Papua New Guinea: Tritech’s Technology for Nautilus’ Solwara 1 Project

Tritech has recently supplied Soil Machine Dynamics (SMD) with Gemini Multibeam Imaging and Profiling sonars for installation on 3 SMD vehicles, built for the Nautilus Minerals Solwara 1 Project.

The titanium multibeam sonar package is based on Tritech’s proprietary Gemini multibeam technology and, together with supplied surface processing units, will offer profiling and imaging capabilities in the world’s first deep-water mineral exploration project.

In addition to the sensory equipment supplied, Tritech has configured a Subsea Visualisation System for SMD; a modular-based software package for the processing and display of the real-time captured external sensor data and sonar imagery in an Augmented Reality (AR) view. The visualisation system will be used in conjunction with SMD Subsea Production Tools for the recovery of Seafloor Massive Sulphides in this project.

Ian Parnaby, Principal Engineer, SMD comments:

“Our confidence in Tritech’s subsea technology meant we were able to approach them with specific requirements for the Nautilus Minerals project. The supplied multibeam imaging and profiling sonars, along with the Tritech supplied Subsea Visualisation System, will provide the vehicle control room teams with a real-time and continuous view of the exploration activities, as they happen.”

Tritech’s Managing Director, Simon Beswick commented:

“Nautilus Minerals has looked to many existing industries for inspiration on the technologies and processes it could adopt in the production of seafloor massive sulphide deposits. As manufacturers of high-technology underwater sensors and sonars with years of reputable service to the Oil & Gas and Defence industries, we are delighted to have been a key supplier to SMD as part of the Nautilus Minerals project.”

The Solwara 1 Project is Nautilus Minerals’ first commercial development and is located off the coast of Papua New Guinea, at a depth of 1,600 metres in the Bismarck Sea.

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Subsea World News Staff , March 19, 2012;  Image: Nautilus Minerals