Dubai's Drydocks World has successfully completed turret modules 1 and 2 for the world’s largest floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility.
This innovative FLNG facility will be stationed at Shell's Prelude gas field off the northwest coast of Australia. Once all six turret modules are integrated in Korea and transported to Australia, they will comprise the largest turret mooring system in the world, weighing over 11,000 tons.
For the first time at Drydocks World Dubai, 8 lines of 2x22 axle self-propelled modular trailers (SPMT) were used to load out turret modules 1 & 2 onto the KOREX vessel sailing for Korea. As one of the most powerful heavy-duty transport systems worldwide, the SPMT equipment was used to load the heavy turret components from the quay onto the barge.
Due to the weight of the turret structures, Drydocks World’s quay strength was challenged and determined strong enough to sustain the loads of turret modules 1 & 2. In conjunction with the advanced SPMT technology, the Mediterranean mooring maneuver was used with additional load out plates, in order to balance the immense operation. With the extreme size and weight to transport, Drydocks equipment and workforce maintained a safe and secure environment, successfully delivering the pioneering turret modules load out.
Drydocks World Dubai is working with SBM Offshore, Technip and Shell on the Prelude FLNG project. The turret mooring system developed by Drydocks World is pivotal to the project for its ability to anchor the FLNG facility, securing the vessel at location for the duration of production operations. The turret design will enable the FLNG facility to weathervane freely and remain stable against harsh weather conditions, including high-velocity tropical cyclones. At nearly 100m, the turret will be taller than the Big Ben clock tower in London, making it the largest turret ever completed.
As the largest structure ever sent to sea, displacing as much water as a fleet of six aircraft carriers, the Prelude FLNG facility will produce at least 3.6 million tons/yr of liquefied natural gas.
His Excellency Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman of Drydocks World and Maritime World said, “Drydocks World Dubai is proud to be part of this important milestone in offshore gas liquefaction and to be involved in such a prestigious, record-breaking project. In constructing the world’s largest Turret for the global gas industry, we have maintained our stringent quality and safety standardsto mitigate all risks and hazards. With 5 million LTI-free man-hours completed, this is a testament to the impeccable safety record Drydocks World maintains. In implementing a project of this magnitude, Drydocks World has demonstrated our advanced engineering capabilities, project management skills, and commitment to achieving operational excellence. We look forward to completing the remaining Turret modules, and achieving further worldwide recognition for Dubai as an international business hub with this pioneering project.”
Eng. Ali AlSuwaidi, Vice President of Business Development, Commercial & Project Management at Drydocks World said, “We are always pursuing new and challenging projects which will enhance our capabilities and strengthen our position in the offshore construction market. At Drydocks World, we collectively believe in the importance of the turret project, and look forward to establishing new partnerships for growth and sustainability in the future. With a shared priority of quality and safety, we are delighted to be working with Shell, Technip, and SBM Offshore on developing this innovative technology.”
“Shell is very pleased with the progress made to date by DDW-D on the key turret mooring system modules for the Prelude FLNG Project here in Dubai. Together with our partners, Technip and SBM, DDW has contributed to a safe execution of the work with 5 million injury-free man-hours to date. We look forward to completing the remaining modules here in Dubai so that we can integrate them into the ground-breaking Prelude FLNG facility which is under construction in the Samsung Heavy Industry shipyard in Korea,” said Didrik Reymert, Project Director of the Shell Prelude Project.
Drydocks World has extensive experience in building turret structures, having previously built the internal turret for SBM Frade project, two external turrets for Saipem (installed on board FRSU Toscana and FPSO Firenze) and a smaller internal turret for BW Offshore.
Related OEdigital news:
Prelude turret takes shape, 24 Sept 2013
The technologies in Shell’s DNA, 1 May 2012
Prelude in the supermajor key of FLNG, 6 July 2011
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