Saipem bags $1.1bn contracts for Scarborough and Yellowtail projects

Italian oilfield services company Saipem has bagged a couple of new offshore contracts in Australia and Guyana, with a combined worth of $1.1 billion.

Under the first contract, Saipem has been given the notice to proceed (NTP) from Woodside, the operator of the Scarborough gas project, offshore Australia.

The Italian offshore contractor will execute the export trunkline coating and installation of the pipeline needed for connecting the Scarborough gas field in the Carnarvon Basin with the onshore plant.

The Scarborough gas field will be developed by connecting new offshore facilities with a 36”/32” diameter export trunkline nearly 430km long to a second LNG train at the existing Pluto LNG onshore facility.

Saipem bags $1.1bn contracts for Scarborough and Yellowtail projects. Photo courtesy of Saipem.

Saipem’s work pertains to coating, transportation, and laying of the trunkline in water depth up to 1,400m. The Italian firm would be responsible for fabricating and installing the line structures and the pipeline end termination as well in a water depth of 950m.

Offshore operations of the Scarborough gas project are slated to begin in mid-2023 and will be carried out mainly by the Castorone vessel, said Saipem.

The second contract won by the Italian oilfield services company is from ExxonMobil’s subsidiary — Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) for the Yellowtail development project in the Stabroek block in Guyanese waters at a water depth of nearly 1,800m.

Subject to the required government authorizations and investment approval, the contract assignment allows the start of necessary initial engineering and procurement activities to move ahead as per the project program.

The contract is related to the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) of the subsea umbilicals, risers, and flowlines (SURF).

The Yellowtail development project includes new subsea drilling centres, each of which is equipped with separate oil production, water injection and gas injection wells, and linked to a new floating production storage and offloading unit (FPSO).

Saipem will deploy its flagship vessel FDS2 to perform the offshore operations of the Yellowtail development project while its fabrication facility in Guyana will construct the deepwater structural elements.

Francesco Caio — CEO and General Manager of Saipem said: “The award of these contracts represents a significant confirmation of the trust of our clients in Saipem’s ability to execute complex offshore projects worldwide.

“The Scarborough project will be mainly conducted by the Castorone vessel, our versatile and state-of-the-art asset, representative of the innovative and world-class offer which Saipem is able to provide the market. The recently opened Saipem fabrication facility in Georgetown will be involved in the execution of the Yellowtail project, ensuring a positive and tangible impact on the country.”