Hanne Knutsen has arrived

The vessel docked on the yard quayside last week. During the next year, Hanne Knutsen will be converted from a shuttle tanker to a Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel for operations on the Martin Linge field.  
 
“It is great to see the vessel at the yard. We have prepared for this since the beginning of the year, and the team at the yard is ready to start the conversion,” says Total’s Construction Site Representative at Remontowa in Gdansk, Svein Berg.

Major conversion

At peak in January 2016, approximately 1,000 people will be working on the conversion of Hanne Knutsen.

The work the team is embarking on is major. Not only will the main deck drastically change, but the main conversion scope also includes a rebuilding of the tanks to make room for the wash tank process − where oil and water is separated.

Changes will be made to the hull to fit a submerged turret loading buoy system. Thirty main equipment packages are to be installed. New safety systems are in the scope. The living quarters will undergo significant change and refurbishment – covering everything from new piping and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) to architectural and furniture.

“Pre-fabrication commenced in April this year. It will continue until next summer. All the major structural construction drawings are approved,” says Berg.

Solid engineering work

Almost 80 per cent of the engineering is completed. The engineering for the conversion is carried out at Icepronav Engineering Srl in Galati, Romania, and 130 people are involved.

“We are confident that the engineering is robust. The design of the FSO meets the requirements of the Martin Linge field, the FSO is safe to operate, and its integrity will cover the lease duration,” says Engineering Lead for the Martin Linge FSO Anissa Liateni.

Great motivation

Last equipment for the FSO is set to be delivered in July 2016. In fourth quarter the same year, Hanne Knutsen should be ready for sail-away.

“It is of course highly motivating for the entire team to see Hanne Knutsen at the yard and ready for conversion. A dedicated team on both Knutsen and Total sides has worked hard to reach this stage, and it will be great to see it all come together in the next 12 months. We are now moving from paper to steel work,“ concludes FSO Manager in Nicolas Genton.