Fugro is using a new track base unit on its FCV remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for cable lay touchdown monitoring at the 400MW Rampion offshore wind farm off the south coast of England.
The Dutch company said the new unit has been introduced to improve the accuracy of positioning during cable lay operations in strong currents by enabing the ROV to run along the seabed instead of flying through the water.
It developed the new system following work on the 219MW Humber Gateway offshore wind farm in 2015, where Fugro experienced currents of up to 3.5 knots.
Fugro started cable laying at Rampion in August from its subsea construction vessel Fugro Symphony and was joined in early September by Fugro Saltire, which is conducting cable burial using one of the company’s Q1400 trenching systems.
Cable installation is divided into two phases with the first phase due for completion in October.
After a winter break the two vessels will resume installation in spring 2017, with completion expected by summer 2017.
Rampion, which is owned by Eon, the UK Green Investment Bank and Canadian energy company Enbridge, is due to be completed in 2018.
Image: Q1400 trenching system on its launcher alongside a Fugro FCV 3000 ROV (Fugro)
Fugro tracks Rampion wires
New unit utilised at 400MW project to improve cable positioning accuracy
By EBS