TDI-Brooks International has completed a geophysical and geotechnical (G&G) campaign for Trident Equatorial Guinea, in the Elon field, off the coast of Equatorial Guinea.

The site survey work was performed off the R/V Proteus, a research vessel owned and operated by TDI-Brooks. The goal of the project was to assess seabed conditions before the emplacement of a drilling rig at three proposed locations, together with reconnaissance survey work at two additional platforms and along with several proposed cable/pipeline routes.

The company completed Gravity CPT (gCPT) measurements at two proposed drill sites. The gCPT tool is to transport a precisely calibrated memory cone penetrometer down to the seabed to gather dynamic PCPT cone data from the mud line to 10+ m BML.

In addition to its 1,800lb driving head with lifting bale and trigger, the rig comprises a self-contained PCPT cone penetrometer that measures tip resistance (qc), sleeve friction (fs), and pore pressure (u2) using standard ASTM dimensions and protocols for its 15-cm2 cone.

The objectives of the survey are:

• To undertake a Debris Clearance Survey (DCS) at each of the locations.
• To identify and establish areal nature of the previous spud can footprints.
• To establish the nature of the shallow soils, within the top 5m and to a depth of >20- 25m.
• To acquire deep CPT data >20m at two locations.
• To acquire representative data at nominal proposed Relief Well Locations (RWL).
• Reconnaissance of existing platforms and along proposed routes (single lines).

TDI-Brooks provides laboratory analysis on sediment samples via their laboratory facility in College Station, Texas. The environmental, geochemical, and geotechnical laboratories all provide high-quality analytical services and scientific interpretation.