3D Integrated Model: A New Vision for Cable Engineering Based on Geophysical and Geotechnical Data

The increasing necessity to integrate a faster exploration process in the marine geoscience field resulted in the diffusion of 3D geological modelling software among companies operating in offshore market sectors, improving geo-hazard assessment also in offshore windfarm industries and submarine cable routes. In this regard, Next Geosolutions took a step forward with the acquisition of a 3D geomodelling software, Leapfrog Works™ (Seequent ©), with the scope to obtain a 3D integrated model along cable routes, representing geotechnical and geophysical information in a single visualization. The dataset to build the model comprises geotechnical data from Cone Penetration Tests and Vibrocores, and high resolution seismics and sub bottom profiler data, deriving from a cable route survey carried out in the North Sea to develop an HVDC electricity transmission link. The integrated block model is created in several steps through RBF interpolation. Although the software shows some limits in the resolution of the model due to a low sampling rate against the survey corridor length, a good manual control allows to manage the result according to the interpretation of the operator. This ensures that 3D geomodelling software is a valid tool to improve geo-marine exploration and geo-hazard analysis.