Uchenna Izundu
International Editor
LONDON, Sept. 11 -- Aker Kvaerner ASA has completed the Froya deep-draft semisubmersible (DDS) hull for Chevron Corp.'s Blind Faith platform, which will use steel catenary risers for more-efficient exploration in ultradeepwater Gulf of Mexico.
The semisub is in a gulf integration yard to be outfitted with topsides. Once complete, the Blind Faith platform will be installed on Mississippi Canyon Block 650, about 162 miles southeast of New Orleans, in 6,500 ft of water.
The platform will produce 45,000-60,000 b/d of oil and 45-150 million cu m/d of gas from the high-temperature, high-pressure field that will start producing in first-quarter 2008. Initial production will be through three wells at rates of 30,000 b/d of oil and 30 MMcfd of gas (OGJ, Oct. 17, 2005, Newsletter).
Aker Kvaerner's DDS concept will enable the Blind Faith platform to reduce Chevron's operating costs, as operators will not have to continually change the flexible risers, and the platform will not move as much in the water, compared with others.
Chevron, with partner Anadarko Petroleum Corp., awarded the original engineering, procurement, and construction contract to Aker Kvaerner in October 2005.
Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].
