Offshore Wind Cable Stability System Prevents Damage

With recent publicity surrounding offshore wind cable failures, Aberdeen-based Balmoral Comtec says its integrated cable protection stability system offers up to 75% reduction in subsea cable movement helping prevent irreversible damage.

The stability solution, which complements Balmoral FibreFlex™, the company’s patented cable protection system, offers enhanced tensile and creep performance by using weighted modules to improve cable curvature response while maintaining system geometry over life.

The proprietary system has been proved to offer up to a 75% movement reduction in subsea environments with a corresponding trebling of cable life subject to seabed topology and metocean data.

Even in the most extreme environments a 50% reduction in subsea movement is achieved that more than doubles cable lifetime performance.

Fraser Milne, engineering and projects director at Balmoral, says: “The integrated stability system delivers these important improvements without the requirement for expensive secondary activities such as placement of concrete mattresses or rock dumping which can involve the chartering of further vessels.

“This innovative development was inspired by engagement and recognition of client requirements and considers the commercial aspect of not just field development but the longevity of the product, improving overall field reliability and therefore directly affecting the Level Cost of Energy.”

Balmoral is globally recognised for its experience in extreme subsea environments and the company has adapted its polyurethane design engineering and manufacturing capabilities to develop high performing cost-efficient solutions for the offshore wind sector.