Lloyd's Register EMEA assists world record lift for Sabratha topsides installation

Work to build the first direct gas link from Libya to Europe has been supported by the services of Lloyd's Register EMEA. In October, the project involved the lift of a record weight of 12,100 tonnes by the Saipem 7000 crane barge as it offloaded a single integrated deck (SID) from a heavy transport carrier to the platform jacket of the Eni Gas BV's Sabratha platform. The SID was successfully installed over a four hour period in near perfect weather conditions and Lloyd's Register EMEA provided verification of this project.

Lloyd's Register EMEA's role also included marine warranty services, through its subcontractor Global Maritime, for the transportation and installation of both the platform jacket from Sardinia and the SID module from Korea. Lloyd's Register EMEA also verified the design, construction and installation of the pipelines and subsea wells, together with the large gas processing plant at Mellitah and the Wafa Desert and Coastal gas plants.

Ciarán McIntyre, Lloyd's Register EMEA's Verification Manager said: "Lloyd's Register remains at the forefront in supporting large integrated projects such as the West Libya Gas Project. We help build and support the experience base necessary to delivering such projects successfully."

Sabratha is located 110 km off the Libyan coast and is the central platform in Libya's Bahar Essalam field, part of the extensive Western Libya Gas Project. Oil and gas is transported from the giant Wafa field in the Sahara, via two 540km pipelines, to the coastal plant at Mellitah. Here the gas is combined with that from the offshore Sabratha field, before being exported to Sicily via a new 32 inch pipeline - the first direct gas link from Libya to Europe.

Ends.

Notes to editors

1. The Lloyd's Register Group is an independent risk management organisation which works to help improve its clients' quality, safety, environmental and business performance throughout the world. Its expertise and activities cover shipping, railways, other land-based industries and oil and gas. The Lloyd's Register Group operates worldwide through a network including Lloyd's Register Asia, Lloyd's Register EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Lloyd's Register North America, Inc. and Lloyd's Register Central and South America Limited.
2. A medium resolution image of the Sabratha platform is available from news@lr.org

For more information

Kirsteen Anderson
Lloyd's Register EMEA, Aberdeen
Tel: +44 (0)1224 267558
Fax: +44 (0)1224 267753
Email: kirsteen.anderson@lr.org

Services are provided by members of the Lloyd's Register Group.
Lloyd's Register, Lloyd's Register EMEA and Lloyd's Register Asia are exempt charities under the UK Charities Act 1993.