On behalf of the Maari joint venture, OMV sent Clough a letter of intent to undertake the A$170 million engineering and construction contract, with negotiations on a final agreement to be completed within a month.
The Maari development will consist of a wellhead platform tied to a floating production, storage and offloading facility.
Clough will perform all engineering, procurement, construction and installation activities related to the wellhead using the self-elevating DrillAce platform concept it developed last year.
Clough chief executive David Singleton said the company continued to fine-tune the concept, which was particularly well suited to remote locations.
“The DrillAce is proving to be cost-effective and offers a lower risk solution to clients who require rapid installation without the need for large offshore construction vessels,” Singleton said.
“Clough is committed to the success of the Maari field development and believes that the contracting strategy agreed for this project will deliver it to the benefit of all stakeholders.”
Clough was selected for the project after a six-month client design competition. Work will start soon with completion expected in 2008.
Meanwhile, the 612-tonne ROV Supplier arrived at Port Taranaki from Singapore yesterday. Following a crew change, bunkering and provisions, it will head out to the Maari field, southwest of Maui, later this week for a scheduled 10-day survey.
Aboard the ROV vessel will be the PROD (Portable Remotely Operated Drill) to be used to drill the series of holes to test the geology of the seabed over the proposed site of the Maari platform.
The ROV Supplier is the first of three specialist oil industry support vessels scheduled to arrive at Port Taranaki this week. The Orient Explorer and support vessel Pacific Conquest are due to arrive Friday for a 3D seismic program for two joint ventures operating offshore Taranaki permits.
The PMP 38160/PEP 38413 partners are: operator OMV New Zealand (69%), Horizon Oil (10%), Todd Petroleum Mining (16%) and Cue Taranaki Pty (5%).
