Allseas’ dynamically positioned single-lift installation/decommissioning and pipelay vessel Pioneering Spirit has successfully executed its first heavy heavy lift project offshore Norway.

The US$2.7 billion mega-vessel, built to lift 48,000-tonne topsides, and 25,000-tonne jackets, was first thought up as a concept in 1987, nearly 30 years ago.

But, yesterday, the concept, which had its doubters, at least part proved itself. The vessel lifted the 13,500-tonne Yme mobile offshore production unit (MOPU) in the Norwegian North Sea, 100km off Norway, for for Repsol Norge (formerly Talisman). See image gallery of the lift below.

The Yme MOPU is a jackup type platform standing on three, 3.5m-diameter steel legs, which are inserted about 10m inside the subsea storage tank columns at 93m water depth.

The project came just weeks after the vessel's test installation offshore the Netherlands was completed, following final commissioning of the vessel's 12 topsides lifting beams.  

"With this platform removal, Allseas was able to demonstrate the unique single-lift capabilities of Pioneering Spirit," Allseas said in a statement.  

The platform has since been sea-fastened on board and the 382m-long and 124m-wide vessel is currently on her way to the newly developed dismantling yard in Lutelandet, Norway.  

Following removal of the Yme platform, Pioneering Spirit, which was built in South Korea, will return to Rotterdam where the remaining four topsides lifting beams will be installed for the Shell Brent Delta topsides removal, scheduled for the summer of 2017.