UK supermajor BP has invited contractors to tender for an ocean bottom 3D seismic survey linked to its Tangguh LNG project in Indonesia for which it plans to take the final investment decision next year on a $12 billion expansion, writes Amanda Battersby.
Local operator BP Berau plans to carry out seismic surveys covering an area of up to 1072 square kilometres on its acreage in Berau Bay off West Papua province.
BP said this seismic acquisition is expected to have a high density in order to improve the resolution of data, reducing the noise level and better obtain quality production data.
BP is planning to start the seismic surveying no later than the first quarter of 2017.
Interested companies must utilise independent simultaneous source technology and have large enough inventory receivers to avoid or reduce overlapping shots.
Local and foreign contractors have been invited to qualify for the work, although there is a minimum 35% local content.
In November, BP also launched a tender for a “blanket civil work” contract at its Tangguh LNG site where the operator has plans for an ambitious expansion that will include a third 3.8 million tonnes per annum liquefaction train.
The workscope of this civil works contract will include upgrading and new electrical equipment, IT, fire alarms and plumbing. Skills required include welding and pipe fitting.
This contract for which qualification of contractors has begun requires a minimum 70% local content.
BP this year pushed back the final investment decsion for Tangguh’s Train 3 to 2016 against the backdrop of low commodity prices and new LNG supplies hitting the market from projects in Australia.
Upstream reported on 13 November that bids for the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the new train and the engineering, procurement, installation and construction of two wellhead platforms and associated pipelines are due in the first quarter next year.
Tangguh currently produces 7.6 million tpa from two trains.