Tullow declares force majeure on Jubilee after FPSO issue

Independent oil exploration and production company Tullow Oil has reportedly declared a force majeure on the Jubilee field, offshore Ghana.

According to Reuters, Tullow late last week declared the force majeure on two cargoes of crude oil from the Jubilee field due to a problem with a turret bearing on the floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel Kwame Nkrumah.

The news agency quoted the company’s statement as saying: “We have deferred two liftings at Jubilee while we implement new operating procedures for off-take from the FPSO.”

Back in February 2016, Tullow identified a potential issue with the turret bearing on the FPSO operating on the Jubilee field, and put in place additional operating procedures to monitor the turret bearing and reduce the degree of rotation of the vessel.

This issue comes just before the company’s planned two-week maintenance program on the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah that was scheduled for March 20.

Offshore Energy Today has reached out to Tullow seeking confirmation and further details on the force majeure and the state of the FPSO.

Tullow’s spokesperson said: “New procedures are required following deterioration in the condition of the turret bearing. A planned two week shut-down for maintenance is scheduled to begin on 20th March and oil production and gas export will continue until the planned shutdown begins.”

The spokesperson added: “We are planning to recommence liftings towards the end of the shutdown once the new operating procedures and vessels are in place. Tullow’s 2016 production guidance is unaffected.”

The FPSO Kwame Nkrumah is capable of processing more than 120,000 barrels of oil per day, and injecting more than 230,000 barrels of water per day and 160 MMscfd of produced gas. It is designed to remain on the field for up to 20 years.

Tullow is the operator of the Jubilee field with 35.48% interest. Tullow’s partners are Kosmos and Anadarko, each with 24.08% interest, and GNPC and Petro SA with 13.64% and 2.73% interest, respectively.

The article has been updated to include a statement by Tullow Oil

Offshore Energy Today Staff