Pioneering Spirit Delivers Decommissioned Oil Platform to Shetland

The world's largest heavy-lift vessel, Allseas' Pioneering Spirit, has arrived in Lerwick Harbour carrying the North Cormorant oil platform for decommissioning. The 16,000-tonne platform topsides were transported from the North Sea field, where it operated for over 40 years.

The vessel's arrival marks a significant milestone in the decommissioning process, with Brown and Mason Group set to dismantle and recycle the platform at Dales Voe. The project is expected to last around 18 months, with up to 97% of materials recovered being recycled.

North Cormorant produced approximately 467 million barrels of oil during its operating life, which began in February 1982. The field was discovered in 1974 by Shell and Esso, and the platform was installed seven years later.