Offshore staff
STAVANGER, Norway – The 22,000-ton topsides for the Johan Sverdrup Phase 1 drilling platform has departed the Aibel yard in Haugesund, western Norway, and is due to be transferred tomorrow from the barge to Allseas’ heavy-lift vessel Pioneering Spirit in the Bømlafjorden.
According to Sverdrup operator Equinor, the topsides is the first and largest structure to be completed and 85% fully tested onshore prior to installation offshore in a single lift.
Aibel won the NOK8-billion ($980-million) contract for the drilling topsides in February 2015. The company built the main deck at its yard in Thailand, and the drilling support module in Haugesund, while Nymo in Grimstad constructed the derrick and associated equipment.
All three modules were assembled in the Klosterfjorden last September, with the topsides then towed to the Haugesund yard for nine months of hookup and fabrication activities. At the same time Equinor has completed testing of equipment on board the platform.
According to Lars Håvardsholm, Equinor’s project manager for the drilling platform, the collaboration has also been good with Odfjell Drilling, which will operate the drilling rig, and NOV, the supplier of the drilling facilities.
This will also be thePioneering Spirit’s first platform installation job.
05/31/2018
