Saipem UK (Sonsub Division) are part of the project, headed by Aker Offshore Partner, and including Aker Stord, Aker Marine Contractors (AMC), and Shetland Decommissioning Co. (SDC) that are carrying out the Frigg Cessation project on behalf of the operator Total E&P Norge AS.
The 10,000 tonne, 8 legged DP1 Jacket was damaged during installation and stands on the seabed, designated a wreck.

CUT’s innovative Diamond Wire Cutting Machines (DWCM’s) will be used to sever various jacket members, trusses and jacket legs prior to them being lifted to the surface for recycling onshore. Standard diamond wire cutting machines with capabilities of 36, 50, 64 and 74 inches, will be utilised along with the unique Launch Runner Cutting Tool, specially designed and built in-house by Tecnospamec. The DWCM’s will be configured to cut in the horizontal and vertical planes and, where required perform angled cuts that will ensure that the severed sections will not “bind” when they are lifted by the support vessel’s crane.

64” Diamond Wire Cutting Machine c/w Crash Frame & Buoyancy

Commented CUT’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Duncan Griffiths, “The versatility of the Tecnospamec design, and their in-house engineering expertise, allows CUT to offer exact solutions to any particular requirement that the client may have. This allows specialist contractors, such as Saipem to develop innovative solutions to their decommissioning strategies that save both time and money whilst minimising any environmental impact that the removal operation may incur.” CUT’s expertise will be utilised during both of the planned 2008 and 2009 campaigns.

Launch Runner Trial Cutting

Prior to award CUT carried out a number of trial cuts on a mock-up of a launch runner arrangement onshore. The trial demonstrated the Diamond Wire Cutting Machine’s capability as well as its ability to cut through hardwood blocks, rectangular steel section and the circular section which represented the actual jacket leg. The cut was completed in one, uninterrupted, operation utilising the same diamond wire to cut all the different materials and sections. CUT’s General manager, Dino Vallarino made the observation that, “Not only did this test validate the effectiveness of our Diamond Wire Cutting Technology it reinforced the fact that Diamond Wire Cutting offers the reassurance that once the wire has passed through the target there can be no doubt that the piece has indeed been severed. This is especially important when cut sections are to be removed by crane to ensure that no excess loads are placed on the hoist components during lifting operations.”

The award reinforces the acceptance of CUT’s Diamond Wire Cutting Technology in the decommissioning of the larger jacket structures normally found in the Northern Sector of the North Sea. The latest phase of the project, which involved twelve (12) cuts in total, was carried out successfully during an intensive campaign during June of 2008 by CUT operatives working from the Saipem 7000 crane barge. Two (2) complete spreads were provided by CUT to ensure maximum flexibility and to minimise actual time on site.

Severed Jacket Leg Sections Seen Aboard Saipem S7000

Utilising a range of Diamond Wire Cutting Machines CUT were able to complete their section within the allocated timescales even allowing for the vagaries of the weather in the North Sea. CUT’s performance received praise from Saipem UK’s Project Engineer, Mr. James Glazebrook As part of an E-mail sent to the CUT Site Project Leader, Mr. Ivan Bridge, he wrote, “Please pass on my thanks to your offshore team for the hard work and dedication they have shown over the past few days on the S7000 at Frigg DP1 to assist with removal of the jacket corner legs. It was an intensive campaign and their efforts are greatly appreciated in successfully completing a complex scope of work within a challenging schedule.

The DP1 jacket removal is still a long way from being complete and there will be more challenges later this year and next year to realise this. However the work performed this week forms a critical part of the project plan. Throughout the campaign, your team worked professionally, paying attention to personal and equipment safety at all times, a fact illustrated but the number of CUT-UK personnel presented with awards at the project safety incentive scheme presentation today.” CUT will be returning with their Diamond Wire technology during Phase II of the jacket removal scheduled for April of 2009. CUT Ltd. is a specialist Diamond Wire Cutting Company headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland with operational bases in the United States, Norway, Brazil and Singapore. With over 375 completed projects and some 2000+ cuts carried out in water depths up to 2,434m Cutting Underwater Technologies Ltd., with the support of TS Tecnospamec, are at the forefront of Diamond Wire Technology for the global oil and gas markets.

Severed Leg Section Being Lifted Aboard the S700