Echoscope Used to Contain 14 Year Oil Leak in the Gulf of Mexico
The Echoscope® real-time 3D volumetric sonar from Coda Octopus was recently used by Oceaneering and the United States Coast Guard to successfully install a containment system around a significant oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Taylor Energy offshore platform was downed by a mudslide caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and has been leaking an estimated 239 to 697 barrels per day since then. The U.S. Coast Guard intervened to contain this environmental disaster. The Echoscope, with its unique capability to both map and visualize moving objects in real-time 3D was selected to identify the source locations of the leaking oil and gas prior to remediation. The Echoscope was then used to confirm and document the correct placement of the containment system and to confirm the cessation of oil and gas leaks.
Echoscope image of oil and gas plumes continuing to rise.
Echoscope image of containment system successfully stopping the leak
Even in zero visibility water conditions, such as highly turbid waters clouded with thick oil, the Echoscope is the only sonar capable of visualizing moving objects underwater. The large, volumetric pulse of data refreshed up to 20 times per second from the Echoscope gave Oceaneering operators the unique ability to visualize oil and gas plumes from the leak, to confirm assets were placed accurately on the seabed, and to continue making real-time decisions during their operation in zero visibility conditions.
For more information on the Echoscope and how it can benefit your specific application, please visit our website or contact us here.