Video: Aker uses explosives on Gyda jacket ahead of recycling

Aker Solutions has shared a video on its LinkedIn of the Gyda platform’s foundations being decommissioned through the use of explosives.

The firm initially built the jacket in 1989 in its yard in Verdal and they have now been decommissioned in the company’s yard in Stord.

The 33-year-old-structure will soon be 100% recycled and turned into new products, according to Aker Solutions.

Made using 5,000 tons of high-grade steel, the firm had to turn to the use of explosives to bring the gigantic structure within range of the cutting machines it uses for the job.

To protect the ground of the yard from the impact of the massive weight of the jacket as it collapsed, the firm set up piles of travel with pipes in them to act as “large pillows”.

Thomas Nygard, senior vice president at Aker Solutions described the collaboration between the comapny’s teams was “fantastic” as the standard of work was “sky high”.

Mr Nygard said: “The Jacket is 100 meters tall.

“For the past weeks and months, we have prepared and weakened the structure. We have had personnel in a basket about 80 meters above the ground who have weakened the structure piece by piece.”

Gyda stood in the southern part of the Norwegian North Sea and started producing in 1990 with the plans for the platform’s decommissioning being submitted in 2016.