Norwegian energy company Equinor has awarded Netherlands-based Heerema Marine Contractors (HMC) contracts for removal, dismantling, and recycling of three offshore installations to support the the Heimdal and Veslefrikk fields
Scope for the work includes the engineering, preparation, removal, and disposal (EPRD) of both the main platform and riser platform from the Heimdal field and the wellhead platform Veslefrikk A, including a subsea pre-drill template.
According to Equinor, early engineering will begin directly for the Heimdal platforms and the earliest start date for offshore executions is 2024. The infrastructures to be removed weigh approximately 68,000 metric tons in total.
Heimdal, a gas field in the Northern region of the North Sea, has produced gas and condensate since 1985. Equinor said it plans to decommission the field, including removing, dismantling, and recycling the main platform topsides and jacket. Removal work scoping also includes the bridge, topsides and jacket of the Heimdal riser platform for which Equinor is the technical service provider on behalf of the operator Gassco.
Assignment of the Heimdal riser platform scope is however subject to Heerema being awarded the riser platform contract after the expiry of a mandatory standstill period required.
Veslefrikk is an Equinor-operated oil field, also located in the Northern part of the North Sea. The field has been in production since 1989, and the wellhead platform Veslefrikk A will be removed and recycled.
The Heimdal and Veslefrikk platforms will be removed by Heerema Marine Contractors and transported to Aker Solutions’ decommissioning facilities at Eldøyane in Stord, Norway. After dismantling at the decommissioning yard, 98% of the material will be recycled primarily into steel.
Heerema decommissioning director Jeroen van Oosten, said “Our team is looking forward to working together with Equinor on the preparation and execution of this work. Safely and sustainably removing offshore structures is core business for us, and we are proud to be the contractor of choice for the removal of the Heimdal and Veslefrikk infrastructure.”
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