Hebron project takes next step with GBS floating

The Hebron oil project reaches an important phase Tuesday when the drydock housing a huge gravity-based structure is flooded in preparation to move the structure into deep water. 

For over a year now at Bull Arm in Newfoundland's Trinity Bay, five enormous tower cranes and more than 2,000 construction workers have been moving pieces of the gravity-based structure into place. Like Hibernia, Hebron will use a GBS platform when it begins producing oil. 

Concrete was poured one ring at a time, raised the structure towards its final height of 120 metres.

Over the coming month, water will be poured into the drydock. Next month, the gravity-based structure will float around the corner to the deep-water site where construction will continue. Eventually, it will be towed offshore for a production start scheduled in 2017. 

The CBC's Zach Goudie toured the site Monday. Watch the video to see Geoff Parker, Hebron's senior project manager, explain what's happening.