Supporting a Wind Energy Vision

Offshore Marine Management was founded in 2003 in Bristol (UK) by Rob Grimmond, a subsea cable specialist with a renewable energy vision for the future. Offshore Marine Management began life predominantly as a personnel agency with three staff members, and has evolved into today’s subsea cables solutions and consultancy services company to the offshore renewable energy (wind farm), submarine telecoms, and oil and gas sectors.

The principle focus of Offshore Marine Management (OMM) has continued to be in renewable (wind) energy and submarine telecoms, with notable expansion experienced over the last two years as a result. This includes the setting up of a survey department and the development of operations and maintenance (O&M) software solutions for wind farms and submarine cable operators (and OMM project management and quality control (QC) of our own projects), as well as other new and key business strategies.

Growth

OMM currently employs just over 20 people, but can call upon more than 1,000 additional personnel and consultants for a wide range of onshore and offshore roles and disciplines for our own projects and those of our clients. In 2009, the company expanded beyond the Bristol head office with the opening of two further offices in Cambridge (UK) and Bremen (Germany). Cambridge hosts the operations and project solutions and support side of the business, which includes the associated survey and subsea vehicle and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) activities of OMM, whilst the Bremen office supports more directly the growing German business sector for the company, particularly in offshore wind. Additionally, the investment in key senior management during the same period has further strengthened the company's position and significantly increased the company profile and operational potential. "Although still a relatively small company, OMM has adapted quickly to take on larger projects whilst maintaining our very high standards and company philosophy of enjoying ones work," explained Grimmond, adding: "As an Aussie, I will not have it any other way and our staff and consultants have embraced this work ethic to the full whilst moving the company achievements and bar ever upwards."

Solutions

OMM has a growing reputation for providing turnkey solutions, in particular to offshore wind farms for innovative, tailored and efficient cable laying preparation (route clearance, pre-lay grapnel runs and cable protection - mattress installation, geotextile erosion and protection systems), cable installation, burial and inspection services for inter-array and export cables in both shallow and deep water installations. Survey solutions are at the nucleus of these operations with respect to subsea and surface positioning, cable data management, digital video technology, data acquisition and processing, charting, QC and final deliverables. The survey aspects of OMM's business have resulted in considerable investment during the last eight months in dedicated survey suites using the latest technology. The survey spreads comprise Fugro Pelagos and MariSoft software. At this early stage of the survey department, the company prefers to hire in the majority of project-required survey and subsea equipment and sensors. Round 1 and 2 wind farm locations within the UK and in the North Sea result in environmentally challenging situations with shallow water (and drying height) inspection of inter-array cables with large tidal ranges. OMM's innovative survey solutions are therefore tailored to meet these demands, particularly in respect of subsea vehicle utilisation and their associated positioning.

The survey department also handles client-required route engineering and design, survey invitation to tender review and desk-top studies, and is increasingly involved in subsea engineering and inspection, and ROV services provision through OMM's strategic alliance partners in the oil and gas industry.

Looking Ahead

For the future, OMM is focused on wind farm and submarine cable O&M and to this end is developing a software solution to allow operators, project managers and others, especially marine co-ordinators, to monitor, manage data and direct offshore operations and activities via a live cable/survey data, vessel monitoring and reporting solution.

Furthermore, and particularly for 2010, OMM is looking to invest in the youth for the future to combat the aging workforce in the offshore industry and is also looking to provide its staff, consultants and clients with training and career development opportunities to enhance their knowledge and personal skills. The Offshore Marine Academy (OMA) will focus primarily on a 12-month accredited apprenticeship for graduates, in addition to survey and cable industry appreciation and modular courses. The OMA also intends to run survey software and hardware courses via its own lecture staff (in conjunction with agreements made with software houses and equipment suppliers) or via third-party company lecturers.

"Over the coming years we will continue to invest in our turnkey cable solutions, O&M and training activities. These have been key to the company's success over the last 18 months and will continue to be so, to ensure that we maintain our high-quality services and deliverables. We are moving forward at a steady pace and are showing few signs of slowing, which is all the more encouraging and exciting in view of the current global climate."