Battling the Elements: How Allseas’ Sandpiper Conquered Australia’s Toughest Waters

In a feat of engineering brilliance, Allseas’ shallow-water pipelay barge, Sandpiper, has successfully completed a critical phase of the Darwin Pipeline Duplication project off the coast of Northern Australia. This ambitious endeavor, spearheaded by energy titan Santos, showcases the intersection of cutting-edge technology and human resilience in one of the world’s most challenging marine environments.

Sandpiper: The Unsung Hero of Shallow Waters

Sandpiper, a flat-bottomed barge recently upgraded with Allseas’ proprietary automated anchor positioning system, was the star of the show. Tasked with laying a 32-kilometer pipeline in shallow waters, the barge faced a gauntlet of obstacles: scorching heat, relentless humidity, and tidal surges reaching up to 8 meters. But that wasn’t all. The nearshore seabed was a labyrinth of live gas lines, protected wrecks, and potential unexploded ordnance (UXOs), requiring meticulous planning and precision engineering for every anchor placement.

Innovation Meets Adversity

Allseas’ in-house automated anchor positioning system proved to be a game-changer. Designed to enhance safety and efficiency in shallow waters, the technology allowed Sandpiper to navigate the congested seabed with unparalleled accuracy. This upgrade, completed just last year, marks a significant leap forward in offshore construction capabilities. The system not only streamlined operations but also minimized environmental impact, ensuring the delicate marine ecosystem remained undisturbed.

A Milestone for Santos and the Barossa Project

For Santos, the Darwin Pipeline Duplication project is a cornerstone of its Barossa gas development. The new pipeline will extend the Barossa Gas Export Pipeline to the Darwin LNG facility, while the existing Bayu-Undan pipeline will be repurposed for carbon capture and storage (CCS). As of January, the project was 71.4% complete, with the Barossa gas development nearing 88.3% completion. First production is on track for the third quarter of 2025, marking a significant step forward in Australia’s energy landscape.

Allseas’ Expanding Footprint in Australia

Beyond the Darwin project, Allseas is making waves with its plans for the largest offshore decommissioning assignment in Australia’s history. By the end of 2024, the company aims to remove up to 12 retired platforms, further cementing its reputation as a leader in offshore engineering and environmental stewardship.