To serve our clients even further Geomil is now in the final stages of the development of its ORCA system. The name ORCA is an abbreviation of the term 'Offshore Retractable Continuation Appliance'. The ORCA system consists of a set of wireline (WL) tools and their deck supporting units.

In it very basics and simplicity; the ORCA system is designed to acquire geotechnical data from the bottom of a borehole. After taking tests and samples at the bottom of the borehole, it can be advanced where after a new set of tests and samples with the ORCA system can be taken. These cycles can be continued until limitations of the drilling process are met.

The standard version of the ORCA system is designed for operating depths up to 500m. The current standard system operates with the GEOBORE-S. Adaptors will be made available for other sizes (BL PQ - API 6 5/8). For details, please contact Geomil to see what is available and possible.

The system is very efficient with it testing and sampling; only at depths the geotechnical engineer needs tests and/or samples they will be taken. In known strata or depths which are of lower interest, the borehole can be advanced at maximum possible rate.

The ORCA system consists of 3 different downhole (DH) WL tools.

• First, there is the ORCA CPTtool which is able to make DH CPT's at a maximum thrust force of 100 kN. There are two versions available, one using a 10 cm2 cone the other using a 5 cm2 cone. The first option meets all international field standards, the latter is designed on the same principals but downscaled, resulting is a greater penetration force per cm2. The maximum effective stroke length of the CPTtool is 1,50m. In principal the CPTtool uses Geomil's standard proven digital cone techniques.
• Second, there is the ORCA Piston sampler. This Piston sampler can be used to get the best possible in-situ soil samples with least disturbance in weaker ground conditions. Sample tubes have a 3" diameter and a length of 1.00m. The tubes can, after sample extraction, be reused or packed and stored.
• Third, there is the ORCA Push sampler. The sample method of this Push sampler is less delicate as for the Piston sampler and therefore the Push sampler is more suitable in harder ground conditions and in strata where gravel or boulders occur. Sample tubes have a 3" diameter and a max. length of 1.00m.

The ORCA set is supported on deck level with its data acquisition equipment in order to communicate and download data from the ORCA CPTtool once it has been recovered back on deck. Software to analyze, compile and present the data is supported and of the standard you are used to for CPTest. Data formats used are of the international standards and thus your engineers will also be able to use their own analyzing software. Furthermore high quality actuation pumps and driveback pumps, driven by either diesel or electric motors, come with the set. The Geomil ORCA package comes with multiple sets for all DH units and advised quantities of required spare parts, to avoid surprises and costly standby time during projects.

If your professional interest has been awakened and you might see new business opportunities for your company, please do not hesitate to contact Geomil and discuss your case with our marine specialist. We will be glad to support your new ideas.

Having access to an ORCA system might extent the operating boundaries of your company.