Breakthrough subsea contract in US Gulf

Petrobras Americas has awarded Aker Kvaerner a contract to supply subsea power cables and control umbilicals to its Cascade and Chinook fields in the Gulf of Mexico

The contract, worth approximately USD 65 million, represents a significant breakthrough for Aker Kvaerner power cable technology.

Aker Kvaerner will deliver around 230 000 feet (70 kilometres) of high voltage power cables as well as static and dynamic steel tube umbilicals to Petrobras.

They will be produced for the Petrobras Cascade and Chinook subsea development.

The fields are located in the Walker Ridge area of the Gulf of Mexico, roughly 165 miles (260 kilometres) south of the Louisiana coast.

"We have extensive experience in developing umbilical technologies for deepwater areas and have used our know-how to develop a high voltage power cable suitable for the same water depths.

This deepwater application is groundbreaking, and we are extremely pleased that Petrobras has chosen us as their supplier for this project," says Erik Wiik, president - Americas, Aker Kvaerner Subsea.

Both the high voltage power cables and umbilicals will be installed at water depths up to 8800 feet (2700 metres).

The umbilicals will be made using the Aker Kvaerner patented carbon fibre rod technology.

"Petrobras needs dynamic umbilicals that are highly flexible and have good mechanical characteristics that can withstand the environmental challenges in deep water Gulf of Mexico.

We can offer this with our advanced carbon fibre rod solution" adds Wiik.

The project management, engineering, and manufacturing will be performed at the Aker Kvaerner Subsea state-of-the-art umbilical facility in Mobile, Alabama.

The scope of work includes the design, qualification, fabrication, and testing of the umbilicals along with all required topside and subsea terminations.

Delivery of power cables and umbilicals is scheduled for mid-2009.

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