Drilling Offshore Cuba to Begin in October

Construction of the Scarabeo 9 platform in Singapore will be completed by the end of June, Saipem SpA, the oil services company that owns the deep-sea drilling rig, said in its first-quarter report.

Assuming the semi-submersible leaves July 1 and an anticipated 60- to 80-day transit, it should arrive in Cuban waters by September. Scarabeo 9 could then begin drilling for a consortium led by Repsol YPF “sometime in October, worst-case and no weather- or other related delays,” said Jorge Piñón, a Miami-based oil industry expert.

Scarabeo 9 is currently under construction at the Keppel Fels Shipyard in Singapore. Arrival had originally been expected for early this year. Saipem cited “modifications requested by clients and a delay in the construction schedule” in its quarterly report. Construction of Scarabeo 9 is complicated by U.S. content restrictions.

“Everybody is anxious,” Basic Industries Ministry official Rafael Tenreyro told reporters during a recent oil conference in Havana. “Ninety-nine percent of the platforms are late. It’s normal, it’s not extraordinary.”

Once the Repsol assignment is done, the Scarabeo 9 is scheduled to perform at least four more exploratory drills through 2013 for other oil companies in Cuban waters. The drills will be in water depths between 400 meters (0.25 miles) and 1,500 meters (1.6 miles). Six companies and consortia have contracted offshore 22 blocks in Cuba.

Cuban officials are hopeful to tap big oil and gas reserves in the Gulf, saying that foreign oil companies have identified more than 20 prospects for commercially viable finds.

Cuba Standard

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Singapore: Sembcorp Signs MOA with Ecospec to Provide Green Solutions to Offshore Industry

Sembawang Shipyard, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Ecospec Global Technology to provide customized and greener environmental solutions to the marine and offshore industry.

In anticipation of the huge demand for green environmental solutions to meet international and local regulations, this MOA will provide both companies with the capability to serve this demand and at the same time play a role in enhancing environmental protection. The objective of this partnership is to tap on the forte of both parties: Sembawang Shipyard’s design and engineering expertise and Ecospec’s technological developing capabilities to provide ship-owners with innovative and effective green solutions for complying with stringent international and local regulations. Ecospec which is an enterprising Singapore-based research and development technological company is a market leader in advance emission reduction and environmental technologies with an international presence and numerous technology patents to its name. Ecospec has developed the world’s first emission abatement technology, CSNOx capable of removing SOx, CO2 and NOx in one system and yet the quality of wash water surpasses all IMO criteria, thus not resulting in secondary pollution. To cater to shipowners’ emission reduction goals, different versions of CSNOx have been developed: cSOx, a system primarily to address the SOx issue but achieve at a carbon neutral position and CNOx, a system to take care of NOx emission and again at a carbon neutral position.

Apart from different versions of CSNOx, Ecospec has also developed other systems to provide green, non-chemical solutions for bio-fouling control with its BioMag system; corrosion control, ElMag system; boiler water treatment, ScaMag.

To showcase the variety of these revolutionary systems already developed or to be developed, a new state-of-the-art demonstration site will be erected in Sembawang Shipyard, in a simulated operating condition.

Both companies are confident that the strong co-operation will lead to their increased competitiveness in the marine and offshore industry.

Signing ceremony: (from left) Sembawang Shipyard’s Executive Director Ms Wong Lee Lin and Managing Director Mr P.K. Ong,

with Ecospec Global Technology’s Managing Director Mr Chew Hwee Hong, and General Manager Ms Tany Tay.

About Sembawang Shipyard

Sembawang Shipyard, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine, has one of the largest integrated ship repair facilities in Southeast Asia. The shipyard’s world-class reputation is based on the company’s commitment to high quality standards, Health, Safety and Environment standards, timely delivery, superior customer service and innovative solutions.

Besides its proven expertise in the sectors of tankers, bulk carriers and container / cargo vessels, the shipyard is also recognised as a specialist in the niche markets such as passenger ship conversion / upgrading/ repairs, LNG carrier repairs, FPSO conversion, offshore conversion and new building, damage repairs and repair of chemical tankers, liquefied gas carriers and navy ships.

In July 2002, Sembawang Shipyard became the first shipyard in South East Asia to achieve ISO14001 Environmental System Certification by Det Norske Veritas Ltd. The certification is a firm endorsement of the shipyard’s commitment and efforts towards environmental preservation and protection.

About Ecospec Global Technology

Ecospec is a Singapore technological company that researches and develops cost-effective solutions to environmental issues in the marine and onshore industries. Founded in 2001, Ecospec has since established itself as a pioneer and global market leader in advanced emissions abatement and environmental technologies with a worldwide presence and numerous technology patents.

( Original Article )

offshoreenergytoday.com

Singapore: Keppel Enters FPSO Upgrade Contract with Petrofac

Keppel Shipyard announces it has secured a fast-track project for the upgrading of a FPSO vessel from Petrofac International (UAE) LLC, a subsidiary of Petrofac. The upgrading of the ex-FPSO East Fortune includes refurbishment and life extension works, engineering, fabricating, installing and integrating new topside process modules, upgrading of spread mooring and auxiliary support systems.

Work has commenced in 1Q 2011. Designated for an oil and gas field offshore Peninsular Malaysia, this FPSO facility will be able to handle both oil and gas production.

Keppel O&M, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Corporation Limited, is a leader in offshore rig design, repair and construction, ship repair and conversion and specialised shipbuilding. Its near market, near customer strategy is bolstered by a global network of 20 yards in the Asia Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the Caspian Sea, Middle East and the North Sea regions. Integrating the experience and expertise of its yards worldwide, the group aims to be the provider of choice and partner for solutions for the offshore and marine industry.

As earlier announced, Keppel has also entered contract with SBM offshore for the construction of new multi-purpose dive support construction vessel.

Mr Nelson Yeo, Managing Director (Marine) of Keppel O&M, said, “These new contracts reflect the confidence of our customers in the capabilities of the Keppel O&M group. We are proud of the solid partnerships built with faithful customers who turn to our yards worldwide for their fleet expansion and upgrading needs.

“Looking ahead, I am confident that we will continue to strengthen the mutual trust and partnership with SBM Offshore and Petrofac with Keppel’s commitment to quality and reliability.”

About Keppel O&M

Keppel O&M, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Corporation Limited, is a leader in offshore rig design, repair and construction, ship repair and conversion and specialised shipbuilding. Its near market, near customer strategy is bolstered by a global network of 20 yards in the Asia Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the Caspian Sea, Middle East and the North Sea regions. Integrating the experience and expertise of its yards worldwide, the group aims to be the provider of choice and partner for solutions for the offshore and marine industry.

( Original Article )

offshoreenergytoday.com