Anchor types for floating wind

22/4/2021

As wind projects move towards deeper waters, Acteon uses its moorings and anchors and foundation expertise to advise operators on the options for floating wind projects, such as this recent study they performed for an Asian operator.

Many variables are taken into consideration when choosing anchoring options, including:

• Soil and geotechnical properties
• Required precision of the embedment location
• Installation vessel capabilities
• Type of asset and mooring system
• Metocean conditions and environmental regulations
• Cost and availability of mooring components

This graphic illustrates the various anchor types and their performance in different soils and their positioning accuracy.

Acteon has the capabilities and vast experience to design, fabricate and install all these anchors.

Manufactured to the highest quality, our innovative range of drag embedment anchors is designed to suit most seabed conditions.

For clay soils, suction piles, embedded in the mud with the help of a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) releasing a valve, are a secure option, especially for large assets. Acteon has custom-designed, fabricated and installed hundreds of projects.

An alternative to suction piles, suction embedded plate anchors (SEPLA), with their reduced weight and more efficient installation, can reduce a project’s financial and environmental footprint while maintaining the same embedment accuracy as a suction pile.

For soils without sediment, our drilled and grouted solution provides a solid foundation to a mooring system for floating platforms, as demonstrated in Acteon’s recent world-first drill operations using motion compensation in deep water. In this scenario the grout provides a connection between the driven pile and the structure, enabling the transfer of loads from the structure to the supporting piles. Our team has an extensive track record in the design, validation and installation of grouts for all different types of offshore foundations in various environments.

Acteon engineering experts remain at your disposal to review your project and advise on the different mooring options available.

Download the infographic.