A group led by a unit of Freeport McMoRan Inc. has launched the first platform in a planned $804 million complex to produce oil, gas, and sulfur on Main Pass Block 299 in the Gulf of Mexico.
In addition, McDermott Inc. will design, build, and install four oil and gas platforms, at a cost of about $40 million, next to the Freeport-McMoRan Resource Partners LP (FRP) Main Pass 299 sulfur project off Louisiana.
FRP in April let a $250 million contract to McDermott for a complex of 15 platforms, 13 bridges, and related facilities to develop what FRP says is North America's largest Frasch sulfur deposit (OGJ, Apr. 16, p. 23).
The latest contract calls for McDermott to install one facilities platform of about 3,400 tons and three drilling platforms, about 4,000 tons each, on Block 299 in about 220 ft of water. They will be built at McDermott yards in Morgan City and New Iberia, La.
Installation is scheduled for summer 1991.
The four platforms, about 17 miles east of Venice, La., will produce 35-50 million bbl of oil and about 8 bcf of gas for the venture of FRP, IMC Fertilizer Inc., and Felmont Oil Corp. during 10-15 years. Production is to begin in late 1991.
NEW PLATFORM
FRP launched a 2,632 ton platform, the first for the sulfur project designed to produce 2 million tons/year for 30-35 years, at McDermott Marine Construction yard near Morgan City.
Two other Louisiana engineering firms are major contractors. Waldemar S. Nelson & Co. Inc. is designing the platform's power plant and sulfur facilities, and Walk, Haydel & Associates is managing the project.
When complete, the sulfur mining complex will consist of two drilling and production platforms, power plant and facilities platform, a 24,000 ton liquid sulfur storage platform, and living quarters for 163 persons.
Much of the sulfur mined will be feedstock for FRP's three phosphate fertilizer plants up the Mississippi River from New Orleans.
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