Keppel FELS Strikes Steel on Shah Deniz TPG500

Keppel FELS Ltd, the offshore arm of Keppel Corporation through Keppel Offshore & Marine (O&M), has cut its first piece of steel signifying the start of the fast-track fabrication on the Shah Deniz TPG500 Platform, to be installed in the Shah Deniz gas and condensate field in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea and operated by BP. At the strike steel ceremony, Mr Tong Chong Heong, MD & COO of Keppel O&M, said, “The strike steel ceremony is significant because it shows that we have moved very quickly forward since the signing of the contract. “Both BP and Keppel FELS have pulled together our resources and expertise to push ahead full steam to deliver this fast track project within 12 months.” Dr Rob Kelly from BP, President of Shah Deniz, who was also present at the ceremony added, “The time-line is extremely tight, but with the close co-operation between BP and Keppel FELS, we are confident of completing the project as scheduled.” Keppel FELS was awarded the US$96 million fabrication project from BP Exploration (Shah Deniz) Ltd, the Operator of the Shah Deniz Gas Export Project. It is responsible for the entire out-country fabrication workscope involving the hull, topsides and living quarters. The TPG500 platform hull is the key facility for the project, with an anticipated high steel throughput of 12,000 tons. Delivery is scheduled for July 2004, when the four hull strips of the TPG500 jack-up will be shipped to the Caspian Sea for integration with other in-country fabricated structures. The strike steel ceremony was held in the Keppel FELS panel line shop and key personnel from BP Shah Deniz and Keppel FELS were represented. Also in attendance were the BP/Technip and KFELS project management teams.