An international energy major sought support with cable de-burial, repair, and reburial operations in the Gulf of Mexico, using James Fisher’s controlled flow excavation(CFE) technologies.   

Customer challenge 

Our customer needed a safe and effective method of exposing a subsea composite cable to enable a cable repair near an FPSO in shallow waters.  

Variable soil conditions – from soft to medium strength - and vessel speed limitations impacted excavation performance, requiring a precise and powerful solution following field testing. 

Solution for our customer

Seven specialists from James Fisher’s excavation team mobilised to the location to carry out the scope. The team deployed the Twin R2000 CFE tool to execute controlled de-burial of the 110mm cable, followed by remedial trenching and backfilling.   

Trial excavations on-site optimised vessel speed and excavation parameters to achieve the required trench depth of up to two metres, enabling successful cable recovery and reinstatement.

Our impact to our customer

• Enabled customer’s safe access to damaged cable for repair operations 
• Adapted excavation approach to overcome vessel speed constraints 
• Delivered consistent trenching performance across soft and medium-strength soils 
• Minimised operational risk through controlled excavation technology