Murphy developed a cost effective jackup rig installed platform which utilises its 4 structural piles as well conductors. Each of the 914mm OD (36”) conductors houses a compact triple well system. By using 2 additional conductors the jacket is able to support up to 18 wells.

The jacket was fabricated at Lumut on the West coast of peninsular Malaysia.  The 300 tonne jacket was lifted horizontally using the jackup rig Ron Tappmeyer.

Transporting the jacket for the West Patricia WP-PA wellhead platform

It was then upended and lowered to the seabed. The jacket was secured to the rig to ensure it landed vertically and to support it during piling. Piles were mechanically connected and driven using an hydraulic hammer.

The production wells were then pre-drilled and completed before the topsides installation.

ICON was engaged at the conceptual design stage to work with the local designers and assist in jacket concept selection. Feasible installation methods were also developed at that stage such that the design incorporated all the necessary features to allow both upending in air and a floating upend. The final upending method was then chosen on the basis of lowest risk and cost.

By using the rig install method, the jacket installation and drilling could be executed significantly in advance of the topsides procurement and fabrication.

Conventional installation by crane barge would have required two mobilisations of the heavy lift barge to achieve the same schedule.

ICON's involvement included responsibility for installation engineering and site execution of the installation work.

The topsides weighed 600 tonnes and installation by floatover was undertaken in March/April 2003.

Platform Data

Water Depth                  40 m

Jacket Lift Weight           300 t

Topsides Weight             600 t

Well Slots                      6 (allowing 3 wells per slot)

Legs                              4 vertical

Piles                              4 x 914mm diam. Vertical