Daily Archives: March 13, 2012

Introducing the Constructor-Class from GustoMSC

Mar 13

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By On March 13, 2012

Oil and gas will remain the backbone of the world’s energy supplies for a long time to come, and the offshore sector continues to expand in every direction, in particular, toward deeper water and harsher environments.

According to Douglas Westwood’s ”World Deepwater Market Report 2011-2015,” the capital expenditure (CAPEX) index forecasts annual growth rates for the deepwater sector of over 20%.  All aspects of the deepwater market are contributing to this figure, with a share of about 40% for pipelines, subsea production and processing, and other SURF (Subsea, Umbilical, Riser, Flowline) activities.

About 6 months ago, GustoMSC unveiled the new Constructor class of vessels, which were specifically designed to accommodate present and future requirements of the offshore oil & gas construction and SURF market for large offshore vessels.

SURF vessels have to be able to work in deep water for prolonged periods, have short mobilization times, and also have the potential for future upgrades to operate in specific areas or conditions. The increasing water depth is for instance driving the requirements for crane capacities. The remoteness of operating areas requires vessels to be more self-supporting, have a larger payload and be increasingly efficient. Harsher conditions are one driver for improved power generation. The need for short mobilization times is driving the design of the hull for higher speeds.  All future SURF vessels will need to optimally combine these features if they are to be acceptably cost-effective.

Besides the operational requirements, safeguarding and improving health, safety, and the working environment are also essential elements of developmental work. In the offshore sector, comfort is not something to be taken lightly. Offshore vessels often have a large complement of specialists with complicated, intensive tasks to perform. They need a sound reliable platform on which to do their work.  Fatigue is always a concern. Noise and vibration, and a lack of amusement over a prolonged period are all elements contributing to fatigue while the increasingly demanding projects require the crew to be superbly fit and show plenty of stamina. And last but not least, in the hard competition for qualified personnel, owners need to be able to offer an attractive working environment for their crews.  – GustoMSC InSide

The vessels can be provided with various mission equipment systems, such as pipelay systems (S- or J-lay), reel-lay systems, flex-lay systems or be equipped as deepwater installation and cable lay. Mission equipment can be installed to operate either through a moonpool or over the stern or over the side.

We asked GustoMSC’s Sales Manager, Mattijs Faber, what the most unique feature of these vessels were.  His response:

The vessels size and capabilities are most unique and unmatched in the market: 2800sqm of aft deck, 10,000 metric ton payload to play with, capability to install a 600 metric ton subsea crane, as well as sea keeping and dynamic positioning capability in harsh conditions.

He also comments saying that an even larger version, the SURF XL, is currently being developed for operators working in the most demanding regions around the world.  This new vessel will combine reel and J-lay capabilities and have a 1,000 ton heave compensated subsea installation crane and a deep water lowering system.

As an option, all of these vessels can be designed with DNV – Ice Class notation. Their main dimensions are 155 x 30 x 13m (Loa x B x D), (DLV3000  version: 170 x 42 x 12m).

Constructor – DLV 3000

Application: Heavy Lift 

The largest vessel in the Constructor class is a real workhorse, designed to serve a wide range of roles in the construction market. The deepwater S-lay system with removable stinger and versatile 3,000t main crane with heave compensation makes the vessel suitable for deepwater installation roles. The optional mooring system allows the vessel to perform shallow water operations in close vicinity to platforms. The offset crane position provides the vessel with an unmatched effective outreach over the side and over the stern. The A-deck arrangement provides a flush and unobstructed working deck with sufficient space for modules, jackets, piles and all kinds of (subsea) equipment.  An active ballast system will be installed to reduce heeling angles during lifting operations.

Additionally the vessel will be capable of pipelaying by means of a fully covered single joint pipelay factory (Double joint in a lengthened version).

The Constructor – Flex Lay 550

Application: Subsea Umbilicals, Risers, and Flowlines (SURF) 

The vessel takes a vast amount of products in its below deck carousels and has been provided with a 550 MT Vertical Lay System positioned over a moon pool in the mid ships. Ample crane capacity will be provided in order to service subsea operations as well as the deck and moon pool area.

Constructor MPOSV

Application: SURF

The vessel can be provided with various mission equipment systems, such as pipelay systems (S- or J-lay), reel-lay systems, flex-lay systems or be equipped for various other missions, such as deepwater installation and cable lay. Mission equipment can be installed to operate either through a moonpool (option) or over the stern. Ample crane capacity can be provided in order to service subsea operations as well as the deck and moon pool area.

