UAE: FPSO Athena Enters Final Phase of Conversion Work

According to Ithaca Energy, Athena Development Update activities are progressing as scheduled. The BW Athena FPSO, is undergoing final phases of conversion work in Dubai Dry Dock World. Under the agreement between BW Offshore and Drydocks World scope of work included lengthening of the vessel and fabrication and installation of a new section for the Submerged Turret Production (STP) system.

All associated piping and electrical modification, module and crane installation and topside repair are going to be carried out at Dubai shipyard.

Commissioning of the vessel is well underway and will be completed before sailaway from Dubai to ensure that the hook-up and offshore commissioning phase is minimised once the vessel arrives on location. Further to the Company’s update of December 8, 2011, engineering work on the mooring design and associated power supply has resulted receiving the mooring system certification for year round operations in the UK North Sea.

Commissioning of the vessel power turbine is well advanced. Sailaway from Dubai is scheduled for mid-February and hardening of the vessel to add protection during its transit to the UK is now in progress.

BW Offshore signed a contract for the use of the FPSO BW Athena (former BW Carmen) with Ithaca Energy and partners in autumn 2010. The FPSO will be employed on the Athena oil field on the UK sector and is expected to commence production early 2012.

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World Maritime News Staff, January 12, 2012; Image: BW Offshore