In mid-2025, Sarens carried out the first load-out of an 11,500-ton jacket, including grillage, at the Aker Solutions facility in Verdal, Norway. This component measured 118.3 x 78.3 x 51.9 meters.
The load-out of the Valhall topside, weighing approximately 17,666 tons, is scheduled to take place in Stord during July. This will require the mobilisation of 560 SPMT axle lines, 24 PPUs, and various advanced weighing and ballasting systems, among others.
In parallel with the Valhall PWP works, Sarens is working on the development of Hugin A, the largest platform ever assembled at Aker Solutions' Stord facilities, which forms part of the Yggdrasil mega-development in the North Sea.
Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, continues to make progress on the logistics and transport tasks required to complete the Valhall PWP oil field in Norway, which will lead to the final transport of its topside in Stord during the month of July. Weighing approximately 17,666 tons, it will be necessary to mobilise a total of 560 SPMT (Self-Propelled Modular Transports) axle lines, as well as 24 Power Pack Units (PPU) and various advanced weighing and ballasting systems for this load-out operation.
Thus, in recent months, the Sarens team has worked on the mobilisation of elements assembled at various locations as a preliminary step for the alignment and assembly of all individual modules to form the topside. Among others, load-out tasks have been carried out for the utility section (4,700 tons) at Rosenberg Worley; the load-out of the MEG (Monoethylene Glycol) module, weighing 1,055 tons, in Grimstad, using 36 SPMT axle lines and two power units; the service section, weighing 4,771 tons at the Stord field, using 156 SPMT axle lines and a “jack and pack” system to raise the structure from 3.3 to 4.5 meters; and the jacking of the 1,000-tonne Valhall bridge and its subsequent loading.
Sarens has been directly involved in every stage of the Valhall PWP oil field development. During an earlier phase, the company took part in the decommissioning of the Quarters Platform (QP) and Drilling Platform (DP) atAker Solutions Decommissioning yard at Stord. Furthermore, Sarens provided a detailed engineering study to plan the load movements for the Valhall project, with on-site operations commencing in April 2025. Just one month later, Sarens executed the load-out of the 11,500-ton main jacket at the Aker Solutions facilities in Verdal.
According to Sindre Vandbakk, Sarens' Key Account Manager in Norway, “The fact that this major project has utilised massive modular construction, with sections manufactured in various locations, makes Sarens a vital part of its development as we have contributed through our logistics and transport tasks to the final assembly of over 11,500 tons. Now in the final stretch of the Valhall PWP development, we can only thank our clients Rosenberg, Nymo, Leirvik and Aker Solutions for trusting our expertise and working methodology on one of the most ambitious and high-impact projects in Norway's history.”
In parallel with the work being carried out in Stord for the development of Valhall PWP, Sarens is working on the logistics tasks required for the Hugin A project, also at the Aker Solutions facilities. This is the largest oil production and processing platform ever assembled at the Stord plant, with an estimated weight of 32,000 tons. This project will set a new record for Sarens, as it is the heaviest project ever transported using SPMTs. So far, the load-out of the Utility module (8,365 tons) in Egersund and its load-in in Stord have been completed, as well as the load-in of the Wellbay module (1,992 tons) in Stord, and the load-out and load-in of the Living quarter (1,943 tons) in Leirvik and Stord respectively.
The Valhall PWP-Fenris project is one of Norway's most ambitious energy development initiatives. Led by Aker BP, it involves the installation of a new integrated infrastructure connected to the Fenris satellite field, with the aim of extending the lifespan of this oil field for another 30 years, thereby unlocking estimated reserves of 230 million barrels of oil and gas equivalent. This field is designed under a sustainability model that uses power from shore, which drastically reduces CO2 emissions during the process to minimal levels compared to the global industry average.
About Sarens
Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 5,000 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors. https://www.sarens.com/