2003, Hydrosearch Associates Limited, Gunfleet Sands Offshore Wind Farm, Geotechnical Desk Study and Risk Assessment

Description

At the request of GE Wind Energy, Hydrosearch Associates limited (HAL) has performed a geotechnical desk study and risk assessment to: collate and integrate available data (geophysical, geotechnical and environmental), develop a geotechnical model for the Gunfleet Sands development site, identify any gaps and contradictions in the available data sets and define areas of uncertainty in seabed conditions. Contradictions exist between the data sets that have led to uncertainties in the expected geological conditions. This is thought to be mostly due to erosion of the anticlinal flexure in that there is uncertainty in the degree of erosion that occurred to this feature prior to more recent overlying deposits being formed. Additionally, the occurrence of acoustic blanking has made interpretation of the geophysical data difficult in places. Geotechnical samples are required across the site to clarify these contradictions and confirm the geological and geotechnical conditions.