CEM deployment from the C.S. Sovereign (photo: Global Marine Systems Limited)

Global Marine Systems Limited, a UK-based specialist in subsea cable engineering projects, has announced it has secured a contract from Tampnet, a global supplier of high capacity communications, who operates the largest offshore high capacity communication network in the world. The contract, with work being undertaken in 2018 by one of the Company’s key installation vessels, is designed to further enhance inter oil-field communication networks in the North Sea.

The project, which is the sixth contract award to Global Marine from Tampnet, focuses on the installation of a platform to platform fibre optic cable. It will incorporate the laying and burial of approximately 75 kilometres of fibre optic cable from an existing Branching Unit (BU) to the platform. In addition, a Cable End Module (CEM) and a further three BUs will be installed at selected locations along the route. Prior to the installation, Global Marine will conduct a detailed marine route survey and burial assessment report providing comprehensive data that will deliver fundamental information, crucial to ensuring the successful installation of this project.

Subsea assets will be utilised to conduct cable burial to 1m below the seabed in a water depth of 75 metres. A CEM will be installed within the platform 500-metre zone. The installation of a CEM is not new to Global Marine, as the Company is well versed with the rigorous requirements in terms of seabed positioning as well as the lay tolerances required for precise deployment. Laying and burial of the fibre optic cable will commence upon successful installation of the CEM, towards an existing BU where a previously installed cable end will be recovered and the fibre optic cables jointed. The scope of this project, including the buoying of cable ends, allows for future development of the system to other platforms in the North Sea if required.

“The award of this contract highlights the continued confidence Tampnet has in Global Marine,” says Mikkel Gleerup, Director, Sales & Commercial at Global Marine. “Having seen a slowdown in development in the oil and gas market recently, this contract shows the key advantages of investment in fibre to platforms and allows Global Marine to continually demonstrate its expert skills in this type of specialised installation. It is a testament to the proven capabilities of our marine installation vessel, crew and equipment and we are happy to be working with Tampnet again on this exciting project.”

Tampnet’s CEO Per Helge Svensson adds, “Tampnet is very pleased to enter into a new subsea installation contract with Global Marine. Over the last few years, we have completed several subsea fibre cable projects where Global Marine has been the supplier of the subsea installation work. The previous projects were very successful and we are confident that the current work to be performed by Global Marine will be according to the highest standards, making sure that our extensive quality requirements for continued robustness of our infrastructure is met.”

Tags: Global Marine Systems Limited, Tampnet