At Heerema Hartlepool the 6,500 tonne Buzzard Production Sweetening (PS) deck and bridge structures of Nexen Petroleum U.K. Limited, left Hartlepool for its final offshore destination, the Nexen Buzzard oilfield, and has now been successfully installed offshore, some 30 miles north-east of Peterhead in Scotland.

Heerema Hartlepool was awarded the fabrication contract in March 2008 for this process deck including a 550 tonne bridge. The deck measure 60 metres in length, 36 metres in width and 42 metres in height. The bridge has a length of 80 metres. The project is one of its biggest to date and has created more than 800 jobs for people in Hartlepool and subsequent supply chain. At the Buzzard oilfield the deck will be installed on the 3,500 tonne jacket fabricated by HFG’s fabrication facility Heerema Vlissingen, which jacket has been delivered in August 2009.

Frank Moran, Managing Director of Heerema Hartlepool says: "Completing such a challenging project safely is a major accomplishment. It demonstrates again that the UK still has the expertise and capacity to execute the larger offshore projects, despite strong competition from overseas. To our employees, subcontractors, suppliers, Nexen’s client team and all others who have contributed to the success of the Project, we express our appreciation for their commitment and hard work."

Chris Reay, Project Manager of Heerema Hartlepool adds: "The pipework design of the deck is extremely complex and the construction programme was very tight. To achieve the high level of completion is a credit to the team at Heerema Hartlepool and our suppliers and subcontractors. This combined with the integrated working approach with the Nexen Site Team and good communication has resulted in a very satisfying Project to work on and something we should all be proud of.”

The Buzzard field was discovered in June 2001 and was developed by three bridge-linked platforms, of which the 9,500 tonne utilities deck has been fabricated and delivered by Heerema Hartlepool in April 2006.

Tags: Heerema Marine Contractors