BIG EAST TROLL PLATFORM TAKING SHAPE

Jan. 16, 1995
Topsides and gravity base structure (GBS) comprising the world's tallest production platform are expected to be mated in Norway this week. The completed structure will be 430 m high. It will be used for development of giant East Troll gas field in Norwegian North Sea Block 31/6. East Troll, with estimated reserves of 44.2 tcf of gas, is expected by development operator Norske Shell AS to begin production Apr. 1, 1996. The topsides unit was towed 84 nautical miles on a barge from the Aker

Topsides and gravity base structure (GBS) comprising the world's tallest production platform are expected to be mated in Norway this week.

The completed structure will be 430 m high. It will be used for development of giant East Troll gas field in Norwegian North Sea Block 31/6.

East Troll, with estimated reserves of 44.2 tcf of gas, is expected by development operator Norske Shell AS to begin production Apr. 1, 1996.

The topsides unit was towed 84 nautical miles on a barge from the Aker AS yard at Stord to a deep fjord at Vats. It arrived early Jan. 3 after a 20 hr journey.

Now, Aker subsidiary Norwegian Contractors AS will fit the topsides to the concrete GBS that was towed to Vats last summer.

The GBS contains 240,000 cu m of concrete, including 104,000 metric tons of reinforcement steel and 120,000 metric tons of cement.

Mechanical outfitting on the GBS is estimated to weigh about 11,000 metric tons.

Shell expects to tow the platform to the field in May.

State owned Den norske stats oljeselskap AS will take over as operator when production begins.

Copyright 1995 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.