Sea Bed Sampler

The project will research, design and develop an innovative Sea Bed Sampler to retrieve
representative undisturbed samples of the soft and unconsolidated sediments to allow optimal
and cutting edge foundation design solutions for sea bed structures. Current techniques and
samplers either retrieve no sample at all or only partially retrieve a sample or retrieve a highly
disturbed sample. Soft and unconsolidated sediments can extend for many metres and can
hugely influence the design and construction of the foundations.
The multi billion pound UK offshore industry is driven by the Oil and Gas Sector and
Renewable Energy Sector both of which have structures which require sub sea foundations.
These structures range from oil production platforms to cable lines which require foundations
either for the structure themselves or for mooring/anchoring points. Many North Sea
structures have out lived their original design life and require improved and new foundations
and the renewable energy sector is seeking innovative and cutting edge foundation designs.
For Designers to deliver optimal and cutting edge design they must have total confidence in
what the ground is and how it will behave. This will determine the actual foundation type,
method of construction and both short term and long term performance and serviceability.
Current samples or lack of suitable samples leads to the Designer having to make
assumptions. These assumptions can hugely increase the risk, lead to over-engineering or
result in delays to the project. All these will result in increased costs and stifle innovation and
cutting edge design solutions. The new Sea Bed Sampler will retrieve an undisturbed
representative sample which can be visually examined and tested in the laboratory. This will
provide the Designer with information he can rely upon and have confidence in which will
catalyse designs which will create efficiencies, reduce costs and promote innovation.