Offshore staff

PAPENDRECHT, The Netherlands -- A consortium of Royal Boskalis Westminster and Allseas Group has been contracted to construct a gas pipeline through the Strait of Magellan in Southern Argentina. The agreement is worth approximately $249 million, the companies say.

The work consists of laying a new 24-in. (61-cm) undersea gas pipeline joining Cape Espiritu Santo and Cape Virgenes in waters outside the eastern mouth of the Strait.

The length of the undersea pipeline and shoreline sections is approximately 38 km (24 mi). The pipeline will link gas fields in the south with the main gas network of Argentina, the companies say.

Boskalis will be responsible for the trenching and backfill of the pipeline in the near shore area on both the northern and southern part of the crossing. Boskalis will also execute near shore pipe pulls and the landing of the pipeline. A jumbo trailing suction hopper dredger will be deployed for the project.

The project is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

06/22/2009