Thai Monks Bless Steel Cutting For FPSO Module

In accordance with tradition, Thai monks blessed the steel, machinery, visitors and staff in a steel cutting ceremony held yesterday for the P-74 FPSO Module.

“The monk blessing ceremony is a very important cultural tradition in Thailand. To Aibel it is a nice way to mark the start of an important project,” says Managing Director Jim Ryan at Aibel Thailand.

The ceremony took place at Aibel’s subcontractor in Thailand, Deeline. The master monk placed gold leafs on the steel plate that was to be cut, sprinkled it with holy water, and chanted blessings.

Aibel is delivering five topside modules to the P-74 FPSO. The contract for procurement and construction was signed this summer.

“This project starts just as fabrication finishes on the Troll project, so it fits in well with the needs of Aibel Thailand,” Ryan explains.

He continues: “Aibel’s client Estaleiros do Brasil (EBR) is a consortium between Toyo Engineering and SoG – Oleo e Gas. Toyo is a repeat customer of Aibel and has to date been very happy with our deliveries.”

The FPSO will operate in Brazilian waters for Petrobas. The last of the Aibel modules is to leave the yard in Laem Chabang in august 2014.

“At its peak next spring around 700 workers will be employed on this project,” says K. Thanakorn. He is Aibel’s project manager.

The ceremony yesterday lasted for several hours. Present were also EBR’s Construction Manager Mr. Hisano and Managing Director Manit Jimlimlert at Deeline. The monks also blessed them and the Deeline staff.

“We appreciate that we can make the first cut one month earlier than originally planned. This takes some pressure off the schedule,” K. Thanakorn concludes.

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Press Release, October 09, 2013