Heerema's Sleipnir, the world's most sustainable semi-submersible crane vessel has transported and installed the 740mT Nova topside module on the Gjøa platform in the North Sea. 

Sleipnir Transports and Installs Nova Module

Sleipnir picked up the module from a barge at Åmøyfjorden outside Stavanger, Norway. From here, Sleipnir safely transported the module to the Neptune Energy  operated Gjøa platform in the North Sea and completed the installation within three hours. The Nova module will be used for the tie-back of the Wintershall Dea operated Nova field, located about 120 kilometers northwest of Bergen, with a water depth of 370 meters. Despite the difficult situation we are experiencing, Heerema completed the installation on time and safely.

The successful and safe installation completes around two years of a close partnership between our client Neptune Energy and their fabricator Rosenberg. Heerema's Project Manager Roland Jansens noted that 'there was mutual trust and a drive to find solutions for the challenges we faced.' 

This project again highlighted the importance of Heerema's Simulation Center during project preparations. The Simulation Center demonstrated to Neptune Energy that Heerema could complete the project in line with their expectations. While for Heerema's offshore team, it provides the opportunity to train for complex lifts and projects. Using our Simulation Center, Heerema's crew familiarize themselves with upcoming work, both minimizing risk and creating a plan that we replicate at the project location. It is the best example of 'planning the work and working the plan.' 

During these challenging times, we are presented with unique difficulties that we overcome with equally unique solutions. As Heerema's Leiden Office implements social distancing measures, the final simulation for the project was held with only offshore crew present in the Center with the project team joining in virtually over Skype, demonstrating that the Simulation Center can continue to show clients simulations of their planned work and promote safety remotely. 

Sleipnir has a wide range of sustainability measures, including dual-fuel functionality allowing the vessel to run on LNG, a cleaner fuel than standard MGO. During the Nova installation, the vessel ran on LNG, reducing carbon emissions and our impact on the planet. 

Managing Director of Neptune Energy in Norway, Odin Estensen, said: 'This impressive heavy-lift marks the beginning of a new era for the Gjøa-platform.' Heerema is proud to deliver a safe, successful, and timely project execution for our clients to support their ambitions and development.

Sleipnir has been busy in Norwegian waters, and with another successful and safe installation completed, the vessel moves on to a decommissioning project in an active summer campaign.

Source: Heerema