MOL, Mitsui Join in Modec FPSO Project
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Mitsui & Co have participated in a long-term charter business operated by MODEC for the purpose of providing a floating production, storage, and offloading system (FPSO) for use in the Area 1 block offshore Mexico and a loan agreement for the Project was entered into on April 12, 2019.
Mitsui and MOL invested in Area1 Mexico MV34 B.V. ("MV34"), a Dutch company established by MODEC, which will engage in FPSO leasing, operations and maintenance services.
In December 2018, MV34 concluded the charter agreement with Eni Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. ("Eni Mexico"), the operator of Area 1 block and a subsidiary of Eni S.p.A. The charter contract initially runs for 15 years, with options for extension every year thereafter up to 5 additional years.
The loan agreement on a project finance basis was signed by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (lead arranger), MUFG Bank, Ltd., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited, Société Générale, BNP Paribas, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited, Clifford Capital Pte. Ltd. and Crédit Industriel et Commercial. This is the first project finance for the FPSO project in Mexico.
Mexico has seen numerous significant discoveries of expansive offshore oil fields in recent years, thereby giving rise to expectations of fresh demand for additional FPSO in the region.
Area 1 block is owned by a consortium of two companies including Eni Mexico as operator and Qatar Petroleum. Construction of the FPSO is planned to be completed in 2021, and the FPSO will be deployed for the development of the Area 1 block at water depths of about 32 meters.