Cenovus Energy entrusts Harland & Wolff with £61m SeaRose FPSO upgrade

Harland & Wolff clinches a £61m base contract, aimed at executing the mid-life upgrade of the SeaRose floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. The partnership is with the globally recognized integrated oil and natural gas giant, Cenovus Energy, based in Calgary, Canada, boasting a market capitalisation around CA$54bn.

SeaRose FPSO: A Return Voyage to Belfast

Scheduled for early 2024, the SeaRose FPSO is prepped to grace the Belfast Yard, marking its second rendezvous since its 2012 visit. The vessel will find its berth at the Building Dock for an anticipated span exceeding three months. Harland & Wolff’s prior familiarity with SeaRose, paired with their prowess in assimilating avant-garde technologies, played an instrumental role in securing this paramount contract.

Proactive Preparations at Belfast Yard

Even before the vessel’s scheduled arrival, Belfast has been a hive of activity. Preliminary tasks, such as meticulous inspections, steel procurement, tailored block fabrication, and other dry dock initiatives, have already kickstarted. Augmented fabrication is underway, ensuring optimal readiness for the refurbishment and upgrade missions as the SeaRose sets anchor next year.

Boosting Employment and Synergistic Opportunities

A workforce swell is anticipated, with projections estimating about 1,000 personnel converging at Belfast. This also allows for harmonization of programmes, particularly as Harland & Wolff gears up for the colossal £1.6bn Fleet Solid Support programme under the Team Resolute banner.

Harland & Wolff Group Holdings plc’s CEO, John Wood, expressed his enthusiasm stating, “I am delighted that Cenovus has chosen Harland & Wolff as its preferred yard to undertake the mid-life upgrade of the SeaRose. This significant collaboration not only bolsters our non-defence portfolio but also accentuates our escalating reputation for managing sizeable, intricate programmes. The on-site personnel count will further harmonize our project execution, optimising our comprehensive resource pool and reinforcing the imminent FSS Programme.”