In a significant maritime operation, Dutch offshore services leader Boskalis utilized its largest semi-submersible heavy transport vessel, the Boka Vanguard, to transport Shell's newly constructed Whale Floating Production Unit (FPU) to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The Whale project, part of Shell's Gulf of Mexico portfolio, achieved a final investment decision in July 2021 and involves cutting-edge energy-efficient gas turbines and compression systems.

The Whale FPU was constructed by Seatrium (formerly Sembcorp Marine), delivering a topside module and a four-column semi-submersible floating hull in October 2023. The groundbreaking integration of the Whale FPU topside and hull in a single lift was made possible by Boskalis' Boka Vanguard vessel, boasting a 25,000-ton lifting capacity.

The Boka Vanguard, built in 2012, is a semi-submersible vessel designed for heavy transport and offshore dry-docking. Loaded with the Whale FPU, the vessel recently arrived in Ingleside, United States, marking another successful collaboration between Boskalis and Shell in Gulf of Mexico projects.

Whale, discovered in 2017 in Alaminos Canyon Block 773, is adjacent to the Shell-operated Silvertip field and approximately 10 miles from the Shell-operated Perdido platform. Shell Offshore operates the Whale development with a 60% interest, while Chevron holds the remaining 40%. The project is slated to commence production in 2024, targeting a peak production of approximately 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day with an estimated recoverable resource volume of 490 million boe.

This achievement follows Boskalis' prior success in transporting Shell's Vito platform to the Gulf of Mexico in March 2022. The Whale project signifies another milestone in the collaboration between Boskalis and Shell, with the companies also expressing intent for future ventures, such as the planned Sparta FPU destined for a deepwater project in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico."