Osbit Ltd has completed the design, build and harbour trials of a new subsea trenching vehicle, for Ecosse Subsea Systems (ESS).
In November 2016 ESS announced it was investing up to £3million in developing a water-jetting tool with the potential to double seabed trenching production rates.
The Aberdeen-based company awarded a contract to Osbit to be the lead detail design and development provider for SCARJet, which features ESS’s water-jetting and burial performance enhancement technologies.
Primarily intended for use in relatively shallow waters, up to 100 meters, and with the capability of trenching from the shore line out to depth in a continuous operation, the system includes dual jetting swords powered by up to 1.1 megawatts of surface-supplied water power.
The SCARJet subsea trencher is a modular design, incorporating hydraulically-driven track assemblies, a primary burial tool water feed and deployment systems, and a work-class ROV docking interface, compatible with the most widely-used ROV systems currently in service.
Research and Development for the SCARJet has been supported by Scottish Enterprise and part funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds Programme.
Osbit designed the vehicle from its headquarters in Riding Mill, Northumberland, with assembly and testing taking place at its dedicated production base at Port of Blyth.
Robbie Blakeman, Director at Osbit, said: “This is a great example of two innovative and creative engineering companies working in partnership to deliver a solution that will have a positive impact on operational productivity.
“As a provider of safe, bespoke equipment that is delivered professionally, and with care, our designers and engineers were proud to work on this unique subsea vehicle. Combining Osbit’s extensive trenching expertise with ESS’s ground-breaking water-jetting and burial technologies has produced a very effective piece of equipment that will significantly enhance the cost-effectiveness of future trenching projects.”