During the COVID-19 pandemic, EDR fast tracked our clients’ needs and appetite for early adoption of this system, particularly where logistical challenges hindered or prevented personnel movements offshore. In conjunction with Mid Point Geo we have developed a comprehensive, high quality, standardised management and reporting service without the need for personnel in the field. EDR believe this is the 1st genuine game changer in the offshore QC market and as a market disrupter, challenges the traditional model of Offshore QCs.

Clients have been wrestling with the ongoing worldwide travel disruption, changing governmental and country restrictions for entry and repatriation as well as a need to really consider what efficiencies can be made in how their operations are run. The benefits in time, cost, HSE exposure and personnel movements whilst still allowing EDR to deliver better QC solutions are game changing.

Using Microsoft Azure’s Cloud service to host a CheckPoint v.2 SQL Database in the cloud, all Quality Control/Assurance analysis and reporting can be performed remotely. The surveys are overseen by a team of experienced Seismic/Navigation consultants via a Master Checkpoint System, ashore.

A slave system interface resides onboard the vessels and four files per sequence are loaded by the geophysical contractor. These files are all standard outputs and the data is heavily streamlined for transmission before being sent to the cloud over available satellite links. Every Sequence is then reconstructed ashore and when combined with the contractor’s logs provides sufficient insight to independently ensure the survey is being acquired within contractual specifications by our team onshore.

Tom Owen, Managing Director at Mid Point Geo commented: ‘We are building the whole interface to provide standard and custom dashboards and web tools which challenge the outdated client reporting for seismic surveys. By providing dashboards through a web interface we can provide targeted information direct to the interested parties, allowing us to move away from the bulk emailing of static reports’.

QHSE Statistics are also included. Sequence QC, Daily Reports, Weekly Reports, Monthly Reports and Final Reports are delivered as normal. Importantly, all reporting can be made available to any partners or principles in ‘real time’.

An FTP site is setup for the seismic data to view the same PNG images of the Brute Stacks, LMO Plots, Shot Gathers, Near Trace Cubes etc. which are traditionally delivered to the onboard QC client.

The Remote QC brings tremendous benefits and cost savings and whilst this is not a ‘one size fits all’, it does offer an important new tool in how clients supervise their geophysical surveys going forwards. EDR is convinced there are situations where cost, travel restrictions, type of oversight required and the need to reduce personnel offshore will make this highly applicable to specific types of project. There are circumstances where it is also highly applicable where clients are pre-funding surveys and do not want to put their own personnel physically onboard but require real time data and decision making.

EDR Remote QC™ has now been deployed on several projects in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres on multi-streamer seismic surveys in 2020 and 2021.

Edward Bowen, CEO at EDR, commented: ‘This innovation demonstrates how EDR continues to adapt their oversight options for client’s projects. We are pleased with the market uptake and are working hard to develop this service further in multiple different formats.’

Edward Bowen - CEO

March 2021

EDR Remote QC™ oversight for marine seismic surveys