Dubai’s maritime engineering business Drydocks World celebrated today the sail-away of the world’s largest turret mooring system from the yard marking the completion of its construction.
Drydocks World has constructed the turret for SBM Offshore under a contract awarded in 2012.
The turret will be integrated in the world’s first floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility, to be deployed by Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd at its Prelude gas field off the northwest coast of Australia.
At almost 100 meters high, weighing over 11,000 tons and with a diameter of 26 meters, the turret will ensure the Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility can operate safely in the most extreme weather conditions.
Prelude FLNG is being constructed in Geoje, South Korea, where the Prelude FLNG hull and topsides are under taking shape at the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) shipyard – which has one of the few dry docks in the world big enough to construct a facility of this size.
“With over 5 million LTI-free manhours completed on the turret project, this is a testament to the impeccable safety record the organization maintains. This project confirms Drydocks World’s position as a leader in turret fabrication, strengthening the company’s position as one of the few worldwide specialists capable of delivering such large-scale projects,” Drydocks World said in a statement.
Drydocks World has delivered 5 modules for the Shell FLNG turret mooring system and delivery of module 5 represents the completion of the crown jewel of this project, with the turret being the heart of the Prelude FLNG.