Rolls-Royce mooring system for Njord A platform upgrade

Rolls-Royce will supply low pressure hydraulic driven winches, fairleads and a control system and will deliver its supply package in 2018.
“We are proud to be part of this extensive upgrade programme,” declared Knut Hovland, director of customer & services, marine, at Rolls-Royce. “It is the first time in Norway’s history as an oil producing country that a platform is being towed to shore for an extensive upgrade. Previous upgrades have been done offshore.”
The four-column production platform, with an integrated deck with drilling and processing facilities as well as living quarters, usually operates on the Njord oilfield about 130km northwest of Kristiansund. However, the upgrade will take some time and the unit is not due back in operation until 2020 when it will be moored in a water depth of about 330m. It will then operate for another 20 years.  
The upgrade from the unit’s existing twelve-point mooring system comes as part of Statoil’s “Njord Future” project in which the lifespan of the Njord field is being extended. The semi-submersible was originally delivered in 1997: its hull was built at Verdal and its topside at Stord, both of which are on Norway’s west coast.