The North Sea, home to some of the oldest offshore oil and gas platforms, is witnessing a significant shift. These massive structures, once vital to energy production, are gradually being decommissioned and recycled. Among these, the 30,000-tonne Gyda Field platform, operational from 1990 until its decommissioning in autumn 2021, stands out. Since mid-2022, this giant has been dismantled at a Norwegian shipyard, with the help of Liebherr’s LH 110 C High Rise Industry Litronic material handling machine.
This powerful machine is equipped with a 12-tonne scrap shear, designed to crush steel beams and pipes with ease. The scrap is meticulously sorted and prepared for recycling, with steel being transported to various steelworks across Europe. This process is not only efficient but also environmentally friendly, contributing significantly to reducing the carbon footprint associated with steel production. Remarkably, around 98% of the steel from the Gyda platform is repurposed, re-entering the cycle to be used in new steel structures.
Bertelsen & Garpestad AS, a seasoned player in Norway’s construction industry, is at the forefront of this operation. With over 60 years of experience, the company has built a strong reputation for its expertise in construction, decommissioning, and recycling. For the Gyda platform project, they required a machine capable of handling the unique challenges presented by such a massive structure. After relying on several Liebherr machines in the past, they chose the LH 110 C High Rise Industry Litronic for this task due to its impressive reach, load capacity, and performance.
The machine, with its 13-meter angled boom and specialized Liebherr cylinder, is perfectly tailored to work with the 12-tonne scrap shear. The design ensures stability and safety, even during the most demanding operations. The LH 110 C’s advanced features, such as the hydraulically elevated cab with a 30° tilt function, provide operators with an optimal view and fatigue-free working conditions, enhancing both efficiency and safety.
Per Inge Gravdal, the Machine and Plant Coordinator at Bertelsen & Garpestad, highlighted the machine’s role, stating, “The fulfilment of our specifications, the outstanding operator comfort, including the tilting cab, and the low fuel consumption make this machine an unbeatable choice.”
The ongoing dismantling of the Gyda platform is a testament to the capabilities of the LH 110 C. Operating 12 hours a day, this machine ensures the efficient disassembly of the platform, contributing to a sustainable future by recycling tens of thousands of tons of high-quality steel. This initiative underscores the vital role of advanced machinery in promoting environmentally responsible practices in the decommissioning and recycling industry.
