zoomBibby HydroMap's survey vessel MV Chartwell

Seabed survey company Bibby HydroMap have started survey operations on the proposed LNG project off Morecambe Bay.

The programme of work comprises geophysical, geotechnical and environmental surveying of the proposed pipeline route to shore and will be undertaken using a multi-vessel approach. Bibby HydroMap’s own vessels Chartwell and Eagle will perform the geophysical and environmental scope, acquiring multibeam bathymetry, side scan sonar data, sub-bottom profiler and magnetometer data, alongside benthic grab samples and visual inspection. For the geotechnical aspect of the work, Bibby HydroMap will perform vibrocores to 5m and CPTs to 5m and 20m.

Bibby HydroMap Project Manager Daniel Jenkins says: “Working to improve the UK LNG network on this interesting and complex project is something that we are delighted to be a part of.”

Located in Morecambe Bay, offshore Barrow-in-Furness, Port Meridian Energy is developing an LNG receiving and offloading facility designed to accommodate Höegh LNG’s FSRU (floating storage and regasification unit) vessels. Conventional LNG transportation vessels will offload LNG to the FSRU via ship-to-ship transfer; with the FSRU converting liquefied natural gas (LNG) into a gaseous state suitable for transportation to shore via a subsea pipeline, the company explained.

Transfer to shore comprises of a 26” diameter high pressure gas pipeline, starting at the FSRU location approximately 43½ km’s southwest of Barrow and land-falling on the western beach of Walney Island. From the landfall, the pipeline traverses approximately 5½ km’s through agricultural fields and crosses Walney Channel to the mainland to the site of the proposed Above Ground Installation where the gas will connect into the existing National Transmission System.

Port Meridian Construction Manager Nigel Kirk comments: “PMEL have contracted Bibby HydroMap because they offered a comprehensive onshore and offshore survey package, with established onshore subcontractors and dedicated offshore and near-shore vessels.”