Yme platform detained in Abu Dhabi

Offshore staff

MONACO -- The mobile offshore production unit for Talisman Energy’s Yme development offshore Norway will remain at the construction yard in Abu Dhabi for the time being, according to contractor SBM Offshore.

Pre-commissioning activities have started on the platform. Once design modifications have been completed, to ensure compliance with Norwegian regulations, the MOPUstor unit will likely be loaded out in December. It should then be transported to its location in the North Sea early in 2010.

Additional costs associated with the revised schedule have led to a $39 million impairment charge, SBM says. One of three drilling rigs under construction at the same yard also suffered damage as a result of a fire. All three, however, should be shipped out at regular intervals during the first nine months of next year.

Another MOPU commissioned by EnCana for the Deep Panuke project off Nova Scotia is progressing well, with assembly of the hull and topsides at the GPC yard in Abu Dhabi on schedule. The platform should sail out at the end of next summer, followed by hook-up two months later offshore Nova Scotia.

Among other SBM projects, refurbishment, conversion and integration of the FPSO Okha topsides for Woodside Petroleum is progressing as planned at the Keppel shipyard in Singapore. Topsides modules are being fabricated close to the yard and these should be ready for lifting onto the vessel early in 2010. The Okha will replace the Cossack Pioneer on the Cossack Wanaea Lambert and Hermes redevelopment project.

Keppel Singapore is also on track with refurbishment and conversion of the FPSOP-57 for Petrobras, which should leave for Brazil at the end of this year. The topsides modules, under construction in Brazil, will be integrated onto the vessel at the Brasfels yard, with the FPSO due to be installed on the field in late 2010.

Another Petrobras FPSO, the Capixaba, is currently being decommissioned for de-connection from the Golfinho field. The vessel will then sail to Singapore for an upgrade program at the Keppel complex, before returning for a new assignment on the Cachalote field early next year.

08/20/2009