THE giant Hutton tension leg platform, a landmark in the North Sea oil industry, has made her final journey this weekend.
Hutton was the world’s first tension leg platform (TLP) permanently moored to the sea bed, a design that offers good vertical stability and greater control over production.
The 30,000 tonne platform, 48 metres high, was towed five miles across the Cromarty Firth to Queen’s Dock in Invergordon where she will be recycled over the next 12 months.
The Hutton was in operation for 20 years in the Hutton oilfield between Shetland and Norway, before being decommissioned and returning to the Cromarty Firth in 2009.
Nerida, an offshore oil and gas transport specialist, along with its partner Messiah Decommissioning acquired the Hutton from its previous owners in 2021. The purchase was brokered by Simon Worden at Offshore Shipbrokers.
Jon Townley, Managing Director of Nerida, said: “We are delighted to have cleared all the regulatory hurdles and to move ahead with the dismantling of the structure. Queen’s Dock was the natural choice because of its outstanding facilities and experience in this field. One of our key priorities was to ensure the jobs created from this process would remain in the UK.
“This is a good example of the circular economy as the hull was built at Highland Fabricators in Nigg and the deck section was built at the McDermott yard in Ardersier. The two sections were assembled in the Moray firth off Findhorn, so it is fitting that the platform should finish its life in Invergordon.”The Hutton platform was in operation for 20 years in the Hutton oilfield between Shetland and Norway, before being decommissioned and returning to the Cromarty Firth in 2009.
Hutton was the world’s first tension leg platform (TLP) permanently moored to the sea bed, a design that offers good vertical stability and greater control over production.
The process of lifting the 500 tonnes of chains and anchors and towing the platform five miles to Invergordon took 36 hours and involved six tugs accompanied by a rescue boat.
Nerida arranged the tow to the dock and have now handed the rig over Messiah whose directors, Tony O’sullivan and Steven Regan have mobilised their extensive array of specialised equipment and highly experienced management team to handle the decommissioning and recycling.
Bob Buskie, Chief Executive of the Port of Cromarty Firth, said: “This is a memorable time for everyone at the Port as the Hutton TLP – known as the Pillars of Cromarty Firth – prepares for the final leg of its journey after being a unique fixture of our landscape for the past 12 years.”
“Since 2009 the legs have been safely and securely anchored here, becoming a distinctive part of the Cromarty Firth. Now its life has come full circle as it will be transferred to the Port’s Queens Dock where Messiah Decommissioning can begin decom operations onsite. The Port continues to hold all the relevant decommissioning and waste management licences to ensure the project is completed to the highest and safest standard by Messiah.”
