World's First Fabrication of Subsea Well Part Using LiDAR Data and 3D Printing

Fugro and 3D at Depth, a global provider of advanced subsea LiDAR systems and solutions, announce the world’s first application of subsea LiDAR data used to 3D Print an accurate 1:1 physical model of a damaged well part. The ability to use accurate spatial data in subsea part fabrication with 3D printing, introduces a wide range of possibilities to reduce costs across intervention planning and Life of Field programs. The subsea part fabrication was part of a larger project conducted in early 2016, using 3D at Depth’s subsea LiDAR SL 2 technology and point cloud software.
3D at Depth was contracted by Fugro to perform subsea laser scanning services on a well abandonment project in Oceania, Australia. The Plugged and Abandoned (P&A) wells located in a water depth of circa 110 meters, were drilled decades earlier and suspended at the time of drilling. Access to accurate data of the manufacture and specifications of these wellheads was limited due to their age. In order to assess feasible options for abandonment, detailed measurements needed to be acquired to achieve final abandoned status.
The survey used Fugro’s multi-role intervention vessel, the “Rem Etive” fitted with two work class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). One of the two FCV Work Class ROVs, of 3000m depth rating, was fitted with an SL2 Subsea LiDAR laser, manufactured and operated by 3D at Depth. The laser was mounted on the crash bar of the Fugro FCV3000 WROV sending near real-time data to the operator on the vessel via a fibre optic multiplexor.
Data Collection
Approximately 44 million data points were collected at the well in 13.5 hours. The LiDAR laser data was processed using point cloud processing tools to compute the spatial relationships, measurements and orientations of the seabed structures. The resulting deliverables included a 3D point cloud database, a dimensional report for each well, CAD files and a 360° animation of each well, modelled from the point cloud.
In addition to subsea LiDAR data, physical measurements were collected by the Fugro ROV using different sizes of V-gauges and rulers. Cross-referencing of the physical and LiDAR measurements with the original drawings helped identify discrepancies in existing drawing dimensions.
3D Print Process (Additive Manufacturing)
To create a 1:1 model for the design of an appropriate ‘hot tap’ connector, a 3D print of the top of the well, with its damaged stub, at full scale was required. As the large size of the well cap structure made the cost prohibitive, a hybrid Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining process, combined with a 3D print of the damaged part, was proposed by 3D at Depth as a viable alternative solution.
The first step was to re-processes the point cloud data from the top of the well and then create 3D CAD models of the separate parts. However, this process proved more challenging than first thought due to the complexity of the shape. For this particular part the auto meshing algorithms which convert point clouds into surfaces did not perform well and as a result the CAD model was developed manually, which is also common when modelling complex shapes from terrestrial laser scans.
The part was then 3D printed by means of Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technology using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) thermoplastic material. One of the other two CNC machined parts was made from Acetal and the well cap from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).
“While the individual sector scans provide millimeter accuracies, the wide area point cloud can provide a 3D dataset of centimeter accuracy across an entire drill center,” confirms Adam Lowry, MD of 3D at Depth Pty Ltd. “Wide area point clouds, when used for planning, have proven to avoid costly surprises which are otherwise only discovered after the intervention vessel is actually on location. Cost savings can be realised from almost any situation where accurate spatial data would be beneficial to planning intervention operations.”
For more information on the project, please use the following link.
3D at Depth was the first company to commercialize subsea LiDAR technology for oil and gas offshore hydrocarbon extraction. Today, 3D at Depth Subsea LiDAR data is used across a wide range of applications including subsea metrology and complex metrology, IMR planning, as-built surveys, dimensional control surveys, pipeline damage, pipeline curvature, scour quantification, subsea structure movement, scientific seafloor mapping and investigations, historic preservation, and offshore wind farms.
3D at Depth has been the recent recipient of the EEEGR Innovation Award and a finalist for the 2016 Subsea Energy Australia – Industry Innovation and Technology Award.
About 3D at Depth:
3D at Depth, provides advanced subsea LiDAR systems and solutions designed to help clients build, maintain, map and monitor underwater assets and resources. 3D at Depth’s portfolio of SL1 and SL2 Subsea LiDAR laser scanners combine integrated hardware and software technology to deliver repeatable millimetric measured point clouds to address the challenges of subsea 3D measurement and visualization. Our solutions focus on increasing the efficiencies and accuracy of data collection and visualization programs for offshore oil and gas, commercial, research and government applications. Based in the technology hub of Boulder Colorado, the company is focused on innovation and best practices to enhance 3D underwater data collection processes.
For more information visit us at www.3DatDepth.com or follow us @3DatDepth.
About FUGRO
Fugro is the world’s leading, independent provider of geo-intelligence and asset integrity solutions for large constructions, infrastructure and natural resources. We collect data on topography, soil composition and environmental conditions, both onshore and offshore. We organize the acquired data and add value through processing, interpretation and visualization. In addition, we provide geo-related design, asset inspection and integrity advice. Our services play a critical role in the entire lifecycle of our clients’ construction and infrastructure projects.
Fugro works around the globe, predominantly in energy and infrastructure markets, employing approximately 11,500 employees in around 60 countries. In 2015 Fugro’s revenue amounted to around EUR 2.4 billion. Fugro is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
For more information: www.fugro.com.
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