Managing biofouling on submersible equipment

Anchoring arrays and gravity anchors

  • Check for biofouling at completion of drilling or other tasks.
  • Spray wash anchors and cables on removal to remove debris.
  • Clean sand from gravity anchors, leaving it on the seafloor if this is the same region as its origin.
  • Ensure equipment is thoroughly dry before reusing.

Spud cans

  • Remove mud and debris either in-water by diver jetting prior to recovery or else on deck or land.
  • Sand blast to remove hard calcareous biofouling from flanges.

Seismic survey equipment

  • Routinely clean, and maintain all equipment on retrieval and storage and before transfer to a new location, especially hairy fairleads (if not being replaced) and streamer collar joints.

Seafloor sensing and geotechnical survey equipment

  • Routinely clean and maintain all equipment on retrieval and storage and before transfer to a new location.
  • Thoroughly clean any recovered lost equipment. Dispose of any biofouling material and seafloor sediment at the point of retrieval or store it onboard for onshore disposal.

Remotely operated vehicles (ROVS)

  • Routinely clean and maintain ROVS ensuring they are thoroughly dry prior to storage.
  • Thoroughly clean ROVs following retrieval from temporary loss or abandonment. Dispose of any biofouling material in the area of pick-up or store it on-board for onshore disposal.