Linda Hutchinson-Jafar, Contributor
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad:
CONSTRUCTION OF off-shore platforms is set to become big business in Trinidad and Tobago.
Companies such as Damus Limited and the Trinidad Offshore Fabricators (TOFCO), a joint venture between Chet Morrison Contractors from Louisiana and the Trinidad company Weldfab have proven their ability to construct the massive and complex steel structures.
Previously, off-shore platforms were built in the U.S. Gulf Coast and then shipped to Trinidad for off shore installation.
To date, TOFCO has built one major off-shore platform for BPTT at their fabrication yard at the Labidco industrial estate in La Brea while work is being completed on a second platform owned by U.S. company, EOG Resources.
TOFCO has also landed additional contracts to build two other platforms for BPTT.
Another local company, Damus Ltd in a joint venture with the US-based Gulf Island constructed the BHP Billiton- owned Kairi 1 platform, standing six storeys high and weighing 550 tonnes.
TOFCO's latest undertaking is the EOG's Oilbird platform which includes a 1,800 ton deck and a 1,300 ton jacket which will soon be installed off the country's east coast.
It is also the largest, heaviest and most complete structure to be designed and fabricated in Trinidad to date, and the first to include a fully independent processing facility.
The total installed facility cost, excluding the pipelines, is approximately US $54 million.
Although Trinidad and Tobago may be building a sustainable off-shore facility fabrication industry, energy companies are still paying a premium for carrying out the work in Trinidad, mainly because of lower productivity levels.
For instance, BPTT paid an additional US$10 million to have the Cannonball platform build in Trinidad.
The South Trinidad Industry and Commerce which monitors developments in the energy sector said there are also significant advantages that Trinidad and Tobago possess over other locations.
"...Not least the fact that we tend not to be adversely impacted by the hurricanes that have been so disruptive to activity on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
The high global energy prices and on-going efforts from all producers globally to bring more production on stream, combined with continuing repair works, there are significant capacity constraints on the US Gulf Coast, " the Chamber said. It said the objective for the local industry should eventually be to take advantage of these opportunities to design and construct offshore facilities for developments outside of the country.
" Our geographical proximity to both Latin America and West Africa could prove to be an advantage in this regard, " it added.
Chairman of Government's Natural Gas Export Task Force, Professor Ken Julien said the construction of the platform has been prompted by the recent introduction of local content in the energy industry.
" Government's stated policy is to ensure that in all downstream
investments a high percentage of local content must be made by the investing
company," said Professor Julien who has been central to the development of the
country's energy sector over the last five decades.
