UK: SMD Delivers HD3 Inter Array Cable Plough to RSPU

Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd (SMD) announced the early delivery of an HD3 inter array cable plough to Reef Subsea Power & Umbilical Ltd. (RSPU). RSPU has named the vehicle HDIA (Heavy Duty Inter Array) Plough and is to be mobilised onto the Polar Prince subsea construction vessel.

The HD3 cable plough, which is scheduled to go straight onto the Gwynt y Mor Offshore Wind Farm project, is well suited to the simultaneous or post-lay burial of large bend radius products up to 200mm diameter. It can be towed with up to 150 tonnes in consolidated soils, has on-board jetting to boost performance in sands, and is equipped with subsea loading and unloading capabilities. It has a unique feature allowing it to cut a trench at shallow trench depths (1 to 1.5m) or at deep trench depths (2.4m) with minimal risk to the product compared to a conventional plough.

The HD3 plough follows the delivery of the Q1000 jet trencher in October 2012. The Q1000 has now successfully completed sea trials and her maiden scope of work in the North Sea.

Paul Davison, SMD Trenching Manager, said: “We are particularly pleased with the successful build and delivery of this plough. To meet and exceed a challenging schedule is a testament to the SMD and Reef Subsea project teams. We look forward to supporting the plough trials and subsequent operations. Inter array cable burial with the HD plough is an enhancement to previous operations on the Polar Prince with the SMD MD3 Plough. Ploughing inter array cables is a step change in process and we look forward to supporting such innovation to help our clients improve assurance and reduce installation time.”

Tim Sheehan, Chief Operating Officer of the Reef Subsea Group, said: “These latest acquisitions to Reef Subsea Power & Umbilical position the Group at the top of its sector. The new HDIA cable plough, added to the Q1000 Trenching ROV delivered last year, allows us to answer the needs of our clients in a large range of soil conditions. Both tools can be easily mobilised onto any of Reef Subsea’s subsea construction vessels as part of our integrated subsea services.”

Daryl Lynch, Managing Director of Reef Subsea Power & Umbilical, said: “The launch of the new Heavy Duty Inter- Array cable plough is sure to place Reef Subsea Power & Umbilical as a leader in subsea installation and trenching sectors. We are extremely pleased to have secured the plough work for the next year as it will play a fundamental role in the Gwynt y Mor Offshore Wind Farm, and will then complete a workscope in 2014 on the Grane Life of Field project in Norway. With the introduction of the new plough and the jet trencher, we are well prepared to handle forthcoming wind farm and oil & gas developments in the UK, as well as in European and Nordic waters.”

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Press release, February 04, 2013; Image: reefsubsea