Drydocks World, a leading provider of maritime and offshore services to the shipping, oil, gas and energy sectors, marked a major milestone with the successful completion of the world’s largest turret mooring system.

At almost 100 m high, weighing more than 11,000 tonnes and with a diameter of 26 m, the turret will ensure the Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility can operate safely in the most extreme weather conditions.

The world’s largest turret was built by Drydocks World for SBM Offshore, Technip and Shell in a major display of excellent teamwork as dedicated personnel involved ensured the highest possible standards in safety, quality and operational excellence.

This innovative FLNG storage and production facility will be stationed by Shell at its Prelude gas field off the northwest coast of Australia, unlocking new essential energy resources offshore to meet growing demand, said a statement from the Dubai company.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline and group, attended the sail-away and completion ceremony to celebrate the occasion, it added.

Drydocks World said more than five million lost time injury (LTI)-free manhours had been completed on the turret project, a testament to the impeccable safety record the organisation 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, it stated.

Drydocks World has delivered five modules for the Shell FLNG turret mooring system and delivery of Module Five represents the completion of the crown jewel of this project, with the turret being the heart of the Prelude FLNG.

Dubai is well known for their record-breaking construction projects, and completion of the world’s largest turret is Drydocks World’s contribution towards the continuation of recording-breaking projects in the emirate, said the statement from the company.

"This project exemplifies the global nature of the offshore industry, with designs completed in Monaco, construction in Dubai, the modules shipped to South Korea, and for use off Australia, together our companies have come together to create innovative technology for the global energy sector," remarked a senior official.

Drydocks World, he stated, had worked with SBM Offshore on several key industry-leading projects, in addition to a strategic alliance agreement with Shell on the repair and maintenance side. Also the comany had the privilege of working with Technip on numerous occasions.

"The opportunity to again work jointly on this pioneering project has been very successful, and Drydocks World looks forward to working together on many more projects in the future," he added.-TradeArabia News Service