Korea Floating Offshore Wind Project
Phase 1 geotechnical site investigation for Korea’s first licensed floating offshore wind development.
Project Snapshot
Client: KFW
KFW Shareholders: Ocean Winds and Mainstream Renewable Power
Location: South Korea
Service: Integrated Geosurvey
Period: Mid-August–19 September 2024
Project Stage: Phase 1
Planned Capacity: 1,125 MW
Survey Locations: 12
Maximum Water Depth: Up to 220 metres
Building Ground Understanding for Floating Wind
Offshore wind development begins with a clear understanding of the seabed and the ground beneath it. For floating wind projects, reliable geotechnical data is essential to engineering assessment, foundation and anchoring concepts, and subsequent development decisions.
Seahorse completed the Phase 1 offshore geotechnical site investigation for Korea’s first licensed floating offshore wind project, a development with a planned capacity of 1,125 MW.
The campaign covered 12 survey locations in water depths of up to 220 metres, requiring careful coordination of marine operations, drilling activities, onboard testing, and technical data management.
An Integrated Geotechnical Scope
Seahorse delivered a coordinated programme comprising:
- Soil boring and sampling
- Downhole Cone Penetration Testing
- Onboard soil laboratory testing
- Onshore laboratory analysis
- Detailed data interpretation and reporting
The offshore work was performed using Geo Mariner, Seahorse’s DP2 geotechnical survey vessel. Its drilling system, specialised survey equipment, and onboard laboratory capability supported continuous data acquisition and preliminary assessment during the campaign.
By connecting offshore investigation, laboratory testing, and interpretation, the project team produced a structured dataset to support subsequent engineering and development activities.
Working in Deepwater Conditions
Operating across multiple locations and in water depths reaching 220 metres required disciplined planning and consistent control of the vessel, drilling system, equipment, and technical procedures.
Each survey location had to be completed with attention to sample quality, testing accuracy, operational safety, and the integrity of the data transferred for further analysis.
Close coordination between the vessel crew, offshore technical team, laboratory specialists, client, and project stakeholders helped keep the programme aligned throughout the campaign.
Supporting the Next Generation of Energy Infrastructure
Phase 1 was completed on 19 September 2024. The resulting geotechnical information provided important ground data for the project’s engineering and development process.
For Seahorse, the campaign represents a significant reference in offshore wind and deepwater geotechnical investigation. It demonstrates the company’s ability to deploy specialised marine assets and technical expertise in support of next-generation energy developments across the Asia-Pacific region.
