Offshore staff

STAVANGER, Norway --Statoil has contracted Samsung Heavy Industries to build the hull of its Gjøa field semisubmersible platform.

Fabrication is due to start in February 2008, with up to 1,000 people working on the 14,000 metric ton (15,432 ton) structure. The completed hull will be transported to the Aker Stord yard near Bergen, for integration with the platform deck and accommodation module, awarded to Aker Kvaerner and Leirvik Module Technology, respectively.

The $150-million contract for the hull was the last oustanding major component of the $4.93 billion development. Gjøa is due onstream in 2010, when Gaz de France takes over as production operator.

4/19/2007