Three years and three months after the contract award in February 2015, it was with mixed emotions that Aibel’s project director, Stig Jessen, looked back on a successful project.
“First of all I’m very happy and proud – not least proud of the many skillful people who have worked on the project. There has been a great enthusiasm and a unique will to perform both internally in Aibel and in our collaboration with Equinor and our subcontractors. Many people deserve a huge thank you. At the same time, it is a bit sad and very strange to know that we are finished, and that the platform will not be here this afternoon,” says Jessen.
Warm farewell at the quay
In bright sunshine and with the majestic platform as a back cloth, the completion and the sailaway were marked with a ceremony at the quay at the yard in Haugesund. Invited guests, the media and several hundreds of workers at the yard witnessed representatives from Aibel and Equinor signing the sailaway protocol followed by an unveiling of the new Equinor sign on the platform.
To conclude the ceremonial part of the event, State Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, Ingvil Smines Tybring-Gjedde, had the honour of cutting the last mooring line with a couple of well-placed blows of the axe.
Heading for the field
At 13.30, the barge with the platform on board put off and slowly started the journey towards the Johan Sverdrup field. First stop on its way is Bømlafjorden, where the heavy lifting vessel Pioneering Spirit will lift the platform off the barge and transport the giant to the field approx. 160 kilometres west of Stavanger.
Then the platform topside will be lifted up on the jacket. After which Aibel once again will take a major role as the company has been awarded the contract for the hook-up offshore.
Published 01 June 2018