About the project
We successfully delivered a series of deep-sea environmental surveys across the Norwegian continental shelf, providing specialist ecological input to support responsible offshore energy development. These surveys formed part of wider site investigation programmes conducted in advance of drilling operations, with a key focus on the identification and assessment of deep-sea sponge communities and other sensitive benthic habitats.
Strategic locations across the Norwegian and Barents Seas
The surveys were undertaken in multiple offshore locations spanning the Norwegian and Barents Seas, covering a range of oil and gas blocks positioned across mid-shelf and frontier sectors. The work included assessments within:
- Northern portions of the Norwegian Sea, adjacent to mature production zones with established infrastructure.
- More remote and less-developed regions of the Barents Sea, where environmental sensitivities are heightened due to the pristine nature and ecological richness of the benthic environment.
These locations ranged in depth from approximately 300 to 400 metres, encompassing a variety of seabed types and substrate conditions. All areas were prioritised for detailed baseline assessment due to the potential presence of protected seabed features, such as sponge aggregations, coral gardens, and other OSPAR-listed or Annex I habitats.
Expert role in deep-sea survey operations
Operations were conducted using a dedicated remotely operated vehicle (ROV) support vessel, with our marine ecologists embedded onboard to lead the environmental scope of work. High-resolution video and still imagery were collected using work-class ROVs deployed along strategically planned transects.
Our responsibilities included:
- Real-time seabed imagery interpretation and quality assurance
- Habitat classification in accordance with EUNIS, OSPAR, and Norwegian regulatory standards
- Species identification and spatial analysis of key ecological features
- Mapping of potential Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and environmentally sensitive area
These assessments were essential to inform risk management and environmental planning for proposed subsea infrastructure and drilling activity.
The importance of deep-sea sponge habitats
Deep-sea sponge communities play a vital role in marine ecosystems. These habitats enhance biodiversity, provide structural complexity, and contribute to nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. Due to their slow growth and high sensitivity to physical disturbance, sponge aggregations are considered indicators of ecological significance and are subject to strict protection measures under international conservation frameworks.
Our assessments provided the necessary evidence base to identify these features and helped shape operational decisions that would minimise environmental impact.
Full-service environmental delivery
Our role extended beyond imagery analysis. The team provided technical input during survey planning and advised on transect locations based on seabed morphology and acoustic data. Following survey completion, we produced detailed habitat assessment reports, mapping deliverables, and guidance to inform regulatory submissions.
The success of these projects underscores our ability to deliver:
- End-to-end environmental support for complex offshore operations
- Specialist expertise in deep-sea habitat interpretation
- High-quality, regulator-ready data products that support compliance and environmental best practice
Supporting sustainable offshore development
With a growing emphasis on environmental accountability in offshore operations, we remain committed to delivering scientific insight that supports sustainable development. These surveys highlight our position as a trusted provider of ecological data, helping to safeguard vulnerable marine habitats and inform environmentally responsible project delivery across the North Sea and beyond.
