A major global windfarm operator approached Swire Energy Services looking for a business partner to supply fuelling capabilities for helicopters visiting a new offshore development, which will become the largest offshore wind farm in the world, situated 120km off the coast of the UK.

This meant, for the first time in Offshore wind, the substation required facilities to supply jet fuel for visiting helicopters and the client required a single point of contact to manage all the complex requirements associated with the project.

Our Solution

To deliver a bespoke solution, we provided a dedicated facility, in conjunction with World Fuel Services , specialising in supplying JET A-1 offshore.

Our project team conducts quality checks on the fuel and fills specialised Helifuel tanks for offshore transportation. Once delivered to the quayside, the tanks containing JET A-1 Helifuel are then transferred by boat to the substation, which also acts as an aircraft refuelling station.

Our role is to co-ordinate and project manage the activity on behalf of the client, ensuring we meet the highest of standards. Part of the scope of the project is to ensure skilled engineers visit the substation regularly to conduct quarterly inspections, servicing and recertification of the offshore refuelling systems, essential to the client’s continued safe operation.

In addition, we provide bulk fuel storage in a key location, allowing cost effective and time reducing road transfers to the ports used for offshore logistics.

We were uniquely positioned to support the client with this project as, with over 40 years’ experience working in the oil and gas industry, we have adapted our knowledge and skills to ensure that our equipment and services withstand the demanding nature and operating landscapes of the offshore energy sector.

The Results

The safe operation of the refuelling system and the supply of the Jet A-1 fuel is crucial to ensuring engineers can travel to and from the wind farm to conduct vital maintenance and repairs.

As a result of this partnership, we are able to provide the client with guidance on CAA’s CAP 437 guidelines to ensure that Jet A-1 fuel is safely stored, transported and quality checked to enable safe helicopter transport to the wind farm.