Giant pipelayer Pioneering Spirit completes topsides lift system tests

Allseas has completed commissioning of the topsides lift system and the major part of the harbor test program of the single-lift installation/decommissioning and pipelay vessel “Pioneering Spirit” in the Alexia harbour, Rotterdam, at the end of July 2016.

According to Allseas’ statement on Monday, all twelve installed topsides lifting beams on board the Pioneering Spirit have been tested to their respective lift capacities of nearly 3700 metric tons. The last of the four tests, involving four beams lifting 14,700 tonnes, was performed on July 23.

The company said that, during harbour lifting trials, the twelve beams together lifted over 44,000 tonnes. The Pioneering Spirit is expected to perform offshore trials and the test platform topsides installation and removal exercises in the Southern North Sea throughout August, said the company.

Allseas also said on Monday that removal of the 13,500 tonne Yme mobile offshore production unit (MOPU) offshore Norway for Repsol is planned to occur following successful completion of this test program, and once all other necessary prerequisites and approvals are in place.

The company added that, following removal of the Yme platform, Pioneering Spirit will return to Rotterdam where the remaining four topsides lifting beams will be installed for the Shell Brent Delta topsides removal, scheduled for the summer of 2017.