Saipem, BP & Eni JV cheer ‘major’ achievement toward start-up of first non-associated gas project (Gallery)

Italy’s engineering, drilling, and construction services giant Saipem has outlined the inroads made in putting a natural gas project, said to be Angola’s first non-associated gas development, into operation mode, with the construction of a gas production topside for an Angola-bound offshore platform.

While disclosing another achievement in Angola, following the recent shipment of the jacket to the same location after the New Gas Consortium (NGC) tasked Saipem in August 2022 with three contracts, one onshore and two offshore, the Italian player underlined that the largest gas production topside ever built in Angola was loaded out in Ambriz yard to sail away to the Quiluma offshore wellhead platform.

The construction of the deck greater than 2,500 tons resulted in millions of manhours involving a diverse workforce recruited and trained locally. The NGC project will unlock Angola’s offshore gas development and increase LNG production to meet domestic demands in the company’s view.

“This milestone marks a significant step forward. This delivery represents a key component of the NGC project operated by Azule Energy for Angola’s first non-associated gas development. We designed and procured all packages and materials required for this 4-level topside, while Petromar Lda, a joint venture between Saipem and Sonangol E.P., managed fabrication, erection, construction, and pre-commissioning at its Ambriz yard,” emphasized the Italian player.

The NGC is composed of two wholly owned subsidiaries of Azule Energy, a 50/50 independent joint venture combining business interests of BP and Eni in Angola, alongside its partners: Sonangol, Chevron, and TotalEnergies. Saipem won the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) activities connected to the Quiluma and Maboqueiro (Q&M) field development project off the northwest coast of Angola. The final investment decision (FID) came in July 2022.

Azule Energy also confirmed the completion of the Quiluma and Maboqueiro offshore platforms, described as a cornerstone of the NGC project. The achievement is said to represent “a significant step” forward in Angola’s first non-associated gas development, underscoring the nation’s growing leadership in the global energy sector.

The company and its partners witnessed the load-out and sail-away ceremony of the Quiluma deck in Ambriz Petromar Yard. The event highlighted the project’s safety record, with 2.5 million work hours completed without a single lost time injury (LTI), deemed to be a testament to the firm commitment to safety and operational excellence.

Alister Forder, Chief Operating Officer of Azule Energy, emphasized: “Today’s milestone is a reflection of the collaborative spirit, technical expertise, and dedication of all partners involved in the NGC project. As we prepare for NGC First Gas, this project reaffirms our commitment to unlocking Angola’s energy potential and contributing to a sustainable energy future.”

As the country’s first non-associated gas initiative, the project is expected to play a key role in ensuring a reliable supply of gas to the Soyo LNG plant, bolstering Angola’s energy security, and supporting its economic growth. The NGC project consists of the exploration and production of gas from the Quiluma and Maboqueiro shallow water fields, featuring two offshore platforms—Quiluma and Maboqueiro—and an onshore gas processing plant.

These facilities are anticipated to harness Angola’s natural gas resources, delivering economic and environmental benefits. A connection to the Angola LNG plant is set to enable the marketing of condensates and gas via LNG cargoes. The first gas was originally planned for 2026, with production of 330 mmscf/day expected at a plateau (approximately 4 billion cubic meters/year).

Azule Energy, which has a daily production above 200,000 barrels of oil, inked commercial agreements to begin gas production six months ahead of the plan, requiring an investment of $2.4 billion. The operator explains that gas, previously captured as a by-product of oil extraction, is specifically targeted by the NGC project to develop and produce non-associated gas in the offshore gas fields to supply Angola LNG, boosting the African nation’s gas export capability.

While the non-associated gas of the project’s Phase 1 will come from the Quiluma and Maboqueiro shallow waters fields, there is additional gas potential from Blocks 2, 3, and 15/14 areas. The first gas is now targeted in the first half of 2026, rather than the second half as planned previously.

Gas, estimated to account for about 15% of Azule’s equity hydrocarbon production, is produced in association with liquids, separated from oil, and then channeled via pipeline to Angola LNG, where it gets liquefied and shipped overseas while supporting domestic power demand.

The Angolan energy producer is also the operator of the Agogo greenfield development around 180 kilometers offshore Angola, about 20 kilometers west of the deployed FPSO N’Goma.