Scottish firms Ocean Kinetics and Green Marine (UK) have partnered to decommission OpenHydro’s tidal energy platform in the Orkney Islands.

The project involves removing a steel superstructure and cutting steel piles at European Marine Energy Centre’s (EMEC) Fall of Warness test site, where OpenHydro developed tidal turbine technology.

Ocean Kinetics is providing divers, riggers, welders, and ROV services, while Green Marine offers offshore management, vessel support, and operational cable expertise. The decommissioning contract, awarded in April, includes cable disconnection, pile cutting, and complete removal of the superstructure. Both firms are sharing responsibilities for operational engineering, cutting and heavy lift operations.

Green Marine Operations Manager Terry Norquay said the entire topside infrastructure has now been successfully removed with work imminently progressing to the pile removal and cable termination. “The OpenHydro project has demanded a strong understanding of operations within harsh marine environments combined with solid preparation and execution. While Green Marine and Ocean Kinetics offer a broad range of marine services, this particular job demonstrates the turnkey solution we offer specifically for subsea superstructure removal projects. By combining our respective expertise, we are able to deliver all manner of EPCI (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation) contracts. There are few operators in the UK who can match us for experience, reliability and cost efficiency.”

Under the Marine Licence which allowed OpenHydro to operate, the seabed must be returned to its original condition, which means cutting each pile foundation flush to the seabed. To achieve this result diamond wire cutting machines will be turned upside-down to create an optimal finish.

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