Cochrane Technologies, Inc. (CTI) was awarded with a certificate from the ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) for being named one of the semi-finalists for the 2011 Freedom Award. The Freedom Award is the highest recognition the U.S. Government gives to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve and CTI’s very own Chuck Sawyer (on the left) nominated CTI for the award. Chuck is an active guardsman of the National Guard and has expressed his appreciation to the company for their support. Of 4,049 nominations, CTI proudly announces that we were named one of the 150 semi-finalists nationwide. On Thursday, August 18, 2011 Roy “Ike” Nomey (right), of the ESGR Louisiana Committee came to our office in Broussard to present the certificate and Chuck was honored to accept it for the company. The 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award will be presented in Washington, D.C. in September to 15 finalists and CTI congratulates all of its recipients.

In June of 2011, Cochrane Technologies, Inc, (CTI) had the privilege of hosting a pair of interns from Carencro High School’s Academy of Information Technology. These two students worked hand-in-hand with employees at CTI to complete multiple projects that are enabling us to advance our available information in-house.

Remy Wren and Deiondre’ Green came to CTI with a desire to become more familiar with the work environment of a company that deals with technology related issues on a daily basis. While at CTI, they were an integral part of two projects.

The first one dealt with scanning and organizing paper copies of pipeline “as-builts” that the project managers, surveyors, and data analyst at CTI use to provide accurate and up-to-date information to clients and to surveyors that are performing tasks in the field. These as-builts are acquired from numerous sources, most notably the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE), Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LADNR), and the Texas General Land Office (GLO). This was a project of considerable size and attention to detail was a crucial component of the project.

The second project was at the request of our Senior Project Manager, who was gathering data to put together an information portfolio for our President. Numerous job files for work previously performed were gathered together and gone through for the purpose of analyzing and scanning pertinent materials for the project.

The students were with CTI for a total of five weeks and performed their assigned tasks with a high level of efficiency and attention to detail. They communicated well with Sean Reed, CTI’s geospatial data analyst, who was assigned as their supervisor during the internship.  According to Sean, “The interns were very helpful and very insightful. Their professionalism assured that the projects that they were assigned to went along smoothly and in a very timely manner. Their organizational skills were especially appreciated in that it made the information accessible and easy to navigate through.”

When asked about his experience at CTI, Deiondre’ said “I learned how to use G.I.S positioning, and how the company serves as a surveyor in open waters for oil companies.  I would greatly enjoy coming back to Cochrane because of my love for technology.”  Similarly Remy said, “I learned that G.I.S. is used to hold, display, and manipulate data. I think it is very important because their main objective is to survey land in the Gulf of Mexico and create a drawing from the data so that other companies can go out and lay down more pipelines.  I would definitely come back to Cochrane because everyone is so nice, it’s a great work environment, and it like one big family.”

CTI enjoyed having the students with us and had a wonderful time watching them learn and grow.  We were honored to have contributed to a part of their education.

The Louisiana Committee for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) presented Cochrane Technologies, Inc. of Broussard, LA with the 2011 Pro Patria Award. CTI’s Randy Menard, VP of Operations, and Chuck Sawyer, Project Manager, were presented with the award on Friday, April 15th at the Louisiana ESGR Employer Award Luncheon in New Orleans. Presenting the award was ESGR State Chairman Jack Humphries and National Guard Major General Bennett Landreneau. The award is given annually to employers who have provided exceptional support to their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The Pro Patria Award is the highest award given by the ESGR at the state level.

When speaking with Chuck, member of the 928th Sapper Co. in Napoleonville, LA., he stated “CTI was very supportive during our activation for Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Every year we are obligated to perform two weeks of duty and CTI has always understood my obligation to the National Guard. I am honestly amazed and appreciate the policies the company offers to members of the National Guard.”

CTI is honored to receive this award and we greatly appreciate Chuck for writing the nomination letter. Statewide recipients of the Pro Patria Award are then eligible for the 2011 Freedom Award which is the highest honor given at the National level. CTI was one of 35 businesses in the state of Louisiana to receive a nomination for the Freedom Award and has been announced as one of the 148 semi-finalist out of 4,049 nominees nationwide. CTI will continue to show the same level of support as always.

