SAIPEM and AGL launch the manufacture of the preparatory underwater structures for phase 2 of the Baleine project in Côte d’Ivoire
On April 24, 2024, SAIPEM, an engineering and construction company for energy projects and infrastructure, and Africa Global Logistics (AGL), launched the construction of the preparatory subsea structures for phase 2 of Eni and PETROCI’s Whale project, in the workshops of CARENA, a subsidiary of AGL.
The ceremony was attended by the General Directorate of Hydrocarbons of the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, the General Manager of Maritime Solutions of AGL, the Directorate of Maritime and Ports Affairs of the Ministry of transport, the General Directorate of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan, Eni Côte d’Ivoire and its partner PETROCI HOLDING.
Once the equipment has been received, the work of AGL’s teams will consist of carrying out under the supervision of the SAIPEM teams, the cutting of the various parts, the assembly of the components, the welding of the material, the sandblasting and painting of the structures, as well as the quality control of the work. In particular, SAIPEM has entrusted AGL, after a call for tenders launched in October 2023, with the construction of underwater metal structures, namely 2 umbilical anchoring systems, weighing 80 tons, and 6 underwater fixing structures weighing about 120 tons, which will be deployed on the site offshore in a water depth of more than 1,000 m.
«AGL IS PLEASED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENERGY SECTOR, WHICH IS STRATEGIC FOR CÔTE D’IVOIRE’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. OUR PRESENCE IN THE FIELDS OF OIL LOGISTICS AND INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE WITH EQUIPPED WORKSHOPS, WELL-TRAINED EMPLOYEES AND DIRECT ACCESS TO THE SEA ARE ASSETS THAT WE ARE PUTTING AT THE DISPOSAL OF THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT. ALSO, THANKS TO THE KNOW-HOW OF OUR TEAMS, WE ARE TAKING AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN OUR COMMITMENT ALONGSIDE THE GOVERNMENT OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE TO SUPPORT THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN A CONCRETE WAY.» Stanislas de Saint Louvent, General Manager of Marine Solutions at AGL
The manufacture of this equipment in Abidjan is part of SAIPEM’s local content policy, the objective of which is to maximize the use of local expertise and skills in its projects in the countries where the company works. SAIPEM thus intends to effectively and efficiently support the development of Ivorian human resources and social communities, the transfer of skills and technologies to local companies, the promotion of ecological awareness, and bring real and sustainable added value through its presence in the country.
With this in mind, AGL has mobilized a hundred employees for this project, including its teams of welders, slingers, crane operators, painters and national supervisors certified in the construction of metal structures for the offshore oil sector. The company involves local skills in the implementation of energy projects in Côte d’Ivoire. AGL was chosen to manufacture the project’s subsea structures for the resources and equipment it has, and especially for the direct access to the sea offered by its shipyard in Abidjan
«WE HAVE DECIDED TO LOCALIZE THE FABRICATION OF SOME SUBSEA STRUCTURES, FOR PHASE 2 OF THE BALEINE PROJECT, IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE, WITH A VIEW TO HELPING TRAIN A QUALIFIED LOCAL WORKFORCE IN ORDER TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPETITIVE LOCAL INDUSTRY THAT COMPLIES WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF NEW OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENTS IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE. OUR AMBITION IS TO DO EVEN MORE TO EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY SUPPORT LOCAL CONTENT AND BRING REAL AND SUSTAINABLE ADDED VALUE THROUGH OUR PRESENCE IN THE COUNTRY.» Bertrand Novelle, Managing Director of SAIPEM in Côte d’Ivoire
AGL
