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Issues identified on Tullow Oil Jubilee FPSO turret bearing causes extra procedures to be brought in as investigations continue.
According to Tullow Oil, during a routine inspection, on its Ghanaian Jubilee FPSO, a potential issue was identified with the turret bearing.
The turret’s original manufacturers, Houston based SOFEC, both conducted the inspection and identified the issue.
Neither Tullow nor SOFEC have given any further comment or insight into exactly what the issue is or its potential consequences.
However Tullow did say that due to the issue, they have put in place additional procedures covering both inspection and use of the bearing. As part of the procedures, Tullow has limited the degree of the FPSO’s rotation.
Tullow Oil added that SOFEC continue to be onboard as part of the ongoing examinations, in a bid to determine what measures will need to be put inlace to rectify the matter.
The Jubilee FPSO, know locally as the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah, is located approximately 37 miles (60km) offshore Ghana.
Discovered back in 2007 by Tullow the Jubilee field achieved first production through the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah in November 2010 around 40 months after first discovery.
At the time of delivery the FPSO’s turret was said to be the biggest ever constructed within the offshore oil and gas industry.
Both the Jubilee field and FPSO are operated by Tullow Oil; which have current production rate of approximately 105,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Source : http://www.offshorepost.com/issues-identified-on-tullow-oil-jubilee-fpso-turret-bearing/
