Wester launches pipeline in record time
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A PIPELINE constructed at Subsea 7’s Wester site has been launched in record time.
The 7.2 kilometre pipeline – one of four being fabricated by the company for the BP Andrew field – was launched in just 32 hours.
“It was the quickest launch we have ever done here. Everything was so well prepared and there were no unplanned stops,” said site manager, Willie Watt.
The pipeline was launched on Tuesday, July 19, and was to be installed at the Andrew field, which lies about 140 miles north-east of Aberdeen, over the weekend.
The pipeline – the second of the four bundles – is part of the biggest project Subsea 7 has undertaken in Caithness.
The first bundle was successfully launched on Sunday, July 17, and the other two are scheduled to be ready by late summer or early autumn, said Mr Watt.
The four bundle pipelines measure 27.5 kilometres in total and will be daisy-chained together to link BP’s Arundel and Kinnoull development to the Andrew platform.
“We are delighted the launch went so well and now will concentrate on getting the remaining two bundles ready,” said Mr Watt.
Once Subsea 7 completes its pipelines for BP it will start work on a 2.2km bundle for the Hess company’s South Arne project in the Danish sector of the North Sea.
It also has a contract for two pipelines for ConocoPhillips’ Jasmine project.
“We will be fully occupied until April 2012 and are bidding all the time for future projects. We are confident we will get our share of the work,” added Mr Watt.
