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Kizomba A wellhead platform load-outs

The Kizomba A project represents the first development phase of four oil reservoirs in Block 15 offshore Angola, West Africa. This development includes a surface wellhead platform (SWHP) connected to a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. The SWHP was fabricated in six separate modules at various locations worldwide. The two topside modules were fabricated at Heerema Fabrication Group in Zwijndrecht. 

Wellhead platform modules for the Kizomba A platform being transported from construction hall to transport barge.

Mammoet was contracted to move these topside modules, each weighing some 6,000 mt, from the construction hall onto the seagoing barges. The company mobilized 240 axle lines of their versatile, self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) for these spectacular exercises, executed in several phases. After a weighing and jacking operation, the SPMTs were driven under the modules in the construction hall and coupled together. This configuration had a total carrying capacity of 7,680 mt, so enough carrying power was available. The first topside module was taken out early in the morning, and the 360° steering capabilities of the SPMTs made the move to the quay side a quick/safe operation. The following morning, the oceangoing barge Giant 4 was put into position, and access plates were laid down. An interesting point to mention is that the Giant 4 was used in 2001 to lift the Russian submarine Kursk, another well-known Mammoet project. 

The 75 x 37 x 13-m topside module was slowly rolled onto the ocean going barge, centrally handled by remote control. Ballast pumps removed water to keep the barge level to the quay side. Before noon, the complete module was on the barge and the construction was moved sideways and put down onto the supports. The SPMTs were then lowered and removed to be prepared for a second, similar load-out a couple of days later. 

Mammoet cranes were also involved in completing the topside modules, which were moored alongside the yard. After that, they were towed to the Europoort where the Heerema crane ship Thialf lifted them onto the floating hull. This year, the complete Kizomba A platform, to weigh 31,000 mt, will be towed to Angola and installed in 1,200-m water.