Deep Water
Understanding the nature and mechanics of soil is one of the most critical elements in the development of offshore wind energy. Geotechnical and geophysical site characterization for foundations, mooring and cable routes are the first and most important priority for every project. An increasing number of projects will be approved in more remote and difficult locations, using both floating and fixed technology. Our innovations and experience are geared towards addressing unique challenges such as environmental restrictions, marine life preservation, challenging bathymetries and soils, and deeper waters.
Working in ultra-deep water is our specialty. Learn more about conditions and challenges in the deep waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Deepwater Drill (Nautilus 1)
Our deepwater drill reduces mob/demob costs when compared to other competing seafloor drilling technologies. Its simplified, automated wireline system is significantly more productive and reliable than any other competing seabed drilling technologies. Its flexible sampling and testing options push sampler, soil/rock coring and CPT on carousel. Because it is decoupled from the vessel, it can continue work through otherwise prohibitive weather conditions. Its remote and fully automated operation significantly improves quality and productivity while reducing risks to personnel and environment.
- Capable of operating in water depths exceeding 4000m
- 100m+ borehole depth
- Wireline CPT, sampling and coring (PQ size)
- A.P. van den Berg 10cm2 Icones
- Automated drilling operations
- Adjustable auto-levelling feet
- Subsea positioning thrusters
- Dedicated LARS
350kN Seismic Seabed CPT
Our system is an industry first, with a giant thrust force of up to 350kN, allowing us to push deeper into the seabed than any system before. The unit has been specifically designed to work in the difficult continental shelf ground conditions and tailored to meet the demands of offshore developers and operators.
- Moonpool deployed
- 350kN thrust force
- Lubricated rod system
- Continuous push in excess of 75m
- Unique coiled or straight rod push system
- Adjustable auto-levelling feet
- 10cm2 digital CPT cone
- Integrated seismic source (P and S wave)
- Real-time data acquisition
- Rod monitoring system
200kN Seismic Seabed CPT
Another remarkable tool in our arsenal is the Seabed Cone Penetration Test (CPT) system. The Seabed CPT can push to depths in excess of 50m below the seabed, thanks to its thick-gauge coiled rod system. This advanced system allows us to gather high-resolution geotechnical data from the seabed, providing valuable insights.
- Capable of operating in water depths exceeding 4000m
- 50m+ push depth
- Coiled rod cassette system
- A.P. van den Berg 10cm2 Icones
- Configurable ballast
- Integrated seismic source (P and S wave)
- Real-time data acquisition
- Rod monitoring system
- Subsea positioning thrusters
Shallow Water
In both deep and shallow water, our focus is on the engineering, development and utilization of custom-designed, remotely operated equipment to optimize productivity while increasing the safety of our personnel and respect for the surrounding environment.
Vibrocoring
Several vibrocoring units allow us to perform sampling in a broad range of water depths and environments. Using industry-leading technology, We can quickly and accurately extract high-quality samples of the seabed, providing essential data for engineering design and environmental impact assessments.
Our vibrocore equipment, rated for working in water depths of up to 300 meters, is capable of penetrating through the seafloor sediments, ensuring we obtain the most comprehensive geological and geotechnical data possible. Our team of experienced professionals has worked on a variety of projects, ranging from intertidal harbor sampling to sampling for offshore cable routes.
Seabed CPT (Roson 100)
Our class-leading Roson-100 CPT systems enable us to provide high-quality geotechnical data in even the most challenging of marine environments.
* Proven wheel drive system with a pushing force of 100 kN
* CPT depth up to 50 meters
* Deployable from medium to large vessel
* Optical fiber umbilical guarantees real-time broadband data
transmission and power supply over great distances
Med Wind
Starting in fall 2023, our team worked with renewable-energy company Renexia to study the most environmentally sustainable mooring and anchoring solutions for the turbines at Med Wind, a floating offshore wind farm project in the Mediterranean.
