Replacement LQ modules in demand in Europe, Mexico

March 1, 2008
After a lean period in 2006, living quarter specialist Emtunga Offshore has rebuilt its orderbook and positioned itself for a variety of future work, partly via new alliances.

After a lean period in 2006, living quarter specialist Emtunga Offshore has rebuilt its orderbook and positioned itself for a variety of future work, partly via new alliances. Requests for quotations have been flooding in, proof that the market for offshore accommodation facilities remains strong, according to sales and marketing manager Christofer Edström.

The company’s latest order is for a replacement accommodation module for Shell’s B11 field off Malaysia. The SEK 90-million ($15.8-million) contract involves delivery of 33 separate sections that will be assembled at Brooke Dockyard in Malaysia to form an 1,100-sq m (11,840-sq ft) quarters module with 44 beds. Delivery is due to be completed in June, seven months after the contract award.

Emtunga living quarters module construction picking up.
Click here to enlarge image

Work is also under way on a consignment for MPF Corp’sMPF 1000 FDPSO – an FPSO with drilling facilities. The delivery consists of three sections – a bridge plus deckhouse, quarters, and a heli-deck – which are due to be shipped to the Dragados yard in southwest Spain in August.

Emtunga’s fabrication is now concentrated at its Arendal facility in Gothenburg, its workshop in the town of Emtunga having closed last year. At that time, owner 3i decided to split Emtunga and Pharmadule, a specialist supplier of pharmaceutical modules, the two previously working together as one company.

Emtunga is now geared up to take on a wide range of work. Through an alliance with Stavanger-based service company MSS, it has supplied numerous container-size quarters modules, including deliveries in the Norwegian sector to ConocoPhillips’ Ekofisk field and Statoil’sNorne FPSO. “Such work is advantageous as it helps to fill in spaces in our production capacity,” says Edström.

Another alliance has been formed with Norway’s Jotne group, which supplies process modules, especially for FPSOs. The aim here is to meet some customers’ wishes for a joint delivery of process and accommodation facilities.

Last month Emtunga, in partnership with Ica Fluor, was expecting an invitation to tender for Pemex’s Literal Tabasco project in the Mexican sector, involving the supply of a replacement accommodation platform. The company has already delivered three replacement quarters to Pemex, the last being shipped in modular form in October to Industria del Hierro S.A. de C.V.’s Tampico yard where it is currently being assembled.

For more information contact Christofer Edström, Emtunga Offshore. Tel +46 31 794 1340, fax +46 31 794 1309,[email protected], www.emtunga.com