Workshop Simulations

A major offshore wind farm developer intended to install a near shore subsea repair joint into a medium voltage export cable link. The tidal window was to be very restricted and it was therefore essential that the installation procedure was carried out as efficiently as possible whilst ensuring that all technical and quality issues were fully addressed.

Power CSL provided its facilities and engineers to allow a timed ‘dry run’ to be undertaken on a sample of the subsea cable. The trial was structured such that the majority of the repair joint components could be re-used for the live works.

Benefits arising from the trial were :-
A full review of materials and components required resulting in omissions being addressed and contingency materials being included.
The installation procedure was greatly modified to address issues raised by the trial which would otherwise have created delay during the live operation.
Slight modifications to the repair joint design.
Modifications to offshore cable and joint handling procedures.
It is estimated that the trial reduced offshore installation time by a factor of 40-50%.
Following the trial a much improved understanding of the offshore works was established.
The live works were completed to plan and well within the installation window.