#MARINE WARNING - Shell E&P Ireland Limited is scheduled to carry out a 3D seismic survey off the west coast of Ireland over the Corrib Gas Field.
The planned start date of the survey is 1 June 2012 and, weather permitting, the survey should be completed around the middle of September 2012.
The seismic acquisition will comprise a two-boat operation; the M/V Ocean Pearl (call sign: LAGD6) will lay the ocean bottom cables on the seafloor and will collect all data records, while the M/V Malene Ostervold (call sign: LCIU3) will serve as the source vessel. In addition to the seismic vessels, a third vessel will act as a guard vessel.
Seismic acquisition will occur over a set of six active 12km long solid ocean bottom cables laid 400m apart on the sea bed at a depth of 350m by the M/V Ocean Pearl. At the end of each cable is a 1km lead-in section which is attached to a standalone buoy at surface. These buoys contain a power pack as well as a recording system.
Each buoy contains a radio-link with the cable-laying vessel for remote control of the buoy and for data quality control. Each buoy has a GPS receiver, so its location is well known to both seismic vessels. One by one these cables are 'rolled along', ie picked up from the northern edge of the active spread, and redeployed at the southern edge.
The M/V Malene Ostervold will be towing two seismic sources, and operating around the set of six active 12km long cables.
Radio navigation warnings will be given out daily by the Irish Coast Guard, giving the co-ordinates of the centre point of the working area for that day. All vessels will be listening on VHF Channel 16 throughout the project.
All vessels, particularly those engaged in fishing, are requested to give the seismic vessels a wide berth and keep a sharp lookout in the relevant areas.
Complete details including co-ordinates of the work area are included in Marine Notice No 17 of 2012, a PDF of which is available to read and download HERE.
