By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 18 -- Exmar NV, Antwerp, has signed a letter of intent with Kiewit Offshore Services (USA) for construction of a semisubmersible hull to function as the platform in a proprietary, deepwater floating production system.
Exmar Offshore Co. of Houston will perform detailed engineering of the hull based on Exmar's OPTI design. Exmar describes design of the production system, called OPTI-EX, as "generic, modular, and redeployable." Mustang Engineering is designing the OPTI-EX production plant.
OPTI-EX is designed for development of marginal deepwater fields and for early production from medium to large reservoirs.
Kiewit Offshore Services is to deliver the hull in July 2008. The contract includes an option for an additional unit.
