June 13 - The Hebron project has announced that it has commenced the tow-out of the platform from the Bull Arm construction site, Mosquito Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, to the Hebron field in the Jeanne d'Arc Basin, located about 350 km offshore Newfou
The platform, which measures approximately 220 m in height and weighs about 750,000 tonnes, is expected to take up to two weeks to reach its final destination at the Hebron field, where the towing fleet will re-configure and the platform will be ballasted to sit on the sea floor in its permanent position.
In January 2017, Fagioli partnered with RINA Services for the installation of the topsides of the platform at the Bull Arm construction site, as HLPFI reported here. Once fully commissioned and the regulatory permits are in place, drilling operations will begin with first oil anticipated before the end of 2017.
"Tow-out of the platform is a major step toward our ultimate goal of commencing production from the Hebron field later in 2017," said Geoff Parker, senior project manager for Hebron and vice president of ExxonMobil Canada Properties.
The tow fleet includes ten anchor-handling tug supply vessels designed specifically for managing large towing operations, while many of the local Atlantic Towing and Maersk vessels have been employed for the tow.
The Hebron platform consists of a stand-alone gravity-based structure, which supports an integrated topsides deck that includes living quarters, and drilling and production facilities. The facility is capable of storing 1.2 million barrels of oil and producing 150,000 barrels per day at peak rates.
ExxonMobil Canada Properties is the operator of the Hebron project, its co-venturers are Chevron Canada Limited, Suncor Energy, Statoil Canada and Nalcor Energy Oil and Gas.
