Can I mount MEGA 360 on Ulterra?

This is a great question! The short answer is yes, you can mount the MEGA 360 imaging sonar on an Ulterra drilling unit. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind when doing this installation.

Overview of MEGA 360 and Ulterra

First, let’s provide a quick overview of the MEGA 360 sonar system and the Ulterra drilling platform:

• MEGA 360 is an industry-leading imaging sonar system made by Kongsberg Mesotech. It provides high-resolution 3D images of underwater structures and geology.
• Key features of MEGA 360:
  • 360-degree field of view
  • Long range – up to 120 m
  • Highly detailed images
  • Rotating transducer array
• Ulterra is an advanced drill designed and built by Atlas Copco specifically for mineral exploration drilling. Key features:
  • Lightweight, compact design
  • Powerful hydraulic top drive
  • Automated rod handling system
  • Remote operability

By integrating the MEGA 360 sonar onto the Ulterra platform, geologists can gather detailed 3D images of the strata and formations being drilled. This helps characterize subsurface geology and identify mineral deposits or other exploration targets.

Mounting Options

There are a couple options for mounting the MEGA 360 transducer on an Ulterra drill:

Fixed Mount

A fixed transducer mount can be installed directly on the drill mast or feed frame. This positions the MEGA 360 transducer at a set location to image the area around and below the drill hole. Some considerations for a fixed mount:

• Must avoid interference with drill pipe, rods, and other equipment
• Limited transducer positioning flexibility
• images straight down or at an angle from drill hole

Towed Sonar Package

The MEGA 360 transducer and associated electronics can be packaged into a towed sonar body. This gets tethered to the drill rig and towed from a cable to survey the area around the drill site. Benefits of towed sonar:

• Flexible deployment away from drill hole
• Wide range of imaging directions and positions
• Operator can actively position transducer

The downside is that a towed package involves more supporting equipment (cable, winch, floatation, etc.) to deploy and maneuver.

Power Supply

The MEGA 360 requires a 24VDC or 48VDC power input. Some options for providing adequate power from an Ulterra drill rig:

• Connect to the Ulterra’s onboard 24V power bus
• Use standalone deep cycle marine batteries
• Include a DC generator in the sonar package
• For a towed package, have batteries and/or generator on the float

Care must be taken to ensure clean, stable power for the sonar system, avoiding voltage drops or spikes.

Mounting Considerations

Here are some key factors to consider when planning the MEGA 360 installation on an Ulterra drill:

Weight and Balance

The MEGA 360 transducer itself is quite large and heavy at approximately 150 kg. The full sonar electronics rack adds another ~100 kg. This added weight needs to be accounted for in the drill rig’s stability. A counterweight may be needed on the opposite side of the mast.

Transducer Positioning

The transducer needs to be positioned such that its field of view avoids blockages from the drill mast, feed frame, pipes, etc. Consider angles for both drilling operations and transducer orientation while imaging.

Cable Management

Cables linking the transducer to the sonar electronics and topside computers need to be securely routed and protected from tangling, snagging or being damaged.

Vibration Isolation

Drilling operations generate significant vibration which needs to be isolated from the sonar transducer and electronics. Shock-absorbing mounts help protect the sensitive sonar components.

Environmental Protection

The MEGA 360 components must be protected from drilling mud/fluids, debris, and weather. Use splash guards, shields, seals and regular cleaning maintenance.

Integration and Operation

To successfully integrate the MEGA 360 with the Ulterra platform:

• Develop mounting and installation plan for transducer, cables, electronics
• Make any modifications needed to power supply, cable routing, rigging
• Test sonar functionality and positioning at different drill orientations
• Program or configure the sonar interface and automation
• Develop operating procedures and train drill operators

Normal operation should involve:

• Powering up sonar system prior to drilling
• Monitoring sonar display and data in real time
• Recording sonar logs matched to drill hole depth and orientation
• Positional adjustments as required for good imaging angles
• Routine maintenance and cleaning of transducer face

Summary of Key Points

To summarize the feasibility of mounting MEGA 360 on Ulterra:

• Integration is technically possible with fixed or towed configurations
• Must account for power, mounting, cable routing, vibration, positioning
• Adds substantial weight, so balance and stability are crucial
• With good installation, can achieve excellent subsurface imaging
• Enables precise correlation of sonar logs to drill hole geology

So in conclusion, yes the MEGA 360 can be effectively mounted on an Ulterra drill rig. This advanced integration takes thoughtful planning and preparation, but delivers tremendous capabilities for exploration geology characterization.

Example Integration Drill Rig Images

Here are a few photos showing MEGA 360 sonar systems integrated on mineral exploration drill rigs for reference:

This demonstrates some of the successful sonar integration configurations possible on different drill platforms.

References

For further reading on MEGA 360 sonars and drill rig integrations, refer to these resource:

• Kongsberg Maritime – MEGA 360 Product Specifications
• Atlas Copco – Ulterra Technical Specs
• Ellis, D.V. (2021). Underwater Acoustic Imaging with Application to Mineral Exploration. The Journal of Ocean Technology, 16(4), 18-29.
• Dunham, S. (2019). Drill Hole Surveying – Beyond the Borehole. CIM Magazine, 14(3).