The pre-qualification process for a colossal new offshore production platform in Libya, a key part of the $8 billion Structures A&E project, is nearing completion. The project, operated by the Mellitah Oil & Gas joint venture, was sanctioned in 2021 and represents the first major Libyan energy development since the early 2000s. A final decision on the procurement strategy for the Structure E platform is imminent, with the partners considering either a single engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) contract or separate tenders for major components like the integrated deck and jacket to secure more competitive prices.

Project Scope and Production

Located 130 kilometres offshore, the Structures A&E project will exploit the A and E fields. The larger Structure E facility is designed to handle output from 23 subsea wells, with planned production of 600 million cubic feet per day of gas and 30,000 barrels per day of condensate. A separate, smaller Structure A wellhead platform is already under construction, with gas and liquids flow to an existing platform targeted by the end of 2027. Overall, Eni expects plateau production from the entire scheme to reach 760 MMcfd of gas, plus 42,000 bpd of condensate and 5,000 bpd of oil.

Structure E Scale and Contractors

The Structure E platform will be one of the largest fixed steel platforms ever built globally, comparable to Shell's historic Bullwinkle platform. Current design parameters indicate a total structure weight of approximately 90,000 tonnes, comprising:

• A 235-meter-high jacket weighing over 40,000 tonnes.
• An integrated topsides weighing about 26,000 tonnes.
• Additional components including 28 piles and buoyancy tanks.

The list of yards that have passed the initial screening and are in contention for the EPCI bid includes:

1. CIMC Raffles (China)
2. Samsung Heavy Industries (South Korea)
3. Hanwha Ocean (South Korea)
4. Larsen & Toubro (India)
5. Saipem and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (Italy/South Korea consortium)
6. NMDC Energy (U.A.E.)
7. CAMC Engineering, China National Petroleum Corporation, Arkad and Progetti Europa (China/Italy consortium)

These contenders have proposed fabrication strategies spanning China, South Korea, Oman, India, and the U.A.E., with engineering support from Europe and the Middle East.

Strategic Importance for Eni

Libya remains a strategic region for Eni. The company sees significant potential in leveraging existing infrastructure, notably the underutilized Greenstream gas pipeline to Italy. Successful development of new offshore fields like Structures A&E would allow additional gas to be fed into this export pipeline, supporting Eni's growth ambitions.