Venterra company GeoForce proves 24/7 onboard geotechnical soil testing capability in first project delivery for Sulmara

Tuesday 10 March, London, UK: GeoForce Technical Services, part of Oceanscan and the wider Venterra Group, has launched an expanded geotechnical soil testing capability, including a 24/7 on‑board soils laboratory and enhanced onshore testing, to provide end‑to‑end offshore site investigation from acquisition through to reporting. The capability will be showcased during Oceanology International, where GeoForce is highlighting how integrated geotechnical workflows can materially de‑risk complex offshore operations.

The first project under the expanded offering was delivered for offshore survey company Sulmara and comprised a full geotechnical spread: cone penetration testing (CPT), vibrocorer operations, and thermal resistivity testing. GeoForce operated an on‑board soils lab around the clock, enabling real‑time sample handling and a tightly aligned engineering workflow from mobilisation to reporting.

Across the campaign, GeoForce teams collected 500m+ of soil samples and acquired 300m+ of CPT data, now processed by GeoForce engineers to inform design and delivery decisions. According to Sulmara, having competent geotechnical personnel and an operationally robust partner on the vessel significantly reduced risk during a high‑value offshore execution.

James McDonald, Managing Director, GeoForce Technical Services, said: 

“We’ve invested to close the loop, from high‑quality offshore acquisition to rapid, reliable testing and reporting. The on‑board lab and expanded soil testing facility mean we can give clients timely, decision‑ready data while maintaining a rigorous safety and quality regime. The Sulmara project is a strong proof point for the model.”

The capability launch follows a year of accelerated investment across the Oceanscan Group. In 2025, Oceanscan doubled GeoForce’s CPT fleet and added new assets to strengthen end‑to‑end geotechnical delivery.

Derek Donaldson, CEO of Oceanscan Group, said:

“This is about measurable value for clients. By combining GeoForce’s geotechnical expertise with Oceanscan’s broader survey and inspection heritage, we’re offering integrated solutions that are safer, more efficient, and more responsive to offshore project realities.”

Andy Nicol, Regional Director at Sulmara, said:

“With GeoForce on board, issues were addressed proactively and changes implemented without friction. Competent teams and a robust geotechnical partner materially reduced our operational risk.”

Media Enquiries:

Stiofain MacDaibhead,

Group Director of Communications

Venterra

+353 86 3298700

stiofain.macdaibhead@venterra-group.com