(MENAFN- AzerNews)
By Ayya Lmahamad
bp as operator of the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG) field has
announced that the Azeri Central East (ACE) project, which is the
next phase of the ACG development, has achieved a major milestone
by safely and efficiently transporting, jacking and skidding two
drilling modules onto the ACE topsides deck currently under
construction, Azernews reports.
The company noted that the two drilling modules, namely, the
Modular Drilling Support Module (MDSM) and the Drilling Equipment
Set (DES), were fabricated on the ground separately from the
topsides deck before commencing the“Jack and Skid” operation. The
MDSM module weighs 2,350 tonnes measuring 43m long, 20m wide, and
20m high, whilst the DES module weighs 2,400 tonnes and is 32m
long, 22m wide and 80m high. Both were built at the fabrication
yard in Bibi-Heybat.
Noting that this was a first and complex operation for bp in the
Caspian, Project General Manager for the ACE project Neal Phillips
mentioned that during the operation self-propelled modular trailers
were installed underneath the modules to transport them to the main
jacking position adjacent to the topsides deck.
“The modules were then jacked up by incrementally installing
steel cassettes to reach the final height of around 27 metres.
Hydraulic rams were used to skid the modules onto the topsides deck
before set-down at their final locations. We are proud to have
achieved this unique milestone safely and ahead of schedule. It
allowed us to commence commissioning at grade ahead of the
integration of the module,” he said.
Moreover, bp's Vice President, projects for Azerbaijan, Georgia,
Turkiye, Egypt, and Oman Cathal Kelly emphasized that the lifting
and successful integration of the two drilling facilities on the
ACE topsides deck marks a major milestone towards achieving the
overall completion of the ACE project.
“Completion of this activity is the result of nearly four years
of engineering and fabrication work in close collaboration with a
group of ACE project contractors including Azfen, NOV, SOCAR-KBR,
and Mammoet. I would like to thank all people who have contributed
to this remarkable achievement,” Kelly said.
“We are on track to bring our next ACG platform – ACE, online in
support of our efforts to effectively manage production from ACG.
In 2017, we extended the ACG contract till mid-century and as
Azerbaijan's long-term energy partner, we have a commitment to
continue operating the ACG field safely, efficiently and reliably,”
bp's Vice President for the Caspian region, Communications and
External Affairs Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli added.
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Ayya Lmahamad is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @AyyaLmahamad
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