A fresh delay has arisen with the departure of Statoil's Åsgard A oil production ship from Aker Stord.
The date has been put back to 16-20 December after the discovery of a problem with the thrusters during quayside testing at the west Norwegian yard.
This will be dealt with before the vessel moves to the Kloster Fjord for sea trials. The thrusters must first be removed to locate the problem, explains Kjell Aalandslid, Statoil's project manager for Åsgard A. They then have to be re-installed below the water line.
Mr Aalandslid adds that other problems encountered with the sewage system in the living quarters will also be dealt with before the ship leaves Stord.
He is hopeful that sea trials with marine systems and some process facilities can start before Christmas. They are scheduled to take 12 days, with activity reduced over the three-day Christmas period.
Once these trials have been completed, the ship will depart for Statoil's Åsgard development in the Norwegian Sea.