In the offshore world, the biggest challenges often lie beneath the surface—literally.
Co-authored by Fiona Jeffreys and Matt Grove
From unexploded ordnance (UXO) to thermal conductivity and sediment behaviour, understanding the subsurface is critical to safe, efficient, and sustainable offshore development.
In this video, Seequent’s Matt Grove—Regional Segment Manager for EMEA, with a background in earth sciences, astronomy, and hands-on experience as a geologist in the UK North Sea—shares his unique perspective on the future of offshore operations.
Drawing on nearly two decades at Seequent, he explores how advanced subsurface modelling is not only transforming the way we understand what lies beneath the waves, but also shaping safer, smarter, and more sustainable offshore development.
Bridging the gap between geoscience and engineering
The partnership between Seequent and Bentley is redefining offshore workflows. By combining Seequent’s subsurface modelling tools with Bentley’s infrastructure expertise, teams can now work seamlessly from seabed to surface.
When we combine Seequent and Bentley solutions, the results are ‘…very powerful, very powerful indeed,’ said Grove.
Grove suggests the best way to picture the workflow is as a line drawn on a page: everything above represents Bentley’s domain—asset management, monitoring, and design—while everything below is Seequent’s realm, providing vital subsurface data.
The integration enables the creation of digital twins—virtual models of offshore assets that improve decision-making, reduce risk, and enhance collaboration across disciplines.
Managing UXO risk with confidence
Unexploded ordnance is one of the most serious hazards in offshore development.
Seequent’s Oasis montaj platform has become a cornerstone in UXO detection and management.
It allows teams to integrate and interpret geophysical survey data, identify anomalies, and assess risk zones—supporting safe planning for cable routes, wind farm foundations, and dredging operations.
UXO is just one of many hidden risks underground, ‘that you can’t see’ but ‘needs detecting,’ said Grove.
These hazards have presented challenges in the past that persist as wind farms and other infrastructure are developed in ocean environments. Combining datasets reveals what exists, and where, which is the core value of this technology.
By layering different data sources to create a 3D image, ‘you start to grow that understanding of …it’s here, it’s this, and it’s this shape. That’s where we provide the benefit,’ said Grove.
Thermal analysis of cables: A new frontier
As offshore energy infrastructure evolves, managing heat transfer in subsea environments is becoming increasingly important. Seequent’s modelling tools simulate how thermal conductivity affects the seabed and surrounding geology.
This helps optimise cable routing, extend asset lifespans, and reduce environmental impact—especially in wind and interconnector projects.
‘With a ground model we can optimise a route from point A to point B because it’s not as easy as putting a cable in a straight line – there’s always something in the way that needs to be discovered or moved or averted,’ said Grove.
It’s important to understand the ground conditions, ‘ahead of time, before we lay the cable …to optimise the cable route and keep that asset running as long as possible, with as few issues as possible.’
‘We can tell you where the hot spots are on your cable …which sediments to avoid …and if you dug a little deeper and avoided a particular sediment – it’d last longer. These are the types of challenges we talk to customers about,’ he said.
Modernising dredging with subsurface intelligence
Dredging is essential to global infrastructure, yet the industry has been slow to adopt integrated technology.
Seequent’s detailed subsurface models help predict sediment composition and behaviour, improving planning accuracy and reducing surprises. By managing data precisely, teams can streamline operations, improve collaboration, and reduce uncertainty.
New technologies are ‘brilliant,’ said Grove ‘…you can really get a good indication of how much you’re going to get out of the ground, the costs …and savings. And if we complete that circle and come back to UXO challenges …the last thing you want to be doing is dredging up anything explosive.’
Do you need a UXO survey before dredging? ‘Brilliant,’ said Grove. Need geotech? ‘Great – we’ve got that too.’
Seequent provides ‘…that environment, that ecosysytem, where the data doesn’t have to be changed, it doesn’t have to go anywhere, it doesn’t have to be transformed …it flows from one to the next and you have this beautiful picture at the end telling you exactly what you’re going to expect.’
Looking ahead: Smarter, sustainable offshore development
Seequent is pushing the boundaries of offshore innovation with AI-driven modelling, real-time collaboration tools, and deeper integration with Bentley’s platforms.
The future includes expansion into emerging markets like offshore hydrogen, carbon capture, and deep-sea mining—all with a strong focus on sustainability and resilience.
With a passion for innovation and a keen eye on where the industry is heading, Matt Grove invites viewers to discover new possibilities in the offshore sector and see firsthand how Seequent’s technology is unlocking the intelligence hidden below the surface.
Watch the full video on youtube: What’s Really Down There?