T12 Engineering’s gravity based subsea structure (GBS), designed for an independent Norwegian oil and gas operator, has moved into the fabrication phase.

The 60 tonne subsea structure, with a footprint of 59m², will support mission critical equipment in the Norwegian Sea.

Fabrication is being undertaken by a Tees Valley company as part of T12 Engineering’s commitment to engaging with the regional supply chain.

The major project is being delivered by T12 Engineering, which operates from Teesside, Glasgow and Edinburgh, under an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) scope.

It was originally engineered as a modular system so it could be transported by road in standard shipping containers, offering a cost effective logistics solution. The modular design also enables future reuse or adaptation across a range of subsea applications.

However, for this project the structure will be shipped to Norway as a fully assembled unit, ahead of offshore installation in the Norwegian Sea scheduled for this summer.

During the concept and detailed design phases, T12 Engineering worked closely with the fabrication team to optimise manufacturability, material efficiency and cost control, while maintaining the structural integrity required for subsea deployment.

Graham Melroy, Director at T12 Engineering, said: “Reaching the fabrication stage is an important milestone for the project and reflects the close collaboration between our engineering team and the regional supply chain.

“The North East has a well established capability in offshore engineering and fabrication, and working with regional specialists allows us to deliver complex subsea structures to the quality standards required for deployment in demanding environments.”

Once complete, the structure will meet the operator’s internal quality assurance and HSE requirements, alongside relevant DNV and NORSOK standards. T12 Engineering will also deliver a comprehensive documentation and smart data package to provide full traceability across the design, fabrication and testing stages.