Equinor: Johan Sverdrup lift sets record

Equinor reported “the heaviest lift ever performed offshore” at Johan Sverdrup oil field under development in the Norwegian North Sea (OGJ Online, Sept. 10, 2018).

The company also let a construction installation contract for the second development phase to TechnipFMC.

The lift landmark came on Mar. 19 when the Allseas Pioneering Spirit heavy lift vessel set the nearly 26,000-tonne processing platform in place in about 4 hr with a clearance of 25 m from the rest of the field center.

On Mar. 22, the Pioneering Spirit lifted the 18,000-tonne utility and living quarters topside into place in 3.5 hr.

The Heerema Marine Contractors Thialf heavy lift vessel lifted into place the final flare stack and the bridge linking the processing platform to the drilling platform.

When weather permits, the final bridge, connecting the utility and living quarters topside to the rest of the field center, will be installed.

Offshore installation at Johan Sverdrup began in August 2017 with the jacket for the riser platform. Installed since then have been three steel jackets, four topsides, two bridges, two flare stacks, 200 km of power cables, and more than 400 km of pipelines.

Production is to start in November at 440,000 b/d of oil.

The second development phase, due on stream in the fourth quarter of 2022, will boost output to 660,000 b/d.

In that project, TechnipFMP will build and install five templates and 18 christmas trees with associated components.

Equinor, the operator, holds a 40.0267% interest in Johan Sverdrup, which is 160 km west of Stavanger. Other interests are Lundin Norway, 22.6%; Petoro, 17.36%; Aker BP, 11.5733%; and Total, 8.44%.