Uxo Survey Complete

By March 2021, surveys for unexploded ordnance (UXO) at the Moray West offshore wind farm site in the outer Moray Firth had been completed, clearing the way for subsequent geotechnical investigations. A Ground Engineering report dated 16 March 2021 notes that “surveys for unexploded ordnance cleared the way” for specialist marine survey company Fugro to carry out and complete the final geotechnical survey campaign for the project. This wording indicates that the UXO survey and any associated clearance activities were concluded before the geotechnical vessel began its main programme of work at the turbine and offshore substation locations. The completed UXO campaign ensured that the seabed along the planned foundation locations was safe for intrusive works such as cone penetration testing and borehole drilling. With UXO risks addressed, Fugro, supported by Aberdeen-based Vysus Group, was able to use the survey vessel Normand Flower to execute a comprehensive geotechnical scope providing full coverage of all turbine and offshore substation foundation positions. The resulting data set, together with earlier Geoquip investigations from 2019, is intended to support the detailed design of foundations across the 860 MW Moray West array. The successful completion of UXO surveys therefore represented a critical enabling milestone, removing a key safety and programme risk and allowing the project’s design work and subsequent Tier 1 procurement activities to progress on schedule.