After thorough preparations and careful inspections of the 10,800 tons heavy module, the crane vessel Thialf started the lifting operation at 09.50 p.m. on Saturday evening. Just past midnight, the module was lifted off, and two hours later, Thialf was in position for set-down of the MSF onto the integration barge.

At 05.25 a.m. on Sunday morning, the module and all other material from the transport vessel were successfully on board the barge.

“Everything was well-prepared and the crews in Thailand and on board the GPO Grace deserve a lot of credit for making ready and tidy the module for the lifting operation. This meant that we were able to complete the operation in shorter time than scheduled,” says Anne Kindlihagen, Aibel’s Marine Operation Manager in the Johan Sverdrup Drilling Platform project.

Drilling Support Module lifted

More or less 24 hours after the first lift started, Thialf was ready to lift the Drilling Support Module (DSM) off the barge and on top of the MSF.

Thialf in position for lifting the Drilling Support Module (DSM).

The approx. 8,200 tons heavy module built at Aibel’s yard in Haugesund was lifted off at 01.30 a.m. on Monday morning.

Just two hours later, the module was placed on top of the MSF and the first two modules for the Johan Sverdrup Drilling Platform were put together.

Early today, Thialf was de-ballasted before the DSM was released from the crane vessel. Now remains the crowning glory – the 100-meter tall Drilling Equipment Set (DES). Preparations are under way and the lift will most likely be completed in the course of Monday evening or early Tuesday morning.

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