UK energy company BP has chosen Allseas for the subsea pipelay work on the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) natural gas project offshore Mauritania and Senegal.

The contract encompasses the installation of approximately 75 kilometers of the two 16-inch export pipelines, along with field termination assemblies (FTAs), in water depths ranging from 1,500 to 2,800 meters. It also includes the laying of four 10-inch CRA infield lines, each with FTAs up to two kilometers in length, in waters with a depth of 2,800 meters.

Allseas is set to conduct the offshore pipelay operations in early December, utilizing its construction vessel, Pioneering Spirit. Support for installation will be provided by the construction support vessel (CSV) Oceanic.

The technical feasibility of installing the pipelines and subsea structures, originally designed for J-lay installation, was assessed by the commercial and engineering teams of both companies.

To install the 10 FTAs, Pioneering Spirit will be equipped with a specialized 1,000-tonne J-mode installation frame, designed in-house and manufactured at Allseas' Heijningen fabrication yard in the Netherlands.

Pieter Heerema, Chief Executive of Allseas, stated, "This agreement demonstrates both our willingness and ability to take on highly complex pipelay projects with fast-track planning and execution scopes. We are excited to work with BP on this project, which re-establishes the partnership between our two companies and creates a platform for future collaboration."

As previously reported, BP regards the GTA gas development as its "largest project" in its portfolio, possessing "sufficient gas to support production for at least 20 years." The project is situated approximately 40 kilometers offshore on the maritime border of Mauritania and Senegal.