The Covid-19 pandemic has introduced new challenges to completing research work around the world. To complete a recent Environmental Baseline Study (EBS) for TOTAL E&P Côte d’Ivoire, Ivory Coast, TDI-Brooks International, Inc., teamed with the French environmental firm Créocéan and Benthic Solutions.
TDI- Brooks safely and efficiently deployed the R/V Proteus to blocks CI-705 and CI-706 to conduct seawater sampling and profiling (CTD rosette) as well as plankton sampling (bongo net) at 7 stations, sediment sampling (Mega Box Core) at 45 stations and live feed benthic video sled at 24 transects. The two blocks cover an area of approx. 3,200 sq kms, and present multi-target hydrocarbon prospects in water depths ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 meters.
The TDI-Brooks vessel used for this project was the R/V Proteus, a multi-use vessel suited for a wide variety of oceanographic research duties. The Proteus is outfitted with TDI-Brooks’ complete geotechnical tool kit including 20-m JPCs and 40-m CPT-Stinger/Samplers along with other TDI- Brooks standard SGE, HF, survey, EBS, cable route, etc. services. The Proteus has a Kongsberg EM-710 (1×1) hull-mounted MBES for surveys to ~2,500m water depth.
The Proteus is also equipped with satellite communications (voice, fax, and email), differential GPS, geophysical survey gear and large a-frames with high-speed winches for coring or geotechnical work. The Proteus is an ABS class and had an extensive technical refit in 2009 and 2014 making her suitable for extended voyages. Her current configuration allows up to 25 Guests /Scientists and 10 Crew.
The crew adhered to strict COVID-19 protocols and mitigation measures ensuring a safe and healthy work environment.
TDI-Brooks provides laboratory analysis on sediment and water samples via their state-of-the-art laboratory facility in College Station, Texas. The environmental, geochemical, and geotechnical laboratories provide high-quality analytical services and scientific interpretation. All 3 laboratories are staffed with highly skilled scientists and chemists who have worked in partnership with federal and state agencies as well as the private energy and environmental industry for over 24 years.
TDI-Brooks is a research and service company specializing in high-end environmental chemistry; multi-disciplinary oceanographic and environmental projects; surface geochemical exploration and heat flow; geotechnical and offshore survey projects for the O&G industry as well as federal and state agencies. Visit the TDI-Brooks website for more details.