03.03.2016

First UK project for Mega Jack 800

Heavy transport and lifting company ALE is preparing for the Mega Jack 800’s first UK project in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

The jacking-up operation will involve raising the 954 tonne jacket to a height of 14 metres using four Mega Jack 800 tonne capacity jacking towers. Once at height the jacket’s suction bucket feet will be positioned under each of the jacket’s legs ready for the jacket to be lowered onto them for welding.
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Four Mega Jack 800 tonne capacity jacking towers will be used to raise the jacket 14 metres

Designed to bridge the gap between the capacities of the 60-500 tonne climbing jack system and the original 5,200 tonne per tower Mega Jack, the Mega Jack 800 has already undertaken similar projects in Spain, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands but given the height required on this project, it will be the first time that the system’s bracing system will be used. ALE’s 1,200 tonne Gottwald AK912 crane also has been working on site, lifting heavy components on the jacket and preparing for the jack-up operation.

Vytis Zygialis, project engineer for ALE, said: “We are now preparing for the jacking operation using our innovative Mega Jack 800 System, a first for the UK. As we will be using all of the cassettes to jack-up the jacket, we will also be bracing the Mega Jack 800 system for the first time. We will start to mobilise the equipment in February and are currently preparing the team for the roll-up and jacking activities ready for March.”