Seatrium secures newbuild FPU contract in U.S. Gulf of Mexico from Shell
(WO) – Seatrium Limited has been awarded a contract by Shell Offshore Inc. (Shell) to construct and integrate the hull, topsides and living quarters of the Sparta semi-submersible Floating Production Unit (FPU).
The contract includes the installation of Shell-furnished equipment and follows the Letter of Intent sealed by both parties on Aug. 28, 2023. The Sparta FPU will be situated in the Garden Banks area of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, approximately 275 km (171 miles) off the coast of Louisiana. It will feature a single topside bolstered by a four-column, semi-submersible floating hull and is designed to produce 90,000 boed.
The two-level topside for Sparta will be integrated and lifted to the hull using Seatrium’s Goliath twin cranes, which are capable of lifting up to 30,000 tonnes.
The Sparta FPU is conceived as a replicable project between Shell and Seatrium to leverage the group’s topsides single lift integration methodology, following the Vito and Whale newbuilds, and benefitting from operational synergies. With an extensive experience in complex offshore projects, Seatrium is well-positioned and equipped with technology to deliver high-quality engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning (EPIC) services for fixed and floating production platforms and subsea developments.
William Gu, Executive Vice President and Head of Oil & Gas International of Seatrium, said, “We are deeply honored that Shell has awarded Sparta, the third FPU newbuild, to Seatrium, following the successful deliveries of the Vito and Whale FPUs. It is a strong affirmation of our team’s capabilities and the long-standing partnership between both parties. We are fully committed to executing the project well, including the single lift operation and fabrication of the FPU to meet its 20,000-psi design for use in harsh weather conditions, and delivering the unit to Shell safely and efficiently.”
