Key facts
- The Lower Zakum oilfield was discovered in 1963 and has reserves estimated to total 17.2M barrels.
- The project involved 53km of new pipeline, 175km of power and control cabling and installation of a new injection platform.
- We co-ordinated the activities of multiple suppliers and contractors to deliver the project against a tight programme.
- Our stringent approach to risk identification and management led to 12.6M hours worked without a lost time incident.
- Deploying the rehabilitated platform will help expand capacity to 425,000 bopd.
Challenges
When our client, the oilfield operator ADMA-OPCO, embarked on a suite of upgrades to lift oilfield production by 100,000 barrels of oil per day, plans included restoring a disused platform: the Zakum Central Super Complex. The facility was first commissioned in 1967 and mothballed in 1986 – bringing it back to life was a significant challenge.
We project managed the demothballing and recomissioning of the complex, which called for designing, fabricating and installing new topside facilities, structural strengthening and replacing now-obsolete electrical and communications systems.
Solution
An accommodation module with living quarters capable of housing 80 people was included among the new platforms. The 3500t unit had to be installed on existing legs, which required thorough analysis of their condition and significant reinforcement.
Another deck, weighing 3250t, was introduced to house water treatment and injection systems and power generation.
Thirty year old electrical, telecoms and HVAC systems received an overhaul, including the VHF radio, telephone system, and LAN data networks. We replaced and upgraded transformers, switchboards and cables and installed a new 52m tall antenna. Other work included modifying separators and scrubbers and installing booster, main oil line and fire water pumps.
Value and benefits
- Our stringent approach to risk identification and management led to 12.6M hours worked without a lost time incident.
- Deploying the rehabilitated platform will help expand capacity to 425,000 bopd: that’s a 30% boost driven by a facility nearly 50 years old.