Tag: Deltares

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Phase Two Testing Introduces Horizontal Pull Tests for Frequensea Decommissioning Tool 

Frequensea Decommissioning Tool during phase 2 testing at the Deltares test basin

The testing programme for the Frequensea Decommissioning Tool has entered its second phase, building on the successful first series of tests and expanding the scope of the programme. 

For this new phase, the test site has been prepared for a new series of tests. The existing test programme from phase one will be extended with new positions and different configurations of the test set-up, providing further data on the tool’s performance under varying test conditions. 

In addition, phase two introduces horizontal pull testing, with the tool tested in both horizontal and vertical orientations. During these tests, the tool is pulled horizontally through the soil to evaluate its behaviour and performance in both orientations. This adds a new element to the testing programme and further expands the data being gathered during phase two. 

The Frequensea Decommissioning Tool is designed for the environmentally responsible removal of subsea cables, umbilicals and pipelines. The tool uses patented vibration-induced fluidisation technology to efficiently extract buried assets while minimising disturbance to the surrounding seabed and marine environment. 

Testing is progressing well, with more test runs to follow as phase two continues.

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Frequensea Development Sponsor Day Features Full Scale Recovery & Burial Test

Frequensea Development Partner Day with successful burial and recovery demonstration of the Frequensea subsea cable and pipeline recovery technology.

On Friday, 17 July, the Frequensea Development Sponsor Day took place at Deltares. During the event, Frequensea successfully  demonstrated the Recovery & Burial capabilities of its Decommissioning Tool. 

The partner event opened with presentations on the progress of the tool development, the upcoming test programme and the project roadmap. The programme then continued with a laboratory tour, where the live Recovery & Burial Demonstration showed the capabilities of the Frequensea Decommissioning Tool and its patented vibration-induced fluidisation technology under realistic operating conditions. The demonstration was attended by representatives of early development sponsors DEME and SCA. 

Following the demonstration, guests concluded the Frequensea Development Sponsor Day with networking refreshments,  providing an opportunity to discuss the progress of the project and the upcoming phases of the Frequensea qualification programme. 

This project is supported by the Topsector Energie / Energy Innovation NL programme through a subsidy provided by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). 

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Frequensea Decommissioning Tool completes Factory Acceptance Testing and arrives at Deltares 

Frequensea's decommissioning tool with integrated vibration motors suspended above the Deltares tes basin following successful factory acceptance testing, ready for the next phase of validation

The Frequensea Decommissioning Tool has reached another important milestone in its development. The integrated vibration motor assembly (vibration module) successfully completed factory acceptance testing at steel construction specialist J. van Belzen, where functional and watertightness tests confirmed its performance and integrity. 

The vibration module has now been delivered to Deltares, where the next phase of the qualification programme is about to begin. 

At Deltares, the vibration module will undergo a series of sweep tests under controlled laboratory conditions. During these tests, the assembly will be placed under water beneath a layer of sand in a dedicated test basin, replicating subsea buried conditions. By gradually varying the operating frequency of the vibration motors, the test team will determine the optimum frequency at which soil liquefaction occurs. These results will form the basis for the entire testing programme at Deltares this summer. 

Once qualified, the Frequensea Decommissioning Tool will utilise its patented vibration-induced fluidization technology to provide the offshore industry with an efficient and environmentally responsible solution for the removal of redundant subsea cables and pipelines. 

By minimising disturbance to the surrounding seabed, the technology supports the growing need for sustainable offshore decommissioning. 

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Frequensea awarded EKOO grant for efficient decommissioning of subsea infra

Frequensea concept for cost efficient removal of subsea infrastructure

Frequensea and Deltares have been awarded a grant under the
EKOO – TSE: Electricity 2025 programme by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The subsidy will be used to further develop the novel patented Frequensea concept into a working subsea cable decommissioning tool by designing, testing, and validating it in practice.

Frequensea is a pioneer in subsea infrastructure removal, developing an innovative vibration-assisted method for the safe and efficient decommissioning of cables and pipelines. Deltares complements this with advanced research facilities and expertise in evaluating the environmental effects of subsea operations, ensuring the concept is both technically effective and ecologically sound.

The Frequensea concept uses controlled vibrations to reduce soil resistance. This approach makes it possible to remove buried infrastructure with smaller vessels, lower energy demand, and less disturbance to the seabed, while preserving materials for potential reuse.

The joint proposal submitted by Frequensea and Deltares ranked first among 12 submissions in the EKOO call, thanks to its innovation, sustainability benefits, and market potential.

“This subsidy is a major milestone for us” said Frequensea Managing Director, Dieter Korndorffer. “It enables us to prove our concept and bring the offshore industry closer to environmentally friendly and cost-efficient decommissioning.”

Mario Martinell, Expert advisor at Deltares added: “At Deltares, we see sustainable decommissioning as key part of the energy transition. Through research and innovation, we aim to provide the knowledge needed to support effective removal of offshore infrastructure.”

Over the next two years, the project will deliver a validated concept, positioning Frequensea and Deltares for further development toward full-scale deployment and contributing to a cleaner offshore energy landscape.

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