This approach is a potential game changer for ground model development for Offshore Wind.
Offshore Wind is in its infancy in Ireland, and the conditions of the Irish Sea are going to be a challenge for installing the infrastructure needed to support the energy transition. The Irish 'Phase 1' projects face major challenges in terms of marine licensing, supply chain constraints, market cost escalations and an unproven consenting regime. The nature of the ground conditions on NISA, and the development timeframes in the Irish market required NISA to re-assess how to continue on the journey of site investigation work.
The solution was to explore a 'one and done' approach to the detailed geophysical survey - the entire site surveyd once, so when time comes, intrusive geotechnical works can be sited anywhere within the site. I was initially sceptical if this could be done - could such a thing be done such it is commercially and technical viable? My previous experience of 3D UHRS was to constrain it to defined locations - surveys on a 'box in' approach. The higher resolution is primarily a risk mitigation measure for later stages of detailed design and/or construction. On NISA, we needed that same level of resolution, across an entire 90km2 site but also combine the 3D UHRS with analogue geophysical sensors (MBES, side scan, SBP and magnetometer).
My initial scepticism (arguably warranted at the time!) was proven to be unnecessary, and it is fantastic to see how TGS has re-purposed their technology from hydrocarbon exploration survey work to support renewables. Where as previously, 3D UHRS for O&G was used to hunt out deep basement reservoirs, we have used it to investigate the shallow geology that renewables need to avail of. Combining the seismic spread with the geophysical sensors has also proven to be a viable approach and majorly advantageous.
We strive for innovation in renewables, and that should apply from the very genesis of a project. Will we all be able to get approval for multi-million euro geophysical surveys right at the outset of a project? - No, not in all cases, especially given the market conditions. But committing to as robust as possible site investigation strategy will always play dividends. The most advantageous technical solutions always end up being the most cost effective - a front load in devex spend in the early stages of a project, avoids the need for clumsy or iterative attempts at data collection, and the ultimate reward in geotechnical risk reduction and the associated cost saving.
We continue with TGS on the interpretation of the data acquired - the insight on the regional scale geology of our site has been eye opening. This will stand us in good stead for ground model development, and the detailed design that will hang off it.
Many thanks to the teams at TGS and GDG for a superbly run campaign, and my colleagues at NISA for having the drive and determination to make this a reality.
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𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗔 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 TGS
TGS delivered a full site coverage survey to NISA, by simultaneously acquiring 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮-𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗨𝗛𝗥) 𝟯𝗗 𝘀𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 with 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 to provide a single comprehensive dataset and interpretation. NISA continues to de-risk the challenging ground conditions thanks to engaging pioneering survey techniques alongside partner, TGS.
Together the four-week survey delivered a dataset that allowed NISA:
• A comprehensive understanding of the spatial variability of key soil units and properties, with the detailed UHR3D subsurface images ensuring identification of soil units and hazards.
• To eliminate uncertainty in the interpretation of the ground conditions – preventing over-conservatism and over-engineering across design workstreams.
• To significantly reduce the need for repeated data collection, streamlining workflows and lowering overall costs.
• Collect multiple datasets simultaneously preventing multi-year survey campaigns, reducing environmental impact by minimising marine disturbance, lowering carbon emissions and minimising disruption to other marine stakeholders.
This achievement underscores NISA’s commitment to innovation in site characterisation, efficient development processes, and environmental responsibility.
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