Allseas books ABL for 60,000-ton topside single-lift ops in next North Sea decom chapter

September 23, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

Energy and marine consultancy ABL, part of Oslo-listed global consultancy group Aqualis, has been hired by Switzerland-based offshore contractor Allseas to support the lifting of a massive 60,000-ton topside in a single motion as part of a North Sea decommissioning project on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

Equinor ordered to address organisational, technical and safety challenges at North Sea platform — Statfjord A platform; Credit: Harald Pettersen/Equinor

ABL has been selected by Allseas as marine warranty surveyor (MWS) for the single-lift removal of Equinor’s Statfjord A topside. The Swiss player is the offshore contractor undertaking the engineering, preparation, removal and disposal (EPRD) of the concrete gravity-base production platform in the North Sea.

Allseas’ Pioneering Spirit construction vessel will remove the entire Statfjord A topside in a single lift and deliver it to a disposal yard for disposal and recycling; thus, the ship’s motion-compensated topsides lifting system (TLS) capacity has been upgraded from 48,000 to 60,000 tons for the project.

ABL Norway will lead the MWS project delivery, drawing on the wider expertise of the company’s North Sea decommissioning specialists. The firm’s operations in Norway will work to reduce risks to an acceptable minimum throughout the critical operation, while ensuring delivery in accordance with agreed procedures and in compliance with local regulations.

Subbi Nookala, ABL’s Country Manager in Norway, commented: “We are pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with Allseas in Norway by supporting the safe execution of this trailblazing topside removal and offshore lift operation for Equinor.

“Statfjord A is a legendary asset, and the project brings significant technical and operational challenges. We look forward to working with Allseas to help deliver this important project.”

Aqualis’ subsidiary is in charge of handling independent third-party technical review of procedural documentation, marine assurance services to verify the operational suitability of the proposed fleet, alongside offshore attendance to witness and approve operational delivery.

This scope of work has been awarded under ABL’s existing framework agreement with Allseas in Norway. The firm claims that this job reflects its extensive experience and trusted reputation across major North Sea decommissioning projects.

Allseas has been busy with multiple decommissioning assignments, including a recent one in the UK North Sea, where Pioneering Spirit performed the single-lift removal of the 17,200-ton North Cormorant topsides for transport to Dales Voe, Shetland.