Well construction and intervention specialist Coretrax has acquired Churchill Drilling Tools. Churchill’s employees will join the Coretrax team, and the company’s entire downhole product portfolio will be integrated. According to a release, a group structure is being formed, which will include Coretrax, Churchill and expandable tubular well solutions specialist Mohawk Energy—following its acquisition in early 2019. Image: Coretrax.
Aker BP has awarded a NOK 700-million contract to Aker Solutions for the delivery of the subsea production system at Phase II of the Ærfugl development, offshore Norway. The contract includes the delivery of wellheads, vertical subsea trees, satellite structures, control systems, a tie-in module and about 30 km of umbilicals. According to the companies, the work will start immediately and involves facilities in Norway, the UK, India, Malaysia and Brazil. Aker Solutions delivered the subsea production system for the first phase of the Ærfugl development, as well.
Bourbon Marine & Logistics has secured a new integrated logistics contract from Total E&P to support a deep offshore exploration campaign in South Namibia. The contract award includes the provision of logistics base, freight forwarding, custom clearance, material storage and warehousing, handling and lifting, marine port visits support, as well as tank cleanings and logistics operations planning and conduct. According to the company, the project started in early August 2019 and is expected to last approximately one year. Drilling is scheduled for first-quarter 2020.
Itaoca Terminal Maritimo SA (Itaoco Offshore) has partnered with Peterson Offshore Group for the development of the Itaoca project, a private terminal TUP in Itapemirim, in the Espirito Santo state of southeastern Brazil. The project, which is designed to provide logistical support to the supply chain for the exploration and production of oil and gas, includes 10 mooring berths and a service pier of 300 m; as well as a continental storage area with more than 600,000 m2. Peterson reportedly will provide operational support for the strategic planning, facilities and management of Itaoca Offshore, while advising on the commercialization and development of the operational layout.
Expro has been awarded a contract extension by INPEX for the provision of well test and subsea services at Ichthys LNG, offshore northwestern Australia. Under terms of the contract, Expro reportedly will continue to supply a high rate 175-MMscfd well testing package, including enhanced electronic emergency shutdown (ESD) systems. The company also will supply 73/8-in. high debris valves, developed as part of the Next-Generation Landing String (NGLS) program. The next phase of field development at Ichthys reportedly is anticipated to begin in March. Image: INPEX.
Frames, an international oil and gas processing equipment supplier, has secured a long-term goods and services purchase agreement with ONEgas, a combined business Unit of Shell UK and the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM). The three-year contract, which includes an optional two-year extension, reportedly covers the offshore services and maintenance of all NAM platforms in the North Sea. According to Frames, the company will supply a complete maintenance management service for the offshore platforms, based on its expertise in flow control and hydraulic systems. Its engineers will use the W2W vessels Kroonborg and Kasteelborg to access the platforms, rather than helicopter. This reportedly will allow them to stay onsite for longer periods. Image: Frames.
Chevron has awarded a contract to Schlumberger’s OneSubsea for the supply of an integrated subsea production and multi-phase boosting system for Anchor field, in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Under terms of the contract, the company will supply vertical monobore production trees and multi-phase flowmeters rated up to 20,000 psi—the first industry contract award of its kind. Also included in the contract award are production manifolds and an integrated manifold multi-phase pump station rated to 16,500 psi, subsea controls and distribution.
ADES International has been awarded its first onshore deep drilling contracts in Kuwait. The contracts, for ADES 180 and ADES 878, were awarded by Baker Hughes, as part of a lump sum turnkey project. Both contracts reportedly are under a primary term of two years, with an option to extend for another six months. Both are expected to commence in second-quarter 2020.
Rever Offshore has completed a North Sea infrastructure decommissioning project of the Greater Dunlin area, in the East Shetland basin, for Fairfield Energy. The project employed saturation DSVs Rever Sapphire and Rever Polaris, as well as the heavy CSV Normand Clipper. The workscope reportedly involved multiple campaigns including preparation, removals of subsea infrastructure and final surveys, along with the management of all recovered waste for processing and safe disposal. The project was successfully completed in a two-year campaign, utilizing nearly 300 vessel days and employing innovative in-house engineering.
Bureau Veritas Solutions has secured a three-year enterprise frame agreement with Shell Tunisia Upstream Ltd. for the provision of asset integrity management support services. The scope of work reportedly includes technical safety services, asset integrity and inspection services, and general support services that will maintain the integrity of process safety systems and critical barriers at Shell’s onshore and offshore facilities at Miskar field in Tunisia.
Apache Corp. and Total have formed a JV for the exploration and development of Block 58, offshore Suriname. Under terms of the agreement, each company reportedly will hold a 50% working interest in the block, which comprises approximately 1.4 million acres in water depths ranging from about 328 ft to nearly 6,890 ft. Apache will operate the first three exploration wells on the block. Subsequently, Total will take over operatorship. According to Apache CEO John J. Christmann, “Suriname Block 58 presents a unique, large-scale oil resource opportunity.” The JV will explore the entire block through mid-2026, without acreage relinquishments.
ABB and Equinor have entered a new framework agreement to deliver safety and automation systems across Equinor’s installed base and greenfield projects, worldwide. The agreement will see ABB leverage its automation and intelligent digital solutions, including simulation technologies and processes, to enable cost savings, enhanced productivity and safety for brownfield and greenfield installations internationally. The newest agreement builds on the companies’ more than three decades of collaboration.
