDermott Middle East in Qatar. A significant number of mattresses and sleepers were laid successfully between Ras Laffan and various new platforms in North Field. The environment was noisy with a water depth often less than 20m.

Following this success, FSME is now expanding its pool of USBL in ordering a second GAPS unit for the Middle East.

"GAPS presents a far better robustness to multipath and noise thanks to the 3D configuration of its head, its wideband modulation and the implantation of a powerful algorithm," explained Jean-Marc Binois, IXSEA's Area Sales Manager based in Dubai.

Mike Dravitzki (FSME General Manager) commented: "We were pleased to confirm our order for a second GAPS system following the successful introduction of the first GAPS System into the Arabian Gulf region.

This second GAPS unit will be used to accurately position the Shell Pearl GTL pipelines as they are laid by J. Ray McDermott in Qatar later this year."