Allseas’ Pioneering Spirit, the largest construction vessel, has recently removed the Gyda platform from the souther part of the Norwegian sector in the North Sea. The vessel has reached Aker Solutions yard in Stord where the platform will be disposed with preparations to transfer the platform to the yard ongoing. 

The Repsol-operated Gyda field was proven in 1980 and developed by the use of an integrated steel platform at a depth of 66 meters. The oil was transported by pipeline to Teesside via Ekofisk. The gas was piped to the Ekofisk complex and on to Emden.

In June 2017 the Norwegian authorities approved the decommission plan for the Gyda field. The decommission scope includes permanent plugging of 32 wells on the field, removal of platform and undercarriage, as well as removal of installations on the seabed. All Gyda installations should be removed by 2023.

In September 2019, Repsol hired Allseas to remove the 18,400 tonne former drilling and production facility from the southern North Sea. The contract covers both the 18,400 tonne topsides and 11,200 tonne jacket as well as the removal, transfer, load-in and disposal of the jacket’s 32 conductors, weighing a total 3,100 tonnes.

Allseas noted it is another operation completed with the help of its revolutionary motion compensation and single-lift systems. Since March 2022, Allseas has lifted more than 65,000 tonnes of North Sea facilities.

As the company stressed earlier this year, 2022 promises to be a record year for its engineers engineers. Dozens of offshore lifts, ranging from light bridges to entire jackets and topsides, each with its own unique challenges and solutions. Allseas is booked to remove the Gyda jacket later this summer.