Constructor S-Lay Vessel

Application: SURF

The vessel has been provided with a Single joint S-lay pipelay system located under deck, with a fixed (removable) stinger. The vessel provides a stable platform for lifting operations and high crane capacity can be provided in order to service subsea installation operations as well as other construction activities.

GustoMSC HV Power Cable Lay Vessel

Application: For Linking Onshore and Offshore Power Grids

The vessel takes a vast amount of products in its carousels. An A-frame can be provided for launching and retrieving ploughs and trenchers.

In order to provide the necessary flexibility for crossover work into the offshore construction market the vessel allows for ample crane capacity as well as a large open deck area.

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Introducing the Constructor-Class from GustoMSC | gCaptain – Maritime & Offshore.

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First oil from the Caesar Tonga field in the Gulf of Mexico

Mar 13

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The Constitution spar floating production facility. (Photo: Anadarko)

Statoil’s operations in North America got another boost when operator Anadarko Petroleum and co-owners Shell and Chevron today, 12 March, announced the beginning of first production from the Caesar Tonga deep-water project in the Gulf of Mexico.

Caesar Tonga, in which Statoil Gulf of Mexico LLC has a 23.55% working interest, began flowing high-quality oil on 7 March.

Production from the project’s first three wells is expected to ramp up to approximately 45,000 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day.

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Jason Nye, senior vice president, U.S. Offshore, Development and Production North America.

A fourth development well is expected to be drilled and completed later this year as part of the planned phase one development. Caesar Tonga has an estimated resource base of 200 to 400 million BOE.

“Caesar Tonga fits well with our strategy to significantly grow Gulf of Mexico production over the next several years,” says Statoil’s Jason Nye, senior vice president, U.S. Offshore, Development and Production North America.

“And it’s a great example of using existing infrastructure in the deep-water Gulf to achieve cost savings. The project teams worked well together on this.”

Caesar Tonga is developed as a subsea tieback to Anadarko Petroleum’s Constitution spar floating production facility in about 5,000 feet of water in Green Canyon Block 680 as a host.
In 2009, Anadarko began making modifications to the Constitution’s topsides to accommodate production from Caesar Tonga, about 10 miles to the east.

Caesar Tonga also included the first application of steel lazy wave riser technology in the Gulf of Mexico.

Get an overview of Statoil's active leases in the Gulf of Mexico,

Co-owners in the project are:  Anadarko, with 33.75 percent working interest; Shell Offshore Inc., 22.45 percent; and Chevron U.S.A. Inc., 20.25 percent.

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First Oil Flows at Caesar/Tonga Field in U.S. GoM

Mar 13

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Anadarko Petroleum Corporation , as operator, today announced first production at the Caesar/Tonga development in the Green Canyon area of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.

Production from Caesar/Tonga, with an estimated resource base of 200 to 400 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), is expected to ramp up to approximately 45,000 BOE per day from the first three subsea wells. A fourth development well is expected to be drilled and completed later this year, as part of the planned Phase I development.

“We are excited to announce we began producing high-quality oil from the Caesar/Tonga development on March 7, 2012; an outstanding accomplishment by our project team consisting of co-owners, our employees and contractors,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Al Walker. “Our ability to safely achieve cost savings of almost $1 billion by leveraging our existing, operated infrastructure in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico continues to demonstrate the value of our hub-and-spoke approach to exploration and development. Caesar/Tonga is yet another capital-efficient, deepwater project in our Gulf of Mexico portfolio that we have successfully developed. This development and the Gulf of Mexico are an important part of Anadarko’s liquids growth and our domestically produced energy.”

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Helix Orders Semi-Sub Well Intervention Rig in Singapore

Mar 13

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Houston-based subsea well intervention specialist, Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc., has signed a contract with Sembcorp Marine’s subsidiary Jurong Shipyard in Singapore for the construction of its newbuild semisubmersible well intervention rig previously announced by Helix in February. The estimated value of the contract is US$385.5 million.

Owen Kratz, Helix’s Chairman and CEO, stated, “We are pleased to have selected a proven partner in Jurong Shipyard to leverage on our market and technological leadership in subsea well intervention. This new asset, engineered and designed based on the lessons learned from our successful Q4000 platform, is being constructed to meet an increasing market demand for specialized deepwater well intervention services worldwide. We look forward to the delivery of this new-generation advanced well intervention vessel and plan to expand this business segment even further.”

