Viking Seatech has completed its first major marine consultancy project in the North Sea after delivering Ithaca Energy’s FPF-1 floating production facility (FPF) from Poland.
The company completed the journey after a programme of modification works in the Remontoway yard in Gdansk.
The FPF-1 was transported 700 miles to its hook-up in the North Sea.
First hydrocarbons are due from the Greater Stella Area field later this year.
John Dick, North Sea regional business leader, at Viking SeaTech, said: “We were involved in one of the highest profile projects currently ongoing in the UK Continental Shelf and were pleased to advise on the marine aspects of the tow and deliver the unit on time without incident.
“We provided marine support and reviewed procedures ahead of the tow and hook-up schedule.
“On board the FPF-1, the VST offshore team worked closely with all parties involved, including the AHV crews and the FPF-1 marine supervisor, to ensure sufficient keel clearance was maintained as we negotiated the 10km long channel.
“Once in the UKCS, we used a pre-planned tug strategy to move the FPF to an exact position within the field. It was hooked up to 12 pre-set mooring lines and is now set to begin its production activities.
“The constant dialogue between all parties, including the position keeping and hook up vessels, the duty holder and Ithaca itself, was vital.”
The operation took several months of onshore planning and four weeks of offshore project management to deliver.
It involved a two vessel parralel tow, utilising polyethylene tow lines for towing off the FPF-1.