Recently three Cochrane Technologies, Inc. employees and a family member of one of our employees all received the Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal. On March 29, 2011 Randy Menard, Charles (Chuck) Sawyer, and Charles Sawyer, Sr. (Chuck’s dad), all attended a ceremony to receive their honor medals from Gov. Bobby Jindal at ceremonies held in New Iberia, La. Douglas A. Cochrane, President and CEO of CTI, also received his honor medal but was unavailable at picture time. Randy shared with this reporter about the event, “Two things that I’ve always been very proud of, was my military service and being from Louisiana. Receiving the Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal combined the two. Being part of the ceremony, and hearing some of the stories of veterans that have proudly served, was a very rewarding and humbling experience. Another thing that made receiving the medal special for me was my son being able to be there and be a part of it.”

Charles Sawyer, another medal recipient, enjoyed the honor of not only receiving a medal of his own, but being there to watch his dad receive one also. Chuck expressed, “It is very thoughtful for the current administration in Louisiana to take the time in thanking all the veterans in Louisiana. I hope this continues for many years to come. It gives the chance for veterans to bring family members to a ceremony honoring them for their service that may have taken place years ago. It was also very exciting for me to receive this medal alongside my father. I grew up watching him put on his uniform everyday and sometimes asking him what certain ribbons and patches meant. Also, it was wonderful to see our Governor take the time and patience to be part of this ceremony.

CTI is proud to have such great employees on staff and we take notice of their pride in their civic duties. Doug Cochrane, President and CEO, says, “As a proud Viet Nam Veteran, whether or not to support our troops is an easy decision to make. There has never been a question in our company’s philosophy about supporting them. Simply put, we do. We have veterans at all levels in our company. Employees with a military background and/or those in reserve service make great employees. What company would not want great employees? We look forward continued support of our employees involved with the military.”

The Veterans Honor Medal Program was created in 2008 and is managed by the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. The intention of the Louisiana Legislature is to recognize and honor all veterans in the state of Louisiana. CTI is proud of our employees who were part of the ceremony that took place.

In March 2011, CTI’s Geospatial Data Analyst, Sean Reed, participated in a class to obtain his Certified Environmental Scientist certificate through the National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP). At Cochrane Technologies, continuing education is highly encouraged. CTI’s Education Program is based on company and employee needs. Sean completed the 8 hour course and received his CES certification and states “It’s an anticipation of Land Surveying Services that Cochrane is gearing up for. We’re contemplating environmental surveys and I look forward to putting my education into practical use.” CTI’s Chief Surveyor, Joe Maniscalso says, “Looking at Sean’s educational background this certification fits and supports his degree. It will allow us to look and pursue business expansion.”

The CES course provided Sean with a greater understanding of basic principles of environmental science, which includes: chemistry, physics, biology, meteorology, zoology, earth science, and environmental health.

The winner of our 2010 OTC booth drawing was Mr. Pat Hudson, Sales Rep. for NCA Group, NCA Americas, Houston TX. He won the “Golf Buddy” a GPS golf range finder. Attendance at the Conference (OTC) reached 72,900, surpassing last year’s number of 67,700. The Conference continues to be a popular event for the development of offshore resources and is held annually at Reliant Park in Houston; the dates for 2011 are May 3-6th. For more information, visit www.otcnet.org

Recently CTI’s Jarrot Spurlock – Project Manager attended the IC3D training held at the Photon Factory Training center in Austin, Texas.

Firsthand training consisted of utilization of the IC3D software suite which combines measurement data from subsea sensors, proprietary 3D visualization technology, and video systems to capture the underwater environment specifics to aid advance collaboration, planning and operations control in underwater Smart Salvage, recovery and engineering operations.

Photon Factory Inc provides software solutions for subsea measurement and offshore engineering and salvage. Photon Factory's IC3D software is a unique suite of turnkey solutions from inspection to recovery. Safety and efficiency are focal points. IC3D is specifically designed for the offshore 3d mapping, salvage and deconstruction marketplace, offshore asset managers and owners, engineering companies, salvage operators, subsea project planning and management organization.

