World news Emerson to provide automation technologies for new Caspian Sea platform Emerson has been awarded a US$14 million contract to provide automation technologies for the new Azeri Central East offshore platform in the Caspian Sea, the latest development in the Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli oilfield. Emerson will provide its Project Certainty methodologies and digital technologies to help BP bring the project onstream in 2023. Digital twin solutions and cloud engineering services will help accelerate project execution. Emerson’s digital twin solution enables virtual testing and system integration while the platform is being built and provides a simulated environment for platform operators to train. Cloud engineering reduces engineering costs and time by enabling global teams to collaborate and engineer in parallel regardless of location. Emerson will apply its portfolio of automation software and services to help BP achieve greater production and safe operations. This includes the DeltaVTM automation system that controls critical safety functions in addition to wellhead production, drilling and the transfer of oil and gas to the onshore Sangachal Terminal. Wired and wireless networks will connect measurement instruments to monitor pressure, flow, temperature and pipework corrosion. Emerson will also provide all critical control, emergency shutdown and isolation valves, connected by its digital positioning technology.
Petronas awards seismic consortium contract
Karoon acquisition of Baúna field approved
A seismic consortium comprising PGS, TGS and WesternGeco has been awarded a multi-year contract by Petronas to acquire and process up to 105 000 km2 of multi-sensor multi-client 3D data in the Sarawak Basin, offshore Malaysia. The award follows an ongoing campaign by the consortium in the Sabah offshore region of Malaysia, in which over 50 000 km2 of 3D seismic data have been acquired and licensed to support Malaysia licence round and exploration activity. The Sarawak award will enable the consortium to position itself in Malaysian seismic exploration and allow for a multi-phase programme to promote exploration efforts in the prolific Sarawak East Natuna Basin (Deepwater North Luconia and West Luconia Province). The consortium is planning the initial phases and is engaging with the industry to secure prefunding ahead of planned acquisition, covering both open blocks and areas of existing farm-in opportunities.
Karoon Energy has announced that the Board of Directors of Brazil’s Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP) has approved the assignment of the rights and obligations under Concession Contract BM-S-40 related to the Baúna field. Once written confirmation of the approval of the sale of the field by Petrobras is issued, a further condition precedent to transaction close under the Baúna sale and purchase agreement and the last outstanding regulatory condition precedent will be satisified. The approval follows the issue of new environmental operational licences by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA). Transaction close still remains subject to certain conditions precedent, including FPSO charter assignment. In relation to the FPSO charter assignment, Karoon does not consider that this will delay transaction close.
In brief Egypt BP has announced the start of production from the Qattameya gas field in the North Damietta offshore concession. The field, located approximately 45 km west of the Ha’py platform, is expected to produce up to 50 million ft3/d of gas. It is tied back to the Ha’py and Tuart field development via a new 50 km pipeline and is also connected to their existing subsea utilities via a 50 km umbilical. BP holds 100% equity in the North Damietta offshore concession.
UK Archer has secured a two-year contract extension with a major North Sea operator for the provision of platform drilling operations and maintenance services on seven UK North Sea installations. The extension will commence 1 November 2020 in direct continuation of the current contract. Over the next two years Archer will continue to deliver drilling operations, maintenance and intervention support services including the provision of well services and rental equipment.
Norway TechnipFMC has been awarded an EPCI contract by Equinor for the Breidablikk Pipelay, including option for the subsea installation scope located in the area close to the Grane field, North Sea. The Breidablikk project is a tie-back to the existing Grane platform. TechnipFMC’s scope includes provision of flexible jumpers and rigid pipelines as well as pipeline installation work. The Breidablikk development is subject to final approval by the Norwegian authorities.
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