UK: SBM Offshore Choses Cathelco for FPSO Xikomba Hull Renewal

For a decade, Cathelco ICCP equipment has successfully protected the hull of the FPSO Xikomba against corrosion, a vessel which was originally built as a VLCC in 1974. Now as FPSO prepares to embark on the next phase of its operational life, Cathelco are renewing the impressed current cathodic protection system, safeguarding the integrity of the hull for the years ahead.

The original ICCP system was supplied in 2002 when the FPSO Xikomba was converted from the FPSO Atlantic in Dubai Drydocks and subsequently operated under contract by ExxonMobil in Angola. Prior to this it was a VLCC known as the Mosocean.

SBM Offshore and its joint venture companies Sonangol, Sonasing and OPS have now announced that the vessel will undergo a major upgrade at the Keppel yard in Singapore followed by additional work at the PAENAL yard in Angola.

It will then be relocated to the Angola Block 15/06 West hub development project under a twelve year charter and operation contract with ENI SpA with the first production planned for 2014.

As the Xikomba has a length of 348 metres it will be protected by forward and aft ICCP systems. Cathelco will be renewing the existing forward system with a similarly rated 600 amp thyristor control panel wired to four 150 amp linear loop anodes and two reference electrodes mounted port and starboard. The more powerful aft system will consist of two 600amp control panels, each wired to two 300 amp linear loop anodes and a reference electrode.

“This vessel is over 30 years old and our equipment has protected the hull against corrosion since it was converted from the Mosocean in 2002. We are delighted that SBM Offshore has chosen to renew the system for the next stage of its operational life in Angola”, said Andrew Gamble, who has co-ordinated the project at Cathelco.

In addition, the company will be supplying an ICCP system to protect the internal surfaces of the main condenser against corrosion. This will consist of an arrangement of 40 anodes and 60 cantilever reference electrodes connected to one control panel with multiple outputs.

Cathelco are world leading suppliers of ICCP hull corrosion protection systems which are manufactured alongside their well established range of seawater pipework anti-fouling systems for offshore and commercial shipping applications.

This is the sixth order to be received from SBM Offshore, beginning with the supply of ICCP equipment for the FPSO Capixaba in 2005 followed by the Espirito Santo, P57, Okha and more recently the Cidade de Paraty which was converted in Singapore last year.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, May 3, 2012; Image: Cathelco