Prequalifiers set for Zakum demothballing

08 January 2008

Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (Adma-Opco) is understood to be preparing to tender the contract to demothball the Zakum Central Super Complex (ZCSC).

The scheme is part of its plans to increase crude production capacity from the offshore lower Zakum field by 100,000 barrels a day (b/d) to 425,000 b/d.

At least six local and international contractors are believed to have been prequalified for the estimated $150m contract. They include India’s Larsen & Toubro, Jebel Ali-based J Ray McDermott (Middle East), Abu Dhabi-based National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC), UAE-based Petrofac, the local Gulf Piping and the UK’s SLP Engineering.

The project calls for topside modification of the ZCSC, including the upgrade and recomissioning of a converged services platform, five separators to handle 300,000 b/d, mechanical and electrical services, water injection platforms, and staff accomodation (MEED 13:4:07).

The demothballing scheme was initiated four years ago, with Paris-based Technip carrying out front-end engineering and design. However, it was judged to have been financially unviable at the time.

Rising oil prices and a decision by the government to increase production capacity at lower Zakum led to the project being reactivated last year.

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