Paenal shipyard in Angola recently hosted the naming ceremony for the converted FPSO »N’Goma«. The vessel is owned by Sonasing[ds_preview], a joint venture of SBM Offshore, Sonangol and Angolan Offshore Services. Before, it operated under the name »Xikomba« and was disconnected from Angola Block 15 in 2011 after eight years of service. The relocated »N’Goma« will handle the production of Eni-operated Block 15/06, West Hub. The FPSO will have a total oil processing capacity of 100,000 barrels of oil per day (BOPD), gas handling capacity of 115 mill. metric cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) and water injection capacity of 120,000 barrels of water per day (BWPD). After being completed in schedule by Paenal, the FPSO sailed away offshore to Angolan deep waters, where mooring operations by the »SBM Installer« vessel take place.
The »N’Goma« was christened by senior engineer Francisca Breganha Christavão de Lemos Viera Dias da Silva. At the ceremony Paenal yard General Manager Cesar Guerra said: »The event coincides with the completion of the yard’s scope, which included the construction and lifting onboard of two complex modules. The satisfaction of the client with the yard’s work is a testimony to the superior know-how, experience and pride that Paenal employees bring to each project.«
Inaugurated in 2008, Paenal shipyard was established to meet Angola’s vital need to develop manufacturing technology and to facilitate the integration of FPSO modules. The Heavy Lift Crane (HLC) rated 2,500t, which was inaugurated in 2013, combined with 490m of purpose-built quayside, means that the yard is fully commissioned and can accommodate the installation of topsides onto mega FPSOs. Paenal is capable of producing up to 10,000 tons of modules per year, the company states.
In parallel with construction of the yard a dedicated training school was established in Porto Amboim, which contributes to the knowledge base of Angola’s oil & gas industry. Since 2008 the yard’s workforce has grown exponentially. From a humble start six years ago, almost 1,200 people are now employed, of which 85% are Angolan nationals – a level well above the 70% minimum imposed on the industry by the government. Globally SBM Offshore employs over 1,700 people in their Angolan operations (including Paenal).
Jean-Philippe Rodigues, SBM Offshore Business Development Senior Vice President in Angola, said: »The fact that Paenal is now a successful, state-of-the-art fabrication shipyard with 85% Angolan nationals employed here represents a success story in the development of the country’s facilities and infrastructure. The yard’s capacity and highly qualified and trained workers are the result of a major investment over the past eight years by SBM Offshore and our partner Sonangol. Paenal has the capacity to serve the Angolan oil and gas industry’s ambitious plans for production offshore.«
