Arch Henderson has been involved in design and project management of the Dales Voe heavy lift quay, the above-ground supports and the decommissioning pad facility for over 8 years, which this week culminated in the 14,200 Tonne Ninian Northern Oil Platform being successfully slid ashore to commence decommissioning. Up to 97% of the 47 year old platform will be recycled.
Pioneering Spirit lining up with the Iron Lady to transfer the platform
Transfer of the platform from the Pioneering Spirit to the Iron Lady
The Iron Lady barge approaching Dales Voe heavy lift quay
Work continuing into the evening to ensure the safe arrival of the platform
The barge berthed at the quay ready to take the platform onto the skid rails
Aerial photo of the site
The Ninian Northern Oil Platform was installed 100 miles north east of Shetland in 1978 and at its peak produced over 90,000 barrels of oil per day, and ceased production in 2017. The platform was brought to Shetland on the world's largest construction ship, the Pioneering Spirit on the evening of 28th August. The event generated a great deal of interest from local people who witnessed the arrival of the 378 metre twin hulled ship that dwarfed the surrounding landscape and the accompanying towing vessels. It was then offloaded onto the Iron Lady, a 200m x 57m floating barge, before then being slid ashore over the Dales Voe South quay into a newly constructed decommissioning facility.
Dales Voe's sheltered deep harbour, together with its close proximity to the oil fields in the North Sea, was considered to be the ideal place to set up a decommissioning base. Arch Henderson designed the UK's strongest quay which is capable of withstanding loads of 60 Tonnes per square metre.
Congratulations to all at Lerwick Port Authority for this massive achievement for the Port and for Shetland.