Norway – Equinor has selected Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland SE to remove, dismantle, and recycle the topsides and jackets of the Heimdal riser platform, Heimdal main platform, and Veslefrikk A platform in the North Sea.
The three contracts were awarded on behalf of Gassco, which operates the Heimdal riser site, as well as the partners in the Heimdal and Veslefrikk licenses.
Permanent closing by 2022
The Veslefrikk partners plan to permanently close the area in the spring of 2022. The plugging of the well began earlier this year. Equinor and Gassco, the owners of the two platforms on the Heimdal site, researched the best possible use of the facilities and the environment over time before agreeing to shut them down.
The authorities have received a decommissioning schedule. The Heimdal partners will determine when to shut down and when to begin removal during the summer of 2021. The contracts would also include the removal, dismantling, and recycling of the gangway that links the two Heimdal platforms, as well as a subsea pre-drill template linked to Veslefrikk A.
Letter of intent submitted
Heerema has submitted Aker Solutions AS a letter of intent to dismantle and recycle the platforms at their decommissioning facilities on Stord after they have been taken to shore. Over the duration of 2-3 years, all onshore operations will be carried out on Stord. At its peak, this project is planned to hire about 100 workers.
The total weight of the three platforms’ topsides and jackets is nearly 68,000 tonnes. The removal process has been tailored to each platform as well as Heerema’s heavy lift vessels “Sleipnir” and “Thialf.” Each topside will be lifted in one or more sections onto the heavy lift vessel.
The installations on the Veslefrikk and Heimdal fields will have a very high degree of recycling, up to 98%.
The Heimdal riser platform will be demolished as soon as 2024, while the Heimdal main platform and the Veslefrikk A platform will be demolished no later than 2025. Field Life Extension (FLX) is responsible for carrying out decommissioning operations on the Norwegian continental shelf for Equinor.
Regulation compliance
The Heimdal riser platform procurement is being carried out in compliance with the Public Procurement Act and the Utility Regulations. According to these rules, all bidders in the market were told of the contract award decision on March 16, 2021. The deal in question will be awarded after a 10-day standstill period expires. The remaining two contracts are currently in the works.
