GIS cuts cost

Undertaken by OMM’s Survey and Subsea department, the work utilised the company’s in-house Esri GIS facilities to undertake an initial study of Forewind’s existing data as well as developing a GIS-based cost model tool to identify the optimal inter-array cable routes. Forewind will now use the tool to assess inter-array cable routes for the initial projects within its Tranche A site and it may be re-used on future tranches within the Dogger Bank zone.

OMM survey manager Oliver Taylor said, “The team used Esri ArcGIS analysis functions to write a software tool for the cost model. This tool is capable of analysing raster datasets from multiple data sources, such as seabed sediment classifications and soil shear strengths. Ultimately, this will help Forewind to plan a cable route which offers the least cost to the installer.”