Fred. Olsen Ocean has introduced a standalone offshore heliport concept expected to enable the offshore wind industry to integrate helicopter use into the operations and maintenance of its next generation of farshore wind farms.
Fred. Olsen Windcarrier’s UK General Manager David Matthews has said that unlike the oil & gas sector, the offshore wind industry has until now not had the in-built infrastructure to make use of helicopters effectively.
The company expects to change this with the introduction of the offshore wind specific heliport – a landing base fixed to the seabed within the turbines array – which forms part of a flexible modular concept known as Fred. Olsen Windbase.
A commissioned review of the offshore wind opportunities within the European market found that more than 64 future projects fit the criteria for Fred. Olsen Windbase – being larger than 400MW, with conditions that suit Universal Foundation’s Mono Bucket and more than 90 minutes transit time in a modern crew transfer vessel.
“Of these, 12 have been granted consent so are already in the development pipeline, and 19 are likely to be built between 2018 and 2025,” Matthews said.
“This represents an enormous potential for the heliport, which provides offshore refueling facilities, enables a safe commuting option for personnel, and supports service operations vessels in poor weather.”
It also offers a potential lifeline to the helicopter sector, which is currently struggling due to the oil and gas downturn, according to the company. Almost 400 helicopters serving oil and gas platforms world-wide are estimated to be idle or underemployed which could well change as the next generation of offshore wind farms offers the helicopter industry a welcome boost.
Despite the fact there is a helicopter surplus now, the first signs of change for the greater integration of helicopters within offshore wind is now becoming evident,
“Just last month there has been news that the availability of a helicopter service was an integral part of the operations and maintenance contract awarded by ScottishPower Renewables on the East Anglia ONE,” Matthews said.
“Also Dong Energy’s announcement of a new centralised support hub for its UK projects – Marine and Helicopter Coordination Centre – will specifically track helicopter movements as well as vessels. We are at the start of a new phase of delivery for offshore wind, and helicopters, along with the offshore heliports they will depend on, are set to play an ever increasing role.”