An efficient coring technology for deep sea mineral exploration

In addressing requirements for quantification of seabed mineral resources using geotechnical methods, a group of companies (Seabed Solutions, DeepOcean and Adepth) are implementing a new coring methodology with a marinized off-the-shelf and proven land-based coring system (referred to as 'FlexiCore™') mounted on a proven subsea work vehicle (Seabed Excavator) to significantly improve the efficiency to sample and interpret subsurface geology. The FlexiCore technology should be able to obtain an increased number of high-quality cores of the seabed in less time and prove an important element for building a better knowledge base of marine mineral resource characterisation. In this paper, we introduce the system, present the results of an initial marinization process of FlexiCore, and provide plans for further testing through a Norwegian research campaign.