Technip to install flowlines for Shenzi field in GOM

BHP Billiton has contracted Technip SA to design, fabricate, and install flowlines, risers, and subsea structures for the deepwater Shenzi oil and gas field in the Gulf of Mexico.

Feb. 27, 2007

Uchenna Izundu
International Editor

LONDON, Feb. 27 -- BHP Billiton has contracted Technip SA to design, fabricate, and install flowlines, risers, and subsea structures for the deepwater Shenzi oil and gas field in the Gulf of Mexico. The value of the contract is estimated at $75 million.

Technip will work on a system comprising two infield flowlines and six flowlines welded to steel catenary risers and will connect three drill centers to the production platform.

"Pipeline end terminations (PLET) design is currently under way at Technip's operations and engineering center in Houston, with PLET fabrication scheduled for third and fourth quarters," Technip said.

Technip's Deep Blue deepwater pipelay vessel will install the flowlines in first-quarter 2008. The ship will use the reel-lay process to reduce time in the field and limit its exposure to weather and currents.

The Shenzi subsea development, in 4,300 ft of water, lies on Green Canyon Blocks 609, 610, 653, and 654 and includes three main drill centers supporting as many as 15 oil wells. The field's production initially will be routed through four manifolds via four production steel catenary risers.

Shenzi coventures include Repsol YPF SA and Hess Corp.

Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].