Able UK Seaton Grounding Pad Assessment

Overview

Company: Undisclosed Consortium

Project Location: Able UK Seaton Port grounding pad in Hartlepool 

Project Description: Two High Resolution Bathymetry surveys of Able UK Seaton, Hartlepool port (before and after) of the decommissioning and disposal of Shell’s Brent Delta and subsequent data analysis to assess for ground pad stability

Hartlepool Port

Location: Able UK Seaton Port in Hartlepool is located on the North East of England coast, close to the mouth of the River Tees.

Size: The size area of the port covers 51 hectares.

Able Seaton Port

Project Scope:

  • Design of a comprehensive high-resolution bathymetric survey of the Able Seaton Port grounding pad to assess its structural integrity in relation to dock flooding and tidal influences, in preparation for the arrival of the Iron Lady barge transporting the Brent Delta infrastructure
  • Assessment of Able Seaton Port grounding pad following the departure of the Iron Lady barge and  a further comprehensive high-resolution bathymetric survey.
  • Data Analysis of subsequent of data sets

Responsibilities and Services Encompassed:

  • Survey assessment of grounding pad prior to arrival of the barge, with the Brent Delta topside, to assess that grounding pad levels conform to the design criteria after the reflooding of the basin
  • Survey assessment of grounding pad after the departure of the barge to assess the impact of the barge grounding on pad during offloading of the Brent Delta topside

Project Benefit:

Hydrofix’s high accuracy bathymetric survey specification provided data for the safe decommissioning of the Brent Delta infrastructure at Able Seaton Port. The pre-arrival survey ensured the grounding pad’s structural integrity met design specifications for safely receiving the Iron Lady barge and offloading its cargo. The post-departure survey to the same high accuracy specification enabled a thorough assessment of any structural impacts from the offloading operation, contributing to future engineering decisions and maintaining port infrastructure integrity.

These detailed surveys supported risk mitigation and successful execution of this significant decommissioning project at one of the UK’s leading port facilities. Our survey input delivered essential quality assurance for both the port operators and the decommissioning project team, ensuring safe operations throughout this complex engineering undertaking. The high-resolution data collected provided valuable documentation for future similar operations at the facility while maintaining the port’s reputation as a premier decommissioning destination.