Costain saves operator millions in North Sea exploration project

MAIDENHEAD, United Kingdom -- UK engineering solutions provider Costain has been instrumental in helping Ithaca Energy save millions, thanks to its sound management of subsea contracts in the operator’s Greater Stella Area (GSA) Development in the central North Sea.

Costain has been working on the project, which is driven by the recovery of approximately 60 MMboe of proven and probable reserves for the GSA co-venturers, since 2010 and will be supporting the project to first oil, which is anticipated in mid-2016.

Costain’s involvement started at the concept selection phase, continuing through the definition phase, developing project budgets and assisting in placement of the major contracts.

North Sea

The company then project-managed the subsea facilities, including the design, procurement, fabrication and installation of all of the subsea equipment, as well as the installation of the Floating Production Facilty-1 (FPF) moorings and assisting with the forthcoming tow-out and hook-up.

“Being involved in this project through the select, define and execute phases is a great achievement for the team,” Peter Kirkbride, project sponsor at Costain, said. “Together with Ithaca Energy and our contracted partners, we are proving the value of North Sea development activity and, by setting and working to realistic budgets, have saved our client millions of pounds in the process.”

“Ithaca asks for safe and efficient execution of the work, and with Costain Upsteam, that’s exactly what we get—as well as technical excellence, creativity and professionalism,” Mike Travis, Greater Stella Area asset manager of Ithaca, said. “The continuity benefits of a long-term relationship have also been very apparent and Costain will continue to work with us on the developments plans for the satellite developments around the Stella hub.”