Gardline Limited is conducting geophysical survey operations at Equinor’s Empire Wind offshore wind project located off the southern coast of Long Island, New York.
The contract is carried out for Alpine Ocean Seismic Survey, Inc. and includes high-resolution geophysical surveys, shallow geotechnical investigation and benthic sampling.
Gardline’s vessel RV Ocean Researcher commenced operations on the main lease area earlier this month, with work expected to continue until August.
The results of the survey will be used to produce a Construction and Operations Plan to inform seabed characteristics and archaeological resources necessary for the wind farm design and permitting assessments.
Earlier this year, Alpine’s survey vessel RV Shearwater completed the first of three proposed export cable routes, Gardline said.
According to the company, the two parties are working closely with Empire Wind and the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to ensure licensing requirements are fulfilled throughout the project.
The Empire Wind lease comprises a 79,350-acre site that has the potential to generate up to 1GW of offshore wind power.
A phased development is expected to start with 400-800MW, with potential operations beginning in the mid-2020s.