FPSO fabrication facility to start operations in gulf of Guinea

In a significant development for international oil companies (IOCs) operating in the Gulf of Guinea, large scale and complex steel fabrication will now be offered in Nigeria from a new purpose-built facility.

Dorman Long Engineering Nigeria Limited and INTELS Nigeria Limited are partnering to launch a state-of-the-art fabrication facility based in Onne Port, in southern Nigeria.

This marks the first time that floating production storage offloading (FPSO) units will have access to fabrication and related services from facilities built specifically for that purpose alongside their operations in the Gulf of Guinea region.

More broadly, the facility will be equipped to serve the needs of West Africa’s oil and gas, power, and telecoms industries, as well as heavy industries.

While disclosing the features of the facility, Timi Austen-Peters, Chairman of Dorman Long said the facility will include a 17,500m2 covered workshop featuring the CNC Plasma cutting machines, plate rolling machine of 0-50mm & 51-150mm thick, overhead lifting capacity rated to 100tons, plate edge beveling machines, Oxy-Fuel Track Cutting Machines, Pipe Cutting & Edge beveling Machines and Portable Oxy-fuel Cutting Machines.

He also mentioned that other features will include the 300 Ton Hydraulic Press Brakes, Plate Edge Milling Machines, Dished End Forming Machines,50ton/m2 Quayside Heavy Lift Load – out facility, Open fabrication areas of 86,000m2, with further outside fabrication areas available as required, Blasting and Painting Workshop, Covered Secured Warehousing and Maintenance Workshop, Steel Stocking Area

According to him, ”The oil and gas industry has long needed such facilities closer to their West Africa operations. As a company, we are pleased to be part of such a significant development for the industry and the region.”

Austen-Peters added that this is also an important development for Nigeria, as it will mean significant job creation, skills and technology transfer, and capacity building.

“Dorman Long Engineering Nigeria Limited is the only West African company to consistently hold and maintain ASME certification, in addition to being an IS09001 certified company,” he said.

The company’s services include engineering, materials management, fabrication, galvanizing, asset management, and brown field and marine maintenance.

 

IFEOMA OKEKE