SMD Hosts Reef Open Day Showcasing New QTrencher (UK)

This month has seen the successful delivery of SMD’s first QTrencher 1000 ROV to Reef Subsea Power and Umbilical (RSPU).

The QTrencher 1000 has been specifically developed for cable and pipeline burial to 2000m water depth. The ROV provides a compact high powered trenching capability for the burial of cables, umbilicals and 500mm diameter pipes up to 2-3 metres deep. The use of variable high pressure jetting optimises the trenching operation to suit a range of sea-bed conditions varying from soft to hard. The unit was delivered complete with a dedicated high sea-state launch and recovery system.

RSPU is a subsidiary of the Reef Subsea Group whose companies have been involved in the world’s two largest wind farm developments: Thanet and Greater Gabbard (both offshore UK). RSPU specialise in trenching and burial services of umbilicals and cables, and were awarded a major contract with Gwynt y Mor Wind Farm Ltd worth an estimated £40m, earlier this year.

Prior to the delivery of the Q Trencher vehicle, SMD hosted a Reef Subsea open day allowing clients to get up close and personal with RSPU’s new vehicle and its control system. The day included the QTrencher 1000’s inauguration ceremony, with MD Daryl Lynch cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

Daryl Lynch, Managing Director of RSPU commented: “With the introduction of the jet trencher and the new plough soon, we are well prepared to handle forthcoming wind farm and oil & gas developments in the UK, as well as in European and Nordic waters. I wish to personally thank all our clients and associates who came to Newcastle to see the Q1000 before commencing sea trials and offshore operations. A warm thanks to all SMD personnel who helped us in making that day a success.”

Trenching Business Stream Manager Paul Davison said: “We are very proud of the successful delivery of this new product to a new entrant into the trenching market. It has been delivered on time to a very challenging schedule and we look forward to supporting Reef Subsea Power & Umbilical through their sea trials and future operations. RSPU have also placed an order for an HD-200 Plough which is due for delivery in February next year.”

The HD3-200 Cable plough is designed specifically for inter-array cable burial for cables up to 200mm with a 3.0m MBR. The ploughs 150te bollard pull capacity ensures maximum usage of the vessels capability to allow burial up to 2.4m depth with the SMD patented multi-depth control. It is well suited to consolidated soils, including stiff clays. The plough includes jetting for dense sands and sub-sea diver-less unloading to allow rapid second end operations.

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Press Release, November 9, 2012