Lerwick Harbour has welcomed another major decommissioning project, marking the arrival of the largest decommissioning project handled at the port to date.
At around 16,000 tonnes, the North Cormorant topside represents another significant milestone in the development of Lerwick Harbour's capability to support large-scale offshore decommissioning projects.
The topside was transported to Shetland by the world’s largest offshore construction vessel Allseas' Pioneering Spirit, this being the fourth time the vessel has called at Lerwick in recent years.
The topside was transported to Shetland by the world’s largest offshore construction vessel Allseas' Pioneering Spirit, this being the fourth time the vessel has called at Lerwick in recent years.
Located only 100 miles from the field, Lerwick's strategic position, deep-water facilities and established decommissioning infrastructure provide an ideal location for the project.
Following its arrival and load-in, Brown & Mason and Peterson Energies will undertake the dismantling and recycling programme at Dales Voe. The work is expected to continue for approximately 18 months, generating activity for local contractors and businesses and supporting employment, skills and the wider Shetland supply chain.
The project showcases further collaboration between Brown & Mason and Peterson at Lerwick Harbour and further strengthens the port's growing track record in offshore decommissioning.
Captain Calum GrainsLerwick Port Authority Chief ExecutiveThe arrival of another major decommissioning project is a significant milestone for Lerwick Harbour and a clear demonstration of how far our capability has developed.
We are pleased to be working with Brown & Mason and Peterson as they bring their expertise to Dales Voe. Projects of this scale are important not only for the Port, but for Shetland as a whole. They bring work and opportunities for local contractors, support employment and help retain and develop the skills and experience that are increasingly important to our energy and maritime industries.
At the same time, investment in our facilities is creating the capability we will need to support future offshore energy developments.
The arrival builds on Lerwick's established position as a centre for offshore decommissioning. The Ninian Northern topside, weighing 14,200 tonnes, arrived at Dales Voe in 2020 and at the time represented the largest offshore structure to be handled for decommissioning at the port.
Since then, Lerwick Harbour has continued to develop its infrastructure and experience, strengthening its ability to handle increasingly large and complex offshore energy projects.
The Port Authority's ongoing investment at Dales Voe includes a programme of dredging to deepen areas adjacent to the quayside to -16 metres, supporting the continued development of the site and future plans for an Ultra-Deep-Water Quay.
The North Cormorant project further reinforces Lerwick's role as a leading location for offshore decommissioning and its potential to support the UK's evolving offshore energy sector.