Aramco lets contract for upgrade at Safaniya field

Eric Watkins
OGJ Oil Diplomacy Editor

LOS ANGELES, Mar. 25 -- Saudi Aramco has let a contract to McDermott International Inc. unit J. Ray McDermott SA for a crude gathering and power supply upgrade project at Aramco’s Safaniya oil field.

J Ray said the upgrade and electrification project will help sustain crude production to meet Aramco’s maximum sustainable capacity targets for the field by 2013.

The work includes engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of a new tie-in platform (STP-20) with a 6,000-ton topside and a new electrical deck module for an existing platform (STP-18).

It also includes a 53-km, 42-in. trunk line, four new in-field lateral flowlines and valve skids, 156 km of subsea electrical cable, and the modification and electrification of nine existing wellhead platforms.

J Ray said engineering design work will begin in this year’s second quarter with contract completion expected during 2013.

Contact Eric Watkins at [email protected].