The operator of the Maari oilfield, OMV New Zealand, announces that the FPSO Raroa will head to the Port of Nelson for the upcoming equipment upgrade and vessel refurbishment.
The Port of Taranaki will also be actively involved in the project, serving as home port for the six service vessels required for the extensive work programme.
“We are pleased that the region has the capability and capacity to take on this complex project,” said OMV New Zealand Managing Director, Peter Zeilinger . “Both ports are going to be busy for an extended period of time.”
Planned work on the Raroa includes the refurbishment and upgrade of processing equipment and the installation of a new swivel, which allows the vessel to rotate around its mooring.
While the refurbishment work is underway, construction activities at the Maari field will continue in preparation for the tie-in of new wells. This will include the upgrade of the wellhead platform and the replacement of several mooring lines of the anchor-buoy for the Raroa.
Depending on weather, the Raroa is expected back in the field in November this year to commence the re-connection procedure.
[mappress] Press Release, September 19, 2013