The semi-submersible well intervention rig will be built based on Bassoe Technology’s naval architectural design with Helix’s equipment layout. Featuring the latest technology, the rig is an efficient purpose-designed platform with capabilities to perform a wide variety of tasks, including conventional and extended top hold drilling, subsea construction, decommissioning well intervention, coiled tubing operations and twin ROV deployment.

Mr Don Lee, Senior General Manager, Jurong Shipyard’s Offshore Division said, “We are honoured that Helix has entrusted us with the construction of this highly specialised deepwater semi-submersible well intervention rig. This rig is Jurong Shipyard’s first specialised platform with well intervention and subsea capabilities and represents a significant advance for us in this growing new market segment. We would like to thank Helix for awarding us this contract, which is a testament to Jurong Shipyard’s rig construction capabilities and versatility in developing purpose-designed solutions for the offshore industry. We are committed to build on this new partnership with Helix and to meet their stringent standards of quality, safety and reliability

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USA: Cheniere Urges FERC to Approve Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project

Mar 13

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Cheniere Energy of USA has urged Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve construction of its Sabine Pass liquefaction project by Thursday to prevent any project delays.

In a letter sent to FERC, Cheniere said failure to receive FERC authorization by Thursday could result in delays in construction of the liquefaction project and significant price increases.

Cheniere is developing a project to add liquefaction and export capabilities to the existing infrastructure at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.

The Liquefaction Project is being designed and permitted for up to four modular LNG trains, each with a nominal capacity of approximately 4.5 mtpa.

In November, Sabine Liquefaction entered into a lump sum turnkey contract for the engineering, procurement and construction of the first two trains of the project with Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals.

Sabine Liquefaction has also entered into four long-term customer sale and purchase agreements for 16.0 mtpa of LNG volumes.

The customers include BG Gulf Coast LNG for 5.5 mtpa, Gas Natural Fenosa for 3.5 mtpa, KOGAS for 3.5 mtpa and GAIL (India) for 3.5 mtpa.

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USA: Anadarko Allocates USD 6.9 Bln for 2012 Investments

Mar 13

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Anadarko Petroleum Corporation  today announced its 2012 capital program and guidance, and the highlights of its Investor Conference to be held on March 13, 2012.

“Anadarko is off to a great start in 2012 as it continues to build upon the strong operational results of 2011, while positioning the company for value-focused growth into the next decade,” Anadarko Chairman and CEO Jim Hackett said.

2012 Capital Program and Expectations Total 2012 capital expenditures are expected to be between $6.6 and $6.9 billion. This amount does not include expenditures by Western Gas Partners, LP (WES), a separate, publicly traded entity controlled by Anadarko and consolidated in its financial statements.

“Anadarko’s deep portfolio provides the flexibility to allocate more than 90 percent of our 2012 E&P (exploration and production) capital toward oil and liquids-rich assets, while dialing back U.S. onshore dry gas activity in the currently over-supplied North American natural gas market environment. We expect this capital program to deliver full-year sales volumes in the range of 256 to 260 million BOE (barrels of oil equivalent), which takes into account both the effect of anticipated asset monetizations and reduced natural gas activity. We expect liquids sales volumes to comprise about 45 percent of total sales volumes in 2012, equating to an increase of approximately 25,000 barrels per day over the previous year. Additionally, the capital program reflects our continued commitment to our worldwide exploration program, which has delivered industry-leading results for several years, while discovering many new asset platforms for future growth.”

An approximate breakout of the 2012 capital program is included below:

2012 Capital Expenditures by Area

$6.6 – $6.9 Billion

U.S. Onshore 55%

International 25%

Gulf of Mexico 10%

Midstream/Other 10%

U.S. Onshore

Approximately 55 percent of Anadarko’s 2012 capital budget is allocated to its shorter-cycle U.S. onshore activities, with a focus on liquids-rich opportunities in the Wattenberg field, Eagleford Shale, Permian Basin and emerging liquids-rich East Texas area.

In the Wattenberg field of northeastern Colorado, where the company has identified net resources of between 500 million and 1.5 billion BOE in its Wattenberg HZ program, Anadarko plans to accelerate value realization by increasing the number of operated rigs, from six horizontal rigs currently to eight by the middle of 2012.

In the Eagleford Shale in South Texas, Anadarko doubled the number of identified drill sites to about 4,000, thereby increasing its estimated net resources in the field to more than 600 million BOE. The company plans to run ten operated rigs in the Eagleford and expand its midstream infrastructure during the year to align with anticipated production growth.

