Technip bids for RM1b deepwater job

Technip Malaysia has submitted a bid for a deepwater job worth RM1 billion. "We are bidding for the design and managing the fabrication. Obviously, we hope we can win. It will be our third, if we can secure the job," said Technip Malaysia Managing Director, Edgar Pushparatnam.

Pushparatnam said the company’s first deepwater project, the Kikeh Spar is located at a depth of 1,330 metres in offshore Sabah. "Kikeh Spar is the first deepwater development in Malaysia. It is also the first spar installed outside of the Gulf of Mexico. "The contract is a major project and milestone for Technip," he added.

Following the success of the Kikeh project, Technip was awarded its second deepwater contract in 2006 by Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn Bhd (MMHE) for Shell’s Gumusut-Kakap project. Technip performed the detailed engineering of the entire topsides facilities of the Gumusut-Kakap semi-submersible Floating Production Unit (FPU), which will be installed at a depth of approximately 1,200 metres in offshore Sabah.

Pushparatnam said Technip is also looking at venturing into the deepwater market in Australia. "The deepwater market is a major growth area for the Asia Pacific. Apart from being involved in deepwater projects in Malaysia, we also have others in Indonesia, such as the Gendalo Gehem at a depth of between 1,000-1,900 metres," he told Bernama.

He also said that Technip’s global order book as of June 30, 2011 was 9,413 million euros and the Asia Pacific represents 13 per cent of that amount.

"In the Asia Pacific, we’re optimistic of the demand for our services over the next three years," he added.

He also said that the company’s plant in Johor, Asiaflex Products, which manufactures flexible pipe and umbilical, has received orders from clients in Malaysia, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, with progressive delivery since early this year.

The factory, the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific has a production capacity of 200km per annum and is designed to cater for the Asia Pacific and Middle East markets.

The factory was officially opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in November, last year. Pushparatnam said a total of RM650 million was invested in the factory. -- Bernama