Heerema claims world record offshore crane lift

At 08.27 on 4 October 2022 the 17,000 tonne module was placed on its jacket. Photo: Heerema

On 4 October at 08.27 Dutch offshore marine contractor Heerema Marine Contractors made a 17,000 tonne lift and with it claimed a world record as the heaviest crane lift ever undertaken at sea.

TotalEnergies’ Tyra TEG module, the biggest Tyra II topside in the gas field, was lifted using both of the 10,000 tonne capacity Huisman revolving turret cranes on the end of the Sleipnir semi submersible super heavy lifting vessel.

The weight of the module is the equivalent of two Eiffel Towers, Heerema said. Having travelled from Indonesia, Tyra TEG arrived on site, some 220 km off the Danish coast in the North Sea, on 3 October. A total of more than 260 offshore workers were involved in the job, initially to remove the sea fastenings, from the 47 metre tall module.

Still dark with the module on the hooks of the two 10,000 tonne capacity cranes. Photo: Heerema

Ahead of schedule

Good weather allowed the installation to take place the next day, four days ahead of schedule. Having lifted it off the delivery vessel, Sleipnir sailed one nautical mile to the jacket foundation, raised the module 9 metres and lowered it onto its six legs.

Michel Hendriks, Heerema chief operating officer, said, “The safe and successful installation of the 17,000 metric tonne TEG module is a fantastic milestone for Heerema and Sleipnir. The record-breaking lift demonstrated the vessel’s capacity to install enormous structures at sea. We are proud to have contributed to this key milestone in TotalEnergies’ and Danish Underground Consortium Partners’ Tyra Redevelopment project. The project’s success resulted from six years of close partnership and collaboration between all parties involved.”

Sleipnir moving into position to place the Tyra TEG module. Photo: Heerema

For his part Lars Bo Christiansen, TotalEnergies EP Denmark project director deputy, commented, “Finally, Tyra II is in place. The team has been preparing this world record lift for years, and it was truly impressive to see how the planning culminated in just six hours when the world’s largest crane vessel Sleipnir helped us to put the enormous new process module into final position. I’m very pleased that we executed this crucial lift ahead of schedule in our new project plan. Only three more lifts to complete and then our new Tyra II will be in its final shape.”

About Sleipnir

Sleipnir, built in 2019 by SembCorp Marine in Singapore, is 220 metres long and 102 metres wide. Its total lifting capacity, combining its two 10,000 tonne capacity turret cranes, is 20,000 tonnes. The cranes built by Dutch specialist Huisman can operate individually or in tandem.

Each crane can lift its 10,000 tonne maximum out to a radius of 48 metres. Capacity is still 7,000 tonnes at 62 metres radius and 4,000 tonnes at 82 metres. Maximum radius is 102 metres. Even the auxiliary hoist lifts 2,500 tonnes to 60 metres radius. Maximum lifting height above the sea is 175 metres.

Also on board is a pedestal mounted lattice boom crane lifting 70 tonnes at a 12 metre radius.

Up to 400 people can be accommodated onboard. Power is from 12 engines which can run on either low sulphur marine gas oil (MGO) or liquified natural gas (LNG). Each engine is rated at 8 MW, giving a combined total of 96 MW. They are grouped three each in four engine rooms.

Preparing to lift the module off its heavy transport delivery ship GPO Emerald. Photo: Heerema

Nearly there: Lining it up over its jacket. Photo: Heerema