Jumbo Installs Subsea Systems at Ikhwezi Project (South Africa)

Last week Jumbo successfully completed the deployment of five subsea structures for PetroSA’s Ikhwezi project, offshore South Africa. The installation of the five structures, weighing between 35 and 185t and measure up to 14 x 8 x 5 ½m, was executed by Jumbo’s DP2 Heavy Lift Vessel Fairplayer. The project was awarded on an intervention basis and Jumbo once again proved its flexibility and ‘can do’ mentality.

Ikhwezi project

The Ikhwezi project is a subsea development that ties into the FA-platform and is set to play an instrumental role in sustaining the life of PetroSA’s gas-to-liquids (GTL) refinery in Mossel Bay, Republic South Africa. It involves tapping into gas reserves in the FO field, which is located 40km south-east of PetroSA’s F-A production platform off South Africa’s south coast.

Scope of work

Because the project was awarded on an intervention basis Jumbo had very limited time to complete the preparations. The structures had to be installed before the beginning of the winter in South Africa. The weather and sea states off the coast are known to become very hostile in the winter period. The Fairplayer was mobilised in Rotterdam (The Netherlands), e.g. taking Jumbo’s offshore accommodation unit onboard and preparing its Deepwater Deployment System (DDS).

Lift, ship, install. All in one go

The Ikhwezi subsea installation project confirms Jumbo added-value concept of providing a single solution for loading, transporting and installing subsea structures in water depths up to 3,000m.