File pic of Shell's deep water operations
KUALA LUMPUR: Shell and Technip-MMHE Joint Venture (TMJV) have completed the onshore fabrication and commissioning of the Malikai deep-water platform.
Shell Malaysia Ltd said on Monday this was a milestone where the Malaysia’s first tension leg platform (TLP) would be transported to the site 100km offshore Sabah.
“The TLP will be making a 1,400km journey from Pasir Gudang to arrive at the Malikai field, where it will be installed in water depths of 500 metres,” the oil and gas major said.
Shell said after the installation, Malikai will produce via the Kebabangan shallow water platform about 50km away.
Essentially, the TLP would partially process the gross production before being transported to Kebabangan, where it will be further processed before being sent onshore to the Sabah Oil & Gas Terminal for storage and offloading to tankers.
In April 2016, Malikai TLP safely concluded its load out, when the 27,500-tonne platform was moved onto a heavy transport vessel. The platform was then brought to a near-shore location to allow the structure to float on its own.
Once the platform was floated off of the vessel, further technical evaluations were conducted. The entire process took 10 days.
The TLP was then towed back to the construction yard and berthed quayside at the fabrication yard for remaining construction and commissioning activities.
Malikai is Shell’s second deep-water project in Malaysia after the successful start-up of Gumusut-Kakap last year.
Malikai is expected to have a production at peak of 60,000 barrels per day. The Malikai project is a joint venture between Shell (35%, operator), ConocoPhillips Sabah (35%), and Petronas Carigali (30%).
The managing director, Shell Global Solutions Malaysia, projects & technology Simon Ong said: “We have a leading, global deep-water business and deliver production from oil and gas fields for energy use and many everyday products.
“Deep water is a growth priority for Shell, and our Malikai project supports the country’s aspiration to be a hub for deep-water development in the region. It also allows for the transfer of knowledge, technology and capability to Malaysian contractors and service partners.
“We are proud of the milestones we have safely achieved to date and are confident of the steady progress we are making.”
Malikai project manager Momas Modon described the the sail away (transportation) marked a historic chapter for the Malaysian oil and gas industry.
The design, engineering, fabrication and onshore commissioning are done in-country. The collaboration between Shell, joint venture partners, TMJV and contractors and service companies has been key in this success. So is the support given by Petronas,” he added.
Acting CEO of MMHE Wan Mashitah Wan Abdullah Sani said MMHE was the fabrication partner and Malaysian contractor to Shell and Technip for Malikai.
“The TLP project has helped develop local deep-water resources, infrastructure and expertise towards securing Malaysia’s position as a regional deep-water hub and centre of excellence,” she said.
