Shell taps Dutch firm to construct $60M platform off Palawan

Shell Philippines Exploration BV (SPEX) has tapped Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. of Netherlands for the installation of a depletion compression platform at the Malampaya gas field off Palawan—part of a planned $750-million Phase III expansion for the field.

MANILA, Philippines—Shell Philippines Exploration BV (SPEX) has tapped Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. of Netherlands for the installation of a depletion compression platform at the Malampaya gas field off Palawan—part of a planned $750-million Phase III expansion for the field.

In a statement, Royal Boskalis said the $60-million contract would include seabed preparation, rock installation, platform transportation and installation work.

“The project relates to the expansion of the Malampaya gas field by means of an additional compressor platform next to the existing gas production platform. The work, executed by Boskalis Offshore, comprises a number of different offshore activities,” Royal Boskalis said.

Royal Boskalis, considered to be a leading global services provider operating in the dredging, maritime infrastructure and maritime services sectors, said it would deploy its new multipurpose construction vessel Ndeavor, two 200-ton bollard pull anchor-handling tugs (AHTs) and two 100-ton bollard pull AHTs.

“The Ndeavor, which will be commissioned in the second half of 2013, plays a pivotal role in this project. It will execute “the seabed excavation and rock installation work, by providing support during the installation of the platform as well as by ballasting the footings of the platform and installing the permanent bridge between the two platforms,” the statement read.

This particular project with Royal Boskalis is expected to start early next year and to be completed by 2014.

The consortium, led by SPEX, operates the Malampaya gas field. It plans to invest $1 billion in the field to ensure the continued supply of gas throughout the original term of its Service Contract 38 license, which will expire in 2024. Malampaya Phase 2, which is expected to be completed in February 2014, calls for the installation of two additional subsea wells at a cost of $250 million. Malampaya Phase 3, set to be completed by 2015, will involve the installation of compressors and a platform at a cost of $750 million.

By implementing phases 2 and 3, the SC 38 consortium—which also included Chevron Malampaya and PNOC Exploration Corp.—would ensure continued supply of natural gas to three crucial power facilities in Luzon, which accounted for up to 45 percent of the power generation capacity of the island.—Amy R. Remo