Modec wins EPCI for FPSO

July 24, 2007
BHP Billiton has awarded Modec a contract for the supply and operation of an FPSO that will work on Australia's Pyrenees field.

Offshore staff

TOKYO -- BHP Billiton has awarded Modec a contract for the supply and operation of an FPSO that will work on Australia's Pyrenees field.

"This is the second large FPSO project we've won from BHP Billiton," says Kenji Yamada, president and CEO of Modec Inc. "We are very proud of this repeat business."

ThePyreneesFPSO will be capable of processing 96,000 b/d of oil, will have a combined gas lift/reinjection capacity of 60 MMcf/d, and oil storage capacity of 850,000 bbl. The FPSO is to be installed in 200 m (656 ft) water depth.

Modec is responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction, mobilization, and operations of the FPSO, including topsides processing equipment, hull, marine system, and a Sofec disconnectable internal turret mooring system.

"This will be Sofec's fifth disconnectable internal turret system in operation," says Rick Hall, president of Sofec. "The Pyrenees project will be our third disconnectable system deployed in Australia and the second for BHP Billiton. A similar system in Australia has successfully disconnected eight times since 2005, clearly demonstrating the suitability of our systems for this harsh environment."

Modec will convert a Suezmax tanker into the FPSO, which is expected to begin production in the first half of 2010. Modec will operate thePyrenees FPSO for 15 years.

The Pyrenees field, in Permit WA-12-R in the Exmouth sub-basin portion of the Carnarvon basin, is 45 km (28 mi) northwest of Exmouth, Western Australia. The first of the BHP Billiton projects, theStybarrow Venture MV16 FPSO under construction in Singapore, will operate in Carnarvon basin as well.

Modec also is building a tension leg platform for BHP Billiton destined for the Gulf of Mexico.

7/24/2007

See related stories:
FPSO Modec Venture 1 available for charter
Modec wins award for EPCI, charter, operation of FPSO