NFB LQX Expansion Project – project status & sail away ceremony
On 4th February 2020 Rosetti Marino accomplished a major milestone with the North Field Bravo (NFB) Living Quarters Expansion (LQX) Project – Client Qatargas as it safely and successfully completed the onshore fabrication of the living quarters structure.
Qatargas organised a ceremony to mark the sail-away of the jacket and topside of the structure.
The event was attended by Qatargas’s shareholders and senior executives, Rosetti Marino’s corporate management and staff, the local main subcontractor for the fabrication work N-KOM and H.E. the Ambassador of Italy in Qatar, Alessandro Prunas.
In 2017, Qatargas awarded the engineering procurement and construction contract for the LQX project to Rosetti Marino which carried out the engineering designs at its premises Italy. In 2018, Rosetti Marino awarded N-KOM, a local subcontractor, all the fabrication works to be undertaken at the Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard at Ras Laffan Port.
This project was momentous for Qatar as it was the first time that a major offshore living quarters structure had been entirely fabricated at a local yard in the country.
The project provides an additional living quarters structure which increases the capacity of the NFB Offshore living quarters by an additional 90 crew members on board. When fully installed, this will satisfy the additional operational requirements.
The project work scope included the construction of a four-legged jacket and piles weighing approximately 2,200 tonnes. This will support the new living accommodation platform weighing around 2,800 tonnes and consisting of five decks, a fully equipped helideck, six bridge links to existing living quarters, services and utilities.
The offshore accommodation expansion project was initiated to cater to the altered operational requirements following various expansion projects. Brownfield modifications were also carried out on the existing living quarters and platform to properly integrate the new additional living quarters.
The project has achieved more than 2.0 M safe man-hours without any lost time incidents and with a peak manpower rate of over 900 people.
The next major milestone of the project is the safe transportation and installation of the 5,000 tonne structure to the NFB offshore platform this month.
The load out, sail away and installation activities will be carried out by Rosetti Marino’s subcontractor Heerema Marine Contractor using their heavy lift vessel ‘Aegir’.
Speaking at the ceremony, Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani, CEO Qatargas, said:
“this project is a historic milestone for the State of Qatar as it highlights a new and important capability: it is the first time that the fabrication of a major offshore structure of this magnitude has been completed in a Qatari yard. […]
I congratulate the project team, including the contractors, who successfully ensured its delivery and were able to overcome the challenges that are expected of projects of such a scale and nature. This is a positive reflection of the dedication and commitment demonstrated by all parties.”
Mr. Guerra the Chief Executive Officer Rosetti Marino Group of Companies during the Sail away ceremony stated:
“Following the State of Qatar’s vision 2030 guidelines, with the strong will and hard work of the NFB Project Team and Management, Rosetti Marino clearly demonstrated its solid capabilities to deliver such an ambitious project on time and to the highest quality standards.”
With the increasing demand of the job market for Oil and Gas, the constant influx of projects rolling in the state of Qatar as well as internationally, the collaboration between Rosetti and NKOM has proved both companies’ full capabilities to meet the expectations of Qatargas as well as world-class standards. Additionally, the project is a clear manifestation of the close historical strategic ties between Qatar and Italy.
For the NFB Project, Rosetti Marino mobilized around 50 international professionals from its core team to Qatar to execute the project through its Qatar Branch established in 2017. After the completion of the engineering phase, all fabrication and construction activities were executed in the NKOM yard. Given that the State of Qatar is keen on continuously and strategically developing and increasing the production and upgrading of its facilities, the experience of both companies strongly unleashes the potential of Qatari professional capabilities. Drawn from such a successful collaboration, Rosetti Marino intends to continue to serve its clients at the highest standards of services and with optimal costs.
Mr. Guerra further commented:
“The Rosetti Marino Group is very pleased to announce the successful completion of the NFB Project, which is considered a fundamental step for the future presence to serve the Qatari Market and contributing to its local economy. Courage to change, teamwork, high-level team spirit shown by the Qatargas Management and the Project Team, in addition to Rosetti Marino utmost commitment to satisfy its client are the key elements of this success. By this accomplishment, Rosetti Marino is now established as one of the key players in the Oil & Gas sector in Qatar. The NFB Project experience sets the bar of how to maximize the local content for EPC and turnkey projects in the State of Qatar.”
Mr. Guerra added:
“We strive to add value towards the creation of a vibrant Oil and Gas industry in Qatar thus generating greater opportunities for valuable partnerships with local players in this sector, as outlined in the Qatar 2030 strategic Vision and Qatar Petroleum’s strategic announcement of the local supply chain improvement program (TAWTEEN).
The successful completion of the first Living Quarter of that size ever “made in Qatar” in the local market, is a fundamental step in-line with Rosetti Marino Group’s growth and expansion plans. This strategic co-operation between us and NKOM facilitates the transfer of top-tier international engineering expertise, cutting-edge technologies and operational knowhow in providing the highest quality standards and services towards the successful delivery of EPC projects.”
Attending the ceremony, H.E. the Ambassador of Italy in Qatar,
Alessandro Prunas, commented,