Cochrane Technologies, Inc. is an established leader of Offshore Navigation and Positioning services based in Lafayette, La. Established in 1980, Cochrane has maintained an outstanding reputation of providing professional services of the highest quality. Cochrane led the way to conducting cost effective surveying by becoming the first survey company in the Gulf of Mexico to use Differential Global Positioning Services (DGPS) as their primary source of navigation equipment, which has revolutionized the industry. Today Cochrane Technologies, Inc. continues the tradition of providing comprehensive cost effective navigation and positioning solutions to the Oil and Gas industry and is licensed to provide surveying services from Florida to Texas.
http://www.cochranetech.com

Telesis Geophysical Services, L.L.C. of Scott Louisiana have been performing high resolution geophysical surveys across the Gulf of Mexico since 1986. In April of 2008 Telesis Geophysical Service L.L.C (TGS) completed the acquisition of Gulf Ocean Services, Inc. Their survey vessels are equipped with qualified, experienced crews, and redundant survey gear. State of the art digitally integrated side scan sonars, marine magnetometers, multi-beam sonars, multi-channel seismic, fathometers and sub-bottom profilers are employed to ensure quality data acquisition. http://www.telesisgeo.com/ and http://www.gulfoceanservices.com.

• Improved Accuracy
• Rapid Deployment
• Lightweight & Portable

Cochrane Technologies, Inc. is in the process of field-testing the first generation production model of a simple, effective, and modestly priced device that will accurately indicate when a pipeline of any size has touched the sea bottom. The touchdown indication is activated by a specially designed switch, which gives a contact closure to indicate when the pipe is horizontal to the ocean floor. Because the device is secured to the pipe, there is no concern as to whether there is a void directly under the pipe as there would be when using a contact type switch.

The Pipeline Touchdown Indicator consists of a watertight capsule, which is strapped or connected securely to the pipe as it leaves the pipe sled and is connected by a small 2 pair cable to a handheld Power/ Indicator Module on shipboard. The cable is fed from an easy feed reel. The Power/ Indicator Module indicates:

• Whether the cable integrity is good or bad by a red or green LED.
  • If the cable breaks, a cable fault circuit will not allow any inaccurate readings and the Touchdown Indicator LED will never light.
• Actual Touchdown by a green LED and a Loud Buzzer.

The length of the connecting cable has been tested to operate past 2500 feet of length and when the underwater capsule is secured to the pipe, so as not to float, it is good to well past 1000 feet of water depth. Deeper depths would require minor modifications at modest cost. The Power/ Indicator Module can easily be modified to remote an indicator light and alarm and can be custom packaged. The underwater capsule is inexpensive and not normally recovered, but the Power/ Indicator Module is reusable. The power module operates from 12 VDC, using either a small AC supply or a lantern battery.

Click to enlarge image

Cochrane Technologies, Inc. is pleased to announce the availability of an electronic device to very accurately measure the length of pipe laid from a Lay Barge. Pipelines from 2" to 42" in diameter are supported using the prototype device and larger sizes are possible. The very accurate measuring system uses an encoder connected to a positive contact rotating wheel with resolution to one inch. The encoder output is fed by short data cable to an electronic counter scaled to read 1-foot increments. Absolute accuracy of length measurement is much better than 5 feet per mile (.1 % or better). The measurement data is converted to a standard RS 232 data string and transmitted by a Radio Data Link to one or more points of interest where it can be viewed simply as an elapsed distance in feet or applied to a navigation program for more complex systems integration. The encoder and counter respond to and keep accurate track of bi-directional movement of the pipe--- pipe moving off the barge is a positive count and any motion of the pipe toward the Barge bow is a negative count, with movement of as little as 1" accurately added or subtracted.

