Norway’s Kvaerner has completed the construction of the steel jacket destined for Statoil’s giant Johan Sverdrup field, in the North Sea, offshore Norway.
The engineering and construction company has shared photos of the christening ceremony of the jacket, named Aegir, by a giant of the sea in Norse mythology. The ceremony was held in Kvaerner’s yard in Verdal.
The Riser Platform (RP) jacket for the Johan Sverdrup development will be ready for delivery in July.
According to Kvaerner, the jacket is the first major structure for the Johan Sverdrup project to be completed.
The 26 000 tonne jacket is the largest that has been constructed in Europe for the North Sea, the company added.
Kvaerner has been awarded the contract for three jackets and the utility and living quarters (ULQ) topside together with KBR for the Johan Sverdrup development.
“At Kvaerner’s yard at Verdal, the work for the remaining two jackets is progressing as planned and at Kvaerner’s yard at Stord, the Johan Sverdrup ULQ topside is on schedule. Now, as the work on gigantic RP jacket is completed, the yard at Verdal prepares for the load out scheduled later this summer followed by the sail away to the field,” Kvaerner said.
The Johan Sverdrup field, on of the largest found in Norway, and operated by Statoil, will be developed in phases. The first phase involves the establishment of a field center consisting of four platforms. Production start-up is scheduled for end 2019.