JD-Contractor Commission Trenching Scope on Kriegers Flak Offshore Windfarm

Ecosse Subsea Systems (ESS) has secured its first subsea trenching contract in the Danish windfarm sector.

Leading European offshore service specialist, JD-Contractor A/S, has subcontracted ESS to perform pre-cut trenching works on the Kriegers Flak Offshore Windfarm project in the Baltic Sea.

Due to come online in 2022, Kriegers Flak will be Denmark's largest offshore wind farm to date, with 600MW offshore wind turbines to be erected at Kriegers Flak which will be capable of covering the electricity consumption of approximately 600,000 households.

Located approximately 45km from the coast of Rodvig, owners Energinet.dk plan to install two 220Kw submarine export cables and a 9km connecting cable between two offshore platforms.

Scottish-based ESS has previous experience of providing seabed preparation and trenching services in the Baltic Sea and this latest contract reinforces its reputation for providing efficient and cost-effective solutions for the renewables sector.

JD-Contractor A/S has been involved in the installation of subsea cables and pipelines for more than 40 years and is recognised as the pre-eminent supplier of offshore services in Northern Europe within the renewables, electrical power, utilities and infrastructure sectors.

ESS commercial director, Keith McDermott, said: "To support the installation scope ESS will deploy our SCAR 1 seabed system from JD-Contractors AHTS vessel to pre-cut trench along multiple sections where the seabed conditions are considered particularly challenging.

"Soils along the route are extremely variable and include sand, stiff clay and weathered limestone. In total, in excess of 20km of pre-cut trenching is anticipated along the routes.

"Our technologies are adept at working in varying soil conditions and are robust enough to counter weather variables. We are establishing a strong track-record of successful windfarm developments in the Baltic and North Seas and look forward to working with JD-Contractor to help deliver this ground-breaking and innovative renewables project."

Formed in 1996, ESS has evolved from a company specialising in subsea technology used in the oil and gas sector to meet the needs of the emerging renewables industry, particularly seabed clearance and trenching operations prior to cable laying for offshore wind farms and interconnectors.

Kell Thyssen, Director of International Projects of JD-Contractor, said: "JD-Contractor is pleased to have been awarded the KF protection contract from Energinet.dk.

"Due to the varied nature of the seabed in the area, the KF Protection scope of work includes both pre-trenching works in shallow and deep water, as well as embedding by means of jetting. JD-Contractor will therefore utilise a range of different spreads for the protection work, based on the knowledge that JD-Contractor has gained over the last 40 years. The spreads that will be utilised includes both own and external resources.

"JD-Contractor has chosen to team up with Ecosse for the pre-trenching operations in deeper waters, as Ecosse has the knowledge, know-how, equipment and competent personnel to support and supplement JD-Contractor for this part of the KF Protection scope of work."

Established in Aberdeen in 1996, Ecosse Subsea Systems (ESS) is a subsea technology, equipment hire and offshore engineering consultancy, specialising in Oil and Gas, Offshore Wind, Wave and Tidal industries.

ESS designs, develops, builds, hires and operates a range of subsea equipment; our technologies cover trenching, seabed preparation and clearance, pipe-lay systems, spoolbases and ambient lifting as well as offering personnel and bespoke engineering consultancy support. Our services are flexible and can be combined and tailored to your specific project requirements.

In partnership with other innovation-led companies, Ecosse Subsea Systems has developed a range of patented technologies, with other patents pending, in pipe lay and spooling, wave energy conversion and subsea lifting.

Clients include: ABB, Bibby Offshore, BP North Sea, CNR International, DONG Energy, Eon Renewables, Prysmian Group, Shell Exploration and Production, Siem Offshore Contractors and Subsea 7.