Designed at Cochrane's ONI Subsidiary in Slidell, LA, staffed by personnel with over 75 years of offshore experience, the Pipeline Measuring Device (Tally Wheel Counter) is a dependable, versatile and durable machine built to survive the harsh offshore environment. The counting system operates using a nominal 13.6 volt DC power supplied by a 117 V AC to 13.6V DC power supply. A battery provides backup power to operate the counting system for more than 12 hours if AC power is lost. The Radio Data Link operates on 117 V AC so that loss of Data will act as an alert if AC power is lost, allowing restoration of lost AC power. The counter also has an 8-year memory battery to retain setup and last count data. There is the very necessary capability of presetting the "Start" count, which could be a number other than zero. This feature will also allow the count to be restored if the pipe has to be disconnected and laid on the bottom because of weather, or for any other occasion that may interrupt the count. All electronic equipment is mounted inside a weather proof housing (a stainless box with a hinged lid on production models). All command control of electronics will be accomplished by the Data Radio Link, allowing the wheel/ counter assembly to be unmanned most of the time.

It is likely that mounting requirements will vary some from one Lay Barge to another. The measuring wheel and electronics can easily be adapted to virtually any mounting challenge. The prototype is designed with the wheel mounted on an "Inverted L" framework to be mounted on a plate welded to the barge deck. The mounting frame has the capability of being raised or lowered to accommodate various pipe sizes and also the ability to swing the measuring wheel 90 degrees to the port or starboard off the top of the pipe. The wheel is mounted above the pipe, and the weight of the wheel/ encoder assembly (about 90 pounds) will hold it in firm contact with the pipe. The wheel assembly will be centered over the pipe during installation and positioned forward of its mount in a "vertically floating arm" arrangement to make contact with the pipe at an angle of 30 to 60 degrees to the vertical. Because of the durable construction of the measuring wheel contact surface, no degrading of accuracy will occur from surface wear for many months or years of use. Also, because of the 1" resolution of the wheel encoder no "slippage of count" will occur as a result of back and forth movement of the pipe.

Cochrane Technologies, Inc. of Lafayette, Louisiana, USA has recently accepted delivery of another Sonardyne’s Programmable Acoustic Navigator (PAN). Sonardyne’s Programmable Acoustic Navigator (PAN) is a microcomputer-controlled unit dedicated to the transmission, reception, and decoding of acoustic signals. It is part of Sonardyne’s integrated family of underwater acoustic navigation and telemetry equipment.

The system is applicable to a wide range of tasks in underwater engineering measurement, remote control, and monitoring. This equipment, when operated in medium frequency, provides the best compromise between long range, accurate positioning and operation in high-level noise. When operating in the low-frequency band, with low-frequency COMPATTs, ranges of over 10 km are obtainable. When working with an extra high-frequency, the COMPATT’s accuracies of 30 mm or better can be achieved.

Cochrane Technologies, Inc. plans to use the PAN as a deepwater survey tool to assist in deep water construction activities including pipelay projects, template orientations, and jacket installations. The COMPATTs are deployed on the sea floor in a geometric array, and the PAN is used in conjunction with surface positioning to translate geodetic positions to the seafloor. Once calibrated, the geodetically positioned COMPATTs can then measure ranges to accurately determine the position of a COMPATT placed on the structure being installed.

Cochrane Technologies, Inc., has been a leader in Oil & Gas underwater acoustic surveys since 1980, and offers a wide variety of state-of-the-art systems to map seafloor locations, locate debris, and recover objects lost overboard.

Cochrane Technologies, Inc. (C.T.I.) has purchased (2) two of Kongsberg Simrad Mesotech’s new MS 1000 Digital Bottom Scanning Sonar Units from C.A. Richard’s & Associates Inc. CTI was involved in the design with Kongsberg of several key features of this new SONAR and performed field testing in the Gulf of Mexico. These systems offer state of the art technology like a newly designed high resolution digital sonar head capable of operating in 1000 meter water depths.

Digital data file storage and playback, user annotation, target measurement, and photo quality printing of images back the quality C.T.I. and our customers expect. By working in concert with equipment manufactures, CTI is able to offer “Customized Value Solutions” to our Gulf of Mexico oil & gas customers. This approach is far better than using the traditional approach of simply applying generic equipment to the specific needs of our customers.

Working with Diamond Services, Inc. of Amelia, La and Torch, Inc. of Gretna, La, Cochrane Technologies, Inc. recently completed survey services for the installation of nine pipelines in the South Pelto area. All pipelines linked South Pelto Block 5 “B” Structure of Bois d’Arc Offshore LTD with new wells and transmission lines in the area.

