First Steel Cut of Shell's New Floating Production Unit in the Gulf of Mexico

First Steel Cut of Shell’s New Floating Production Unit in the Gulf of Mexico

Written by Paulo Nogueira

Published on 25/01/2024 at 11:29

Updated on 26/01/2024 at 16:04

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Seatrium Won Contract for Steel Manufacturing for Whale FPU in the Gulf of Mexico, Using Its Manufacturing Mode.

Seatrium of Singapore, formerly known as Sembcorp Marine, announced the start of steel manufacturing for the construction of a new floating production semi-submersible unit (FPU) for deepwater development sanctioned by Shell in the Gulf of Mexico in the USA.

The start of the construction phase comes weeks after Seatrium secured a contract for the construction and integration of the hull, topsides, and accommodations of the FPU Sparta, which features a single topside module supported by a four-column semi-submersible floating hull. This step follows the initial agreement of August 28, 2023, and the final investment decision for the project was made in December 2023.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Contract Signed with Offshore Frontier Solutions Pte Ltd in 2023

The FPU will replicate approximately 95% of the hull of the Whale FPU and 85% of its topside. Sparta will be Seatrium’s third semi-submersible FPU built for Shell. The two-level topside of Sparta will be integrated and raised onto the hull using Seatrium’s Goliath twin cranes, capable of lifting up to 30,000 tons. This FPU is designed to produce 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d).

‘The steel strike ceremony marks the start of the Sparta project at our steel manufacturing unit, powered by renewable solar energy. This execution aligns with our 2030 Sustainability Vision, focusing on minimizing our operational carbon footprint and contributing to the industry’s decarbonization efforts’, Seatrium highlighted.

Steel manufacturing ceremony Seatrium Shell Gulf of Mexico

Steel manufacturing ceremony Seatrium Shell Gulf of Mexico 2

The Sparta project, formerly known as North Platte, is a deepwater venture in the Gulf of Mexico, USA, measuring 1,310 meters (4,300 square feet). Discovered in 2012 by Cobalt International Energy, the Sparta field is currently operated by Shell Offshore (51%) with Equinor Gulf of Mexico LLC (49%) as the partner of the major oil company.

The Importance of the Contract in the Manufacturing of the Floating Production Unit

The project’s development plan encompasses eight production wells linked to a semi-submersible FPU. With an estimated and discovered recoverable resource volume of 244 million boe and a projected capacity of 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day at peak, the FPU of Sparta will feature fully electric compression equipment, allowing for significantly reduced emissions intensity from production.

‘The FPU Sparta, an approximate replica of its predecessors, the Shell Vito and Whale FPUs, will leverage operational synergies by replicating secure and efficient commissioning on land before the single-lift integration method for the topsides. Once completed, Sparta will be located in the Garden Banks area of the Gulf of Mexico, USA, and is expected to produce 90,000 boe/d. We are very much looking forward to the successful delivery of the FPU Sparta’, Seatrium explained.

Upon completion, the FPU of Sparta will be situated in the Garden Banks area of the Gulf of Mexico, USA, approximately 275 kilometers (171 miles) off the coast of Louisiana. The project is expected to commence production in 2028.

Contract Signed with Offshore Frontier Solutions Pte Ltd in 2023

Seatrium secured several deals in 2023. One of the most recent was closed with Offshore Frontier Solutions Pte Ltd, a company of the MODEC Group, for topside module manufacturing work related to the FPSO Raia in Brazil.

First Steel Cut of Shell’s New Floating Production Unit in the Gulf of Mexico

Seatrium Won Contract for Steel Manufacturing for Whale FPU in the Gulf of Mexico, Using Its Manufacturing Mode.

Contract Signed with Offshore Frontier Solutions Pte Ltd in 2023

The Importance of the Contract in the Manufacturing of the Floating Production Unit

Contract Signed with Offshore Frontier Solutions Pte Ltd in 2023

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First Steel Cut of Shell’s New Floating Production Unit in the Gulf of Mexico

Seatrium Won Contract for Steel Manufacturing for Whale FPU in the Gulf of Mexico, Using Its Manufacturing Mode.

Contract Signed with Offshore Frontier Solutions Pte Ltd in 2023

The Importance of the Contract in the Manufacturing of the Floating Production Unit

Contract Signed with Offshore Frontier Solutions Pte Ltd in 2023

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China is building an artificial island in the middle of the sea, covering 20 km², to construct the largest offshore airport in the world, the Dalian Jinzhouwan. This $4.3 billion project is anchored on more than 3,000 pillars embedded in the rock beneath the ocean and is scheduled to open in 2035.

Australia prepares to dredge 96.5 million m³ in Moreton Bay to deepen, widen, and realign channels of the Port of Brisbane, in a project of up to 25 years designed to accommodate larger ships and enhance maritime safety and regional port efficiency.

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