Fab./Install Hibernia Topsides Wellhead Module Package

The Hibernia Oil Platform is the first fixed oil drill and production platform of this design in the world. Consisting of two modules, the topside, and the bottomside, it was the responsibility of PCL Industrial Constructors Inc. in a joint venture with Aker Stord, Steen, Becker, to complete the topside of this facility. The Topsides supermodule, the wellhead module, was fabricated at Bull Arm along with four Topsides-mounted structures: the flareboom, helideck, and main and auxiliary lifeboat stations. The remaining components were fabricated in construction sites located around the world and transported to Newfoundland for final assembly and hook-up at Bull Arm. An absolutely immense project, the Hibernia Oil Platform employed 1200 people during its height of construction and took approximately six years to complete.

On February 27, 1997, the 37,000-tonne Topsides was lifted from its assembly pier by two giant barges, then floated to the middle of Bull Arm and mated with the 550,000 tonne Gravity Base Structure (GBS) to form one integrated unit.

Tow-out of the platform began on May 23, 1997. It was installed at its permanent location on the Grand Banks on June 5, to within one metre of the target contact point on the ocean floor. The first well began drilling on July 28, 19 days ahead of schedule, and first oil was achieved on November 17, 1997, a full four weeks ahead of schedule.