Deep water current profile measurements for operational support and design statistics

Describes the use of acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) to provide real-time current profile information for drilling vessels operating in deep water and also discusses the quality control and post-processing of associated recorded data to provide design current statistics. Experience gained from many such deployments over the last seven years is drawn upon to make specific recommendations for instrument system configuration and data management procedures. Practicalities and limitations of the use of ADCPs from drilling vessels are also discussed. Consideration is given to mooring design details specific to this type of deployment. Practical measurement difficulties are examined such as data contamination due to direct acoustic signal reflection from sub-sea drilling components and also the case of operating in an environment of high background acoustic noise associated with vessel dynamic positioning. Quality control procedures are discussed, both for the current profile data displayed in real-time for operational support and for subsequent post-analysis of recorded data. Examples of specific details of current profile structure which have been identified using rig-mounted ADCPs but would not have been possible to observe using any other measurement technology.