Monopile drilling, installation and grouting system
For DEME, Vuyk Engineering performed the design and assisted with the development of the Monopile drilling, installation and grouting system: MODIGA. This system was first implemented in the challenging conditions at the Saint-Nazaire offshore wind farm off the coast in western France.
The project posed serious challenges due to the seabed in the area having a composition of hard rock between sandy laters. This in addition to the challenging marine conditions of high waves and strong currents in the region. For this challenge, DEME needed to develop industry-first technology to handle the drilling and placement of these foundations. DEME chose Vuyk Engineering Rotterdam to develop the concept with them. This comprised of operational analysis, functionality specification and structural mechanical design of the concept.
Operational Engineering
Vuyk Engineering gave extensive assistance during the detail design of the intricate mechanical structure. Parallel to the structural detailing, we performed high fidelity motion analysis on the lowering of the MODIGA. Also extensive impact analysis on the system when landing on the seabed was performed, ensuring the ability of the system to be deployed in extreme weather.
Equipment Design
Enabling the operation, also the drill cutting disposal system, which ensures that the drill cuttings are re-injected to the ocean, was developed and designed in detail by Vuyk Engineering. This system implemented a 35 meters long retractable fallpipe system, which could be inserted to the adequate water depth for bit disposal.
We also had the privilege to design the sea fastening for the 1200 tonne weighing MODIGA, in addition to the seafastening of the 350 tonne Offshore Foundation Drill and several other components. Custom made structures were made for this great endeavour on board of DEME’s Innovation jackup vessel.