Carnegie Clean Energy has started the geophysical survey activities off Western Australia at a project site planned for the company’s CETO 6 wave energy device debut.
The purpose of the geophysical survey – being conducted at the proposed Torbay site the coast off Albany – is to establish the offshore geology and suitable strata thickness to inform the technical and economic feasibility of the proposed CETO 6 foundation design.
The survey was awarded to EGS Survey that will be conducted using the vessel Business Class owned and operated by Empress Marine of Dunsborough.
In addition, South Coast Natural Resource Management of Albany is providing a local expert in marine fauna who has been on board the vessel to ensure the operations conform with all state and federal legislation regarding marine wildlife, Carnegie said.
The planned reconnaissance lines have now been completed having collected bathymetry data, seabed sediment identification and geological data to a depth of approximately 50 meters below sea bed.
This has allowed for the identification of basement granites and the required thickness of younger rocks that are preferred for the foundations, according to Carnegie.
In the coming days, a detailed grid of data will be acquired that will provide depth to granite and thickness maps of the younger strata, the company said.
The geophysical survey team has consisted of three vessel crew, four survey crew, a client representative for Carnegie and a marine mammal observer. The team has been supported by the Carnegie and EGS management teams from Perth and Albany.