Angolan shipyard celebrates arrival of FPSO

Following a voyage of 7331 miles (13,577 km), N’Goma FPSO safely berthed at Paenal’s 490-m quayside at Port Amboim on 17 June 2014. The arrival of the vessel in Angola from Singapore marks the young yard’s second mega FPSO in just eight months.

“Welcoming N’Goma helps to cement Paenal’s key position in the oil industry. Two of the FPSO’s modules were fabricated here, the Sulphate Removal Package and the Hot Oil Pump, both of which have been successfully lifted and integrated onboard the vessel. Paenal is building a reputation as a world-class fabrication and integration yard,” said Cesar Guerra, the yard’s General Manager.

Porto Amboim Estaleiros Navais Ltda – known as Paenal yard – represents an important part in the sustainable growth for Angola. The yard - a joint venture partnership between national oil company Sonangol, SBM Offshore and DSME with holdings of 40%, 30% and 30% respectively - provides an ideal base for the oil industry’s exploration and production offshore West Africa.

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Jean-Philippe Rodrigues

“The shipyard is the biggest employer in the region with over 1200 employees of which over 85% are Angolan. This is an important consideration for our clients. SBM’s first FPSO to berth at Paenal is an important milestone for both the yard and the country,” explained Jean-Philippe Rodrigues, SBM Offshore Business Development Senior Vice President.

Ivan Replumaz

“It demonstrates SBM’s extensive worldwide expertise in relocations and our EPCI capacity across the lifecycle. Together with our partners we look forward to the completion of this large FPSO for our client ENI,” added Ivan Replumaz, Managing Director SBM Offshore Malaysia.

Jerome Garidou

“To meet the project’s specific requirements, the conversion included major upgrade work on the hull, turret and integration of new and refurbished topsides, which was successfully completed in Singapore at Keppel Shipyard. We are now committed to concluding the heavy lifting campaign and integration at Paenal,” commented Jerome Garidou, Project Manager.

Offshore Angola

Once the FPSO is completed, operations will begin on the Eni operated Block 15/06 West Hub offshore Angola by OPS - a joint venture company between Sonangol and SBM Offshore - which celebrated its 10th year anniversary of operations this month.

“The OPS team is keen to welcome the N’Goma FPSO into the Angolan fleet and to start a fruitful relationship with ENI Angola SpA under the 12-year lease and operate contract,” said Fabrice Dumortier, OPS General Manager.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/01072014/angolan_shipyard_welcomes_fpso_948/