ROV SUCTION ANCHOR INSTALLATION SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION
Canyon Offshore have developed a suction pile installation system both for internal use and
independent lease. This system is considered to have a number of significant advantages as follows:
• It is a single ROV operation with built in altimeter to allow progress monitoring while docked.
• It is a compact system that can be integrated into a work class ROV or a small skid
• It is fully serviced by the work class ROV with no additional surface equipment or downlines
• There is a simple low cost pile interface (Patent pending)
• It is rated to 10,000 ft. operating depth
• There is infinitely variable control with real time feedback
• There is automatic logging and reporting with data export
The system is designed to fit within the existing framework of a Triton XL work class ROV but can
also be integrated into other vehicles of a similar capability.

Canyon Offshore

Canyon Offshore
TECHNICAL DISCUSSION

General
The system proposed consists of five major components:
Suction Pump Assembly
Docking Probe Assembly
Control System/Manifold
Sensor Package
Surface laptop complete with operating software
The components, with the exception of the laptop computer, can be accommodated within the
existing framework of a Triton XL work class ROV. The suction pump assembly is the Tritech
AnchorZip 10 unit. The docking probe assembly is a proprietary Canyon Offshore design. The
sensor package has been selected by Canyon Offshore and consists of an altimeter used to
measure height off the seabed and a differential pressure transducer used to measure positive or
negative pressures in the pile with respect to ambient pressure. A differential pressure gauge is also
supplied to provide visual confirmation of the pressure differential as measured by the transducer.
Also supplied is a subsea control/manifold assembly, all subsea cables as required, surface laptop
computer, surface cables as required, and a comprehensive spares package.

Suction Pump
Canyon Offshore has selected the Tritech International AnchorZip 10 pump assembly. The
pump is a development of the successful ZipPump and ZipJet technologies manufactured by
Tritech for dredging operations. The AnchorZip 10 has been specially developed for suction
anchor installation and removal and is designed to be used with a ROV capable of providing a
minimum of 25 hydraulic horsepower. The key features of the AnchorZip 10 are:
High efficiency with only moderate demand on ROV
hydraulic horsepower
Water flow directional control
Suction relief valve
Light weight
Compact dimensions
Corrosion resistant materials
Proven tested performance
The AnchorZip 10 is supplied complete with a remote location
spares kit and an operating and maintenance manual. Pump
specifications are supplied as attachments to this document.

Docking Probe
The docking probe assembly is a Canyon designed component. The probe is mounted securely to
the front of the ROV. The probe is designed to be flown into the Canyon designed suction system
interface on the top of the suction pile or anchor. The design of the pile interface and the probe are
ROV friendly and require no special alignment to make them up. Once the docking probe is fully
inserted into the pile interface it is firmly clamped by operation of hydraulically actuated latches
included in the docking probe. The action of closing the latches energizes or compresses a seal
between the docking probe and the pile interface. The seal consists of a ¾” square section Buna
rubber profile. In the unlikely event of ROV failure the clamps release from the pile interface allowing a
“dead vehicle” recovery. The docking probe is connected to the AnchorZip 10 by reinforced flexible
 hose with appropriate pressure rating. This hose allows for AnchorZip 10 movement for water flow
reversal. The docking probe assembly is supplied with a remote location spares kit. The pile interface
has a patent pending on Cal Dive International’s behalf. The pile interface is available for purchase by
third parties.

