FPSO Atta Mills
A key milestone of the Tweneboah Enyerra Ntome (TEN) Project was reached last week when the turret which is the largest external module was lifted on to the Floating, Production, Storage and Offtake (FPSO) vessel by JSL one of the contractors working on the project.
The TEN Project is Tullow?s second major operated deepwater development in Ghana, which will produce up to 80,000 barrels of oil per day.
The TEN FPSO is currently under construction in the JSL Shipyard in Singapore and the turret is one of the most significant modules to be installed. Weighing approximately 3,055 tonnes, the turret is currently the biggest external turret in the world.
The Business Analyst can confirm that turret is a tower that projects vertically from the wall of a vessel or in some case as a medieval castle. For example Turrets were used to provide a projecting defensive position allowing covering fire to the adjacent wall in the days of military fortification. As their military use faded, turrets were used for decorative purposes, as in the Scottish baronial style.
A building or vessel may have both towers and turrets; turrets might be smaller or higher but the difference is generally considered [according to whom?] to be that a turret projects from the edge of the building, rather than continuing to the ground.
The size of a turret is therefore limited by technology, since it puts additional stresses on the structure of the building. It would traditionally be supported by a corbel.
The TEN Project is now 60% complete and remains on track and on budget for first oil in mid-2016. Speaking in a video to display the installation of the equipment, Terry Hughes, TEN projects Director at Tullow noted that it is safe that such equipment is installed on the vessel and very timely. He also added that despite all those milestones, they will ensure that they tackle all other challenges that may emerge in the next 12 to 18 months of the entire project.
On the same development, The Business Analyst reported two weeks ago when the Partners of the (TEN) field Project expressed satisfaction at the pace of work by local contractors in the construction of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO).
They are also confident that the production vessel, FPSO Atta Mills, named after Ghana?s late President John Evans Atta Mills, would be delivered on schedule for First Oil by the second half of next year.
At the Takoradi port, FMC technologies are building the subsea Christmas trees, which would control the flow of fluids into and out of the subsea well.
Mr. Charles Darku, General Manager of Tullow Ghana said the employment of locals in the fabrications processes demonstrates Tullow?s commitment in imparting knowledge and experience in the industry.
He said the engagement of the communities in the project was key in building a good reputation and preparing the ground for TEN improved wider participation in health, education, water and sanitation.
Charles Darku was optimistic that the second FPSO will be completed by February 2016 as several local and international firms have been working round the clock to ensure a timely delivery of their contracts.
?The completion of this magnificent edifice would allow first oil from the TEN project to flow in the same year? he said.
Currently, work is 60 per cent complete and the equipment manufactured would soon go offshore for further work.
The TEN field is expected to produce a little under 80,000 barrels of oil per day (80,000 bopd) at its peak and 50 million standard cubic feet of gas (scfog) starting late 2016.
The TEN appraisal programme started in January 2011 and continued in 2012 with the drilling of three wells.
The Ntomme-2A well was drilled in January 2012 and ?found oil (the Ntomme discovery well) down-dip of the Tweneboa-3ST non-associated gas discovery?. The well was production-tested in May 2012 at combined flow rates in excess of 20,000 bopd, confirming excellent quality reservoir.
Source: Ebenezer Sabutey
