SBM to supply semi, MOPU

Oct. 4, 2006
SBM Offshore has secured two orders for delivery of a semisubmersible production facility and a MOPU with storage.

Offshore staff

SCHIEDAM, Netherlands -- SBM Offshore has secured two orders for delivery of a semisubmersible production facility and a MOPU with storage.

The contract for the semi was signed with Murphy (operator) and its partners Hydro, Dominion, and Marubeni Offshore Production. SBM's workscope calls for the provision of a newbuild semisubmersible floating production unit for installation on the Thunder Hawk field in Mississippi Canyon block 736 in 1,800 m of water. It will process production from MC 734, as well.

The facility will be built based on Atlantia's DeepDraft Semi design. It will come equipped with initial capacity to produce 60,000 b/d of oil and 70 MMcf/d of gas. Its equipment can be expanded to accommodate additional production from satellite discoveries or third-party tiebacks.

Produced oil from the facility will be exported via steel catenary risers into existing pipelines, covered under an initial five-year deal. Installation of the semi is scheduled for late 2008.

SBM secured a FEED contract with Talisman Energy Norge AS for a MOPU with storage capacity. The facility will be installed on the Talisman-operated Yme field on PL316 in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

The MOPU system will comprise a production jackup installed on a subsea storage tank.

According to SBM, the purpose of the FEED is to adapt a patented design from its subsidiary GustoMSC, previously used in the Danish sector of the North Sea on the Sir field. A final investment decision and submission of a PDO (Plan for Development and Operation) for redevelopment of Yme is expected in late 2006 or early 2007.

In the event the PDO is granted, the parties intend to enter into a contract for lease of the MOPU for an initial five-year period. First production is expected in autumn 2008. Partners in the Talisman-operated PL316 include Revus Energy ASA (20%) and Pertra ASA (10%).

10/4/06