Allseas giant Pioneering Spirit delivers CNR topsides to UK decom facility

Allseas’ giant offshore construction vessel Pioneering Spirit has delivered the topsides from CNR International’s Ninian North platform for the facility in the UK where it will be recycled.

The 14,200-tonne topsides arrived at Lerwick Harbour’s Dales Voe base in Shetland on board the Pioneering Spirit on 28 August, Lerwick Port Authority said.

The topsides was then transferred to Allseas’s cargo barge Iron Lady and moved to the quayside, with the Pioneering Spirit heading off to Rotterdam.

A two-day operation then saw the topsides transferred from the barge to a newly built heavy duty concrete pad.

“The process involved synchronising the barge to the quayside to remain absolutely level and a push/pull system of hydraulic engines sliding the total transfer weight of 16,200 tonnes, including skid equipment, along a purpose-built skid rails,” Lerwick Port Authority said.

The contract to dismantle the topsides is to be carried out at the facility by the Veolia-Peterson joint venture.

Lerwick Port Authority chief executive Calum Grains said: "The successful delivery of the topside by Pioneering Spirit and the smooth operation to safely move the deck onto the base is another demonstration of the port's capacity and capabilities to handle large decommissioning projects.

“Plans in the pipeline, including for an ultra-deepwater quay at Dales Voe, will significantly expand our potential to support both decommissioning and renewables.”

Source: upstreamonline.com