Gate Energy lands commissioning gig for deepwater Gulf of Mexico project

Houston-based engineering, commissioning and field services firm Gate Energy has been awarded the commissioning management and execution contract for LLOG’s Salamanca development in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.

The scope of this work includes pre-commissioning and commissioning planning and execution at both the onshore fabrication site and offshore, Gate Energy explained in a statement this week. The company’s commissioning team will also support initial startup activities offshore.

The Salamanca FPS will be located in Block 689 of the Keathley Canyon to tap into the Leon and Castile discoveries. The deepwater platform will sit at approximately 6,400 ft, capable of producing 60,000 BOPD, 25,000 BWPD, and 40 MMSCFD of natural gas.

Mark Myhre, President of Gate Commissioning, said, “This Salamanca award exemplifies our relationship and partnership with LLOG following our success on the Delta House project. Gate Energy continues to enjoy our strong position in the commissioning segment with 10 major deepwater commissioning projects awarded to us in just the past 9 years.”

As reported by Offshore Energy several months ago, LLOG decided to reuse what was previously the world’s deepest floating production platform for the development of its new deepwater project in the Gulf of Mexico. LLOG will repurpose the existing Independence Hub platform it had already bought thereby reducing emissions by approximately 70 per cent compared to new unit construction.

A subsidiary of Singapore’s Keppel was hired for the refurbishment of the floating production unit. The scope of work on the production facility includes demolition, hull modifications, and upgrades to key systems. 

Furthermore, Houston-based Audubon Engineering secured a contract for detailed design services, procurement, vendor equipment management, construction, pre-commissioning, and offshore commissioning support. 

Initial production from the joint development is expected in mid-2025.