The UAE’s Drydocks World has been awarded the contract for the refurbishment and life extension of the FPSO Baobab Ivoirien by Modec Management Services.
Set to commence in May 2025, the eight-month expedited project on the FPSO will involve extensive structural enhancements, including 1,000 tonnes of steel renewal, 250,000 square metres of tank coating, and 11,500 metres of new piping.
The scope also covers enhancements to crew living quarters and the integration of technologies to boost its efficiency and reliability. Upon completion, the vessel’s lifespan will be extended by 15 years, ensuring sustained energy production for West Africa.
Drydocks World, a DP World company, has completed over 50 similar projects, including more than 30 FPSO upgrades.
Baobab Ivoirien currently has a processing capacity of 70,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) and 75 million cubic feet of natural gas. It can also inject 100,000 bpd of water and store up to two million barrels of crude oil.
The vessel, currently operating at the Baobab oil field, 25 kilometres off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire, will relocate to Drydocks World’s Dubai facility for its eight-month refurbishment.
Originally converted in 2003 from a ULCC, Baobab Ivoirien was designed with expandable topsides to maximize offshore production capacity.
Source: bairdmaritime.com
