Posted on April 21, 2016
Offshore contractors and vessel owners are securing contracts for operations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Saudi Arabia. State-run energy companies in these countries continue to invest in offshore infrastructure despite last year’s slump in oil prices.
Investment in subsea infrastructure was highlighted recently by the announcement of contract awards for engineering contractors and vessel owners. Royal Boskalis Westminster announced a contract at the end of March from the National Petroleum Construction Co (NPCC) to support a gas pipeline project in the UAE. This is for dredging and related work for Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (Adnoc).
Boskalis commenced work on dredging a trench for the offshore gas pipeline in the first quarter of this year. The new pipeline will run for at least 50km between Das Island and Ras Al Qila onshore Abu Dhabi. A medium-sized trailing suction hopper dredger and a large cutter suction dredger will be deployed as well as backhoe dredgers for dredging in shallow water. Boskalis is also contracted to backfill the new pipeline once it is installed and the backfilling of an existing offshore pipeline with sand over a total distance of 34km using a trailing suction hopper dredger. This pipeline is located in the vicinity of the new line. The contract will be carried out in phases and completed in the second half of 2017.
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