Trident Energy completes subsea campaign with MDL

MDL has assisted Trident Energy with the relocation of two flowlines and the installation of an umbilical in the Marimba field in Campos Basin, offshore Brazil.

The production and gas lift flowlines were disconnected from an existing MA-1 tree, recovered to surface for the installation and testing of a vertical connection module, and then connected to the new MA-34 subsea tree. In addition, a new subsea control umbilical was installed to provide functionality to the tree.

MDL provided project engineering support together with the complete back-deck spread to perform the flex-lay operations.

Consisting of an MDL Generation 3 Reel Drive System, 2-track lay tensioner, hinged chute, A&R winch and a bespoke hang-off platform to facilitate the mid-line connections, the spread was mobilised on a Construction Support Vessel (CSV), the Normand Frontier.

MDL also provided design and engineering services to manufacture a grillage frame for the integrated hang-off platform locally in Brazil, which reduced the costs of logistics from UK and return.

This was Trident’s first Brazilian subsea campaign to enhance production from the Pampo field. As a result, the MA-34 is now producing 4,400 barrels of oil per day.

Simon Lorelli, Group Subsea Manager at Trident Energy, said:

“Trident Energy began this project in late 2020, and since then numerous challenges had to be overcome. The Brazilian offshore industry has been thriving for years, which leaves limited space for small projects to be executed. Therefore, one of the main challenges was securing an offshore installation contractor as well as sourcing a suitable installation vessel.

“These challenges led us to execute this project ourselves, managing each part singlehandedly, such as chartering a vessel with ROVs and survey services, setting up a laying spread onboard, hiring offshore crew and being our own offshore service contractor.

“This project is a first of its kind within our Brazilian operations and we are excited with all the opportunities that will be identified following this achievement.”

Andrew Blaquiere, Managing Director at MDL said:

“What a fantastic project to be involved with, allowing MDL to add value to the client at different stages of the operation, with our in-house design and manufacture capability, portable, safe and super-efficient equipment and vast flex-lay experience.

“Working directly with Trident on this mission has allowed us to pass all that value directly to them, as well as give the market an insight into how projects can be performed differently, when schedules are tight and access to purpose-built solutions is limited – and deliver a successful mission with a range of benefits along the way.

“We are thankful to Trident for selecting MDL to be their trusted partner on this maiden project, and to allow us to showcase the added value of MDL across the entire project life cycle. The consistent collaboration by multiple contractors throughout the project was a testament to the desire from all parties to have a successful mission.

“In recent months we have seen an uptick in enquiries from Brazil which is a great sign that the country is looking to benefit from British engineering expertise in efficiently unlocking the full potential of their offshore reserves.

“We look forward to working with more success-driven project managers in this region and elsewhere globally, jointly identifying solutions to their project and business challenges.”