Safe UXO disposal bolsters marine environment conservation at Moray West Offshore Wind Farm

Safe UXO disposal bolsters marine environment conservation at Moray West Offshore Wind Farm 

 Aberdeen, UK (10th August 2023) 

January 2023 saw EODEX delighted to win a contract in support of Ocean Winds, to investigate possible unexploded ordnance (pUXOs) and to dispose of confirmed unexploded ordnance (cUXOs) on the Moray West Offshore Wind Farm. Moray West is located in the outer Moray Firth in Scotland and has the capacity to power the equivalent of 1.33 million homes, delivering a low-cost and low-carbon solution in support of the drive towards Net Zero. 

EODEX has, to date, completed the target investigation phase, moving through the disposal phase, having already successfully disposed of over 70 cUXOs – a combination of mines, bombs, torpedoes, and naval projectiles, using their proprietary Low Order Deflagration technique with 100% success rate and no High Order detonations occurring. This innovative technique, developed in the UK, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing an environmentally low impact solution to the disposal of unexploded ordnance. 

Independent noise monitoring of the first 30 detonations identified that the technique was even quieter than initially modelled, delivering better than predicted environmental results. 

The benefit of this technology can be explained by Roland Alford, CEO at Alford Technologies “Deflagration is great for the environment as it is known that traditional methods of disposal can cause significant environmental damage and harm to marine mammals. The system is also much more efficient allowing EODEX to carry out more disposals in a shorter time, which is great for their clients” 

Simon Morgan, CEO at EODEX also comments on the importance of sustainability and remaining environmentally friendly throughout all practices within the company “EODEX are proud to bring the only government tested and environmentally proven technology to the renewable sector for Ocean Winds and the Moray West project. We have now safely and successfully deflagrated over 70 targets – more than the rest of the UK industry put together so far this year, securing a safe environment for sea life and the subsea environment. We are immensely proud of the positive effect we have had and look forward to completing the project in the next month or so.” 

Pete Geddes, Moray West Project Director at Ocean Winds commented “Despite the challenges of UXOs on the Moray West site, we have been delighted with the service from EODEX and their innovative deflagration solution. It’s a great UK success story that we are proud to be supporting. EODEX have proven their solution and ability to deliver it to minimise UXO impact for the project and the environment. We are developing our project amongst prized cetacean populations, so we have welcomed an approach to UXO that has avoided impacts on the whales and dolphins.” 

EODEX continues to demonstrate its full marine service credentials, having provided a one-stop solution for Ocean Winds, supported in both phases of the project by Helix Energy Solutions, who provided the Glomar Wave vessel and associated ROV and craneage support.