Aquaterra to install two platforms for project offshore Nigeria

Aquaterra Energy, a provider of offshore engineering solutions, and its local partner Maerlin Nigeria have been awarded a contract by First E&P to design, engineer and install two non-identical Sea Swift conductor-supported offshore platforms in the Niger Delta Basin.

The platforms are destined for the Anyala and Madu fields within Oil Mining Leases 83 and 85 offshore Nigeria, where state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is a joint venture partner, Aquaterra said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Anyala and Madu field project scope will develop approximately 185 million barrels of oil and 637 billion cubic feet of gas reserves.

Aquaterra Energy will manage the end-to-end project scope with engineering and onsite fabrication support being performed in Nigeria. The work includes structural design, topsides engineering, equipment selection, procurement, fabrication management and logistics.

Once complete, the platforms will be installed in water depths of 35m to 55m with first oil expected in late 2019.

Stewart Maxwell, Technical Director at Aquaterra Energy, says: “To meet First E&P’s goal of reaching first oil in 2019, a modern approach to platform development is required, and a partner with the technical expertise to develop a cost-effective, comprehensive solution that could be designed, engineered and delivered rapidly.”

Aquaterra Energy’s Sea Swift offshore platform is a modular system that combines an offshore platform with the rig-run benefits of a subsea development. According to the company, this offers operators a flexible option to reduce their build and installation costs and reduce time to first oil in shallow water applications.

It is worth mentioning that Malaysia’s FPSO specialist Yinson last June entered into a heads of terms with First E&P for the potential supply and charter of a floating production storage and offloading unit to process hydrocarbons from the Anyala & Madu fields under Oil Mining Leases 83 & 85. The deal was supposed to be sealed by June 30 but the two companies in October gave themselves more time to conclude the FPSO deal.

Yinson said in late October that the parties remain in advanced stages of negotiations. Following the contract award for two Sea Swift platforms, it is unclear what this means for the Yinson FPSO.