Published on December 8, 2023

May 2019 marked a new beginning for Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) as it embarked on a new journey for the Egret East field – it was pursuing its first ever Low-Cost Development (LCD) project for marginal fields. Made up of lightweight four-legged conductor-supported platform (also a first in BSP), the structure sits on a 60-metre water depth to accommodate two new wellheads that will ultimately contribute to BSP’s production capacity.

FROM THE BEGINNING

Discovered in the 80s, the Egret East field had been a challenging undertaking amidst rising costs. However, time proved right as it became economically viable to pursue in 2019, leading to the creation of multifunctional teams from exploration, subsurface, facilities, and wells to perform front-end studies in order to assess the field’s development feasibility. Down further in the selection process, the team also deduced that the lightweight platform was installable through the use of drilling rig – which in this case, again, was a first of its kind in BSP. 

While it might sound like everything was prepped and prime for a “Go Ahead”, jumpstarting a project of ‘firsts’ required the team to do their due diligence for a safe and successful installation. The project team even sought the knowhow from technical experts across the business, local and international, to achieve this. With the Final Investment Decision (FID) achieved in September 2021, the team started the “EXECUTE” phase – it was time to start building. 

However, not everything went according to plan as the team encountered hurdles along the journey.  Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the team had to manage issues and delays related to supply and manpower restrictions. Additionally, the strong global market escalation post COVID also drove cost pressure up while kicking the project deadline forward by one year. But with strong work ethics, perseverance, and support from various functions in BSP, as well as alignment with business partners and stakeholders, the project managed to push through the hurdles, achieving completion of onshore fabrication as well as Mechanical Completion by August 2023. With that, the EGWJ02 was set to sail, travelling from the Marine Construction Yard (MCY) towards the Egret East offshore field.

STRONG COLLABORATION MAKES MILESTONES 

The offshore installation campaign began with the jacket upending, a process of lowering the steel jacket onto the seabed. Then it was followed with conductor piling, mechanical connectors fit-up and grouting through the jacket legs before installation of the topside, and ultimately the installation of the boat landing module. It was critical to plan these phases of installation meticulously, taking into account safety as well as weather conditions. It was a challenging feat, but through close collaboration between the project, wells, engineering, offshore survey teams, alongside business partner colleagues, the EGWJ02 was successfully and safely installed in September 2023.

“The Egret East low-cost development project is a great testament to BSP’s commitment to safely and sustainably deliver energy source to the country and nation of Brunei Darussalam, as well as to our international customers. It showcases what we can achieve by adopting value-driven mindset. Through innovation and integration, underpinned by the spirit of BSP Bersatu, Orang Kitani have come together to deliver this project as one integrated team.” Shared Hj Noh Abdul-Gani, Project Lead for Egret East and Fairley East.