Largest wreck removal of 2016

Intro

In 2015, the jack-up Troll Solution experienced a catastrophic accident while carrying out maintenance on the wellhead platform CAAN-A. The accident resulted in the sinking of the Troll Solution. As a result of the accident, Ardent was approached to salvage this wreck. Ardent approached TGS for their services. TGS had just finished construction of the largest hydraulic salvage/wreck grab (with a capacity of 1,000 tons) in the world and was more than willing to help Ardent in this regard.

About the grab

The salvage grab operates on a sheer legs crane or any other type of lifting crane. This giant machine is equipped with 4 heavy duty hydraulic cylinders to open and close the claws. The cylinders are actuated by means of subsea diesel-hydraulic power pack mounted on deck via a constant tension hose reel. The control can be done by radio remote. This salvage grab is multifunctional build and can be used with 2 or 4 gripping jaws.

The project

The Ardent salvage team cut the deck house, and the vessels hull into 31 pieces with a Guided Guillotine and subsequently lifted these from the seabed with the TGS grab. The project went successfully without any malfunctions along the way. The TGS team is very proud to have been a part of this massive operation. The salvage grab by TGS remains the biggest salvage grab in the world.