The longest subsea pipeline in the world connects Norway to the United Kingdom via a 1200 km super pipeline.
This connection is only a part of an enormous plan to tap into Norway’s second-largest gas deposit. Capable of providing 20% of the UK’s gas needs for decades to come. The Ormen Lange field is located in the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Approximately 130 km northwest of Kristiansund, in water depths between 850 and 940 m. The deposit is beyond the reach of humans. Robots completed all of the construction, working against strong underwater currents. Sub-zero temperatures and extreme wind and wave conditions were encountered.
After extraction, the gas will be transported to one of the largest automated gas processing plants. There it will be prepared for shipment to the U.K. Each phase put ingenuity and engineering to the ultimate test.
Longest subsea pipeline installation contract awarded to Subsea 7
Shell awarded Subsea 7 the contract for the longest subsea pipeline installation services for the Ormen Lange Northern Field Development.
Subsea 7 fabricated and installed the two 6 km, 12 inch diameter rigid pipelines and the 6 inch diameter service pipelines. Installed the control umbilical and performed all subsea connections and pre-commissioning activities on the new pipelines.
Engineering and procurement activities commenced immediately and fabrication of the pipeline carried out in early 2012. Pipelay operations commenced in early 2012 and utilised one of Subsea 7’s specialised reeled pipelay vessels.
Initially, I was not part of the rigid pipe lay but contributed to the subsea seabed development on the Ormen Lange field in 2006. Since 2011, I have been primarily working with rigid pipe lay vessels on heavy lift and rigid pipe lay large projects worldwide.
Please watch the amazing documentary below for a better insight into the incredible feat of engineering in this Subsea installation.
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