Fugro Quest Launches, First Stop Norfolk Offshore Wind Project

Vessels

December 1, 2022, by Aida Čučuk

Dutch geo-data specialist company, Fugro, has added a new geotechnical vessel, equipped with advanced deep-water technology, to its fleet.

According to Fugro, the vessel, named Fugro Quest, provides increased personnel and operational safety, whilst its energy-efficient design results, on average, in significantly lower fuel consumption than for other geotechnical vessels. Moreover, its ability to take hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) biofuel and remote operations and data processing capabilities support sustainable operations.

Fugro said that this type of vessel is used to determine the exact composition of the soil.

Fugro Quest is equipped with cutting-edge systems and advanced deep-water technology such as WISON® Mk V Ecodrive, SEACALF® Mk V Deep Drive® as well as dedicated coring systems and onboard soil-testing laboratory facilities, and its capabilities include the acquisition of high-quality geotechnical data from 2,000 metres below sea level.

According to Fugro, the vessel’s remote positioning and fast data-processing capabilities enable clients to access acquired project data in near real-time from the cloud.

Dennis Koenen, Fugro’s Service Line Director for Geotechnics in Europe and Africa, said: “Today’s launch is fully aligned with our path to net zero operations by 2035. Fugro Quest consumes less fuel than other large geotechnical vessels. It is hybrid ready, comes with automatic handling of tubulars and geotechnical tools and has the latest IT capabilities onboard to safely carry out operations across the globe. Bookings until July 2023 are already in place, and we’re excited to show how our new vessel can enhance the execution of our projects.”

The vessel will commence operations in December for the European energy company Vattenfall’s offshore wind farm near Norfolk in the United Kingdom.

Vattenfall’s Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone project includes the 1.4 GW Norfolk Boreas offshore wind farm, the first phase of the zone where geophysical and geotechnical site surveys are currently underway, and the Norfolk Vanguard offshore wind farm.

Vattenfall said that, once complete, the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone could produce renewable energy equivalent to the needs of over four million households.