The largest single offshore structure yet to be shipped to Lerwick for decommissioning has arrived at the Shetland port from the TOTAL E&P NORGE AS-operated Frigg field in the North Sea.
The modules support frame, weighing 8,800 tonnes, has been delivered via the north entrance of the port to the SBS Logistics’ Greenhead Base on board the S600, a transport barge owned by heavy-lift contractor, Saipem.
The barge is the biggest vessel to berth at the base where Lerwick Port Authority has invested £415,000 in quay strengthening to accommodate decommissioning projects.
SBS Logistics, Veolia Environmental Services and Saipem are partners in an Aker Kvaerner-led consortium which won a £250 million contract to dismantle, recycle and dispose of Frigg field production facilities in Norway and Shetland.
The arrival of the first deliveries in Lerwick last year coincided with the opening of SBS’s £1.2 million decommissioning pad at the Greenhead Base. The port’s share of the Frigg contract is expected to be up to 16,000 tonnes over three years.
Sandra Laurenson, Lerwick Port Authority Chief Executive, said: “While decommissioning has been undertaken at Lerwick in the past, the scale of this phase of the Frigg contract represents a major step forward, with the largest structure yet to be dismantled at the port. It will significantly enhance the reputation of the specialist facilities and services available at Lerwick.”
SBS Logistics Commercial Director, Murdo MacIver, commented: “The arrival of the first significant piece from the Frigg and MCP01 platforms is a milestone in this three year project which will see up to 16,000 tonnes of material being shipped into Lerwick. Immense preparation and investment, including quay strengthening, has been undertaken to ensure the safe and secure delivery of the modules support frame. This reflects the ability of the services at the Lerwick base to meet the challenge of future potential decommissioning opportunities.”
The removal of the module support frame offshore was timed to coincide with the summer weather window in the North Sea and the availability of Saipem’s crane barge, S7000.
A fleet of multi-axle trailers are being specially shipped to Lerwick for use in early September in easing the huge frame off the S600 barge and onto the decommissioning pad.
After load-in of the structure, Veolia Environmental Services will take over responsibility for the disposal of the structure.
Mark Stanley, Veolia Environmental Services’ Director of Integrated Management Services, said: “We are delighted to expand our activities at the Greenhead pad with larger scale decommissioning work and join with our partners in Shetland Decommissioning Consortium, namely SBS Logistics, Lerwick Port Authority, HIE Shetland and Shetland Islands Council on this project. Shetland is now involved with the complete lifecycle of the oil industry both on and offshore and our approach reflects its belief in sustainable development.”