Xodus to Maximize Energy Connection Integrity for Mutual Energy

Independent, international energy consultancy Xodus Group has agreed a four-year Consultancy Support Framework Agreement to provide marine services for Interconnector Services Limited (ISL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mutual Energy.

Xodus will manage the procurement of a survey contractor in order to perform survey investigations on the power cable and pipeline networks connecting Scotland and Northern Ireland. The aim is to assess and maximize the asset integrity of the two systems and refine inspection techniques and emergency response procedures as appropriate and dependent upon survey findings.

The Moyle Interconnector is a 250kV (500MW) two cable HVDC system linking the electricity grids of Northern Ireland and Scotland. The submarine section of the cable system comprises of two corridors each of 55km in length, with an overall length of 63km.

The Scotland to Northern Ireland Pipeline (SNIP) is a 135km gas pipeline from Twynholm in Scotland to Ballylumford, Northern Ireland and its subsea section runs 40km and links with the Belfast Gas Transmission Pipeline (BGTP) which includes the gas pipeline crossings within Larne and Belfast Loughs.

The scope of work is to provide marine services covering major aspects of maintenance activities for these assets. This will include survey procurement and management of the survey operations, results analysis and developing the O&M strategy, including the management and assessment of emergency response requirements. Xodus will also provide on-call emergency response and marine advice services.

The work began in early November and is contracted to end in August 2017. The deal includes a possible extension for a further two years’ work.

James Hunt, Global Director for Low Carbon at Xodus, said the project will enhance the asset integrity management for ISL’s submarine power and gas assets between Scotland and Northern Ireland: “The cable and pipeline systems connecting the two countries are strategically important energy assets and there is a need to maintain maximized integrity now and in the future for consistent energy supply.

“This work calls upon our depth and breadth of knowledge in offshore infrastructure, cables, pipelines and our honed skills in delivering asset integrity solutions, whether procurement of survey contractors, testing emergency procedures or offering detailed marine engineering advice. Xodus is able to provide a highly experienced team that can be mobilized at very short notice to meet the needs of the client.”

Stephen Hemphill, Mutual Energy’s Group Operations Manager, said, “Xodus won an extremely competitive procurement process. Their marine specialism, high caliber personnel, and innovative ideas helped them pip the other very competent parties to the post. Our whole team here at Mutual Energy look forward to working with Xodus over the next few years; applying their innovative thinking, add value to our processes and verifying the integrity of our submarine assets.”