5 / 20
KLU / PHASE 2
W
hat happened so far:
MV Svenja was chartered for the installation of the
development platform of the Kitchen Lights Unit #3, a
petroleum exploitation area in Alaska operated by Deutsche Oel
& Gas. Covering 337 square kilometers, it is the largest exploita-
tion area in the Cook Inlet.
Arriving on site in late spring, MV Svenja was positioned in a
special mooring spread, provided by ten pre-installed anchors
on the seabed corresponding with ten additional winches on-
board. Precisely moored, MV Svenja served as a fixed offshore
project platform despite the strong tidal currents. In June and
July, the subsea structures for the exploitation platform, consist-
ing of a Monopod of 1100 tons and a transition piece, have been
installed successfully – even four days prior to planning.
Completing the project
In early August the Topside, measuring 33 × 30 × 27 metres, was
installed onto the Monopod with a 700 tons single hook lift.
“The
Topside installation was an extremely tight lift with very small
tolerances. It could only be carried out during high tide with
an installation window of about four hours”
, explained Captain
Rüdiger Bauer.
“For this reason, careful planning and exact
execution was necessary for a successful installation”,
he went
on. Within two hours including the lift from the barge, the Topside
was placed on the Monopod.
This step was followed by the installation of the Helideck
measuring 16 × 15 × 6 metres and weighing 40 tons. Although
this part of the installation was carried out by a rather simple lift,
it still demanded proper planning due to the lifting height and
the placement of the center of gravity. The installation went as
per schedule. Both SAL and its client Crowley were absolutely
satisfied with the course of the installation.
“SAL was our pri-
mary heavy lift contractor for a highly technical and environ-
mentally challenging installation of an offshore platform over a
subsea gas well conductor. SAL’s technical skills, their vessel
MV Svenja and the team’s operational experience led to a very
successful installation”,
states Michael Johnson, Statement
Project Manager of Crowley.
Completing the installation of the Helideck and Topside, an
essential milestone towards the completion of the infrastructure
in the Kitchen Lights Unit #3 has been reached. From end of
2015 on, the first natural gas shall be produced from the Kitchen
Lights Unit.
Holger Krenz, responsible Project Manager at SAL Heavy
Lift, also expresses his great satisfaction with the project:
“SAL
is very pleased to have been chosen to undertake the highly
technical and complex installation of the offshore platform for
our client Crowley. In this project SAL has been able to make
excellent use of its specialist knowledge and capabilities to
the advantage of our client, Crowley, with the result that a safe
and successful project was delivered.”
MV Svenja has returned for demobilization – ready for the
next challenge.
D
“SAL’s technical skills and operational
experience led to a very successful installation.”
Michael Johnson, CROWLEY, Project Manager KLU
5