Companies in the News
Fugro has begun a series of geophysical and geotechnical surveys for ADNOC’s Hail and Ghasha development in the UAE’s Arabian Gulf. The development is part of ADNOC’s largest sour gas field project. The surveys will employ amphibious buggies (pictured) in Hail field, which is situated in an inter-tidal shoal area. Meanwhile, in deepwater areas, the survey vessel Fugro Proteus will perform marine geophysical and bathymetric surveys. According to Fugro, the geotechnical workscope will include boreholes, grab samples, vibrocores, cone penetration tests, pressure meters and downhole seismic. Likewise, the geophysical surveys will combine the use of a bathymetric, multi-beam sounder, tide gauges, ultra-high-resolution seismic sub-bottom profiling, magnetometer and side-scan sonar.
Trelleborg designed, tested and delivered to Statoil the two topside mating units for the world’s largest spar platform, off the western coast of Norway. Trelleborg also contributed eight dual-barge floatover support units for the successful mating of the Aasta Hansteen gas project’s 24,000-ton topside. The units, which are vital components of the floatover system, reportedly served as support points between two barges that held the topside as it was positioned over the substructure.
Energean Oil & Gas signed an agreement with Stena Drilling for development drilling at Karish field, offshore Israel. The Stena Forth drillship (pictured) will drill three development wells during first-quarter 2019, subject to FID for Karish and Tanin fields. The Karish development program reportedly includes three development wells, as well as a new FPSO vessel, stationed nearly 56 mi offshore. First gas is anticipated for 2021.
DNO ASA has reported a 50% increase in 2018 spending in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. The company plans to boost spending to approximately $250 million net, after accelerating development of Peshkabir field with two wells that are producing a combined 16,000 bopd. The wells are combined for export with another 97,000 bopd from Tawke field, which is on the same license. The company says it plans to drill six wells at Peshkabir this year. Production is expected to reach 30,000 bopd by this summer, then continue to ramp up during the second half of the year. Similarly, the company plans to drill four wells at Tawke this year. However, plans for Tawke reportedly are still undergoing review with partner Genel Energy.
Aker Solutions has been awarded a contract with Petrobras to provide maintenance and modification services for three platforms offshore Brazil. The four-year contract, valued at approximately NOK 800 million ($103 million), includes an option for a one-year extension. The scope of work consists of an array of services to renovate, repair and upgrade FPSO platforms at Barracuda, Caratinga and Albacora Leste fields, situated in the Campos basin. It also includes management at the yard, where replacement parts and equipment will be fabricated. Work is scheduled to begin in March.
Faroe Petroleum has begun drilling of the Fogelberg appraisal well, along with contingent sidetracks 6506/9-4S and 4A, in the Norwegian North Sea. The Fogelberg discovery—situated about 11 mi northwest of the Åsgard complex, where large quantities of gas and condensate are produced—was first reported in April 2010. It reportedly contains resources estimated between 105 Bcf and 530 Bcf of recoverable gas and condensate. According to the company, the appraisal well will narrow the range in estimated reserves and provide additional information for development planning. The well will be drilled by the Island Innovator semisubmersible drilling rig.
Maersk Supply Service has contracted its first two Starfish-class anchor handling vessels. The vessels—Maersk Master (pictured) and Maersk Mariner—will support Quadrant Energy operations in Western Australia. They will be employed for the company’s Phoenix South and Van Gogh drilling campaigns, which initially are scheduled to drill three wells for a period of 150 to 200 days. They also will support Transocean’s semisubmersible DD1 rig, with supply and anchor handling responsibilities throughout the entirety of the drilling program.
Qatar Petroleum has acquired a 25% participating interest in Total’s exploration Block 11B/12B, offshore South Africa. The block is situated within an attractive area of the Outeniqua basin, more than 108 mi off Africa’s southernmost coast. It covers an area of about 19,000 km2, in water depths ranging from 656 ft to 5,905 ft. Following regulatory approval from the South African government, Total (operator) will retain a 45% interest, while Canadian Natural Resources Limited (20%) and Main Street 1549 Proprietary Limited (10%) hold the remaining interest.
Royal IHC has announced that significant progress has been made in the design and build process of an integrated reel lay vessel for Subsea 7, including the early completion of the model testing for resistance and propulsion. Additionally, the company has completed seakeeping performance validation. According to Royal IHC, the ship is intended for the installation of complex rigid flowlines, such as pipe-in-pipe and electrical trace heating systems. The reel lay system reportedly is now moving into the production phase.
Cognitive Geology, an Edinburgh-based tech start-up, has secured a contract with Shell for supply of its geological mapping software. The $1.2-million agreement will see the company’s software employed globally. In addition to the deal with Shell, Cognitive Geology secured a second contract win to pair its software with BHGE’s (Baker Hughes, a GE company) JewelSuite modeling software.
Petrofac’s Engineering and Production Services (EPS) division has secured a new contract with Chevron North Sea Limited for the provision of offshore manning services. The three-year contract involves the supply of personnel for operations, maintenance and construction at five North Sea assets, including the Captain wellhead protector platform, the Captain FPSO, Alba North platform, the Alba FSU and the Erskine platform. Approximately 85 employees supporting these assets reportedly will transfer to Petrofac from multiple organizations.
