Breaking the Sand Waves for the BritNed Interconnector

Corridor Design through a mobile Seabed for Cable Installation

ir D.W. (Wino) Snip

ing W. (Wilco) van Lieshout
ir J.(Jaap) P. Smit

wino.snip@primo-marine.com
wilco.vanlieshout@primo-marine.com
jaap.smit@primo-marine.com

mob: +31 6 46 202 101

mob: +31 6 11 17 10 07
mob: +31 6 51 59 05 26

Primo Marine
Haringvliet 88
3011 TG ROTTERDAM
THE NETHERLANDS
Office: +31 10 240 98 21
www.primo-marine.com

Summary
The 260 km long BritNed Interconnector, currently under construction, passes through areas
with highly mobile sea beds in the North Sea. Notably the Sand Waves pose a threat to the
Protective Burial Depth of the cables. The costs for Pre Sweeping (dredging a corridor through
mobile sand waves) during construction (CAPEX) and for Maintenance during the life time of
the submarine cables (OPEX) have been optimised at early project stages. As a result the Pre
Sweep Volume available for the design and construction of the Pre Sweep Profiles was limited
by licenses. The actual mobility of the Sand Waves was analysed by comparing 2 surveys,
spanning 5 years and covering a 500m wide cable corridor.
In the Pre Sweep Profile design phase the BritNed Interconnector has been rerouted through
the areas with mobile Sand Waves. This optimised the usage of the available Pre Sweep
Volumes and reduced construction and installation risks. The possibilities and capabilities of the
involved Dredging Contractor and Cable Installation Contractor and their interfaces were
analysed, discussed and taken into account before the detailed design of the Profiles started.
The available volume for Pre Sweeping has been distributed over mobile Sand Waves, based
on their mobility over the last 5 years. The main deliverables of the design of the Pre Sweep
Profiles were 3D DXF files, 2 for each Pre Sweep Profile. The interface between Design and

Construction was analysed, discussed, practised and optimised with the Contractors at the first
stage of the design process.
Between the moment of Design and the moment of the actual Construction the Sand Waves will
have moved. An Offshore Design Actualisation process was established with the Dredging
Contractor. The 3D design for the Pre Sweep Profiles was actualised on board of the Hopper
Dredger based on the results of the In-Survey taken directly before Pre Sweeping took place.
Overall the applied Design and Construction Processes resulted in a considerable increase in
efficiency and efficacy and in a significant reduction of interface risks with regards to dealing
with the mobile Sand Waves. But above all it optimised the application of the available Pre
Sweep Volume, providing maximum protection to the cables against unburial within the
possibilities of the available cable corridor and Pre Sweep volume licenses.

1. Sand Waves along the BritNed Interconnector Route

The BritNed Interconnector consists of two 260 kilometre High Voltage Direct Current cables
that will connect the electricity grids of the UK at the Isle of Grain and the Netherlands at the
Maasvlakte in 2011. BritNed is a joint venture of National Grid (UK) and TenneT (NL); the
1,000 MW capacity of the Interconnector will be accessible for all market participants. Total
project costs are 600 million. Offshore Construction started July 2009.

Figure 1 Sand Waves along the BritNed Interconnector Route

The BritNed cables will be buried in the seabed to protect them against the impact of foreign
objects (fishing rear, anchors). The protective burial depth will be 1m in clay and 2m in sand.
Along its route the BritNed interconnector passes through extensive areas with a mobile
seabed, of which the mobile Sand Waves pose a significant threat to its protective burial depth.
To dredge away all mobile Sand Waves along the route would require approx. 8,000,000 m3, to
be removed before cable lay and burial. At an early phase of the project it was decided to
optimize CAPEX (dredging before cable installation) and OPEX (maintenance dredging after
cable installation) costs. An 8 years bury and would like to forget philosophy was adhered to.
That 8 year period will be followed by (more intense) maintenance of the Protective Burial Depth
(PBD) over the full length of its operational lifetime.

