Heerema’s Thialf has removed Shell’s Goldeneye wellhead platform, almost 20 years after the semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) installed the structure.
The operations included removing the 1280 metric ton topside and the 3019 metric ton jacket before transportation to the AF Environmental Base in Norway for recycling and reuse.
Goldeneye was installed by Thialf in the central North Sea in 2003 and started up production from the gas-producing field the previous year.
Located about 80 miles north-east of Aberdeen, the platform included five platform wells in 120 metre water depth with a direct tie-back via the Goldeneye pipeline to the St Fergus gas plant, near Peterhead.
Cessation of production was granted in 2011 and Shell was given the green light to decommission the installation in 2019.
Shell is proposing to repurpose the Goldeneye pipeline to allow it to transport emissions as part of the Acorn carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, based at St Fergus.
© Supplied by HeeremaRemoval campaign
The Goldeneye platform was removed using Heerema’s reverse installation method, starting with removing the 1280 metric ton topside in a single lift.
After removal, the topside was transferred to Thialf’s deck for transportation.
The Goldeneye jacket involved cutting skirt piles using Deco Subsea’s internal abrasive water jet cutting techniques at -3m below the seabed.
After which, the 3019 metric ton jacket was safely removed and remained suspended in Thialf’s cranes for transportation to Vats, Norway.
What’s next?
The Goldeneye platform has been safely set down at the AF Environmental Base yard in Vats, Norway, to be dismantled for reuse and recycling.
It is anticipated that over 97% of the material will be recycled.
Thialf will now undergo yard maintenance, including modifications to the vessel’s A-Frame to enable it to expand its service area and deliver solutions in the Baltic and the Black Sea.
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