Offshore engineering and fabrication specialist Seatrium has signed a contract with BP Exploration and Production to perform engineering, procurement, construction and onshore commissioning (EPC) work for the Kaskida Floating Production Unit (FPU) project in the US Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The formal contract follows a letter of intent (LOI) signed by the two parties related to early engineering work on the Kaskida FPU this past June. Contract value was not disclosed.
The Kaskida project is a greenfield development located approximately 250 miles southwest of New Orleans, in Keathley Canyon Block 292 of the GOM. Comprising a single topside module supported by a four-column semi-submersible hull, the Kaskida FPU is supported by subsea production wells located in a water depth of about 6,000 feet.
The Kaskida FPU will boast a capacity to produce 80,000 barrels of crude oil per day from six wells in the first phase of development. The topsides for Kaskida will be integrated and lifted to the hull using Seatrium’s Goliath twin cranes with a combined lifting capacity of 30,000 tonnes. This method supports optimal readiness, thereby reducing safety risks during assembling topsides and enhancing overall project efficiency.
“We are fully committed to successfully executing the project and delivering the Kaskida FPU safely and on time, marking our fourth successful FPU project for the region,” said William Gu, executive vice president, energy (International) at Seatrium.
The supermajor took final investment decision (FID) on the Kaskida development in July. Owned 100% by BP, the Kaskida field has discovered recoverable resources currently estimated at around 275 million barrels of oil equivalent from the initial phase. BP has said additional wells could be drilled in future phases, subject to further evaluation.
“By employing an industry-led design solution, Kaskida will be simpler to construct and simpler to operate, enhancing safety and delivering greater value for bp,” said Andy Krieger, bp’s senior vice president, Gulf of Mexico and Canada at time of FID.
BP discovered the Kaskida field in 2006 and has since worked closely with its preferred vendors and other contractors and industry partners to help develop 20K rig technology necessary to complete high-pressure wells.
According to BP, Kaskida, the Tiber find — expected to reach FID in 2025, and other nearby discoveries combined have an estimated 10 billion barrels of discovered resources in place.
