Text and photo: Sveinung W. Jensen, Tellus Communication

– We're talking about around 1000 parts in total, smiles Stanley Rafoss, who is leading the work of extending the lifespan of the 28.5-tonne skid.

The project is part of the upgrade of an installation in the North Sea.

THE MYLDER OF workers around the white construction, as it stands gleaming inside Halvorsen's workshop. Cables are being pulled, tested, measured, and painted.

The process module was dismantled from the Jotun vessel last winter and moved to our facility in Kvinesdal. All parts have been dismantled, labelled, and prepared for further comprehensive inspection and testing, says Rafoss.

After inspecting all parts, detailed engineering is carried out – which is more extensive than building a new process module.

– In this process, a great deal of expertise and experienced personnel are important, as is close dialogue with the authorities' approval body, says Rafoss.

AT THIS STAGE The reports and data available are calculated and assessed. In this way, the lifespan of the components to be reassembled is documented and extended.

– The fully assembled module will meet the same requirements and qualities as a brand-new equivalent module, states Rafoss.

The slide is eight metres long, four metres wide and seven metres high. The actual structural frame has been in the workshop since February.

ADVICE HERE The parts have been bolted and welded back into place. A significant amount of engineering work has been invested.

– This is a big job. A lot needs to be planned. All pipes have been fixed. Where we have been short of pipes, we have made new ones. Work is now underway to install the valves. All valves are new, manufactured in Italy. The old ones are being used as dummies, so that the pipe assembly could begin this summer, says Rafoss.

The project has largely gone as planned, with the exception of certain deliveries.

"The world is on its heels, really. There have been delays on some of the parts, says Rafoss.".

FOR Halvorsen fits perfectly into the company's increased focus on «lifetime extension» for boilers, pressure vessels, and systems for waste heat recovery and water treatment.

– The vast majority of the module will be reused. The project is therefore a good example of green and sustainable production. In addition, the costs of upgrading the old module are significantly lower than if the customer were to build an entirely new module, says Rafoss.

The planned shipment is in November. The ski will then be transported down to the quay and from there onwards by boat to the customer.