Support for the development of third-party tools can come from a variety of sources. In the United States, third-party tool development has generally been supported by the National Science Foundation, using funds earmarked for ODP and allocated to highly ranked, unsolicited proposals. International partners operate a similar procedure.

Tools that are developed with this type of funding are specifically intended for deployment in ODP. However, ODP sometimes wishes to use existing tools that have been developed externally for different purposes. In both cases, it is important that third-party tools are certified as satisfying all the operational and safety criteria that ODP applies to its own in-house tools.

Third-party tools are required to make a transition from the development stage to certification for deployment downhole in ODP, under the management of either the ODP Logging Contractor (for wireline "logging" tools) or the Science Operator (for all others). To facilitate this transition, a set of guidelines has been formulated for the overall process of bringing the third-party tools to the development stage. The aim is to improve communications between ODP and those outside investigators who wish to develop a third-party tool, with the object of preserving ODP's safe, secure, and scientifically beneficial operations.

The following guidelines for third-party tool development were written by the JOIDES Downhole Measurements Panel and approved by the Planning Committee. These guidelines indicate a general progression through which new tools are introduced to ODP operations. More detailed technical specifications are available from the ODP Science Operator and Logging Contractor.

1. Classification of tools
ODP defines three types of third-party tools: development tools, certified tools, and mature tools. A Development Tool is either a tool that is under development externally for use specifically in ODP or a tool that has been developed outside ODP for other purposes and is being considered for ODP deployment. A Certified Tool is a tool that has been developed outside ODP, either for specific ODP application or for other purposes, and is now deemed to satisfy all the criteria for scientific deployment in ODP. Where there is likely to be a long-term requirement for the data provided by a Certified Tool, it may be a candidate to become an ODP Mature Tool. A Mature Tool is an established tool that has become part of the range of ODP tools operated routinely by the Science Operator or the Logging Contractor. Such a tool will effectively be owned by ODP and will no longer be a third-party tool.

2. Development tools
For a tool to be considered an ODP Development Tool, several criteria must be satisfied.

(1) There must be an identified Principal Investigator who is the primary proponent for the use of the tool in ODP.

(2) The Principal Investigator should formulate a Development Plan in consultation with the Science Operator or the Logging Contractor, as appropriate.

(3) The Development Plan should:

• indicate the usefulness of the proposed measurements and the financial and technical feasibility of making them;
  
• include a brief description of the tool, schematic diagram(s), details of the operational procedure, and technical specifications such as dimensions, weight, temperature and pressure ratings, cable-length restrictions, cable type, etc.;
  
• identify development milestones in terms of both the level and the timing of technical achievements;
  
• make provision for initial testing on land;
  
• satisfy safety considerations;
  
• specify shipboard requirements such as the data processing necessary to make the information accessible on board ship, any special facilities (emphasizing areas where the tool is not compatible with existing hardware and software), and appropriate technical support;
  
• make provision for transporting tools for shipboard testing, in terms of both cost and time; and
  
• contain a signed (pro forma) statement of (a) agreement with these requirements and (b) intent that the tool would be available for post-development deployment in ODP.

(4) The Development Plan must be submitted for approval to the ODP Downhole Measurements Panel (DMP). This submission should be made by the Science Operator or the Logging Contractor, as appropriate, on behalf of the Principal Investigator, who may be invited to present the Development Plan to the Panel in person.

(5) If DMP endorses the Development Plan, the Panel will appoint a coordinator to monitor on behalf of the Panel the tool's progress through the Development Plan. The Panel monitor will receive reports from the Principal Investigator on request and will present these to DMP. Day-to-day liaison with the Principal Investigator will be the responsibility of the Science Operator or the Logging Contractor.

(6) An ODP Development Tool can be scheduled for testing during an upcoming leg. Development tools must be deployed in test mode. (By their very definition they are not certified or mature tools, and therefore the scientific success of a leg should not be contingent upon the proper functioning of such a tool.)

(7) Where it becomes apparent that the Development Plan is seriously behind schedule and that the tool is unlikely to have satisfied all the above criteria prior to its planned deployment, the shipboard test should be canceled and agreement reached on a revised schedule. In particular, if a Development Tool has failed to satisfy all the above criteria 6 months before the start of the test leg, the tool should be withdrawn immediately from that leg.

(8) It is incumbent upon the Principal Investigator to ensure that the Science Operator or Logging Contractor, as appropriate, is fully advised of the tool's status before the 6 month deadline.

(9) A tool cannot be regarded as an ODP Development Tool, and therefore cannot be scheduled for testing in future legs, if the above procedure has not been followed. A Development Tool cannot be deployed on an ODP leg unless the ODP Science Operator or the Logging Contractor are fully satisfied that the terms of the Development Plan have been fully met.

(1) The tool must have satisfied all the requirements for an ODP Development Tool.

(2) The tool must have been tested at sea during ODP legs and performed satisfactorily in the opinion of the Science Operator or Logging Contractor.

(3) The Principal Investigator should formulate a Request for Certification in consultation with the Science Operator or Logging Contractor, as appropriate.

(4) The Request for Certification should:

• indicate the cost of routine operations including shipboard data processing;
  
• outline the operational requirements for routine deployment and data processing;
  
• detail the availability of spare components;
  
• provide information on adequate maintenance facilities;
  
• include an operating and maintenance manual;
  
• satisfy safety considerations; and
  
• confirm the long-term usefulness of the data.

(5) The Request for Certification must be submitted for approval to the ODP Downhole Measurements Panel. This submission should be made by the Science Operator or the Logging Contractor on behalf of the Principal Investigator, who may be invited to present the Request for Certification to the Panel in person.

(6) If DMP endorses the Request for Certification, a certificate confirming the satisfactory conclusion of tests and the compliance with all other requirements will be issued to the Principal Investigator by the Science Operator or the Logging Contractor. A copy of this certificate should be forwarded to the DMP Chairman.

(7) An ODP Certified Tool remains in the charge of the third party. It can be scheduled for deployment during an upcoming leg and would be expected to contribute to the scientific success of the leg.

(8) Tools that do not possess a certificate cannot be programmed for scientific deployment on future legs.

(1) The tool must satisfy all the requirements for an ODP Certified Tool.

(2) A Mature Tool Proposal should be submitted for approval to the ODP Downhole Measurements Panel. This submission should be made by the Science Operator or the Logging Contractor, as appropriate. DMP will advise on the long-term scientific benefits of the proposal.

(3) If DMP proposes and the Planning Committee endorses the Mature Tool Proposal, the Science Operator or Logging Contractor will proceed toward the acquisition of the tool for ODP.

(4) When several Certified Tools are competing for the same Mature Tool slot, DMP will require the appropriate contractor to evaluate all these tools and to submit their multiple-tool evaluations to DMP for Panel consideration. DMP will advise on the most suitable option(s).

(5) Tools that have not undergone this process cannot be adopted by ODP as Mature Tools and will therefore remain third-party tools.

Publications Home

ODP Home