Energy and marine consultancy ABL, part of Oslo-listed global consultancy group Aqualis, has been hired by Switzerland-based offshore contractor Allseas to support the lifting of a massive 60,000-ton topside in a single motion as part of a North Sea decommissioning project on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).
ABL has been selected by Allseas as marine warranty surveyor (MWS) for the single-lift removal of Equinor’s Statfjord A topside. The Swiss player is the offshore contractor undertaking the engineering, preparation, removal and disposal (EPRD) of the concrete gravity-base production platform in the North Sea.
Since Allseas’ Pioneering Spirit construction vessel will remove the entire Statfjord A topside in a single lift and deliver it to a disposal yard for disposal and recycling, the ship’s motion-compensated topsides lifting system (TLS) lifting capacity has been upgraded from 48,000 to 60,000 tons for this project.
ABL Norway will lead the MWS project delivery, drawing on the wider expertise of the company’s North Sea decommissioning specialists. The firm’s operations in Norway will work to reduce risks to an acceptable minimum throughout the critical operation, whilst ensuring that it is delivered in accordance with agreed procedures and in compliance with local regulations.
Subbi Nookala, ABL’s Country Manager in Norway, commented: “We are pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with Allseas in Norway by supporting the safe execution of this trailblazing topside removal and offshore lift operation for Equinor.
“Statfjord A is a legendary asset, and the project brings significant technical and operational challenges. We look forward to working with Allseas to help deliver this important project.”
Aqualis’ subsidiary is in charge of handling independent third-party technical review of procedural documentation, marine assurance services to verify the operational suitability of the proposed fleet, alongside offshore attendance to witness and approve operational delivery.
This scope of work has been awarded under ABL’s existing framework agreement with Allseas in Norway. The firm claims that this job reflects its extensive experience and trusted reputation across major North Sea decommissioning projects.
Allseas is busy with multiple decommissioning assignments, including the recent one in the UK North Sea, where Pioneering Spirit performed the single-lift removal of the 17,200-ton North Cormorant topsides for its transport to Dales Voe, Shetland.
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