Heerema scoops first two contracts for giant crane vessel Sleipnir

Dutch marine contractor Heerema Marine Contractors has been awarded the first two contracts for the Sleipnir, the world’s largest semi-submersible crane vessel. 

The first contract is from Noble Energy Mediterranean, Ltd. for transportation and installation services associated with the Leviathan production platform in the Mediterranean Sea.

The second transport and installation contract has been awarded by Maersk Oil for the new production and living quarters platforms as part of its Tyra Future project, located in the Danish North Sea.

These awards mark Heerema’s first contracts for its new semi-submersible crane vessel Sleipnir; due to come into service early 2019. Sleipnir will be equipped with two 10,000 MT cranes and is currently under construction at Sembcorp Marine in Singapore.

According to the company, in these cases, Sleipnir will be performing multiple ultra-heavy lifts, some of which will be in excess of 15,000 MT.

As part of these contracts, Heerema will also utilize several of its own barges for the transportation of the various platform components, such as its H-591 being used for the launch of a 15,000 MT jacket.

The projects 

When it comes to the projects that the giant vessel will be working on, the Noble Energy-operated Leviathan project off Israel was sanctioned in February, targeting first production for the end of 2019. The first phase of development of the Leviathan is expected to cost around $3.75 billion. Production will be gathered at the field and delivered via two 73-mile flowlines to a fixed platform, with full processing capabilities, located approximately six miles offshore.

Over in the Danish North Sea, the future of the Tyra field recently changed when Maersk Oil reached an agreement with the government of Denmark enabling Maersk and its partners to progress a full redevelopment plan for the Tyra offshore facilities towards a decision to invest in the project by the end of 2017. Prior to the agreement, Maersk had planned to stop producing from the Tyra field in 2018 and decommission the field.

Offshore Energy Today Staff