Pipes and subsea structures contract for GoM’s Shenzi field

Tue, 27 February 2007

FRENCH pipeline-construction company Technip has been awarded a contract by BHP Billiton for the flowlines, risers, and subsea structures installation for the development of the Shenzi field, located in the Green Canyon area of the Gulf of Mexico in 4,300ft of water depths. The Shenzi development requires delivery of a subsea system in water depths where Technip has extensive experience.

The contract covers the engineering, fabrication and installation of a system of two infield flowlines and six flowlines welded to steel catenary risers and connecting three drill centres to the production platform. Pipeline end termination (PLET) design is currently underway at Technip's operations and engineering centre in Houston, with PLET fabrication scheduled for Q3 and Q4 2007. The flowlines and risers will be welded onshore at Technip's spoolbase at Mobile, and offshore installation will be carried out in Q1 2008 by the Deep Blue, Technip's deepwater pipelay vessel. The Deep Blue will use reel lay, reducing the vessel's required time in the field, and thus limiting its exposure to weather and currents. The Shenzi field is operated by BHP Billiton and owned by BHP Billiton (44%), Repsol (28%), and Hess (28%).