China's Offshore Oil Engineering Company (COOEC) has secured the commissioning contract for the newbuild floating production unit (FPU) destined for Phase 3 of the Sakarya gas field development offshore Turkey. The contract, awarded by the FPU's EPCIC contractor Wison New Energies, covers design, commissioning management, and production readiness support for the vessel.

FPU Specifications and Scope

The FPU is a complex facility expected to include 21 topsides modules with over 90 major systems and 600 subsystems. Its equipment will feature dual-fuel main engines, high and low-pressure gas compressors, triethylene glycol and ethylene glycol regeneration skids, and complex control systems. The unit is designed to operate at a water depth of 2,150 metres.

Strategic Importance for COOEC

COOEC has highlighted this contract as a strategic breakthrough in expanding its international commissioning services. The company aims to leverage its deepwater commissioning experience from domestic projects, such as Haikui 1, to establish a stronger foothold in the global floating vessel commissioning market.

Sakarya Field Development Context

The Sakarya field is Turkey's first deepwater gas development, located 170 kilometres offshore and discovered in 2020. Phase 1 production began in 2023. The upcoming Phase 3 development will involve the new FPU exploiting 27 wells across the Sakarya and Amasra fields. Production will be transported via a new trunkline to an onshore natural gas processing facility in the Filyos Industrial Zone.

Associated Contracts and Developments

The broader Phase 3 development involves several other key contractors. Subsea7 holds the EPCI subsea contract awarded last year, while Baker Hughes will supply the subsea production and intelligent completion systems. Separately, Saipem was recently awarded a contract to tie-in the Goktepe discovery, located about 80 kilometres from Sakarya, to the Phase 3 facilities. It is noted that Phase 2 of the Sakarya development involves a different floating unit, the former BW Opportunity FPSO, which is slated for operation by 2028.