Sarens Australia and Sarens Group Projects Division recently completed the final Sea Lifting Works as part of the Ichthys Project Onshore LNG Facilities in Darwin. Under supervision and together with its client JKC Australia, Sarens performed the barging and lifting of 3 modules with a maximum weight of 408 tonne, gangway towers and LNG, LPG and condensate loading arms at Blaydin Point, Northern Territory.

To achieve this milestone in the construction of the LNG plant, Sarens assembled one of its 1,250 tonne crawler cranes, a Terex CC6800 as the main crane positioned on the lifting barge together with a 350 tonne crawler crane for loading assistance of the modules.

The actual mobilization of the barges and equipment has been preceded by an intensive and detailed engineering period to determine accurate project planning, lifting points, crane positioning, lifting period between the tides, ballast calculations, sea fastening, stowage plans, etc.

A lot of attention was also spent on the preventive maintenance as the weather and site conditions required consideration due to the salt water, high humidity and heavy rainfall.

Lance Strachan, Regional Director, comments: "Sarens ability to engineer and execute complex projects like these Sea Lifting Works are core ingredients of the group's DNA, and remains a key focus area within our offering in the Oil & Gas (LNG) sector. Our company has participated in all the recent LNG projects in Australia, namely APLNG/GLNG/QCLNG Curtis Island, Gorgon, Wheatstone, now The Ichthys LNG Project, and will continue to pursue this market sector into the future."

According to Stijn Adriaenssens (Senior Project Manager), "This project required an intense co-operation between Sarens head office and the Australian entity. A strong interaction was found between both departments in nearly all disciplines. For example, Sarens Australia mobilized 4 cranes to the site, all operated by highly experienced local crane operators, whereas operational support for all marine related matters (e.g. ballasting, mooring, transits etc) was supplied by Sarens head office. Both engineering departments have focused on specific parts of the job. 
At the end, all lifting drawings, ballasting, lashing, and sea fastening calculations were compiled into one coherent report for approval by the marine warranty surveyor and the client JKC".

Darwin has exceptionally high tides, which proved to be one of the biggest challenges of the lift. Therefore detailed planning, taking into account engineering challenges, contractual obligations and operational limitations was indispensable and is again another great example of teamwork across all units and disciplines within Sarens.