Pioneering Spirit removing the Shell Brent Delta topsides

Allseas’ dynamically positioned single-lift installation/decommissioning and pipelay vessel “Pioneering Spirit” set a world lifting record with the safe and successful removal of Shell UK’s 24,000 t Brent Delta platform topsides from the North Sea on 28 April 2017.
Located in the Brent field, approximately 186 km off the north-east coast of Shetland, the Brent Delta
topsides sat on a three-legged gravity-based structure which stands in 140 m of water.
The topsides was sea-fastened on board “Pioneering Spirit” for transport to the Able UK
decommissioning yard in Teesside, North East England.

Pioneering Spirit (formerly Pieter Schelte) is the largest construction vessel in the world. Inspired by the offshore heavy lifting pioneer Pieter Schelte Heerema (1908–81) and designed completely in-house, the vessel is designed for the single-lift installation and removal of large oil and gas platforms and the installation of record-weight pipelines.

The emergence of Pioneering Spirit signifies a step-change in offshore installation and decommissioning. Capable of lifting entire platform topsides of up to 48,000 t and jackets up to 20,000 t in a single piece, she significantly reduces the amount of offshore work associated with installation and decommissioning, moving the work onshore where it is safer and more cost effective.