The CAPEX/OPEX optimization resulted in an obtained licence for Pre Sweeping (dredging)
approx. 1,000,000 m3 of the mobile Sand Waves. First Pre Sweeping campaign was completed
in August 2009.

2. Relevance to Cable Protection

Length scale

Relevant to
Cable Burial

Too
Low
Ripples
Wavelength:
Wave height:
Timescale:
Migration:
Orientation:

Sand banks
Wavelength:
2 10 km
Wave height:
5 - 30 m
up to 75% of water depth
Timescale:
> 100 yrs
Migration:
< 1 m/yr
Orient.: 60- 85 to tidal cur.

Sand waves
Wavelength:
30 - 800 m
Wave height:
1 - 15 m
up to 30% of water depth
Time scale:
5 yrs
Migration:
5 20 m/yr
Orientation:
tidal current

Mega ripples
Wavelength:
0.3 - 10 m
Wave height: 0.05 0.2 m
Timescale:
0.1 yr
Migration: 100 -200 m/yr
Orientation:
?

Too
Slow

Relevant for the

Trencher?

0.05 m
0.005 m
10 min.
wind

Time scale

Figure 2 Classification of mobile sea bed features in relation with cable protective burial depth
The migration of Sand Waves is driven by the tidal current. Mobile Sand Waves on the North
Sea can migrate several meters each year. In tidal inlets the migration speed can be
significantly higher for instance up to 90 m/year in the Marsdiep between the island Texel and
the city Den Helder in The Netherlands [1].

Direction of sand wave

movement

Reference level
for trenching
Cable after
trenching

Current
seabed

After x years: cable

protection requires
maintenance in
these sections

Seabed
after
x years

Volume to pre-sweep
prior to cable lay
(This volume has to
recover after trenching)

Figure 3 Mobile Sand Waves threaten the protective burial depth of the cables

The Design Life of the BritNed Interconnector is 40 years and its Protective Burial Depth (PBD)
in sand is approx. 2 m below Reference Level. During its lifetime the migration of Sand Waves
will unbury the BritNed Cables. The mobile Sand Waves thus threaten the protection of the
cables against foreign objects.

3. Pre Sweeping to Protect

Prior to the lay and trenching of the BritNed cables, the mobile Sand Waves on the cable route
will be Pre Swept (dredged), mainly at their eroding sides. Over the years following on the
installation of the cables the pre swept sections will be back filled with sand by forces of nature
[10] This recovery postpones maintenance on the protective burial depth.

Source: van der Berg, 2007

Figure 4 Backfilling of pre swept profiles by forces of nature

The design of the Pre Seep Profiles for the BritNed Interconnector aims at maximum additional
cable protection within the limited Pre Sweep Volume of approx. 1,000,000 m3.

4. Migration Analysis in 3D

Figure 5 Migration analysis: 2003 and 2008 surveys shown together in 3D

First step in the design process for the BritNed Pre Sweep Profiles was a migration analysis in
3D of the mobile sections. The BritNed Cable Route was surveyed in 2003 (Route Planning
Survey) and in 2008 (Pre Construction Survey) These Bathymetry Data Sets with a 5 year
Interval covering 500m in corridor width provided a sound basis for the migration analysis. The
mobile areas were categorised; the areas with highest mobility were identified

5. Rerouting the Cables through the Sand Waves

After the Migration Analysis in 3D the BritNed cable route was revised. The BritNed
Interconnector is laid and trenched using DP vessels and an ROV mounted jet trencher. This
highly manoeuvrable spread made it possible to introduce in the order of 70 additional
curvatures in the BritNed route without hampering the installation process.
Objectives of the rerouting were (where possible):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

To reduce the number of Sand Wave to be crossed

To avoid more mobile sections within Sand Wave areas
To avoid crests and route through troughs
To clear wrecks and other obstacles
To optimise crossing angles from a Pre Sweep Profile construction point of view

RPL 1A
RPL 1A

RPL 3_01

RPL 3_01

RPL 3_01

RPL 3_01

RPL 1A
RPL 1A

Figure 6 Examples of rerouting through and around mobiles Sand Waves

Rerouting optimised the usage of the available limited Pre Sweep Volume. The 500m width of
the BritNed corridor proved to be sufficient for effective rerouting through the mobile Sand Wave
areas.

