Tuesday 29 August 2017

On Saturday morning, the drilling support module (DSM) was moved out of the North Sea Hall in Haugesund and onto the barge that will carry the module to Klosterfjorden later this month.

In Klosterfjorden, the DSM will be connected with the other two modules, which together will comprise the drilling platform for the Johan Sverdrup field. Work on the module in Haugesund started in February 2016 when the first steel was cut. Just one and half year later, the approx. 8,000 tons module is complete. It was a proud moment for construction manager Bjørn Pedersen, when the module was rolled out into the day light.

“An enormous effort has been put into this. It has been a privilege to work with so many qualified people. We have a unique expertise, and everyone involved has played an important part in reaching yet another milestone on time,” Pedersen says.

The moving of the module went slowly, but safely. During construction, the giant module has almost reached the roof of the North Sea Hall. This leaves only ten centimeters’ clearance from the top of the module to the upper door casing of the assembly hall.

“It was a very successful operation. Everything went smooth and controlled without delays. It was nice to complete with such a good result before the many comprehensive operations that will follow in the weeks to come. This shows that the planning is good and we are on track,” says Aibel’s manager for the marine operations in the Johan Sverdrup project, Anne H. Kindlihagen.

Now the module will lie alongside the quay in Haugesund, where it will be cleaned and welded onto the barge. Two large pedestals will also be lifted on board before the module heads towards Klosterfjorden by the end of the month.