Equinor Completes Record Breaking Lift on Johan Sverdrup

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Norway's most important oil and gas project in 40 years, Johan Sverdrup, took a record-breaking step towards completion recently when four massive units weighing almost 47,000 tonnes were lifted into place offshore.

The two final platform topsides, a bridge and a flare stack were installed at the field, which is located on the Utsira Height in the North Sea, 160 kilometres west of Stavanger. Using the heavy lift vessel Pioneering Spirit's single lift technology, the processing platform lift--nearly 26,000 tonnes--set a new lifting record offshore and was carried out over four hours with a clearance of just 25 metres from the rest of the field centre. The lift of the utility and living quarters topside, 18,000 tonnes, in 3.5 hours. The final flare stack and the bridge that links the processing platform to the drilling platform were lifted into place by the heavy lift vessel Thialf. The final bridge connecting the utility and living quarters topside to the rest of the field centre will be installed in the "next possible weather window," Equinor (NYSE:EQNR) stated. In January, Industrial Info reported on the start of the processing platform's journey from South Korea to Norway onboard Boskalis Vanguard, the world's largest heavy-transport vessel. The riser platform was completed last February. For additional information, see January 16, 2019, article - Johan Sverdrup Processing Platform Sets Sail for Norway.

"We have completed the heaviest lift ever performed offshore," said Ståle Hanssen, responsible for engineering, installation and commissioning in the Johan Sverdrup project. "Over the course of just three days, we have lifted almost 47,000 tonnes into place. And the whole process was completed safely and efficiently, without harm to people or the environment. This was all made possible by in-depth planning and, not least, a high level of precision in execution in collaboration with our suppliers and partners."

With estimated recoverable resources of 2.7 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe), Johan Sverdrup is one of the most important industrial projects in Norway for the next 50 years, according to Equinor. The first phase will start in November this year, with an estimated production capacity of 440,000 barrels per day (BBL/d) of oil. At plateau, estimated to be 660,000 BBL/d, Johan Sverdrup will contribute up to 25% of Norway's total production of oil and gas. In September, Industrial Info reported that Equinor had submitted its plan for development and operation (PDO) for Johan Sverdrup Phase 2 to the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy with a reduced total cost of investment and higher-than-expected yields. It will cost 41 billion Norwegian kroner (NOK) ($4.9 billion) and will have an improved break-even price of less that $25 per barrel. For additional information, see September 5, 2018, article - Equinor Submits $5 Billion Plan for Johan Sverdrup Oil Field.

"Now we are in the process of concluding the installation campaign for the first phase of construction of Johan Sverdrup," said Trond Bokn, senior vice president for Johan Sverdrup. "Putting the final building blocks of this gigantic project into place is important to ensure start-up of the field as planned in November this year."

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.