Kerr-McGee taps Technip to build Red Hawk cell spar

Aug. 28, 2002
Kerr-McGee Corp. selected Technip Offshore Inc. to construct the world's first cell spar production platform. which will be used in the deepwater field's development.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Aug. 28 -- Oklahoma City-based Kerr-McGee Corp., which will operate Red Hawk natural gas field for its 50:50 joint venture partner Ocean Energy Inc., selected Technip Offshore Inc. to construct the world's first cell spar production platform, which will be used in the deepwater field's development. Located in 5,300 ft of water in Garden Banks Black 877 in the Gulf of Mexico, Red Hawk will be Kerr-McGee's deepest development to date.

The innovative floating production cell spar, which is the third generation of spar technology, was developed for economic production in smaller deepwater fields.

"This new cell spar technology will allow us to capitalize on our deepwater prospects by reducing the reserve threshold needed for an economical platform development in deep waters," said Luke R. Corbett, Kerr-McGee chairman and chief executive officer.

The cell spar containing the Red Hawk platform will have a diameter of 64 ft and will be 480 ft in length. The design includes seven 20 ft tubes, with one tube forming a center surrounded by the other six. All will be connected by structural steel. The deck will be 110 ft by 132 ft.

The spar will have an initial production capacity of 120 MMcfd of natural gas, ultimately rising to 300 MMcfd. Construction of the spar is expected to begin in the fourth quarter.

First production from Red Hawk, which has estimated proven reserves of more than 250 bcf, is expected in second quarter 2004.