Sonardyne kits out Brazilian research vessels

Brazilian geoscience services company OceanPact has chosen Sonardyne deep water positioning technology to support its research operations across the region.

The company has installed Ranger 2 Ultra-Short Baseline (USBL) systems on board its research vessels Seward Johnson and Austral Abrolhos.

The USBL will track underwater equipment and sensors deployed from the ships, including seabed corers, towed sensors and data loggers.

Both research vessels are currently on hire to Brazilian oil major Petrobras.

Ranger 2 USBL has the capability to track multiple underwater targets simultaneously to beyond 11 kilometres.

It works in shallow or deep water and is able to remotely configure and communicate with compatible instruments.

This operational flexibility was a key factor in OceanPact’s investment decision, Sonardyne said.

Raphael Melo, survey manager from OceanPact Geo, said: “For geophysical, geotechnical and environmental research and survey operations in Brazil we rely on the highest specification and highest reliability systems.

“Sonardyne’s equipment has proven to be both during our previous long-term rentals.

“This is why we have chosen now to permanently acquire this equipment for two of our vessels.

“Having the reassurance of local technical and operational support from the Sonardyne team here in Brazil is a big advantage for us also.”

Andre Moura, sales & applications manager at Sonardyne Brasil, says:

“This order from OceanPact further embeds Ranger 2’s reputation in the region.

“For those wanting accuracy and versatility, it’s proven itself time and again while also meeting the toughest specifications from oil and gas, science and survey companies.”