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Applied Geomorphology and Geohazard Assessment for Deepwater Development

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Submarine Geomorphology

Part of the book series: Springer Geology ((SPRINGERGEOL))

Abstract

Development of offshore hydrocarbon resources has in recent decades advanced into frontier deepwater regions around the world posing significant technical challenges for the design and installation of oil and gas wells and facilities. Development sites are typically remote and inaccessible and little is known about the seabed geomorphology and ground conditions to be encountered. Potential geohazards are at a larger scale than found onshore and include deep canyons and terrain highs, landslides and turbidity flows, faults, salt diapirism, gas/fluid expulsion, sedimentary bedforms and adverse soil conditions. Triggering events may include seismicity, volcanism, deep ocean currents and construction activity. Early acquisition and calibration of field-wide Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) high-resolution data is essential to ensure that development plans are not exposed to avoidable geohazard risks. A key element of the approach is the application of integrated geophysical, geomorphological and geotechnical methods that make best use of high-resolution data. This paper presents an illustrated approach for applied geomorphology and geohazard assessment for deepwater development that has been adopted by leading offshore oil and gas companies. Experience from major projects around the world demonstrates considerable value in the avoidance and de-risking of geohazards through comprehensive geomorphological assessment.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to colleagues in BP, Statoil (formerly Norsk-Hydro), IntecSea, Royal Dutch Shell (formerly BG Group), Tullow, CH2M (formerly Halcrow Group Ltd) D'Appolonia, NGI and Fugro for their collaboration in developing the subsea geomorphological mapping and geohazard assessment approach presented herein. The authors are particularly grateful to Prof. Denys Brunsden who has been an integral part of the development of the approach and mentor of the CH2M geohazard assessment team over several decades.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CH2M, Lyndon House, 62 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8PE, UK

    Roger Moore & Geoff Davis

  2. Professor of Applied Geomorphology, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RH, UK

    Roger Moore

  3. CH2M, Elms House, 43 Brook Green, London, W6 7EF, UK

    Oliver Dabson

Authors
  1. Roger Moore
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  2. Geoff Davis
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  3. Oliver Dabson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roger Moore .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Geology & Seafloor Surveying Group, Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malta, Msida, Malta

    Aaron Micallef

  2. Institute of Geosciences, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

    Sebastian Krastel

  3. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy

    Alessandra Savini

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Moore, R., Davis, G., Dabson, O. (2018). Applied Geomorphology and Geohazard Assessment for Deepwater Development. In: Micallef, A., Krastel, S., Savini, A. (eds) Submarine Geomorphology. Springer Geology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57852-1_23

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