Cochrane Technologies, Inc. provided surveying services for Offshore Specialty Fabricators, Inc. to install a new United States Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Light Tower and remove the old structure at the junction of 6 Shipping Fairways approaching New York Harbor.

U.S.C.G. specifications for the installation required that the light on the three-legged structure be installed within 25’ of the proposed location and placed on a specific orientation. Cochrane Technologies, Inc. accomplished the installation phase using Differential GPS techniques and a precise gyrocompass broadcasting data via a radio link to the master computer on board the construction barge. On board the barge, key personnel were able to view and direct the installation process while viewing the display screen of Cochrane Technologies, Inc. navigation software CNAV. CNAV portrayed a scaled image of the structure in real time position in relation to an identical “ghost image” or template of the structure shown on proposed location and orientation. This setup allowed the installation supervisor to direct the installation process by aligning the real time image over the template.

U.S.C.G. specifications also required completion of a precise final survey of the three dimensional position of the structure using Real Time Kinematic GPS techniques. Review of these specifications identified that Real Time Kinematic GPS techniques could not meet the required accuracies and Cochrane Technologies, Inc. personnel proposed that a precise Static GPS survey in conjunction with a Very Short Term Tide Study be performed instead. U.S.C.G. officials approved the proposal and the final survey was completed shortly after installation was completed. The results of the Static GPS survey confirmed the light to be 6.74 feet from the proposed location and well within the 25 feet specification by the United States Coast Guard.

Cochrane Technologies, Inc., contracted to Diamond Services Corporation of Amelia, La., recently completed surveying services for the installation of the Southwest Pass Leading Light Structure for the United States Coast Guard. This structure serves as a navigation aid for shipping traffic approaching the mouth of Southwest Pass on the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.

United States Coast Guard specifications for this project required the structure to be placed within 1 foot perpendicular to the centerline of the channel and 10 feet of proposed position parallel to the centerline of the channel and meet Third Order Class 1 survey specifications. Review of these specifications identified that Differential GPS survey techniques commonly used for work in the Gulf of Mexico would not meet project specifications.

To meet specifications, Cochrane Technologies, Inc. personnel recovered NGS geodetic control monuments along Southwest Pass and ran a traverse using conventional surveying techniques to establish control at the mouth of Southwest Pass. Conventional Total Station theodolites on the established control were used to track a 360° prism mounted on the structure during installation. The Total Stations provided a continuous readout of the horizontal angle, zenith angle, and slope distance between control station and prism target. This data was broadcast via a radio link to Cochrane Technologies, Inc. proprietary navigation software C-NAV which provided installation personnel with a real-time onscreen representation of the position of the structure in relation to the proposed position. The final position of the structure was 0.44’ perpendicular to channel centerline and 1.59’ from proposed parallel to centerline.

Cochrane Technologies, Inc. (CTI) of Lafayette, Louisiana has deployed a new derivative of the Kongsberg Simrad Mesotech Ltd. (KSML) 1071 digital sonar head for bottom clearance surveys in the Gulf of Mexico with outstanding results. With this success, COCHRANE has ordered additional 1071 systems.

This latest version of the 1071 digital sonar head is used in conjunction with the MS 1000 digital sonar processor. The 'High Resolution' 675 kHz unit has a significantly wider receiver bandwidth coupled with a new 0.89 degree transducer, resulting in images with much finer resolution.

"The MS 1000 is the finest Scanning Sonar we have ever used," said Dwayne Truesdell, Vice President of Operations for COCHRANE. "KSML and COCHRANE deployed the first Bottom Scanning Sonar applications in the Gulf of Mexico over a decade ago. Today, this strategic relationship offers the latest sonar technology available. The key to our success is the support and service provided by KSML. It's not often that someone can actually talk to the person who designed the product. KSML's Mark Atherton came here, listened to our ideas, went offshore with us and we beta tested the new sonar together."

"This 'High Resolution' version of the 1071 digital sonar head was designed to meet the exacting needs of offshore oil exploration and is a significant upgrade," said Hans Gray, KSML President.

The sonar heads COCHRANE is using are prototypes. Production versions will be available in summer 2000.