The central processing, utilities, and quarters (PUQ) jack up platform is being built by the Barmac consortium of Brown & Root Ltd. and McDermott International Inc. and is roughly 80% complete.
The platform was built to the TPG 500 design of Technip SA, Paris, which was involved with the Barmac partners in designing the platform.
Stuart Nelson, deputy alliance manager for Elf Exploration, said the platform's total weight will be 40,000 metric tons, of which 27,000 tons will be the topsides and hull structures. The legs will be 140 m high.
Nelson said the JU will be floated out from the dock on a high tide and will then be almost ready to produce. The platform is due for installation in February 2000.
"The topsides and hull were constructed in 14 blocks," said Nelson, "which were built in sheds and assembled in two levels in the graving dock. The blocks were fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle."
Three of the blocks contain the leg jacking houses, each containing 36 hydraulic motors-giving a combined jacking power of 1 MW/leg. The blocks comprising the main hull were assembled first, followed by the jacking units and on-deck equipment modules.
"We are aiming for maximum onshore completion," said Nelson. "Once offshore we will need to jack the platform and install piles; install and connect up the bridge; tie in subsea pipelines, umbilicals, and risers; and fold out the helideck."
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