IOG picks Heerema for up to four Southern North Sea platforms

Independent Oil and Gas plc (IOG) has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Heerema Fabrication Group for Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) and Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) of up to four normally unmanned installation platforms (NUIs). 

According to IOG’s statement on Tuesday, the NUIs will be utilized for the oil company’s Southern North Sea (SNS) gas project, which consists of the Blythe Hub and Vulcan Satellites Hub developments.

IOG noted that the FEED work is a key step towards reaching Final Investment Decision (FID) on the SNS gas project, which is targeted by the end of the first quarter of 2018. The LOI is to be followed by a full contract covering both FEED and EPCI, which is expected to be signed before year end, the company added.

The intention is that FEED costs are to be fully deferred and EPCI costs are to be 50% deferred until first gas from the SNS gas project, which would significantly reduce IOG’s funding requirements for the project.

Mark Routh, CEO and Interim Chairman of IOG commented: “We are very pleased to be working with Heerema on the platforms for our Southern North Sea developments. This LOI reflects the strong operational progress the team continues to make delivering on our strategy. Heerema are a very experienced and accomplished platform fabricator and FEED will start immediately with a view to adapting an established UK Southern North Sea design previously built by Heerema. Efficient platform fabrication and installation will be critical to the successful and timely development of our two gas hubs, and Heerema represents the best technical and commercial solution to achieve this.

“Our commercial model aligns the incentives of all project participants towards the efficient delivery of IOG’s substantial gas resources and the intended cost deferral will contribute significantly to funding the portfolio into production. We look forward to finalizing the contract with Heerema and agreeing similar terms with other key contractors to continue implementing our gas hub strategy for the undersupplied UK market.”

IOG also recently signed a letter of intent and consultancy master services agreement with Schlumberger, also in relation to the development of IOG’s two Southern North Sea gas hubs, the Blythe Hub and the Vulcan Satellites Hub.