Platform topsides removal - BP North West Hutton

Challenge

Stork was contracted to deliver fully integrated decommissioning support service for the topsides removal of BP’s NW Hutton platform in the North Sea.

Solution

Adding value throughout, rope access technicians were used to handle heavy lift slings on scopes, including the removal of the drilling derricks. The original plan had been to install scaffolding platforms for contracted personnel to work from. This change in approach led to significant time savings across the topside removal project. Stork's multi-disciplined teams delivered a range of integrated services, including rigging, NDT and electrical, which reduced the number of personnel on board and minimised pressures on travel logistics.

Innovation

A specifically designed semi-submersible pump was successfully used to remove oil from the overboard dump caisson before its removal. A new procedure was developed so that NDE (non destructive examination) could be carried out on flare nodes without removing the thermal sprayed aluminium coating - an industry first. In addition, the welds on the drilling derrick structures were found to be galvanised. As a result, new procedures for ultrasonic testing were developed and new calibration blocks were ordered and galvanised so that NDT technicians could be trained and establish the correct competencies.

Benefits

• All workscopes completed successfully and on-time.
• Project delivered safely with no lost time incident recorded in more than 82,000 manhours.
• Several industry first innovations developed specifically for the challenging project requirements.