GEO DATA PROCUREMENT: STREAMLINING GEOPHYSICAL AND GEOTECHNICAL SURVEYS FOR OFFSHORE WIND

Developers face challenging timelines and bottlenecks when obtaining crucial geo data for offshore wind farm developments, with greater volumes of data required compared to oil and gas projects. Therefore they must prioritise time efficiencies while trying to minimise levelised cost of energy (LCOE).

In addition to the administrative burden for installers and developers, a fragmented supply chain means multiple supplier interfaces, which may lead to inefficiencies and costly project delays.

The benefits of integrating geophysical and geotechnical surveys for offshore fixed and floating wind project timelines

Geophysical and geotechnical site characterisation surveys, essential for understanding the properties of the soil, are typically commissioned separately. However, this can lead to unnecessary project overruns and escalating costs. Tackling these obstacles requires planning and a proactive approach.

Competition between developers in the offshore wind industry is fierce, and the government’s capacity to also process permits is not getting any faster; therefore, there are bottlenecks in the development process. Developers need to be ahead of the curve and put themselves at the front of the queue for government approvals and permits.

To streamline the early phase of development and achieve a high volume of data insights quicker, geophysical and geotechnical surveys can be commissioned together rather than individually. With only a few large providers able to deliver combined geophysical and geotechnical services to meet offshore wind developers’ needs, competitively priced seabed site characterisation services are in high demand.

A streamlined approach and early engagement provide value to the procurement process. A campaign where the developer tenders for geophysical and geotechnical services together results in a significantly reduced timeframe for the completion of the site investigation phase. A one-year consolidated campaign, as opposed to one year for each phase, can be achieved, thereby significantly reducing lead times. Remote services help to further compress the schedule and accelerate the processing phase.

Acteon’s model, incorporating soil sampling and geophysical methods, enables the geophysical, geotechnical and environmental surveys to be completed in succession within the same year. This approach is particularly appealing to developers in regions, such as the UK, where the surveys are not conducted by the Government, meaning they need to commission their own to obtain the data they require.

Innovative survey solutions to deliver proprietary quality data at lower rates

The offshore wind market has followed an established model (one developer – one site – one proprietary survey) for years. However, in certain circumstances, significant economies of scale can be achieved when adopting an alternative business model.

At Acteon, we have demonstrated the efficacy of pre-auction multi-client surveys, and post-auction group shoots. These allow the developers to improve the quality of their investment decisions and accelerate the return on their investment. The survey is also significantly more cost and carbon efficient than a standard proprietary survey as the cost of the campaign is shared between neighbouring sites with one mobilisation and demobilisation fee, fewer line turns and less downtime due to adjacent crew operational interference.

Through a pre-auction multi-client model, Acteon can approach governments early to secure the permit to conduct the surveys, and then license the data to developers at competitive rates. This allows the developers to make informed strategic decisions before a development license has been obtained.

Through a post-auction group shoot a collaborative approach between developers can be taken to share costs, reduce vessel time, and carbon footprint. This approach is encouraged by governments in many places and is being used in Germany, a country where the Government is commissioning surveys of only a limited number of new sites. This model could be rolled out further in Europe, the USA, and beyond.

What makes a multi-client model work?

• Stable government regulation
  • A clear path to permits to monetise the investment
  • Customer confidence in return on investment
  • Clear regulations regarding data ownership and confidentiality.

• Time
  • For a true multi-client business model, there needs to be enough time between the announcement and closing of a license round to allow for the of a site investigation survey, especially in large areas
  • Acteon, through its Benthic, TerraSond and UTEC Geo-services brands, needs enough time to acquire the survey and deliver data to customers for use before bidding.

The model gives developers a head start catapulting them to the financing and construction phase. Achieving efficiencies early on makes all the difference when considering the whole development lifecycle.