Survey ordered for first large Norwegian wind farm

Fugro has been awarded a marine site characterisation contract by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) for the Sørlige Nordsjø II offshore windfarm.

“Being awarded this project highlights our ability to provide services to the evolving Norwegian energy market,” said Robert Abelsen, service line manager for Norway, Fugro.

“We have already provided services to the smaller Norwegian floating wind test sites, and with our global experience in large-scale wind development areas, we’re looking forward to supporting the growing Norwegian offshore wind market.”

Extensive survey

The contract will include mapping the seafloor and sub-seafloor to expand understanding of the site’s geological features and support future developmental phases of the project.

Fugro will mobilise its largest state-of-the-art survey vessel, Fugro Venturer, for the project. A total area of 900 km2 will be surveyed along the eastern side of the site, with Fugro expected to acquire over 5,400 km of geophysical data.

To gain insight into seabed conditions, Fugro will use a suite of hydrographic surveying technologies and acoustic sensors including full bathymetry and side scan sonar, an ultra high resolution seismic (UHRS) survey, sub-bottom profiler and magnetometer.

Additionally, water column data from the multibeam bathymetry system will also be recorded.

Development of the Sørlige Nordsjø II will be divided into two phases of 1500 MW each and will be one of the country’s first large-scale offshore windfarms.

Cable off Malta

Separately, Fugro has announced a new contract with the Maltese government to carry out a prelimnary marine route survey for a second cable intercponnection project between Malta and Sicily.

The 118km, 200MW alternating current electric cable will be installed between Maghtab and Ragusa in parallel to another HVAC interconnector that was laid in 2015.

”Starting at the end of August, Fugro will provide ICM with detailed marine geophysical, geotechnical and environmental surveys by deploying state-of-the-art equipment and specialised personnel to acquire comprehensive Geo-data nearshore at the cable’s landfall and offshore in deeper water along the proposed route,” a statement confirming the deal said. ”Fugro will then combine this Geo-data with the results of their specialist post-survey assessments to advise on geohazard risk mitigation and identify a safe route for the final cable installation.”