Companies in the news

Petronas’ PFLNG SATU—the company’s first FLNG facility—has achieved first gas from Kanowit gas field, offshore Sarawak in Malaysia. The vessel has an LNG production capacity of 1.2 MMtpa, and is moored by an external turret and mooring system designed and supplied by SOFEC, Inc. Presently, a 12-leg mooring system is being used to moor the vessel in a water depth of about 246 ft. Its turret design allows redeployment in water depths from about 230 ft to 656 ft. It can be deployed for up to 20 years, without dry docking. According to Petronas, first commercial LNG offtake is expected in first-quarter 2017. 

Gazprom Neft has opened a new field in Serbia, believed to hold 432,000 tons of recoverable reserves. Idos-Sever field was discovered through Naftna Industrija Srbije’s (NIS Oil Company, Serbia) drilling of exploration well Idos-X-4. It was discovered at a depth of about 7,440 ft to 7,503 ft. At present, the field reportedly is in pilot exploitation; however, development drilling is expected to begin this year.

The China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) has awarded a permit, for 100% of the exploration rights for Block 29/11, to Empyrean Energy. Situated in the Pearl River Mouth basin, offshore China, the permit is adjacent to several recent discoveries. It covers approximately 1,800 km2. In addition to the permit area, Empyrean will also acquire and complete processing and technical evaluation of 500 km2 of 3D seismic data.

PDC Energy has closed on an acquisition of approximately 4,500 net acres in Reeves and Culbertson Counties, Texas, from Fortuna Resources Holdings. The acquisition, subject to some post-closing adjustments, is worth about $118 million. PDC has acquired a 100% working interest in the leasehold. The company also plans to operate 100% of the properties, which are concentrated in its central acreage block. Presently, net production associated with the leasehold is approximately 300 boed. In addition, the acquisition includes a DUC horizontal well and a salt water disposal well.

AccessESP’s rigless ESP conveyance system has enabled the industry’s first pump swap on a commercial well. Through a live well intervention, the system allowed retrieval of the existing ESP pump and the installation of a new one, using a slickline unit, lubricator and crane. Through this process, time and risk associated with ESP resizing were reduced. The pump swap was executed for an operator on Alaska’s North Slope.

Saudi Aramco has awarded an offshore engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) contract to McDermott International. The contract includes four jackets and three gas observation platforms offshore Saudi Arabia. McDermott is presently delivering EPCI work on a total of nine jackets for Saudi Aramco. This is the third jacket contract secured by the firm in the past 18 months. Work reportedly will be carried out by McDermott’s engineering teams in Dubai; Chennai, India; and Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Construction is expected to take place at McDermott’s fabrication facilities in Dubai and Dammam. Work on the contract is scheduled for completion in fourth-quarter 2017.

Schlumberger has acquired Peak Well Systems, a company focused on the design and development of downhole tools for flow control, well intervention and well integrity. The tools are designed to enhance well performance through the use of SIM retrievable bridge plugs and disruptive technologies, which provide HPHT and tight gas zonal isolation, even in sour gas conditions. According to Schlumberger, the acquisition represents an opportunity to build on its existing production services portfolio.

BP and PTT Public Limited Co. have signed a sales-and-purchase agreement for LNG. The contract, which is for a 20-year term, states that BP will deliver approximately 1 MMtpa of LNG to PTT. BP’s LNG portfolio, which includes the U.S. Freeport LNG project, is scheduled to begin supplying LNG at the beginning of 2017.

Maersk Supply Service has sold two additional vessels as part of its previously announced divestment plan, which includes a fleet reduction of 20 vessels. Maersk Seeker (pictured) and Maersk Supplier were sold in December 2016, leaving the company’s fleet at 47 vessels. Maersk Seeker and Maersk Supplier are anchor handler tug supply vessels that have been employed by the company since the late 1990s. 

Ashtead Technology has acquired TES Survey Equipment Services for an undisclosed sum. Based in Abu Dhabi, TES specializes in the delivery of a variety of environmental, geophysical, survey and ROV equipment. According to Ashtead Technology, the acquisition represents a step toward a stronger presence in the Middle East.

Wärtsilä has agreed to a ten-year maintenance contract with MOL LNG Transport Europe Ltd., an affiliate of MOL Group. The agreement includes all scheduled engine maintenance activities, workshop services and online remote support for two LNG carriers, Spirit of Hela and Gigira Laitebo. The company will utilize Wärtsilä’s Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) solution, which controls and extends engine maintenance intervals, subsequently reducing operational cost and downtime.

Acteon has acquired Bruce Anchor in an effort to further enhance offerings related to temporary and permanent mooring systems. Under terms of the agreement, Bruce Anchor will maintain its independence within the Acteon portfolio. Steve Broadbent, director of sales at Bruce Anchor, reportedly will manage the business. The transaction was final on Dec. 21, 2016.

Proserv has been awarded more than $12-million worth of contracts so far this year, including contracts for the delivery of a three-well subsea control system in Indonesia; the design, engineering and manufacturing of chemical injection systems in the Middle East; and a decommissioning project in the Far East for platform and subsea well severance. Consequently, the company has announced plans for further international growth with new bases in Saudi Arabia and India. Proserv presently operates in 22 locations across 12 countries. Additionally, Proserv has announced a partnership with SapuraKencana Technology Sdn Bhd. The companies will reportedly offer a joint range of services across the drilling, production and decommissioning sectors throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Plexus Holdings has entered a four-year framework agreement with Centrica Norway. The agreement will see the supply of surface wellhead and mudline equipment services for jackup exploration wells of various pressure ratings in the Norwegian North Sea. Centrica can request up to three more one-year extensions following the end of the four-year term.