Equinor Energy on behalf of the Statfjord A Unit, has awarded Allseas a contract for the removal, transfer, load-in to shore and disposal of the 48,000 t Statfjord A platform topsides. Allseas’ record-breaking heavy lift and pipelay vessel “Pioneering Spirit” will remove the topsides from its concrete gravity based substructure in one piece after 2022.

One of the largest platforms on the Norwegian continental shelf, Statfjord A stands in 149 m (490 ft) of water in the centre of the Statfjord field, located in the northern North Sea, approximately 120 miles west of Bergen. The 84 m long, 54 m wide topsides has a weight equal to Pioneering Spirit’s single-lift capacity.

Prior to the lifting operation, Allseas will increase the capacity of the vessel’s revolutionary motioncompensated topsides lifting system (TLS), developed in-house, from the current 48,000 t to a capacity larger than needed for this removal in order to take into account any weight deviations.

This award underpins the very philosophy of Pioneering Spirit, and the rationale of bringing her into the market.

Allseas has selected Kvaerner AS to demolish the topsides at its Stord disposal facility on the west coast of Norway. The topsides will be transferred from Pioneering Spirit to Allseas’ special-purpose cargo barge “Iron Lady” for towage to the yard and skidding onto the quay, capable of bearing the topsides’ enormous weight.

About Allseas

Allseas Group S.A. is a world-leading contractor in offshore pipeline installation, heavy lift and subsea construction. The company employs over 4000 people worldwide and operates a versatile fleet of specialised heavy-lift, pipelay and support vessels, designed and developed in-house.

About Equinor

Equinor, is an international energy company with a proud history. Formerly Statoil, we are 20,000 committed colleagues developing oil, gas, wind and solar energy in more than 30 countries worldwide. We’re the largest operator in Norway, among the world’s largest offshore operators, and a growing force in renewables. Driven by our Nordic urge to explore beyond the horizon, and our dedication to safety, equality and sustainability, we’re building a global business on our values and the energy needs of the future.