6. Pre Sweep Volume Distribution

3

The Pre Sweep Volume for BritNed was limited by Licences: 1,000,000 m on the Dutch side
3
and 100,000 t (approx 50,000 m ) on the UK side. These volumes are a maximum for the total
construction, comprising design, tolerances and any required intermediate maintenance of the
pre swept profiles during the construction phase of the project. Of these 1,000,000 m3 for the
3
Dutch side of the route, approx. 750,000 m could be used for the actual design of the pre
sweep profiles itself. This volume had to distributed over the mobile areas. The Volume
Distribution was based on comparison of longitudinal sections of 2008 with those of 2003: the

weighted size of the eroded area between those sections is used as the basis for the Volume
Distribution.
Figure 7 Distribution of available Pre Sweep Volume shows an example. For this particular
mobile Sand Wave, labelled U140, the area between the 2008 and the 2003 survey on the
eroding side is 60 m2. This represents 60 m3/5 year = 12 m3/year for each meter in width of the
Sand Wave. The total area of all mobile sand waves along the route added up to 930 m3/year
for each meter in width. This particular Sand Wave U140 represents 12/930 = 1.29% of the
3
3
total Sand Wave mobility. Therefore 1.29% of 750,000 m = 9,600 m could be assigned to the
Pre Sweep Profile for this Sand Wave.
60 m 3/m/5 year
0.5 m

12 m3 /m/year
1.29% of NL

target volume
U140 = 9,600 m 3

120 m

U140

Vert. ex. = 10

Figure 7 Distribution of available Pre Sweep Volume

With all assigned volumes established a design for each individual Pre Sweep Profile could be
made. See Figure 8 as an example.

2008

2003

Pre Sweep Profile

Sand Wave U137

Hor.:
10 m
Vert.:
2.0 m
Vert. ex: 2.0

Figure 8 Longitudinal Section of U137 with 2003 and 2009 survey and Profile Design

7. 3D Pre Sweep Profile Design

In a Workshop with the Dredging Contractor and the Cable Lay & Trenching Contractor
equipment specific design parameters for the Pre Sweep Profiles were established:

Minimum Width required for the trencher

Minimum side slope angels required for sufficient stability
Maximum angel for longitudinal slopes

Dredging tolerances in all directions

Minimum required flat top section in the profile to avoid tipping over of the trencher
on top of the profile, which results in a reduction of the trenching depth.

With these Parameters the rerouting through the Sand Wave Areas was finalised.
With the final route established, the Pre Weep Profiles were designed in 3D, using the LSS
software (See Applied Software 1). For the design an iteration was required to match the 3D
Pre Sweep Profile Design with the assigned Pre Sweep Volume for each Sand Wave.

8. Design Deliverables in 3D and 2D

Interfaces between Design and Construction were thoroughly analysed and discussed with the
contractors involved before the actual design started. In a Workshop the steps from start of
Design to Hand Over of Pre Swept Profiles were analysed, practised and optimised before the
actual design started. This saved preparation time but more so, it significantly reduced the
possibilities for errors in the translation process between the various systems of the parties
involved.
The designed Pre Sweep Profiles where handed over to the Dredging Contractor as 3D DXF
files in 2 shapes for each individual Pre Sweep Profile:
1. The shape of the bottom of the Pre Sweep Profiles merged into the bathymetry of the
Pre Construction Survey of 2008. This is the so called Nominal Profile. It is used to
establish initial Pre Sweep Volumes, for graphic representation on the screen on the
bridge of the Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger and on the drawings. See the red
section in the left hand side image of Figure 9.
2. The Pre Sweep Profile as an extended 3D box - see the colour banded section in the
right hand side image of Figure 9. This 3D box was used for the Design Actualisation
offshore, see 9 below.
3D DXF files were the main deliverables of the Pre Sweep Profiles Design, accompanied by
The Blue Table of Pre Sweep Profiles and Volumes. The 3D DXF files were directly loaded
into the Dredge Computer System on board of the Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger.