In East Texas, Anadarko announced that with horizontal-drilling technology it has unlocked a new liquids-rich play in the Carthage area. In this East Texas HZ opportunity, the company has identified more than 450 drill sites with strong economics and an estimated 300 million BOE of net resources. In 2012, Anadarko plans to operate six to eight rigs and drill approximately 75 wells in the East Texas HZ play.

In the Marcellus Shale in north-central Pennsylvania, Anadarko has increased average well recoveries to approximately 8 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas per well, and has continued to improve efficiencies, resulting in a 30-percent reduction in drilling cycle times over 2010. Given the current market conditions for natural gas, the company expects the number of rigs (operated and non-operated) in the play to decrease from 21 to 13 over the course of the year.

International

Anadarko has allocated approximately 25 percent of its 2012 capital budget to its growing international portfolio, with a significant focus on Africa.

Offshore Mozambique, where Anadarko has made one of the most significant natural gas discoveries of the last decade, its partnership will continue to work toward achieving reserve certification in 2012 and a final investment decision (FID) in late 2013. As announced this morning, the partnership conducted a successful drillstem test at the Barquentine-2 well that flowed at an equipment-constrained rate of 90 to 100 million cubic feet of natural gas per day (MMcf/d), which supports a well-design capability of 100 to 200 MMcf/d. Additionally, Anadarko is increasing the estimated recoverable resource range of the Offshore Area 1 discovery area by another 2 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). Anadarko’s discovery area in the deepwater Rovuma Basin is now estimated to hold 17 to 30-plus Tcf of recoverable natural gas.

In Algeria, the El Merk mega project is approximately 90-percent complete and expected to begin to produce significant volumes by the end of the year. In West Africa, the Jubilee Unit is expected to average between 70,000 and 90,000 barrels of oil per day in 2012, while the partnership continues remedial work on several existing producing wells and initiates the Phase 1A drilling program. The company and its partners also recently completed a successful drillstem test in the TEN (Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme) complex offshore Ghana that flowed at equipment-constrained rates of more than 20,000 barrels of high-quality oil per day. The partnership expects to submit a Plan of Development for the TEN complex later this year.

Gulf of Mexico

About 10 percent of Anadarko’s 2012 capital program is directed to its deepwater Gulf of Mexico activities. As announced today, Anadarko and the project’s co-owners safely achieved first production at the Caesar/Tonga mega project. Caesar/Tonga production is currently increasing and is expected to reach approximately 45,000 BOE per day from three subsea wells, which are being produced through the company’s Constitution spar on Green Canyon block 680.

Also in the Gulf, Anadarko continues to make progress on the Lucius development, which is located in the Keathley Canyon area. Fabrication of the 80,000 barrel-per-day, 450 MMcf/d truss spar is under way, and first production is expected in 2014.

The company also expects to initiate front-end engineering and design work for the development of its Heidelberg discovery in anticipation of project sanctioning later this year. The Heidelberg-2 appraisal well, announced in February, encountered more than 250 net feet of oil pay and supported the company’s net resource estimate of more than 200 million BOE for the field.

Exploration The company’s exploration program delivered more than 730 million BOE of net discovered resources in 2011. In 2012, Anadarko expects to continue an active program, investing approximately 20 percent of its capital budget in exploration, with plans to drill approximately 25 high-impact, deepwater exploration/appraisal wells worldwide. The most active areas of exploration and appraisal drilling this year are expected to be in East Africa, with seven to 10 planned wells offshore Mozambique; in West Africa, also with seven to 10 planned wells in the Ivorian and Sierra Leone/Liberia basins; and in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, where Anadarko plans to return to pre-moratorium levels of drilling with six to eight planned wells.

“The strong results of 2011 and the list of significant achievements in just over two months in 2012 demonstrate our strategy is working,” said Al Walker, Anadarko President and Chief Operating Officer. “The announced 2012 capital program is aligned with estimated cash flow for the year, and would generate significant free cash flow at current strip prices. As an added measure to protect cash flows, we’ve locked in additional tactical hedges for oil volumes in 2012. We believe our announced 2012 capital program represents the appropriate level of investment to maintain financial discipline, while accelerating the value of our near-term oil and liquids-rich opportunities in the U.S. onshore, funding current mega-project developments, and continuing to build for the future with an active worldwide exploration program.”

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation’s mission is to deliver a competitive and sustainable rate of return to shareholders by exploring for, acquiring and developing oil and natural gas resources vital to the world’s health and welfare. As of year-end 2011, the company had 2.54 billion barrels-equivalent of proved reserves, making it one of the world’s largest independent exploration and production companies.

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