Saipem getting an assist from ABL at gas project offshore Africa

February 4, 2025, by Melisa Cavcic

ABL, part of Oslo-listed energy and marine consultancy ABL Group, has been hired to support Saipem, an Italian engineering, drilling, and construction services giant, with the work on a natural gas project off the coast of Libya, North Africa.

Bouri field; Source: Mellitah Oil & Gas Libyan Branch

Saipem secured a $1 billion engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning (EPCIC) contract in August 2023 with Mellitah Oil & Gas Libyan Branch, a consortium formed by National Oil Corporation of Libya and Eni North Africa, to refurbish platforms and facilities at the Bouri gas field, as part of the Bouri Gas Utilization Project (BGUP).

Thanks to a contract for marine warranty survey (MWS) services, ABL will support the marine transportation and installation (T&I) operations related to Libya’s BGUP, which envisages an upgrade of offshore platforms and facilities, improving the field’s overall carbon footprint with significant reductions of its CO2 emissions.

Sergio Leone, ABL’s MWS Project Manager and Business Development Manager, highlighted: “We are really pleased to be appointed to support Saipem on this project – following a long history of successful collaboration with the company. The BGUP project seeks to improve delivery and production of natural gas to Libya, with potential to supply further in North Africa. It is an important energy infrastructure project for North Africa as a whole.”

Located 120 kilometers northwest of Tripoli at 145 to 183 meters of water depth, the Bouri field is part of Block NC-41, which is situated north of the Libyan coast in the Mediterranean Sea. The Saipem 7000 semi-submersible crane vessel will handle the main heavy lift operations.

Saipem’s work on this project covers the EPCIC of an approximately 5,000-ton gas recovery module (GRM) onto the existing DP4 offshore facility, together with the laying of 28 km of pipelines connecting the DP3, DP4, and Sabratha platforms. However, ABL will undertake technical reviews and approvals of all project documentation, drawings, and calculations for warranted marine operations.

The Norwegian player’s scope of work entails suitability surveys and other marine assurance deliverables related to the proposed fleet, alongside any potential DP trials, where required. The firm will also provide on-site attendance to review and approve warranted marine operations.

Shai Tzucker, Energy Operations Director for ABL in Europe and West Africa, explained: “Whilst the project will be managed from our operational HQ in London, on-site attendances and vessel surveys will be supported by our extensive marine surveyor footprint across Europe and North Africa. We also benefit from an established market presence and MWS track-record in neighbouring Egypt.”

Mellitah Oil & Gas recently disclosed the availability of an engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) assignment for the expansion of another production facility offshore Libya, inviting firms to participate in its tender, which is expected to be open from 4Q 2024 to 3Q 2025, with work scheduled to start in 4Q 2025.