A joint venture of Santos Ltd. and Carnarvon Petroleum Ltd. has awarded three competitive pre-FEED contracts for design of the floating production, storage and offtake (FPSO) vessel for the Dorado oil field development project in the Bedout subbasin offshore Western Australia.
The parties will work independently on FPSO designs and mature vessel construction plans and supply terms. One contractor will be selected to begin formal FEED work, the contract for which is scheduled for later in 2020.
In addition, the JV has received expressions of interest from companies for the fixed well-head platform that will support the production and ancillary wells and connect to the FPSO.
A short list of contractors will soon be invited to tender for the work, including engineering and design, fabrication of the jacket and topsides, as well as transport to and installation at the field.
Dorado was discovered in July 2018 in permit WA-437-P about 160 km north of Port Hedland. There have since been two successful appraisal wells confirming oil in three separate reservoirs in the field.
A final investment decision for development is scheduled for 2021, but subject to market conditions.
Santos is operator with 80%. Carnarvon holds 20% interest.