OutlineMethodStatementGeotechnical SiteInvestigation BeatriceOffshoreWindFarm

Conductedfor

BOWL
By SenergySurveyandGeoEngineeringLtd Final 1691SERMethod0103 27/07/2010

SENERGYSURVEYANDGEOENGINEERING THEOLDBAKEHOUSEMAINSTALFORDABERDEENSHIREAB338PX T:+44(0)1975563335F:+44(0)1975563428 E:surveygeo@senergyltd.com

OutlineMethodStatementGeotechnicalSiteInvestigation

JimPyrah
Author MarkFinch TechnicalAudit MarkFinch QualityAudit ForComment ReleasetoClient 27/07/2010 DateReleased

Senergy has made every effort to ensure that the interpretations, conclusions and recommendations presented herein are accurate and reliable in accordance with good industry practice and its own quality management procedures. Senergy does not, however, guarantee the correctness of any such interpretations and shall not be liable or responsible foranyloss,costs,damagesorexpensesincurredorsustainedbyanyoneresultingfromany interpretationorrecommendationmadebyanyofitsofficers,agentsoremployees.

FileLocation C:\Senergy\Projects\1691SERBeatriceGeotechSupport\CPAapplication\1691SERMETHOD01 03.doc

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OutlineMethodStatementGeotechnicalSiteInvestigation

Contents
1 2 Introduction.......................................................................................................................1
1.1 Purposeofdocument............................................................................................1
GeotechnicalSurveyIntroduction ....................................................................................2
2.1 Objectives .............................................................................................................2
2.2 Strategy.................................................................................................................2
2.3 SiteData ...............................................................................................................2
2.4 ContractorStatus ..................................................................................................3
2.5 ScopeofWork ......................................................................................................3
OutlineMethodology ........................................................................................................4
3.1 Vessel ...................................................................................................................4
3.1.1 Vesselmobilisation ...........................................................................................4
3.2 Boreholeexecution ...............................................................................................4
3.2.1 Setup ...............................................................................................................4
3.2.2 Drillingandsampling ........................................................................................5
3.2.3 PCPTtesting.....................................................................................................5
3.2.4 OffshoreLaboratorytesting ..............................................................................5
3.2.5 Boreholevolume...............................................................................................6
3.3 Programme ...........................................................................................................6

ListofTables
Table1:PreliminarySoilProfile .................................................................................................2

ListofFigures
Figure1:SiteLocation................................................................................................................8
Figure2:Typicalsampling/PCPTsequence ............................................................................9
Figure3:TypicalGeotechnicalVessel .....................................................................................10

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OutlineMethodStatementGeotechnicalSiteInvestigation

Introduction

In February 2009, The Crown Estate awarded an exclusivity agreement to SSE Renewables (formerly Airtricity) and SeaEnergy Renewables (hereafter referred to as BOWL Beatrice OffshoreWindLtd)forthedevelopmentoftheupto184turbine,920MW BeatriceWindFarm intheouterMorayFirthwithinScottishTerritorialWaters. The Beatrice site is an area of approximately 131.5km located approximately 13.5km from theCaithnesscoastline atitsclosestpoint.Thesiteliesin waterdepthsofbetween3570m with a tidal range of around 2.8 3.2m and with a maximum tidal current speed of 0.5 knots. The proposed windfarm has a nominal capacity of 920MW based upon an indicative design comprising184turbinesofratedcapacity5MW each. The Beatrice site is adjacent to the Jacky oil production platform and is approximately 11km north east of the Beatrice oil field infrastructure and the two 5MW Beatrice Demonstrator Projectoffshorewindturbines.ThesiteisshowninFigure1. A geophysical survey over the site has recently been completed, and a preliminary geotechnical survey is currently being planned to provide sufficient data to build a geological modelandundertakeconceptengineeringstudies.
2

1.1 Purposeofdocument
This document provides an outline description of the methodology of a geotechnical site investigation,includinganestimateofdurations,insupportoftheCPAlicenceapplication.

