PHOTO: Ailsa FSO hook-up at Culzean field complete

Maersk Supply Services has completed its work under the Ailsa FSO transportation and installation after wrapping up the hook-up of the floating, storage, and offloading unit at the Total-operated North Sea field.

Total took over the Culzean field following the acquisition of the Danish oil company Maersk Oil last March.

“The project has been delivered to Total E&P UK as an integrated solution, including project management, engineering, procurement and execution of offshore work scopes. Eight Maersk Supply Service vessels and crew carried out the marine operations,” Maersk Supply Service said on Wednesday.

To remind, Maersk Supply Service was also responsible for the tow of the unit from a yard in Singapore to its final location in the UK North Sea.

Maersk’s Head of Integrated Solutions Olivier Trouvé said: “This is a significant milestone for Maersk Supply Service in delivering full-scope solutions to our customers.”

The name of the FSO was inspired by the island of Ailsa Craig, a volcanic outcrop 16 kilometers from mainland Scotland and visible from the Culzean Castle, which lends its name to the Culzean field where the FSO will work upon completion.

The vessel is 243 meters long which is, according to Maersk, longer than three Airbus A380s, the world’s largest passenger plane. The vessel’s highest point, at 52 meters, is taller Nelson’s Column in London and the vessel is able to store the equivalent of over 430,000 barrels of oil. The vessel will store and offload gas condensate.

While the offshore vessel operator has completed its Culzean work, it continues to work for Total E&P UK in the North Sea. Namely, Maersk Supply Service is providing the decommissioning services for the Janice, James and Leadon fields as an integrated solution.

Offshore Energy Today Staff