DNV assigned CVA for US GoM FPSO

April 10, 2008
DNV and Petrobras America have signed a Certified Verification Agent (CVA) contract for the first FPSO in the Gulf of Mexico.

Offshore staff

HOUSTON -- DNV and Petrobras America have signed a Certified Verification Agent (CVA) contract for the first FPSO in the Gulf of Mexico. It will also be converted, installed, and operated under DNV Class.

The FPSO will be installed on the Chinook and Cascade fields in early 2010, with production beginning in 1Q 2010.

The FPSO will have a storage capacity of about 600,000 bbl of oil, a processing capacity of 80,000 b/d of oil, and gas export facilities of 16 MMcf/d. It will be installed in a water depth of 2,600 m (8,530 ft). BW Offshore has signed the contract with Petrobras for the conversion, installation, and operation of the FPSO under DNV Class.

As the CVA, DNV will ensure that the MMS requirements are complied with for all the five significant elements in this project:
• Hull
• Topsides with topside-hull interfaces
• Turret with turret-hull interfaces
• Polyester mooring system
• Piled foundation.

DNV will perform CVA work during three phases – the design, fabrication, and installation. DNV's Offshore Service Center in Houston will be responsible for the contract and work execution.

04/10/2008