Ecosse Subsea Systems is to invest up to £3 million in developing a water-jetting tool which has the potential to double trench production rates in seabed trenching operations.
The Grampian-based subsea engineering company – set up in 1996 – has awarded a contract to Northumberland-based Osbit which specialises in bespoke engineering projects for international energy clients.
Osbit will be the lead detail design and development provider for the SCARJet subsea vehicle which features Ecosse Subsea’s water-jetting and burial performance enhancement technologies.
Michael Cowie, Technical Director, Ecosse Subsea, said: “This is a major investment which will strengthen our suite of SCAR seabed tools and offer real benefits to clients operating in the renewables and oil and gas sectors.
“It is anticipated the SCARJet could double trench production rates compared to existing trenchers in the same class, with significant time and cost savings for the end-client.
“We chose Osbit to deliver this important addition to the SCAR range because of their impressive track record, technical expertise and ability to offer a flexible approach to the project. Our operations team are looking forward to collaborating with Osbit to develop and deliver what we believe will be a game-changing trenching system.”
Osbit director Robbie Blakeman said: “We share with Ecosse Subsea a passion for delivering engineered solutions which reduce complexity and drive down costs, maximise operational effectiveness and reliability, whilst constantly improving safety.”
Meanwhile, the Banchory-based company has just completed a £5 million seabed clearance project on behalf of DONG Energy on the Race Bank offshore windfarm located off the Norfolk coast and a route clearance and trenching project on behalf of Prysmian Group on the 70-turbine Wikinger offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea.
And Ecosse Subsea was recently awarded a subsea trenching contract by European offshore specialist JD-Contractor A/S for the Kriegers Flak windfarm offshore Denmark.
Meanswhile, subsea IMR provider N-Sea has increased its fleet through the long-term charter of Siem Offshore’s offshore subsea construction vessel, the Siem Barracuda (pictured).
The vessel is equipped specifically for subsea IMR, Survey and construction operations, featuring twin WROVs, moonpool deployed, a 250T AHC crane and accommodation for 110 people.
Pixie Energy is an incubator and a facilitator of strategic research and project work, focusing on energy regulation, policy and markets at the local and national level. Find out more about Pixie Energy