Boskalis has successfully completed the installation of the Gallaf GE Central Processing Platform (CPP) topside at the Al Shaheen offshore field in Qatar. This remarkable feat was achieved using the company’s semi-submersible heavy transport vessel Forte through a dynamic positioning (DP) float-over operation.
The Forte was able to position the massive 17,818-ton topside between the legs of a pre-installed jacket with a level of precision often described as “surgical.” Once in place, the vessel was ballasted to ensure the topside was securely mated with the jacket, forming a key part of the offshore infrastructure in one of the world’s largest oil fields. The use of a DP float-over technique adds to the complexity, as it requires maintaining steady positioning while transferring enormous loads onto stationary structures, which is no easy task in open waters.
This installation holds a significant milestone for the Forte, as it marks the heaviest cargo ever loaded onto the vessel using the skid-on method. In this process, the topside was “slid” from the quayside onto the deck of the Forte via a rail system, a procedure completed at the HOC yard in South Korea. The skid-on method not only highlights the scale of the operation but also underscores Boskalis’ engineering prowess in managing some of the most challenging logistical projects in the offshore industry.
The Gallaf project isn’t the first major installation for the Forte in 2024. Earlier this year, the vessel completed a similar DP float-over installation of the Jerun A topside in Malaysia, showcasing the versatility and capability of Boskalis’ fleet in delivering large-scale offshore infrastructure.
By handling such complex operations with ease, Boskalis continues to position itself as a leader in the global maritime logistics and offshore construction industry. As oil and gas projects worldwide become more ambitious, particularly in regions like the Middle East and Southeast Asia, the company’s ability to perform such heavy-lift and precision tasks will remain critical.
