MODEC gives African FPSO job to Norwegian player

Norway-headquartered asset integrity management company Axess Group has landed a long-term inspection contract with MODEC for a recently converted floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, which is destined to work on the Woodside-operated offshore oil development project in Senegal, Africa.

Axess’ new contract with MODEC for the FPSO Léopold Sédar Senghor follows the completion of several baseline surveys in China and Singapore during the vessel’s construction phase. The scope of work for the new deal in Senegal entails annual certification scopes for lifting gear, DROPS surveys, remedial actions, and support with all rigging operations.

Matthew Trichardt, Regional Manager – North-West Africa at Axess Group, commented: “This contract holds great significance for us as it is our first major engagement in Senegal since the establishment of the office in 2022.

“We are delighted to have earned the trust of MODEC, allowing us to contribute to the country’s inaugural oil development. On a global scale, we have worked on 11 of their assets in the last five years, underscoring our commitment to delivering added value.”

Furthermore, Axess Gainde Senegal is concurrently initiating a training program for local engineers and technicians in Senegal, as part of its commitment to sustainable growth. This program is designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge for collaboration on projects with MODEC and other clients.

These engineers and technicians will have the opportunity to visit other Axess Group entities within Africa for knowledge exchange and exposure to the firm’s culture. The company is convinced that a robust local team will enable the mitigation of the necessity for international mobilizations. This is the Norwegian player’s key strategy to minimize carbon footprint globally.

Seatrium delivered the FPSO Léopold Sédar Senghor to MODEC in December 2023. The FPSO will work for Woodside on the Sangomar field development Phase 1, which is Senegal’s first offshore oil development. The Australian giant has been working on the Sangomar field development, targeting approximately 230 million barrels of crude oil, since the project was sanctioned in January 2020.

Moreover, Woodside awarded the contract for the supply of the FPSO, named after Senegal’s first president, Leopold Sédar Senghor, for the project to MODEC that same year. The vessel was converted from a very large crude carrier (VLCC) into a fit-for-purpose FPSO. 

The first oil was originally anticipated in late 2023. However, things changed in July 2023, and the first oil is now targeted for mid-2024 while the total project cost is expected to be $4.9 – 5.2 billion, an increase from the previous cost estimate of $4.6 billion, after a cost and schedule review.

Upon its arrival at the Sangomar field, which is located 100 kilometers south of Dakar, Senegal’s capital, the FPSO will be moored in waters about 780 meters deep. This vessel is designed to produce 100,000 barrels of oil per day and will be able to store approximately 1.3 million barrels of crude oil.