PanGeo Subsea subsidiary has completed cable depth of burial (DOB) surveys along the EstLink 1 and 2 cables during an offshore campaign utilizing PanGeo’s SeaKite ROTV equipped with the patented Sub-Bottom Imager™ (SBI). With a strong history in supporting sub-seabed surveys for offshore wind and offshore energy, PanGeo has completed more than 10,000 kilometers of cable DOB surveys to date.

PanGeo supported marine survey provider Arctia Meritaito Ltd onboard the research vessel RV Mintis to conduct cable depth of burial along the two interconnector cables that join Finland and Estonia’s electrical networks. The 350MW EstLink 1 was installed in 2006 and crosses the 75km wide Gulf of Finland, reaching a maximum water depth of 100m. EstLink 2 is a 650MW, 145km cable installed in 2013 and is ~ 70km east of EstLink 1.

About the SBI and SeaKite

The SBI produces a 3D acoustic image of the cable exterior to a depth of 5m below the seabed. As an acoustic system, the SBI is non-intrusive, allowing the cables to remain fully operational during survey operations, an essential requirement for power transmission cables. The SBI also provides a consistent vertical accuracy regardless of cable burial depth, which allows for depth verification over multiple passes of the same cable section and cable burial monitoring over a cable’s lifespan.

The SeaKite ROTV has an integrated SBI, which enables 3D acoustic surveys at speeds up to 4kts. Removing the need for an ROV to perform cable DOB provides the speed of data acquisition efficiencies. In addition, it allows the use of a much smaller survey vessel, reducing operations’ overall daily operating cost and reducing carbon emissions. By utilizing a smaller vessel on-site for a shorter period, this survey saved ~200,000kg of carbon dioxide emissions.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: PanGeo Subsea