We used innovative sampling methods with our unique, remotely operated systems to investigate the underwater environment. We deployed our robotic seafloor drill and cone penetration testing up to 40 meters below the seafloor, in water more than 900 meters deep, to acquire geotechnical information about geohazards at the project site in the Sicily Channel. The work enables Renexia to define and design the most appropriate seabed anchoring systems for the turbines and ensure maximum attention to the surrounding ecosystem.
Tyrrhenian, Nurax, Poseidon Wind Power Projects
The project companies Tyrrhenian, Nurax, Poseidon joined forces with our teams on preliminary investigations for three planned floating wind farms in the Mediterranean. We were hired to assess seabed and subsurface conditions to inform the generation of a ground model and to progress design and installation studies for the projects’ foundations and cables. Our Deepwater CPT unit enabled cone penetration testing up to 40 meters below the surface of the seabed in water depths of up to 1,600 meters – nearly one mile deep. Our deepwater drilling system enabled collection of borehole samples for laboratory testing.
Contact Us
Project Opportunities:
Paolo Casciotti | [email protected] | +1 (713) 304 0785
Phil Crawford | [email protected] | +44 (0)7507 777 780
Fiercely focused on quality & safety
Quality and health – for humans and the environment – depend on safe practices. And safety springs from caring deeply about the work and each other while following processes properly, says Woocheen Environmental Health & Safety Manager Patrick Connor. That approach defines how we operate.
Seas Geosciences, along with all of Woocheen’s businesses, designs programs that are sure to comply with all ISO standards. That means before our work begins, we assess all hazards and craft plans to eliminate or mitigates risks. It means our hazard-identification process includes our customers and all our partners, in addition to our own team. It means we transcend mere compliance, always thinking about how we can avoid harming the environment while completing our projects. It means we share best practices and lessons learned across our businesses. And it means we are dedicated to continuous improvement.
Exceptional teamwork keeps people and planet safe.
It is Woocheen’s great fortune to benefit from Patrick Connor’s leadership. A self-described environmentalist, his unique background includes operating and captaining ships in both the seafood and offshore drilling sectors, and he has worked to protect people and planet in a wide variety of conditions, including in ultra-deep water. Woocheen’s focus on collaboration and interdependence captured his interest.
“Complicated operations take everyone’s effort as a team to make things work properly,” he says. “Particularly in safety, it’s important to develop a culture where everyone has a voice. You find the best ideas and the most astute solutions to problems from people you would not expect.”
People Powering the Planet
Josh Davies
OFFSHORE MANAGER
Josh started his career as an exploration geologist working on mining and archaeological projects before making the transition to offshore engineering. He is responsible for successfully leading and delivering our offshore geotechnical projects.
Siti Salwa Samigin
PROJECT ENGINEER
As Project Engineer, Siti is responsible for handling geotechnical data and reporting. Siti began her career in offshore geotechnical site investigation for oil and gas and wind farm development and has more than 12 years of experience in geotechnical engineering across Asia and Europe.
Luke Martin
GEOTECHNICAL MANAGER
With 15 years of global offshore geotechnical experience, Luke guides our technical work and is helping expand our engineering and lab teams and service offerings to meet even more client needs.
Dai Nelsey
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
With more than two decades of industry experience in oil and gas and offshore wind development, Dai leads the development of our geotechnical division as we expand our team of engineers and grow our asset base to deliver the highest-quality data to our clients.
Nicol Eksteen
ENGINEERING MANAGER
Nicol is responsible for structuring the flow of engineering information and managing design teams. He has 15 years of experience as a design engineer in the offshore and mining sectors.
Mark Rundle
ASSET INTEGRITY MANAGER
Mark is responsible for managing equipment specification, installation, maintenance and upgrades. He brings 15 years of experience working in the geotechnical drilling industry, mobilizing and maintaining multiple assets worldwide.
Phil Crawford
COMMERCIAL/PROJECT MANAGER
With more than 10 years of experience managing complex projects in the offshore geotechnical industry, Phil handles technical and commercial proposals and tender and project management for Seas.
