ONS: WorleyParsons looking forward to working on Buzzard II project

STAVANGER -- Just over two weeks ago, WorleyParsons was awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for Buzzard field’s Phase II under its long-term call off agreement with Nexen Petroleum UK Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited. This follows the awarding of a FEED contract by Nexen to WorleyParsons a year ago. And already, as described at ONS in Stavanger, Norway, the firm has hit the ground running, looking forward to what it calls a very collaborative effort.

Under the contract, WorleyParsons will provide EPC services for the topsides module of the Buzzard Phase II development project. The services include module fabrication, brownfield scopes, module landing preparation and the associated tie ins, the topsides module hook-up, pre-commissioning and commissioning of the integrated package. The project will include a subsea tie-back to the original facility.

The services will be executed by WorleyParsons’ UK Integrated Solutions Aberdeen office. Rosenberg WorleyParsons, based in Stavanger, will fabricate the topsides module. “We’re really pleased to continue to work with Nexen on this project,” said Garry Lewis, business development director for Worley Parsons. “It’s a much more collaborative team effort and a refreshing change from the traditional contractor model.” 

Indeed, Nexen has been extremely proactive on this project and is using an alliance concept, where all the contractors are working as one team. “In addition, WorleyParsons is managing the interfaces on behalf of Nexen,” noted Lewis. The operator reportedly adopted this approach in the interest of saving on costs.

Something else that is going on is the use of WorleyParsons’ Rosenberg yard in Stavanger. While the yard has had its issues in the past with being economically competitive with Asian facilities, Nexen and WorleyParsons have found a way to make the fabrication there cost-effective at this site with a wonderfully long history of offshore projects accomplished. For instance, the Rosenberg yard has completed more than 100 minimum facility platforms.

“First steel is set for fourth-quarter 2018, and we expect fabrication to be completed over a one-year period,” added Lewis. “The module should be ready for lifting offshore in 2020.”