In 2008, IFREMER contracted a four year research partnership with EXXONMOBIL and TOTAL to implement a GOLO research program focusing on the exploration of Eastern Corsica margin following two topics :

• Size, shape, sediment pattern and architectural complexity of channel-mouth lobe deposits and particularly on the transition area between channel-levee and lobe;
• Source-to-sink approach, imaging in the same survey paleo-shorelines, incised valleys, paleo-deltas links to canyons and associated fan deposits (sequence stratigraphy concepts).

In 2009, the consortium subcontracted FUGRO for a geological and geotechnical site investigation on the Golo margin (Golodrill cruise). At the same time, FUGRO joined the consortium as a partner for the site investigation phase.

The GoloDrill geological and geotechnical survey (SRV Bavenit vessel, from September 28th to October 17th, 2009) aimed to calibrate HR seismic facies and geometries of sedimentary bodies previously identified by using long sampling boreholes and CPT insitu measurements. The targets of interest for the 5 drilling sites were defined as follows:

• Shelf program (2 sites): calibration of the normal regressive and forced regressive prograding units (paleo-shorefaces and deltaic features) in relation with the late-Quaternary sea-level oscillations (lowstand and highstand conditions);
• Slope program (1 site): calibration of high-sedimented slope and continuous sedimentary record (dating of the key stratigraphic surfaces);
• Basin program (2 sites): calibration of the most recent levees of the south Golo channel-levees system and of its most recent terminal lobe system (interlobe areas and distal fringes of lobes).

The processing, interpretation, archiving and dissemination of the data was conducted by IFREMER after the drilling cruise. The main objective of this work is to characterize sedimentary facies, and the physical and geochemical acoustic and mechanical properties of the sediments.