Rotech Subsea settles back into Middle East market with ground-breaking CFE/J technology

Interest in the Middle East for Rotech Subsea’s new and more powerful 2nd Generation RS non-contact CFE/J range of equipment has never been higher. Indeed, on the back of two recent successfully complete work scopes in the region, the subsea excavation pioneer’s unrivalled TRS1LD and TRS2 tools will remain permanently in the region to meet demand. 

In Q1, 2019, Rotech Subsea - which designs, builds and operates its suite of CFE/J tools - were contracted by SAIPEM as part of a Power-Fibre Optic Cable and flexible and umbilical post lay trenching project in the Safaniya Field. The state-of-the-art TRS1LD tool, complete with high power jets, was selected for this scope due to advanced technical capabilities and cutting ability in stiff soils.

The spread of equipment was mobilised on the Mubarak Multicat Vessel to complete the post lay trenching of various FPOC, flexible pipelines and umbilicals. The performance of the TRS1LD - which is the most powerful shallow water tool on the market - was exactly as expected and Rotech Subsea delivered as promised in soils in excess of 250kPa undrained sheer strength.

Each product was lowered to 1m top of pipe / top of cable below the adjacent seabed level. Post lay trenching operations were completed whilst progressing at a rate averaging 3m/minute. Six Rotech operators enabled 24hrs operation while two additional operators were supplied to operate the jetting system.

In Q3, 2018 Rotech Subsea were again contracted by SAIPEM as part of a pipeline post lay trenching and backfill project in offshore Saudi Arabia on the Manifa Oil Field. The state-of-the-art TRS2 tool was selected for this workscope due to the unparalleled technical and performance capabilities which increased productivity and reduced total cost on the project.

The spread of equipment was mobilised on a DP2 Multipurpose Support Vessel to complete the post lay trenching and backfill of two x 42” pipelines in around 10m depth of water. Each pipeline had to be lowered to 1m top of pipe below the adjacent seabed level.

The post lay trenching and backfill operation was successfully completed with ease, progressing at a rate averaging 3m/minute.

“These two recent Middle East projects add to a track record of over 500 projects successfully completed worldwide, firmly establishing Rotech's position in the marketplace as the leader in providing non-contact CFE/J technology,” said Rotech Subsea Director of Subsea, Stephen Cochrane. “Indeed, demand in the Middle East for Rotech Subsea’s new and more powerful 2nd Generation RS non-contact CFE/J range of equipment is so high that our unrivalled TRS1LD and TRS2 tools will remain in the region to service a growing client base.”

It has been a stellar rise for Rotech Subsea since the subsea excavation pioneer - with a three-decade track record in oil, gas & renewables - announced their return following the sale of technology that took the sector by storm in the 1990s. Rotech emerged from the ensuing non-compete period in 2015 with a completely new and more precise Controlled Flow Excavation (CFE) range and within weeks its cutting-edge systems were deployed on commercial projects.