1. November 202519. January 2026 by gjest

Gullfaks A, B, and C: What, who, where, and when?

By Ole Jone Eide

Much has been written about Gullfaks, but a simple overview linking the build phase, the actors, the locations, and the chronology for the platforms has been missing. Here is such an overview, which also includes alternatives for the decommissioning phase. Statoil/Equinor has from the start been the development and operations operator.

— At the top of the drilling tower on Gullfaks A. Gullfaks B to the left and Gullfaks C to the right. Photo: Thomas Paternoster/Norwegian Petroleum Museum

Development phase: Topsides

A: Aker Stord, 1983–1984/1985
B: Rosenberg Verft, Stavanger, 1985–1987
C: Aker Stord, 1986–1988

Development phase: Substructure (GBS)

Base section[REMOVE]Fotnote: NC = Norwegian Contractors.
A: NC, dry dock, Hinnavågen, 1983/1984
B: NC, dry dock, Hinnavågen, 1984/1985
C: NC, dry dock, Hinnavågen, 1986

Main slipforming
A: NC, Gandsfjorden, 1984
B: NC, Gandsfjorden, 1985
C: NC, Vats, 1987

Shaft slipforming
A: NC, Gandsfjorden, 1985
B: NC, Gandsfjorden, 1986
C: NC, Vats, 1988

Development phase: Mating — topsides and substructure

A: Stord, 1986
B: Vats, 1987
C: Stord, 1989

Operations phase: In-field service life — original/extension[REMOVE]Fotnote: Equinor 2019. Forlenger levetiden for åtte installasjoner. https://www.equinor.com/no/news/archive/2019-03-14-extending-life-ncs

A: 1986–2016/2036 (20-year extension)
B: 1987–2017/2036 (19-year extension)
C: 1989–2019/2036 (17-year extension)

Decommissioning phase: Potential scrapping/recycling site for topsides

A: Aker Solutions, Stord / AF Miljøbase, Vats, 2036–
B: Aker Solutions, Stord / AF Miljøbase, Vats, 2036–
C: Aker Solutions, Stord / AF Miljøbase, Vats, 2036–

Decommissioning phase: Potential preservation/removal site for the
substructure

A: Preservation in situ (possibly UNESCO) / removal in situ / removal near
shore / onshore, 2036–
B: Preservation in situ (possibly UNESCO) / removal in situ / removal near
shore / onshore, 2036–
C: Preservation in situ (possibly UNESCO) / removal in situ / removal near
shore / onshore, 2036–