Installation contractors are marshalling their resources in West Africa for at least 15 new deepwater projects. Physically, the challenge can be met, according to the market leader Stolt Offshore. Financially, problems may arise if operators over-extend their technical brief. Stolt Offshore has had first-hand experience of these issues with two current projects off Angola and Nigeria. Girassol Phase 1 was one of the world's most ambitious deepwater programs, involving untried insulation and connection technologies and a large vessel spread. But the concept proved to be technically and economically sound.
展开▼
