James Fisher cuts in-situ offshore wind monopile with purpose-built cutting tool

James Fisher and Sons has completed what it claims is the first abrasive cutting operation on a 10-m diameter offshore wind monopile.

The company said it deployed an abrasive cutting tool designed specifically for offshore wind farm maintenance and decommissioning. The purpose for this project was to correct an installation issue with a turbine foundation.

The water jet system severed the full diameter of the monopile in one cut, followed by recovery to the deck of the vessel.

Mark Stephen, product line director, Decommissioning, CFE and Subsea Tooling at James Fisher, said, “By developing a new tool and approach, we’ve shown that large-scale decommissioning can be done safely, efficiently and with the environment front of mind.”