06.04.26

Floating offshore wind is expected to play a key role in the energy transition, enabling access to valuable wind resources in deepwater locations. However, as projects scale in size, transportation & installation (T&I) is becoming a prominent source of project risk and a key contributor to cost overruns and schedule delays. In many cases, issues that arise during T&I operations are not the result of unforeseen offshore conditions. Rather they stem from design decisions made early in the project lifecycle, months or even years before floaters are towed out to their location.  

In most floating wind developments, installation is treated as a downstream activity, entirely separate from the engineering design phase. However, the two are highly interdependent. Design decisions related to hull geometry, mooring configuration, handling interfaces, and even structural sizing directly impact offshore planning and installation. When decisions are made in silos, they often create conflicts later, leading to costly rework and reduced flexibility during execution, 

A more effective approach, adopted by Ekwil, is to integrate installation constraints early in the floater’s engineering, while key parameters are still flexible, and changes do not affect cost or schedule. 

The advantages of considering installation from Day 1 

Floating offshore wind systems present installation challenges that differ significantly from those of fixed-bottom structures. Large floating hulls, mooring systems, towing operations, and sensitive dynamic cable interfaces create strong interdependencies across the system that cannot be resolved efficiently if installation is treated as a later-stage activity. 

Selection of the top mooring line connectors provides a clear example of how installation requirements influence design. In operation, these components transfer loads from the mooring system to the floater. During installation, however, they serve as a critical interface between the floating unit and the installation marine spread. When connectors are not designed for installation, it can lead to:  

• Increased vessel requirements, particularly if connector geometry is incompatible with available handling or tensioning equipment. 

• Extended offshore schedules resulting from inefficient hook-up procedures. 

• Reduced safety margins if the design does not accommodate misalignment or dynamic conditions specific to the installation phase.

By incorporating installation requirements — such as load capacity during hook-up, angular tolerances, handling interfaces, ROV accessibility, verification procedures, and similar constraints — into the design, these risks can be effectively mitigated.  

This is not an isolated example. Across a floating wind system, numerous components share similar dependencies. Addressing them early creates measurable value that positively impacts project economics.   

Ekwil’s seamless marine operations engineering 

Backed by parent companies Technip Energies and SBM Offshore, Ekwil draws on 130+ years of combined experience in mooring design and offshore operations, with over 100 systems successfully delivered. This depth of experience provides us with a detailed understanding of the challenges typically encountered during T&I.  

Our unique approach to mitigate project risk is to embed installation expertise within the core engineering team from the outset. Doing so provides several advantages including:  

• Optimised component selection – Components are purpose-designed for both in-service performance and efficient offshore handling, installation, and connection, reducing complexity and improving overall project execution.  

• Integrated installation methodology development – Installation strategies are developed in parallel with the design, enabling early definition of lifting, towing, hook-up, and ballasting approaches. Proactive alignment helps eliminate constraints early and prevents downstream design conflicts.  

• Early incorporation of critical load cases – Structural load cases associated with launching, berthing, wet tow, and hook-up are embedded into the design basis from the outset, minimizing the risk of late-stage redesign, cost escalation, and schedule delays.  

• Enhanced safety – Hazard mitigation is inherently built into the design process, enabling safer operations. 

Discover how INOC marine operations run from loadout to mooring hook-up

Field-Proven Experience on Provence Grand Large pilot farm 

Ekwil’s methodology is grounded in practical experience. The Provence Grand Large floating wind farm, delivered under a full EPCI framework (of the Tension-Leg Platform and mooring systems), provides a strong reference for integrating marine operations into design and execution.  

Lessons learned from Provence Grand Large have been incorporated into our current engineering practices. We also prioritize early engagement with offshore operational teams to validate designs against real-world conditions and ensure safe installation. 

This combination of project experience and operational feedback creates a closed-loop approach, where engineering is continuously improved. 

Changing the status quo 

In floating offshore wind, the case for early integration of installation engineering is both technical and economic. The complexity of floating systems, combined with the cost and constraints of offshore operations, means that late installation considerations can have significant consequences. 

As a leading EPCI player in the offshore floating wind market, Ekwil employs a differentiated approach — one in which engineering, procurement, construction, and installation are treated as interconnected inputs from the outset, rather than as sequential phases.  

Leveraging the combined strengths of our parent companies Technip Energies and SBM Offshore, we are uniquely positioned to address offshore installation challenges and to deliver practical, execution-ready solutions that minimize project cost, complexity, and risk.