Published on December 6, 2024

Fixed offshore structures such as platforms and well jackets are predominantly lifted and put in place using Heavy Lift Vessels (HLV). Once a platform is installed, a drilling rig would consequently move into position to begin the drilling process. 

HLV utilised for installation are notoriously expensive due to the highly specialised design and steep cost (for mobilisation and daily rate). Additionally, the vessels are normally very sensitive to weather conditions and the installation duration could dramatically increase if vessel operation is halted in the event of adverse weather – further impacting project timeline and cost. 

Recognising the importance of reducing potential delays, the Project and Wells team from BSP took the initiative to modify available jack-up drilling rigs to also perform offshore platform installation. This means removing the need for HLV in the workflow: using the same vehicle (the jack-up rig) to install a platform and then drill the well directly after the installation, thus eliminating the mobilisation cost for an additional crane vessel. 

After meticulous assessments and execution, the new approach is put into motion on the Egret East EGWJ02 platform in Q4 2023 – a first of its kind in BSP. Putting theory into practice, the team successfully utilised the jack-up rig to install the platform as well as drill the targeted wells. 

The Egret East installation is a showcase of innovation, learner mindset and continuous improvement. This is exemplified through the implementation of innovative engineered solutions like the use of synthetic ropes for heavy lift. On top of that, the Egret East installation methodology was also thoroughly reviewed and streamlined. By realising these improvements, Egret East installation duration was reduced by 20% along with a significant cost reduction. 

Learning from the success, this approach is then replicated on the next BSP milestone project: the Fairley East platform. 

This milestone is a testament to the enterprise-first mindset embodied by Orang Kitani, as the successes also open more opportunities for low-cost development concepts and further adding value to the business and the country.