LOAD OUT IN SINGAPORE FOR PETROBRAS
Singapore, 19 June 2008 –
J. Martens (Asia-Pacific) Pte Ltd, in co-operation with Enterprise Logistics of Brazil, recently successfully completed the load out of a Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) module for Petrobras’ Mexilhão project.
The Module weighed 558 ton, measuring 19.25 x 12.00 x 17.50 in meters.
During the planning stages, we encountered several challenges. Our first challenge came when the classification society rejected the original nominated vessel and a substitute vessel was brought in. This notice came less than a week before the scheduled lifting date.
Our next challenge then became that the substitute vessel was undergoing repair in a Singapore Shipyard. In order to meet the critical required-on-site deadline in Brazil, J. Martens had proposed to load the module in the shipyard berth instead of the usual commercial port. This requires special privileged approval by the port authorities, the shipyard and the warranty surveyor. However, with J. Martens proven track record in the Marine, Oil & Gas arena, the proposal was accepted without objections.
To add to the challenges, the pick-up location at the fabrication yard had a very shallow water depth in which J. Martens was required to engage qualified divers to proceed with underwater surveys prior to operation.
In addition, the tight schedule of the floating crane operators in Singapore forced us to look far and wide. Normally fixtures of such cranes require advance notice of several months. Based on J. Martens expertise in heavy-lift and our excellent relations, we managed to open a 1 day lifting window in which we managed to complete the load-out, transport and loading within 7 hours.
Deploying L-1501 floating crane with a 1500 ton lifting capacity, the module was moved using the "lift & go" method from the fabricators yard to the shipyard.
"We are extremely proud of having overcome the many challenges and successfully completed the MEG load-out to the satisfaction of all parties involved, especially knowing the strategic importance and critical timeline of this project. The early planning and risk assessments helped us adapt to the many difficulties faced as the project went along, thanks to our dedicated project team and our trusted vendors." said Martin Runshaug, Managing Director of J. Martens (Asia-Pacific) Pte Ltd.
Mexilhão Gas Field, Santos Basin, Brazil
Petrobras is presently carrying out a project to develop the gas reserves of the Mexilhão field in the Santos Basin in Brazil. The field lies off the coast of Sao Paulo, approximately 160km offshore and in water depths of between 320m and 550m. The total cost of the development has been put at around $1.9 bn.
The Mexilhão project is of strategic importance, creating an infrastructure which will serve other gas fields already discovered in the region. Discovered in 2003, it is one of the largest discovered to date by Petrobras in Brazil and is expected to be able to supply close to 50% of the total gas demand in the country.
The Mexilhão 1 platform, which will be installed in a wa ter depth of 172m, will be the larges
t offshore metallic structure ever erected in Brazilian waters. The platform will stand 230m tall.
The structure comprises of a 12 000 ton topside, which will include a natural gas production plant designed with a capacit y of 15 million cubic metres a day. Facilities will also be able to process 3,200m³ of condensate daily.
The topsides will sit on a 180m-tall tubular structure jacket which will weigh approximately 10,500 tons. This is secured to the seabed using 3,150 tons of tubular steel piles up to 120m long.