Vert. ex. = 4.0

Vert. ex. = 4.0

Figure 9 Images of the 3D design deliverables of the Pre Sweep Profiles

2D drawings, see Figure 10 and Figure 11, were used for the Design drawings and for the As
Built drawings. These, together with 3D images, provided merely a reference, to be used to
show and explain the Design to the Client and to all others involved.

Figure 10 2D plan view of Pre sweep Profiles

Figure 11 2D Longitudinal section of Pre Seep Profiles shown together with both the 2003
(dotted line) and 2008 (solid line) Bathymetry (note the mobility of the Sand Waves from the left
to the right in this section)

9. Design Actualisation Offshore

The 2008 Pre Construction Survey was the basis of the Design of the Pre Sweep Profiles; Pre
Sweeping will however be performed from August 2009 to April 2010. Between Design and
Construction some of the Sand Waves will migrate significantly, i.e. > 2m shift of its crest.
During Pre Sweeping the provided 3D Pre Sweep Profile Box Design will be shifted along the
Cable Route. This is performed offshore on board of the Dredger. By shifting the 3D Pre
Sweep Profile Box Design the Design is actualised such that the Pre Swept Volume will match
the Assigned Volume +/- 10%. This ensures a maximised usage of the available volume for Pre
Sweeping and thus a maximum protection of the Cables within the Licences

10. Results of the 2009 Pre Sweeping: Out Survey

The first Pre Sweeping Campaign was carried out in August 2009 on the Dutch side of the
Cable Route. All Profiles where dredged in accordance with the Specifications.
Relative smooth and clean Pre Sweep Profiles where achieved by:
1. Frequent Intermediate Surveys by the Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger
2. Suspending the Suction Head of the Hopper Dredger to fixed levels
3. Using the Jets on the Drag Heads without Suction to level out the smaller tops left over
after the first runs. The created density current does the levelling work.

Vert. ex. = 1.0

Figure 12 Some results of the 2009 Pre Sweeping Campaign

The results of the first campaign of 2009 are used for the design of the following Pre Sweeping
Campaigns which is ongoing at this moment (September 2009). Subjects of special interest
were the angles of the pre swept side slopes, the dredging equipment specific accuracy and the
production during the cleaning up cycles.

Applied Software
1. Digital Terrain Modelling and 3D profile design: LSS Elite, v 9.70,
www.dtmsoftware.com
2. Additional 2D and 3D design: AutoCAD 2009, http://usa.autodesk.com
3. Mapping and Geographic Analysis: ArcVIEW, v 9.3.1, ESRI, www.esri.com

References
1. Ridderinkhof, H., H. Van Haren, F. Eijgenraam & T. Hillebrand., Ferry observations on
temperature, salinity and currents in the Marsdiep tidal inlet between the North Sea and
Wadden Sea. Proceedings of the second international conference on EUROGOOS,
Elsevier Oceanography Series, 66, 139-148, 2002.
2. Shapiro, S., Murray, J., Gleason, R.F., Barnes, S.R., Eales, B.A., and Woodward, P.R.
Threats to Submarine Cables, SubOptic 97. San Francisco. 742-749, 1997.
3. Allan, PG. Cable Security in Sandwaves, ICPC Plenary Meeting, Copenhagen,
May 2000
4. Allan, PG. Selecting Appropriate Cable Burial Depths A Methodology IBC Conference
on Submarine Communications. The Future of Network Infrastructure, Cannes,
November 1998
5. Berg, J. van der, Non-linear sand wave evolution, Thesis, Twente University of
Technology, 2007
6. Nmeth, A. A., Modelling offshore sand waves, Thesis, Twente University of
Technology, 2003