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Geotechnical Survey Introduction

2.1 Objectives
The objective of the Geotechnical Survey is to drilling a number of boreholes to provide sufficientdata toallowthe windturbinefoundationconceptengineeringandmetmastdesign, fabrication and installation activities to progress. The exact number and location of boreholes is currently being determined, but is likely to be between 12 and 14. They will be selected such that results are as representative of the entire site as possible. The data from the Geotechnical Survey will be utilised, in conjunction with the Geophysical Survey data and existingboreholeinformation,togenerateageologicalgroundmodel.

2.2 Strategy
A number of survey phases are anticipated, each building on the previous phase, to progressively increase the level of knowledge of the site. The initial geophysical survey representedthefirstphase,withtheproposedgeotechnicalsurveyphaseasecond. Following a FEED (Front End Engineering and Design) activity additional geotechnical works will be necessary to allow optimisation of the turbine foundations, and to reduce soils related constructionrisk.

2.3 SiteData
As noted above, the water depths across the proposed wind farm footprint range from approximately35mto70m. Large seabed features such as sandwaves are not expected across the site, but it is likely that megaripples will be encountered, although at present their size and extent is unknown. Significant seabed gradients are not expected to be present across the site, but this will be confirmed following completion of the geophysical survey and prior to mobilisation of any geotechnicalvessel. Based upon currently available data, a preliminary soil profile is summarised in Table 1. It is likelythatthedistributionofsoiltypesandprofilesacrossthesitewillbeveryvariable. Approximate Unit ThicknessofUnit(m) <2m Holocene 10m25m AnticipatedSoilDescription

5m10m >100m

Loose to medium dense fine to medium gravellysandtosandygravel ForthFormation Medium dense to very dense fine to coarse sand with sections of very soft to soft clay andgravel CoalPitFormation Soft to very hard sandy clay with laminae of finesandandmica Lower Cretaceous Hard to very hard clay with laminae of fine Sediments sandandmicatoclayeySiltstone Table1:PreliminarySoilProfile

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2.4 ContractorStatus
A Request For Proposal package is currently being prepared for issue to potential geotechnical site investigation contractors. Subject to the responses to this RFP, contract award is anticipated towards the beginning of September, with offshore operations due to startassoonaspossiblethereafter. With regards to the execution of the boreholes, many aspects of the likely methodology are relatively generic, and as such are set out below. However, some areas, such as vessel, and precise equipment details are contractor specific and as such a final detailed method statementwillonlyavailablefollowingcontractaward.

2.5 ScopeofWork
Thescopeofworkiscurrentlybeingfinalised,butislikelytorepresentbetween12and14no. boreholes to a nominal depth of 50m below the seabed. The boreholes will be of composite type,includingboththerecoveryofsamplesandinsitutestingusingdownholesystems. A typical sampling and PCPT (Piezo Cone Penetration Test) sequence for different soil types isillustratedinFigure2. The selected contractor will provide a suitable vessel operating on a 24 hour basis and equipped with drilling and sampling equipment as well as an offshore soils laboratory to allow offshore determination of geotechnical parameters. Further laboratory testing will be completedonshorefollowingcompletionoftheoffshorephase. Outlinemethodologyisdiscussedbelow.

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OutlineMethodStatementGeotechnicalSiteInvestigation

OutlineMethodology

Notingthatacontractorhasyettobeappointed,anoutlinemethodologyisdescribedbelow.

3.1 Vessel
Operations are likely to be performed from a Dynamically Positioned vessel, with drilling operationsbeingundertakenthroughthevesselsmoonpool.Analternativeapproachistouse a vessel mooring via use or 4 high holding power anchors. Drilling vessels are typically relatively large, with lengths generally in excess of 70m, and Gross Registered Tonnage exceeding 3200 Tonnes. A geotechnical vessel which has operated previously at the Jacky locationisillustratedinFigure3. UseofaJackUpbargeisnotconsideredlikelyduetotherelativelydeepwaterdepthsacross thesite. Prior to mobilisation the vessel will be suitably audited to ensure compliance with the various safety and environmental legislation. The contractor will prepare a number of project specific documents,includingaQualityPlan,SafetyandEnvironmentalPlanandEmergencyPlans.

3.1.1 Vesselmobilisation
It is likely that the selected vessel will be mobilised from a North Sea port. The vessel normally is capable of operating without the need for resupply for 28 days or crew changes. Following transit to site, a number of system calibration tests will be undertaken prior to positioning of the vessel on the first borehole location. Temperature / salinity profiles will be taken at the commencement of work and at intervals as required, for the purposes of computationofthespeedofsoundinwater. All boreholes will be placed on the geophysical survey lines and will avoid from identified magneticanomalies.

