BP installs topsides unit at Shah Deniz Stage 2 platform

BP has completed the installation of topsides for the Shah Deniz Stage 2 quarters and utilities (QU) platform in the Caspian Sea.

Shah Deniz consortium has carried out sail away ceremony for the topsides unit in Baku.

The topsides of QU platform will sail away to the Shah Deniz contract area in the Caspian Sea from the Azfen fabrication yard in Bibi-Heybat.

The topsides unit was lifted onto the loading frame at the quayside of the fabrication yard for transferring onto the STB-1 transportation barge.

The topsides transportation, float-over and installation are expected to be completed in around five days, while the unit will be installed on top of the QU jacket that is already at its offshore location in a water depth of 94m.

According to BP, the QU topsides unit weighs about 12,400 tonnes and is 100m long by 60m wide.

It includes 100-person living quarters, four main power generators with 60MW capacity and 10 direct electrical heating modules, in addition to a range of subsea production equipment.

BP Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey regional president Gary Jones said: “The first platform topsides sail away is an important milestone and we are pleased to have achieved it ahead of schedule as we move towards successful completion of the giant Shah Deniz 2 project safely, below the planned budget and on schedule.

“The project is making good progress towards completion of the remaining areas. I would like to thank the Government of Azerbaijan, SOCAR and our partners for their support and cooperation in moving this complex project forward.”

“The topsides unit, which is one of the biggest and state-of-the-art facilities in the Caspian, was delivered with exceptional safety results.”

While BP is the operator of the platform on behalf of the Shah Deniz joint venture with 28.8% stake, its partners include TPAO, Petronas, AzSD, Lukoil, NICO and SGC Upstream.

Image: The topsides of quarters and utilities platform will sail away to Shah Deniz contract area in the Caspian Sea from Azfen fabrication yard in Bibi-Heybat. Photo: courtesy of BP.