Apparatus and method for mitigation of scour around seabed installations

The scour protection apparatus addresses the scouring issues around offshore seabed installations by using a design with flow diversion means to reduce water velocity and shear stress, offering a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional rock dumping methods.

WO2025062142A1 Publication Date: 2025-03-27BALMORAL COMTEC
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/GB2024/052435
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-09-21
Filing Date
2024-09-20
Publication Date
2025-03-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Offshore seabed installations, such as wind turbine towers and monopiles, face significant scouring issues due to water flow around their bases, leading to erosion and reduced foundation strength. Traditional methods like rock dumping are expensive and inefficient.

Method used

A scour protection apparatus with an inner throughbore and a planar lower surface, featuring an upper surface with flow diversion means, such as hexagonal shapes, arranged in rings separated by grooves. This design reduces seabed scour by disrupting water flow and reducing shear bed stress.

Benefits of technology

The apparatus effectively reduces scouring around seabed installations by minimizing water velocity and shear stress, thereby protecting the foundation and reducing the need for extensive rock dumping. This results in a more efficient and cost-effective solution for offshore installations.

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Abstract

A scour protection apparatus (1, 20) adapted for immersion in a body of water is provided along with a method of preventing scour around the foundations of a substantially tubular shaped subsea installation (5). The scour protection apparatus has an inner throughbore (2) which in use is located around the outer circumference of the subsea installation (5) and a lower most substantially planer shaped surface (9) adapted in use to rest upon the seabed surface. The apparatus also has an outermost perimeter (19) and an upper most surface (22) substantially impervious to water, wherein at least a portion of the upper surface (22) comprises at least two flow diversion means (15, 44, 46, 48) provided thereon and each flow diversion means (15, 44, 46, 48) being separated from each adjacent flow diversion means (15, 44, 46, 48) by a groove arrangement (21). The scour protection apparatus (1, 20) in use reduces seabed scour occurring around a junction of the substantially tubular shaped subsea installation (5) and the seabed.
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