Fugro has secured a marine site characterization contract from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) for the Sørlige Nordsjø II project, set to become the first large-scale offshore wind farm in Norway.
The work scope will include mapping the seafloor and sub-seafloor to expand understanding of the site’s geological features and support future development phases of the project.
Fugro will mobilize its survey vessel Fugro Venturer for the project. A total area of 900 square kilometres will be surveyed along the eastern side of the site, with over 5,400 kilometres of geophysical data set to be acquired.
To gain insight into seabed conditions, the company will use a suite of hydrographic surveying technologies and acoustic sensors including full bathymetry and side scan sonar, an ultra high resolution seismic (UHRS) survey, sub-bottom profiler, and magnetometer.
Additionally, water column data from the multibeam bathymetry system will also be recorded.
“Being awarded this project highlights our ability to provide services to the evolving Norwegian energy market,” said Robert Abelsen , Fugro’s service line manager for Norway.
“We have already provided services to the smaller Norwegian floating wind test sites. With our global experience in large-scale wind development areas, we are looking forward to supporting the growing Norwegian offshore wind market.”
Sørlige Nordsjø II (Southern North Sea II) covers 2,591 square kilometres and borders the Danish sector of the North Sea.
The development of the project will be divided into two phases of 1.5 GW each.
The auction for the first 1.5 GW of capacity is expected to take place this year. The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy is in the process of developing an auction model that will enable this first phase to be realized.