The Netherlands: Mercon Builds G16a-B Platform for GDF SUEZ in Only 8 Months

July 19, 2011

The topside, jacket and piles for GDF SUEZ’ gas production wellhead protection platform G16a-B left the Rotterdam harbour recently. The platform is on its way to block G16, 80km north of Dutch Island Terschelling where installation will start in approximately two days time.

On May 26th, load out of the 1250 tonnes topside took place at Mercon’s yard in Gorinchem. It then went on its trip to the Rotterdam harbour, on the way picking up the 950 tonnes jacket (subcontracted by Mercon to Nami in Ridderkerk).

“The topside has been built in only eight months time which is quite an impressive achievement” says Ruud Zoon, Managing Director of GDF SUEZ E&P Nederland B.V. “This is a result of good co-operation within the joint GDF SUEZ & Mercon project team and resulted in the successful realization of this project.”

As GDF SUEZ wished to install the platform this summer, the short fabrication time was a firm requirement and made the complete project a real challenge.

Willem Griffioen, Managing Director at Mercon explains: “Building such a platform usually takes between 12 to 14 months. In this case we only had eight months time. While Mercon already started building the platform, the power module for the cellar, mezzanine and main decks was still to be supplied and integrated in the platform which was another of the challenges we faced. The very high preservation requirements made the project moreover a truly exciting venture.”

Once the platform is installed, it will be connected to GDF SUEZ’ G17d-AP platform by means of a 14” pipeline and a 2” piggy-back pipeline.

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Source: Mercon, July 19, 2011;