Van Oord’s Aeolus vessel has halted foundation installation work for a second time at the 496MW Saint-Brieuc offshore wind project off the coast of France.
During the series of drillings on position SB57, a technical problem was observed on one of the ship’s three drills, where hydraulic fluid was observed on Aeolus’ deck and in the marine environment, during the drill’s ascent.
As soon as it became aware of the incident, Van Oord stopped all ongoing drilling activities on the Aeolus and made the decision to reassemble the affected drill.
The incident was reported by the captain of the jack-up vessel Aeolus to the CROSS Corsen (Regional Operational Center Surveillance and Rescue) and Maritime Coordination of Wings Marines (MCC).
Project developer Ailes Marines immediately applied new enhanced security protocols and environmental tools.
Three surveillance vessels were deployed in the area, of which two examined the sea surface for traces of iridescence.
Ailes Marines also conducted two helicopter flights over the area and the crews have not noted the presence of iridescence or the formation of water tables in the marine environment.
Maritime authorities also carried out a control overflight of the area.
The nautical and air resources mobilised by Ailes Marines will continue on a preventive basis during several days their surveillance mission in collaboration with the maritime authorities.
Van Oord paused work last month after Aeolus encountered a “technical problem” resulting in a leak of about 100 litres of biodegradable hydraulic fluid.
The vessel’s drills use Panolin hydraulic fluid, classified as a “readily biodegradable fluid” according to international criteria of OECD 301B, with low environmental impact.