Germany - Geotechnical engineering services - AquaDuctus Geotechnical and Geophysical Surveys

AquaDuctus Project: Geotechnical & geophysical surveys To address Europe's future energy demand, significant investments into hydrogen infrastructure are essential. One of the core components of this initiative is the development of a pan-European hydrogen pipeline network in the North Sea, designed to connect major hydrogen producers with key consumers across the continent.?AquaDuctus is Part of this future pipeline network. AquaDuctus project consists of an offshore part (Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and territorial waters of the German North Sea and a receiving terminal at the coastline of Lower Saxony) and an onshore part to make connection with the onshore grid. AquaDuctus is planned as a large diameter pipeline (48 inch) with a transport capacity of 20 GWH2 and a design pressure of 120 bara. The conceptual design of the pipeline enables the connection of neighbouring European hydrogen infrastructures and the planned production facilities in the German EEZ (SEN-1 Area). The procurement item consists of four lots. On the offshore part of the project (Lot 1 and Lot 2) the pipeline is expected to be mostly buried in the seabed and the crossing of the shore will be done via tunnelling. For the offshore part there are two sections to be considered. Section I extends from shore to the area of SEN-1. Section II extends from SEN-1 to the end of the German EEZ. Section II is an option in this procurement procedure and may only be awarded together with Section I. For the purposes of the offer evaluation, the contents of Section I and II will be considered. The evaluation of Sections I and II for the respective services (Scope of Work packages A and B) is based on an equal weighting of 50% each. Due to administrative requirements, separate approval is necessary for Section II, therefore it is designated as an optional position. Lot 3 covers the geophysical and geotechnical surveys needed for the project section in shallow waters. Lot 4 covers the geotechnical surveys needed for the tunnel section of AquaDuctus pipeline. Owner of the Project (Client) is the AquaDuctus Pipeline GmbH. GASCADE Gastransport GmbH is acting as General Service Provider for the AquaDuctus Pipeline GmbH and will be responsible for the surveys. Lot 1 covers the geophysical surveys needed for the project. The survey area is located in the German sector of the North Sea. For Section I the route corridor is estimated to be 117.8 km in length with water depths varying between 15 and 41 metres. For Section II (optional) the route corridor is estimated to be 200 km in length with water depths varying between 30 and 45 meters. Further details regarding service provision - that are not relevant for cost calculation - will be provided after the contract is awarded. Wider localised survey coverage may be required in areas where the seabed topography or geology is less suitable for pipeline installation or nearby infrastructure positions need to be confirmed. This will be decided as the survey progresses. It is anticipated that line spacing for the geophysical survey will be based on a centre line and then 3 lines each side at approximately 75m spacing. The survey parameters (line spacing, equipment settings etc.) will depend on the proposed method of acquisition - vessel, ROV based or other towed system. The aim is to confirm the feasibility of a surveyed route or area during the survey. Further technical specifications are detailed in "B.1.1 Scope of Work Package A (Lot 1)".; Lot 2 covers the geotechnical surveys needed for the project. The survey area is the same as in Lot 1 (German sector of the North Sea; Section I: the 7-A16 route corridor length along which the geotechnical investigation is to be conducted is approximately 117.8 km in length. Water depths vary from 41 to 15 meters. For Section II (optional) the route corridor is estimated to be 200 km in length with water depths varying between 30 and 45 meters. Further details regarding service provision - that are not relevant for cost calculation - will be provided after the contract is awarded. The geotechnical acquisition will consist of piezocone penetration tests, electrical resistivity cone testing and piston and/or vibro cores to describe the geotechnical properties of the seafloor soils. The geotechnical sample locations will be selected on the basis of the results coming out of the geophysical studies (Lot 1). Further technical specifications are detailed in "B.1.2 Scope of Work Package B (Lot 2)".; Lot 3 covers the geophysical and geotechnical surveys needed for the project section in shallow waters. The survey area is located in the German sector of the North Sea. The survey corridor has a total length of approximately 7 km in water depths varying from 15 meters to shore (top of beach line). At low tide the beach is expected to dry out forming mud flats for a distance of ~200m. Further technical specifications are detailed in "B.1.3 Scope of Work Package C (Lot 3)".; Lot 4 covers the geotechnical surveys needed for the tunnel section of AquaDuctus pipeline. The survey area includes two dry sections, the foreland areas and the intertidal mud flats. The survey corridor has a total length of approximately 7 km. Further technical specifications are detailed in "B.1.4 Scope of Work Package D (Lot 4)".