Hurricane Energy Plc (LON:HUR) has confirmed that another box has been ticked off its field development checklist, with the successful completion of buoy 'dry' trial fit testing at dry dock in Dubai.
The Aoka Mizu FPSO (floating production storage and offloading) vessel is being upgraded at Dubai Drydocks World ahead of its deployment as the key piece of equipment in the planned Lancaster field early production system.
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At the same dry dock, a buoy has been fabricated for use as part of the FPSO mooring system. The trial fit testing saw the buoy and Aoka Mizu turret mooring system connected and subsequently separated.
More operational progress on the Lancaster EPS announced this morning, with successful buoy 'dry' trial fit operations in Dubai. Additional pictures added to our website. #FPSO #oilandgas $HUR https://t.co/BMxJesg7lP pic.twitter.com/lDVh93Tv4z
— Hurricane Energy (@hurricomms) February 14, 2018
Hurricane, in a project update, told investors that the successful test has provided “a high level of confidence” and that it was completed ahead of schedule.
"I am delighted that the Lancaster EPS development has passed another key milestone with the successful trial fit testing of the buoy in Dubai,” said Dr Robert Trice, Hurricane chief executive.
“I would like to thank Bluewater and Dubai Drydocks World for reaching this milestone ahead of schedule, whilst maintaining safe operations.”
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The dry dock work remains on schedule for the buoy's departure from Dubai in the second quarter of 2018, ahead of its installation at the West of Shetland oil field during the third quarter. The Lancaster field’s early production system, which will yield some 17,000 barrels of oil production per day, is pencilled in for start-up in the first half of 2019.