Today, the tyra field’s main platform arrives in frederikshavn – 95% will be recycled
Late last night a new chapter in TotalEnergies's massive Tyra Redevelopment opened as the first of the two major platforms - the two integrated accommodation and process platforms Tyra East and Tyra West - arrives at the Modern American Recycling Services' (M.A.R.S.) recycling yard in Frederikshavn.
“As a former OIM with many years of work experience on the Tyra platforms, it’s a special day for me to receive the first platform in Frederikshavn for recycling. Tyra East is close to my heart as this was where I served my first period as OIM. At the same time, I see it as huge privilege to be a part of the planning and executing of the recycling operations, and taking responsibility for my former home and workplace in the most sustainable way” says Jesper Horne, TotalEnergies’s site manager at M.A.R.S. in Frederikshavn.
The removal and recycling of the old Tyra platforms is one of the main elements in the large Tyra Redevelopment project, which includes the removal of platforms corresponding to seven Eiffel Towers located 225 km out in the Danish North Sea.
The DUC partners have invested DKK 21 billion in the redevelopment, which is the largest oil and gas investment ever made in the Danish North Sea. The project will ensure continued production of natural gas for at least 25 years after the reopening of the new Tyra during the winter season 2023/24.
We are starting a new chapter in our huge redevelopment project with the arrival of the largest of the Tyra platforms in Frederikshavn, and we are pleased that the Tyra project has created the basis for a massive investment in a state-of-the-art recycling yard on Danish ground. We have set high standards for the yards that are tasked to recycle the platforms, and therefore we expect that more than 95% of the old Tyra can be reused and recycled. In all aspects of the redevelopment, we have been focused on sustainability. This means that the old platforms are being recycled while we will reuse a large part of the platform legs for the new Tyra, which is designed to deliver a significant reduction in CO2 emissions by 30%."
Morten Hesselager Pedersen, Head of Tyra Redevelopment
Recycling in the north of denmark
Frederikshavn Municipality owns the port in Frederikshavn, and both have been key players in ensuring a sustainable foundation for M.A.R.S, among other things by expanding the harbor area where the yard is located.
Birgit S. Hansen, Mayor of Frederikshavn Municipality, says; “I am happy and proud of welcoming the Tyra platforms, and that we have managed to adapt and expand our port areas in Frederikshavn to house the world’s first customized recycling yard. At the Port of Frederikshavn, sustainable recycling is offered for the benefit of the environment. At the same time, the new recycling assignments are important for the development of business and job creation in Frederikshavn. In these areas, our municipality can contribute with a long tradition and local competencies within metal work”.
Director of the Port Mikkel Seedorff Sørensen sees the arrival of the Tyra platforms as the first culmination of an intensive effort from the board and management of the Port; “This is the result of many years of work to secure the Port of Frederikshavn a position as a center for sustainability and recycling when it comes to recycling of both ships and offshore installations. TotalEnergies and the DUC partners have chosen to place Denmark’s largest recycling project with M.A.R.S. at the Port of Frederikshavn which is evidence that our strategy has come off to a good start, off thanks to a good collaboration with authorities and M.A.R.S. as well as the other players in the recycling industry operating at the port.”
The first in danish history
The removal of the old platforms on the Tyra field is on and in the coming weeks, Modern American Recycling Services’ (M.A.R.S.) will receive the two main platforms in a two-stage process.
The platforms arrive in Frederikshavn exactly as they are – that means everything inside will look the same as when the last person left the platforms at the North Sea. From there, M.A.R.S. will ensure recycling and reuse of the platforms to the extent possible.
This is the largest recycling of offshore installations in Danish history. We are proud that M.A.R.S. has been chosen for this task which we look forward to solving with a focus on the old Tyra platforms being recycled in the most environmentally friendly way. Our yard is built from scratch for that particular purpose, and therefore it has been possible to embed innovative solutions for safety, sustainability and the environment. Our collaboration with the Port of Frederikshavn and the local authorities around the creation of the yard led to our modern and safe world-class facility
Kim Thygesen, Director of M.A.R.S. Europe
The company Allseas has the main contract for the removal and recycling of the two Tyra East and Tyra West platforms -, and M.A.R.S. is engaged as part of this contract.
During August, Allseas’ construction ship Pioneering Spirit will be responsible for the removal on the Tyra field, where the platforms will be lifted off in a single-lift and then delivered to Frederikshavn in one piece. Pioneering Spirit is the world’s largest construction ship, and it is about half a kilometer long.
“We use the latest technology and techniques to ensure that the redevelopment is carried out safely and sustainably. By lifting the platform off in one piece, we move the entire dismantling work of the platforms onshore, where it is easier and safer to work, compared to 225 km out at sea,” Morten Hesselager Pedersen explains.
TotalEnergies company and safety representatives will be present at the yard during the project and will follow the work closely.
The smaller platforms and bridges will be sailed to a recycling yard in Vlissingen in the Netherlands.
Facts about m.a.r.s. yard in frederikshavn
- The 290,000 m2 recycling area at the Port of Frederikshavn is the world’s first recycling facility built for the purpose – recycling of jack-up rigs, ships and platforms.
- The Port of Frederikshavn has expanded the port area to create space for M.A.R.S.’ activities.
- The entire recycling area is fully covered with membrane – 40 cm of bottom protection sand has been established on top of the membrane, and 70 cm of hard-compressed crushed rock has been established at the top. The water is collected in drainage gutters and led to the treatment plant in the area.
- M.A.R.S.’ yard in Frederikshavn was inaugurated in 2019 and has a sharp focus on safety, sustainability and the environment.
The recycle area has a treatment plant with two 2,500 m3 collection tanks, where rainwater from all areas will be treated for any impurities. - M.A.R.S. expects to recover 200,000 tonnes of processed steel per year.
- M.A.R.S.’ activities in Frederikshavn are expected to create between 140 and 200 local jobs.
