Perbandingan Data Multibeam Echosounder, Side Scan Sonar dan Dual-head Scanning Profiler untuk Identifikasi Free Span pada Pipa Bawah Laut
Daniel Hisar Siahaan, Ir. Abdul Basith, S.T., M.Si., Ph.D.
2025 | Skripsi | TEKNIK GEODESI
Subsea pipelines require periodic monitoring to maintain their integrity. One such monitoring activity is the identification of free spans. Free span is a condition where a section of the pipeline lacks support from the seabed, causing it to hang freely. This condition can lead to excessive stress accumulation in the pipe, potentially triggering failure due to material fatigue or fracture (DNV RP F105, 2006). Therefore, a comprehensive identification of free spans on subsea pipelines is necessary to determine the appropriate maintenance measures. This practical study aims to determine the differences in free span identification for a subsea pipeline using data from a Multibeam Echosounder (MBES), a Dual-Head Scanning Profiler (DHSP), and a Side Scan Sonar (SSS), all obtained from PT. Seascape Surveys Indonesia.
The data used in this application activity includes a 2 km section of a subsea pipeline located at an approximate depth of 70 meters at an undisclosed location. The MBES and DHSP data processing was performed using Eiva Navisuite software, which included a calibration data processing stage (static equipment offset, sound velocity, tides, and patch test), survey data processing, and the method used for free span identification, which involved calculating the vertical distance between the bottom of the pipe and the seabed surface at every meter of the pipe. Meanwhile, the SSS data processing was conducted using SonarWiz 7 software, which included geometric and radiometric corrections. The method used to identify free spans from this data was manual digitization.
This applied activity produced a 1:5000 scale map featuring a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) from MBES and DHSP data, as well as imagery from SSS. The map also contains the long profile and cross profile of the pipeline and the seabed surface, as well as the free span length and height values at each kilometer post. The results of this activity showed a significant difference in the ability to identify free spans between each method. SSS and DHSP were able to identify all 29 free span locations that occurred on the pipeline, while MBES only managed to identify 13 free span locations. The longest free span detected was 37 meters, with the highest free span being 0.624 meters. This difference indicates that DHSP and SSS offer higher spatial resolution and detail in identifying free spans compared to MBES which is more suitable for large area bathymetry mapping. These findings provide an important basis for the selection of the optimal survey technology for effective subsea pipeline free span monitoring.
Kata Kunci : free span, multibeam echosounder, side scan sonar, dual-head scanning profiler, pipa bawah laut