Valhall QP Platform Removal

Engineering, preparation, removal & disposal of the original Valhall QP accommodation platform (topsides, jacket and bridge) from the Norwegian North Sea.

Company : Aker BP

Location : Southern Norwegian North Sea

Removal : 2019 (topsides & bridge), 2021 (jacket)

Lightest topsides lift, to date, using TLS

Small vertical clearances during topsides removal due to small air gap

Jacket removal in 2 sections using in-house spreader bar & clamp system

Scope of work

Engineering, preparation, removal & disposal of 3800-tonne accommodation topsides (QP) & connecting QP-DP bridge (2019)
Engineering, preparation, removal & disposal of 3300-tonne QP jacket (2021)
Pre-lift preparation work for topsides removal (incl. removal of under deck obstructions for access to lift points, installation of shear brackets & uplift restrainers on legs, cutting & removal of caissons, removal of bridge obstructions, installation of bridge pivot guide)
Cutting of grouted platform legs
Design & fabrication of TLS yokes interfaces, navigational aid & grillages
Design & fabrication of X & Y stoppers’ interfaces (for lift yokes) to suit bottom of cellar deck (without adding steel to the topsides)
Delivery of topsides, bridge & jacket to disposal yard for recycling (Stord, Norway)

Specials & challenges

First job for Pioneering Spirit under frame agreement with Aker BP to provide transport, installation, and removal services for the Valhall oil field
Lightest offshore lift operation for Pioneering Spirit’s Topsides Lift System
First-time bridge removal (using special purpose crane)
Offshore preparations carried out in both “cold” and “live” oil and gas platform environments in Valhall field
Removal of decommissioned facilities from live field
Two years of engineering, planning and pre-lift preparations
Small vertical clearances during topsides removal due to small air gap (15.4 m to LAT) with Pioneering Spirit at maximum draught of 27 m
Small horizontal clearances between TLS and platform (small platform results in lift points close to legs and caissons)
Jacket removal in 2 sections with the 5000-tonne crane using in-house spreader bar & clamp system

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