August 6 - Louisiana-based heavylift transport company Berard Transportation utilised 144 axle lines in the recent move of two oil platform superstructures.

Berard Transportation, which was founded in 1945 as a building removal company, has a long-standing relationship with German material handling manufacturer Goldhofer and used its equipment for the move.

The two platform superstructures weighed 4,000 and 3,500 tonnes respectively and were destined for a development project in Alaska.

Goldhofer's PST/SL-E and PST/ES-E SPMTs were used to transport the assemblies.

Braedon Berard, operations manager and project leader, said: "The platforms will be used in Alaska and are the heart of the Nikaitchuq Development Project, one of the most ambitious in North America."

The 180 million barrel Nikaitchuq offshore project off the North Slope of Alaska was revived in 2009 when rising oil prices meant the work had become economic.