KDM Completes Seabed Excavation for TOTAL E&P

Leading subsea excavation specialist KDM Marine International, part of James Fisher and Sons plc, has successfully completed a project to assist in preparing the seabed for a jack-up placement in the North Sea.

Chosen by TOTAL E&P UK, the KDM offshore team operated the Tusk DP600 Cutter Suction Dredge at one of its operating fields in the North Sea, UK. The hydraulic dredge tool mechanically cut the hard soils and deposited the spoil in areas remote from the excavation site.

Excavating new holes for the rig’s spud cans, the team worked from the Olympic Triton. The site had depressions from a previous rig which resulted in a requirement to excavate three areas each approximately 25m diameter by 3m depth. Water depth in the area was 92m.

Graham Murdoch, Operations Director of KDM Marine International, said: “This was a very challenging project due to the soils and scale of excavation required which other methods had tried and failed to overcome previously. This was also the first time the Tusk DP600 had been used in the North Sea but we were confident when looking at the scope of works that it was the tool for the job and we proved this to be the case.”

KDM Marine International holds a global agreement with Tusk Subsea Services to supply and operate its respective tools on projects. KDM Marine International operates a suite of excavation products and services, including the innovative TwinProp mass flow excavator, single prop excavators, suction dredges, pile cleaners and MudBugs.

Kenneth R Mackie, Managing Director of KDM Marine International, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of this project for TOTAL E&P UK and thank the team there for believing in us and the equipment. We look forward to developing this tool’s position in both the North Sea and international marketplaces. We have a strong relationship with Tusk Subsea Services allowing us to offer an integrated solution for a large range of subsea excavation requirements.”

Jerome Lucas, Wells Operation Manager at TOTAL E&P UK, said: “Following the various issues experienced earlier this year to dredge the location in the vicinity of a producing platform, the Tusk DP600 tool was seen as a clear step change in the dredging method combining both mechanical cutting and pumping capability at the same time. The tool clearly met the promises made by KDM in terms of efficiency and reliability. This tool is now considered field proven for harsh environments and at this water depth.”

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