Shell U.K. Exploration & Production, operating joint venture of Shell U.K. Ltd. and Esso Exploration & Production U.K. Ltd., has ordered a platform for development of its U.K. North Sea Ketch discovery.
Shell/Esso let a £26 million ($42 million) contract to Odebrecht-SLP Engineering Ltd., Lowestoft, U.K., to begin work on the platform, which is scheduled for tow-out in August 1998.
The operator said that while the Ketch development plan is awaiting approval by Department of Trade & Industry, the contract was placed "to allow for the long lead time involved in construction."
Ketch lies on Block 44/28b in 55 m of water. It will be developed with an unmanned platform linked by pipeline to the Caister-Murdoch System export line to Theddlethorpe, Lincolnshire.
The platform will consist of a four-legged steel jacket weighing 1,600 metric tons and a 1,100-ton topsides carrying a temporary refuge, helideck, wellheads, power plant, pig launcher, crane, and vent boom,
The jacket will be built at SLP's Teesside yard, and the topsides will be built at Lowestoft. Ketch has estimated reserves of 350-420 bcf of gas. Development is expected to cost £150 million ($240 million).
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