Dieseko Group, which operates in onshore, nearshore and offshore projects, is introducing OPUS, a new Offshore Pile Upending System. It has been developed to reduce reliance on scarce and costly installation vessels. The patented concept combines the storage, transport, erection and vibro-installation of foundation piles into a single integrated process. This enables large-scale offshore foundation projects to be carried out from more widely available construction support vessels. According to the company’s calculations, this could save up to 85 per cent in vessel deployment costs for large-scale offshore foundation projects.
In the offshore sector, developers and contractors are under increasing pressure to deliver projects more quickly and with greater predictability, whilst costs continue to rise. This challenge is particularly acute in offshore wind farms, offshore energy projects and decommissioning projects, where dozens or even hundreds of similar piles often need to be installed or removed. By combining installation and removal within a single process, Dieseko Group aims, with OPUS, to make both new offshore developments and end-of-life projects easier and more cost-effective.
High costs
Offshore contractors are increasingly competing for a limited number of specialised installation vessels. As a result, the daily rates for these vessels typically range between 130,000 and 215,000 euros, whilst rates in tight markets can rise to as much as 450,000 euros per day.
Installation methods
According to the Dieseko Group, many foundation projects involving the installation of large numbers of foundation piles are still based on installation methods originally developed for heavy-lift operations using crane vessels. This creates a reliance on specialised vessels that is not always necessary for the type of piles being installed or removed from the seabed.
Projects involving large numbers of foundation piles at sea
OPUS has been developed for projects involving large numbers of foundation piles. The concept combines transport, storage, erection and installation into a single integrated process that can be carried out from more widely available vessel classes, such as Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) and Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessels (AHTSs). According to calculations by the Dieseko Group, a project involving 120 to 200 foundation piles can thus save 13 to 16 offshore working days and reduce vessel deployment costs by 5 to 6 million euros.
Growing demand for offshore anchoring systems
Floating offshore wind farms, offshore solar farms and the decommissioning of offshore structures that have reached the end of their service life will further increase the demand for efficient offshore installation and decommissioning systems in the coming years. “Offshore developers and operators are under increasing pressure to carry out projects more quickly, with greater predictability and with less reliance on scarce installation vessels,” says Marco Wiedijk, Director of Offshore at Dieseko Group.
Different approach
“We see opportunities to take a different approach to the way repetitive foundation projects are carried out, whether in offshore wind, offshore energy or decommissioning. OPUS has been developed precisely for these applications. That is why we are actively seeking a partner who wants to validate the concept in practice and develop it further together with us,” concludes Wiedijk.
Source and photo: Dieseko Group
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