Control System/Manifold
The control system consists of a dedicated laptop computer on the surface and a subsea PLC control
system contained in an “one atmosphere” housing. The laptop and subsea PLC communicate over a
spare RS232 channel in the ROV mux system. The subsea PLC system is also supplied with
switchable, fused 110 vac from the ROV. The laptop features a simple, intuitive Graphical User
Interface (GUI). Control of the various
functions is achieved via mouse control and
key board entry. The development of the GUI
and control code software for the PLC has been
completed using a program called Labview
developed by National Instruments. This is a
widely used highly stable software product.
Labview also provides a logging and
trending capability. A trend graph showing
pressure differential and height above
seabed against time is displayed on the laptop
GUI. In addition to the trend graph the data is
logged to hard disk and is available for export
to third party software programs such as
MicroSoft Excel™
The control system/manifold assembly incorporates a Wandfluh proportional flow control valve.
This valve provides control of the hydraulic flow to the Volvo motor on the AnchorZip 10. This
allows the operator to vary the hydraulic flow to the motor proportionally from 0 l/min to a
maximum of 75 l/min (19 US GPM). Variable flow control allows the operator to set the
AnchorZip 10 pump at a speed that limits the maximum head or differential the pump can
create. This speed control in combination with the hydraulic pressure across the motor provides
the performance characteristics of the system. A complete set of spares for the subsea PLC is
provided along with copies of the operating software. The control system also provides the
electrical interface to the sensors provided.

Sensor Package
The sensors include a differential pressure transducer, altimeter, differential pressure gauge and
provision is also made for a water flow transducer.
The pressure transducer is manufactured by Stellar Technology Incorporated. The unit is
designed for subsea operation and has a depth rating of 10,000 fsw. Transducers from this
product range are successfully utilized on subsea trees and completions. The line or input side
of the differential pressure transducer is connected to the docking probe, the other side of the
transducer is open to ambient pressure. The transducer has an operating range of +/- 30 psid.
The transducer monitors differential while installing or removing a suction pile. Transducers with
increased differential pressure capability can be supplied if required. Use of a different
transducer will require software adjustment.
The altimeter is manufactured by Tritech, the supplier of the AnchorZip 10. The altimeter
provides altitude or height off the seabed data. The data is displayed graphically and in
numerical units in the laptop GUI. This altimeter has a successful history of operation and is
rated for 4000 meters of seawater (MSW).
A compound differential pressure gauge manufactured by Orange Research is also provided.
This is connected to the docking probe in a similar fashion to the pressure transducer. The
gauge is oil filled and pressure compensated for correct operation at depth. The gauge is
provided to give visual correlation of the pressure differential sensed and displayed through the
pressure transducer and GUI.
Provision has been made in the subsea PLC for the incorporation of a water flow transducer.
This feature will be available as a future upgrade.
A spare altimeter and pressure transducer is provided with the system. All electrical cables for
connection to the ROV and sensors are provided along with a complete set of spare cables.
Specifications
Operating Depth 30 to 10,000 fsw (9 to 3048 msw)

Water Pump Tritech AnchorZip 10

Maximum Water Flow
Maximum Pressure Differential
Typical Water Flow
Weight in Air
Weight in Water
Hydraulic Flow
Hydraulic Pressure
3
790 gpm (180m /hr)
140 psi (9.6 bar)
0 to 350 gpm @ 108 psi
3
0 to 80 m /hr @ 7.5 bar
66 lbs (30 kg)
31 lbs (14 kg)
0 to 15 gpm (0 to 70L/min)
2500 to 3000 psi (179 to 206 bar)

Altimeter Tritech PA500/6-S

Range 12 inches to 100 feet
.3 meters to 30 meters
Beam Width 6 degress
Frequency 500 khz
Resolution .025% of Full Range (0.3” or 7.6 mm)

Differential Pressure Transducer Stellar Technologies DTT450-30BD-130

Range ± 30 psid (± 2 bar)
Resolution 0.1 psi min.
Weight 4 to 5 lbs

Differential Pressure Gauge Orange Research

Range ± 30 psid (± 2 bar)

ROV Interface Requirements

Electrical 110vac @ 2 amps max
Hydraulic 0 to 15 gpm @ 3000 psi
Communications RS232 channel

Operational History
Project Exxon Mobil- MICA
Date January 2001
Water Depth 4400 fsw
Max. Pressure Differential -17.6 psi (-1.2 bar)
Pressure Differential Range 0 to 17.6 psi ( 0 to 1.2 bar)
Depth of Penetration 72.5 feet ( 22.1 meters)
Time to Complete 1 hr 9 min.