SUBSEA ANIMATION

• Skills Needed: 3D Modelling, animation, storyboarding, partilce simulation, sea simulation

• Client: Firehouse

• Client URL: http://www.firehouse.co.uk/

The animation explains the capping process. When a Blow Out Preventor (BOP) is damaged, oil starts to leak. Upon detection of this leak, a ROV is sent to investigate the damage. Ships are deployed immediately from the nearest available docks carrying a new Capping Stack (CS) and Accumulator Pack (AP). Upon arrival to the incident location, the Capping Stack and Accumulator Pack is deployed with guidance from the ROV. The ROV aligns the Capping Stack onto the leaking Blow Out Preventor. The oil spill is then diverted from the Capping Stack’s main bore to its four chokes. The ROV connects the Accumulator Pack’s hydraulic line to the Capping Stack and then powers up the hydraulics. The main bore is close by the ROV by closing the rams. Each of the four chokes are then closed one by one until there is no longer a leak. The pressure is monitored by the ROV as the secondary seal is placed over the main bore.

This was a very big and challenging animation project. The most challenging and time consuming part of the project was reference material collation. Access to the equipment was difficult and took several months to obtain. However, once obtained, the project progressed quickly and smoothly. Alot of work went into creating a weathered look on all the models except the Capping Stack and Accumulator Pack which had to look new. The BOP had to look extremely weathered especially being underwater and damaged. Algae and rust were painted onto the surfaces.

The animatic phase was also a challenge. Once the storyboard was agreed, several iterations were made to perfect the timing, composition and storytelling.

The oil spill simulation was extremely challenge. Particle Flow was used to create a volumetric look to the oil spill. Several days of R+D resulted in a fairly convincing oil spill.