Welding and burning is happening at Halvorsen's workshop at Øyesletta. On the floor lie what resemble two giant iron pots.

– These will be new end bottoms for a tank that measures over 11 metres in total and has a volume of 104 cubic metres. The end bottoms themselves have a diameter of almost four metres, so this is substantial stuff, says project manager Roald Ingebretsen.

Calculations we made showed that existing end caps were undersized, therefore new ones must be fitted, says Ingebretsen.

At the same time work is underway in the workshop, and work is being carried out outside on the installation where the tank is located. The old end caps are to be cut off and transported ashore. Then the new ones are to be transported on board and welded on.

– The challenge is that the tank is located in the middle of a large processing plant. Therefore, we have to coordinate the work so that we don't have to dismantle too much of the surrounding equipment. But we have found a very good solution, says Ingebretsen.

TOTAL IS 7-8 man from Halvorsen involved in the project. In addition to changing the end caps, the tank bottom will be repaired and several of the tank's bosses will be replaced.

The starting point for the assignment is an inspection job involving condition assessments of nearly 50 tanks and 20 heat exchangers. Faults and shortcomings are identified here, and the client is informed about what needs to be repaired to extend the equipment's lifespan.

Halvorsen was given the task of upgrading the large tanks.

EQUIPMENT ABOUT Beds in boats and on fixed installations are usually certified to last for 25 years.

Through extensive non-destructive testing (NDT), Halvorsen documents cracks, fatigue, erosion and other wear damage, and describes any necessary repairs to enable the equipment to be used for a further 25 years.

– We have a strong focus on sustainability. By extending the lifespan of tanks and heat exchangers, we and our customers contribute to reuse and a greener world, says CEO of Halvorsen, Frode Olsen.

The old end caps on this tank will be sawn off and replaced with the new ones currently being prepared in the workshop.and.