Qatargas Operating Company Limited (Qatargas) today announced completion of its North Field Bravo (NFB) Living Quarters Expansion project which provides an additional 90-person accommodation facility to the NFB Offshore Operations. 

The project’s scope included a four-legged jacket and piles weighing approximately 2,200 tonnes to support the additional living quarters platform weighing approximately 2,800 tonnes. The structure consists of five decks, a fully equipped helideck and six bridge links to the existing living quarters. The fabrication, construction, load-out, sail away and modification activities on the Living Quarters Expansion project were carried out safely and involved 2.98 million man-hours, with a peak manpower level of 900 people.

Commenting on this milestone project, Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer, Qatargas, said: “I am pleased to announce the completion of this significant project which saw, for the first time in the State of Qatar, a major offshore platform fabricated locally at the Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma shipyard (NKOM). The safe delivery of this project is a testament to the commitment of Qatargas to quality and flawless execution in developing state-of-the-art LNG facilities in the country.”

He added that a dedicated team of experts from Qatargas’ Project Management, Operations Expansion & Startup (OES) and Offshore Operations departments, together with their partners Rosetti Marino (EPIC Contractor), NKOM (Fabrication Contractor for EPIC Contractor), and Heerema Marines (Transportation & Installation Contractor), had worked exceptionally well to overcome various challenges, including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, to reach this major milestone. “I would like to thank everyone from the various Qatargas groups that have contributed to this momentous milestone as well as our Shareholders for their continued support and valuable contribution.”

The original NFB accommodation, installed in 1995, was designed for the operational needs of Qatargas Trains 1 and 2.  The offshore accommodation expansion project was initiated to cater for the changes in the operational requirements following various expansion projects. Modifications were also done on the existing living quarters and platform to properly integrate the new additional living quarters.