Geotechnical Division News

The planned 18 kilometre-long immersed tunnel will connect Denmark and Germany as part of the Scandinavian-Mediterranean corridor, one of the EU’s nine priority network corridors. Detailed knowledge of the subsurface soil properties is key for the proper design and execution of this challenging tunnel construction, for which the world’s largest construction and marine dredging companies are amongst the bidders. Fugro will deploy two jack-up rigs in the Fehmarnbelt seaway between the Danish island of Lolland and Fehmarn on Germany's Baltic coast. In July 2015 Fugro’s highly experienced geotechnical team will perform down-hole CPT (cone penetration testing), drilling and geotechnical laboratory work in water depths between 3 and 10 metres.

Fugro report first half-year revenue of EUR 1,186.9 million compared to EUR 1,167.9 million in first half of 2013. Year-on-year revenue growth at constant currencies of 6.2% or 7.9% excluding multi-client seismic surveys. Non-cash impairments and one-off write-offs of EUR 346.6 million due to weak results and the more challenging oil and gas market outlook. This was mostly related to the Geoscience division. EBIT margin, excluding non-cash impairments and one-off write-offs, was 2.1% which is significantly below last year. This was mainly due to poor performance across all divisions in the first quarter and continued losses in the Geoscience division in the first half year.

C & C Technologies Inc. is pleased to announce that Jill Rivette has joined the Geotechnical Division in Houston TX as a Senior Geotechnical Engineer. Jill is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas and brings with her many years of experience in geotechnical engineering. The C & C geotechnical laboratory has been quite active in 2014 performing standard and advanced soil tests on core samples obtained from offshore East Africa, along with several extensive lab testing programs on projects in the Gulf of Mexico. The lab has purchased three new Direct Simple Shear devices to satisfy this increasing demand, which brings its total number of Direct Simple Shear devices to nine.

Fugro Voyager, a purpose built DP2 geotechnical drilling vessel, is entering service with Fugro’s Offshore Geotechnical Division to expand its operations in the frontier areas of the Asia Pacific region. Specifically designed and built to address the varied demands of the region’s deepwater markets, the new vessel has several features which will enhance overall productivity, Fugro said. At 83 meters by 20 meters, with a twin tower drilling derrick over a centrally located moon pool, the vessel has automated pipe and tool handling equipment to promote safe drilling floor operations.

Calecore announced the appointment of Mike Southall who commenced employment with the company in June 2013 as General Manager, Calegeo. Mike is a chartered engineer and geologist with nearly 30 years experience as a practicing geotechnical engineer and was previously General Manager for SEtech Ltd. He will be responsible for the leadership and day-to-day management of geotechnical operations, including the DP2 Highland Spirit and Calegeo’s range of seabed geotechnical equipment. calecore.com