If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that companies need to adapt if they are to survive. Size is not everything. GeoSea nv (Geotechnical & Offshore Solutions) is an example of an organisation that has been involved in the offshore industry since the very start and has remained at the forefront due to an adaptive, reactive attitude. We spoke to Bart De Poorter, General Manager.
PES: Welcome to the company. Would you like to begin by explaining a little about the background of your company and how you serve the wind industry?
Bart De Poorter: GeoSea is part of the DEME holding, a world-leading marine and dredging contractor. GeoSea was founded in 1985 and rebranded in 2005 into today’s organisation. We serve three markets: oil and gas, civil works and – obviously – the offshore wind industry. GeoSea has experienced an exponential growth during the last years as a result of our investment programme. This has attracted an extra 300 persons in the last four years.
PES: The company has been involved in offshore for considerable length of time. What prompted you to diversify from the oil and gas sector into wind energy?
BDP: There is a clear strategy of diversification, both in terms of markets and areas. This proves to be a very successful model within DEME and GeoSea is part of that strategy. As you have rightfully indicated in your question, we have been involved in offshore (wind) for considerable length of time. Early projects like Samsö (operational since 2002) would now be seen as small scale or even pilot phases, but they were ground breaking.
A lot has changed since that time! Project scale, water depths, contract structure and many more have all evolved to a higher degree of maturity.
To repeat the words of one of our senior works manager: there is a remarkable evolution; we used the largest hammer available and installed the largest monopile at that time, but the size of that monopile is now as large as the hundreds of pin piles for our jackets.
PES: And what’s your on-the-ground assessment of the market right now? Have we ‘turned the corner’ in Europe, as most of the commentators are asserting?
BDP: We have seen the offshore wind market evolve from small-scale projects
up to a nearly mature market. Most of the stakeholders exactly know their role and capabilities when setting up such highly complex projects. We recognise that
some elements and players have not yet reached such maturity stages resulting in projects running out of time and budget, which unfortunately dominates the press and perception. Presenting examples
of smooth running projects are therefore
of importance.
