20.12.2022

Record breaking SPMT move

Mammoet has broken several world records while transporting Curlew, a 235 metre long 20,300 tonne FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) vessel, from a heavy lift vessel into AF Offshore Decom’s decommissioning and recycling facility in Vats, Rogaland – north of Stavanger, Norway.
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The Curlew is moved into AF Offshore’s decom station

Owned and operated by Shell, the Curlew FPSO was deployed in 1997, approximately 210km east of the Scottish coastline and 55km west of the UK/Norway median line. It was connected to the Fulmar pipeline exporting gas to the St. Fergus onshore facility. When it reached the end of its operational life owner Shell looked for the most environmentally responsible way to dismantle the vessel and recycle as much of it as possible. It selected AF Offshore Decom as the main contractor for the decommissioning project, it chose Mammoet to help with the load-in and set-down operation.
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The Curlew in its prime

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ready for dismantling

The ship was floated over Cosco Shipping’s Xin Guang Hua (XGH) semi-submersible heavy lift vessel, and once lifted clear of the water, Mammoet drove a record breaking 748 axle lines of SPMT (Self-Propelled Modular Transporter) with 30 power packs under the ship. In addition to being the highest ever number of axle lines used, it was also the heaviest weight ever transported by SPMTs.

AF Offshore Decom expects to recycle more than 95 percent of Curlew in an environmentally friendly manner.

The video below shows best shows the scale of the contract