SMNG has a Radionavigation Department, which has been providing positioning services of the company vessels with navigation-geodetic equipment (NGE), to be used in offshore geophysical operations both in the Russian Seas and worldwide.
Since 1991, its experienced staff has provided DGPS services. They render Differential GPS services in the Barents and Kara Seas and apply a static differential station located to the north of Kolguev Island.
The Radionavigation Department specialists have worked out an integrated navigation system RGP-2D (INS RGP-2D), specially designed for managing 2D shooting. The system is protected by patent. INS RGP-2D was installed on two SMNG shallow water vessels. To successfully identify position beyond the stations coverage, INS RGP-2D has been integrated with DGPS systems, produced by FUGRO providing DGPS services throughout the world.
The Radionavigation Department utilizes state-of-the-art high accuracy technologies to produce a position of the vessels and technological equipment at geophysical surveys.
Today high accuracy position technologies are international special-purpose services rendered by international group of companies. SMNG has long-term service agreement with FUGRO providing equipment and differential signal to be transmitted via special communication satellites of high accuracy data transmission systems such as FUGRO STARFIX, FUGRO STARFIX + and FUGRO STARFIX XP.
SMNG’s vessels are equipped with several positioning systems integrated by navigation sets with other course indicators, depth sensors, streamer positioning sensors, air gun indicators etc. As a rule, this advanced equipment is manufactured by the international leading companies, such as:
- Spectra integrated navigation systems by Concept System Ltd.;
- SG Brown 1000 gyro compasses;
- Meredian Navigate MX;
- Echo sounders by SIMRAD and RESON;
- Hydro acoustic steamer positioning systems by Sonardyne;
- Tail buoys with Fugro Sea Track positioning system and others.
RGP has highly qualified specialists on the staff, who have a wide experience in marine geodesics in terms of performing offshore 2D and 3D geophysical surveys.