3.2 Boreholeexecution
3.2.1 Setup
Following the positioning of the vessel at the borehole location a sector scanning sonar will be deployed to confirm that the seabed is free of any objects that could impact drilling operations. If the site is found to be not clear of debris or objects, the Client Representative willbeinformedandoperationsatthatlocationceased. Once the location is confirmed as being clear of debris, a seabed frame, typically weighing around 20 tonnes, will be deployed on twin lift wires through the vessel moonpool. Once deployed to the seabed, the drill pipe (standard oil industry API 5 pipe) will be run down to theseabedframe,usingtheliftingwiresasaguide,readytostartdrillingoperations. Water depth measurements will be undertaken using the drill string prior to the commencement of drilling activities and the vessel mounted echo sounder will monitor water depthsasdrillingprogresses.Thissetupactivitytypicallytakesaround3060minutes.

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3.2.2 Drillingandsampling
Drilling will be performed using the heave compensated drill string and a straight flush rotary drilling system using an open bit through which geotechnical tools can be passed and soil samplesrecovered. Seawater is normally utilised to flush the borehole, and based upon the anticipated soil types shouldbesatisfactoryforthispurpose.Ifrequired,additional viscositycanbecreatedusing a fully biodegradable vegetable based drilling mud. Appropriate MSDS sheets for this product wouldbeincludedwithintheprojectdocumentation. A continuous sampling / insitu testing sequence will be adopted within the borehole down to terminal depth. Provisional sample and insitu test programmes are typically provided in the ScopeofWorkdocumentandshouldbeusedforthefirstboreholeatthelocation (seeFigure 2). The Contractor will perform soil sampling in such a manner as to minimise sample disturbance. Push, piston or hammer sampling equipment will be utilised to recover samples depending on the prevailing soils conditions and subject to confirmation by the Company Representative. In general, in cohesive strata, push or piston sampling will be employed (piston sampling in softer soils). Samples in granular strata shall be obtained by either push or percussive sampling. At all times the Contractor will endeavour to acquire the highest qualityofsamplepossible. Forveryhardmaterials,rockcoringtechniquesmaybeutilisedtorecoversamples.

3.2.3 PCPTtesting
The peizo cone penetration (PCPT) test is an insitu testing method used to determine the geotechnicalengineeringpropertiesofasoil. PCPT testing will be conducted at set intervals within the borehole. After the borehole has been advanced to the required level it is cleaned by flushing. The PCPT system is lowered and the cone penetrometer is pushed into the soil at a constant rate. Measurements of cone resistance, sleeve friction and sediment pore pressure response are monitored. Upon reaching the maximum achievable stroke or limiting thrust, the test is terminated. The drill stringisliftedtoretractthetestrod. The borehole will be advanced, pausing to conduct sampling and PCPT tests, until the termination depth is reached. At this point, the drill pipe and the seabed frame are recovered tothevesseldeck,andthevesseltransitstothenextboreholelocation.

3.2.4 OffshoreLaboratorytesting
Following recovery of samples from the vessel deck, the samples will be extruded and visually described, prior to basic offshore geotechnical testing. Following this initial testing phase, the samples will be sealing in suitable containers and packed, ready for shipping to theonshoresoilslaboratory.

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3.2.5 Boreholevolume
Thevolumeofmaterialextractedduringdrillingoperationsisverysmall(lessthan0.5m ),and 3 consequentlythevolumeofcuttingscreatedisalsoverysmall(alsolessthan0.5m ).
3

3.3 Programme
A typical drilling rate of progress is 2m/hr, such that a 50m borehole would normally be completed in a maximum of 24 hours. Previous experience at the Jacky development suggeststhatboreholecompletionin18hoursmaybeachievable. Basedupontheabove,nominaldurationsfora12and14boreholeprogrammeareillustrated below: 12no.boreholesto50m 14no.boreholesto50m 12daysexcludingweather 14daysexcludingweather

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Figures

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Figure1:SiteLocation

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Figure2:Typicalsampling/PCPTsequence

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Figure3:TypicalGeotechnicalVessel

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