Sonardyne’s Groundbreaking Achievement in Seafloor Monitoring
Sonardyne has been honored with the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for it’s groundbreaking technology designed to monitor seabed movement. This advanced system is utilized worldwide by the energy sector and oceanographic researchers,providing vital insights into the dynamics of the ocean floor and the natural processes influencing it. The Queen’s Award, bestowed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister, celebrates extraordinary innovation and commercial success among UK businesses.
Revolutionary Technology for Seabed Analysis
The seabed deformation monitoring system employs a sophisticated network of autonomous, battery-operated devices that accurately measure both horizontal and vertical movements of the seabed with unprecedented precision. Initially created for the offshore oil and gas industry to detect geological risks, this technology has been embraced by the earth science community to investigate various phenomena, including underwater landslides near volcanic regions and the movements of tectonic plates in deep-sea environments.
Durable Instruments with Advanced Communication
Sonardyne’s monitoring instruments are equipped with energy-efficient electronics, long-lasting batteries, and pressure-resistant casings, allowing them to function on the ocean floor for over a decade. These devices also incorporate Sonardyne’s underwater digital acoustic communication technology, which has previously received a Queen’s award for Enterprise in Innovation. This capability enables the simultaneous deployment of numerous instruments, with data being wirelessly transmitted via unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).
Notable Users and Industry Impact
Prominent users of Sonardyne’s seafloor monitoring technology include the global energy giant Shell and the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography, a leader in earth research.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Graham Brown, Managing Director of Sonardyne, remarked, “While global positioning satellites facilitate real-time observations on land, their signals cannot penetrate water, posing important challenges for the energy and earth science sectors.We have transcended these physical limitations, ushering in a new era of seabed research that enhances our understanding of subduction zones and the associated risks of earthquakes and tsunamis.”
He added, “This award, our fourth Queen’s Award, is a testament to the dedication of our team, both at our headquarters in Hampshire and across our global offices, in addressing our clients’ most pressing underwater challenges. This year is notably special as we celebrate our 50th anniversary.”
Dr. Paul Hatchell, a retired geophysicist from Shell, stated, “Sonardyne’s technology for monitoring seafloor deformation has been transformative for Shell, providing critical insights into offshore reservoirs located in deep waters where human access is impractical. I collaborated closely with the Sonardyne team from the outset, and this award is a well-deserved acknowledgment of their commitment to innovation throughout our 15-year partnership.”
Dr. C. David Chadwell from Scripps added, “congratulations to Sonardyne on this recognition. Their extensive experience in innovative engineering and high-quality production has broadened geodetic monitoring of the seabed, extending its reach beyond a few research groups to a larger international scientific community ready to address the challenges posed by subduction zone earthquakes and tsunami risks.”
