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The UK Athena discovery is set to be tapped with a floating production unit and Xodus Group is working closely with Ithaca Energy to custom design a subsea system to support the FPSO field development concept.
The Subsea Division was recently awarded the contract for the front-end engineering and design of the subsea system to support the FPSO concept and will be responsible for the design of the entire subsea system including the flow assurance, controls, manifold, pipelines and flexible risers.
Building the Subsea Division with the correct combination of skills, experience and systems has been fundamental in developing a capability that can support Ithaca in this way.
Graeme Rogerson, Xodus Subsea manager in Aberdeen commented:
“Ithaca wanted to fast-track the project and in light of this required a highly skilled team who could mobilise quickly and execute the design with an integrated and flexible approach.
“We responded quickly by pulling together a team of five engineers, led by David Miles and supported by industry experts such as flexible riser consultant Nigel Underwood. The fact that we also have flow assurance expertise in-house has been vital in being able to respond rapidly and efficiently.”
In terms of project progress and delivery, Xodus is currently working through the FEED scope having already completed flow assurance, drill site layout, manifold design and controls philosophy works which cover the use of downhole ESPs. Analysis work continues in the immediate future on the flexible riser design and transient flow assurance work, whilst the control system is being fully scoped out by one of the Xodus Group key controls consultants, Ian Wood.
Surrounding this, further engineering effort is being directed to develop rigid, flexible and bundle pipeline options.
First production from Athena is expected by the end of 2009, at a peak rate of 21,000 barrels per day, gross.
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