Ponticelli renews its confidence in SPIE Oil & Gas Services
2010/03/29
SPIE Oil & Gas Services will help carry out modifications to the installations on two FPSOs, Kizomba A et Kizomba B, operated by ExxonMobil in block 15 off the Angolan coast, under a new contract signed with Ponticelli at the end of November 2009. The modifications will pave the way for the development of two reserves by connecting dedicated installations to the two existing FPSOs.
This contract covers services related to the preparation and performance of the project's electrical, instrumentation and telecommunications work.
What makes this undertaking especially challenging is the need to manage SIMOPS (simultaneous operations), with work being carried out offshore while the installations remain in service. This calls for precise, detailed planning of operations and resources to minimise downtimes, and it is an area of expertise where SPIE Oil & Gas Services excels.
SPIE's previous experience in similar projects in SIMOPS conditions persuaded Exxon that this project, which is for the same prime contractor - Ponticelli, should be tackled with the same electrical and instrumentation subcontractor.
Since its participation in the first project of this type in 2004, for TOTAL (the ROSA project in Angola), Ponticelli has renewed its confidence in SPIE Oil & Gas Services for projects with ExxonMobil. The current Satellites project follows on from the Gas Gathering project in 2008, which also concerned block 15 and the same two FPSOs. These successes can be attributed to the competencies of the construction crews in Angola and the know-how of the Systems Projects BU in managing projects to upgrade electrical, instrumentation and telecommunications systems in the offshore environment.
A study phase including the drawing up of work sheets is currently being completed in Houston by a team based in the offices of Amec Paragon which is in charge of engineering. This phase will then continue at sea, on board the FPSOs.
Offshore work is to start in April and should be completed by the end of 2011, with first oil scheduled for 30 November 2011. This offshore work is being managed through the Luanda branch of SPIE Oil & Gas Services and, in particular, its Electricity and Instrumentation department which is handling equipment and personnel logistics.
The contract is worth an estimated 15 million euros.
