Spar Technology News

ABS is launching an integrated project team structure to facilitate the delivery of its classification services, with Kerr-McGee Corporation’s recently sanctioned “Constitution” truss spar slated as the first to benefit from the enhanced process. Destined for Green Canyon Block 680 in 5,000 ft. of water, Kerr-McGee will use the “Constitution” spar to develop its 100-percent owned field in the Gulf of Mexico. The project development strategy—internal to ABS—is supported with a proprietary technology tool, “02E” or “Engineering 2000,” to provide global, real-time electronic review of the customer’s drawings and improved project control.

CSO Aker Maritime, Inc. (formerly Aker Maritime, Inc.), one of Coflexip Stena Offshore's Houston-based entities, has been awarded a contract for delivery of multiple SPAR floating production platforms for BP's deepwater developments in the Gulf of Mexico. CSO Aker Maritime, Inc. will deliver the SPAR hulls and mooring systems under a program calling for up to five SPARs. This award is the largest in scope and value for the CSO Group. CSO Aker Maritime, Inc. will be responsible for the engineering, procurement, fabrication and delivery of the complete hulls and mooring systems. The program contract calls for the first SPAR delivery in 2003.

MALAYSIA Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn Bhd’s (MMHE) recent commission to construct a semisubmersible vessel for the Gemusut deepwater facility will equip the company with the last capability it needs to be a full-fledged deepwater center, according to a report on www.btimes.com.my. “Kikeh was the first, where we saw the spar technology transfer from Finland, so now we can build a spar anytime.” “So from Gemusut, once we do the semisub we will have semisub capabilities and once we have that we can do anything in deep water,” MMHE marketing and sales general manager Manoel Gomes told reporters, according to www.btimes.com.my. MMHE plans to cut steel in January 2007 and deliver it by June 2010.

J. Ray McDermott, Inc., a subsidiary of McDermott International, Inc., has been awarded a turnkey engineer-procure-construct-install contract to provide a spar platform for the Medusa Field Development Project, a deepwater development for Murphy Oil Corp. in the Gulf of Mexico. Financial terms of the contract are not being disclosed. SparTEC, Inc., a subsidiary of J. Ray McDermott, will act as the general contractor and overall project manager for the design engineering, procurement, fabrication, installation and commissioning of the Medusa offshore production facility, which will be located in 2,223 ft. of water in Mississippi Canyon Block 582. “We are extremely honored and excited to be selected by Murphy to bring Medusa to fruition,” said Bobby Rawle, president of J. Ray McDermott.

ABS is classing the industry's first cell spar destined for Kerr-McGee's Red Hawk field in deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The project marks ABS' fifth classification contract from Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas for a spar offshore facility. The project will draw on ABS' experience with spar technology and industry expertise for deepwater developments, says Luiz Feijo, ABS project manager. "ABS offers Kerr-McGee the expertise to face the technical challenges of the Red Hawk frontier project while meeting the schedule requirements," said Feijo. The entire project, adds Feijo, is expected to complete within two years of project sanction, with first-gas scheduled for second quarter 2004. "Engineering and fabrication are proceeding in parallel.

J. Ray McDermott, S.A. and Keppel FELS Limited. are in the process of forming a new joint venture company, to be named FloaTEC, LLC, to provide deepwater and ultra deepwater oil and gas development solutions. To add to the Joint Venture’s offerings, J Ray and Keppel FELS plan to draw upon the purchased patent rights previously owned by ABB for the Extended Tension Leg Platform (ETLP) and Single Column Floater (SCF) designs. Combined with J Ray’s existing SPAR technology and Keppel FELS’ semi-submersible expertise, FloaTEC, LLC will be in a unique position to provide a wide range of solutions for deepwater developments. “We believe that the timing could not be better for this cooperation with our colleagues at Keppel FELS and the establishment of this exciting joint venture…