By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Feb. 7�Stolt Offshore Services SA has awarded J. Ray McDermott Middle East Inc. a subcontract to build three decks for platforms for the EA field off Nigeria. JRM is also responsible for loadout and transportation of the structures.
The service contractor said fabrication has begun at its yard in Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai. The decks will leave the yard in December.
Shell Petroleum Development Co. of Nigeria Ltd. operates the field, 43 miles off Forcados in the Niger Delta. Partners expect to spend $1 billion to develop it.
EA field has reserves of 350 million boe and is due on stream in the second half of 2002. It is expected to yield 120,000 b/d and 100 MMcfd of gas when fully developed (OGJ, Nov. 1, 1999, p. 34).
�I am delighted that we have the opportunity to work with Stolt," said Kurt Nelson, vice president and general manager, J. Ray McDermott Eastern Hemisphere operations. �This project award further enhances our reputation and emphasizes our role as an accomplished exporter of facilities to West African markets. The Shell EA decks mark the second West African project win for J. Ray."
Shell has already awarded several other projects for the large development project (OGJ Online, Aug. 17, 2000).