Pioneering Spirit removes the Valhall QP topsides on 14 June 2019

"Pioneering Spirit" has safely removed the QP accommodation platform topsides and connecting bridge from the Aker BP-operated Valhall field in the southern Norwegian North Sea on 14 June 2019. Weighing only 3800 t, the QP topsides is the lightest that Allseas’ record-breaking vessel has lifted to date. The successful lift further demonstrated the workability and versatility of the world’s largest construction vessel. 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.