Energy

Ørsted Skipjack Onshore Cable Route Utility Mapping & SUE

Southern Delaware

Table of Contents

SoftDig supported Ørsted’s Skipjack Wind project by delivering subsurface utility engineering (SUE), utility mapping, and GIS integration across a 27-mile onshore cable route in Southern Delaware. The project required accurate designation of complex underground infrastructure to support the transition of power from offshore wind generation to the regional grid.

Project Overview

The Ørsted Skipjack Onshore Cable Route project involved large-scale subsurface utility engineering and utility mapping to support renewable energy infrastructure development. Spanning approximately 27 miles and covering more than 80 acres, the project required the identification and documentation of underground utilities across multiple environments, including roadways, undeveloped land, and existing infrastructure corridors.

SoftDig performed Quality Level B (QLB) utility designation and mapping across a range of utility systems, including electric, gas, water, gravity, and telecommunications. The resulting data supported engineering design, route planning, and coordination for the onshore portion of the offshore wind project.

Scope of Services

SoftDig delivered a comprehensive range of subsurface utility engineering and mapping services to support the Skipjack cable route design and coordination.

Services included:

Utility Markouts & Designation (Quality Level B)
Records Research & Reconnaissance (Quality Levels C & D)
Surveying and field verification
GIS Mapping and spatial data integration
CAD integration and deliverable preparation
Geodatabase development and management

The combination of field investigation and digital data integration ensured that all identified utilities were accurately captured and delivered in formats compatible with engineering and planning workflows.

Project Challenges

The scale and complexity of the Skipjack Onshore Cable Route introduced several challenges that required careful coordination and technical precision.

Key challenges included:

Large Project Footprint
Covering 27 miles required consistent methodology and coordination across multiple work zones.
Multiple Utility Systems
Identification of electric, gas, communication, water, and gravity systems across varied environments.
Coordination with Stakeholders
Alignment with engineers, contractors, and project stakeholders to maintain schedule and accuracy.
Infrastructure Transition Zones
Supporting the transition between underground and overhead systems tied to offshore wind infrastructure.

Field Operations & Utility Mapping Approach

SoftDig utilized a combination of geophysical locating methods and field verification techniques to accurately designate underground utilities along the route.

Methods included:

RF and electromagnetic locating
Records research and utility reconciliation
Field data collection using GPS-enabled systems
Integration of findings into GIS and CAD environments

This approach ensured that all identified utilities were mapped with accuracy and consistency, reducing risk during design and construction.

Results & Deliverables

SoftDig successfully delivered comprehensive utility mapping and SUE data to support the Skipjack Onshore Cable Route project.

Key outcomes:

Designation of utility infrastructure across approximately 27 miles
Coverage of approximately 80+ acres of project area
Identification of multiple utility systems including electric, gas, water, gravity, and communications
Delivery of GIS-integrated and CAD-ready datasets
Improved coordination and reduced risk for engineering and construction teams

The project provided Ørsted with the data required to move forward with confidence in the planning and design of critical renewable energy infrastructure.

Project Impact

The Skipjack Onshore Cable Route is a key component in delivering offshore wind energy to the regional grid. SoftDig’s role in providing accurate subsurface utility data helped enable: