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Rotech Subsea Expands Team and Unveils New Cable Jet Trencher as it Tools up for Global Expansion
Sector-leading excavation and trenching operator, Rotech Subsea, has announced a number of key appointments and has launched a new next generation jet trenching tool - whilst adding a new boulder grab to its range of capabilities - as it gears up to meet an upsurge in global demand.
As it was unveiling its new RS1-3 jet trencher and RSBG boulder grab tools, the Aberdeen-based subsea operator has also added Alasdair MacLean and Kevin Ingram to a new Business Development team headed up by Director of Business Development, Stephen Cochrane. In addition to bolstering its global business development presence, Rotech has made key project engineer, offshore team leader and marketing hires as well as recruiting a new intake of apprentices.
Rotech Subsea’s new RS1-3 jet trencher is the latest next generation tool to be developed by the Controlled Flow Excavation (CFE) pioneer. Boasting higher soil cutting capabilities, the new tool has been purpose-built for cable trenching and will consolidate the company’s reputation for being the leader in cable trenching in Europe and beyond. The release comes as Rotech sees demand grow for primary cable scopes of work.
The new RSBG spread of equipment - which has already been mobilised to Asia on a route clearance contract - is a boulder removal tool that enhances Rotech’s pre-commissioning offering.
“With the latest round of hires we are really well positioned to meet growing global demand for our services,” said Director of Business Development, Stephen Cochrane. “Having listened to the market we have also unveiled two new additions to our suite of tools which helps us better service our client base, particularly in pre-commissioning and commissioning. We already enjoy a hardearned reputation as the go-to for IRM works in the sector.
2022 is set to be a busy year for Rotech Subsea and its industryleading RS range of trenching and excavation technology, which can deliver deeper, narrower, precision trenches with speeds more than double that of Mass Flow Excavation tools and other methods such as contact trenching systems and ploughs.
The subsea contractor’s in-house research, development and engineering team has created a suite of 15 non-contact Controlled Flow Excavation (CFE), Suspended Jet Trenching tools with further game changing enhancements to CFE and related subsea services set to be unveiled.
2021 HIGHLIGHTS
With the order book for 2022 filling up, taking Rotech Subsea’s suite of noncontact Controlled Flow Excavation, Suspended Jet Trenching tools to both new and established markets across the globe, the past 12 months has been one of the busiest periods on record for the company. Here are some of the highlights:
THAMES ESTUARY - Q3, 2021
TRS1-LD tool completed key de-burial and post-lay trenching works on 1,000m of subsea cable at the southern OWF for a major marine services player. The works further established the company as the sector-leader in controlled flow excavation (CFE) and suspended jet trenching. The TRS1-LD carried out the de-burial phase of the cable, which was 1-1.5m below seabed, in 2 passes. On the post-lay trenching phase the tool buried the cable to 1.75-2.1m in 1 pass.
UK WATERS - Q3, 2021
Contracted by a major subsea engineering contractor, the TRS1 CFE tool delivered a critical de-burial and re-burial project on a vital UK infrastructure project. The subsea pioneer’s RSG-C tool was used for the grab, cut and recovery of the damaged section of the cable. The post-lay trenching phase saw the cable buried to a minimum of 0.6m below seabed. Positioned perpendicularly over the cable with nozzles angled marginally inwards, the TRS1 operated at a range of 3m, progressing at 3m/min.
NETHERLANDS OWF - Q3, 2021
Commissioned by a European subsea service provider, the RS2 CFE tool executed cable repair operations to de-bury approximately 800m of existing cable before carrying out the burial of new cable. In medium-dense to dense sand the stateof-the-art suspended jet trencher carried out the re-burial at a rate of 3–5m/min. For the cable burial the RS2 operated at 3–4m above seabed with the cable lowered to 1.5–2m below seabed level.
SAINT-NAZAIRE - Q2, 2021
The RS2 controlled flow excavator completed significant export cable de-burial and re-burial works on the Saint-Nazaire OWF for a global submarine cable system giant. The RS2 was selected due to its high flow capabilities and ability to use varying nozzle sizes resulting in extremely efficient burial operations, whilst maintaining a narrow trench. The RS2 de-buried the cable in 1 pass at progress rates of 2-3m/min. Burial depth was achieved in 1 pass at 1-2m/min.
NORTH SEA - Q2, 2021
Called in after older Mass Flow Excavation technology had struggled to de-bury the cable, Rotech’s TRS2 was mobilised for major deburial and post-lay trenching works on a key interconnector for a leading cable player. The damaged cable was de-buried to allow for an omega loop to be laid then trenched in. The TRS2 was selected due to its high flow capabilities of 8000 l/s allowing for a large amount of material to be dispersed, leaving the trench open for cable extraction.
TAIWAN - Q2, 2021
A return to Taiwan for a Tier 1 offshore energy construction giant - and long-term European client - for Phase 2 post-lay trenching works at a state OWF. Works consisted of burying 10 cables to 2m TOC, meaning a total of 4 export and 17 array cable had been buried in two phases. Operating at depths of 20-30ms, in soft sand to stiff clay, the TRS1 excelled, lowering the cable to client spec in 1 pass at 2m/min.
AMERICAS - Q1, 2021
Rotech Subsea’s first foray into the United States since returning to the sector (2015) with next generation technology following the 2011 sale of first generation tech that had taken the sector by storm. Breaking back into the Americas for a major player in the subsea cable installation and maintenance sector was viewed as a milestone achievement, with the RS2 system completing de-burial and re-burial of an OWF cable. The company’s new RSG-C cable grab and cutter tool was also successfully deployed.
AUSTRALIA - Q1, 2021
Continuing its Southern Hemisphere dominance, the TRS1 successfully completed a major post-lay umbilical trenching scope for a global offshore services leader at the West Barracouta Development Project, offshore Melbourne. The TRS1 buried 6,000m of 118mm diameter umbilical to 0.6m top of cable. Operating in depths up to 50m LAT, soil conditions of medium to coarse grained sand and harder more cohesive soils were experienced, with the umbilical easily trenched to client spec in only 22 hours.
SCOTLAND - Q1, 2021
The RS2 completed a dock entrance silt clearance and pile de-burial scope at one of Scotland’s most strategic ports. The RS2 tool carried out the dispersal of silt accumulating along the dock sill gate, successfully clearing 0.6m depth of silt across the 120m entrance. The RS2 also de-buried four piles to 3m in depth and 8m in width - with an approximate evacuation time of 3 minutes per pile - to enable cutting operations.
TAIWAN - Q1, 2021
Rotech clinched a follow-on sandwave clearance and seabed levelling contract at a state-owned OWF bringing the number of active jobs in Asia to four. Won on the back of Rotech’s unrivalled European renewables track record, the high volume output TRS2 carried out 25 grid line excavations, lowering the seabed to allow vessel access. The sections levelled varied in height from 0.4 to 18m and were excavated at speeds of 4m/min and 10m/min. Once the works were completed the client retained the TRS2 on stand-by.
Rotech Subsea is a technology-driven group of companies providing innovative products to the oil & gas, energy, renewables and decommissioning sectors. For more information visit www.rotech.co.uk
