The drilling support module for the massive Johan Sverdrup model has finally seen the light of day after clearing the roof of a construction facility by just 1-10 centimeters.
The massive piece of kit for Statoil’s flagship North Sea field has now been moved out of the North Sea Hall in Haugesund, Norway, and onto the barge that will carry the module to Klosterfjorden later this month.
There it will be connected with the other two modules, which will comprise the drilling platform for the Johan Sverdrup field.
Work on the module in Haugesund started in February 2016 when the first steel was cut.
Just one and half year later, the approx. 8,000 tons module is complete.
It was a proud moment for construction manager Bjørn Pedersen, when the module was rolled out into the day light.
He said: “An enormous effort has been put into this. It has been a privilege to work with so many qualified people. We have a unique expertise, and everyone involved has played an important part in reaching yet another milestone on time.”
There were only ten centimeters’ clearance from the top of the module to the upper door casing of the North Sea Hall.
The moving of the module went slowly, but safely.
Anne H. Kindlihagen, Aibel’s manager for the marine operations in the Johan Sverdrup project, said: “It was a very successful operation. Everything went smooth and controlled without delays.
“It was nice to complete with such a good result before the many comprehensive operations that will follow in the weeks to come. This shows that the planning is good and we are on track.”
Now the module will lie alongside the quay in Haugesund, where it will be cleaned and welded onto the barge.
Two large pedestals will also be lifted on board before the module heads towards Klosterfjorden by the end of the month.
Statoil is the operator of Johan Sverdrup with a 40% stake. The other partners are Aker BP, Petoro, Maersk Oil and Lundin.
First oil is expected from the North Sea field, located 160kilometres west of Stavanger, in 2019.
