Murakami Tainai Offshore Wind Farm

Project Scope and Phases

The scope covers 2 stages of ground modelling and geotechnical interpretation. The first stage, which has been completed, was based on geophysical and geotechnical data obtained in 2022. The second stage augments this understanding with more detailed geophysical and geotechnical data acquisition carried out in 2024. Stage 2 is currently work in progress.

Deliverables and Digital Outputs

NGI delivered a combined ground model and geotechnical interpretation report from Stage 1. In Stage 2, separate ground model and geotechnical interpretation reports will be delivered. Digital deliverables for both stages include a Kingdom project containing the subsurface interpretation, a GIS project, and geotechnical design profiles for the wind turbine foundations, and the cable engineering. Geo-engineering constraint and geohazard risk registers have also been maintained to assist project decision making.

Key Technical Highlights

Notable aspects of the project are as follows. There is an emphasis on integrating geological, geophysical and geotechnical data to characterise the complex geology (i.e., variable ground conditions). This can only be achieved by a multi-disciplinary geo-team with cross-disciplinary understanding and collaboration. A second aspect is the importance of providing geotechnical parameters for seismic response analysis across the development area, leveraging in-situ and laboratory shear wave velocity data, plus correlation of shear wave velocity to multiple geotechnical parameters. A third aspect is that NGI are to provide a ground model and geotechnical interpretation that can be easily referenced and used by the foundation designer, and that will meet requirements of the Japanese certification body.