UK firm wraps up assignment at Nigerian offshore fields and gets similar one in India

Scotland-headquartered welding, technology, and coating services provider CRC Evans has finished its welding services campaign related to subsea pipeline works on two fields off the coast of Nigeria for Lagos-based Westfield Energy Resources and won another deal with the same company in India.

While no exact value of the contract with the Nigerian firm was disclosed, CRC Evans did reveal that the job was a multi-million one for the delivery of a range of welding services to support a greenfield development, Project Alpha, entailing the Anyala and Madu fields 45 km off the Niger Delta, with production being tied back to a floating production, storage and offloading facility (FPSO). This project is operated by FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P).

After Westfield Energy Resources contracted the Scottish player to provide full welding services to its pipelay barge, the DLB Kenenna S-lay vessel, the company completed more than 3,800 welds on two 20.8 km and one 5.5 km pipelines with its regional partner, Ripen Marine Contractors.

The work required CRC Evans to utilize its flagship Dual Torch P-625 external welding equipment, said to be specifically designed for large, demanding projects or where high production is required, as it is believed to have the ability to double the production capacity compared with a single torch system.

Moreover, the company elaborates that an onboard computer ensures precise control of welding parameters enabling storage of a real-time log of essential weld data for future processing. The full work scope of the contract also encompassed project management and engineering, associated services, and requirements.

In addition, the training provided for a local Nigerian crew at CRC Evan’s onshore facility in Nigeria before vessel deployment has been described as an integral element of completing the work. To this end, a training facility was set up, enabling 20 welders and two bevel operators to be trained in a month, allowing them to learn how to use welding equipment and adhere to company and project safety standards.

Tom Feteris, Offshore Director of Zeewolde at CRC Evans, commented: “With support from Ripen, we established the training facility and had it up and running in less than a week. This demonstrates our commitment and capability to quickly and efficiently set up a training facility in whichever country we work, to support the skills development of the local workforce.

“Aside from the successful completion of the work scope, this part of the story is just as important. We are absolutely committed to meeting local requirements and helping countries grow by expanding the knowledge base of local talent. We are proud of our contribution to this project and the opportunities we had to support and enhance the skills of the local workforce.”

While the Scottish firm has been working on projects in Nigeria for more than two decades, the Alpha Project was the first time it had worked with Westfield Energy Resources and the performance on the project enabled it to land a new, larger contract with the same company to carry out welding services on a project in India later this year.

“We’re very pleased that we could support Westfield’s maiden project in Nigeria and that their satisfaction with the work that was completed resulted in them putting their faith in us to carry out a bigger project on their behalf,” Feteris added.

Westfield recently confirmed the completion of the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of subsea umbilicals, risers, and flowlines (SURF) work awarded by FIRST E&P for the development project at the OML 83, covering the Anyala field and OML 85, where the Madu field is located.

The project’s scope involved the offshore installation of a 21 km 10” production pipeline from MADU conductor supported platform (CSP) to the FPSO, a 21 km 10” associated gas pipeline from MADU CSP to the subsea SSIV manifold, and a 6.1 km 8” water discharge pipeline from the FPSO to the discharge point, utilizing its DLB Kenenna vessel.

Additionally, the project entailed the procurement and coating of steel pipes, pre-commissioning/hydro test activities, fabrication and installation of subsea spools, and tie-in to existing risers at MADU CSP. The work contributed to enhancing the production capacity of the operator’s offshore assets from 40,000 to 60,000 bpd.

“Executing our client’s vision to implement a gas reinjection line demonstrates our shared commitment to sustainability in supporting an eco-friendly environment by utilizing produced gas that might otherwise be flared, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing well recovery rates, and maximizing production value for the long term,” outlined Westfield.

At the end of May 2024, the Nigerian firm disclosed preparations for its inaugural offshore project in India, after securing a role as the pipeline transportation and installation sub-contractor for an ONGC-operated project, which enables it to collaborate with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, a Mumbai-based warship and submarine construction player, which won a contract with the Indian oil and gas giant for partial replacement of aging subsea pipelines.

Westfield claims that its duties extend beyond pipeline installation to pre-engineering dive surveys. On February 9, 2024, Mazagaon Dock issued a purchase order to the Indian entity of Westfield Energy for the subcontract, following ONGC’s issuance of a letter of award (LoA) to Mazagon on December 7, 2023, for the engineering, procurement, and construction assignment.

Under the subcontract agreement, the Lagos-based firm will be responsible for replacing 19 pipeline segments, which span a total of 45 kilometers, vary in length and diameter, and are located in the Mumbai High and Neelam-Heera fields, at water depths ranging from 45 to 85 meters.

While Mazagon will handle engineering and procurement of the pipes, Westfield’s scope includes installing four 2-kilometer segments of 16-inch diameter pipelines, and an additional 15 segments covering 37 kilometres with diameters of 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 inches.

Aside from pipeline installation, the company will be tasked with installing pipeline crossings and subsea repair units, and carrying out free-span corrections to stabilize the pipelines on uneven seabeds. The firm’s pipelay DLB Kenenna vessel was expected to be mobilized for the job by Q3 2024.

“This landmark project marks Westfield Energy’s entry into the Indian offshore market and also reinforces our growing reputation as a trusted partner in energy infrastructure development,” concluded the Nigerian player.