Repsol Sinopec, Beatrice Alpha Derrick Removal

The Challenge

Despite routine maintenance, the redundant drilling set on the Beatrice Alpha production platform was slowly degrading to a point where it could potentially become unsafe in the future.

The client needed the structure safely dismantled and removed from a live production platform, with minimal disruption to operations and without bringing in additional heavy lift resources. Adverse weather conditions during the work window added further pressure to the programme.

Our Solution

Our team was contracted to remove a 147-foot derrick and associated equipment, including the crown, gin pole, guide rails, racking board, wind walls, travelling equipment and electrical systems, with the top 63 feet of derrick structure taken down in the first phase.

A structural analysis determined the removal sequence required to maintain integrity throughout the works. The execution used a floating pole methodology, mitigating the need for additional heavy lift resources and allowing the entire scope to be delivered without crane support.

Results

The scope was completed without crane use in a safe and controlled manner. During weather delays, crews performed additional integrity work on the asset to minimise non-productive time, adding value beyond the core scope.

Remaining structural work to take the derrick down to sub-structure elevation was scheduled for the following return campaign.