KP1

There is a large natural gas field at the bottom of Lake Kivu in Rwanda that has significance for the country and the entire region. The gas is water-soluble from a depth of approximately 300 meters below the water surface to the lake floor at a depth of approximately 500 meters.

The objective of this project was to create a power station that could produce six kilowatts of energy in an area where electricity is scarce and difficult to obtain. SeaTech was responsible for the lakeside of the project, including the precise placing of anchors weighing 5-40 tons, installation of 1,000 meters of HDPE pipe at a 5-meter depth, connection and installation of a gas-water separator, barge construction, and a variety of diving and other marine works.

The Challenge

The project scope did not allow us to transport vessels to the lake, significantly limiting access.

We were dependent on the outdated on-site equipment and there was a lack of hoisting tools with the capacity to lift heavy weights like sinkers and gas separators.

There were also no trained marine crews available in Rwanda.

The weather conditions at the lake were challenging, and there were no exact weather forecasts available.

“SeaTech took charge of this project from day one, with deep industry expertise, strong cooperation with third-party suppliers, and professionalism throughout. Despite the need for incredibly specific weather conditions, the project was completed successfully, and we now have visibility exactly where we need it.”

- Director of Operations -

The SeaTech Solution

Launching from Alternative Locations

To minimize the transport costs in a location with such difficult access, many of the parts were built and launched onto the lake from more accessible locations. The team members also traveled by boat rather than by vehicle.

Implements Built on Lake Floor

To solve the problem of the lack of hoisting tools, all of the heavy implements were built on the lake floor by divers and raised to the surface with floater parachutes.