TenneT Joins Subsea Cable Decommissioning Tool Development

TenneT Germany has joined DEME and Subsea Cable Assets as a development sponsor of Frequensea’s subsea cable decommissioning tool, which is being developed to recover buried offshore cables while reducing seabed disturbance. The technology uses patented vibration-induced fluidisation to reduce soil resistance around buried infrastructure, allowing cables, umbilicals and pipelines to be recovered with potentially smaller vessels and lower energy consumption. The move follows successful testing at Deltares.

 

Details of the Development

 

TenneT has joined a development programme. It became a development sponsor. This concerns a decommissioning tool. The tool recovers buried cables. It also reduces seabed disturbance.

TenneT joins existing sponsors. These are DEME and Subsea Cable Assets. The tool is from Frequensea. It targets offshore cable recovery. This supports decommissioning.

 

The Technology

 

The technology uses a novel approach. It employs vibration-induced fluidisation. This is a patented technique. It reduces soil resistance. This is around buried infrastructure.

The technology offers clear benefits. It recovers cables and umbilicals. Pipelines are also covered. It uses potentially smaller vessels. It also lowers energy consumption.

 

TenneT’s Contribution

 

TenneT brings relevant experience. It is a transmission system operator. It has offshore experience. This covers power cable infrastructure. It will contribute this to the development.

TenneT has specific plans. It will evaluate the technology’s potential. This follows successful testing. The testing occurred at Deltares. It concerns North Sea decommissioning.

 

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The Development Goals

 

The programme has clear aims. It will qualify the tool. This is for offshore deployment. It has potential applications. These include power cable recovery.

The applications reflect a growing need. Offshore windfarms are ageing. They will reach their operational end. Cable recovery will be needed. The tool addresses this.

 

Significance of the Development

 

The development addresses decommissioning needs. Offshore wind is maturing. Decommissioning will grow. The tool supports this. It reduces environmental impact.

The technology offers broader benefits. It reduces seabed disturbance. It preserves recovered materials. These could be reused. The announcement did not specify a deployment timetable.