North Caspian Sea News

Vryhof Anchors, a Vryhof company, has announced a number of contracts for its’ Stevshark Rex anchoring solution with Anglo-French independent operator Perenco and its Congolese subsidiary Perenco Congo SA; Maersk Drilling in Trinidad; and international EPC contactor CNGS Group. In addition, two Stevshark Rex’s will also be deployed by Jan De Nul Group, a dredging, offshore, civil and environmental contractor.The contracts confirm the Stevshark Rex - with versions ranging from three to 60 metric tons (mT) - as the new industry standard in hard soils…

Eni announces that first oil from the giant Kashagan oil field has been produced. The oilfield is located in the North Caspian Sea, approximately 80 kilometers southeast of Atyrau, in Kazakhstan. Eni holds a 16.81% stake in the consortium for the development of Kashagan and through Agip KCO is responsible for developing and start of production of the field. The other partners in the consortium, represented by the operator NCOC (North Caspian Operating Company) which operates within the North Caspian Sea Production Sharing Agreement (NCSPSA), are KazMunayGas (16.81%), ExxonMobil (16.81%), Shell (16.81%), Total (16.81%), ConocoPhillips (8.4%) and Inpex (7.56%). In the initial phase output will grow up to 180,000 barrels per day.

Shallow water offshore support services operator Acta Marine gives an update on the worldwide deployment of its specialized vessels. In Asia the Coastal Victory is engaged upon offshore support activities with a shallow draft pipe lay vessel in Korea and Taiwan. This 50TBP Multi-purpose Anchor Handling vessel is well positioned to support new maritime infrastructure projects in this growing region. In the Middle East, the Coastal Ranger and Coastal Rambler are involved in the construction of artificial energy islands.

Robert Allan Ltd. was awarded a contract for two new designs of icebreaking OSVs for use in the North Caspian Sea. The contract was awarded to the Vancouver naval architects by the Turkish-based Palmali Group of Companies, and the vessels will be built by Besiktas Shipyard of Altinova, Turkey. Upon delivery the vessels will be chartered to the Lukoil Oil Company of Astrakhan, Russia. Three vessels in total are to be built and delivered by the end of 2014. Each of the new vessel designs will be 80 meters in length and specifically designed for operation in the very shallow, ice covered waters encountered in the Caspian. The vessels will meet the rules of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.

BMT ARGOSS (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, has secured a long-term contract to provide an oil major with weather forecasting services for all its North Caspian Sea operations, both offshore and onshore. The scope of BMT’s work includes provision of all forecasting services including Metocean and aviation as well as all operational support, including maintenance of meteorological equipment on all of the installations. BMT’s working relationship with this oil major extends back to 2009, providing elements of the forecasting services package.

Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev & Eni CEO Paolo Scaroni consulted in Astana during the VII Kazernergy Eurasian Forum. During the meeting, described as cordial and constructive, Eni's CEO shared the developments and results of the company's ongoing activities in the country with the President, affirming Eni's positive vision of the primary importance projects that Kazakhstan presents, such as the Kashagan and Karachaganak. The President was informed of joint projects for building a shipyard in the Caspian Sea and a gas turbine power plant in West Kazakhstan region. Eni's CEO also updated President Nazarbayev on the progress of the agreement of cooperation and mutual understanding…

contracts with Saipem S.p.A. development in the Kazakhstan sector of the north Caspian Sea. boats, two anchor handling tugs and an existing survey vessel. will be placed into active operations in the spring of 2006. Mr.