By Sangmin Ahn (tkdals0914@electimes.com)
Published on November 2, 2024, at 07:00
– Departure Ceremony of Geotechnical Vessel ‘G-STAR’ in Yeongdo, Busan
– The first domestically built vessel equipped with a drilling system and seabed CPT
– South Korea has long relied on overseas geological surveys due to a lack of local technology and equipment
– Proud to be the only company capable of conducting both geophysical and geotechnical surveys simultaneously
On the 25th, upon arriving at the Mastek Heavy Industries dock in Yeongdo, Busan, the glare from the sun reflecting off the sea and the bright welding sparks made it difficult to lift my head. Pushing through the noise of heavy machinery at the entrance, I came upon the 1,500-ton vessel “G-STAR,” which had secured a prime spot at the dock, standing out among the larger ships.
G-STAR is a geotechnical survey vessel created by Geoview, a Busan-based company led by CEO Kim Hyun-do. It is the first survey vessel in Korea equipped with a marine-exclusive geotechnical drill rig and a seabed CPT system, built by modifying a barge.
“In marine exploration, there are geotechnical surveys and geophysical surveys. Until now, no company in Korea has been able to conduct both simultaneously. However, with the G-STAR vessel, Geoview has become the first company to carry out both surveys together,” a company representative explained.
Choi Min-guk, a manager at Geoview, stated that G-STAR, which the company spent over 10 billion KRW modifying over the past year, is set to become a game-changer in Korea’s offshore wind industry.
Marine geotechnical surveys are a crucial step in offshore wind engineering and construction. However, due to a lack of domestic expertise, much of this work has been outsourced to foreign companies.
Geoview already operates the 1,700-ton “Geoview DP-1” and the 120-ton “Geoview NO-1” vessels for geophysical surveys and is in the process of acquiring the 500-ton “Geocean” vessel. With the addition of G-STAR, the company has now solidified its position as a comprehensive marine exploration firm.
G-STAR is a 22.2-meter-wide and 64.5-meter-long vessel, equipped with a marine-exclusive drilling system and a seabed CPT system, both of which are essential for geotechnical surveys.
“For data continuity, it is much better for a single company to conduct both geophysical and geotechnical surveys simultaneously. However, geotechnical surveys have a much higher technological barrier and require expensive equipment, which is why no domestic company has been able to establish a fully equipped system—until now,” Choi explained.
◆ The Core of Geotechnical Surveys: ‘Drilling System’ and ‘Seabed CPT’
“The equipment installed in the center tower structure of the ship is the drill derrick. It is an essential tool for geotechnical vessels. Currently, Geoview is the only company in Korea that possesses a marine drilling rig.”
When boarding the vessel, the first thing that catches the eye is undoubtedly the drill tower. The 20-meter tall drill tower is used for investigating subsea layers, directly penetrating the ground to obtain samples of the seabed and data required for offshore wind and construction. According to officials, the equipment is highly efficient, capable of conducting a minimum of 5 to 10 boreholes per month.
The G-Star is designed to operate in the relatively shallow waters of the West Sea and can conduct drilling investigations up to a depth of 150 meters, making it suitable for most domestic sites. Additionally, it is equipped with a device called the “Shear Ram,” which allows the G-Star to handle emergency situations such as sealing drilling holes and cutting drill pipes, making it the only equipment of its kind in the country.
“Now, a hole will be made in the bottom of the ship, so be careful. This space is the moonpool for conducting another method of ground investigation, the bottom-founded CPT, in addition to the drill you saw earlier.”
With Manager Choi’s explanation, a square hatch in the center of the ship opened. A moonpool is a hole drilled in the bottom of the ship, primarily used for marine drilling, diving, and the installation and retrieval of underwater equipment.
The seabed CPT (Cone Penetration Test) is a method of measuring soil resistance by slowly pressing a cone-shaped device beneath the seabed. It collects data on soil resistance, friction, and pore water pressure, making it a simpler method compared to drilling systems. It is typically used to investigate a narrower range of soil when drilling is not necessary.
“G-Star is equipped with facilities capable of conducting seabed CPT surveys up to depths of over 50 meters. Using these facilities, we can perform geotechnical surveys at various depths required for offshore wind projects.”
◆Improved Work Environment, Increased Safety and Efficiency
“Another feature of G-Star is that it not only provides excellent workspaces but also fully equipped living facilities. The vessel includes a four-story living area that accommodates up to 36 crew members, ensuring they work in the best environment. This meets the HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) standards required by global companies.”
As explained by Manager Choi, the living space inside the G-Star is well-equipped with restrooms, showers, cooking, and dining areas. HSE standards are guidelines for ensuring safety in the workplace, protecting employees’ health, and safeguarding the environment. These international standards, especially important in South Korea where marine safety regulations are lacking, are highly valued.
Geoview has made significant investments in the living and rest facilities to ensure the safety and quality of life for workers who must spend long periods at sea and on the ship. They also have a policy of conducting regular safety training.
“Safety is the top priority. That’s why we’ve made significant investments in the facilities, ensuring that workers can live in a comfortable environment and achieve optimal work efficiency during the long-term geotechnical survey process,” explained Manager Choi, with a sense of pride.
◆Strengthening Expertise and Partnering with Global Companies… ‘Value Up’ with UXO Surveys
Geoview has recently strengthened its organizational capabilities by extensively recruiting external experts from experienced international companies. They welcomed Kelvin Chow, a vice president from Fugro, a European marine exploration group. With over 30 years of experience in the global offshore wind, oil, and gas industries, Kelvin Chow will oversee roles in QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety, Environment) and vessel operations.
In addition, Geoview is accelerating its growth as a comprehensive marine exploration company by conducting UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) surveys and operating ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) based on years of accumulated experience in marine geophysical exploration. In the future, Geoview plans to enhance the safety and efficiency of the marine industry through advanced exploration technologies, positioning itself as a differentiated and competitive marine exploration specialist.
Moreover, Geoview is collaborating with Seoul National University to develop Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) technology. In this partnership, Geoview will provide MC-UHRS data to Seoul National University, while the university will handle underground velocity model derivation and subsurface structural imaging through FWI, providing accurate subsurface geostructural images. Based on this, Geoview plans to integrate geophysical and geotechnical data for further analysis.
Source: Electric Times (https://www.electimes.com)
